HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) has received notification from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of a laboratory-confirmed case of angiostrongyliasis, or rat lungworm disease, in an adult visitor to Hawai‘i Island. With the additional case confirmed by CDC, this brings the statewide total to seven cases of individuals confirmed with angiostrongyliasis in 2019. This includes three residents and four visitors all of which likely contracted the disease on Hawai‘i Island. The seventh individual was an adult resident of the U.S. mainland and was traveling in West Hawai‘i when they were infected with the parasite causing rat lungworm disease. The individual became ill in late June and did not seek medical care until the end of July after reoccurring dizziness. They were hospitalized on the mainland for a short time for their symptoms. The investigation was not able to identify an exact source of infection. However, the individual reported eating a lot of fresh, local produce without washing first. They also grew a number of herbs on their lanai during their visit. “Thoroughly inspecting and rinsing all fresh fruits and vegetables under clean, running water can go a long way in making our food safer to eat, and it is the most effective way to remove pests and other contaminants,” said Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist. “When in doubt, cooking food by boiling for 3 to 5 minutes or heating to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 15 seconds can kill the parasite that causes rat lungworm disease.” DOH provides the following recommendations to prevent rat lungworm disease: Wash all fruits and vegetables under clean, running water to remove any tiny slugs or snails. Pay close attention to leafy greens.Control snail, slug, and rat populations around homes, gardens and farms. Get rid of these vectors safely by clearing debris where they might live, and also using traps and baits. Always wear gloves for safety when working outdoors.Inspect, wash, and store produce in sealed containers, regardless of whether it came from a local retailer, farmer’s market, or backyard garden. For more information about rat lungworm disease and how to prevent its spread, visit: DOH website: http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/disease_listing/rat-lungwormangiostrongyliasis/HDOA website: https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/blog/main/rat-lungworm-information/CTAHR website: http://manoa.hawaii.edu/ctahr/farmfoodsafety/rat-lungworm/CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/angiostrongylus/index.html Angiostrongyliasis, commonly known as rat lungworm disease, is caused by a parasitic roundworm and can have debilitating effects on an infected person’s brain and spinal cord. In Hawai‘i, most people become ill by accidentally ingesting a snail or slug infected with the parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis (A. cantonensis). Symptoms vary widely between cases, and the most common ones include severe headaches and neck stiffness. The most serious cases experience neurological problems, severe pain and long-term disability. PDF: Seventh case of rat lungworm disease in 2019 confirmed in visitor to Hawai‘i Island #RatLungworm #RatLungworDisease #HawaiiDepartmentofHealth #DOH #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention #CDC #Snails #Slugs #Angiostrongyliasis #SarahPark #HawaiiIsland #HawaiiState #WashfriotsandVegetables

The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) broke ground on Oct. 10 for the first phase of Niu Valley Middle School’s (NVMS) World Language Center. The groundbreaking ceremony was held with students, staff and parents from the school’s past, present and future as well as community members and government partners. The World Language Center will include four classrooms to be used specifically for world language and English-learning curriculum, and is designed to support 21st century modes of education critical to effectively support learning. “The ability to communicate in more than one language is essential for our global society and for the success of our students,” said First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige.  “The students who learn in this new language center will go on to work collaboratively with their peers on a global level.” NVMS, along with Kaiser High School and Hahaione Elementary, offers the complex area an International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools program. NVMS offers the Middle Years Programme component of the IB program, requiring the school to include World Languages in its curriculum. Japanese and Mandarin classes will be held in the new building. The World Language Center will help support the progression of enrollment to the program with additional classroom facilities. “This new World Language Center is a perfect complement to our International Baccalaureate program’s focus on giving our students a world-class education,” said NVMS Principal Laura Ahn.  “We are excited to see our students thrive in new 21st century learning environments.” The first phase of construction will consist of laying the foundation for the entire structure and construction of one classroom, the technology server room and restrooms.  There will also be a Learning Lanai – a large exterior covered space which expands the classrooms’ instructional space outdoors under cool shade with a ventilated roof that collects rainwater while enabling passive cooling for the classrooms under it. The second phase of construction will include the remaining three classrooms and restrooms.  The estimated completion for the entire project is fall 2021.  Updates can be tracked on the NVMS website. #NiuValleyMiddleSchool #NiuValley #HIDOE #HawaiiPublicSchools #WorldLanguageCenter #GroundbreakingCeremony #StanleyChang

(Honolulu) – The Legacy Land Conservation Commission has prioritized applications to protect 19,270 acres stretching from the southeast shore at Ka‘ū, Hawai‘i, to Kaua‘i’s north shore, including lands on Maui, Moloka‘i, and O‘ahu. While thirteen properties requiring $15 million were recommended for funding, the existing budget of $6.4 million will fund five of the top ranked properties. The recommendations require approval by the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) and the Governor: Kaunāmano (Ala Kahakai Trail Association, with conservation easement held by County of Hawai‘i; full award for Fiscal Year 2020). Kaunāmano covers five undeveloped parcels of 1,363 acres between Nāʻālehu and Honu‘apo, fronting four miles of Ka‘ū coastline and reaching up to the 600-foot elevation. The entire property is licensed for cattle grazing. This frequently brings people in to help protect sensitive resources and would provide a revenue stream to support future management actions. Mapulehu (Moloka‘i Land Trust, with conservation easement held by Hawaiian Islands Land Trust; partial award for Fiscal Year 2020). The property extends across two parcels totaling 1,816 acres, from near the ocean to the summit of East Moloka‘i. The lower parcel holds the platform of ‘Ili‘ili‘ōpae Heiau—a training area for kahuna and a sacrificial heiau. It supported kalo cultivation in lo‘i along Mapulehu Stream and its tributaries. The upper property is largely watershed, disturbed and degraded by the introduction of cattle and other invasive species, where human activity likely included agricultural use at lower elevations, and hunting and gathering of materials for daily use and cultural use. Maka‘alae Lands (Ke Ao Hali‘i, with conservation easement held by Hawaiian Islands Land Trust; full award for Fiscal Year 2021). Four parcels of oceanfront pasture land at Hāna, Maui cover about 30 acres of a larger effort to protect and conserve 18 parcels totaling 150 acres.  These are prime camping, fishing, and gathering spots for local residents that are also rich in cultural, historical, and natural resource value. Kiolaka‘a (Ala Kahakai Trail Association, with conservation easement held by County of Hawai‘i; full award for Fiscal Year 2021). Beginning at Ka‘alu‘alu Bay, a popular camping spot, three parcels of Kiolaka‘a land cover 1,840 acres, stretching over four miles inland to the 700-foot elevation. Local ranchers hold license agreements to graze cattle on portions of this property as well as on adjacent lands that are also slated for conservation with funding from the Legacy Land Conservation Program. Manaka‘a (Ala Kahakai Trail Association, with conservation easement held by County of Hawai’i; partial award for Fiscal Year 2021). The 348-acre property is an undeveloped coastal parcel just south of Nā‘ālehu, where Manāka‘a Fishing Village sits on the cliffs overlooking Waikapuna.  Local ranchers also hold license agreements to graze cattle on portions of this property, as well as on adjacent lands that are also slated for conservation with funding from the Legacy Land Conservation Program. The Commission acknowledged the value of the proposed acquisitions by recommending an increase to the program’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget to provide funding for an additional eight properties: An additional 32+ acres of coastal land at Hāna, Maui (Ke Ao Hali‘i, Mokae Lands);A conservation easement covering 2,780 acres of working forest lands in Kona, Hawaii; (Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Hāloa ʻĀina – Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood);11,000 acres of West Maui watershed lands (Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Nā Wai ‘Ehā);Two fishpond properties (Waipā Foundation at Halele‘a, Kaua‘i and Hawaiian Islands Land Trust at Waikalua Loko I‘a, O‘ahu)Agricultural land at Olohena, Kaua‘i (Mālama Kaua‘i); and Coastal access at Keone‘ō‘i‘o Bay, Maui (Division of Forestry and Wildlife) and coastal ecosystem protection for anchialine pools at Nānu‘alele, Maui. Despite land use regulations and development in Hawai‘i, lands that hold important resource values are often unprotected, inaccessible, and threatened with damage and destruction. The State Legislature established the Land Conservation Fund in 2005 to provide permanent adequate funding for land conservation by dedicating proceeds from the real estate conveyance tax to the Fund. The grant application and approval process includes consultation with three State agencies (DLNR, Department of Agriculture, and the Agribusiness Development Corporation). The process also requires field visits and public meetings with the Legacy Land Conservation Commission; consultation with the President of the State Senate and the Speaker of the State House of Representatives; environmental review; before final approval by the BLNR, the Department of Budget and Finance and the Governor. The application process for grants for Fiscal Year 2022 funds is scheduled to begin in January 2020. #LandConservation #Forestry #Wildlife #DLNR #BLNR #LandAndNaturalResources #LegacyLandConservationCommission #Kaunamano #Mapulhu #Makaalae #Kiolakaa #Manakaa

HONOLULU – At the request of Mayor Michael Victorino, Gov. David Ige has ordered that the United States flag and the Hawai‘i state flag will be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol and upon all state offices and agencies as well as the Hawai‘i National Guard in the State of Hawai‘i on ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019 and on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019 until sunset. These are the dates of the services for former Maui County Council Chairman Danny Mateo, who died on Sept. 24, 2019, at the age of 68. He served as a County Council member for 12 years from 2002 through 2013, eight as Council Chair. He recently retired as County Clerk. “Danny was known for his tenacity, quick-wittedness and perseverance, and he was well respected by his peers for his leadership ability and compassion for his community. To his family, he was full of humor, loving, yet committed to ensuring that he did his part in making a difference for future generations. On behalf of the citizens of Hawaiʻi, I join Danny’s ‘ohana in bidding him a fond aloha,” said Gov. Ige. Mayor Victorino added, “I will miss Danny’s great sense of humor, his smile and friendship. He wanted people to be comfortable, and he was passionate about his family, his lovely wife, his children and grandchildren, and the people of Maui County. He was a consummate professional and dedicated public servant. He will be greatly missed.” #DannyMateo #FlagOrder #MichaelVictorino #MauiCountyCouncil #MauiCounty #HawaiiState

HONOLULU –  Gov. David Ige has appointed Brig. Gen. Kenneth S. Hara to be the Adjutant General for the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Defense effective Dec. 6, 2019. He replaces Maj. Gen. Arthur “Joe” Logan who will be retiring from this position at the end of the year. Brig. Gen. Hara has served as the Deputy Adjutant General since Jan. 2019. In addition, he has been the Assistant Adjutant General – Army since Jan. 2018, and since Feb. 2018 Hara was dual-hatted as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Army National Guard, Operations, G3, Eighth United States Army Korea. In addition, he has served as the chief of the Joint Staff for the Hawaiʻi National Guard where he was responsible for day-to-day operations. Prior to that, he served as commander for the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Hawaiʻi Army National Guard. Brig. Gen. Hara has served in command positions during deployments to Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. In addition to his federal mobilizations, Hara has served on several state missions in support of local authorities. Most notably he played key roles in the response following Hurricane Iniki in 1992, after an earthquake struck the island of Hawaiʻi in 2006, and as the Dual Status Commander of Joint Task Force 5-0 in support of the Kīlauea volcanic eruption and Hurricane Lane responses in 2018. Brig. Gen. Hara earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in human services from Hawaii Pacific University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Brig. Gen. Hara is married to the former Myoung Park and has five children. “Gen. Hara has been an indispensable member of the State’s Dept. of Defense command team, and I have every confidence in his abilities to lead this critical department. I have asked him to focus on building and maintaining resilience in our communities so we are better prepared to withstand and respond to unexpected events. “I thank Maj. Gen. Logan for his leadership and service to the state and to our nation and ask the citizens of Hawaiʻi to join me in wishing him well,” said Gov. Ige. “I’m honored that Gov. Ige has selected me as the Adjutant General for the State of Hawaiʻi, and I look forward to working with the Senate during the confirmation process,” said Hara. Hara’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation. **Photo attached; link to full bio here #KennethHara #AdjutantGeneral #DepartmentOfDefense #DOD #ArthurLogan #GovernorsAppointment #SenateConfirmation #HawaiiDepartmentOfDefense #ArmyNationalGuard

HONOLULU – The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) announced that veteran Hawaii hospitality executive Pattie Herman has been appointed as vice president of marketing and product development. She will begin work on December 2. “In addition to having a long and successful career in the visitor industry, Pattie’s experience and success in the Asia market will be vital as we continue to focus on this high-spend traveler,” said Chris Tatum, HTA president and CEO. An accomplished executive with more than four decades of managerial experience in Hawaii’s tourism industry, Herman will join HTA’s executive leadership team. She will be responsible for supporting HTA’s initiatives and programs to strategically manage Hawaii tourism in a sustainable manner. This includes overseeing branding strategy and planning, the development of new products and experiences, and the administration and coordinated promotion of all tourism programs supporting leisure and group travel. “Having worked in Hawaii’s hospitality industry for more than 40 years, it’s time for me to give back to the Islands and what better position than through this new role with the State. I love tourism, meeting new people and building relationships,” said Herman. “My objectives will be to promote the destination’s multi-faceted experiences, to focus on the quality of tourism, and to build on the traditions of the Hawaiian culture with passion and extreme care,” she continued. Herman currently serves as the director of sales and marketing for Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa and formerly served as area director of sales and marketing – Asia for Marriott Hotels & Resorts in Hawaii. Prior to that, she held high-level executive positions in sales and marketing at Sheraton Kauai Resort, Westin Resorts Hawaii and Sheraton Waikiki/Moana Surfrider. She has extensive experience in operations, sales and marketing, and diversified leadership. Herman was born and raised in Yokohama, Japan, and moved to Hawaii with her family when she was in high school. She graduated from Star of the Sea School. She received her Associate degree in hotel management from Kapiolani Community College and worked her way up the corporate ladder. She speaks fluent Japanese. #PattieHerman #HawaiiTourism #ChrisTatum #HTA #Tourism #Marketing #HawaiiState #ProductDevelopment

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige administered the oath of office to Colonel Roy J. Macaraeg, who was promoted to brigadier general, today in a ceremony held at Washington Place. Maj. Gen. Arthur “Joe” Logan provided remarks. Macaraeg’s family and friends and current and retired military co-workers from the Guard and active duty attended the ceremony. BG Macaraeg is believed to be the first Filipino Soldier to attain the rank of General Officer in the documented history of the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard (HIARNG). Macaraeg enlisted in the HIARNG in 1990, and in 1993, he was the HIARNG Soldier of the Year. He commissioned as a Field Artillery Officer in 1996 upon graduation from the Hawaii Military Academy, Officer Candidate School (Distinguished Honor Graduate). During his 29-years of service, Macaraeg has held various positions, including posts at the Pentagon and deployments to Iraq, Kuwait and Kosovo. He has earned numerous awards and decorations. Macaraeg is a graduate of Wallace Rider Farrington High School and holds an Associate Degree from Honolulu Community College, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Hawaiʻi – Mānoa, a Master of Business Administration from Touro University, and a Master of Science in National Strategy from the prestigious National War College. Macaraeg is married to his high school sweetheart, Bene and they have a beautiful 7-year-old daughter, Chloe Anne. #RoyMacaraeg #HawaiiNationalGuard #BrigadierGeneral #HIARNG #DOD #DepartmentOfDefense #ArthurLogan #HawaiiArmyNationalGuard #DavidIge #FarringtonHighSchool #HawaiiMilitary #HawaiiState

(Honolulu) – On Sunday, October 6, following-up on a citizen complaint, officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) recovered an estimated 1,000 feet of unattended lay net within Kaneohe Bay. To view video please click on photo or view at this link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/47u07sdgrlt4t9c/AAAWsi-yOkC35nSXBiADPMHGa?dl=0&preview=IMG_1464.MOV At approximately 10:40 a.m. the officers, from the Windward O‘ahu District discovered the double-panel net was unregistered.  They found several dead hammerhead sharks in the net and recovered a 16-foot boat as evidence. No suspects have been identified and anyone with information is encouraged to call the 24-hour DOCARE tip line at 643-DLNR (3567) or download the free DLNRTip app available for android devices and iPhones. DOCARE Officers report that unregistered, unattended, illegal lay nets continue to be a major concern, particularly on O’ahu’s windward side. #LayNet #Conservation #IllegalLayNet #AquaticResources #Boating #DOCARE #Fishing #KaneoheBay #HawaiiState #Hawaii #ConservationEnforcement #IllegalFishing

This year’s Fire Prevention Week Campaign is, “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!” This year it kicks off from October 6 to October 12, 2019 and works to educate everyone about the small but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe. Did you know? In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Escape planning and practice can help you make the most of the time you have, giving everyone enough time to get out. Plan ahead for your escape. Make your home escape plan and practice today. Be a hero! How do you define a hero? Is it…a person who is courageous and performs good deeds? Someone who comes to the aid of others, even at personal risk? A hero can be all of those things. A hero can also be…someone who takes small, but important actions to keep themselves and those around them safe from fire. When it comes to fire safety, maybe you’re already a hero in your household or community. If not, maybe you’re feeling inspired to become one. It's easy to take that first step - make your home escape plan! Note: The video on the right is intended to convey safety messages in a light-hearted entertaining way. It is not intended for children. (Adults should play an important role in reinforcing safety messages for children.) Importance of fire prevention In a fire, mere seconds can mean the difference between a safe escape and a tragedy. Fire safety education isn’t just for school children. Teenagers, adults, and the elderly are also at risk in fires, making it important for every member of the community to take some time every October during Fire Prevention Week to make sure they understand how to stay safe in case of a fire. About Fire Prevention Week Since 1922, the NFPA has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Listen as Casey Grant from the National Fire Protection Association and best-selling author Lauren Tarshsis of the ‘I Survived’ book series talk about the lessons we learned from the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires. Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land. Source: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Staying-safe/Preparedness/Fire-Prevention-Week/About #FireSafety #Fire #Safety #Smoke #SmokeAlarms #Sprinkler #NFP #NationalFirePreventionWeek #HawaiiFireDepartment #HawaiiFireFighters #NotEveryHeroWearsACape #PlanYourEscape #HawaiiState #Hawaii

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i State Department of Health has issued a health advisory urging everyone to stop vaping, no matter the substance or source, until current nationwide investigations are complete. The advisory follows the state’s first reported case of lung illness related to the use of vaping products and national estimates of more than a thousand reported cases of lung illness and 18 deaths associated with vaping and e-cigarettes. “There is serious nationwide concern over vaping, and in Hawai‘i, our children are especially at risk as we have some of the highest estimated rates of e-cigarette use among our high school and middle school youth,” said Gov. Ige. “The state is placing a high priority on investigating lung illnesses related to vaping and our Department of Health will immediately ban any products that are identified as the source of a vaping related outbreak. We will also introduce legislation to regulate these products and further restrict their access to our youth.” An estimated 26 percent of high school youth and 16 percent of middle school youth in Hawai‘i currently smoke e-cigarettes. This means Hawai‘i has one of the highest rates of vaping among high school and middle school youth in the nation. The estimated national average for high school youth is 13 percent. “Vaping is not safe, and everyone is advised to stop using vaping products until more is known about their association with serious lung disease,” said Health Director Bruce Anderson. “Parents are advised to talk with their children about the dangers of vaping, and physicians are reminded to ask their patients with symptoms of lung illness or injury about their use of e-cigarettes or their history of vaping and report cases to the Department of Health for investigation.” Until the cause of these vaping associated illnesses is determined, the Hawai‘i Department of Health recommends the following: • Do not use e-cigarettes or vaping devices of any kind. If you don’t use vaping devices, don’t start. If you are using a vaping device, stop. E-cigarettes and vaping products are unsafe and unregulated. While there are claims that vaping devices help smokers kick their cigarette habits, not enough time has elapsed, nor has testing been done, to verify this claim or the potential for other health impacts. If you are an adult using vaping devices with medical cannabis products, consider changing to another form of medical cannabis. • If you choose to continue using vaping devices, do not use off-market products. Caution is especially advised regarding the use of off-market THC containing liquids. “Off- market” products are those available through the internet, purchased from persons on the street, and those which are homemade. Homemade products often involve modifying or adding substances to products purchased at retail stores. While evidence points to a higher incidence of negative health impacts among users of off-market THC products, some patients suffering negative health impacts report using only nicotine products or products obtained on the market. • Pregnant women should not use e-cigarettes and vaping products of any kind at any time during pregnancy. • Children and youth should never use e-cigarettes and vaping devices. The act of selling to anyone under the age of 21 is illegal in Hawai‘i. It is also illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to purchase, use, and possess these products. Vaping devices were never intended to be used by children or youth and should not be used by them. • If you have recently used a vaping device and are experiencing symptoms including coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, fever, or abdominal pain, see a healthcare provider. You may also call the Hawai‘i Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 at any time ~ 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. • If you are an adult using vaping devices to kick a cigarette habit, do not return to smoking cigarettes. Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or call the Hawai‘i Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT- NOW (1-800-7848-669). This is a free and confidential call. The Department of Health will continue to investigate all reported cases of illness associated with e-cigarettes and vaping products and will update these recommendations as more information becomes available. #HawaiiDepartmentofHealth #DOH #Vaping #ECigs #ElectronicCigs #GovernorIge #DavidIge #LungIllness #HealthAdvisory #HawaiiTobaccoQuitline #HawaiiPoisonHotline #HawaiiState #HawaiiAdvisory

HDOA urges those attending the first day of the Hawaii Agriculture Conference on Oct. 15 to attend Concurrent Sessions 3 & 4 from 2:45 to 5:00 p.m. on Reshaping Hawaii’s Agriculture: Developing a New Vision to Meet the Challenges. HDOA will preview its updated strategic plan comprised of core priority actions and strongly encourages Hawaii farmers, ranchers and growers to attend this particular session and provide input on this new initiative to build a stronger agricultural industry. Please see the AG2019 Keynote Speakers who will open the conference with insightful presentations on both international and local agriculture, followed by a moderated panel discussion around our AGdaptation theme. Jamie Tuuta ​Chair, New Zealand Tourism Board, Urenui, Taranaki, New Zealand In May 2019, Jamie was named Chair of the Tourism New Zealand Board, which is responsible for marketing New Zealand as a global destination. He has been on the Board since 2013 and brings to the role an understanding of the New Zealand tourism sector and the evolution of Tourism New Zealand. He is currently the Chair of Māori Television, Te Ohu Kaimoana (the Māori Fisheries Commission) and Taranaki Mounga, an ambitious project with a vision to restore ecological resilience to more than 34,000 hectares from the mountain to the sea. Mr Tuuta was the recipient of the 2010 Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leadership Award and the 2016 Young Māori Business Leader Award. ​Jamie was born and bred in Taranaki, growing up on the family farm in Urenui, Taranaki and is affiliated to many iwi in Taranaki. Jamie has held various roles in the areas of iwi development, agribusiness, fishing, investment, health, Māori development, tourism and education.  He is inspired by the opportunities for New Zealand to be an exemplar for other countries. Jamie has a deep understanding of land use and land management.  He held the role of  Māori Trustee and CEO of Te Tumu Paeroa for 7 years retiring in 2018.  In this role he was responsible for  administering 100,000 hectares of Māori land throughout the country.  He is also the former chair of Parininihi ki Waitōtara Incorporation a large land based farming business. He is a former director of Wools of New Zealand (responsible for marketing strong wool), Port Nicholson Fisheries Ltd a lobster export business,   Taranaki Investment Management Ltd which owned Van Diemen Land Company in Tasmania and the New Plymouth PIF Guardians Ltd a perpetual investment fund owned by the New Plymouth District Council.  He was also a member of the Government appointed Investment Advisory Panel for the Primary Growth Partnership.  ​ Jamie is passionate about investing in innovation and increasing the economic and environmental performance of New Zealand’s primary industries, particularly the Māori pastoral and fishing sectors. He has a particular interest in building and developing the capacity and capability of Māori. Michelle Galimba Cattle Rancher, Ka‘u, Hawai‘i, U.S.A. Michelle Galimba is a cattle rancher in Ka’u on Hawaiʻi Island where she runs Kuahiwi Ranch with her brother, Guy Galimba. Their family ranch provides locally grown beef to supermarkets, farmer’s markets, and restaurants on O‘ahu and Hawaiiʻi Island. She grew up on dairy farms in Hawaiʻi and has been involved with her family’s ranch since it started on abandoned sugar-cane acreage in the early 1990’s. Having grown up in agriculture in Hawaiʻi, she has seen first hand the stresses and constraints which make farming and ranching particularly challenging in Hawaiʻi. She is interested in the key role that agriculture in general, and small farms in particular, has to play in addressing the big challenges of our time: economic inequity, political dis-enfranchisement, biodiversity loss, and climate change. Michelle received  a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from UC, Berkeley.  Her dissertation was on the poetry of the 13th century Chinese poet/calligrapher/statesman/farmer, Su Dongpo. Michelle has served on the State of Hawaiʻi’s Board of Agriculture and is currently a Director of the Farm Credit Service of Hawaiʻi and a number of other agricultural and conservation programs and non-profits. ​ For more information about the conference which runs from Oct. 15  – 16 at the Hawaii Convention Center, go to: https://www.hiagconference.org/ #HawaiiAgriculture #AG2019 #AgriculturalLeadershipFoundationofHawaii #AGdaptation #HawaiisGrowingOpportunity #JamieTuuta #TourismNewZealand #Maori #GuyGalimba #MichelleGalimba #Kau #HawaiiIsland #Rachers #Agriculture #ClimateChange #Environmental #Farmers #Growers

HONOLULU— Designed for Certified Public Accountants (CPA), lawyers, bankers, real estate brokers, potential investors, and financial advisors, this seminar will address many questions that business owners and real estate developers considering Opportunity Fund investment opportunities in Hawaii may have. October 17, 2019 8:00 am Registration; Program 9:00 am – 1:30 pm, including lunch Fuller Hall, YWCA of Oahu, 1040 Richards Street, Honolulu; Cost: $40 This seminar, organized by the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), Hawaii Community Reinvestment Corporation (HCRC) and the Hawaii Society of Certified Public Accountants (HSCPA), will take a deep dive into the tax, legal and business details of investing in Hawaii’s Opportunity Zones (HI OZ), a community development program authorized by the recently passed Federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. This tax initiative provides incentives for investors to re-invest capital gains into Opportunity Funds in exchange for temporary and long-term tax deferral and other benefits. The Opportunity Funds are then used to provide investment capital to economically challenged communities, i.e., Opportunity Zones. Mike McCartney, director of DBEDT said that a diversified economy creates opportunities for everyone in our State. “This new program is part of DBEDT’s efforts to increase investment in Hawaii to create community based long-term economic growth and jobs.” Further background on the national experts: Brent Parker, CPA, is a principal in the Long Beach, Calif., office of Novogradac & Company LLP. Brent is experienced in affordable housing and community development, nonprofit organizations and public housing authorities, historic rehabilitation, and renewable energy, with a particular focus on the low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC), renewable energy tax credit (RETC), new markets tax credit (NMTC) and historic tax credit (HTC) industries. In addition to providing various consulting and forecasting services, he has worked extensively on financial statement audits and tax planning and tax return preparation. Brent is a contributor to the Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits and leads professional development training efforts on various complex taxation concepts. Marc Schultz is a Partner with Snell & Wilmer. His practice is concentrated in federal, local and state taxation matters, including complex transactions involving corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, tax exempt entities, and real property. Marc regularly engages in advising clients with respect to mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, formation of private investment funds, tax credit financing, and energy transactions. Marc currently chairs Snell & Wilmers Tax Credit Finance Group and Renewable Energy Group and founded and co-chairs the firms Opportunity Zones and Funds Industry Group. Marc has represented investors, developers, and syndicators with respect to Low-Income Housing Tax Credit transactions and has represented numerous parties with respect to transactions involving New Markets Tax Credits, Historic Tax Credits, and Renewable Energy. Marc is currently representing investors, fund sponsors, and developers with respect to the Opportunity Zone incentive. The Hawaii Society of Certified Public Accountants is also offering 4 hours of CPE credit for their membership. For more information and registration go to invest.hawaii.gov/oz/events. About the Hawaii Society of Certified Public Accountants (HSCPA) Incorporated in 1932, the Hawaii Society of Certified Public Accountants (HSCPA) has a diverse membership in public practice, business and industry, government and academia. The HSCPA is the only professional organization in Hawai‘i dedicated to CPAs with its purpose to promote high standards of integrity and competence within the accounting profession and to enhance the value of a CPA. About Hawaii Community Reinvestment Corporation (HCRC) HCRC is a 501(c)3 is a community based non-profit corporation founded in 1990. The mission of HCRC is to facilitate affordable housing, community development, and economic development throughout the State of Hawaii by providing innovative financing, training, and consulting services. About the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) DBEDT’s mission is to achieve a Hawaii economy that embraces innovation and is globally competitive, dynamic and productive, providing opportunities for all Hawaii’s citizens. Through its attached agencies, the department fosters planned community development, creates affordable workforce housing units in high-quality living environments, and promotes innovation sector job growth. #OppprtunityZoneProgram #DBEBT #HawaiiSocietyofCertifiedPublicAccountants #HSVPA #HawaiiCommunityReinvestmentCorporation #HCRC #TaxCredit #HREnewableEnergy #MarcSchultz #BrentParker #YWCA #OpportunityZones #HawaiiState #MikeMccartney