HONOLULU - Senator Lorraine R. Inouye is pleased to announce that Governor David Ige has released $1.85 million in construction funds for improvements and upgrades to the sea water system renewable energy equipment at the National Energy Research Laboratory of Hawaii Authority Research Campus pump station in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii Island. “I want to thank Governor Ige for releasing these funds and demonstrating our ongoing commitment to renewable energy in Hawaii,” Senator Inouye said. “It is investments like this that will allow our State to establish our strength and vision as a leader in sustainability and the effective stewardship of our natural resources.” In a letter announcing the release of the funds, the Governor also expressed his gratitude. “Mahalo for your work on behalf of the residents of your district to secure these funds. Projects such as these are critical components of the public infrastructure and contribute to building a better home for our kupuna, keiki, and all the residents of Hawai‘i.” #LorraineInouye #hawaiiisland #Hilo #renewableenergy #RenewableEnergySystemUpgrades #bigIsland #NationalEnergyResearchLaboratoryofHawaii #NELHA #HawaiiAuthorityresearchCampus #HawaiiSenate #HawaiiSenateMajority

WEST HAWAI‘I LAWMAKERS TO HOST LEGISLATIVE UPDATE, TALK STORY SESSION WHO: Senator Dru Mamo Kanuha Representative Nicole Lowen County Councilwoman Karen Eoff County Councilwoman Maile David County Councilwoman Rebecca Villegas WHAT: Community Forum/Talk Story Session WHEN: Wednesday, July 3, 2019 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. WHERE: West Hawai‘i Civic Center 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Council Chambers Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i Island – A group of West Hawaii lawmakers is inviting the public to a Legislative Update and Talk Story at the West Hawaii Civic Center, Council Chambers at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, 2019.. Doors open at 5:00 and light refreshments will be served. Senator Dru Mamo Kanuha, Representative Nicole Lowen, and County Councilmembers Karen Eoff, Maile David, and Rebecca Villegas are hoping for a strong turnout and lively discussion. Lawmakers will provide updates on state and county legislation, discuss progress on projects that will be moving forward to benefit West Hawai‘i, and hear community concerns. For more information, contact the office of Senator Dru Mamo Kanuha at 808-586-9385. #DruMamoKanuha #WestHawaiiCivicCenter #nicolelowen #kareneoff #mailedavid #rebeccavillegas #talkstorysession #legislativeupdate #hawaiisenate #hawaiisenatemajority #Kona #KailuaKona

WAIANAE - The Hawaii State Department of Education has an innovative new way to ensure that school-aged children on the Waianae Coast continue to receive regular, nutritious meals during the summer break. Staffed by volunteers from the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, the new ʻAina Pono food delivery truck is serving free meals as part of the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) program. “With the help of our ʻAina Pono food truck, we’re able to expand our school food services beyond the cafeteria this summer,” said Albert Scales, School Food Program Administrator. “We are looking at ways to bring healthy and nutritious meals to our keiki in the community, especially in at-risk areas where there is a significant need for these services.” Children ages 18 and younger can receive a free meal at 71 Hawaii public schools that are participating in this year’s SSO program, which runs throughout July, and from the ‘Aina Pono food truck at these locations and times on weekdays (except on the July 4 Independence Day holiday). 10-10:15 a.m.: Hale Wai Vista near Waianae Mall's City Mill 10:45-11:15 a.m.: Pokai Bay 11-11:15 a.m.: Ohana Ola near Kahumana Organic Farm 11:30-12:05 p.m.: Ulu Wehi near Kamaile Academy 12:30-1 p.m.: Makaha Beach "We found that many of our students with no transportation options during the day just wouldn't make the walk to school for summer meals, so the meal deliveries fill a definite need," said Principal Ray Pikelny, Waianae Elementary. "The delivery route includes locations from Waianae to Makaha that are frequented by many school-aged children, so they'll still be able to get nutritious meals during the summer break. We want to thank the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center and all of our program partners for their support." The delivered meals are cooked and prepared at Waianae High School and are the same as those being served in school cafeterias. Parents are encouraged to call their child’s school directly for specific for meal service times. ### About the Hawaii State Department of Education
 The Hawaii State Department of Education is the ninth-largest U.S. school district and the only statewide educational system in the country. It is comprised of 256 schools and 36 charter schools, and serves about 180,000 students. King Kamehameha III established Hawaii’s public school system in 1840. To learn more, visit HawaiiPublicSchools.org. #Ainapono #waianae #makaha #Foodtruckdelivery #Feedthechildren #albertscales #schoolfoodprogram #Waianaecoastcomprehensivehealthcenter #seamlesssummeroptionprogram #SSO

Agreement Focused on Outreach & Education, Investigations and Training The Hawaii State Department of Labor & Industrial Relations (DLIR) today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the United States Department of Labor’s (U.S. DOL) Wage and Hour Division. Recognizing the value of collaborative relationships to promote compliance with wage and hour laws, the MOU facilitates more effective and efficient communication and cooperation in areas of common interest, including sharing training materials, conducting joint investigations and outreach, and information sharing. “This partnership agreement allows us to expand and improve the protection of Hawaii’s workforce and enforcement of wage laws,” said Scott Murakami, DLIR Director. “The agreement also strengthens the enforcement of a level playing field for employers while maximizing taxpayer resources.” (left to right) Labor Partners to serve the State of Hawaii: DLIR – Wage Standards Division Compliance Branch Chief Wesley Lum, WHD – Assistant District Director Min Kirk, WHD – District Director Terence Trotter, WHD Western Regional Deputy Administrator Richard Longo, DLIR Director Scott Murakami, WHD – Western Regional Administrator Ruben Rosalez, DLIR Deputy Director Leonard Hoshijo, WHD – Community Outreach Specialist Herbert Lee, and DLIR – Wage Standards Division Administrator Pamela Martin. The agreement provides for the following: Outreach and Investigation The agencies agree to conduct joint outreach presentations, prepare and distribute publications, and jointly disseminate outreach materials to the regulated community. Enforcement The agencies may coordinate enforcement activities, conduct joint investigations, and make referrals of potential violations of State and Federal law. Information The agencies will establish a methodology for exchanging investigative leads, complaints and referrals of possible violations as well as exchanging statistical data on violations in specific industries and geographic areas. Training The agencies agree to cross train investigators and other staff to educate staff members about the laws and regulations enforced by both, exchange information related to policy and regulatory changes, and to maintain dialogue about issues of mutual concern The U.S. DOL enforces the Federal minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The DLIR enforces related Hawaii laws covering minimum wage and overtime, unpaid and timely payment of wages, child labor, and Hawaii Family Leave laws, among others. #hawaiidepartmentoflabor #USDOL #ScottMurakami #DLIR #Outreach #Education #Investigations #Training #Wagelaws #Hourlaws #MOU #hawaiistate #fairlaborstandardsact

The people of Hawai'i join me in extending our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the 11 lives lost on Friday evening. I want to assure you that the state will do whatever it can to assist with the federal investigation. We will miss the energy, vitality and spirit of those lost in this terrible crash. -- Governor David Y. Ige Source: https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/latest-news/governors-office-governor-iges-statement-on-ntsb-investigation-of-plane-crash/ #dillinghamfield #davidige #governorige #ntsb #stateofhawaii #helicoptercrash

Four of the 12 Bottomfish Restricted Fishing Areas (BRFAs) around the state are scheduled to re-open to Deep-7 bottomfish fishing on July 1, 2019. They include BRFA C (Makahū‘ena, Kaua‘i), BRFA F (Penguin Banks), BRFA J (Mokumana-Umalei Pt, Maui), and BRFA L (Leleiwi Pt, Hawai‘i Island). Non-commercial fishers are still limited to taking or possessing a combined total of five “Deep 7” bottomfish per day. The “Deep 7” are: a) ‘ula‘ula koa‘eor onaga (Etelis coruscans); b) ‘ula‘ulaor ehu ( carbunculus); c) kalekale(Pristipomoides sieboldii); d) ‘ōpakapaka( filamentosus); e) ‘ūkīkikior gindai ( zonatus); f) hāpu‘u(Epinephelus quernus); and g) lehi(Aphareus rutilans). Photo credit: Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources Non-commercial bottom fishers are also subject to federal permit and reporting requirements if fishing in federal waters. Commercial bottom fishers who fish the re-opened BRFAs will have new, refined reporting requirements. They will need to provide the commercial catch reporting area number followed by the BRFA letter from which each fish was taken. Maps displaying the updated BRFA reporting requirements and more detailed instructions have been sent to licensed commercial bottom fishers and will be available on the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) website after July 1. The new BRFA reporting requirement is based on a condition placed on DAR by the Board of Land of Natural Resources’ (BLNR) during a Public Meeting held in January 2019. DAR must monitor catch in the re-opened BRFAs, including pounds of fish taken and Catch Per Unit Effort, relative to other commercial catch reporting areas. DAR will use that data to prepare a report for the BLNR, due in January 2022. Please contact your nearest DAR office with any questions about the new reporting requirements. #bottomfish #hawaii #restrictedfishing #Deep7 #DepartmentofLandandNaturalResources #DLNR #BRFA #DAR #DivisionofAquaticResources #BLNR

The State of Hawai‘i Career Fair is returning to the Hawai‘i State Capitol on Saturday, June 29 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Representatives from all executive branch agencies will be available to explain departmental operations and provide information on job vacancies and career opportunities. Human resource managers will screen candidates and conduct interviews for entry level and high-managerial positions. The following departments are scheduled to participate: Accounting and General Services Agriculture Attorney General Budget and Finance Business, Economic Development and Tourism Commerce and Consumer Affairs Defense Hawaiian Home Lands Health Human Resources Development Human Services Labor and Industrial Relations Land and Natural Resources Public Library System Public Safety Taxation Transportation University of Hawaii – civil service positions only The state encourages prospective job seekers to bring several copies of their resumes. Recent college graduates should also bring copies of their diploma and transcripts. Interviews may be conducted on the spot, so applicants are encouraged to come prepared and dressed appropriately. A limited number of parking stalls will be available in the State Capitol basement (metered stalls) which is accessible from Miller Street, and at the Department of Health lot at Kinau Hale, which is accessible from Punchbowl Street. Parking may also be available in metered stalls surrounding the Capitol. Those who need auxiliary aids and/or services (sign language, interpreters, etc.) are asked to contact DHRD at (808) 587-0999 as soon as possible. ### #StateofHawaiiCareerFair #HawaiiStateCapitol #Jobs #Careers

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige issued a third supplementary emergency proclamation for the Pali Highway today, extending the disaster emergency relief period until August. Heavy rains caused extensive damage to the slopes and areas adjacent to the Pali Highway in February. The conditions on the Pali and surrounding areas require the emergency declaration to continue. The proclamation authorizes the expenditure of state monies as appropriated for the quick and efficient relief of extensive damage to the slopes along the Pali Highway. The initial emergency proclamation for flood damage along the Pali was issued on Feb. 21, 2019. A supplementary proclamation was signed on Feb. 25, extending the Feb. 21 proclamation to include flood damage along Honoapiʻilani Highway on Maui. The second supplementary emergency proclamation signed on April 23 does not include Honoapiʻilani Highway. This third supplementary proclamation extends the disaster emergency relief period for the Pali Highway until Aug. 20, 2019. #DavidIge #PaliHighway #emergencyproclamation #disasteremergencyrelief #HonoapiʻilaniHighway

Leaders emphasize stewardship, safety and security during construction Gov. David Ige announced that the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) issued a notice to proceed (NTP) to the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo for the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project on Maunakea on Hawaiʻi Island. The permit was issued after DLNR confirmed the completion of the pre-construction conditions and mitigation measures required of the project in the Conservation District Use Permit (CDUP). The appropriate agencies will work with the TMT representatives to determine the start date. The next generation telescope will be constructed on UH-managed lands located in the conservation district regulated by the Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR). The university granted TMT a sublease and the BLNR issued a CDUP to construct and operate the telescope. The CDUP was upheld by the Hawaiʻi State Supreme Court in an October 2018 ruling. So that construction of the telescope can begin safely, four unauthorized structures were removed from Maunakea earlier this morning by multiple state agencies. The structures were on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property on Maunakea Access Road near the Daniel K. Inouye Highway intersection, on Department of Land and Natural Resources property near the mid-level facilities on Maunakea Access Road at the 9,000-foot elevation and on the TMT site on the summit of the mountain. The Hawaiʻi Supreme Court ruled that the two ahu on the TMT site did not constitute a traditional or customary right or practice, and they were removed with guidance from Native Hawaiian cultural advisors. David Y. Ige, Governor, State of Hawaiʻi: “We will proceed in a way that respects the people, place and culture that make Hawaiʻi unique. I will continue to work with the University of Hawaiʻi and all our partners to make meaningful changes that further contribute to the co-existence of culture and science on Maunakea.” Suzanne Case, Chair, Board of Land and Natural Resources “My staff and I have carefully reviewed the TMT project plans to ensure they are aligned with the permit approved by the board and upheld by the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court. The project has met all pre-construction requirements under the Conservation District Use Permit. As this project moves forward, I ask everyone who goes to Maunakea to respect this unique place and its fragile natural and cultural resources.” Clare Connors, Attorney General, State of Hawaiʻi “The notice to proceed with construction gives project managers, workers and others from our community authorization to begin work on the telescope. They will need safe access to the work site and safe conditions under which to work. The state will work to ensure their safety as well as the right of individuals to engage in speech about the project.” David Lassner, President, University of Hawai‘i “This notice to proceed is an important milestone in what has been a decade-long public and consultative process through which every requirement in statute, policy and procedure has now been met. We firmly believe in the benefits of the most advanced telescope in the world on the most magnificent and awe-inspiring mountain in the world. We also accept the increased responsibilities for the stewardship of Maunakea, including the requirement that as this very last site is developed for astronomy on the mauna, five current telescopes will be decommissioned and their sites restored.” Link to notice to proceed here. Link to news conference video here. Link to photos here. #TMT #thirtymetertelescope #clareconnors #davidlassner #suzannecase #davidige #hawiaisupremecourt #blnr #DLNR #UniversityofHawaii #maunakea #stateofHawaii

Pollinator insects and animals make food and life possible for humans. We should all thank a bee because 90% of most plants depend on pollinators to reproduce. For example, 1 in 3 bites of food (coffee, chocolate, hops, strawberries, apples, squash and thousands of other crops), come to us courtesy of bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, bats, hummingbirds and other pollinating insects and animals. Over 4,000 species of North American native bees, as well as honeybees brought by European settlers, are a critical part of our agricultural food production. It is time to thank our pollinators and to celebrate all they do for us. These hard-working animals help pollinate over 75% of our flowering plants, and nearly 75% of our crops. Often we may not notice the hummingbirds, bats, bees, beetles, butterflies, and flies that carry pollen from one plant to another as they collect nectar. Yet without them, wildlife would have fewer nutritious berries and seeds, and we would miss many fruits, vegetables, and nuts, like blueberries, squash, almonds chocolate and coffee, all of which depend on pollinators. "Endangered Pollinators", 2019 Pollinator Poster, Credit: Carol Schwartz WHY POLLINATORS ARE IMPORTANT - Pollinators, such as most bees and some birds, bats, and other insects, play a crucial role in flowering plant reproduction and in the production of most fruits and vegetables. Examples of crops that are pollinated include apples, squash, and almonds. Without the assistance of pollinators, most plants cannot produce fruits and seeds. The fruits and seeds of flowering plants are an important food source for people and wildlife. Some of the seeds that are not eaten will eventually produce new plants, helping to maintain the plant population. Endangered pollinators in Hawai'i include: Sesbania Tomentosa ('Ohai) - An erect to prostrate shrub, sometimes growing to the size of a small tree. Branches can be up to 14 meters long when prostrate. The plant has salmon colored flowers tinged with yellow, orange red, and scarlet. It is a Federally Listed Endangered Species, and actions are being taken both to protect current populations and establish new populations. Geographic Distribution: Endemic to all of the main islands of Hawai’i. Current populations exist on O’ahu, Moloka’i, Maui, Kaua’i, Kaho’olawe, Hawai’i, Nihoa and Necker. Habitat: Dry shrublands or (rarely) dry forests. Found on calcareous beaches and sand dunes, rocky ridges and slopes, deep red soil, and soil pockets on lava. Pollinators: Bees, including Yellow-Faced Bee (Hylaeus anthracinus). Height: 2.5-6 meters. Bloom Period: Winter and spring. Species Facts: Before this plant was added to the endangered species list, many Hawaiians used the flowers for making lei. In the Hawaiian tradition, a lei is a garland used as a symbol of affection and to officially establish peace between two groups. Today it is illegal to possess such flowers in a garden setting and you very rarely, if ever, see a lei made of ‘Ohai flowers. Sources: Native Plants Hawai'i Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources Forestry & Wildlife Metrosideros Polymorpha ('Ohi'a Lehua) - A slow-growing native hardwood tree. It is the first tree to appear on new lava flows where it offers watershed protection, and it often starts as an epiphyte in fern forests. The wood is of fine texture and is often used for flooring, fence posts and fuel. This tree is the most abundant tree in Hawai’i and provides important habitat to native birds, several of which are endangered. Geographic Distribution: Endemic to and present on O’ahu, Moloka’i, Maui, Kaua’i, Lana’i, and Hawai’i. Habitat: Grows just above sea level to 2600 meters, generally in areas with rainfall over 50 cm. The maximum stand growth of M. polymorpha exists on young volcanic substrates in rainforest habitats on Hawai’i. Pollinators: Birds, such as the Akohekohe or Crested Honeycreeper (Palmeria dolei), and insects are the most important pollinators. Mature Height: 20 meters. Bloom Period: Flowering generally peaks in spring or summer, but some varieties peak in fall or winter. Species Facts: The species name polymorpha, meaning "many forms," is most apropos. Probably no other native Hawaiian plant is found in a greater number of varieties than this one. The sheer number and variations of ʻōhiʻa shrub and tree forms, leaf colors and shapes, and floral colors is baffling. Sources: U.S. Forest Service - Southern Research Station The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Hawaiian Plants and Tropical Flowers Pinterest Photos Native Plants Hawai'i For additional plants, pease see here: https://www.pollinator.org/shop/poster-2019 Learn more about pollinators by viewing fun and educational materials on pollinators, including: Activity guide (Go! Wild) - learn about pollinators at Rocky Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, then match plants to pollinators and enjoy other games. Can you guess which animals pollinate plants in your yard? Podcasts - listen to broadcasts about native bees, endangered pollinators, pollinator gardens and backyard habitat, and a view a video clip from Green Springs Garden. Are you providing good habitat for pollinators in your yard? Webcasts ( Pollinator Live and Monarch Live) - take a trip on these websites to "see" monarch habitat across North America and learn about the great migration of monarchs, or learn how bees and other pollinators benefit people and how to attract them to your schoolyard. USFWS Monarch Butterfly Website - learn about its lifecycle and migration, and how you can help save this iconic species. The Nature's Partner's Curriculum - fun activities for clubs, schools, and families to learn about pollinators. Children may need some help from adults with many of these activities. Download a variety of resources about pollinators, pollinator week, and what you can do to help pollinators at: http://www.pollinator.org Note: The celebration of Pollinator Week started in 2007, when the U.S. Senate designated Pollinator Week in Resolution 580. How You Can Help - Pollinators need your help! There is increasing evidence that many pollinators are in decline. However, there are some simple things you can do at home to encourage pollinator diversity and abundance. 1) Plant a Pollinator Garden 2) Provide Nesting Sites 3) Avoid or Limit Pesticide Use In the United States pollination by honey bees directly or indirectly (e.g., pollination required to produce seeds for the crop) contributed to over $19 billion of crops in 2010. Pollination by other insect pollinators contributed to nearly $10 billion of crops in 2010. A recent study of the status of pollinators in North America by the National Academy of Sciences found that populations of honey bees (which are not native to North America) and some wild pollinators are declining. Declines in wild pollinators may be a result of habitat loss and degradation, while declines in managed bees is linked to disease (introduced parasites and pathogens). WHAT IS POLLINATION? - Pollination results when the pollen from the male part of the flower (stamen) is moved to the female part of the same or another flower (stigma) and fertilizes it, resulting in the production of fruits and seeds. Some flowers rely on the wind to move pollen, while other rely on animals to move pollen. Animals visit flowers in search of food and sometimes even mates, shelter and nest-building materials. Some animals, such as many bees, intentionally collect pollen, while others, such as many butterflies and birds, move pollen incidentally because the pollen sticks on their body while they are collecting nectar from the flowers. All of these animals are considered pollinators. Endangered Pollinators - In 1973, the United States Congress passed the Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.) with the intention of protecting vulnerable species and preserving the ecosystems that we all share. There are numerous species that are at risk and listed as federally endangered or threatened including: 1 fly, 3 bats, 5 birds, 8 bees, and 24 butterflies and moths. Disturbances such as habitat loss, climate change, and application of agricultural pesticides contribute greatly to diminishing populations and disrupt ecological interactions. The problem of extinction can lead to a crippling disaster for ecological resilience and economic interests. Pollinators play a critical role in our global food system; at least 80% of crops we consume are pollinated by bees and other wildlife. The relationship between pollinators and their plants are intrinsically linked, the decline of pollinators make plants more vulnerable to secondary extinction. Conversely, the populations of pollinators determine the stability of plants and our ecosystem health. As keystone species, pollinators have substantial impact on our global systems. Recognizing the importance of vulnerable pollinator species and their habitats, as well as initiating preservation efforts before there is a need to list them as endangered or threatened, is key to maintaining our biological balance. This information is of great value to foresee consequences of pollinator losses and to identify target species for effective conservation. Endeavors such as the Monarch Wings Across America and Bee Friendly Farming techniques can aid in the conservation of critical habitat by prioritizing pollinators and reinforcing the importance of such species. By placing emphasis on the natural networks at play between plants, pollinators, and people, we can begin to ensure healthy ecosystems and food security for all. U.S. National Library of Medicine: Plant Survival and Keystone pollinator species in stochastic coextinction models: role of intrinsic dependence on animal-pollination U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service: Endangered Species Program State of Hawai'i Proclamation on Pollinator Week, June 17-23 2019 #pollinators #hummingbirds #birds #bats #fruit #vegetables #USFishandWildlife #butterflies #monarchbutterfly #HawaiiSenate #endangeredpollinators #ecosystem #Endangeredspecies

(Hilo) – Wailoa State Recreation Area in Hilo is unique among Hawai‘i State Parks given it’s one of a few parks in an urban setting, right on the edge of downtown Hilo. What also makes this beautiful park unusual, is the unique building which houses the Wailoa Center, which is the largest venue on Hawai‘i Island for showcasing the work of local artists. Wailoa Center (Photo credit: DLNR) The 12-sided (Dodecagon) building was completed in 1967, to help breathe new life into the green zone created by the devastating 1960 tsunami along Hilo’s Bayfront. Over the course of the past half-century the Wailoa Center has featured countless exhibits, including the popular 10X10X10 exhibit which just ended its 2019 run in the center’s main second floor gallery. The long-time State Parks Interpretive Center Coordinator, Codi King, explained, “It’s ten artists that are each given a space and they have ten materials that they can use. One is by their choice and the other nine are materials that we chose. This ‘installation art’ gives them a new outlook on their art and gives then an out-of-the-box experience because this tends to push them to their creative limits.” The Wailoa Center hosts 24 exhibits annually. Coming up in July is a month-long exhibit, titled, “Transformations,” which chronicles and depicts last year’s devastating eruption of Kīlauea which destroyed more than 700 homes and displaced hundreds of people in the lower Puna district of Hawai‘i Island. King expects this exhibit to help people heal, to be cathartic, and to be of great interest to the local community and to visitors. On Friday the State Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) issued a revocable permit to the Hawai‘i Island Art Alliance (HIAA), which will allow the non-profit to expand into education at the Wailoa Center. This includes the potential of hiring visiting artists to teach classes for the community, the production of an annual art festival, and scholarships for keiki. King commented, “It just opens up huge possibilities and opportunities for us. Teaching-artists in the community are looking forward to it because they want to share their experiences. HIAA having the permit will jumpstart enthusiasm and propel us forward into continuing to support the arts and sponsoring more shows that are community based.” Currently the center holds monthly receptions, often attended by more than 400 people. “When people attend an opening reception or peruse through the galleries of the Wailoa Center, we hope they will appreciate the beauty of the Wailoa River State Recreation Area,” said Dean Takebayashi, Hawai‘i Island Superintendent for the DLNR Division of State Parks. “It combines the artistic beauty of nature and the artistic creations of the artists, in one setting” he added. #WailoaCenter #Puna #HawaiiIsland #BlNR #Hilo #DLNR #HIAA #hawaiiislandartalliance #CodiKing #WailoaRiverStateRecreationArea #DeanTakebayashi #StateParks #HawaiiSenate #HawaiiSenateMajority

Photo credit: GEORGE F. LEE / 2010 (HONOLULU) – As a mark of respect for former long-time lawmaker Rod Tam, Acting Gov. Josh Green has ordered that the flags of the United States and State of Hawai‘i shall be flown at half-staff at all state offices and agencies, as well as the Hawaii National Guard, from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, June 15. Tam spent three decades in political office, starting with the State House of Representatives where he served for 12 years. He was also a member of the Hawai‘i State Senate and Honolulu City Council. Tam is a graduate of the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. He was 65-years old. Flags shall be flown at half-staff on Saturday, June 15, the day of Tam’s memorial service. #davidige #joshgreen #rodtam #StateLegislator #HalfStaff