Community Invited to Free Public Panels on Oahu and Kauai for Entertainment Industry Insights with Programs’ World-Class Mentors Creative Lab Hawaii (CLH), founded by the Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic, Development and Tourism (DBEDT)’s Creative Industries Division (CID), has announced the industry mentors and CLH fellows chosen for its competitive 2019 Immersive programs designed for screenwriters, motion picture producers and web-series developers. Additionally, the public is invited to free CLH panels on various aspects of the entertainment business and the creative process, featuring many of the A-list mentors who will be coaching this year’s Immersive participants. Events will be offered on Oahu and Kauai in June. Since its inception, the CLH media and music programs have resulted in the production of five feature films, with two currently in pre-production; five television series optioned by producers; six web series produced; and over 20 songs licensed by major media studios and streaming services. “Creative Industries is investing in these talented entrepreneurs, providing a bridge that connects them with award-winning visionaries working in mainstream Hollywood. The CLH immersive, hands-on experience delivers a deeper understanding of the creative process through mentors who are decision makers in the entertainment business today,” said Mike McCartney, Director of DBEDT. Georja Skinner, division chief DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division and founder of CLH, adds, “It’s exciting to see the growth of our media, music and filmmakers over the past few years and this year’s stellar lineup of mentors offers the community a closer look at the ways to engage in a variety of forms of creative development through CLH public panels. These free sessions provide behind-the-scenes access to decision makers, from leading producers and writers to new media content creators, that are typically only available to industry insiders outside of Hawaii.” The free public panel discussions, held in conjunction with this year’s CLH Immersive programming, will include: Web-Series Panel Discussion – Wednesday, June 5, 2019 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach. Interested attendees are invited to RSVP online: http://bit.ly/CLH2019WSIPANEL Screenwriting Panel Discussion – Monday, June 10, 2019 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Kauai Marriott Resort. Interested attendees are invited to RSVP online: http://bit.ly/CLH2019WIPANEL Motion Picture Producing Discussion – Monday, June 17, 2019 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Kauai Marriott Resort. Interested attendees are invited to RSVP online: http://bit.ly/CLH2019MPPIPANEL Through a unique process spearheaded by CLH Executive Director Michael Palmieri, CLH tailors the selection of its Immersive mentors to the needs of the individual Fellows who’ve been accepted into the program—securing those mentors best positioned to foster the Fellows and their specific projects. Fellows are then able to further hone their craft while forming meaningful connections to the entertainment industry. Each program consists of an immersive week, followed by a 12-month coaching program. This year’s line-up of mentors and Fellows continues the CLH tradition of pairing leading Hollywood creatives and industry professionals with impressive emerging talent that are making waves in the business. CLH Web-Series Immersive (June 3-7, 2019; Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach) Mentors: Bernie Su – Bernie is a two-time Primetime Emmy award-winning interactive storyteller, creator, and showrunner.His works include THE LIZZIE BENNET DIARIES, an interactive adaptation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. The series won the first Primetime Emmy Award for a YouTube distributed series and was adapted into a novel. He is currently the creator and showrunner of Peabody Award-winning ARTIFICIAL, the first live science fiction series to debut on Twitch. Tony E. Valenzuela – The founder of BlackBoxTV, a genre entertainment studio and YouTube channel dedicated to original series, short films and immersive VR/360 experiences, Tony wrote and directed 2009: A TRUE STORY, nominated for Best Dramatic Web-Series at the first-annual Streamy Awards and featured by legendary horror director, Wes Craven during his Halloween YouTube Takeover. He also directed and co-wrote VERSIONS OF ELLOISE in collaboration with Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro, Legendary Entertainment and YouTube Space LA. Yulin Kuang – A Los Angeles-based screenwriter and director, Yulin is currently writing the comedy feature JADE PALACE for New Line Cinema. She was nominated for a 2019 WGA Award for her work on LOVE DAILY, a romance anthology series for AwesomenessTV (now streaming on Hulu). Yulin created two YouTube channels, YulinisWorking and Shipwrecked Comedy, which have each amassed over 2 million views per channel featuring original scripted web-series and short films. Fellows: Mary Michelle Baghdady and Stacy Fukuhara-Barclay – Mary is a designer and producer working in Honolulu at the Applied Research Laboratory at UH as a media specialist, collaborating with engineers to conceptualize multi-media projects. She won the Hawaii Filmmakers Collective 2018 pitch and completed her first short film, “Turn On Your Own,” which will screen at the 2019 Made in Hawaii Film Festival. Stacy is an attorney specializing in child-advocacy. She and her husband were 2017 Creative Lab Hawaii Writers Immersive Fellows, and represented Hawaii at the American Film Market where they pitched HI CONFLICT to an audience of over 400 people. Mary and Stacy’s CLH project is LIKE MADDAH, a web-series about a child psychologist who moves back to Hawaii, despite reservations about her meddling family. Jeff Katts – Jeff has worked in the TV and film industry for over 22 years. He is currently the studio/media manager at 1013 Integrated production company and was the original founder of the `Ohina Short Film Showcase. His CLH project, LIFE OF A TELEPORTER: THE JACKIE CLAXTON CHRONICLES, follows the adventures of a local girl who has the power of teleportation and uses it to fight evil and save lives throughout Hawaii. Kisha Milling – Kisha is a SAG-AFTRA actor and screenwriter based in Kailua, HI. She wrote, acted, and produced the gothic horror short, “M.E.R.C.Y.” and dark comedy, “Sri Lanka,” which can be seen on her YouTube channel Mahina Films. On weekends you can catch her tossing glitter, paint and happiness on people though her party entertainment company, Island Girl Face Art. Her CLH project is THE ENTERTAINERS, a dark-comedy web-series that follows the quirky and often misunderstood secret lives of those you hire to “bring the party.” Mitchel Viernes – An independent filmmaker based in Honolulu, Mitchell’s passion for storytelling through film was fostered through his involvement with the media program at Moanalua High School. He continued his education at the University of Waikato in New Zealand, majoring in film studies. His CLH project is OBAKE (a current working title), a dramatic horror web-series that follows a young college student who learns more about her Hawaiian/Japanese heritage when she moves to Hawaii to live with her uncle and cousin and uncovers truths about her family legacy and their connection to the supernatural. CLH Motion Picture Producers Immersive (June 17-21, 2019; Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club, in partnership with the Kauai Economic Development Board, Kauai Visitors Bureau, Kauai Film Commission, Office of the Mayor and its Economic Development Office, Kauai Economic Development Board, and Kauai Visitors Bureau. Mentors: Anne Rosellini – A creative producer and writer, Anne runs Still Rolling Productions with director Debra Granik. Together they’ve made acclaimed feature films such as WINTER’S BONE, which was nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay and LEAVE NO TRACE (2018), which premiered at Sundance and Director’s Fortnight and was nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards. Mollye Asher – A New York-based producer and multiple Independent Spirit Award nominee, Mollye recently produced Carlo Mirabella-Davis’ SWALLOW (Tribeca 2019) and Chloé Zhao’s THE RIDER (Sony Pictures Classics), which premiered in the 2017 Cannes Directors Fortnight and won its top prize. Rebecca Green – Rebecca is the producer of two of the top-grossing and critically acclaimed independent films of 2015, IT FOLLOWS and I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS, which generated a combined box office total of $30 million worldwide. She most recently produced AND THEN I GO, based on the acclaimed novel Project X by Jim Shepard. Shih-Ching Tsou – Shih-Ching’s latest producing work, THE FLORIDA PROJECT, was chosen by both the National Board of Review and American Film Institute as one of the top 10 films of the year. Fellows: Zoe Eisenberg – The co-founder and Executive Director of the Made in Hawai’i Film Festival and performing arts company Aerial Arts Hawai’i, Zoe’s filmography includes THROUPLE (2015), ALOHA FROM LAVALAND (2016) and STOKE (2018). Her CLH project, CHAPERONE, is a delayed coming of age dramedy set in Hilo. Jennifer Marcil – An executive producer at 4D Media in Kauai, Jennifer has produced documentaries such as “The Perfect Song” and “Nawiliwili Bay,” as well as short films “Ho’ouluwehi” and “Hihi’o” (HIFF’s Pacific Showcase). Jennifer’s CLH project is a romantic comedy feature, SEXY MAMMAS. Alison Week – Originally from the island of Hawaii, Alison is based in Austin, TX where she is a writer/director/producer. Her latest short film “Petals & Stems” (Or the Impermanent Nature of Beauty, Youth and Love) is currently on a festival run. Her CLH project is her first feature-length motion picture drama, WAVES, centered on a woman who heads to Hawaii to settle the estate of her great aunt with hopes of learning more about her recently deceased mother. Nadya Wynd – A writer/producer/director from Kauai, Nadya created a short film about the sexual exploitation of an actress titled “The Beautiful Illusion.” It was an official selection of the Los Angeles and New York Independent Film Festivals and also aired on PBS. Her CLH feature project, GHOSTS OF THE SINCLAIR PLANTATION, is a supernatural murder mystery set in 1888 on a sugar plantation built on sacred land on Kauai. CLH Writers Immersive (June 10-14, 2019; Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club, in partnership with the Kauai Economic Development Board, Kauai Visitors Bureau, Kauai Film Commission, Office of the Mayor – County of Kauai, and Hoʻike Community Television) Mentors: Chuck Hayward– Chuck has been a staff writer on the NBC series, ONE BIG HAPPY, and the Fox series, COOPER BARRETT’S GUIDE TO SURVIVING LIFE. In 2016, he had two movies produced, FAT CAMP (available on all on-demand platforms) and STEP SISTERS (streaming on Netflix). He’s currently a Co-Producer on the Netflix series, DEAR WHITE PEOPLE, and a Producer on Marvel’s upcoming series for Disney+, WANDAVISION. Liz Alper – A current writer/producer on the ABC series THE ROOKIE, Liz has worked for such auspices as Dick Wolf (LAW & ORDER and CHICAGO franchises), Peter Lenkov (HAWAII FIVE-0, MACGYVER), David Shore (HOUSE) and David E. Kelley (BIG LITTLE LIES) Jim Uhls – Jim wrote FIGHT CLUB, directed by David Fincher; JUMPER, directed by Doug Limon; and the NBC television film, SEMPER FI, which he produced with Steven Spielberg. Currently, his script, LEVIATHAN is in development at Twentieth Century Fox. Tery Lopez – The Director of Inclusion and Equity at the Writers Guild of America West, Tery worked as part of Moctesuma Esparza’s, Maya Pictures development team, producing 13 episodes of the Sí TV comedy series, CIRCUMSIZED CINEMA. She was also co-producer of the feature film INNOCENT VOICES, which was Mexico’s official entry to the 2005 Academy Awards. Fellows: Diana T. Black – Diana works fulltime as a spec writer of features, teleplays, and theatrical plays. She’s written, directed, edited and produced her own short film, “The Shoes” and one of her features, GOING ALONE, is optioned by Asian Entertainment Television. Her CLH project, SAVING KEYLAN MILLAR is a one-hour drama/limited-series exploring the dual themes of loyalty and living with the consequences of one’s own actions. Chris Gibbon – Originally from the U.K., Chris first moved to Hawaii in 2004. His CLH project, BREAKWATER, his fifth full length motion picture, is a romantic drama set against the raw beauty of Hawaii. Jessica Hayes and Ku’ulei Shafee – Jessica is an emerging writer and actress, and Ku’ulei is an actor, screenwriter, and website content editor. Their CLH project is a character driven fantasy-drama miniseries, BEA’S BAKERY, set in the 19th century and presents elements of a childhood fairytale wrapped in a grounded adult package. Cheyenne Lawes – A filmmaker, actor and dancer from Kaneohe, Cheynne’s creative expertise is in broad to dark comedies with a focus on incorporating strong female characters and diversity. Her CLH project, FOCUS GROUPIES, follows a group of friends from Hawaii as they try to stop the demolition of the last park in their town. Alexandria Spell and Orit Tashman – Orit has a varied background in engineering, book publishing, baking and theatre. Alexandria began her career in comedy, acting, and writing in her hometown of Reno, NV. When she moved to Hilo, Hawaii, to pursue a degree in Physics, Alex found her outlet in a creative partnership with Orit. Their CLH project is a half-hour television comedy series called HELLA POOR, following the friendship and struggles of college students who are single mothers and deal with systemic poverty, racism, and patriarchy. “We are excited about the caliber of emerging creative entrepreneurs that comprise our 2019 media cohorts,” said Executive Director Michael Palmieri. “We are also grateful and humbled by the world-class, award-winning mentors who have chosen to take time out of their busy lives to contribute their expertise, passion, and time to our fellows and programs.” To connect to Creative Lab Hawaii via social media for the latest updates, insights and content, visit: Facebook: Creative Lab Hawaii – https://www.facebook.com/creativelabhawaii/ Twitter: CreativeLabHI – https://www.twitter.com/creativelabhi IG: CreativeLabHI – https://www.instragram.com/creativelabhi About DBEDT (Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism) DBEDT is Hawaii’s resource center for economic and statistical data, business development opportunities, energy and conservation information, and foreign trade advantages. 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. About CID (Creative Industries Division) CID, a division within DBEDT, is the state’s lead agency dedicated to advocating for and accelerating the growth of Hawaii’s Creative Economy. Through initiatives, program development, and strategic partnerships, the division and its branches implements activities to expand the business development, global export and investment capacity of Hawaii’s arts, culture, music, film, literary, publishing, digital and new media industries. About the Creative Lab Hawaii Program The Creative Lab Hawaii (CLH) Program was founded in 2012 by the Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic, Development and Tourism (DBEDT)’s Creative Industries Division to accelerate the growth of Hawaii’s creative entrepreneurs through immersive, hands-on training in broadband/new media, producing, screenwriting, interactive media, music and design/fashion. The CLH Program, a key facet of Hawaii’s creative economy, is developing an ecosystem to increase export, attract investment and build the State’s creative entrepreneurial capacity in media, music and fashion/design. The CLH Program features three program components: 1) Immersive Programs; 2) Ideation Workshops; and 3) Public Keynotes. Website: creativelab.hawaii.gov #CreativesLabHawaii #CreativeIndustriesDivision #DepartmentofBusinessEconomicDevelopmentandT #gEORJASKINNER #DBEDT #CLH #MikeMcCartney #MichaelPalmieri #BernieSu #TonyValenzuela #YulinKuang #MaryBaghdady #StacyFukuharaBarclay #JeffKatts #KishaMilling #MitchelViernes #CLHMotionPictureProducersImmersive #Annerosellini #MollyeAsher #RebeccaGreen #ShihChingTsou #ZoeEisenberg #JenniferMarcil #AlisonWeek #NadyaWynd #CLHWritersImmersive #ChuckHayward #LizAlper #JimUhls #TeryLopez #DianaBlack #ChrisGibbon #JessicaHayes #KuuleiShafee #CheyenneLawes #AlexandriaSpell #OritTashman #HawaiiSenate

HONOLULU – Hawai‘i Department of Human Services Director Pankaj Bhanot was recognized last week in Washington, D.C. for his legacy of helping children and families. The American Public Human Services Association (APHSA) named Bhanot the State Outstanding Member of the Year. Kelly Harder, chair, APHSA Executive Governing Board, Pankaj Bhanot, and Tracy Wareing Evans, president and CEO of APHSA / Photo credit: Robb Cohen Photography “Pankaj is an outstanding public servant who’s committed to the well-being of local families, especially the most needy. He has built a unique approach to breaking generational patterns of poverty that addresses the basic health and human services needs of the entire family, rather than doing so in a piece-meal fashion,” said Gov. David Y. Ige. Director Bhanot is one of the few cabinet-level appointees who has risen through the ranks of the state civil service system. He has dedicated his career to the field of human services, starting with the Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division in the Department of Human Services. During his 20 years working for the department, Bhanot has led business process reengineering, worked to modernize the department’s eligibility systems and improved how the department invests in its staff. APHSA recognized Director Bhanot at the National Health and Human Services Summit last week in the nation’s capital. He was among other professionals recognized for their impact and achievement on the local, state and national levels. #PankajBhanot #AmericanPublicHumanServicesAssociation #APHSA #dAVIDiGE #HawaiiState #NationalHealthandHumanServicesSummit #WashingtonDC #HumanServicesHawaii

HONOLULU – At the direction of the President of the United States, 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 from dawn until noon on Memorial Day, May 27. “Let’s take this day to pause and reflect on the sacrifices made by the men and women who died defending our freedoms and preserving our peace. On this Memorial Day, let us remember and honor these heroes with much gratitude,” said Gov. Ige. The President also proclaims Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and designates the hour beginning at 11 a.m. local time, when Americans might unite in prayer. In addition, the President asks that Americans observe the National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day, beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time. The president’s proclamation can be found HERE #flagshalfstaff #flagdirective #davidige #MemorialDay #NationalMomentofRemembrance #PresidentsProclamation #hawaiisenate #hawaii

HONOLULU - Senator Lorraine R. Inouye is pleased to announce that Governor David Ige has released the $1.6 million to finance the acquisition of land adjacent to Waimea Elementary School and Waimea Middle School on Hawaii Island. “I want to thank Governor Ige for releasing these funds and helping to ensure that Waimea Elementary can continue to thrive and serve their community,” Senator Inouye said. “We can make no greater investment than in the education of our keiki.” 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 #WaimeaElementarySchool #WaimeaMiddleSchool #GovernorIge #DavidIge #HawaiiSenate #HawaiiSenateMajority

HONOLULU – Attorney General Clare E. Connors joined a coalition of 23 cities, states, and municipalities, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, in a lawsuit filed today against a Final Rule issued by the Trump Administration’s Department of Health and Human Services, which seeks to expand the ability of businesses and individuals to refuse to provide necessary health care on the basis of businesses’ or employees’ “religious beliefs or moral convictions.” The federal lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York, seeks to enjoin the Final Rule and prevent it from going into effect. The suit follows upon a comment letter filed by the New York Attorney General and a coalition of states in March 2018, when the rule was first proposed, urging that the rule be withdrawn. “This rule is a license to discriminate,” said Attorney General Connors. “It allows health care providers to refuse service based on personal beliefs about who is worthy of receiving the provider’s services. As such, it is a misinterpretation of religious freedom that could have devastating consequences.” The lawsuit alleges that the Final Rule, which will take effect in July 2019, would undermine the delivery of health care by giving a wide range of health care institutions and individuals a right to refuse care, based on the provider’s own personal views. The Rule drastically expands the number of providers eligible to make such refusals, ranging from ambulance drivers to emergency room doctors to receptionists to customer service representatives at insurance companies. The Rule makes this right absolute and categorical, and no matter what reasonable steps a health provider or employer makes to accommodate the views of an objecting individual, if that individual rejects a proposed accommodation, a provider or employer is left with no recourse. Under the Rule, a hospital could not inquire, prior to hiring a nurse, if (s)he objected to administering a measles vaccination—even if this was a core duty of the job in the middle of an outbreak of the disease. Or an emergency room doctor could refuse to assist a woman who arrived with a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, even if the woman’s life was in jeopardy. The Rule would also allow businesses, including employers, to object to providing insurance coverage for procedures they consider objectionable, and allow individual health care personnel to object to informing patients about their medical options or referring them to providers of those options. The devastating consequences of the Rule would fall particularly hard on marginalized patients, including LGBTQ patients, who already confront discrimination in obtaining health care. The lawsuit further alleges that the risk of noncompliance is the termination of billions of dollars in federal health care funding. If HHS determines, in its sole discretion, that states or cities have failed to comply with the Final Rule – through their own actions or the actions of thousands of sub-contractors relied upon to deliver health services – the federal government could terminate funding to those states and cities, to the price tag of hundreds of billions of dollars. States and cities rely upon those funds for countless programs to promote the public health of their residents, including Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, HIV/AIDS and STD prevention and education, and substance abuse and mental health treatment. The lawsuit argues that this drastic expansion of refusal rights, and the draconian threat of termination of federal funds, violates the federal Administrative Procedures Act and the Spending Clause and separation of powers principles in the U.S. Constitution. A copy of the complaint can be found here. Joining New York Attorney General Letitia James and Hawaii Attorney General Clare E. Connors in filing the lawsuit are the City of New York, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, the City of Chicago, and Cook County, Illinois. #clareconnors #clareeconnors #healthcare #donaldtrump #suingtrump #attorneygeneral #HawaiiAttorneyGeneral

HONOLULU – The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) released its second quarter 2019 Statistical and Economic Report today with first quarter results. In this report, DBEDT kept its economic growth forecast (GDP) from the first quarter of 2019 unchanged at rates between 1.2 percent and 1.4 percent for the next few years. Economic data for the first few months of 2019 were mixed. The good news includes the following: Total value of private building permits increased 8.7% during the first quarter of 2019. Though the value of residential permit decreased by 19.0 percent, value for commercial and industrial permits decreased by 39.3 percent, value for additions and alterations increased by 67.8 percent wh​ich could offset the decrease in the other two categories. State government spending on capital improvement projects increased 12.5 percent during the same period. State general fund revenue increased 7.6 percent during the first four months of calendar year 2019, with an increase of 9.3 percent for the general excise tax and 5.4 percent for individual income tax. The two categories of taxes accounted for 85 percent of the total state general fund revenue. The general fund revenue collected during the first four months of 2019 was the historical record high level for the first four calendar month period. Non-agriculture payroll jobs increased 3,200 during first four months of 2019. Jobs increased the largest in state government with 1,600 additional jobs; followed by the construction industry which added 700 jobs; food services with an additional 600 job; professional services, health care, and information each added 500 jobs during the first four months of 2019. Unemployment claims as of the week of May 11 decreased by 2.9 percent from the same period in 2018. The challenging areas during the first few months of 2019 include: The unemployment rate, which is not seasonally adjusted, averaged 2.9 percent growth during the first four months of 2019, higher than the 2.2 percent experienced during the same period in 2018. Several industries lost jobs with retail trade losing the largest number of jobs at 1,500; followed by manufacturing with 700 fewer jobs; and art, entertainment and creation loss of 400 jobs. According to the data released by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Hawaii’s unemployment rate, due to economic reasons, was 4.0 percent between second quarter of 2018 and first quarter of 2019, higher than the U.S. at 3.8 percent for the same period. This included those people who gave up looking for jobs and those who worked part-time but wanted to work full-time if opportunities permitted. Though visitor arrivals increased by 2.6 percent during the first quarter of 2019, visitor spending decreased by 2.4 percent due to the decrease in daily visitor spending for all the markets except cruise visitors who showed a 2.3 percent increase in daily spending. Real estate indicators were also mixed during the first four months of 2019. Number of sales for single family and condominium homes declined on all major islands except for condo sales on the island of Hawaii which increased by 4.4 percent. Median sale prices for single family homes increased on all islands except Kauai which experienced a decrease in median sale price of nearly 10.0 percent. Median condo home sale prices fell on Oahu and the island of Hawaii but increased on Maui and Kauai. The U.S. economy continues to perform well. According to the most recent economic forecasts by more than 50 top economic research organizations (the Blue Chip Economic Indicators, May 10, 2019), the U.S. economy will grow at 2.6 percent in 2019 and 1.9 percent in 2020 while the previous Blue Chip forecast for the U.S. economy was at 2.4 percent for 2019. Most of the world economies will experience slower but stable growth into 2020. Given the economic conditions inside and outside of Hawaii, DBEDT expects that Hawaii’s economy will continue the slower growth for the next few years between 1.2 and 1.4 percent. “Hawaii has been experiencing lower but stable economic growth during the last two years as reflected by declining visitor spending and increasing construction value.” said DBEDT Director Mike McCartney. “Our labor market continues to perform well with unemployment rate still among the lowest five states in the nation during the first four months of 2019.” DBEDT revised the visitor industry forecast with visitor arrivals now growing at 2.6 percent for 2019, higher than the 2.0 percent projected last quarter. However, the growth of nominal visitor expenditures is projected to be 1.1 percent for 2019, lower than the 3.3 percent projected last quarter. This lower visitor expenditure projection is based on the daily visitor spending data reported by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. During the first quarter of 2019, daily visitor spending decreased by 2.6 percent. DBEDT revised its projection on the non-farm payroll job count slightly downward from the previous quarter forecast to 0.6 percent for the next few years. The unemployment rate projections were changed upward to 3.0 percent for 2019 and will gradually increase to 3.6 percent by 2022. DBEDT lowered the projection for consumer inflation, as measured by the urban Hawaii Consumer Price Index, from the previously projected, now at 1.7 percent for 2019 and 2.0 percent for the next few years. DBEDT revised the nominal personal income growth rates slightly downward from the previous quarter forecast to 3.2 percent for 2019 and 3.6 percent for the next few years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Hawaii nominal personal income grew 2.9 percent in 2018, which is the lowest growth since 2014. The average nominal personal income growth rate was 4.5 percent between 1988 and 2018. Growth of real personal income was unchanged from the previous quarter forecast. The DBEDT Quarterly Statistical and Economic Report contains 136 tables of the most recent quarterly data on Hawaii’s economy as well as narrative explanations of the trends in these data. The full report is available at: dbedt.hawaii.gov/economic/qser/. #DBEDT #DepartmentofBusiness #EconomicDevelopmentandTourism #Jobs #CapitalImprovement #generalfund #payroll #taxes #retailtrade #Departmentoflabor #economy #consumerpriceindex #HawaiiTourismAutority

(Maunakea, Hawai‘i) –On Sunday and Monday a half-dozen Palila, hatched and raised at the San Diego Zoo Global’s (SDZG) Keauhou Bird Conservation Center, flew in the open air for the first time in their lives. Palila, a distant relative of finches are the last surviving members of sixteen species of finch-billed, seed-eating birds in the main Hawaiian Islands. They were once found on Kaua‘i and O‘ahu, but are now found only high on the slopes of Mauna Kea. Found only on the upper slopes of the largest mountain in the world, Mauna Kea, the critically endangered Palila has a vibrant yellow head, a strong bill, and a delightful call. This spectacular bird is an important part of our Hawaiian heritage worth protecting. The multi-year effort to try and boost their numbers and prevent their possible extinction involves a large number of collaborators, many of whom had representatives on hand to assist with today’s release into the Pu‘u Mali Restoration Area on towering Mauna Kea’s northern flank. Housed as pairs, in three separate release aviaries for the past several weeks, the Palila have been under nearly constant observation. They received daily food, and on May 17th were outfitted with radio transmitters attached to a backpack-style harness that will help researchers track them in the coming months. Feeding stations are placed within the release area to provide supplemental food to help the birds adjust to the wild. Lainie Berry, Hawai‘i Forest Bird Recovery Coordinator at the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), explains, “Currently Palila are found in one small isolated area on Mauna Kea. Having such a small population in one area puts the species at a very high risk of extinction. This release is the beginning of our attempt to establish a second population on the mountain to broaden their current range and reduce the extinction threat.” Like most native Hawaiian forest bird species, Palila have been affected by habitat loss and degradation, as well as introduced predators such as cats and mongooses. Habitat degradation caused by ungulates such as sheep and goats has had a significant negative impact on māmane, a slow-growing native tree species. Palila are a specialist species that depend on māmane for approximately 90% of their diet year-round, eating the seeds, flowers, young leaves, and caterpillars found on the tree. Māmane seeds are poisonous to other birds, but Palila have no problem eating hundreds of seeds daily. The Pacific Cooperative Study Unit’s Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project has conducted habitat management through predator control and extensive landscape scale restoration through outplanting of māmane and other dryland forest species to restore this important ecosystem, of which Palila are a part. “Restoration work at Pu‘u Mali has been ongoing since 2008 with thousands of māmane and other sub-alpine dry forest species planted between 5,000 and 8,000 feet in elevation to support the required elevational gradient of food Palila depend upon. The forest in and around the current release area has shown a significant response to the lower densities of sheep on the north slope and is a testament to the resiliency of Mauna Kea’s unique ecosystem. It is very exciting to be a part of what we hope will be another step towards the recovery of this species.” says Chauncey Asing, Maunakea Forest Restoration Coordinator. The American Bird Conservancy, one of the funders and collaborators on the Palila reintroduction project, has made the recovery of the six-inch bird a top priority for its Hawaiʻi program. Chris Farmer, ABC’s Hawaiʻi Program Director, commented, “The Palila is a gorgeous bird, but tragically there are now only about 1,000 left in the world. It is urgent that we do everything to stop its population decline and prevent extinction. The restoration and recovery made possible by protecting the forest, removing the ungulates, and this release are excellent steps in that direction.” “This milestone shows how we can avert the tragedy of extinction when we use years of research to guide conservation decisions.” said Koa Matsuoka, SDZG’s Hawaiʻi Endangered Bird Conservation Program, Senior Research Coordinator. “Taking a ‘One Plan Approach’ to conservation, field work, and managed care, has allowed us to move forward with saving the Palila. Our reintroduction efforts with this species can be a model for other efforts to fight extinction in the future.” “This step toward the recovery of Palila would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of the partner organizations over the last 30 years,” said Michelle Bogardus, Maui Nui and Hawaiʻi Island Team Manager, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Recovering endangered species is a complex process that takes time, but the long-term efforts to restore habitat on Mauna Kea and breed Palila in conservation breeding centers is allowing us to take this next step forward.” The rapid decline of the Palila population has led scientists and managers to take actions to restore the dry forest and evaluate the forest health over time and changes in environmental factors. Additional releases of Palila reared in conservation breeding centers are planned for later this summer, and translocations of wild Palila are planned in subsequent years. The Palila and māmane forest’s decline occurred over decades, so recovering the Palila will likewise take many years, but today’s release is an encouraging first step in this process. #maunakea #sandiegozoo #SDZG #KeahouBirdConservationCenter #PuuMaliRestorationAArea #LainieBerry #HawaiiForestBirdRecovery #DLNR #DivisionofForestry #DOFAW #Palila #HawaiiIsland #PacficCooperativeStudy #KoaMatsuoka #HawaiiendangeredBirdConservationProgram #MichelleBogardus #MauiNui #USFishandWildlifeService #Endangeredspecies

As Memorial Day approaches, the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) and its traffic safety partners are reminding Hawaii drivers and passengers of the importance of wearing seat belts through the annual Click It or Ticket campaign. This year’s Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization will run from May 20 through June 2, 2019. During the mobilization, all four county police departments will conduct increased enforcement of Hawaii’s seat belt laws. “Seat belts are essential for safe driving and riding,” said Hawaii Department of Transportation Director Jade Butay. “We want to remind everyone that buckling up every trip, every time might save their life.” In 2017, 21 of the 60 of motor vehicle occupants that died in Hawaii were unrestrained. Records also show the number of unrestrained motor vehicle occupant fatalities increased at night. HDOT has issued federal grants to the four county police departments for overtime enforcement of Hawaii’s seat belt and child restraint laws. During federal fiscal year 2018, the four county police departments issued 12,051 citations for failure to use a seat belt and 1,160 citations for failure to use child restraints. “We thank the four county police departments for joining us during the national Click It or Ticket campaign and for seat belt and child restraint enforcement day and night, year-round,” Butay said. “Not buckling up yourself or your keiki could cost morethan $102 if you’re lucky, and your life or the life or the life of someone you love if you aren’t.” In addition to the enforcement mobilization, HDOT will display “Click It or Ticket” on all available HDOT electronic message boards statewide and has distributed banners and posters to police departments statewide. Information on how to safely restrain children in a motor vehicle can be found at http://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/safe-communites/child-passenger-safety/ or here. For more information on the national Click It or Ticket mobilization and national seat belt statistics, please visit www.nhtsa.gov/ciot Hawaii’s Seat Belt and Child Restraint Laws Hawaii’s universal seat belt law requires that all front and back seat motor vehicle occupants buckle up. Adults and children must use their seat belts and child passenger restraints at all times. The fine for unrestrained occupants on Oahu, Hawaii and Maui is $102, and the fine on Kauai is $112. Drivers will receive one citation for every unrestrained occupant in the vehicle. Violators convicted of the child passenger restraint law are required to attend a four-hour class and be assessed a fine between $100 and $500, depending on the number of convictions. Hawaii’s Child Passenger Restraint law requires children under 4 years of age to ride in a child safety seat. The law also requires children 4 through 7 years old to ride in a child restraint or booster seat. #ClickitorTicket #HawaiiDepartmentofTransportationHDOT #HDOT #JadeButay #PassengerSafety #Seatbelt #ChildPassengerRestraintLaw

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige today recognized winners of the Governor’s Awards, designed to honor state Executive Branch employees, managers and work teams who exemplify the highest caliber of public service and dedication in serving the people of Hawai‘i. The statewide program is administered by the Department of Human Resources Development. “Public employees have consistently made important contributions to our continuing efforts to improve the efficiency and quality of government services,” said Gov. Ige. “We are honored to work with such dedicated individuals and we appreciate all that they do each and every day.” Gov. Ige presented the following awards: STATE MANAGER OF THE YEAR: Dr. Ronald Cambra, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Education, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa * Photo courtesy of Governor Ige's Office Having dedicated over 40 years of service to the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, Dr. Cambra championed four campus-wide initiatives that guide students toward completing their degrees within four years. As a result of his leadership and vision, the UH increased its four-year graduation rate from 16 percent to 32 percent, garnering national attention in the field of higher education. EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR: Mark Want, Energy Analyst, Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) * Photo courtesy of Governor Ige's Office Mark has worked tirelessly to ensure that our state’s energy infrastructure is well-prepared to respond to and recover from any infrequent but catastrophic incidents, such as a hurricane. His ability to navigate the high stress, dynamic emergency management environments are noteworthy. STATE TEAM OF THE YEAR: UH Cancer Center Administrative Leadership Team, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa This dedicated 10-member team improved the efficiency and operational productivity of their individual units, resulting in improved faculty and staff satisfaction, cost savings and achievement of key mission-based objectives. Notably, the UH Cancer Center retained its designation as a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Center. “These individuals have selflessly given of themselves to enrich the lives of those they serve,” said Gov. Ige. “Their accomplishments perpetuate the aloha spirit and make our state a special place to live and work.” The three winners were selected from 54 exceptional groups and individual nominees. A volunteer Selection Committee of five prominent members of the community carefully reviewed the 54 nomination packets and rated them according to defined categories. The committee presented its recommendations for the three awards to Gov. Ige. The five members of this year’s Selection Committee are: Kurt Fey, Executive Director, Y. Hata & Co., Ltd.; Lisa Fowler, former President & CEO, Hawaiian Humane Society; James Horton, Director of Punchbowl Cemetery, National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Lynette Lo Tom, President & CEO, Bright Light Marketing; and Marisa Yamane, Former Anchor/Reporter, KHON-TV. #davidige #ronaldcambra #markwant #UHCancerCenterAdministrativeLeadershipTeam #universityofhawaii #DBEDT

HONOLULU - Farrington High School’s Engineering Academy students unveiled their World Surf League (WSL) ‘legacy’ project this morning to a group of lawmakers, Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) leaders, community partners and alumni. The mobile merchandise trailer, built from the ground up by more than 200 students, will be used by the WSL to sell t-shirts, stickers and other merchandise at surf meets. “This is more than a trailer, it is a symbol of the potential of Kalihi students,” said Jeremy Seitz, head of FHS’ Engineering Academy. “This project has enhanced the reputation of our Academy and has given our students a valuable professional learning experience. The academy is excited and proud to finally unveil what they have been working on for the past 18 months, and hope that this will open the door for opportunities like this in the future with other major organizations.” The project is part of FHS’ ongoing partnership with WSL’s Hawaii regional office and was sponsored by the Hawaii Youth Surfing Development Organization (HYSDO) education grant and numerous community donors. The collaboration is much bigger than surfing; it represents the occasion for youth to explore career paths, the opportunity for hands-on, real-world business experiences, and the education to spark successful future paths and energize communities. The partnership between FHS and WSL Hawaii’s regional office began over three years ago when Farrington staff sought real-world collaborations for students to gain experience across multiple disciplines for career opportunities within Hawaii. The WSL took students behind-the-scenes of some of its largest events in the world, provided role-mirroring and in-class mentoring with students, and taught about job opportunities that exist within Hawaii's sport of surfing. For more information, view the HIDOE story about this project here. *Photos courtesy of the Hawaii Department of Education ### About Farrington High School Engineering Academy Farrington Engineering Academy is a student-focused academy that provides real-world, hands-on opportunities that focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and preparing students to be career ready. It is a high-achieving, skillful, hardworking, professional academy and provides high school students with hands on experience through innovative classes, collaborative learning and partnerships with real clients. This academy strives to teach its students to be diligent, to communicate well with clients and other people, to be open-minded, and other real-world skills that the students need to enter the workforce. About Hawai'i Youth Surfing Development Organization (HYSDO) Founded by Jodi Wilmott, Waialua resident and WSL General Manager of North America & Hawaii, HYSDO was created as a way to inspire local youth through the sport of surfing -- which has shaped every aspect of Jodi's life and is the lens with which she experiences the world -- through regional youth opportunities. A 501c3 non-profit, HYSDO's mission is to deliver greater opportunities for Hawai'i youth in and out of the water, to harness the power of surfing to build careers, strengthen communities, and develop the future of Hawai'i's Sport of Kings. About the World Surf League (WSL) The World Surf League (WSL) is dedicated to celebrating the world's best surfing on the world's best waves through a variety of best-in-class audience platforms. The organization, headquartered in Santa Monica, is a global sport with regional offices in Australasia, Africa, North America, South America, Hawaii, Japan and Europe. The WSL has been championing the world's best surfing since 1976, annually running more than 180 global events across the Men's and Women's Championship Tours, the Big Wave Tour, Qualifying Series, Junior and Longboard Championships, as well as the WSL Big Wave Awards. The League possesses a deep appreciation for the sport's rich heritage while promoting progression, innovation and performance at the highest levels, and in doing so crowns the undisputed Men’s and Women’s World Champions across all tours. Showcasing the world's best surfing on its digital platform at WorldSurfLeague.com, the WSL has a passionate global fan base with millions tuning in to see world-class athletes like Kelly Slater, Stephanie Gilmore, Tyler Wright, John Florence, Lakey Peterson, Paige Alms, Kai Lenny, Steven Sawyer, Soleil Errico, Carissa Moore, Gabriel Medina, Courtney Conlogue and more battle on the most dynamic field of play of any global sport. 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. Established in 1840 by King Kamehameha III, today's public school system serves more than 170,000 students across 256 schools and 36 charter schools. The Department is committed to ensuring all students have access to a high-quality education and can successfully discover and embark upon their chosen path in life. #worldsurfleague #farringtonHigh #Engineering #jeremyseitz #FHS #HawaiiYouthSurfingDevelopmentOrganization #HYSDO #jodiwilmott #WSL #KellySlater #StephanieGilmore #TylerWright #JohnFlorence #LakeyPeterson #PaigeAlms #KaiLenny #StevenSawyer #SoleilErrico #CarissaMoore #GabrielMedina #CourtneyConlogue

HONOLULU – Gov. David Ige has appointed William J. Aila, Jr. as interim chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission/director of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, effective May 17, 2019. Aila was confirmed as deputy to the commission chair in April. He has been serving as acting chairman since the departure of Jobie Masagatani on May 2. Aila served as deputy to the chairman of the Hawaiian Homes Commission from 2014-2018. Previously, he headed the Department of Land and Natural Resources and was harbor agent for the Wai‘anae Boat Harbor, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation under DLNR. “William is a proven leader and steward of Hawai‘i’s natural resources. I am confident that he will continue to lead the department as it works to create vibrant homestead communities for native Hawaiians,” said Gov. Ige. “I thank Gov. Ige for this opportunity to continue to serve the Hawaiian community, and I look forward to working closely with homestead leaders to advance the vision of Prince Kuhio,” said Aila. Aila’s appointment is subject to Senate confirmation. #davidige #WilliamAilaJr #DHHL #DepartmentofHawaiianHomeLands #WaianaeBoatHarborDivision #GovernorIge #PrinceKuhio #jobieMasagatani #DLNR

The Hanapēpē-Eleele Hawai’i Hazards Awareness & Resilience Program (HHARP) will be honored as a disaster resilient community by local, state and federal officials during the Kaua’i Community Disaster Preparedness Fair being held this Saturday at 9:00 a.m. Hanapēpē-Eleele HHARP is the first community group on a neighbor island to achieve this recognition. HHARP is a statewide program designed to guide communities through a disaster preparedness process that will empower them before, during, and after natural disasters such as a hurricane, flash flood, or tsunami. Completion of HHARP includes presentations on local hazards and guidance in creating a community emergency plan. The aim of the Hawaii Hazards Awareness and Resilience Program (HHARP) is to help communities prepare to be self-reliant during and after natural hazard events, improve their ability to take care of their own needs, and reduce the negative impacts of disasters. HHARP can enhance community resilience through education and outreach sessions that build awareness and understanding of hazard mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery. State and county emergency management agencies have partnered to administer HHARP in support of community leaders willing to implement the program. The Hanapēpē/ʻEleʻele Community Association is made up of concerned citizens living in the Niumila, ʻEleʻele, Port Allen, Hanapēpē, and Kaumakani communities that want to improve communications with the County of Kauaʻi and within the community for the betterment of our area. Previous communities honored included Waimānalo, Kailua, Joint Base Pearl Harbor, ‘Āina Haina, Mānoa, and Wai’anae. WHAT: Recognizing The Hanapēpē-Eleele Hawai’i Hazards Awareness & Resilience Program (HHARP) WHEN: Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. WHERE: Hanapēpē National Guard Armory WHO: Derek Kawakami, Mayor of Kaua’i Elton Ushio, Administrator, Kaua’i County Emergency Management Agency Luke Meyers, Executive Officer, Hawai’i Emergency Management Agency Brigadier General Retired Bruce Oliveira, Department of Defense #HHARP #hanapepe #eleele #Hawaiihazardsawarenessandresilienceprogram #HIEMA #disasterRelief #disasteremergency #derekkawakami #eltonushio #lukemeyers #bruceoliveira #Hanapepenationalguardarmory