December Oshirase 2018

President’s Message 

Happy Holidays!

It seems that each year we are busier than the past year. There will be plenty to do in the upcoming year. Coming up in 2019…

On January 17, member Stacy Higa and his Nā Leo TV team will be hosting a Goji Kara and General Membership Meeting in their recently expanded Hilo facility. We will have a facility tour for a behind the scene look of how they make media productions on their three cable channels, the world-wide web and via their mobile app. I encourage all members to join us for a great evening. Register today!

On January 30, JCCIH officers, directors, committee chairs, and past presidents will meet for part 2 of the strategic planning session. We will be setting the Chamber’s goals and objectives for the next 3 years. I am looking forward to a productive day with the leaders of our Chamber.

The government affairs committee is preparing for the upcoming legislative session. We were pleased that all of the candidates we endorsed in the general election were successful. The committee will work to make the Chamber’s voice heard as we communicate with our elected officials, and submit testimony on the issues that are important to our members.

In case you missed these great JCCIH events in October and November…

Mahalo to the members who donated monies toward the relief of the disastrous flooding in Higashi 

Hiroshima. I presented the donation to Mayor Takagaki on October 5.

The 20th Annual “A Taste of Hilo” was held on October 20. The sold-out event drew over 500 people who experienced amazing food and drink offerings from over 30 local vendors, including the featured ingredient, Madai (Japan Royal Snapper), imported fresh from Japan.  

A Goji Kara was hosted by the Hilo Medical Center on November 13. Members were given a grand tour of the new Hawaii Island Family Health Center, Cardiology Clinic, Hui Pono Ornish Lifestyle Medicine Program, the renovated Food and Nutrition Services Department, and the amazing Cardiac Cath Lab. 

Finally, David Lassner, Ph.D., president of the University of Hawaii System, was the guest speaker at our General Membership Meeting on November 20, 2018. Dr. Lassner introduced the Chamber to the aeronautical science program at UH Hilo, and the development plans for Hawaii Community College. 

Mahalo to all members who participated in Chamber activities in 2018. You support makes the Chamber a driving force in our community.

Steve Ueda
JCCIH, President

 

    

 

 

Donation of Lap Blankets for Victims of Recent Flooding in Hiroshima

On October 9, 2018, members of the Hilo High School Key Club and the Kiwanis Club of East Hawai`i presented 40 lap blankets to Kazuyuki Tani (Higashi Hiroshima City Official) and Ryoji Shigemitsu (Higashi Hiroshima Chamber of Commerce) for victims of the recent flooding in Hiroshima. The lap blankets were handmade by Hilo High School Key Club and the Kiwanis Club of East Hawai`i as part of their District Service Project. The blankets are meant to bring a little bit of Hawai`i Island hospitality and comfort to those who are going through a difficult time.

Every other year, 14 students from Hilo High School Key Club are fortunate to participate in a Sumoto Sister City Exchange Program. Through this program, the students enjoy a homestay experience, foster goodwill, and learn more about the Japanese culture and its history. This year, Hiroshima was included as part of the Exchange Program.

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

The Maunakea Visitor Information Station will adjust its closing time from 10 p.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Sunday, December 9, for an infrastructure project that will improve visitor safety and to better protect natural, historic and cultural resources. Preparations will begin in December with construction slated to start in January 2019. The project is expected to take about six months. Read more…

 

 

 

       

 

 

 

TMT’s THINK Fund Assisting Students with Robotics and STEM Travel Costs

The THINK Fund at Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF) advisory committee recently approved expanding funding guidelines aimed at assisting Hawaii Island students with travel costs when traveling off-island to attend robotics competitions or STEM conferences in Hawaii. Teachers are encouraged to apply! The Thirty Meter Telescope project launched the THINK Fund in 2014 with a commitment of $1 million per year for Hawaii Island STEM endeavors. To date, TMT has funded the THINK initiatives with HCF and the Pauahi Foundation with a total of $4.5 million.