June Oshirase 2018
President’s Message
As we head through the month of June, my heart is heavy from all of the devastation and loss the lower Puna area of our island has endured from the recent lava activity. During this difficult time, we are reminded that we truly live in a great community. There are many organizations, churches, businesses, and individuals working to help those that have lost their homes and/or businesses. Pu’uhonua o Puna, which is an organization that is driven 100% by the community, has been working hard as an information and supply hub for individuals displaced by the lava. Hope Services, HPM Building Supply, and local contractors are also working together to build temporary housing for those displaced. These are only a couple of examples of how awesome our community is!
It’s hard to believe that the JCCIH fiscal year has passed link to and that we are planning for the next Installation banquet. Looking back over the year, the Chamber has made strides in membership, government affairs, communications, and overall efficiency. We have a new website up and running and our membership is at an all-time high. Our committee chairs did a great job in delivering relevant and interesting seminars, lunch-and learns, and Goji Kara’s to our membership. Everyone really stepped up to make this a successful year! Thank you to all the Committee Chairs, Board of Directors, and Past Presidents! You are the movers and shakers of this Chamber and I am so thankful to have served with you this year!
A big thank you to Doreen Canario! You are truly a blessing and a great addition to our Chamber ‘ohana! Thank you for your hard work, patience, and dedication to the Chamber!
Next year is going to be a great year! I am excited to where this organization is going and I know that Steve Ueda will do a great job as your next President! Please support him as you have supported me this past year!
Domo Arigato Gozaimasu!
Audrey N. Takamine
JCCIH, President
Legislature Closes. Election Season Opens
Stephen Ueda, Chair
Government Affairs Committee
Aloha from the GAC,
The 2018 legislative session is over, with some notable wins for our island. Your GAC closely followed and supported some bills that passed and now we’re looking to the elections.
Bills we supported that passed:
- SB 3058 relating to Banyan Drive redevelopment and public land lease reform, the latter being a decades-long issue our community has fought for.
- SB 1235 relating to advanced cardiology care at Hilo Medical Center, which means our hospital will have the resources it needs to significantly increase a person’s chance at survival following a heart attack.
We were disappointed that SB 2996, relating to establishing an independent airport authority, was killed in conference committee. We hope this issue will be taken up again next session.
The GAC opposed bills related to establishing a new management authority for Maunakea. We maintained that rather than reinventing the wheel, improving the existing management entity, which has worked hard to provide good stewardship of the mountain, is the better route.
Overall, a successful legislative session.
Now our attention turns to the 2018 elections. This year, there are many important decisions that will be made in the primary, so the GAC has decided to endorse candidates for the August election. We will send candidates questionnaires and recommend to the board a slate to endorse. After board approval, we will send all JCCIH members an email on June 19 with instructions to view and vote on the recommended slate for endorsement; voting closes on June 30. In addition to the email, we will send members a post card reminding them to participate in this important process. We encourage everyone to vote so JCCIH can effectively consider and represent your views.
JCCIH endorsements will be published in the Hawai‘i Tribune-Herald the week absentee ballots are mailed.
Intriguing, Exciting Education Committee Events Planned for July!
Debbie Shigehara and Susie Dill, 2017-18 Co-Chairs
- Tanabata Star Festival on July 6 to be held at the Subaru Hilo Base Facility
- Henk Rogers Pu’u Wa’awa’a Ranch Tour on July 27
…make sure to save the dates!
After a productive and busy year of events, the Education Committee has wound down by holding a few meetings with individuals interested in the JCCIH, specifically our committee, involvement.
The following meetings occurred:
- Jane Clements from Strategies 360 regarding representation on the stakeholder’s advisory committee for the development of a DoE Facilities Master Plan.
- Ken Hon, UH Hilo Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. During this meeting, we discussed the reorganization of the College of Continuing Education and Community Service.
- Senator Russell Ruderman spoke to us about his interest in collaborating on the school-to-workforce pipeline initiatives.
We are currently working with Christian Wong, Executive Director of Hawaii Science and Technology Museum on a possible presentation for the upcoming Hawaii Explorations Expo.
July marks the beginning of the new term year for JCCIH. We are pleased to kick-off this new year with the new Education Committee Chair, Yuko Kakazu, Ph.D. who is the Public Outreach Specialist for Subaru Telescope. It is poised to be a year full of exciting and productive events again!
And the awards go to…
Hawai’i Community College recently honored two local organizations that have been tremendously helpful to programs and students. Faculty and staff also received awards during end-of-the-year ceremonies. Read more…
A New Era of Stewardship on Maunakea
A new era of stewardship on Maunakea began in 2000 when the University of Hawaii’s Board of Regents adopted a new Master Plan calling for the establishment of community-based management of UH’s managed lands on Maunakea.
In recognition of the dedication and hard work by Hawaii Island community members on the Maunakea Management Board and Kahu Ku Mauna, the University produced a short video highlighting many of their accomplishments. Read More…
Hawaii State Supreme Court to Hear Oral Arguments on Thirty Meter Telescope June 21
After 44 days of the Contested Case hearings held throughout most of 2017, the State Land Board’s decision in support of TMT was subsequently appealed to the Hawaii State Supreme Court. After internal filings of party briefs and other matters before the high court, the Hawaii Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments on the project’s Conservation District Use Permit for Thursday, June 21 at 9:00 am in Honolulu. Read More…
New Members
Click photo to view new member information
