David Ige - Community Notices

[Taken from a press release from Irene Yamashita from the D.O.E.]

The fourth annual Island Movie Contest sponsored by the D.O.E.'s Advanced Technology Research Branch, the Audio Visual Co. and Apple Computers, recognized the contest winners at the e-School Conference on February 10 at the Hawaii Convention Center. Ninety-eight entries from 33 schools entered in the digital storytelling contest with approximately 400 public school students demonstrating their creative writing and movie making skills. Here are the list of winners from the various categories:

A. TEACH ME SOMETHING

• Elementary: “Healthy Eating Habits” - Kipapa Elementary School


• Middle: “Lazy Life, Lazy Mind” - Kaimuki Middle School


• High: “A Dream Lost” - Aiea High School

B. TELL ME A STORY

• Elementary: “The Mice and the Myna Birds” - Lunalilo Elementary School


• Middle: “Tommy Kono the Champion” - Ma`ili Elementary School


• High: “Special Friends” - Kealakehe High School

C. ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS / SOCIAL ISSUES

• Elementary: “The Adventures of Opala Man and Serenity” - Lunalilo Elementary School


• Middle: “Vermiculture” - Lanikai Elementary PCS School


• High: “The Plight of the Coqui” - Kaiser High School

Grand Overall Winner of the Island Movie Contest went to Maili Elementary School for, "Tommy Kono the Champion".
For more information about this contest and past winners, visit the Island Movie Website.

Congratulations to Aiea High School students for winning the high school division for "Teach Me Something"!

[Found in HECO's Consumer Lines Volume XXV - No. 3, March 2006 edition]

Congratulations to all students from across our state who participated in the 13th Annual Hawaii Science Bow on January 28, 2006. The top five finishers, in order were Iolani, Hilo High, Punahou, Waiakea High, and Pearl City High!

According to Eileen Yoshinaka, Pacific Liason for the U.S. Department of Energy and a board member of the Hawaii Science Bowl, "Hawaii Science Bowl promotes passion for learning and teaches students to compete, both attributes that help students succeed later in life".

[View the HHSAA's official site for more information! Click Here.]

Congratulations to:

+ Tricia Miura of Pearl City High School for making the 2006 HHSAA/Meadow Gold Dairies Girls Soccer State Championships All-Tournament Team!

+ Nicholas Pait of Pearl City High School as the Champion of the Boys Wrestling 145 pound division at the 2006 Wrestling State Championships. Also, I would like to recognize Matthew Higa (PC), Christian Pavo (PC), Harrison Flores (Aiea), Tyler Lauifi (PC), Paige Inouye (PC), Kaleiolani Souza (Aiea), and Pamela Higa (PC) for their notable performance at the championships!

+ The Pearl City High School Girls Swim Team for their strong effort at the 2006 HHSAA State Swimming & Diving Meet on Friday, February 24 & Saturday, Feburary 25, 2006 at Kamehameha Schools.

All residents of the Aiea district are welcome to the Aiea Neighborhood Board Meeting on March 13, 2006, 7:30pm at Aiea Library, 99-143 Moanalua Road.

For the meeting agenda, please follow this link.

[As seen in the Honolulu Advertiser High School Sports Section on the Tuesday, March 14, 2006 edition.]

Congratulations to Travis Cruz from Pearl City High School for making the OIA West Basketball All-Star Second Team as a Guard.

For their notable performance, I would also like to congratulate Kali Kuia, Lofa Li'ili'i, and Jerry Miller of Aiea High School and Andrew Blue, Kawika Borden, and Karlo Rarangol of Pearl City High School!

(Click Here to view the online article and stats!)

[Taken from the press release from the Friends of Pearl City Library]

The Friends of Pearl City Library will hold a booksale Sunday, April 23, 2006, from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm in the library meeting room. Members may enter from 9:00 am that morning.

Book prices start at 25-cents for pocketbooks and children's books; hardcover books are $1.00 each. Record albums, videotapes, and computer programs will also be sold. Hourly discounts will be announced thoughout the day.

A Members' Night pre-sale will be held Monday, April 17, from 5:30 - 7:30 pm. Special discounts will be available this evening. New and renewal memberships will be taken at the door.

Annual membership is $7.00 for adults (16 and above), $5.00 for juveniles (15 and under), and $15.00 for family (must include one adult).

All proceeds benefit the Pearl City Public Library and its programs.

For more information, call 453-6566 during library hours.

Congratulations to the Joshua Echols, an eight-grader at Our Savior Lutheran, and Jordan Komoda a seventh grader, and Aldric Ulep, an eighth-grader at Highlands Intermediate School qualifiers from the Pearl City & Aiea districts!

We wish you the best of luck on Sunday, March 26th at the Honolulu Advertiser State Spelling Bee. Cheer them on at 5pm on K-5!

We bid a warm welcome to Brittney Hamilton, Juliana Bojorquez, and Mary Jo Madamba of Pearl City Elementary School. They took time out of their busy day to visit and learn a little bit about what goes on here at the State Capitol under the wing of Senator Suzanne Chun-Oakland! They are accompanied by their teacher Mr. Russell Minobe, Mr. Hamilton (Brittney's father), and Mrs. Funikoshi.

The girls were formally introduced during session today on the senate floor.

[Taken from an official press release from Howard H. Tanaka, Head of the Capital Projects Division - Engineering Branch of the Board of Water Supply dated March 16, 2006.]

[Click here to view the attached map of the affected areas.]

The Board of Water Supply has scheduled a water main replacement project in the Pearl City area that involves the installation of an 8-inch water main, fire hydrants, and appurtenances along Nanakai Street (and its subsequent side streets) and Hooheke Street. This project will reduce the main breaks and imporve fire protection and water service to the residents in the area.

At this time, the Board to Water Supply is advertising for construction bids and will start work after the contract documents are processed and proper permits are obtains. Stay tuned for future notifications.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Francis Fund at 748-5710.

[Taken from the Honolulu Advertiser Monday, March 20, 2006 edition.]

Congratulations to Pearl City eleven year-old, Natasha Garcia for being named one of 99 semifinalists from the North American Build-A-Bear Workshops' Huggable Heroes program that honors youth volunteerism. According to the news brief, Natasha was "cited for her work with the Juvinile Diabetes Research Foundation."

According to the Huggable Heroes site, "Natasha's compassion and commitment to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has been demonstrated in many ways including participating in Walk for a Cure and lobbying and offering testimony for a house bill called the Glucagon Bill."

Twelve winners will recieve a $2,500 donation to their chosen cause and be featured in the 2007 calendar.

Thank you for all your charitable works and we wish you the best of luck, Natasha!

(Click here to view the article at the honoluluadvertiser.com.)

[Taken from the Honolulu Advertiser - Tuesday, March 21, 2006 edition]

The Pearl City High School Chargers Softball Team make the headlines again, this time to recognize their star players and coach in the 2006 All-State Team named by the Honolulu Advertiser.

Coach Keoke Behic is rightly named the Coach of the Year after a vote of 12 coaches and members of the media.

Marina Gusman-Brown takes top honors as the First Team All-State Utility and Player of the Year. Fellow seniors, Kanani Numata and Corrie Nishikida also join her in the First Team as Second Basemand and Pitcher, respectively.

Moki Opunui makes the Second Team All-State Team as an outfielder while Lauren Fujisaki, Sanoe Aina, and Shanna Vierra are Honorable Mentions.

Last, but not least, Ashley Scharsch from Aiea High School is noted as an Honorable Mention as Pitcher.

(Click here to view the full honoluluadvertiser.com story!)

[Taken from the StarBulletin.com site on March 11, 2006]

Congratulations to all the students from our district schools who are nominated to various service academies.

Nominees of U.S. Sens. Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye and U.S. Reps. Ed Case and Neil Abercrombie to service academies for the July class:

U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.
» Gian Mark D. Agni, University of Hawaii at Manoa
» Christopher J. Aguilar, Waimea High School, Kauai
» Patience Bediako, Leilehua High School
» Sean A. Dunham, Punahou School
» Michael Y. Eide, Damien Memorial School
» Allen M. Gervacio Jr., Campbell High School
» Kelsey Kaneshiro, Punahou School
» Christopher Kardos, Saint Louis School
» Jason K. Mahuna, Kamehameha Hawaii campus
» Reyn H. Mossman, Kapaa High School
» Frank W. Speetjens, Kauai High School
» Erica Bailey K. Suzuki, Campbell High School
» Daniel A. Tortuga, Punahou School
» Benny T. Tran, Damien Memorial School
» Bradley J. Wee, Hanalani Schools

U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md.
» Gian Mark D. Agni, University of Hawaii at Manoa
» Alan C. Alegre, Pearl City High School
» Sean A. Dunham, Punahou School
» Michael Y. Eide, Damien Memorial School
» Savannah L. Frank, Radford High School
>> Carolyn M. Horiye, Sacred Hearts Academy
» Laura N. Hudson, Waimea High School
» Wesley I. Jahraus, home-schooled
» Kelsey Ann Kaneshiro, Punahou School
» Jason K. Mahuna, Kamehameha Hawaii campus
» Weixin Matsuoka, New York University, Tisch School of the Arts
» Christina S. Pryne, Sacred Hearts Academy
» Talitha K. Richards, Sacred Hearts Academy
» Scott Shaw, Honolulu Community College
» Erica Bailey K. Suzuki, Campbell High School
» Daniel A. Tortuga, Punahou School
» William E. Wilkerson, Naval Academy Preparatory School

U.S. Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs
» Gian Mark D. Agni, University of Hawaii at Manoa
» Christopher J. Aguilar, Waimea High School
» Stephen D. Albano, Mililani High School
» Alan C. Alegre, Pearl City High School
» Bailey A. Ball, Lahainaluna High School
» Carsen F. Chun, U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School
» Ian S. Diaz, Mililani High School
» Sean A. Dunham, Punahou School
» Michael Y. Eide, Damien Memorial School
» Jason S.K. Fung, U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School
» Laura N. Hudson, Waimea High School, Kauai
» Wesley I. Jahraus, home-schooled
» Howard Knapp, Campbell High School
» Jason K. Mahuna, Kamehameha Hawaii campus
» Matthew B. Orvis, Kealakehe High School
» Talitha K. Richards, Sacred Hearts Academy
» Alexander J. Shin, Kapolei High School
» Frank W. Speetjens, Kauai High School
» Erica Bailey K. Suzuki, Cambell High School
» Daniel A. Tortuga, Punahou School

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y.
» Gian Mark D. Agni, University of Hawaii at Manoa
» Shanon L. Arnold, Kapolei High School
» Sean A. Dunham, Punahou School
» Michael Y. Eide, Damien Memorial School
» Allen M. Gervacio Jr., Campbell High School
» Carolyn M. Horiye, Sacred Hearts Academy
» Benjamin Inouye, New Mexico Military Institute
» Jason K. Mahuna, Kamehameha Hawaii campus
» Weixin Masuoka, New York University
» Reyn H. Mossman, Kapaa High School
» Lester P. Orsino, Waipahu High School
» Talitha K. Richards, Sacred Hearts Academy
» Erica Bailey K. Suzuki, Campbell High School
» Benny T. Tran, Damien Memorial Schoo

Congratulations and good luck in all your future endeavors!

(Click here to view the article on StarBulletin.com.)

[Taken from the Honolulu Advertiser's Tuesday, March 28, 2006 edition - High School Sports]

Congratulations to Aiea High School's Mark Atta and Mason Puckett for their notable performance on and off the field in 2006. Both have been named as Honorable Mentions to the 2006 Honolulu Advertiser All-State Soccer Team.

(Click here to view the honoluluadvertiser.com article.)

[Taken from the Honolulu Advertiser, Tuesday, March 29, 2006 edition.]

Congratulations to the Honolulu Advertister All-State Team picks from the district!

All-State Second Team: Ambree Ako of Aiea High School and Nestle Yamaguchi of Pearl City High School

And for their notable performance and being chosen as Honorable Mentions: Lauren Maeshiro and Keilyn Tanimoto of Pearl City High School and Jaecie Kato, Michelle Kam, and Michelle Shiroma of Aiea High School

(Click Here to view the honoluluadvertiser.com online article.)

During this rainy spring season, traffic congestion and constant construction on Kam Highway is foremost in our thoughts. Discussed at last night at the March Aiea/Pearl City town meeting, your local area legislators in conjuction with the State Department of Transportation, the City Department of Transportation Services, and Parsons Brinckerhoff have plans in place for substantial improvements to take place over the following year.

The evening started at 7pm at Waimalu Elementary School cafeteria. Despite the heavy rain and flooding, the turnout at the meeting was substantial. First on the agenda was the City Department of Transportation Services. Highlighted in their presentation were two planned traffic solutions:

• Moanalua Road / Waimano Home Road/ Kuala Street improvements - plans to start in summer with construction lasting approximately 8 months.
• Moanalua Road/ Kaonohi Street improvements - Funds through Councilman Okino and plan/design by Fukunaga. The addition of a 4'6" green vinyl clad c/l median barrier and a left turn lane on Kaonohi Street. Exclusive left and right lanes with 2 thourough lanes on Moanalua Road. Construction will extend the no-parking restrictions and will begin in a couple months, ending before the holidays.

Following DTS, Alan Fujimori of Belt Collins Hawaii Ltd. prepared an hour-long presentation regarding the Kam Highway Beautification Project. Through the Kam Highway Task Force, headed by the State Department of Transportation liason, Scott Ishikawa in conjunction with the area legislators, the Aiea and Pearl City Neighborhood Boards, the Pearl City and Aiea Community Associations, Pearl Ridge Shopping Center, the Outdoor Circle, and various Historic Sites in the district, a landscaping master plan has been fleshed out and is supported by all involved groups. With the intention of creating an aesthetically pleasing, yet safe, useable, and accessible Kam Highway by residents and visitors alike, the proposed plan will create a sense of belonging and emphasize the rich history of our district. Additionally, the master plan goes hand-in-hand with the future mass-transit project.

Also, Kevin Ho of Belt Collin Hawaii Ltd. in conjunction with Parsons Brinckerhoff had plans for the Ka'ahumanu Street and Hekaha Street intersection. Plans are set for approval today (March 31, 2006) to implement two new traffic lights for Blaisdell Park and Ka'ahumanu Street. During this time, they will also be making adjustments to the traffic light timing. They request the input of the community should there be additional inconveniences by these changes. Lastly, Parsons Brinckerhoff are also implementing a Corridor Signal Optimization plan to reduce waiting time and improve traffic progression. Data collection starts on April 11th and with plans to start the optimization plan at the end of the year.

Finally, the State Department of Transportation ended the meeting with their brief presentation regarding the H-1 widening, Waimalu Gardens update, and the Aiea Access Road repaving projects. Unfortunately, due to the weather (6 weeks of cleanup rather than construction) and plans to repair the viaduct strip all the way into town, construction will end (possibly) in June. DOT Director Rod Haraga announced a plan to test five different pavement materials in 100 foot patches for up to 90 days to determine the best material for the job. The blasting sounds disturbing residents over the past weeks should no longer be heard as the construction team has changed from beads to water.

The Aiea Access Road repaving on Moanalua to Aloha Stadium starts in April and will continue through October and November. The circle ramp will experience 3 weekend closures during this time (but football weekends were promised open!) (See the attached PDF of the affected areas.)

The Department of Transportation stressed numerous times the necessity to voice your concern regarding the construction and current damage to the roads. Please keep these numbers handy and call them when you see or experience problems arising:

• H -1 Widening Hotling - 587-6316
• Director Rodney Haraga, Deparment of Transportation - 587-2150
• James Toma, Department of Health (Noise, Radiation and Indoor Air Quality Branch) - 586-4700
• Pothole Hotline - 536-PUKA (7852)

If you feel uncomfortable calling these numbers, feel free to call my office and we can forward your concerns to the proper authorities.

And last, but not least, the next town meeting will be held on April 10th, 7pm at the Pearl Ridge Elementary School Cafeteria. This meeting, concerning Junior Kindergarden and other early-education issues is spearheaded by Senator Norman Sakamoto and Representative Roy Takumi. Check back at davidige.org as more information is made public!