David Ige - Community Notices

[Official press release as submitted by the Office of Senator David Y. Ige]

State Senator David Ige (16th District) and Deputy Director Laurence Lau (Department of Health) announced the creation of a task force on Waimano Ridge. They will serve as Co-Chairs of the task force. The task force is a collaborative effort to encourage communication, increase community involvement, and to develop consensus on the existing and future uses of one of the largest parcels of state land on Oahu.

The 242-acre Waimano Ridge, located in the Pearl City area, is in close proximity to schools and residences, and there is a heightened awareness and concern for the future development and use of the ridge. A master plan was created for the property in 1993, but changes in law and in treatment practices for the developmentally disabled rendered the plan unusable, leaving many of the buildings and facilities to fall into disrepair.

State and health department officials would like to reexamine the condition of the Waimano Ridge property and its facilities and help to develop a consensus between the state, various stake holders, and the community on the future of the area. They hope that the new task force will ultimately lead to an updated master plan and enhanced communication and understanding about the property.

"Our community has demonstrated that they are part of the solution, not the problem, when discussing issues that impact their lives," State Senator David Ige noted. "The task force will plan an important role in developing consensus on future uses and in recreating the image that Pearl city residents have about Waimano Ridge. We will also create a website that will serve to consolidate information about the ridge and allow us to provide current information about activities on the property."

Health Department officials are also optimistic about the task force and the results it will bring about. "The Task Force will help to focus and improve communication between the department and the community about Waimano Ridge," said Laurence Lau.

The task force's first meeting will be held at the Pearl City Cultural Center on Wednesday, October 11, 2006, at 7PM, and the public is invited to observe this organizational meeting.

Weighted Student Formula was the topic of the discussion at the September 27th Aiea/Pearl City Town Meeting, headed by the Offices of Senator Norman Sakamoto and Representative Roy Takumi. The guest speaker was Robert Campbell, Director of the Program Support and Development Office from the State Department of Education.

Some of the highlighted notes are as follows:

- The Weighted Student Formula is designed to more equally appropriate monies to schools that have similar characteristics.

- Schools with more disadvantaged students tend to get less money; the formula then equalizes the money alloted to each school dependant upon the student.

- The formula was never meant to address financial adaquacy; that would cost more than $278 million in addition to DOE funding.

- If the DOE continues to receive $20 million that was appropriated by the Legislature, the formula will then stay in effect without further affecting schools. Continuing to implement funding at a 15% level for SY07-08; can continue to adjust funding and utilize the extra funds (alloted $20M).

- There is no 1 variable that dermines the "success" and "failure" of a school. The DOE will continue to crunch numbers and analyze the data to find the right solution.

To view Robert Campbell's slideshow presentation (in PDF format), CLICK HERE.

Photos from the Town Meeting are also up for view in our online gallery!

There will not be an October town meeting. However, in its place is the 2006 Senior Fair held at Pearlridge Center - Uptown on Saturday, October 21 from 10am to 2pm!

[Official press release as submitted by the Office of Senator David Y. Ige]

SENIOR FAIR AT PEARLRIDGE SHOPPING CENTER
Date: Saturday, October 21, 2006
Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Where: Pearlridge Shopping Center - Uptown Phase

State legislators representing the Pearl City and Aiea communities will host a Senior Fair to provide important and vital information regarding topics such as identity theft, social security and Medicare Part D to the public. Participants include AARP, the Social Security Administration, the State Executive Office on Aging - Sage Plus and Ombudsman Programs, the Honolulu Police and Fire Departments, the American Cancer Society and others.

Representatives from these organizations will distribute materials on many subjects and be available to discuss topics and answer questions. The event is free and open to the public.

"With so many changes affecting our communities, we hope to provide some outreach to people who may not know how to access important services," said Senator David Ige (Pearl City/Aiea).

State legislators sponsoring this event are Senators David Ige, Donna Mercado Kim, Clarence Nishihara and Norman Sakamoto, and Representatives Blake Oshiro, Roy Takumi, and K. Mark Takai.

From now through the month of October, ceramic sculptures created by 7th and 8th grade students of Aiea Intermediate School will be on exhibit at the Aiea Public Library!

The themes include, "Animals in its Habitat", "Sculptures which can open up as containers", and the "Human form in art".

The exhibit is free to the public. Library hours are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday 10 to 5pm, Thursday 12-8pm. Closed on Friday and Sunday.

[Taken from a press release from Governor Lingle issued October 11, 2006.]

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle has released $8,013,000 for various school construction and renovation projects, including a new middle school, electrical system upgrades, accessibility improvements, athletic facility improvements and special education classrooms.

Aiea Intermediate School: $1,200,000 to upgrade the school’s electrical system. This project involves the design and construction of electrical system improvements to support the school’s computer and technology equipment needs. Governor Lingle previously released $650,000 for this project. The additional funds will ensure that the entire campus is upgraded at one time. The design of the new system is scheduled to be completed in June 2007. Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2007.

The Pearl City High School Marching Band has been invited to participate in the July 2007 Beijing Olympic International Youth Festival, which is a prelude to the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in China. It is one of only two bands from the United States invited to the historic event.

The 200-member strong band will travel to Beijing for a 10-day tour from July 9-18, 2007 involving numerous public performances and parades, as well as opportunities for touring and cultural exchange. Festival participants include performing arts youth groups and organizations from all over the world. Never before has such an event been held in China, that brings together people of so many ethnic and national backgrounds to perform together on the same stage!

"Our selection is based on your past successes, excellent reputation and recommendations from prestigious American Organizations," said Rebecca Ji, Director of the Chinese-American Cultural Bridge Center, in extending the formal invitation to participate. "This is a special opportunity for your students, along with young musicians from all over the world, to come together in the spirit of the Olympics," she concluded.

"We are excited and honored to be invited," said Chad Kamei, Director of the band. "We are thankful for the hundreds of students, parents, and band teachers that have preceded us, and established the finest program in the country."

Gerald Suyama, Principal, added "The Pearl City High School Band has performed in many national and international venues, but this opportunity to travel to China and participate in this historic event is truly special. Whenever any band from Hawaii participates in an international event, the students represent their country, their state, and their school/community. We are proud to do just that."

"It's a tremendous opportunity and a big responsibility to represent Hawaii and the United States," said Max Louie, President and drum line captain of the band.

"This is a good opportunity to share our culture with other young musicians from around the world," said Jordie Ocenar, Band Treasurer.

"As an alumnus of Pearl City High School and a state senator representing the Pearl City community, I am very proud of our musical ambassadors and this special honor that they have received," said Senator David Ige (Pearl City/Aiea). "The Pearl City High School Marching Band has proudly represented our state in numerous events in the past, including the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York and the Parade of Roses in California. Again, they will continue their tradition of sharing music and the Aloha spirit."

The band will visit many of China's cultural and historical places, including the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Royal Summer Palace. The tour is sponsored and organized by the Chinese-American Cultural Bridge Center.

The Marching Band will be honored on Friday, November 3rd at the Mayor's Office at 2:45pm.

*****

To view photos from the Formal Announcement held at the Pearl City Cultural Center Auditorium on October 11, 2006 - CLICK HERE

To view photos from the Press Conference held at Pearl City Cultural Center on October 12, 2006 - CLICK HERE

For those of us keeping tracking of the Neighborhood Board meetings, the November meetings have been scheduled and posted!

Aiea Neighborhood Board Meeting - Tuesday, November 13th at Aiea Library, 7:30pm

Pearl City Neighborhood Board Meeting - Tuesday, November 28th at Highlands Intermediate School, 6:30pm

Take part and get involved with your community!

[Taken from a press release from the Governor's Office, issued October 24, 2006]

"Governor Lingle ...released $68,000 to finance consultant services during the design and construction phases of an air-conditioning equipment replacement project at Pearl City Public Library. The total project cost is estimated at $576,000. The design work is scheduled for completion by April 2007. It is estimated that construction will begin in August 2007."