Senator Mike Gabbard
September Newsletter
Vol. 18 Issue 9
Agriculture and Environment Committee, Chair
Judiciary Committee, Vice Chair
Government Operations Committee, Vice Chair
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Aloha e friends,
I hope you and your ‘ohana are well and had a great summer. As we enter the fall season, it’s time for my staff and I to start planning for Session 2025.
As always, please contact me at (808) 586-6830 or sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov if I can help you or your family in any way. I invite you to follow me on social media: Instagram @GabbardAloha, Facebook, YouTube, and X @SENMIKEGABBARD. Also, if you’d like to be added to my mailing list, please send me an email with “mailing list” in the subject line.
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Listen Story Meeting
Please join me at my next Listen Story Community meeting September 28, from 9 am-10 am at the Kapolei High School Teachers’ Lounge. Last month, we hosted Lee Tokuhara, Vice President of Government Affairs and Community Relations, D.R. Horton Hawai‘i.
She gave an overview and history of Ho'opili. You can view her presentation on my YouTube channel here. I usually have an in-person meeting each month, and virtually for those who can’t make it in person. I hope you can attend this month!
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Sen. Mike Gabbard and Ms. Lee Sayuri Tokuhara, Vice President Of Government Affairs And Community Relations with D.R. Horton Hawai‘i, at the Listen Story community meeting held at the Kapolei High School teachers’ lounge on August 17, 2024. | |
Kapolei Library 20th Anniversary | |
Sen. Gabbard presented an Honorary Certificate on behalf of the State Legislature, to the Kapolei Public Library on their 20th Anniversary August 24, 2024. | |
Sen. Gabbard reads from the Honorary Certificate (Pictured L-R: Branch Manager–Justin Maga, Representative Kanani Souza, Sen. Gabbard, State Librarian–Stacey Aldrich, Vice President of Friends of the Library Kapolei–Delta Westcot, and President of Friends of the Library Kapolei-Natasha Clarin.) | Pictured L-R: Sen. Gabbard, State Librarian–Stacey Aldrich, Branch Manager–Justin Maga, Representative Kanani Souza, and President of Friends of the Library Kapolei–Natasha Clarin. |
Kapolei Library 20th Anniversary
On August 24, the Kapolei Public Library celebrated their 20th Anniversary! I was honored to attend and present, along with my colleague, Representative Kanani Souza, an Honorary Certificate from the Hawai‘i State Legislature to Branch Manager, Justin Maga.
Kapolei was recently highlighted in an Islands article, “This Underrated City In O'ahu Is a Tropical Paradise Like Honolulu Without the Big Crowds” as an underrated tropical paradise that offers the best of O'ahu without the crowds. If you didn’t see it, please check it out.
The “Second City” slowly blossomed in the late eighties, and in December 2000, the library’s groundbreaking was celebrated at the corner of Haumea and Manawai Streets.
Construction was completed on the $6.9 million, two-story building in 2002, the second-largest library in the state next to the Hawai'i State Library. Unfortunately, funding only covered construction, not books or furniture.
In March 2003, local residents and Board of Education elected officials, (which included my dear wife, Carol), collected donated books, and friends of the Library-Kapolei volunteers organized donations. This was the first time that the excited community was able to go inside the Kapolei Library. In June 2004, the State Legislature provided funding for books and staffing.
On August 21, 2004, under the command of Branch Manager Richard Burns, the Kapolei Public Library finally opened its doors with shelves full of books, newspapers, magazines, DVDs, computers that were free to use, and more.
Despite its humble beginnings, the Kapolei Library has been and will continue to be, the heart of Kapolei. With more than 48,000 registered patrons and visitors, the library often has the highest circulation figures on the island.
A favorite afterschool and summer vacation hang-out for our keiki, it’s also home to one the best Halloween costume parties on the Westside. Above all, it’s a place where everyone is welcome. You’ll always find librarians ready to share their book suggestions and aloha with you.
Mahalo nui loa to the librarians and staff for creating a place in Kapolei where we all belong, and AlohaCongrats on your 20th Anniversary!
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Kapena 40th Anniversary Celebration | |
Sen. Gabbard presented an Honorary Certificate to Kapena in recognition of their 40th Anniversary Reunion Tour at the Waikiki Shell on Aug. 31 2024. | |
Kapena 40th Anniversary Celebration
Many people don’t know that Kapena got its start in 1984, when Kelly “Kelly Boy” De Lima, “Tiva” Tatofi, and “Timo” Tatofi formed a band to represent Kaimuki High School in the well-known “Brown Bags to Stardom” talent contest. They named the band “Kapena.”
While they didn’t win the statewide finals, they launched a journey, where they would win people’s hearts around the world. Little did they know that this contest would lead them to stardom, or that they would be celebrating their 40th anniversary reunion to a huge crowd of adoring fans at the Waikiki Shell in 2024!
Today, the band even includes Kelly Boy’s 12-year-old grandson, as drummer. This multi-generational collaboration adds a special dynamic to Kapena's performances and reflects the band's strong commitment to ‘ohana.
I was honored to share the stage with these local rock stars when I presented a Senate Proclamation to Kapena during their 40th Anniversary Reunion tour at Waikiki Shell on Aug 31!
The Hawai'i State Senate of the 32nd Legislature honors and commends Kapena, original members Kelly Boy De Lima, Tiva Tatofi and Timo Tatofi, and current members Kelly Boy, Lilo Tuala, Kapena De Lima, and Kapena-Uriah De Lima.
With a rich repertoire that spans various genres, including reggae and world music, Kapena has captivated audiences in Hawai'i and beyond. Their music is a perfect blend of catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and infectious rhythms, making it impossible to resist tapping your feet and joining in the celebration.
Mahalo nui loa for bringing worldwide audiences peace, love, and unity through your electrifying feel-good island music for the last 40 years!
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The New Hurricane Threat for Hawai‘i | |
Dr. Kioni Dudley discussing his documentary airing this month, called “The New Hurricane Threat for Hawai’i.” | |
The New Hurricane Threat for Hawai‘i
We’re in the height of hurricane season and we need to be prepared. Our friend, Dr. Kioni Dudley, has spent much of the last two years working to create a one-hour video for TV titled, “The New Hurricane Threat for Hawai’i.”
The program is now finished and will show five more times in September, at least once on all the local channels, during prime time and weekends.
Both the one-hour version, and the program divided into six ten-minute segments, are available on YouTube and on ‘Olelo.
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This is a list of the showings: | |
KHNL | Sun | 9/22 9:00 p.m. | KITV | Mon | 9/23 8:00 p.m. |
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Synopsis of “The New Hurricane Threat for Hawai’i” – Dr. Kioni Dudley
The program begins with an explanation of how hurricanes work and what to expect in rain, wind, and storm surge.
It then features John Bravender of NOAA telling how, because of warming seas, the spawning area for hurricanes over by Mexico has moved northward, and how hurricanes that used to pass 200 miles below us are now headed directly for our islands.
Hiro Toiya of the Honolulu Dept. of Emergency Management then tells how we don’t have buildings that are strong enough to officially be called shelters, and while we expect 200,000 to seek safety, we only have space for 100,000.
Dr. Dudley then talks about how we have 187,000 wooden houses, many of them single-wall construction, most of which will be damaged or destroyed even in a Category 1. He talks about warmer seas causing stronger and broader hurricanes and how Super Cat 5 hurricanes are increasing rapidly in numbers.
He states that we have no shelters for anybody in a Cat 3, 4, or 5.
David Lopez of HI-EMA tells how our ports and airports, electric plants, and oil refineries will be greatly damaged, keeping any help whatsoever from arriving for as much as a month. Then we are shown ways to prepare.
Finally, Dr. Dudley says that the government has known about this for at least four years but is hiding it from the public and doing nothing to prepare. Dr. Dudley believes the government thinks it is too big to handle and is ignoring it. He believes it can truly be said that people know none of the above. This is the first that most of them will have heard.
The message must get out. People need to know when the program is going to show, and that they need to watch. Before closing, he asks if people would click on this link a couple of times before you leave this page to help it rise up in the search returns: The New Hurricane Threat for Hawaii.
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Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet Promotion Ceremony | |
Sen. Gabbard speaks with Major Thelma Teal-West O'ahu Composite Squadron Commander for Cadets, during the CAP promotion ceremony in Kalaeloa, Aug. 31, 2024. | |
Sen. Gabbard with Colonel Stacy Haruguchi-Hawai'i Wing Commander Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary and Major Thelma Teal. | |
Sen. Gabbard speaks to graduating cadets and their families at the CAPs promotion ceremony in Kalaeloa on Aug. 31, while, 2d Lt. Brian Teal West O'ahu Composite Squadron Deputy Commander for Cadets, Public Affairs Officer looks on. | |
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet Promotion Ceremony
On August 31, I attended the CAP Cadet Promotion Ceremony in Kalaeloa. I got to observe and greet the 70 cadets and staff members, was introduced by the Commander, and got to see first-hand the good work being done for youth and parents, focusing on West O'ahu in this life-changing program.
Just before the bombing of Pearl Harbor, CAP was formed by over 150,000 dedicated civilian men and women across the United States. They committed themselves to protecting U.S. coastlines during World War II, while our soldiers were occupied in Europe and the Pacific.
CAP helped the military through aerial reconnaissance, air search and rescue, and target towing. A cadet program was also created to prepare young men and women to serve in the United States military.
Today, the CAP still plays an important role in securing our national and personal safety through missions in search and rescue, homeland defense, and disaster relief.
In Hawai‘i, the CAP is crucial in notifying people of tsunamis in rural areas that are not in range of the State Civil Defense sirens.
The Cadet Program, designed for youth ages 12 to 18 years of age, requires participants to attend meetings regularly, participate in unit activities, obey the program officers, and wear their uniforms properly.
The Cadets take in-depth classes focusing on aerospace education, leadership skills, responsibility, discipline, and physical training exercises. The squadron provides a wonderful opportunity for those who are motivated to rapidly advance their education and training to prepare to be of service to community, state, and nation.
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Makakilo Quarry Carving
The state Land Use Commission voted unanimously to extend a special operating permit for Makakilo Quarry by 15 years, to 2047 from 2032. During the commission’s hearing, the biggest issue debated was what the face of the excavated hillside, which is visible from parts of the Ewa Plain and the H-1 freeway, should look like when operations cease.
It had been proposed by the Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board that this roughly 200-acre hillside quarry, owned by Grace Pacific LLC, rather than stay the eyesore that it is, have a beautiful carving created that honors Native Hawaiian culture. I submitted testimony in support of this resolution/idea. My testimony is below:
"This is to inform you that I support the Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board resolution which asks the LUC (Land Use Commission) to require Grace Pacific Company and its new owner, Nan Inc., and all future owners of the Quarry:
- to develop what person or persons or event will be depicted in the carving, its size, and over-all look in consultations with the Neighborhood Board and Kapolei Hawaiian Homestead Association chairpersons;
- to undertake any needed studies to determine how best to accommodate the beautification project by January 2026 and to finish them by January 2027;
- to begin the carving by July 1, 2027;
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to give annual updates on the progress of the project to the full Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board and Kapolei Homestead Association chairpersons, each year at the January Neighborhood Board meeting; and
- to finish the carving project by 2047 or by the closing of the quarry, whichever comes earlier.
This project is not only a wonderful opportunity for out-of-state visitors to learn how we value our beloved Hawaiian culture, but also an amazing statement of aloha nui for our keiki, and future generations to dwell upon as they drive by on their way to work, school, or home.
As the state senator for the district since 2006, I wholeheartedly support this concept and hope you will help our community bring this to fruition."
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10th Anniversary of Agape International Ministries and Bible College (AIM) | |
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10th Anniversary of Agape International Ministries and Bible College. (AIM)
On July 27, I honored and congratulated on behalf of the Hawai‘i State Legislature, the Rev. Dr. Leti S. Mageo and The Agape Ministry Upon the Tenth Anniversary of Agape International Ministries and Bible College. (AIM)
Before Rev. Dr. Leti S. Mageo’s graduation from Southern California Community Bible College in 1985, Dr. Esther Mallett gave him a lifechanging prophecy. She told him, "You will lead many people and build Bible colleges."
These words have illuminated Rev. Mageo’s path and continue to inspire him to serve with determination and love.
Agape International Ministries and Bible College (AIM) was founded by Rev. Mageo on July 27, 2014, in ‘Aiea, Hawai'i. The organization is non-denominational and was founded to mainly serve the Samoan Community in Hawai'i.
It has now grown to three locations in Hawai'i, four in Alaska, and one each in Nevada, Colorado and Georgia. AIM has also extended internationally to include 78 ministries in American Samoa, Samoa, New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Uganda.
The Bible College offers degrees in Theology and Divinity and provides online classes for the convenience of its students.
AIM is open to all ethnic groups who are seeking answers and peace through the Bible college and their church services. AIM is involved in community outreach activities, feeding the hungry, and street ministries to distribute the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all.
The ministry also includes conferences, sign waving events, youth rallies, musical performances, volleyball games, good food, and lots of fun to unify their members and provide a positive and loving community.
Along with his other roles at AIM, Rev. Mageo posts popular Minute Monday videos on Facebook with short messages of hope and encouragement, including inspiring Bible verses, on topics like forgiveness, stress, and living without fear.
AIM'S mission is to be fired in worship, trained in discipleship, have love in fellowship, and be fruitful in evangelism. AIM joyfully celebrates ten years of serving both God and the local and international community on July 27, 2024.
Mahalo for your service to our communities with your strong ministry of love, hope, and unity. La manuia le Atua ia outou!
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