Senator Laura Acasio

Excellent opportunity for some civic education! Join us this Friday!!

Join in on this great civic engagement opportunity this Friday to deepen your knowledge on the important kuleana of the Land Use Commission.

Following repeated injuries to a Hawaiian hawk, conservation organizations and non-profits organized "Hawk Week" October 9-15, 2022. There are a number of ways to get involved and educate yourself about our state's native hawk, which faces numerous threats. *More information here: https://bit.ly/3yfA9Lm-IO-Hawk

Hawaii DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources)

Congratulations to Political Science student, Leoshina Kariha, for securing an internship position in Congressman Kai Kahele's Hilo office for the fall semester.

For more information about UH Hilo's Political Science program, visit: https://hilo.hawaii.edu/depts/politicalsci/

The Hawaiʻi State Senate voted today to confirm Annalisa M. Bernard Lee to a position in the District Court of the Second Circuit, which encompasses Maui County. Her term of office will be for six years.

She was appointed by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald on August 4, 2022, to fill the vacancy left by Judge Kirstin M. Hamman.
Prior to her appointment, Judge Bernard Lee worked in private practice and also served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with the County of Maui. She previously served as a Deputy Public Defender in Honolulu and on Maui for ten years and was a judicial law clerk in the First Circuit Court for the Honorable Michael A. Town (Retired) and the Honorable Derrick H.M. Chan (Retired).

Senator Karl Rhoads (District 13 – Dowsett Highlands, Puʻunui, Nuʻuanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Pālama, Liliha, ʻIwilei, Chinatown, and Downtown), chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary stated that “Judge Bernard Lee’s experience as a public defender and a county prosecuting attorney will serve her well as a judge in the District Court of the Second Circuit.”

Judge Bernard Lee is a graduate of Seabury Hall and earned her B.A. in Sociology from Seattle University and her law degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law.

See photos from today and more on your Hawai'i State Senate Flickr photo page---> https://bit.ly/3ADlgnS-BERNARD

Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? You're not alone—the Veterans Crisis Line provides 24/7, confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones.

You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. Dial 988 then Press 1, chat live (https://www.veteranscrisisline.net/get-help-now/chat/), or text 838255.

Signed into law in 2020, the National Su***de Hotline Designation Act authorized 988 as the new three-digit number for the National Su***de Prevention Lifeline. As part of the law, all telephone service providers in the U.S. had to activate the number no later than July 16, 2022.

Veterans can use this new option by dialing 988 and pressing 1 to contact the Veterans Crisis Line. Veterans may still reach the Veterans Crisis Line with the previous phone number—1-800-273-8255 and Press 1—by text (838255), and through chat (VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat).

This is an opportunity for a volunteer service position of great importance especially as we transition to more fair and transparent elections. If you are interested in applying please
apply by Aug 4th.

Applicants Sought For Hawaii Elections Commission Hawaii Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald is looking to fill two vacancies on the State of Hawaii Elections Commission. The term of Clifford Motta of Hawaii County expired on June 30, while the term of Michael Curtis of Kauai County expired on June 30. The commission must be filled with...

Celebrating 50 years of Title IX thanks to our very own Patsy T. Mink! She led the way for this landmark civil rights law that prevents gender-based discrimination in education. Grateful for the trail she blazed for all women and girls and yet there is still much more work to do.

"It is easy to vote right and be consistently with the majority, but it is often more important to be ahead of the majority. This means being willing to cut the first furrow in the ground and stand alone for a while if necessary." Patsy T. Mink

As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I have the distinct responsibility and honor to make careful and critical examinations of new judges for our courts. This includes voting on their initial and final confirmation to the bench. Today, I, along with the rest of my senate colleagues, had the privilege to confirm three judges who were appointed by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald and confirmed by the senate. Congratulations to our newest judges, the Honorable Jill M. Hasegawa (of Hilo) for the 3rd Circuit District Family Court, the Honorable Joanna E. Sokolow (of Kona) for the 3rd Circuit District Family Court, and the Honorable Gregory H. Meyers (of Kauai) for the 5th Circuit District Court!!! Mahalo for your service to our communities over the years and into the future.

Speaking to the young people at Girls’ State this morning. We need more opportunities for young people to get serious leadership training in the two summers before they finish high school. Let’s work on that.

Act 113 (SB 2821), Relating to Menstrual Equity, was signed into law today. This law provides free menstrual products to public school students. The Department of Education has $2 million budgeted for this program.

Legislative leaders, members of the Ma‘i Movement Hawaii, and student advocates joined Governor Ige to see their bill become law.

Mahalo to AARP and Hawaii Island Adult Care (HIAC) for pulling together a beautiful event for the caregivers in our community. Mahalo for inviting me to speak.

We had some great advocacy wins for our seniors this year including $4 million in the state budget for Kupuna care/Kupuna caregiver respite services, $19 million for adult dental benefits in Medicaid, SB 3289 which Establishes the Hawaii retirement savings program for private sector workers who do not have access to employer-based retirement savings plans, and more.

Mahalo for bringing together representative speakers and service providers to connect folks to resources and for 2022 legislative updates. It was great to connect with leaders in AARP, HIAC, ARC of Hilo, BayClinic, Hawaii County Office of Aging, The Alzheimerʻs Foundation, Bayada to make sure our office can continue to stay connected with and advocate for our elders at the Capitol.

Waiākea Warriors you did it!! You are going places now. Grateful to celebrate this tremendous accomplishment alongside your families and friends. Have an awesome grad party and get home safely everyone. 🎓💙🎉

So PROUD of these HILO HS C/O 2022 graduates and their families!! Many of whom I’ve known since they were babies or had them as students... huge accomplishment! You earned this!!!

Did you know that Hawai’i 'Ulu Cooperative’s Hilo location is one of the retailers that accept SNAP-EBT payments AND ALSO offers a 50% discount on minimally processed, Hawai’i-grown products if paying with SNAP-EBT?

Comprised of nearly 100 small, diversified Hawai’i-based family farms, Hawai’i 'Ulu Co-op is working to rejuvenate ‘ulu as a viable and sustainable staple crop. Their dedication to building a breadfruit industry using environmentally responsible production means that you and your family will receive high-quality and consistent ‘ulu, kalo (taro), 'uala (sweet potato) and pala'ai (squash) products at an affordable price.

If you are a SNAP-EBT recipient and do not already have your DA BUX access card, please visit our website to sign up: DABUX.org

To learn more about Hawai’i ‘Ulu Cooperative visit their website at eatbreadfruit.com

Grateful to our strong volunteer community and “behind the scenes” hands that make our world a better place with their time and efforts.

***VOLUNTEERS NEEDED***
Kokua Harvest is looking for individuals with free time and a desire to connect to and nourish our community.
Volunteers enjoy the open air while getting their hands dirty harvesting excess fresh fruit and vegetables from farms, gardens, or other sources that would otherwise go to waste.
This is your opportunity to help low-income individuals access fresh, locally-grown foods that are not always available in their communities.

To sign-up, please click on this link https://www.kokuaharvest.org/volunteer.php

Or, you may email Lisa at [email protected]

CONGRATULATIONS to all our Hawaii Community College and University of Hawaii at Hilo Graduates!! 👩‍🎓👨‍🎓 I am honored to be part of your ceremonies and celebrate your achievement. It was a joy to see all of the proud families and friends come out to cheer you on!! Our future looks bright!!

S*x trafficking victims surveyed showed 64% identified as Native Hawaiian and one out of every three child s*x trafficking victims reported were Native Hawaiian.

“Factors unique to Hawaiʻi – like the high numbers of tourists and the substantial military presence – fuel s*x trafficking and put Native Hawaiian girls, in particular, at risk of violence,” Khara Jabola-Carolus, executive director of the Hawaiʻi State Commission on the Status of Women.

National Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls Awareness Day is Thurs, May 5, 2022.

Papa Ola Lokahi AF3IRM Hawai'i ʻAha Wahine Kūhinapapa Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

A bill we introduced this session to help address the negative consequences to the families as children get separated from their incarcerated mothers passed the committee conference yesterday! We still have to put it on the floor session for final reading to send it to the governor's office for signature.

Mahalo to everyone who worked throughout the session for this bill to pass! 😊

Our priority bill has passed conference!!!
It is now heading to the floor of both chambers for a final vote before going to the Governor to be signed into law!! This was the highlight of my day. Funding to End Period Poverty in our schools allows for more equity and access to both hygiene and education for our keiki. This is Kumu Mili who helped champion this issue raising awareness on both the issue and in civic faith!!! Such a blessing to be an integral part of this conversation and movement!

Aloha UH Hilo students!

Join UHHSA for a 5-part virtual speaker series via Google Meet where we will hear from various community leaders on their connection to sustainability, ʻāina (land), moʻomeheu (culture), and ʻōlelo (language). Scan the QR code in the flyer or refer to the Google Meet link below to virtually join the events.

**UH Hilo students who attend will be eligible to receive a YETI mug, Lille Home stackable bento set, or Sea to Summit waterproof bag, while supplies last.**

Google Meet Joining Info (all event dates):
- Link: https://meet.google.com/yqn-pwup-pbu
- Or dial: ‪(US) +1 954-998-5194‬ PIN: ‪327 496 958‬ #
- Or scan QR code in event flyer

In addition to the regularly scheduled food pantry and meal distributions, there are also emergency food services that might be able to assist Puna area residents on an emergency basis.
If you live in Puna district or Volcano and find you are in need of food outside of scheduled distributions dates, please reach out to see if arrangements can be made with one of the services below.

Mountain View - main pick-up location is at St. Theresa Parish
18-1355 Volcano Hwy, Mountain View, HI 96771
Days/Hours:
• Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 1pm-3pm (except holidays)
Location Notes:
• Call Raquel to set time (alternate pick-up locations may be able to be arranged) - (808) 365-4221

Malu Aina
Services Lower Keaau - Upper Puna
Days/Hours:
• Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-4pm (except holidays)
Location Notes:
• Call Jim to set place and time - (808) 966-7622

Volcano Cooper Center
19-4030 Wright Rd, Volcano, HI 96785
Days/Hours:
• Tuesday-Saturday, 8:30am-11:30am (except holidays)
Location Notes:
• Pick-up at the Bookstore - there is no need to call in advance but if you have questions you can reach them at (808) 967-7800

This information can also be found on our website at https://www.hawaiifoodbasket.org/find-food-now

Met and had a productive discussion with constituents Abraham Antonio and Loemana Turalde of Hawaii Game Management Advisory Commission, and Todd Yukutake of 2A Fi****ms Coalition as we talk about the need for a Hawaii Island and state-wide game management plan around food security, circular economy, and long-range sustainability.

's School of Education is pleased to announce the addition of four more certification areas for those aspiring to become schoolteachers at the secondary level (middle and high school grades 6 to 12)!

The new certification areas allow graduate students in the Master of Arts in Teaching program to apply for licensure to become computer science, health, agriculture and STEM teachers after the completion of just one academic year.

For more information about becoming a teacher in the State of Hawai‘i at the grade levels or in the subject areas you want to teach, please send an email to: [email protected].

https://hilo.hawaii.edu/depts/education/

Had the honor to be part of the Merrie Monarch parade last Saturday! It's been two years since we enjoyed the presence of our families and community in the streets so it felt extra special and exciting to reconnect and be with people in such a festive environment. 😊