MEDIA RELEASE

Parker School announces senior Kieran Najita has advanced as a finalist for a National Merit Scholarship Award.

Kieran Najita

In September, Najita was notified he was one of 16,000 national semi-finalists out of the 50,000 highest scorers of the approximately 1.5 million high school students who take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test) each year.

Now Najita has advanced as one of approximately 15,000 finalists.

Last year, three out of the five National Merit Scholarship semi-finalists from the Big Island were Parker students. All three advanced to the finals and two out of the three were selected as Merit Scholarship Award winners.

Najita, whose parents both teach English at Parker, has been a student at the school since 2005.

He will find out in March if he is one of approximately 8,300 National Merit Scholarship Award winners.

The awards range from a $2,500 lump sum scholarship, to corporate-sponsored and college-sponsored scholarships.

— Find out more:
www.parkerschool.net

MEDIA RELEASE

The University of Hawaii Alumni Association (UHAA) has named its 2012 Distinguished Alumni Awards honorees. A dinner will be held to honor this year’s recipients Thursday, May 10, at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye is honorary chair of the event, and Grammy Award-winning slack-key artist Jeff Peterson is scheduled to perform.

Proceeds from this event benefit UHAA, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information about the Distinguished Alumni Awards dinner or UHAA, contact the Alumni Relations office at (808) 956-2586, toll-free 1 877-842-5867 or email info@UHalumni.org.

University of Hawaii Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award

Established in 1987, the Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes outstanding alumni who have used their University of Hawaii education to excel professionally, provide inspirational leadership to others, and provide service for the benefit of UH and the community.

Any University of Hawaii alumnus who has either completed 50 percent of an educational program within the UH System of 10 campuses, or received a degree from a UH campus, is eligible to be nominated for the UH Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award.

The nomination process began in September 2011, and nominations were reviewed by a committee composed of members of the UHAA Board of Directors, past award recipients and members of the community-at-large. This year’s honorees are:

Robert Alm, J.D. (B.A. ’73 Manoa), is executive vice president of Hawaiian Electric Company, Inc., and has held other executive positions in public affairs there since he started in 2001. He is an executive officer of the Collaborative Leaders Network, an Omidyar Family Enterprises initiative.

He currently teaches a graduate course in public administration leadership at UH Manoa. Alm was previously executive vice president and manager of the Financial Management Group at First Hawaiian Bank, which he joined in 1993. Before that, Alm was director of the State Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs under Hawaii Governor John Waihee for six years, and he was deputy director under Governor George Ariyoshi for two and a half years.

Before going to work for the state in 1982, he served on the staff of U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye in Washington, DC. He had a private law practice for three years after he earned his J.D. from the University of Iowa in 1975.

Alm is active in community affairs and currently serves as board chair for Enterprise Honolulu and PBS Hawaii. He also serves on the boards of Island Insurance Company, Helping Hands Hawaii, Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs, and the American Judicature Society, Hawaii Chapter.

He and wife Cindy, an attorney and mediator, have two daughters, Kristin and Rachel.

Frederick D.S. Choi, Ph.D. (B.B.A. ’65, M.B.A. ’68 Manoa), is dean emeritus and Distinguished Service Professor of Business at New York University’s Stern School of Business. A prolific author, he is an expert in financial reporting and analysis.

During his 30-plus years at NYU, Choi has served as Stern School’s vice dean, dean of its Undergraduate College, chair of its accounting and international business departments, and chaired professor. He directed NYU’s Ross Institute of Accounting Research and Japan-America Business and Cultural Studies Program.

Choi was previously an accounting professor at UH Manoa’s Shidler College of Business, where he was instrumental in establishing its School of Accountancy and chaired its accounting department. Throughout his career, Choi has been invited to speak at major educational, governmental and financial events around the world.

He has done professional and pro bono consulting, and he helped establish the National Center for Industrial Science and Technology Management Development in China. Choi has written and co-authored more than 26 books, including his award-winning International Accounting.

He is the founding editor of the Journal of International Financial Management and Accounting, has served on several editorial boards, and has contributed to more than 80 scholarly and professional publications.

Choi is a member of the American Accounting Association and the Academy of International Business, among others. He received the Citibank Excellence in Teaching Award, was elected a Fellow of the Academy of International Business, received the AAA’s Outstanding International Accounting Educator Award and was the first academician appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Financial Executives Research Foundation.

Choi earned his Ph.D. in accounting from the University of Washington in 1972.

He and wife Lois reside in New York City’s Greenwich Village, Connecticut and Honolulu.

Patrick H. DeLeon, Ph.D., J.D. (M.P.H. ’73 Manoa), began his public health internship with Sen. Daniel Inouye on the first day of the infamous Watergate hearings in 1973. He retired last fall as the senator’s chief of staff, having served 38-plus years.

DeLeon is known for his extensive public policy advocacy in the healthcare field, specifically in psychology and nursing. He has an impressive list of academic credentials: B.A. ’64 Amherst College, M.S. ’66 and Ph.D. in clinical psychology ’69 Purdue University, M.P.H. ’73 Manoa, J.D. ’80 Catholic University of America, three honorary doctorates and approximately 175 refereed publications.

DeLeon was recently appointed Distinguished Professor of Uniformed Health Care Policy and Research at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He has been on the clinical faculty at UH Manoa and UH Hilo, Vanderbilt, Widener University and others.

After earning his Ph.D., DeLeon and his wife Jean (Ph.D. ’74 Manoa) came to Hawaii to work for the UH Hilo Peace Corps Training program. DeLeon then worked for the State of Hawaii Division of Mental Health before earning his M.P.H., then going to Washington.

A long-time member of the American Psychological Association (APA), DeLeon was elected president in 2000. The APA has given him numerous awards, and in 2009 he was given its highest honor: the APA Award for Lifetime Contributions to Psychology. He is also a member of the Hawaii Psychological Association and Hawaii State Bar Association.

In 2008 he was inducted into the prestigious Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. Last year, the state senate commended DeLeon for his contributions to Hawaii, and Papa Ola Lokahi recognized him for his commitment to the health of Native Hawaiians. Aug. 28, 2011, was proclaimed Patrick DeLeon Day in Hawaii by the governor and mayor.

DeLeon and his wife have a son, daughter and granddaughter.

The University of Hawaii Founders Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award

The UH Founders Alumni Association began the tradition of recognizing outstanding University of Hawaii alumni. The Founders continue honoring alumni who have made a significant impact throughout their lives with the UH Founders Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award.

This year’s recipient:

Ted T. Tsukiyama, J.D. (Attended ’39–’41, ’46 Manoa), attorney, arbitrator, archivist and historian, remembers the day Japanese planes roared over his Kaimuki home to bomb Pearl Harbor. A UH Manoa student and ROTC cadet at the time, he rushed to campus to report for duty.

The UH ROTC unit was converted into the Hawaii Territorial Guard, in which Tsukiyama served until Jan. 19, 1942, when he and all fellow Nisei were discharged based on their ancestry. In spite of this, they volunteered to serve in the “Varsity Victory Volunteers” civil labor battalion, and later went on to volunteer for the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team.

Tsukiyama served in the 442nd and then as a linguist in the Military Intelligence Service. After his UH education was cut short by the war, that early, bitter taste of injustice helped inspire him to complete his education and become an attorney.

Tsukiyama earned his bachelor’s from Indiana University, graduated from Yale Law School and was licensed by the Hawaii Bar in 1950. He went to work for attorney Masaji Marumoto then became Deputy City and County Attorney. He was an associate with Okumura & Takushi Law Firm from 1956-67 and also chief counsel of the Honolulu Redevelopment Agency.

In 1959, Tsukiyama became involved in local labor contract disputes as an arbitrator and mediator. He established his own Honolulu law firm in 1967, where he practiced until retirement.

Since 1995 he has been on the Hawaii Supreme Court’s bar examining committee and numerous local, national and international mediation and arbitration panels. He issued more than 800 arbitration decisions over the course of his career.

As a historian, Tsukiyama has served on many 442nd projects, including as coordinator of the 100th/442nd Archival Research Project at the National Archives. He donated his extensive research collection, now known as the Ted Tsukiyama Papers, to UH Manoa’s Hamilton Library.

He is a founding member of the Nisei Veterans Endowed Forum Series “Universal Values for a Democratic Society” in the UH Manoa Colleges of Arts and Sciences. He also chairs the university’s Charles R. Hemenway Scholarship Fund committee.

Tsukiyama and wife Fuku have been married 61 years and have a daughter, two sons and five grandchildren.

The University of Hawaii Alumni Association President’s Award

The UHAA President’s Award recognizes and honors those who have dedicated themselves to and made a significant contribution to the University of Hawaii, its alumni and students, Hawaii and the world.

UHAA President Douglas Inouye (B.A. will present awards to:

Virginia S. Hinshaw, Ph.D., is chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Manoa and serves as its chief executive officer responsible for providing both administrative and academic leadership. She is also a lifetime member and strong supporter of the UH Alumni Association.

Under her tenure, UH Manoa has earned full WASC accreditation for the maximum term of 10 years. The campus has increased financial aid to ensure access for Hawaii’s students and provided a smoother transition for transferring students from UH community colleges to continue their higher education.

UH Manoa continues to welcome a growing student population and houses almost 4,000 students in transformed residence halls, now described as “awesome.”

The campus has garnered a national reputation for its sustainability efforts, ranging from installing photovoltaic panels on the roof of Sinclair Library to building the Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education (C-MORE) Hale, which has won the highly coveted LEED Platinum rating for environmental consciousness in construction and design.

And she has been credited with elevating community engagement to new heights through numerous partnerships locally, nationally and internationally, and effectively communicating the value that UH Manoa provides to Hawaii and the world.

Before joining UH Manoa in 2007, Hinshaw was provost and executive vice chancellor at the University of California, Davis. She is also former dean of the graduate school and vice chancellor for research at the University of Wisconsin—Madison.

Hinshaw is a renowned scientist with expertise in microbiology whose work over the past 25 years has contributed to the understanding of the influenza virus and new approaches to vaccines.

She has conducted research at various hospitals and universities, and her research has increased our understanding of various aspects of influenza viruses.

Hinshaw’s innovative and energetic teaching style, combined with her continual advocacy for research and education and her dedication to increased opportunities for underrepresented groups, has earned her international recognition and acclaim.

In 2009 she was appointed the national co-chair of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities’ Energy Initiative Advisory Committee.

Hinshaw earned a bachelor’s in laboratory technology in 1966 and master’s in microbiology in 1967 from Auburn University. After working at Medical College of Virginia as a clinical and research microbiologist, she returned to Auburn and earned a doctorate in microbiology in 1973.

Ann Dunham Soetoro, Ph.D. (B.A. ’67, M.A. ’83, Ph.D. ’92 Manoa) was an applied anthropologist who used her academic training from the University of Hawaii to better understand the culture, political system and values of the rural poor in Southeast Asia.

Soetoro’s research and consulting work took her around the world. She became a consultant for the U.S. Agency for International Development on setting up village credit programs, then a Ford Foundation program officer in Jakarta championing women’s issues.

She later served in Pakistan as a consultant to the Asian Development Bank focusing on women’s welfare.

In 1988, she joined Bank Rakyat Indonesia and helped develop the world’s largest sustainable microfinance program. Credit and savings services enabled poor people from rural areas to engage in cottage industries and emerge from poverty.

As a pioneer in the field of microfinance, her anthropological research helped shape the bank’s policies.

In August 1992 she earned her Ph.D. in anthropology from UH, and shortly thereafter became a research and policy coordinator for Women’s World Banking in New York. Soetoro returned to the U.S. after becoming ill in 1995 and was diagnosed with uterine cancer.

Her life was cut short on Nov. 7, 1995, days before her 53rd birthday. In “Dreams From My Father,” President Barack Obama wrote of his mother: “I know that she was the kindest, most generous spirit I have ever known, and that what is best in me I owe to her.”

Project delayed due to county building permit requirements pertaining to high winds

Honolulu, Hawaii. Rep. Jerry Chang and the Hawaii Island legislative delegation today received new information from the Department of Education on the status of the Hilo High School Gymnasium project, which they wanted to share with the community.

According to the Department, the Hilo High School gym project has been delayed due to difficulties in obtaining a Hawaii County building permit. The County is requiring the project to meet Chapter 3-180 Hawaii Administrative Rules, specifically an update to Section 423 pertaining to being able to sustain high winds of 155 miles per hour.

The project is currently designed to sustain 115 mph winds, which was agreed upon with the State Civil Defense. During the design phase of the project, the building was planned on the Uniform Building Code in effect when Hawaii County required only 80 mph. State Civil Defense continues to support the project at 115 mph due to the fact that the gym is intended to be used as an emergency shelter if needed, but not as a hurricane shelter.

While the DOE submitted the permit application prior to the adoption of the new rules, the County interprets the submittal date to be after the documents have been routed and approved by all other agencies. In this case, the County considers the project to fall under the newly adopted rules. Therefore, the Hilo High School gym application must follow the 155 mph requirement, and the consulting firm working on the project, Kober/Hanssen/Mitchell Architects, Inc., is redesigning portions of the gym to conform.

The DOE anticipates that the redesign may impact the cost of the project. A proposed solution from the consultant is expected on or around February 14, 2012.

“We are disappointed in the delays,” said Rep. Jerry Chang. “We hope that the DOE and the consultant can work out a solution with the County that will save as much time and money as possible. A new gymnasium is sorely needed in our community; the community has waited patiently, and we wanted to make sure that they knew the reasons for the delay.”

MEDIA RELEASE

Kona Outdoor Circle will hold its regular Pua Plantasia Plant Sale on Saturday, February 11, 2012, at Old Kona Airport’s Makae’o Events Pavilion from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.

More than 20 vendors from around the island will offer plants including landscape plants—native Hawaiian and drought and wind tolerant, anthuriums, potted flowers and ground cover, fruit trees, herbs, and inside plants, bedding plants and seeds and seedlings, a large variety of orchids, bamboo, water plants, ti plants, bromeliads, protea, day lilies, palms, and epiphytes—plants which grow on other plants. Most of the vendors are commercial vendors, but the Kealakehe High School Waveriders will also be there, selling plants from their school garden. Students from Kahakai School are donating some of their plants to the Kona Outdoor Circle “donated plants” booth.

There will be free classes starting at 8:30, with Worm Composting by Worms Hawaii. At 10 a.m., noted landscape designer and lifetime KOC member Scott Seymour will give a workshop on flower arranging. Honaunau Elementary School garden teacher Melissa Chievers will lead a composting workshop at 11:30. KOC will give away ten composting bins as part of the workshop.

There is also a Collectibles Booth, with small to large treasures of all kinds, including items that might be the perfect gift for your Valentine. Items so far include wine glasses, vases, jewelry, two brand new telephones, and collectibles.

Cathee Malapit, who also runs the restaurant Club Fit at The Club, will offer a variety of delicious foods for breakfast and lunch, including Kona coffee, smoothies, egg wraps, turkey chili, oriental chicken, and hot dogs.

The nonprofit organization’s first Pua Plantasia Plant Sale was in 1985. They have held the event almost annually as a means to raise funds, have a fun community event, and increase awareness of the work of Kona Outdoor Circle. KOC was established in 1948, with a mission of helping keep Kona clean, green, and beautiful. In past years they’ve held community cleanups, they’ve done public area plantings, and they get involved with public policy issues that support the mission. They’re now supporting several school garden projects, and will landscape five Habitat for Humanity homes at Laiopua above Kealakehe High School. They are also continuing their focus on education and supporting the preservation of two Scenic Byways, Ali’I Drive and Mamalahoa Highway.

This year, 2012, is also the 100th anniversary of KOC’s parent organization, The Outdoor Circle of Honolulu. The Outdoor Circle is known for its advocacy, most notably getting laws passed by the Hawaii Territorial Legislature in 1927 banning billboards to protect viewplanes and the scenic beauty of the state. Prior to The Outdoor Circle’s advocacy in this area, Waikiki, Diamond Head, and downtown Honolulu were covered with billboards. The prohibition applies statewide and all the Outdoor Circle branches are dedicated to continue their focus on ensuring the prohibition continues. The Outdoor Circle has 10 branches statewide. On Hawaii Island, branches include the Waikoloa Village Outdoor Circle and Waimea Outdoor Circle, in addition to Kona Outdoor Circle.

Cash, checks, and Visa and Mastercard will be accepted for payment for the plants and Collectibles. For more information, contact Kona Outdoor Circle at 331-2426

MEDIA RELEASE

The Friends of Hawai€˜i Volcanoes National Park hosts its next 'Sunday Walk in the Park'€ on Sunday (Feb 12) from noon to 2 p.m. This month's 3-mile round-trip walk explores the Mauna Ulu area, which is home to dramatic volcanic features such as this 1969 fissure. Photo by: NPS/Jay Robinson

The public is invited to join the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes Park (FHVNP) for a “Sunday Walk in the Park” on February 12 from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. This monthly program on second Sundays is aimed at bringing together the members of FHVNP to share in the park’s beautiful trails.

Led by Nick Shema, this this month’s 3-mile round-trip walk explores the Mauna Ulu area.

Starting and ending at the Mauna Ulu parking lot, the hike begins on the Napau Trail, then veers off to ascend Mauna Ulu (literally, growing mountain). A recently formed shield volcano, Mauna Ulu erupted from 1969 through 1974 leaving an altered landscape of incredibly fascinating geologic features.

“Along the way, we’ll see hardened lava rivers, forested kipuka, lava trees, cinder cones, lava shields, pioneer plants, and panoramic vistas. On a clear day, you can view Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Pu‘u ‘O‘o, and the Pacific Ocean,” Shema said.

“Due to the cultural sensitivity of Mauna Ulu, group size is limited to 15 people,” he added.

This will be a moderate hike of about 3 miles roundtrip, mostly over uneven pahoehoe lava, with a 400’ foot elevation gain. Be prepared for the base 3,200’ elevation and for variable weather conditions, including sunny, windy, chilly, and/or rainy.

FHVNP’s “Sunday Walk in the Park” is free for Friends members, and non-members are welcome to join the non-profit organization in order to attend. Annual memberships are $30 for individuals and $45 for families, and come with a variety of benefits.

To register, contact walk sponsor Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes Park at 985-7373 or admin@fhvnp.org. For more information, visit www.fhvnp.org. Park entrance fees apply.

By Hawaii 24/7 Staff

Team 6000 n 60 in Kohala

During the White House Science Fair Tuesday (Feb 7) four Kohala Middle School students had the honor of presenting their exhibit ‘Improving the Environment One Community at a Time’ for President Obama and officials.

Isabel Steinhoff, Rico Bowman, Genevieve Boyle and Mina Apostadiro took first place in the grade 6-8 division of the 2010-2011 Siemens “We Can Change the World” Challenge, for their household battery recycling effort to collect 6,000 batteries in 60 days. The team’s mentor is Lani Bowman, a former part-time teacher at Kohala Middle School.

The team, named ’6000 n 60′, embarked on a campaign to improve their community’s use and disposal of batteries by giving people information on the environmental harm of batteries disposed improperly along with providing tips on how to better use battiers and provide opportunities for recycling.

The team distributed surveys to gauge community awareness on the issue before and after the collection. A logo and t-shirts were created along with promotional materials to raise awareness and increase participation in the recycling effort. The team also involved the school and community through school bulletins, assemblies, posters, PSAs, presentations to community organizations, had a community kickoff event, a Facebook page and guest speakers. Students set out bins to collect used batteries. 6000 n 60 met their goal of collecting 6,000 batteries and the team is using their data to lobby the country for better battery recycling opportunities.

For their Siemens prize team members each receive a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond, a trip to Costa Rica this summer and a pocket video camera to document their adventure.

MEDIA RELEASE

Dr. Dilafruz Williams

WAIMEA, Island of Hawaii—Hawaii Preparatory Academy will launch a series of monthly ‘Ohana Nights at the Energy Lab beginning Wednesday, February 8.

‘Ohana Night at the Energy Lab, which runs from 6 to 8 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month, provides hands-on learning opportunities for families in the areas of energy and water conservation, energy generation, water clarification, zero waste, food sovereignty, and green chemistry. The fee, which covers all materials, is $15 per family per evening or $50 for all four evenings in the series.

The first ‘Ohana Night will feature Dr. Dilafruz Williams, Stanford Fellow and professor at Portland State University, who will present Learning Gardens and Sustainability Education: How Parents and the Community Can Support Academic Achievement in the Garden. As part of the presentation, families will take home one pound of worm castings to use in their own gardens.

Williams has been studying the effects of ecologically-based education on academic achievement, social skills acquisition, and nutrition for more than 20 years. As a parent and former public school board member, she values education that builds relationships with nature and humans. She is the co-founder of Portland School District’s Sunnyside K-8 Environmental School and co-founder of Leadership in Sustainability Education, where she established a master’s level academic program, initiated and designed Learning Gardens at several schools addressing local farm-to-school food and nutrition issues and integration into major curricular goals for grades K-8.
Future ‘Ohana Night at the Energy Lab events will feature:

• Wednesday, March 14: Dr. Bill Wiecking, director of the Energy Lab at HPA, will present Solar Energy: Applying Energy Lab Technology at Home. Families will bring a list of home appliances to aid in calculations and will take home sketches of home systems.
• Wednesday, April 11: Angela Kang, Hawaii County Recycling Specialist, will present Zero-Waste Your Home and Office. Families will make an alkaline battery capture bucket or sew a reusable bag.
• Wednesday, May 9: Deacon “Dr. Beachcomb” Ritterbush, Ph.D., will present Connecting to Nature Through Beachcombing. Families will create beachcombing art.

For more information, please contact Koh Ming Wei at 808-881-4266 or mwkoh@hpa.edu.

Kipukaakihi looking down in the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Kahuku Unit. Photo courtesy of NPS

Hawai‘i National Park, HI – Two adventurous programs offered by Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will introduce a captivating landscape, biodiversity and history of the park’s southernmost section to intrepid hikers.

People and Land of Kahuku is a two-mile, three-hour expedition through pastures, a quarry, an airstrip and the 1868 lava fields of Kahuku. Rangers will explain how people lived on the vast Kahuku lands, from the earliest Hawaiians through today. Walk in emerging native forest, hear about Kahuku’s history of violent earthquakes and eruptions and the residents who survived them, and find out how Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park plans to restore the native ecosystem and protect Kahuku’s cultural sites.

The hike is offered Feb. 12, Feb. 18, Mar. 11, Mar. 25, Apr. 15 and Apr. 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet near the Kahuku gate, which is located off Highway 11 between mile markers 70 and 71 on the mauka side of the highway. Park and meet inside the gate near the ranch buildings. Boots, raingear and long pants are recommended. No advance registration is required.

Kīpuka‘akihi is a challenging 1.5 mile, five-hour adventure to see some of the rare plants and wildlife that inhabit this treasured kīpuka. Participants must be prepared to scramble over fallen trees, lava rock, and slippery, wet terrain. Wear sturdy hiking shoes, long pants, sunscreen and a hat. Bring raingear, garden gloves, a day pack, insect repellent, lunch and water. This forest stewardship program provides opportunities to help protect this rainforest by pulling up invasive kāhili ginger and other invasive non-native plants throughout the kīpuka. Due to the fragile nature of the region, the program is limited to 15 people and pre-registration is required. To sign up, call (808) 985-6011.

This expedition into Kahuku’s isolated refuge of rare plants is offered Feb. 26, Mar. 18 and Apr. 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meet near the Kahuku gate, which is located off Highway 11 between mile markers 70 and 71 on the mauka side of the highway. Park and meet inside the gate near the ranch buildings.

Jesse Tarnas (Photo courtesy of Parker School)

MEDIA RELEASE

On Jan. 26, seven Parker School students competed in the Shakespeare Recitation Contest sponsored by the English Speaking Union.

Senior Jesse Tarnas won the competition with his performance of a monologue from Hamlet.

He will represent Parker School Feb. 25 at the state competition on Oahu.

— Find out more:
www.parkerschool.net

Editor’s note: The Super Bowl is being televised Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time on the local NBC affiliate KHNL. The Super Bowl is also being streamed live online for the first time. For more information about the online Super Bowl stream visit www.nfl.com

(For a list of worldwide times click here)

MEDIA RELEASE

Super Bowl XLVI will be played Feb. 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, which will be the first time the Super Bowl has been played in Indiana. Indianapolis is the northernmost city in the United States to host the Super Bowl since Detroit hosted Super Bowl XL in 2006. To commemorate this occasion, the Census Bureau has compiled a collection of facts examining the demographics of the host city, as well as the cities represented by the contenders, in this year’s edition of our nation’s most celebrated sporting event. Go to www. census.gov for more statistics about these cities.

New York (Giants)

1st
Where New York ranked on the list of the nation’s most populous cities. The population of New York in 2010 was 8,175,133.
Source: 2010 Demographic Profile

33.4%
Percentage of New York residents 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2010; 79.6 percent had at least graduated from high school. The respective national figures were 28.2 percent and 85.6 percent. The percentage in New York who have graduated from high school did not differ significantly from the percentage for Indianapolis.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

38.7 minutes
Average amount of time it took New York residents to get to work — 22.7 percent of the city’s workers drove to work alone, 5.0 percent carpooled and 55.7 percent took public transportation. Nationally, it took workers an average of 25.3 minutes to get to work. The percentage of New York workers who drove to work alone and the percentage taking public transportation were significantly different from the national average and Indianapolis.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

49.2%
Percentage of New York residents 5 and older who spoke a language other than English at home. The national average was 20.6 percent.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

$48,743
Median household income for New York. The national median was $50,046. The figure for New York was not statistically different from the national average.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

$504,500
Median home value of owner-occupied homes in New York. The national median was $179,900. The figure for New York differed significantly from that for Indianapolis.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

Boston (New England Patriots)

22nd
Where Boston ranked on the list of the nation’s most populous cities. The population of Boston in 2010 was 617,594. The Patriots actually play in suburban Foxborough, Mass., which had a 2010 Census population of 16,865.
Source: 2010 Demographic Profile [1] [2]

44.3%
Percentage of Boston residents 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2010; 85.8 percent had at least graduated from high school. The respective national figures were 28.2 percent and 85.6 percent. The percentage in Boston who had at least a bachelor’s degree was significantly higher from the percentage for Indianapolis.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

28.4 minutes
Average amount of time it took Boston residents to get to work — 38.3 percent of the city’s workers drove to work alone, 7.3 percent carpooled and 32.8 percent took public transportation. Nationally, it took workers an average of 25.3 minutes to get to work. The percentage of Boston workers who drove to work alone and the percentage taking public transportation were significantly different from the national average and Indianapolis.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

35.5%
Percentage of Boston residents 5 and older who spoke a language other than English at home. The national average was 20.6 percent.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

$49,893
Median household income for Boston. The national median was $50,046. The figure for Boston was not statistically different from the national average.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

$369,600
Median home value of owner-occupied homes in Boston. The national median was $179,900. The figure for Boston is significantly different from that for Indianapolis.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

Indianapolis (host city)

12th
Where Indianapolis ranked on the list of the nation’s most populous cities. The population of Indianapolis in 2010 was 820,445.
Source: 2010 Demographic Profile

26.7%
Percentage of Indianapolis residents 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2010; 83.8 percent had at least graduated from high school. The respective national figures were 28.2 percent and 85.6 percent.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

22.2 minutes
Average amount of time it took Indianapolis residents to get to work — 82.6 percent of the city’s workers drove to work alone, 9.2 percent carpooled and 1.8 percent took public transportation. Nationally, it took workers an average of 25.3 minutes to get to work.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

12.7%
Percentage of Indianapolis residents 5 and older who spoke a language other than English at home. The national average was 20 percent.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

$38,502
Median household income for Indianapolis. The national median was $50,046. The figure for Indianapolis is statistically different than the national average.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

$118,100
Median home value of owner-occupied homes in Indianapolis. The national median was $179,900.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

MEDIA RELEASE

(Volcano Watch is a weekly article written by scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.)

“Wow!” “I didn’t know that!” “Cool!”

These were just a few of the comments said in response to the information shared during the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s open house on January 21, 2012.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Tim Orr (in red shirt) shows open house visitors one of the volcanic rocks on display at HVO'€™s centennial open house on January 21, 2012. USGS photo by Ben Gaddis.

Held in celebration of HVO’s 100th anniversary, the open house featured more than 40 exhibits about Hawai‘i’s volcanoes and how they are monitored. HVO staff and volunteers also conducted more than a dozen hands-on activities and demonstrations continually throughout the day-long event.

HVO is not ordinarily open to the public, so more than 1,400 Hawai‘i Island residents and visitors took advantage of the opportunity to visit the observatory and interact with the scientists responsible for tracking Hawaiian eruptions and earthquakes. Based on their comments, a good time was had by all.

Inside the observatory, people learned how and why earthquakes occur in Hawai‘i, smelled the distinctive odors of volcanic gases, and looked through microscopes for enhanced views of Pele’s hair and volcanic ash. They discovered how thermal cameras, which can “see” heat, help document lava flows and lava lakes, and heard how volcano-monitoring data from more than 100 field stations are collected and analyzed. They also saw examples of the actual instruments that monitor volcanic and seismic activity.

Outdoors, HVO scientists showed ash layers from Kilauea’s explosive eruptions and demonstrated the power of gases trapped within magma (subsurface molten rock). Scientists inflated and deflated a model volcano to illustrate how and why changes in the shapes of Hawai‘i’s active volcanoes are measured. People of all ages were invited to become “junior geologists” by wielding a rock hammer and using a geologic hand lens to examine volcanic rocks.

Winners of HVO’s centennial poster contest for Hawai‘i Island 4th grade students were honored in an award ceremony during the open house. The 10 winning posters are now posted on HVO’s website (hvo.wr.usgs.gov).

During the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s centennial open house, HVO Scientist-in-Charge Jim Kauahikaua points to data displays as he explains how Hawaiian volcanoes and earthquakes are monitored to some of the more than 1,400 people who attended the January 21 event. USGS photo by Ben Gaddis.

Copies of “The Story of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory—A Remarkable First 100 Years of Tracking Eruptions and Earthquakes,” a new USGS general information booklet published to commemorate HVO’s centennial, were distributed to open-house attendees. Folks could also pick up two new USGS Fact Sheets about earthquakes in Hawai‘i and Kilauea Volcano’s explosive eruptions.

If you missed the open house, links to all three publications—as well as the newly revised “Eruptions of Hawaiian Volcanoes” booklet and two new DVDs featuring selected images from Hawai‘i’s 2006 Kiholo Bay-Mahukona earthquakes and time-lapse movies of Kilauea’s 2004–2008 eruption—are posted on the HVO website.

On the day of HVO’s open house, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea Military Camp, Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association, the USGS Ecosystems Kilauea Field Station, and the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes joined in our centennial celebration by offering guided walks and other activities. Volcano-inspired exhibits at Volcano Art Center, Lyman Museum, and East Hawai‘i Cultural Center added another facet to the day’s events.

HVO’s centennial open house took place during Volcano Awareness Month, an event held on Hawai‘i Island every January since 2010. This year, current and former HVO scientists offered 11 presentations about Hawaiian volcanoes and earthquakes and the history of the observatory. Programs at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Lyman Museum in Hilo, and Kealakehe High School in Kona were well received, with 40 to nearly 300 people attending each talk.

Although January has come to an end, we hope Island residents and visitors will continue their quests to become more aware of Hawai‘i’s active volcanoes. To that end, HVO scientists will continue to offer informative talks throughout 2012.

On February 8, HVO geologist Frank Trusdell will present the eruptive history and current status of Mauna Loa at the Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park amphitheater at 6:00 p.m. On February 27, HVO geologist Don Swanson will speak about Kilauea’s history of explosive eruptions at Hilo’s Lyman Museum at 7:00 p.m.

Additional programs will be announced as they are scheduled. Suggested topics for future presentations can be sent to askHVO@usgs.gov.

We sincerely thank everyone who participated in the Volcano Awareness Month events and HVO’s centennial open house. Your enthusiasm for learning more about Hawai‘i’s dynamic environment fuels our efforts to keep you informed.

MEDIA RELEASE

Parents are encouraged to register their children for kindergarten or junior kindergarten for the 2012-2013 school year. Children who will be 5 years old on or before Aug. 1, 2012, may enroll in regular kindergarten, while children who reach 5 years of age between Aug. 2 and Dec. 31 may enroll in junior kindergarten.

Kindergarten is not mandatory in Hawaii.

All parents are encouraged to register their children for the full-day classes at their neighborhood schools during the dates below. Parents can call their District Office to determine which school their child should attend.

District, Phone, Dates:

* Honolulu District, 733-4950, Feb. 1-17
* Central Oahu District, 627-7478, Feb. 1-17
* Leeward Oahu District, 692-8000, Feb. 1-17
* Windward Oahu District, 233-5700, Feb. 1-17

* Hawaii District, Various dates in February through April. Call school or district.
— Hilo, Laupahoehoe, Waiakea — 974-6600
* Ka‘u, Keaau, Pahoa — 982-4719
* West Hawaii — 327-4991

* Maui District, 984-8001, Feb. 1-29 (various dates/times). Call school or district.

* Kauai District, 274-3502, Feb. 1-29. Call school or district.

For more information on school health requirements, registration, and junior kindergarten, visit: doe.k12.hi.us/parents

MEDIA RELEASE

The state Department of Education is encouraging parents to complete a survey to help schools set priorities for improving programs and services.

Beginning in February, schools will mail or ask students to bring the surveys home. Parents whose children are enrolled in grades 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 11 will be asked to complete the survey and return it to the school in a prepaid envelope by no later than March 30.

“Parental feedback is critical for schools and complex areas to measure the effectiveness of their programs, refine services and make adjustments to meet the needs of all students,” Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi said.

Survey results offer schools data on everything ranging from parent satisfaction with course offerings, support services and availability to discuss their child’s progress to whether students feel safe and are meeting their goals.

Teachers and students from the selected grades will fill out separate surveys at school. School personnel also will be asked to complete similar surveys.

Individual survey responses are confidential. Overall survey results for each school should be available at the schools by the end of the academic year.

The reports will also be posted on the internet at arch.k12.hi.us

Questions about the survey may be emailed to sqs@notes.k12.hi.us. Parents may also call 808-733-4008 (Oahu) or 1-855-276-5801 (toll-free Neighbor Islands) from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaiian Cultural & After Dark in the Park Programs

Hawai‘i National Park, HI – Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park continues its tradition of sharing Hawaiian culture and After Dark in the Park programs with the community and visitors throughout February. These programs are free, but park entrance fees apply. Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

Momi Subiono

Lā‘au Lapa‘au with Momi Subiono. Momi is a native Hawaiian practitioner of Hawaiian massage (lomilomi), kapa making (bark cloth), and lā‘au lapa‘au (Hawaiian medicinal plants and practices). She creates natural herbal products to help the Hawaiian community. Her goal is to create a renewed awareness, understanding and use of traditional Hawaiian plants for healing. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. Free.
When: Wed., Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai

Capt. Kiko Johnston-Kitazawa

Nā Wa‘a: The Canoe. Nā Wa‘a is an epic, multi-generational presentation on Hawaiian canoes, their various methods of construction, and the formative influence of the wa‘a (canoe) on Hawai‘i’s past, present, and future. Join Capt. Kiko Johnston-Kitazawa as he takes us on a voyage of Hawaiian canoes, from the first arrivals, to working fishing vessels, giant war canoes and the sleek modern racing craft of today. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free.
When: Tues., Feb. 14, 7 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium

Mark Yamanaka: Live in Concert. Join award-winning singer/songwriter Mark Yamanaka in concert. Mark will share songs from his critically acclaimed debut CD, Lei Pua Kenikeni, which earned him four Nā Hoku Hanohano awards in 2011: Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Most Promising Artist, and Song of the Year. Mark is one of three musicians to sweep all four categories with a debut CD. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing Nā Leo Manu “Heavenly Voices” presentations. Free.
When: Wed., Feb. 15 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium

Violet May Makuakāne

Feather Kāhili-Making. Mother/daughter team Violet May Makuakāne and Helene Hayselden will demonstrate the art of making a feather kāhili, a symbol of Hawaiian royalty. Simply watch and learn, or join in and make your own kāhili to take home. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing ‘Ike Hana No‘eau “Experience the Skillful Work” workshops. Free.
When: Wed., Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai

Don’t Look Back. Hawaiian Myths Made New. The perpetuation of Hawaiian culture is alive and well in this beautiful new collection of 17 favorite mo‘olelo (tales), edited by Hawai‘i author Christine Thomas. The tales are retold with a modern twist by some of Hawai‘i’s most notable writers, including Ian MacMillan, Maxine Hong Kingston, Ku‘ualoha Ho‘omanawanui, W.S. Merwin, and others, including nationally best-selling novelist and Waimea resident Darien Gee – aka Mia King – who will join Thomas for this special reading and book signing. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free.
When: Tues., Feb. 28, 7 p.m.
Where: Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium

MEDIA RELEASE

Local parents and their families are excited about the opening of Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School in July 2012. Parent and Laupahoehoe High & Elementary School graduate Kaihi Francisco recently stated: “My family and I thank those who worked hard and diligently for our charter school, and thank the Board of Education for their approval to open in July. We are happy and excited!”

The Laupahoehoe Charter School Interim Local School Board (ILSB) supports citizens in their exercise of their first amendment rights of free speech, freedom to assemble and to petition their government and respects the right of individuals to express their objection to the Laupahoehoe Charter School opening in July 2012. It is with aloha that the ILSB welcomes dialog about any concerns that exist within the community and the school.

Francisco and his family stated: “We feel saddened that our enthusiasm is not shared by all in the community. We hope that those who continue to hinder the progress of better opportunities for our youth will see the vision and give their support to our Charter.”

Parent Phoebe Mills went further, saying: “I’ve heard that a few teachers at the school are encouraging the kids in their classes to oppose the charter-conversion. I’m sure that most teachers would never do this, but if it’s true, it’s appalling. The students should not be dragged into this on school time. “

The ILSB welcomes anyone with questions about the school opening or process to go to the website (www.laupahoehoecharter…) or call 808-430-8699. Questions and concerns about the charter school may be presented at the public ILSB meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm (the website will list the most up to date information).

Interest in the charter school is widespread. Numerous inquiries have come in from prospective parents and teachers who are enthusiastic about becoming part of an innovative community school. To kick off the Charter’s hands-on learning approach, an exciting outdoors experience for high school students is planned for this summer.

An upcoming presentation by Board of Education Chair Don Horner & Vice Chair Brian DeLima will be held in February in the Laupahoehoe area to help the community to move forward.

The school encourages this year’s teachers to consider teaching at the charter school when it opens in July, 2012 and to submit letters of interest and resumes by February 15 2012. Inquiries regarding student registration or employment for qualified State teachers and staff should be directed to info@laupahoehoecharte…

MEDIA RELEASE

Kaiser Permanente Hawaii has awarded the state Department of Education a $40,300 grant to provide technical assistance and support to schools applying for HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) certification.

Janet Liang, president of Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, present a check to Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi on Monday, Jan. 30 in Honolulu.

HUSSC is a voluntary national certification initiative established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) in 2004 for schools participating in the National School Lunch Program.

Schools that receive HealthierUS School Challenge certification are recognized for their progress in making significant changes to their school environment to: (1) improve the quality of the foods served, (2) provide students with nutrition education, and (3) provide students with physical education and opportunities for physical activity. HealthierUS Schools must also have a local school wellness policy, as mandated by Congress.

Thus far, HUSSC awards have been given to schools in 45 states. As of Oct. 20, 2,161 schools are certified. Currently, no school in Hawaii has qualified for the HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) certification.

— Find out more:
www.fns.usda.gov/tn/he…

MEDIA RELEASE

To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week. The first celebration occurred on Feb. 12, 1926. For many years, the second week of February was set aside for this celebration to coincide with the birthdays of abolitionist/editor Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, as part of the nation’s bicentennial, the week was expanded into Black History Month. Each year, U.S. presidents proclaim February as National African-American History Month.

Note: The reference to the black population in this publication is to single-race blacks (“black alone”) except in the first section on “Population.” There the reference is to black alone or in combination with other races; in other words, a reference to respondents who said they were one race (black) or more than one race (black plus other races).

Population

42 million
The number of people who identified as black, either alone or in combination with one or more other races, in the 2010 Census. They made up 13.6 percent of the total U.S. population. The black population grew by 15.4 percent from 2000 to 2010.
Source: The Black Population: 2010 www.census.gov/prod/ce…

65.7 million
The projected black population of the United States (including those of more than one race) for July 1, 2050. On that date, according to the projection, blacks would constitute 15 percent of the nation’s total population.
Source: Population projections www.census.gov/newsroo…

3.3 million
The black population in New York, which led all states in 2010. The other nine states in the top 10 were Florida, Texas, Georgia, California, North Carolina, Illinois, Maryland, Virginia and Ohio.
Source: The Black Population: 2010%20www.census.gov/prod/cen2010/briefs/c2010br-06.pdf

38%
Percent of Mississippi’s total population that was black in 2010. Mississippi led the nation in this category followed by Louisiana (33 percent), Georgia (32 percent), Maryland (31 percent), South Carolina (29 percent) and Alabama (27 percent).
Source: The Black Population: 2010 www.census.gov/prod/ce…

52%
Percent of the total population in the District of Columbia that was black in 2010.
Source: The Black Population: 2010 www.census.gov/prod/ce…

2.2 million
People who identified as black in New York City, which led all places with populations of 100,000 or more. It was followed by Chicago; Philadelphia; Detroit; Houston; Memphis, Tenn.; Baltimore; Los Angeles; Washington; and Dallas.
Source: The Black Population: 2010 www.census.gov/prod/ce…

84.3%
Percent of the total population in Detroit, who identified as black, which is the highest percentage nationally among places with populations of 100,000 or more. It was followed by Jackson, Miss. (80.1 percent), Miami Gardens, Fla. (77.9 percent), Birmingham, Ala. (74.0 percent), Baltimore, (65.1 percent), Memphis, Tenn. (64.1 percent), New Orleans (61.2 percent), Flint, Mich. (59.5), Montgomery Ala. (57.4 percent) and Savannah, Ga. (56.7 percent).
Source: The Black Population: 2010 www.census.gov/prod/ce…

Serving Our Nation

2.4 million
Number of black military veterans in the United States in 2010.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey factfinder2.census.gov.

Education

82%
Among blacks 25 and older, the percentage with a high school diploma or higher in 2010.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey factfinder2.census.gov

18%
Percentage of blacks 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2010.
Source: 201 0 American Community Survey factfinder2.census.gov

1.5 million
Among blacks 25 and older, the number who had an advanced degree in 2010.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey factfinder2.census.gov

2.9 million
Number of blacks enrolled in college in 2010, a 1.7 million increase since 1990.
Source: 2010 Current Population Survey www.census.gov/hhes/sc…

Voting

11.1 million
The number of blacks who voted in the 2010 congressional election, an increase from 11 percent of the total electorate in 2006 to 12 percent in 2010.
Source: Voting and Registration in the Election of 2010 www.census.gov/newsroo…

55%
Turnout rate in the 2008 presidential election for the 18- to 24-year-old citizen black population, an 8 percentage point increase from 2004. Blacks had the highest turnout rate in this age group.
Source: Voting and Registration in the Election of 2008 www.census.gov/newsroo…

65%
Turnout rate among black citizens regardless of age in the 2008 presidential election, up about 5 percentage points from 2004. Looking at voter turnout by race and Hispanic origin, non-Hispanic whites and blacks had the highest turnout levels.
Source: Voting and Registration in the Election of 2008 www.census.gov/newsroo…

Income, Poverty and Health Insurance

$32,068
The annual median income of black households in 2010, a decline of 3.2 percent from 2009.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2010 Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States www.census.gov/newsroo…

27.4%
Poverty rate in 2010 for blacks.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2010 www.census.gov/prod/20…

79.2%
Percentage of blacks that were covered by health insurance during all or part of 2010.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2010 Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States www.census.gov/hhes/ww…

Families and Children

62.5%
Among households with a black householder, the percentage that contained a family. There were 9.4 million black family households.
Source: 2011 Current Population Survey, Families and Living Arrangements, Table F1 and Table HH-2

44.4%
Among families with black householders, the percentage that were married couples.
Source: 2011 Families and Living Arrangements, Table F1

1.3 million
Number of black grandparents who lived with their own grandchildren younger than 18. Of this number, 47.6 percent were also responsible for their care.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey factfinder.census.gov

Homeownership

44.2%
Nationally, the percentage of households with a householder who was black who lived in owner-occupied homes.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey factfinder.census.gov

Jobs

28.4%
The percentage of blacks 16 and older who worked in management, business, science and arts occupations.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey factfinder.census.gov

Businesses

$135.7 billion
Receipts for black-owned businesses in 2007, up 53.1 percent from 2002. The number of black-owned businesses totaled 1.9 million in 2007, up 60.5 percent.
Source: 2007 Survey of Business Owners factfinder2.census.gov

37.7%
Percentage of black-owned businesses in 2007 in health care and social assistance, repair and maintenance and personal and laundry services.
Source: 2007 Survey of Business Owners factfinder2.census.gov

10.6%
Percentage of businesses in New York in 2007 that were black-owned, which led all states or state-equivalents. Georgia and Florida followed, at 9.6 percent and 9.4 percent, respectively.
Source: 2007 Survey of Business Owners factfinder2.census.gov

Jeremy Leonard speaks at Parker School. (Photo courtesy of Parker School)

MEDIA RELEASE

On Jan. 20, Jeremy Leonard visited the Parker School campus to share his career journey with the 11th and 12th grade classes as part of Parker School’s Speaker Series.

The series, started by Rea Callender, in September of 2005, has served as an excellent professional development opportunity for Parker students; bringing many well known artists, scientists, businessman and entrepreneurs to the school’s stage to share their stories of success, determination, dedication and the importance of following one’s dream.

Leonard’s presentation started out with footage of him flying a fighter plane and captivated the audience’s attention with his stories of the various twists and turns of his career.

Leonard is the founder of Investologist Corporation, Pacific Pump and Power Corporation, Canada Pump and Power Corporation. He also is the founder of Work For All, a charity focused on alleviating systemic poverty by connecting businesses around the world.

He lives on the Big Island with his wife Carol, and two children.

— Find out more:
www.parkerschool.net

Front row from left, University of Hawaii President M.R.C. Greenwood, UH Board of Regents Vice Chair James H.Q. Lee, Hawaii Community College Chancellor Noreen Yamane, Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi, and Hunt Companies Hawaii Division President Steve Colon and UH Vice President of Student Affairs and University/Communiy Relations Rockne Freitas, back row, marked Palamanui LLC's presentation of $9.68 million to the University of Hawaii to begin construction of the Hawaii Community College Palamanui campus in West Hawaii at the Hawaii Civic Center in Kailua-Kona Tuesday (Jan 31) Photo By Michael Darden

Artist's rendering of Hawaii Community College facilities in West Hawaii

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

Construction of Phase I is now fully funded and Hawaii Community College Palamanui is expected to open its doors to students in fall 2014.

The University of Hawaii accepted $9.68 million Tuesday, Jan. 31 from Palamanui LLC — a partnership between Hunt Companies and Charles R. Schwab — to begin construction of the university’s first permanent physical campus on the Big Island’s west side.

The initial contribution of more than $5.2 million was delivered to the university this week. An additional $4.4 million has been placed in escrow and will be released to the university upon completion of the mid-level road connecting Kona Palisades to the new campus, which the university is building and expects to complete in April.

Mayor Billy Kenoi thanked the developers for their “promises kept” as “the kids in West Hawaii deserve the opportunity for higher education.”

Kenoi noted he got his start at a community college.

Steve Colon, Hunt Companies Hawaii Division President, representing Palamanui LLC

“Education is the great equalizer,” he said. “It gives everybody a shot. The outlook for our children’s future just got brighter.”

Building the campus makes higher education possible for hundreds of local families, he said.

“Our children will be able to learn skills and new technologies so they can compete for higher paying jobs,” Kenoi said. “I commend Palamanui LLC and its partners and appreciate their honorable fulfillment of promises made.”

University of Hawaii President M.R.C. Greenwood acknowledged West Hawaii is one of the most underserved regions of the state.

She said she recognized very quickly upon arriving in Hawaii nearly three years ago that “this was going to transform lives.”

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi, left, chats with UH President M.R.C. Greenwood prior to presentation of $9.68 million to the UH for the West Hawaii campus at Palamanui. Photo by Michael Darden

“The recession has made it very difficult to get down projects that seemed easy,” she said. “This is the beginning of something you will treasure. The new Hawaii Community College Palamanui campus will provide educational pathways to a better future not just to Hawaii island residents, but to the residents of the entire state.”

Representing the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, Vice Chair James H. Q. Lee also spoke at the ceremonial check passing Tuesday at West Hawaii Civic Center.

“A college education creates opportunities for a better life,” he said. “Community colleges, with their low cost and open access, are the entry point for many who have traditionally been left out of higher education. We are gratified by and appreciative of the efforts of all who helped bring this promise to the residents of West Hawaii. Our West Hawaii Regent, Carl Carlson, Jr., is out of state today but he, Chair Eric Martinson and the entire Board send their thanks to the many who made today possible.”

Steve Colon, Hunt Companies Hawaii Division President representing Palamanui LLC said, “On behalf of Hunt Companies and Charles R. Schwab, I am thrilled to announce that Palamanui has honored its commitment to provide the financial catalyst to make the Hawaii Community College Palamanui campus a reality. This campus has been a dream for many in the West Hawaii community for a long time, and it is especially gratifying to know that our efforts will guarantee its fruition.”

Palamanui LLC will soon begin infrastructure improvements worth another $10 million for the university to connect to electricity and water lines. This necessary infrastructure will increase the Palamanui investment to nearly $20 million and will enable the completion of the planned first phase of the campus.

The Hawaii Community College Palamanui campus has been in the development stage for at least eight years and although it has suffered setback due to the challenging economic times, it it now on target to welcome students the second part of 2014.

Jim Lally, a community advocate for higher education and UH Foundation Board member, commented, “The Hawaii Community College Pālamanui campus is a shining example of a project that required the collaboration of state, federal, county and private entities, pooling their resources and expertise, to invest in West Hawaii’s future to serve our community. I couldn’t be more proud to have been a part of this collaborative effort to bring higher education opportunities to West Hawaii.”

Hawaii Community College Chancellor Noreen Yamane said, “Hawaii Community College Palamanui will build and expand upon providing access to higher education opportunities, train a skilled workforce and support economic development in this region. The vision, hopes and dreams for this campus are beginning to come true.”

Yamane said the current campus serves about 750 students, although that number will rise greatly when the Palamanui campus is built out.

Noreen Yamane

Comprehensive building plans are now being finalized and should be completed within one month.

The University of Hawaii expects apply for building permits and put the first phase of the project out to bid in the first quarter of 2012. A blessing, groundbreaking and the start of construction for the Palamanui campus is expected this summer.

The first phase of the Palamanui campus, upon completion in 2014, will become the 11th campus comprising the University of Hawaii System.

Greenwood said it is not unusual for a project as large as a college campus to take a long time to get kickstarted. She pointed to the West Oahu Community College, which was in the planning process for 18 years.

Lining up community and state support, public and private funding, land and permits, and earning the confidence of all the stakeholders takes time and tremendous effort, she said.

Greenwood and Yamane said Palamanui would start small and grow into a two-year branch campus of the Hilo community college, then possibly into a full blown two-year comprehensive community college.

Yamane said the possibilities are myriad, with the vast natural resources available, from marine and ocean sciences to vulcanology to agriculture.

“It begins with a vision,” she said.

Still, the funding is only in place for construction.

Jean Hull, long-time culinary instructor, is leading a team to raise $1 million to equip the kitchen for the culinary program, and the campus also will need to be furnished and fitted with telecommunications equipment.

Hull said donations are being accepted through the ACF-Kona Kohala Chapter. Donations may be sent to ACF, P.O. box 1268 Kailua-Kona, HI 96745.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII SYSTEM

Established in 1907 and fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the University of Hawaii is the state’s sole public system of higher education. The UH System provides an array of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees and community programs on 10 campuses and through educational, training, and research centers across the state. UH enrolls more than 55,000 students from Hawaii, the U.S. mainland, and around the world. For more information about the University of Hawaii System, visit www.hawaii.edu

ABOUT HAWAII COMMUNITY COLLEGE

The University of Hawaii currently serves the west side of Hawaii island through the University of Hawaii Center in West Hawaii, one of three University Centers established by the Board of Regents (BOR) in June 1996. The center provides access to multiple disciplines, and serves as a receive site for courses, course sequences and/or a limited number of complete BOR-authorized credential programs that originate from other campuses of the University of Hawaii System.

In addition to Hawaii Community College programs, the center facilitates the delivery of baccalaureate and master’s programs to West Hawaii. Students may apply/register for distance education courses found at other community colleges in the UH System. Hawaii Community College serves West Hawaii at the UH Center in Kealakekua with classrooms, a nursing learning center, a dining room/kitchen, computer lab, library, learning center and administrative offices. Distributed Learning HITS and video conferencing classrooms provide West Hawaii students the opportunity to attend live classes locally while pursuing a degree through the UH System.

For more information on how you can support the Hawaii Community College Palamanui campus in West Hawaii, please contact Cordy MacLaughlin at (808) 344-8782 or Cordy.MacLaughlin@uhfo….

To make a gift and support facilities, programs and students at Hawaii Community College Palamanui campus, visit www.uhfoundation.org/P…

The University of Hawaii Foundation, a nonprofit organization, raises private funds to support the University of Hawaii System. Our mission is to unite our donors’ passions with the University of Hawaii’s aspirations to benefit the people of Hawaii and beyond. We do this by raising private philanthropic support, managing private investments and nurturing donor and alumni relationships. For more information about the UH Foundation, visit www.uhfoundation.org

ABOUT PALAMANUI LLC

Palamanui is an innovative mixed-use community located on 725 acres mauka and about a mile north of the Kona International Airport. The property is located adjacent to 500 acres of state land that has long been earmarked for higher education and intended to be the site of the Hawaii Community College Palamanui campus.

The name Palamanui, meaning an enclosure of abundant education, inspired the design philosophy behind this master-planned development. This mixed-use community, thoughtfully designed around a central town center and connected with an extensive network of walking and biking trails, will have 1,116 homes. It also features over 230 acres of open space, a 70-acre business park, a 20-acre regional park, and a 55-acre dry forest preserve.

Palamanui LLC is a partnership between Hunt Companies, Inc., Mr. Charles R. Schwab and local Kona contractor Guy Lam.

ABOUT HUNT

Founded in 1947, and operating in Hawaii since 1991, Hunt Companies, Inc. has become a leading national privately-owned real estate developer, investor and manager. Hunt’s focus and experience is in sectors such as public-private partnerships, military housing, mixed-use, multi-family housing, master-planned communities, government build-to-lease programs, retail, and office. The services Hunt provides to these sectors include Investment Management, Development, Construction Services, and Asset and Property Management Services.

Hunt and its affiliates have $10 billion in Assets Under Management. These assets include 114,000 multi-family housing units, 4.3 million square feet of commercial, 1.5 million square feet of industrial and 1.8 million square feet of retail. Hunt’s expertise is also comprised of over 89,000 housing units built, thousands of acres of land developed, and over 400 projects completed in 32 states. Development project costs have been in excess of $6.3 billion, with over $8.1 billion in construction costs.

Hunt’s 2010 gross revenue was more than $900 million. Hunt Companies, Inc. is headquartered in El Paso, Texas, with regional offices in Honolulu, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Denver, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Memphis and London. For more information, visit www.huntcompanies.com

MEDIA RELEASE

The non-profit Hawai’i Marine Mammal Consortium (HMMC) is pleased to announce the release of a glossy, full-color art poster of humpback whale tail fluke photographs. The poster illustrates the beauty of humpback whale flukes and how scientists use them to study whales. Like human fingerprints, the shape, color, and markings on the tail flukes of humpback whales are unique to each whale. The poster shows 56 photographs of 53 different whales with a built-in “fluke matching” quiz to identify three whales that appear twice in the photos. The answers can be found at the HMMC website: www.hmmc.org

Sightings of individually identified whales over the years help scientists to describe their social behavior, migrations, and life histories. The website shows information about the sighting history of each whale and links to pages about whale biology and behavior. All photographs were taken under a NOAA Fisheries Scientific Research Permit.

Copies of the poster are available at select locations on Hawai’i Island, including Hawai’i Ocean Sports and The Gallery at Bamboo Restaurant in Hawi. It is also available by mail through the HMMC website. The purchase of the poster is tax deductible, and proceeds will directly support HMMC’s whale and dolphin research in Hawai’i.

The HMMC is a Waimea-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2003 by four biologists who first met while conducting whale research for the University of Hawai’i on the Big Island in the early 1990′s. Local residents may have noticed this group at their hillside whale observation site off Akoni Pule Highway just north of Kawaihae and from their vessel-based work each winter out of Kawaihae Harbor. The HMMC also assists with whale disentanglement efforts led by the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. The group focuses on marine mammal conservation, research and education and has a science advisory group from top universities around the U.S. and abroad. The HMMC hosts education programs for classes of high school and college students from Hawai’i and the mainland, including an annual week-long class on whale bioacoustics for Cornell University students and a collaboration with faculty at the University of Alaska Southeast in Sitka and the University of Hawai’i Hilo to connect students from Hawai’i and Alaska. For more information about HMMC scientists, research, education programs and scientific papers, visit www.hmmc.org or email info@hmmc.org