2026-10-07 - Honorary Certificates

00:10[singing]

00:12Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

00:17[music and singing]

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00:29>> [music]

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00:35[music and singing]

00:37>> foreign.

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00:57>> [singing and music]

01:09>> I know a guy that you know

01:12>> he's actually right here

01:23something else. Okay.

01:34For you are lay

01:37a [singing] flower.

01:43For you are lay

01:46to hold.

01:52For you [music and singing] are laid

01:56to harass

01:58while you [singing]

01:59are away

02:02and through each lonely day

02:07make you happy

02:10and

02:11a lay of love

02:14I'll [music and singing] give to you

02:20to think I'll be

02:24when you are blue

02:31wherever

02:33you may be

02:36over

02:37[singing and music]

02:38the sea. For you are

02:43to remember

02:45me.

02:49For you are

02:52to remember

02:57me.

03:08Mahalo to the Royal Hawaiian Band Glee

03:11Club Grant Kono Kala Eastern and Maui

03:13Namahoo. Mahalo you guys. Beautiful

03:16Hawaiian music. Good morning everyone.

03:18Thank you all for being here. The city's

03:22council's honorary certificate program

03:23honors and acknowledges those

03:25individuals and groups who have made an

03:27impact in our local, national, and

03:29international communities. Mr. Clerk,

03:32our first recipient. Good morning, Mr.

03:34Chair and council members. Our first

03:36presentation recognizes Frank Soua Pavo

03:39III, honoring his life and contributions

03:42to the Wahiwa community and the people

03:44of Hawaii. This presentation is made by

03:46council member wire.

03:48>> Mahalo chair. Aloha and good morning

03:50everyone.

03:52It's my privilege and honor to recognize

03:55a man whose life was defined by service,

03:57aloha, and a deep love for Hawaii and

04:01her people.

04:03Today, the city council proudly honors

04:05and remembers the late Frank Soua Paval

04:08III and extends its deepest sympathies

04:11to his wife Peggy to your Ohana and of

04:15course all of our friends and community

04:17members that so loved Frank. Uh in

04:20chambers today we have Peggy in the

04:23middle

04:25uh along with community members and

04:28family friends Konyi and Noku Alo

04:32Joe Francher

04:34Jun Yamamoto and Daniel Gabriel

04:39born in Honolulu on October in October

04:431952. Frank was raised in Wahwa and

04:46graduated from Leila High School, class

04:48of 1970.

04:50His life of service began right after

04:52graduation when he enlisted in the

04:54United States Air Force and trained as

04:56an operating room technician. That was

04:59the start of a career in healthc care

05:01that would span decades.

05:03After returning home to Oahu, Frank

05:06continued his college studies and grew a

05:08deep appreciation for Hawaii's history.

05:12Inspired by a tour of the islands, he

05:13became a tour driver himself, sharing

05:16his knowledge and love of these islands

05:18with visitors from around the world. And

05:21it was through this work he that he met

05:23his wife, Peggy.

05:26At the same time, Frank kept caring for

05:30patients at hospitals across Aahu before

05:32joining Wahwa General Hospital

05:34full-time, carrying his spirit of

05:36service into both careers.

05:40Frank's commitment extended to his

05:42community as well. As an active member

05:44of the Waha Lions Club and the Rainbow

05:46Seniors Club, he gave his time and

05:49knowledge to the organizations that

05:50mattered most to him. And he stayed

05:53engaged in community life.

05:56And when he wasn't serving, you could

05:58often find him at the bowling alley or

06:00enjoying a game of poker with friends,

06:02which is I'm sure what he's doing right

06:04now as well.

06:06Frank is survived by Peggy, his sister

06:10Sarah Jane Hamilton, his Hanai children

06:13Jeremy and Jessica Demink and Roy and

06:15Bridget Hanu, his three Hanai

06:18grandchildren children, Sienna, Dylan,

06:20and William, and his many beloved

06:22nieces, nephews, and their families.

06:26What stands out most about Frank was the

06:29way he connected with people. He will be

06:32remembered by his ohana friends,

06:33colleagues, and the community for his

06:35generosity, his sense of humor, his love

06:38of Hawaii, and the many ways he

06:41supported those around him. So on behalf

06:44of the city and county of Honolulu, the

06:46council extends its aloha and deepest

06:49sympathies to the Ohana and loved ones

06:51of Frank Soua Paval III as we honor his

06:54life and contributions to the Wahwa

06:56community. And also just want to

06:58recognize Peggy for your steadfast faith

07:01and the example you set and just the

07:04love that you share with so many. So

07:05mahalo again uh for being here.

08:09>> [music]

08:54>> Mr. Clerk, our next recipient, our next

08:56presentation recognizes Westside

08:58Striking for its outstanding athletic

09:01achievements and dedicated service to

09:03Hawaii's youth and communities. This

09:05presentation is made by Council Member

09:07Tupola. Thank you so much. Um,

09:10gentlemen, ladies, friends, community

09:11members, good morning and aloha.

09:15>> We're so grateful to have all these kids

09:16here from the west side. I know you guys

09:18woke up somewhat early and it is fall

09:21break, so you didn't get to miss school,

09:22but we're still thankful that you got

09:23here. I just really want to thank uh the

09:26coaches first and foremost before I

09:27share thoughts about Westside Striking

09:29and why it's so special. So, coach Mike

09:31Talotu right here on the left. We got

09:34coach Paul Brewer and coach Kio Brewer.

09:36Can you raise your hands, please? Can we

09:38give them a round of applause, kids?

09:39These are your coaches.

09:44Westside Striking proves that when we

09:45invest in our young people, we are

09:47investing in the strength and future of

09:49our entire community. What Coach Mike

09:51and Westside Striking family have built

09:53goes far beyond boxing and kickboxing.

09:56This is a place where young people are

09:58given structure, held accountable,

10:00taught discipline, and reminded that

10:03somebody believes in what they can

10:04become. For many families, that kind of

10:07consistent mentorship can make a lasting

10:09difference in a young person's life.

10:11That makes Westside Striking's athletic

10:13success even more meaningful. to become

10:16the nation's winningest boxing gym in

10:18both 2024 and 2025 and the first Hawaii

10:22gym to earn that recognition backtoback

10:24is an extraordinary achievement.

10:27However, what stands out most is that

10:28this organization has allowed trophies

10:31to become more imported trophies to

10:33become more important than character.

10:35Their athletes are being taught that

10:37success means how you carry yourself,

10:39how you respond to adversity, and how

10:41you serve others. We see those values

10:43reflected throughout the community.

10:45These athletes have helped to clean

10:46Macaha Beach after the Konao. They

10:48filled and delivered sandbags to

10:51families on Paka. They built

10:52relationships with other communities

10:54across our islands. They are learning

10:56that being strong also means accepting

10:59responsibility for the place and the

11:00people around you. I especially want to

11:02thank the coaches, Coach Mike, Coaches

11:05Lyndon, Patricio, Vernon, Mahelona, Paul

11:07Kohi Brewer, the volunteers, the family

11:10members. Some of them are here. I know

11:12you guys' mom and dad and them came. Can

11:14we give a round of applause for the

11:15families supporting these kids? We

11:18appreciate all you guys.

11:21Much of this work is done quietly

11:23without expecting recognition because

11:24they understand the responsibility that

11:26comes with helping raise the next

11:29generation. I'm going to tell a quick

11:31story about you guys, coach, because

11:32this is the kind of person Mike Talotu

11:34is. During the Kona Lo, I was out on

11:37Paka by myself trying to pump the street

11:40full of water and you know who called

11:42me? The only person that called me, Mike

11:44Talos, said, "Andrea, where are we

11:45working at today? Where do you need my

11:47help?" So, he came out with me and he

11:49helped me. And then guess what? The next

11:50day, he called me. He said, "Where are

11:51we working at?" I said, "Mike, you don't

11:52got to go to work." He's like, "I'm

11:53working for the community today. What do

11:55you need? What machines do we have?

11:56Where can I go?" That's the kind of

11:58person Mike is. He's the kind of person

12:00that shows up. He knows what's

12:02important. He puts things aside to

12:04better those people around him. So,

12:06kids, continue to be blessed and be a

12:08blessing to others. Your coaches are

12:10good examples. They're doing what our

12:12community needs and we're so grateful

12:13for you guys. Because of your work and

12:16your example, I'm hopeful that this

12:19rising generation of youth have better

12:21choices in front of them. So, thank you

12:23guys. Mike, thank you for your

12:24sacrifice. Westside Striking has

12:26produced champions in the ring, but more

12:28importantly, it's helping develop young

12:30people with confidence, character, and a

12:32sense of responsibility to their

12:34community. That is something white and I

12:36can be deeply proud of. And it is an

12:38honor today that the Honolulu City

12:40Council recognized Westside Striking.

12:42One more round of applause for these

12:43kids and their coaches.

13:40Thank you guys.

14:03I didn't get anything.

14:23Mr. Clerk, our next recipient,

14:26>> our next presentation recognizes ZT

14:28Prospects Hawaii on winning the Cal

14:31Ripken 11U World Series Championship.

14:34This presentation is made by Council

14:36Member Kia.

14:38Aloha and good morning everyone. The

14:41Honolulu City Council is proud to

14:43recognize and congratulate the ZT

14:45Prospects Hawaii baseball team on an

14:48extraordinary season and for winning the

14:502026 Cal Ripken 11 underworld Series

14:54Championship title in August 2026 in

14:58Crown Point, Indiana. Joining us from ZT

15:02Prospects Hawaii, when I call your name,

15:03please raise your hand to be recognized.

15:06Va Almanu Stanley Breeze Aku Thiago Lum

15:12Co Kamay Kamaha O Wang Ta Yamada Micah

15:18Hanahime

15:19Grant Yamamuroto Maddox Torres Rxen

15:23Zukuran Tabian Paga Ali head coach

15:28Garrett Yamamoto

15:30assistant coaches Jonathan Torres Bran

15:34Zukran and Kcani Kamay who is unable to

15:37join us today. Please join me in

15:39welcoming the team to the council

15:41chamber.

15:47Comprised of talented young athletes

15:49from Kaneoh and Kyua ZT Prospects Hawaii

15:53has built its success through

15:54discipline, teamwork, leadership, and a

15:57shared love of baseball. The team

15:59regularly practiced at Caholu Regional

16:02Park where many of these players have

16:04played together from a young age,

16:06developing the strong team chemistry

16:08that helped carry them through an

16:09exceptional season. The team has

16:12captured championships at the 11under

16:14Hawaii Kai tournament

16:16and the DFW World Series in Arlington,

16:20Texas before advancing to the Cal Ripken

16:2211 under World Series, which was held

16:26from August 6 to the 16th, 2026 in Crown

16:30Point, Indiana.

16:32Competing among 20 teams of the Cow

16:35Ripken LU World Series, ZT Prospects

16:38Hawaii went undefeated with the seven-0

16:41round, outscoring its opponents 41 to

16:44five, while its pitching staff faced 184

16:47batters and allowed only five walks

16:48through the tournament. In the

16:50championship game, the team defeated

16:52Peach Tree, Virginia 40-0 to bring home

16:55the Cal Ripken 11U World Series title

16:58with Tavian earning earning the win on

17:01the mound and Ruxen being named the

17:03tournament's most valuable player. The

17:05team's accomplishments were made

17:07possible through the hard work of the

17:08players and the guidance from their

17:09coaches and the support of their

17:11families. Now, therefore, be it resolved

17:14on behalf of the city and county of

17:15Honolulu, the Honolulu City Council

17:18proudly congratulates the ZT Prospects

17:20Hawaii baseball team on winning the 2026

17:23Cal Ripken 11 U World Series

17:26Championship and extending its warmest

17:29congratulations to the players, coaches,

17:31and families of Zeb ZT Prospects Hawaii

17:34and wishes these young athletes

17:36continued success both on and off the

17:38field.

18:56Mr. Clerk, our next recipient,

18:59our next presentation recognizes Senator

19:01Michelle N. Gidani on her retirement

19:04after 18 years of dedication to the

19:06people and the state of Hawaii. This

19:08presentation is made by Council Member

19:10Okimono.

19:11>> Thank you. Aloha and good morning,

19:13everyone.

19:14This morning, I am beyond honored and

19:16excited to welcome and recognize a

19:18colleague and dear friend, Senator

19:20Michelle N. Kedani after 18 years of

19:23dedicated service to the people and

19:25state of Hawaii. She's also joined today

19:27by her one of her daughters, Malia Cook.

19:29Thank you, Malia, for bringing your mom

19:30here. Senator Mkhedani or Michelle as

19:33she's known by her friends is a

19:35distinguished public servant and former

19:38vice president of the Hawaii State

19:39Senate and has a dedicated career that

19:42has been defined by a commitment to

19:44public education, service to the

19:46community, and above all else, improving

19:48the lives of Havaii's families. Now, I

19:50could actually talk about Michelle for

19:51an hour, but I know we don't have that

19:53much time, so I'm going to do my best to

19:54summarize the wonderful accomplishment

19:56she's had in her life and career. She

19:59was first elected to the state senate

20:01district 17 in 2008 and later to the

20:04newly redrawn district 18 in 2012.

20:07Senator Kadani represented the people of

20:09Mililani Wio Acres Wahiwa Wio Gentry

20:13Crest View Welle portions of W Pahu

20:17Village Park and Royal Kia with the

20:19utmost pride and devotion. much of her

20:22district overlapped with mine, which

20:23made serving together even more

20:25meaningful as we will as we were able to

20:28team up and support our district

20:29communities together. A lifelong passion

20:32for public ser school education and the

20:34creation of safe learning environments

20:36for the community have always been

20:38deeply personal to her. As long as I

20:40have known Michelle, she has always been

20:42guided by the belief that every child in

20:44Hawaii, including her own grandchildren,

20:46deserve access to a high quality

20:48education. She has shown a tireless

20:51devotion to constituents and is known

20:54for being the ultimate champion of

20:55Havaii's public education system while

20:58serving on the committee of education as

21:00the chair. Early in her legislative

21:02career, Senator Kadani served as vice

21:04chair of the Senate Committee on Public

21:06Safety, Committee on Government Affairs

21:09and Committee on Military Affairs, which

21:11prepared her to chair the Senate

21:13Committee on Education and vice chair

21:15the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

21:17And as I also noted earlier, she served

21:19till she retired as the Senate vice

21:21president. It was in the later comm

21:24committees Senator Kadani's leadership

21:25helped secure transformative investments

21:28to Hawaii's educational infrastructure

21:30that have benefited generations of

21:32children across the state. She was

21:35instrumental in in the establishment of

21:37the Academy of Creative Media on the

21:39University of Hawaii West Oahu campus.

21:42the University of Hawaii at Hilo Daniel

21:44Kinoi College of Pharmacy and procured

21:47hundreds of millions of dollars in

21:49capital improvements made for public

21:51school facilities across the state.

21:54One of the most recent ones which we

21:56were able to do and recognize Michelle

21:58recently was um she's brought so much um

22:02resources to the school campus but

22:04especially for girls sports and we were

22:05able last week to have a recognition

22:07where the softball field was um named

22:10after Senator Kadani. Senator Kadani has

22:12championed policies during her career

22:14that focused on increasing educational

22:16opportunities for students, educators,

22:19and schools. Senator Kadani's direction

22:21has advanced key initiatives like early

22:23learning opportunities, access to free

22:25school meals, and public library service

22:28expansions.

22:29Senator Kadani's passion for education

22:31and our youth were not contained just to

22:33the four walls of classrooms. She has,

22:36as I mentioned, been a fierce advocate

22:37for female sports within the public

22:39school system. And it was in fact Sandra

22:42Vicadani who created and coached the

22:44Bobby softball team at Milani High

22:45School. And as the sport grew, so did it

22:48in its impacts. Some of Senator Kadani's

22:50original players went on to coach the

22:52MHS softball teams. And as some of you

22:54may remember, we have recognized on

22:56multiple occasions the Milani High

22:57School softball team on their multiple

22:59state championships. This would not have

23:01been hap this would not have happened

23:02without Senator Kadani's leadership year

23:05prize years prior. I always like to add

23:08my personal note. Michelle and I met

23:10about 11 years ago when I first got onto

23:12this little obscure home um association

23:16board of directors for the Milani Town

23:18Association. Aside from serving in the

23:20Senate, she also was very involved in

23:21other areas of our community. Over the

23:24years, we became friends and that

23:25continued when I first ran for public

23:27office and got elected into the state

23:28house. Michelle was a great source of

23:30help, education, and mentorship. despite

23:33being in different chambers and even

23:35quote unquote opposite ends of the

23:36aisle, sides of the aisle, she never let

23:38that get in the way of us working

23:40together. Even if we didn't always see

23:42eye to eye on legislative measures, one

23:44funny story I always like to recall and

23:46share is there was a time where um

23:48Michelle had a bill going through and it

23:49was coming over to the house and you

23:50know, you don't upset Michelle because

23:52she um she's fierce. She was known as

23:54one of the two dragon ladies, but

23:56Michelle and I were friends. And so I

23:58walked up to her and I said, "Michelle,

23:59I'm gonna vote. I voted no on one of

24:01your bills and she asked me why and I

24:03explained to her why I thought I was

24:04correct and she explained to me why she

24:06thought she was correct and I was wrong

24:07and then I told her what your bill

24:08passed anyway and we laughed about it

24:10and um that was a respectful

24:12relationship we did have where we could

24:13have discourse where we could discuss

24:15our different sides but always come

24:17together because we know that at the end

24:19of the day we were serving the

24:20community. Michelle's reputation

24:22precedes her. Those who know her know

24:24she is not one to shy away from speaking

24:26her mind, but everything she did was

24:28with the heart to serve. Outside of

24:30work, Michelle has been there for me for

24:32many talks about motherhood, um, life as

24:35a wah, even a single mom in politics,

24:37navigating the political world, and best

24:39serving the community. Michelle or

24:41Senator Kadani retired from the Hawaii

24:43State Senate as the sitting Senate Vice

24:44President on June 30, 2026 and left a

24:47lasting legacy of principled leadership,

24:50financial pragmatism, and transformative

24:52public service on the Hawaii State

24:54Legislature as the primary introducer of

24:56many key legislative acts, a champion

24:58for education, and a fierce advocate for

25:00girls sports and schools. Be it resolved

25:03on behalf of the people of the city and

25:04county of Honolulu that this Honolulu

25:07City Council is proud to honor and

25:09celebrate Senator Michelle and Kadani's

25:11retirement after 18 years of dedicated

25:13public service to the people of Senate

25:15District 17 and 18. It is through your

25:18vision, compassion, and dedication to

25:20serving others that you have helped

25:22shape a stronger Hawaii that has left an

25:24enduring legacy that will continue to

25:26benefit our generations of Kei to come.

25:29Michelle, thank you for your mentorship,

25:31leadership, and fierce conviction to

25:33serve the community, but most

25:34importantly, your friendship. I wish you

25:36the best in your retirement, spending

25:38much time with your dogs and family. I

25:40hope you get to take more relaxing trips

25:41and even take a nap here or there.

25:43Mahalo for all that you've done.

27:46Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Our next

27:49recipient. Our next presentation

27:51recognizes Child and Family Service for

27:54its outstanding contributions to the

27:56community in honor of domestic violence

27:58awareness month. This presentation is

28:00made by council members Wy Toba and

28:02Tupola.

28:04>> Mahalo chair and aloha and good morning

28:06everyone. Um October is domestic

28:08violence awareness month, a time to

28:11honor survivors, raise awareness of the

28:13lasting impacts of domestic violence and

28:15recommmit as a community to supporting

28:18victims and ending cycles of abuse. In

28:21recognition of this month, the city

28:23council is proud to honor child and

28:25family services for your outstanding

28:27contributions in our community and it's

28:31my privilege to join with public safety

28:33committee chair Toba and vice chair

28:35Tupola in recognizing your work both

28:38pivotal to the west side but extending

28:40of course out into the entire state. And

28:43with us today we have Amanda Pump,

28:46President and CEO, Robert Boyak, Chief

28:49Program Officer, Roseanne Daniel

28:52Kanetake, program director, Kahikina Abu

28:57Loyan, program director, Ki Antonio,

29:01executive assistant, and of course, last

29:04but not least, Izzy, who's present on

29:06the floor over here. Um, since 1899,

29:11Child and Family Services has been

29:12dedicated to strengthening families and

29:15fostering the healthy development of our

29:17Kiki here in Hawaii. More than 125 years

29:21later, that mission still exists. CFS

29:24continues to help Hawaii's families

29:26confront some of life's most serious

29:28challenges, including poverty, abuse,

29:32and neglect. Having recently visited the

29:35CFS

29:36Eva campus, I was inspired by the

29:38humility and aloha of your entire team

29:42and your leadership

29:44in serving the communities that you

29:46serve. I now want to yield the floor to

29:48Council Member Toba.

29:49>> Thank you, Council Member Mattwire. Um,

29:52at the heart of Child and Family

29:54Services work is a commitment to helping

29:57individuals and families prevent and

29:59heal from trauma. CFS provides domestic

30:02violence intervention and prevention,

30:04child abuse and neglect prevention, and

30:08247 shelters and transitional housing.

30:12CFS also operates 24-hour domestic abuse

30:15and sexual assault helplines that are

30:18safe, confidential, free of charge, and

30:21available on all islands. For survivors

30:24and loved ones, these services are often

30:26the first step towards safety and a new

30:29beginning. At this time, I yield the

30:31floor to vice chair Tupola.

30:33>> Mahalo, council member Tolba. Child and

30:35family services serves the whole Ohana

30:38through 49 programs across four core

30:40areas. Caring for kei, empowering youth,

30:43healing from trauma, and honoring our

30:45kuna. Their care is compassionate and

30:48traumainformed, and it is adapted to be

30:50culturally re relevant to Hawaii's

30:53diverse communities. In fiscal year 26

30:55alone, CFS provided direct services for

30:57more than 16,000 people, touched the

31:00lives of 119,000 individuals statewide.

31:04That's impressive. That work is made

31:06possible by nearly 400 staff,

31:09partnerships with 164 community-based

31:11organizations across Oahu, Kauaii,

31:14Hawaii Island, Maui, Mokai, and Lanai. I

31:18now yield the floor back to Council

31:19Member Wire. Mahalo, Vice Chair Tupola.

31:22Child and Family Services reminds us

31:24that no one should have to face abuse

31:26alone and safety, healing, and hope are

31:29possible when a community comes together

31:31to support survivors. Uh may we continue

31:34to look for ways as a council to partner

31:37to support your work, particularly

31:38during times when we know so many of our

31:41families are struggling. Uh it's more

31:44important now than ever for us to be

31:46that partner and step up and into the

31:48game. So on behalf of the people of the

31:51city and county of Honolulu, the council

31:53proudly recognizes Child and Family

31:55Service in honor of domestic violence

31:57awareness month, but of course for all

31:58your work that you do every day. And we

32:01extend our deep appreciation for more

32:03than 125 years of strengthening Hawaii's

32:06families and for providing safety,

32:08healing, and hope to survivors of

32:11domestic violence and their loved ones.

32:12Mahalo.

32:44Thank you for your time.

32:46Thank you guys.

33:12stretch.

33:25That's enough.

33:40I know.

34:09Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Our next

34:11recipient, our next presentation

34:14recognizes the leaders behind Wipahu's

34:16Sports Legends Monument for ensuring the

34:19reestablishment of the Wipahu Sports

34:21Legends Monument at Hans Lange Baseball

34:23Park. This presentation is made by

34:26council member Tolba.

34:27>> All right. Today I want to recognize we

34:29have four people but five who did

34:31something very important for W Pahu.

34:33They brought history back and asak

34:36Asakura if you can raise your hand.

34:38Gharada

34:41uh Dennis Kodama and Grover Ishi came

34:44together to resurrect the Wahu sports

34:46legend monument at Hans Laurange Park.

34:48The original monument was dedicated in

34:501999 to honor 19 athletes, coaches, and

34:54community leaders. Over time, because of

34:56the wear and tear, it was

34:57decommissioned. But they did not believe

34:59that those stories should disappear.

35:01They researched, did the history, raised

35:03funds, and bought the monument back.

35:05They did more than restore a monument

35:07because of these 19 names are not just

35:09names on a wall that tell us who Wipahu

35:12was. And they remind us what Wahoo can

35:15become. The story begins with Hans

35:17Laurange. In 1924, he helped set aside

35:21plantation land for recreation. That

35:23land now is called Hans Laurange

35:25Neighborhood Park became a place where

35:27families gathered and where young people

35:29came to play sports, compete, and dream.

35:32And one of those young people was Henry

35:34Pence Ona. He grew up in W Pahu and went

35:38on from playing on a local field to

35:40becoming White Pahu's first major league

35:42baseball player. Then there was James

35:44Monise who became one of Hawaii's great

35:47endurance cyclists. In 1936, he

35:50completed a 106 mile race around Aahu in

35:54just 5 hours on a very basic bicycle.

35:57Only a Portuguese guy would be able to

35:59do that.

36:01His record stood for 40 years.

36:05Walter Goll, another Portuguese guy, was

36:09another remarkable athlete. He completed

36:11He competed in volleyball and distance

36:13running. Walter made the national news

36:15because he ran the Boston Marathon

36:18barefoot.

36:19Yeah. And finished 10 overall. Only one

36:21Portuguese guy would say no need shoes.

36:25And there's Wipu Boxing, Andy Ganigan,

36:28El Silva, the Yasui family, Jesus

36:31Salude. They helped build boxing

36:33tradition that produced champions and

36:35inspired generations. They inspired me.

36:38Andy Ganigan became known as the

36:40Hawaiian Punch, a fitting nickname for

36:42Wipahu fighter famous for the power he

36:45had in his fist. And that name became

36:47part of W Pahu's boxing legacy. Years

36:50later, a champion Jesus Salude, a

36:53teammate of mine, encouraged another

36:54Wahoo young boxer, Brian Valora, to

36:57carry the nickname the Hawaiian Punch.

36:59Think about that. One generation of

37:01Wipahu fighters inspiring the next and

37:04even passing along the name that

37:06represented the strength of the fighting

37:07spirit that became before them. Jesus

37:10Salude became world champion and later

37:12inspired Brian Valora who became a world

37:15champion and fought in Olympics. That is

37:17what community does. Someone believes in

37:20you uh before the rest of the world

37:23knows your name. That spirit runs

37:25through the uh this monument. TMI

37:27Arakawa, Mac Flores, Kenneth Kimura,

37:30Cats Kojima, Chris Monaco, uh Ricky

37:34Olmida, uh Brown Watabu, Masa Yonomina.

37:38Different sports, different generations,

37:40different stories, but they shared

37:42something important. They all came from

37:44W Pahu and many did more than compete.

37:47They coached, they taught, they

37:49mentored, opened doors for young people

37:51who came after them. Doc Nora, a perfect

37:54example, a physician who cared for

37:56generations of plantation families and

37:59co-founded the youth sports league with

38:00Po Jack Rabbits. Families and volunteers

38:03raised money, organized events, and made

38:05sure children had a team, a uniform, and

38:08a place to belong. That is the deepest

38:11story behind this monument.

38:13Championships are remembered in record

38:16books, but communities are built by

38:18people who show up. coaches, parents,

38:21teachers, neighbors, mentors, people who

38:23simply say you can do this. And that is

38:26why this monument matters because simply

38:29by saying their names out loud only

38:31remembering them for we want to remember

38:33them. That's not their names but their

38:35stories. We are remembering the lessons

38:37they taught us about perseverance,

38:39determination, grit, and getting back up

38:41no matter how hard you get knocked down.

38:44There's a quote from Terry Patchet that

38:46says, "A person lives as long as the as

38:49long as the last person who remembers

38:51them alive." That is the power of

38:54remembering. When we remember, we keep

38:56the stories alive. We give the next

38:58generation a connection to people who

39:01came before them. And we and we remind

39:04the young people that greatness can

39:06begin in their own neighborhood. Whether

39:09it's Wip Pahu, Khalihi, Wanai, Kaneoh,

39:13Haula, Wamalo, or even Palolo. Mahalo to

39:18a Gail, Deborah, Dennis, and Grover for

39:21bringing this important piece of W Pahu

39:24and the history home and for making sure

39:26these stories will continue to be told.

39:28Thank you.

39:33All

39:36right.

41:23Mr. Clerk, our next recipient. Our next

41:26presentation recognizes Long Neck's

41:28Awesome Next Robotics team on their

41:30outstanding achievements at the 2026

41:34First LEGO League World Championship.

41:37This presentation is made by Council

41:39Member Dosanto Stan.

41:40>> Thank you. The Long Necks Awesome Necks

41:43robotics team was founded as an

41:45independent homeschool robotics team on

41:47Aahu in 2022 to provide students with

41:49hands-on learning, engineering,

41:51programming, and STEM education,

41:53officially establishing 501c3 nonprofit

41:56status in 2024. And through dedicated

41:58teamwork, problem solving, and

42:00continuous robot design testing, the

42:02Long Necks won the Hawaii State

42:04Championship hosted by Hawaii First

42:06Robotics, earning the privilege to

42:08represent Hawaii on the international

42:09stage. From April 29th to May 2nd of

42:13this year, team members traveled to

42:14Houston, Texas to compete in the 2026

42:17First Lego League World Championship,

42:20competing among 160 other First Lego

42:23League Challenge teams and 40 explore

42:25teams from around the globe. The Long

42:27Necks stood out for their build, their

42:29engineering, and coding excellence,

42:31earning the prestigious Best Team Model

42:33Award. Throughout the international

42:36tournament, the Long Necks exemplified

42:37the spirit of Aloha by encouraging

42:39fellow competitors, celebrating other

42:41teams accomplishments, and building

42:42meaningful cross-cultural friendships.

42:45The success of the Long Necks

42:46demonstrates that students don't need to

42:48belong to a large or well-funded

42:49institution to achieve STEM excellence,

42:52inspiring other families across Hawaii

42:54to explore robotics, hands-on learning,

42:56and collaborative innovation. The Long

42:58Necks Awesome Necks Robotics team

43:00members and volunteers that attended the

43:02championship are team members Aaliyah

43:04Mer Boonkis, Felix OC Fuentes, Declan

43:09Buyers, Jackson Vance, and James Gray.

43:12We also have lead coaches Joyce Mer and

43:15Stephanie Urkus and team volunteers

43:18Michelle Fuentes, Jenny Buyers, Heidi

43:20Vance, and Fern Gray.

43:23So therefore, be it resolved that the

43:25Honolulu City Council on behalf of the

43:27people of the city and county of

43:28Honolulu recognizes and congratulates

43:30the Long Necks Awesome Next Robotics

43:32team for their extraordinary performance

43:34and best team model award at the 2026

43:36First Lego League World Championship

43:38with sincere words of gratitude for prof

43:41uh proudly representing Hawaii on the

43:43world stage with excellence,

43:44perseverance, and aloha. Thank you guys.

43:542.

44:25>> [music]

45:48>> Mr. Clerk, our next recipient.

45:50Our next presentation recognizes Aloha

45:52Festivals on the occasion of its

45:54historic 80th anniversary and

45:56recognizing his majesty the king Kona

46:00Kona Naona Sales and members of the 2026

46:03Aloha Festival's Royal Court. This

46:06presentation is made by yourself,

46:07Council Chair Waters, and council

46:09members do Santos Tam, Kia, Nishimura,

46:12and Tupola.

46:13>> Thank you. Today we recognize and

46:15congratulate Aloha Festivals on the

46:17occasion of its historic 80th

46:20anniversary. Their story begins in 1946

46:23when a visionary group known as the JC's

46:25Old-Timers of Hawaii sought to create a

46:28public celebration to honor Hawaii's

46:30heritage. They established Olo Week to

46:32perpetuate our unique traditions of

46:34music, dance, and history. Over at eight

46:38decades, their vibrant

46:40initiative blossomed into a statewide

46:43tradition, officially becoming Aloha

46:44Festivals in 1991 and cementing itself

46:48as the premier and largest Hawaiian

46:50cultural celebration in the entire

46:53United States. As a nonprofit or

46:55organization powered by thousands of

46:57dedicated volunteers, community

46:59sponsors, private donations, and the

47:02Hawaii Tourism Authority, Aloha

47:04Festivals brings together more than

47:06100,000 people each year. I now yield

47:09the floor to Council Member Nishimoto.

47:12Thank you, Chair Waters. Through the

47:14month of September 2026, timehonored

47:17signature events across Oahu celebrated

47:20under the guiding theme 80 years of

47:23aloha. Our culture, our stories,

47:26celebrating our island home. Events such

47:29as the royal court investature and the

47:32opening ceremony held at Wy Ki's Coconut

47:35Grove at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel and

47:38the Royal Grove at the Royal Hawaiian

47:40Center. the 72nd annual Wii Kiho Laa

47:45along Kalakawa Avenue and the grand

47:4978th annual floral parade filling

47:53Kalakawa Avenue with vibrant floats,

47:55marching bands, cultural groups and the

47:58traditional Pau equestrian riders. We

48:02extend our deepest gratitude to the

48:04leadership, board of directors,

48:06executive committee, and director

48:09Emeritus whose timeless dedication make

48:12this enduring legacy possible. Joining

48:14us today for the 80th anniversary

48:16presentation are Trevor Albarzua, the

48:20CEO of the Wiki Improvement Association,

48:25John Zurfus, the CEO of the Wiki

48:29Improvement Association,

48:31Monty Mcomer, the board member for the

48:36board member representative of the Aloha

48:38Fest Festivals.

48:41Thelma Khalani Cam, board member,

48:44representative of the Aloha Festivals. I

48:46now yield the floor to council member

48:49Kina.

48:50>> Thank you, Council Member Nishimoto. A

48:52central pillar of this enduring legacy

48:55is the Aloha Festival's royal court. For

48:5880 years, the royal court has

48:59exemplified the true meaning of aloha

49:02through the dedicated service of its all

49:04volunteer members who exercised their

49:06ancestral right to perpetuate Hawaii's

49:10vibrant cultural heritage. Be beginning

49:13in 1979 with key members, joining as

49:16high school students and building 47

49:20years of continuous leadership, the

49:22royal court has navigated decades of

49:24economic and political shifts. They have

49:27steadfastly upheld traditions that

49:30require a full court of 18 to 24

49:33Hawaiian descendants who volunteer their

49:35time to honor our historic past through

49:38proper etiquette, discipline, and the

49:40proud portrayal of Hawaiian nobility and

49:43ancestors. I now yield the floor to con

49:46council member Andrea Tupola.

49:52Today, under renewed cultural leadership

49:54and reinstated standards of honor, it's

49:56our distinct privilege to introduce the

49:59esteemed members of the 2026 Aloha

50:02Festival's Moane Kuna Salis Moahani

50:15ever to Allah.

50:22Blaine Kamalani Kia. I now yield the

50:25floor to council member Tyler Dos Santos

50:27Tam. So now therefore, the Honolulu City

50:30Council expresses its deepest gratitude

50:32to the leaders, volunteers, and royal

50:34court members who have laid the

50:35foundation of mutual regard, respect,

50:38and affection across the Hawaiian

50:40Islands. We officially recognize and

50:42congratulate Aloha Festivals in the

50:43Royal Court for decades of extraordinary

50:46volunteer service in preserving Hawaiian

50:48nobility and heritage. On behalf of the

50:50city and county of Honolulu, we extend

50:52our warmest aloha and best wishes for

50:54continued success in all of your future

50:57endeavors. Mah mahalo nua and

50:59congratulations.

51:02[applause and cheering]

51:17Hey.

51:52Hello.

51:59Hello.

53:45Thank you, Mr. Clerk. Our next

53:48recipient. Our final presentation

53:50recognizes Diamond Bakery on the

53:52occasion of its 105th anniversary. This

53:55presentation is made by Council Member

53:57Cordero.

53:58>> Aloha, everyone, colleagues, and

54:00community. It is my great honor today to

54:03recognize a truly beloved Hawaii

54:06institution, Diamond Bakery, as it

54:08celebrates an incredible 105 years this

54:12month. Today we not only celebrate the

54:15105 years of business but the

54:17generations from the founders, the

54:20family members, employees are who are

54:22just like family already. Partners and

54:25supporters just like all of us who have

54:27helped make Diamond Bakery an enduring

54:30part of Havaii's culture, cultural, and

54:33culinary heritage. Also, I think I'm one

54:35of their top fans on social media,

54:37always liking and commenting. So, I'm a

54:40self-proclaimed top fan of Diamond

54:42Bakeries. In our chamber today, I would

54:44like to welcome the following members of

54:46the Diamond Bakery, ohana. Uh, you may

54:50recognize our fire commissioner, Boj

54:52Gera, who is also president. We also

54:54have Jackie Mariah Peterson, director of

54:57development and strategic incentives. We

55:00have Beth Parker, director of

55:02accounting, as well as Jenny Parker,

55:05controller, and Darren Nakagawa, senior

55:07brand manager. Thank you all for being

55:10here and for representing Diamond Bakery

55:12on this special occasion. Diamond

55:14Bakery's story began in 1921 with three

55:18immigrants from Japan, Hidoro Muray,

55:21Kiku Kikut Hiroya and Natsu Natsumo Mur

55:25Natsumoto who shared a vision to create

55:28Havaii's first bakery dedicated to

55:30producing quality locallymade crackers.

55:34Named after our iconic Diamond Head,

55:36Diamond Bakery grew from that vision

55:39into a beloved Havaii institution. For

55:41generations, his crackers and cookies

55:43have been a part of our families, our

55:46celebrations, our lunches, and so many

55:49everyday memories. And I got to say

55:50during my time on the council, many part

55:53of my conferences and makes me very

55:55popular at at those trips, especially

55:58when I bring them on the plane and share

55:59them with our our flight crew. But

56:02Diamond Bakery represents so much more

56:04than the products it makes. For 105

56:07years, it has embodied the values of

56:08hard work, family, quality, innovation,

56:12and aloha. Honoring its traditions while

56:15continuing to grow and share Hawaii made

56:17products not only here at home in the

56:18islands, but throughout the rest of the

56:21US, Japan, Pacific, and beyond. Just as

56:24important as their core values, Diamond

56:26Bakery has remained committed to giving

56:28back to the community through charitable

56:31giving, partnerships, fundraising, and

56:33support for organizations serving

56:36education, health, environment, and our

56:38local communities. And they are right

56:40here in Kalihi as well. So, shout out

56:43Kalihi.

56:44So on behalf of the Honolulu City

56:46Council and the people of the city and

56:49county of Honolulu, I proudly recognize

56:51and celebrate Diamond Bakery's 105th

56:54anniversary and express sincere

56:57appreciation for all that Diamond Bakery

56:59has contributed to Havaii and to

57:02communities around the world.

57:03Congratulations to the entire Diamond

57:05Bakery Ohana on the years of enduring

57:08collective um enduring excellence,

57:10tradition, and aloha. And here's your

57:12next millennium plus. and with of course

57:14many more Diamond Bakery crackers and

57:16cookies for all of us to share and

57:18enjoy. Mahalo and congratulations

58:57This concludes our honorary certificate

58:59program. Mahalo again to the Royal

59:01Hawaiian Band Glee Club Grant Kono Klay

59:04Stern and Maui Namoy. Mahalo you guys.

59:12Members, let's take a five minute break.

59:14Five minute break.