By The Way...

Students recently completed Bishop Museum’s inaugural Na Kumu Hula workshop on Friday, May 21. The three-day hula workshop was led by world-renowned Kumu Hula Blaine Kamalani Kia. Students received certificates of accomplishment, acknowledging that they learned mo’olelo (the act of telling stories surrounding the hula number), e hula mai (the teaching of hula basics) and ho’opuka (the implementation of choreographed dance), among other skills. Participants performed mele, chant and hula at a celebratory Ho’Ike. In the photo are (front row, l to r) Yoshiko Ito, Hiilani Shibata, Mina Kawasaki, Rie Kogure (back row, l-r) Kainoa (assistant to Blaine Kia), Lei Kaneakua, Emi Nakai, Kumu Blaine Kamalani Kia, Inger Gram, Nalani (assistant to Blaine Kia). Missing in the image is Miyuki Seto.

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Arcadia Retirement Residence, Hawaii’s only accredited continuing care community, has received the final installment of a $20,000 grant from the First Hawaiian Foundation, the charitable arm of the First Hawaiian Bank. As a result of this grant, Arcadia has been able to fund community organizations and programs that provide general assistance, meals and housing for Hawaii seniors.

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Coldwell Banker Pacific Properties announced that Gerry Tomonari has been promoted to the newly created position of senior vice president - development. She was most recently vice president - operations. In this new position, Tomonari will continue to oversee human resources and staff development, internal launch of new initiatives and policy development. Additional duties include the enhancement of quality and processes and the development of new business opportunities. Tomonari has 17 years of real estate experience and holds a bachelor of science degree from the University of Hawaii and a master of speech pathology and audiology degree from the University of Washington.

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The Queen’s Medical Center recently announced a $2.5 million dollar endowment from The Queen Emma Foundation to expand the Queen Emma Nursing Institute. Over a 5-year period, $500,000 a year will be funded to the Queen Emma Nursing Institute to develop initiatives in professional nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research. Expansion of the Institute will allow development of sustainable strategies to provide a highly educated and competent nursing workforce, both for the present and the future.

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Dr. Patricia Lange-Otsuka, Associate Professor of Nursing in the School of Nursing at Hawaii Pacific University, was appointed associate dean of nursing for administration, effective July 12. In addition to teaching, Dr. Lange-Otsuka is the graduate program chair in the School of Nursing and serves as an item writer for the National Council Licensure Examination. For the past three years, she held the position of chair of the HPU Faculty Assembly. Licensed as an advanced-practice registered nurse, Dr. Lange-Otsuka is certified as a community health clinical nurse specialist. Her nursing career includes work as a consultant, nursing supervisor, and primary care nurse.

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The Island Insurance Foundation presented its first annual Excellence in School Leadership Award of $25,000 to Waipahu High School Principal Patricia A. Pedersen at the annual Public Schools Foundation dinner last month. The award, named in honor of the late Masayuki Tokioka, founder of Island Insurance Company Ltd., is presented to a public school principal who is a visionary, community-minded and has an entrepreneurial spirit — qualities of leadership that Tokioka exemplified in his own company and in the business community. Pedersen received a $10,000 cash award and an additional $15,000 for a school project of her choice. The Island Insurance Foundation also presented an award to the top two semi-finalists, Principal Gail H. Awakuni of James Campbell High School and Principal Michael M. Nakano of Lahainaluna High School. Both principals received a $2,000 cash award. In the picture are (l-r), Department of Education Superintendent
Pat Hamamoto; Awakuni; Pedersen; Nakano; and representing the Island Insurance Foundation, Tyler Tokioka.

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In response to the need for teaching materials in Pacific languages, Pacific Resources for Education and Learning has partnered with Bess Press to publish Island Alphabet Books in nine Pacific languages and English. Each hardcover book contains the complete alphabet for the language, four or five examples for each letter and a word list with English translations.

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Four members of United States Pony Club, Hawaii Region will be traveling to Kentucky later this month to compete and perform at the Pony Club Festival. The club members, Kelly Reeves, Kayla Fitzgerald, Lauren Milotta and Dana Ishii, are in the process of raising money to help cover traveling expenses for their trip. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, please contact Dena Fitzgerald at 638-7801 or Sandy Milotta at 637-3087.