News briefs for Aug. 2: Disaster case referrals, paid leave, academic honors, Feehan tribute and more

Vibrant Hawaiʻi receives nearly 900 disaster case management referrals from March kona low storms

Nonprofit Vibrant Hawaiʻi on July 27 received nearly 900 disaster case management referrals from the state involving households requesting Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance following the March kona low storms. The organization is now in the process of contacting each household to determine their interest in receiving disaster case management services after several months passed since the storms.

Disaster case management helps households identify unmet needs, understand available resources, develop a recovery plan and connect with government, nonprofit and community-based assistance. Participation is voluntary, and receiving disaster case management does not guarantee financial assistance or eligibility for a particular program.

Vibrant Hawaiʻi asks those who received a text message from 808-900-0256 or email from contact@vibranthawaii.org to respond promptly so staff can prioritize households that continue to need support. Those who requested federal assistance and think their case could be among those referred can call or text Vibrant Hawaiʻi at 801-317-8448 or email to navigator@vibranthawaii.org.

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Application period open for Kupu ʻĀina Corps, Conservation Leadership Development Program

Kupu, Hawai‘i’s leading conservation and youth education organization, announces that the application period is now open for its Conservation Leadership Development Program and Kupu ʻĀina Corps. Recent high school graduates, college graduates and young professionals looking to establish a career in conservation are strongly encouraged to apply by the Sept. 12 deadline.

Kupu also welcomes host site applications from nonprofit organizations, government agencies and sustainability-focused businesses interested in being a host site.

Participants selected for both programs serve at a host site organization, learning and gaining hands-on experience alongside experts in the field. Kupu’s extensive network of partner sites offers exposure to the fields of native species conservation, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, wildfire prevention, Native Hawaiian cultural stewardship, environmental education and more.

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Schatz, colleagues introduce legislation to provide paid family, medical leave for federal employees

Hawai‘i U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz led a group of 8 senators introducing the Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act, legislation to expand federal paid leave to include 12 weeks of family and medical leave.

Studies show that providing paid leave for federal employees would save the government at least $50 million annually in turnover and replacement costs. With federal agencies struggling to recruit and retain young talent, the Democrat and his colleagues say family-friendly policies are necessary to maintain a robust workforce. Just 6% of the federal workforce is younger than 30 years old, while roughly 40% of the workforce is eligible to retire within the next 3 years.

Family and medical leave continues to be unpaid for federal employees while parental leave is paid because of the passage in 2019 of Schatz’s Federal Employee Paid Leave Act. The proposed Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act would guarantee 12 weeks of paid family leave for federal employees in all instances covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act.

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Longtime healthcare leader joins Easterseals Hawai‘i

Easterseals Hawai‘i named Kirsten Pennaz as its new vice president of programs. Pennaz brings more than 25 years of healthcare leadership experience and a deep commitment to expanding access to quality care. She will oversee programs that support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout the islands and their families.

Her understanding about Hawai‘i’s healthcare landscape will be invaluable as demand for disability services continues to grow.

Pennaz’s professional experience includes working with Hawaiʻi Pacific Health Medical Group and Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children in Honolulu. She also is an active community leader, serving on the board of HUGS, a nonprofit organization that supports seriously ill children and their families, and volunteering with Girl Scouts Hawai‘i and Diamond Head Theatre. She is also a fellow of American College of Healthcare Executives, serving on the board of its Hawaiʻi Pacific Chapter.

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University of Hawai‘i at Hilo women’s golf ranks No. 23 nationally in team grade-point average

University of Hawai‘i at Hilo women’s golf received 2025-26 Women’s Golf Coaches Association All-Scholar Team GPA Award honors, ranking No. 23 among all NCAA Division II programs with at least a 3.681 grade-point average.

The 2025-26 Pacific West Conference Champions also finished No. 23 in last year’s rankings and were the lone PacWest Conference team to land within this year’s top 25. The award recognizes women’s collegiate golf programs with the highest collective average team grade-point average spanning all NCAA divisions, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and National Junior College Athletic Association classifications.

It was a banner academic year for the program under 22nd-year head coach Jim DeMello. Five Vulcans previously earned Women’s Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar honors for posting a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 or higher while the entire team was named to the Academic All-PacWest Team. Women’s Golf was also named a Ramon Goya Academic Team of the Year.

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Schatz takes to US Senate floor to pay tribute to Hawai‘i man killed in action — 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan

Hawai’i U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz recently took to the U.S. Senate floor to pay tribute to 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan of ‘Ewa Beach, O‘ahu, who was killed in action July 18 at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan.

“I am heartbroken on behalf of everybody in Hawai‘i and everybody across this country about the death of 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan … who was among those killed in Jordan … while serving our country,” said the Democrat in his floor remarks.

Schatz added that Feehan’s courage, dedication and unwavering commitment to duty reflect the very best of the U.S. Armed Forces. He also extended his deepest condolences to Feehan’s family, loved ones and fellow service members.