News briefs for Sept. 2: AEDs installed, Keauhou Community Day, strengthening bilateral ties and nearly $30M coming to state
Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services installs 162 automated external defibrillators at facilities
Hawaiʻi Department of Accounting and General Services installed 162 automated external defibrillators in most of the facilities it owns throughout the state and 920 state employees were trained to use them and perform CPR under Hawaiʻi Heart Foundation’s Common Sense CPR Program.
The defibrillators cost about $250,000, which the department used federal coronavirus pandemic relief funding to purchase them. Installation was completed during the past 7 months. AED Institute is also providing 1 year of maintenance. There are 120 units on Oʻahu, 21 on the Big Island, 9 each on Maui and Kauaʻi and 3 on Molokaʻi.
AED Institute President and owner Pam Foster said her firm has seen firsthand how access to the automatic defibrillators saves lives. Survival rates at the state’s airports when sudden cardiac arrest happens increased to more than 70% after the machines were installed. AED Institute is proud to work with the state to help make its facilities safer for employees and the public.
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4th annual Keauhou Community Day to once again honor culture, mālama ʻāina
Volunteers and families of all ages are invited to once again come together Sept. 26 to mālama ʻāina, honor Keauhou’s cultural heritage and care for the wahi kūpuna as well as natural resources that connect generations to the special place. The event combines hands-on stewardship, cultural learning and a community pāʻina. Participants also will learn about the history and significance of Keauhou.
Activities are planned for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. that Saturday. Those who want to attend can meet at Ka‘ili‘ilinehe Park at Keauhou Bay and Keauhou Shopping Center. Former Miss Kona Coffee and Miss Hawai‘i Island Shyla Victor will lead a cleanup along sections of Ali‘i Highway, while Kamehameha’s ʻĀina Pauahi team will lead stewardship efforts at culturally significant sites, including Kamehameha III’s birthplace, Mo‘ikeha Cave, He‘eia Bay and Ka‘ili‘ilinehe Park.
The day concludes with a community pāʻina featuring food, live music, entertainment and keiki activities, providing an opportunity for participants and families to celebrate the day’s work and enjoy time together. Community members are encouraged to register by Sept. 18 at the Keauhou Shopping Center website.
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‘Hawai‘i and Philippines: Strengthening Bilateral Ties via Education, Social Services and Cultural Values’
Community members are invited the by Hawai‘i Philippines Business Economic Council to attend a summer event that explores differences and similarities in delivery of services — educational, social or humanitarian services — in Hawai‘i vs. the Philippines during several upcoming discussions. Another thread of discussion is preparations for Filipino teachers as they anticipate returning home once their teaching visa ends, as well as other U.S. visa options for extension.
The session will be streamed live on YouTube and feature speakers including Consuelo Foundation Chief Executive Officer and President Greg Auberry, Big Island Filipino Chamber of Commerce President Rose Bautista, Lānaʻi High & Elementary School English language arts teacher Jerico Jaramillo and representative for international teacher exchange and recruitment organization Teacher Lounge Prince Bermejo.
Sessions started Sept. 1 and continue today (Sept. 2). Session No. 2 is from the Philippines point of view and set to begin at 4 p.m. Find additional information and register here.
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US Education Department to deliver nearly $30 million to Hawai‘i this week
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, a Hawai‘i Democrat, and U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon reached an agreement for the department to finalize an extension for for another year of full funding for the Native Hawaiian Education Program, awarding $29.7 million of the funding, which is set to arrive in Hawai‘i by the end of this week.
Remaining funds from the extension agreement are expected to be released within the coming weeks. Federal funding for the Native Hawaiian Education Program supports more than 60 early childhood education sites throughout the state and sustains other critical education programs, including home visits for children younger than 5 years old, workforce development for parents and Hawaiian language immersion programs. The programs serve more than 3,000 Hawai‘i families.
The agreement follows threats throughout the federal government to cut Native Hawaiian programs. Schatz, as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is leading efforts to protect funding for Hawai‘i.
