And Laamea Polaka from the Royal Hawaiian Band Fleet Club.

Mahalo, you guys.

Thank you all for being here.

The City Council's honorary certificate program honors and acknowledges those individuals and groups who have made an impact in our local, national, and international communities.

Mr.

Clerk, our first recipient.

Good morning, Mr.

Chair, Council members, and the public joining us.

Our first presentation honors Malama Mauna on the occasion of its 20th anniversary.

This presentation is made by yourself, Council Chair Waters.

Thank you.

The Honolul City Council is thrilled to honor and recognize Ma Lama Mauna on its 20th anniversary, serving as stewards of Mauna Lua Bay.

I'm pleased to welcome the following representatives of Ma Lama Mauna who have joined us this morning.

Doug Harper, Executive Director.

Dan Arensibil, Project Manager.

Laura Bales, Education and Outreach Coordinator.

Alex Awo, Director of Habitat Restoration Programs, Amy Monk, Chair of the Board.

Brooke Barrington Pruder, Maulama Mauna Lua board member, Jacob Aki and Jennifer Bowers.

As an island community, the oceans are of critical cultural and ecological importance to us.

And it is important, and it is our collective Kuleana to protect them for future generations.

Founded in 2005, Malama Maunolua began their mission with a vision to restore the health and abundance of Mauna Bay through innovative, inclusive, and culturally grounded practices and community driven marine conservation.

Over the past 20 years, the organization has brought together more than 46,000 volunteers from all walks of life, all united by a shared love for the day.

Together, those volunteers have removed more than four million pounds of evasive algae.

That's amazing.

Of course, removing the invasive algae helps to restore health, balance, and vibrance and create a healthier condition for coral fish and native plants.

Maulama Mauna also protects the entire Ahupoa by helping to care for 10 watersheds that feed into Mauna Bay, addressing land-based pollution and runoff to protect the area from the mountains to the sea.

Earlier this year, they helped establish Mauna Bay as a fisheries management area, supporting traditional fishing practices while ensuring the long-term sustainability of local marine life.

Now, therefore, be it resolved.

The council further extends its warmest congratulations and best wishes for continued success, growth, and lasting impact for years ahead.

So, Mahalo to you folks, and congratulations, Mr.

Clerk, our next recipient.

Our next presentation recognizes Shirley Date and Catherine Nakakura on the 50th anniversary of their successful kidney transplant.

This presentation is made by Councilmembers Cordero and Nishimoto.

Aloha everyone, members, family, community.

I am honored, along with Councilmember Nishimoto, to recognize two remarkable sisters.

We have Shirley, Shirley Date and Catherine or Kate Nakakura for celebrating their 50th anniversary of their successful kidney transplant.

I also would like to welcome their family members and loved one who are all here to support them as they've done from the very beginning.

They reached a milestone that beautifully portrays the power of love, faith, family, and medical progress.

In 1973, Shirley faced a life-threatening kidney failure while stationed with her husband, Colonel Kenneth Date and their two young sons in Colorado Springs.

As a family, they made the difficult decision to have Shirley's dialysis treatments at home.

The family's incredible resilience and teamwork was evident as they adapted to a new way of life that required the support of every family member.

And I definitely understand how that is like for someone to go through dialysis every single day.

Even Tom, who was only nine years old, learned how to assist with a complex dialysis machine.

Shirley and Kate's story is a testament to enduring strength of sisterhood, faith, and human spirit.

Their journey inspires us all to cherish our loved ones and embrace life with gratitude and aloha.

On behalf of the Honolulu City Council, it is my honor and I'm so proud to honor both Shirley Date and Catherine Kate Nakakura for this extraordinary milestone, and I extend our warmest congratulations to their families.

And with that, I yield the floor to Councilmember Scott Nishimoto.

Thank you, Member Cordero.

I'm honored to join in recognizing Shirley Date and Catherine Kate Nakakura on the 50th anniversary of their kidney transplant.

This celebration holds special meaning for me because Shirley is the grandmother of my chief of staff, Taylor Date, who's right there.

And Grandma, you should be very proud of your granddaughter Tani Tay.

She's doing an excellent job here at the council.

Joining Shirley and Kate here in the council chamber today are the Date and Nakakura families.

If they could wave and be recognized.

Two years after Shirley's diagnosis, her family's perseverance and hope led to a life-changing moment when Catherine was found to be a perfect donor match.

Catherine made the courageous decision to give her sister one of her kidneys.

The transplant took place at St.

Francis Medical Center in 19 in 1975.

And while doctors initially expected it would give Shirley about six more years, here we are five decades later, celebrating their continued health and vitality.

This makes Shirley and Catherine one of the oldest living transplant donor pairs in Hawaii.