Honolulu City Council Honorary Certificate Presentations – November 5, 2025
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Honolulu City Council Honorary Certificate Presentations – November 5, 2025
The Honolulu City Council convened on November 5, 2025, to present honorary certificates to individuals and organizations for their contributions to the community. The council recognized six recipients, including environmental stewards, medical pioneers, sports legends, healthcare providers, a veteran, a legal center, and a university.
Malama Maunalua – 20th Anniversary
- Council Chair Waters presented the first honorary certificate to Malama Maunalua, an organization founded in 2005 dedicated to restoring the health of Maunalua Bay. Over 20 years, the organization has mobilized more than 46,000 volunteers who removed over 4 million pounds of invasive algae. The organization also protects 10 watersheds and helped establish Maunalua Bay as a fisheries management area in 2025. Representatives including Executive Director Doug Harper and others were present.
Shirley Date and Catherine Nakakura – 50th Anniversary of Kidney Transplant
- Councilmembers Cordero and Nishimoto recognized sisters Shirley Date and Catherine Nakakura for the 50th anniversary of a successful kidney transplant performed in 1975 at St. Francis Medical Center. Shirley faced kidney failure in 1973 while stationed in Colorado Springs. Catherine was found to be a perfect donor match. The transplant was expected to provide six years of life but has now lasted five decades, making them one of the oldest living transplant donor pairs in Hawaii. Councilmember Nishimoto noted that Shirley is the grandmother of his chief of staff, Taylor Date.
Mike Lum – 80th Birthday
- Councilmember Nishimoto honored Mr. Mike Lum on his 80th birthday. Born in Honolulu and a graduate of Roosevelt High School, Lum made his MLB debut in 1967 with the Atlanta Braves. He played 15 seasons, appeared in over 1,500 games, hit 90 home runs, and won the World Series with the Cincinnati Reds in 1976 and as a hitting coach with the Chicago White Sox. He also played in Japan. Lum was the first American of Japanese descent to play in the major leagues and was inducted into the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.
Hawaii Pacific Health Straub Benioff Medical Center – Mililani Clinic Grand Opening
- A councilmember (likely from the district) introduced the Hawaii Pacific Health team, celebrating the August 26, 2025 grand opening of the new Mililani clinic. The clinic is approximately 24,000 square feet with 55 exam rooms, the largest Straub Benioff neighborhood clinic in the islands. It provides a wide range of medical resources to central Oahu. The council recognized the clinic's personnel for their compassionate care and commitment to healthier communities.
Seejun Park – Lifelong Service to Country and Community
- Councilmember Wire honored Mr. Seejun Park, who joined remotely. Park served in the U.S. military and later worked as a tour guide and car dealer. He cared for elderly relatives and raised two children on his own. Due to immigration enforcement policies, he self-deported to South Korea but continues to work toward reuniting with his family and returning to Hawaii. The council recognized his service and courage.
Kahuliau Center for Excellence in Native Hawaiian Law – 20th Anniversary
- Councilmember Kia Aina recognized the Kahuliau Center at the William S. Richardson School of Law. The center promotes education, scholarship, and community advocacy on Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Indigenous issues. It produces the only published treatise on Native Hawaiian law and provides legal primers. The council congratulated the center on its 20th anniversary and its commitment to education and justice.
Hawaii Pacific University – 60th Anniversary
- Councilmember Dos Santos TAM, joining remotely, presented the final honorary certificate to Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) on its 60th anniversary. Founded in 1965 by four community visionaries, HPU has grown to nearly 8,000 students from all 50 states and over 50 nations. It evolved from Hawaii Pacific College to Hawaii Pacific University in 1990. Notable achievements include the Oceanic Institute, a partnership for a Mandarin MBA, and a new graduate health science facility in Las Vegas. Enrollment has increased over 50% in six years, and graduate studies have expanded nearly fourfold. The council celebrated HPU's milestone and academic innovation.
Key Outcomes
- The council adopted honorary certificates for all six recipients with unanimous support. No formal votes were recorded, but each presentation was accepted by the council.
Meeting Transcript
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.
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