Christmas.

Melee Kaleiki Makaya.

Aloha.

And good morning.

Thank you all for being here.

How about a quick round of applause for the Royal Hawaiian Band Glee Club?

Mahalo, you guys.

The City Council's honor 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 our guests.

Our first presentation recognizes Hale Kuike on 20 years as a trusted and compassionate leader in Hawaii's elder care community.

This presentation is made by Councilmember Dosantos Tam and Kia Aina.

Thank you, Chair.

Hale Kuike was founded in 2005 by David Fitzgerald, Craig Waltz, and Steve Marlett, inspired by David's deep connection to his grandparents and supported by his decade of experience as administrator at Pohainani's skilled nursing facility, enhanced by his visits to 20 Scandinavian facilities that informed innovative care practices.

Joining us today from Hale Kuike is a fairly large group.

We have President David Fitzgerald, Dorothy Colby, Director of Community Engagement, Marcus Asahina, Nuanu Administrator and VP of Operations, Jessica Marcesi, Newanu Director of Nursing, Christina Domingo, Newanu Nursing Coordinator, Rihanna Minatoya, Newanu Activities Director, Scott Gardner, Bayside Administrator, Beth Murphy, Bayside Director of Nursing, Ralph Manuel, Bayside Nursing Coordinator, Rina Kuah, Bayside Activities Director, Imelda Vilia, Pali Administrator and VP of Operations, Joy Mikua, Pali Nursing Coordinator, Brianna Block, Pali Activities Director, Kat Knudsen, Pully Kitchen Manager, Chad Barra, Head Chef, and Chelsea Ho.

From its inception, Hale Kuike has been guided by the mission to provide a compassionate home that honors dignity, respect, and personalized support for those living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, integrating progressive care and innovative design with the warmth of Aloha.

Hale Kuike Nuanu opened in 2005 with a capacity of 26 residents, becoming the organization's first memory care home, pioneering a groundbreaking single-level design that fostered safety, independence, and social interaction for Hawaii's elders.

Hale Kwike Nuanu has continued to elevate the standard of dementia care by providing personalized attention, innovative programming, and an environment of dignity and aloha, ensuring residents feel at home while receiving the highest quality of care.

Hale Kuike Bayside opened in 2012 in Kanyohe with capacity for 28 residents, offering an innovative two-story design that created small neighborhood settings with secure gardens, country kitchens, and lanai areas that encourage fellowship and comfort.

Its programs ranging from fine cuisine rooted in fresh ingredients and familiar flavors to diverse activities, including Tai Chi music therapy and aromatherapy to secure healing gardens designed for safety and reflection, embody the organization's holistic approach to memory care.

It has extinguished itself, it has distinguished itself through round-the-clock dementia care, comprehensive staff training, personalized engagement, and a philosophy of honoring resident strengths, fostering meaningful relationship that enhance quality of life.

I now yield the floor back to Councilmember Dosensis Tem.

In 2023, Hale Kuike was honored as the highest ranking positive approach to care organization.

And in 2024, expanded its roster of certified trainers and coaches across all three locations, further elevating staff skills and strengthening its standard of dementia care.

So now, therefore, be it resolved that the Honolulu City Council on behalf of the people of the city and county of Honolulu recognizes and congratulates Haleikuike as a trusted and compassionate leader in Hawai'i's elder care community, serving with respect, understanding and innovation that honors both residents and the broader community.

And the council extends its warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success in all their future endeavors.

So Mahalo, Mr.

Clerk, our next recipient.

Our next presentation honors Josephine Carrera for her dedication to preserving Portuguese culture in Hawaii.

This presentation is made by Councilmember Dos Santos Tem.

Today we honor Josephine Carrera for outstanding dedication to preserving Portuguese culture in Hawaii and for more than 50 years of teaching Portuguese dance.

She's joined today by her son Stanley and daughter Cynthia, as well as her friends, Willetta Cento, and Evelyn Starkey.

Josephine, the daughter of Joseph and Caroline Gomes, was born in the back of Paoa Valley, growing up in a large Portuguese family with one brother and seven sisters and attended Pa'oa Elementary, Kwana Nicola Intermediate, and Roosevelt High School.

In 1953, Josephine Gomes married Victor Carrera, the love of her life for over 50 years, together raising three children, David, born on Christmas Day, followed by Stanley and Cynthia.

Through her daughter Cynthia's involvement in a Portuguese dance group, Josephine discovered her passion for perpetuating Portuguese culture in the Hawaiian Islands, sharing her musical talent by playing the ukulele and singing, which drove her determination to incorporate traditional Portuguese music into performances, where Josephine taught herself to sing in Portuguese by ear, mastering the emotional art of Fado, and eventually becoming the only performing Portuguese photo singer in the state of Hawaii.

Josephine is entertainment chair for the annual Portuguese festas.

She served as master of ceremonies, choreographer, and seamstress, sewing costumes for the dancers while sharing her love of Portuguese music and performance.

Josephine and her daughter Cynthia have presented cultural demonstrations and educational programs across the islands, performing in nursing homes, community centers, elementary schools, and even at the Oahu Community Correctional Center, where they've inspired audiences through storytelling and music.

In 1977, Josephine represented Hawai'i abroad, traveling with the Comoish players to seven cities across Portugal for a cultural exchange, performing Hawaiian music, hula, and traditional instruments to enthusiastic audiences, and she later represented the Portuguese community of Hawaii at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., where she showcased Portuguese music, dance, and traditions alongside other ethnic groups from the islands.

Since 1975, Josephine has remained an active member of the Comoish players, participating in over 50 annual events, performing in lead roles, and ensuring the continued vitality of Portuguese culture through the arts.

And at age 65, Josephine joined the Pearl Harbor Performing Arts Group and later the Spectaculars, dancing and entertaining and senior performances.

And at age 69, she proudly represented Hawaii at the Miss Senior America pageant in Las Vegas, earning two trophies, including the title of Miss Congeniality.

Through her lifetime of service, performance, and mentorship, Josephine Carrera has inspired generations by preserving and sharing the music, language, and spirit of Portugal with the people of Hawaii.

So therefore, be it resolved that the Honolulu City Council on behalf of the people of the city and county of Honolulu recognizes and congratulates Josephine Carrera and expresses heartfelt gratitude for her lifelong dedication to perpetuating Portuguese culture through music, dance, and community service.

And we wish her the very best in all of her future endeavors.

Amazing.

Thank you.

Superblock Honolulu was founded by three dedicated industry leaders, Dwayne Comine, Ronald Comine Jr., and Davey Felipe.

Their goal was to strengthen collaboration, raise professional standards, and support the managers and teams who care for thousands of residents across our urban core.

Since then, this initiative has grown into a respected network of more than 50 general managers, resident managers, and hospitality professionals.

Their work has elevated the culture of property management across the Alawana and Kakaako district and throughout our city.

What makes Superblock Honolulu stand out is the way this group leads with Aloha.

Their focus on sharing learning, mentorship, and community responsibility has helped shift building management from reactive oversight to proactive service centered leadership.

Through their regular strategy sessions, roundtables, and emergency preparedness discussions, they have made our high-rise communities safer, stronger, and more connected.

The impact of this group extends nationwide.

Hawaii has produced three national recipients of the Manager of the Year Award.

These achievements reflect a longstanding culture of excellence that Superblock Honolulu has helped cultivate for more than two decades.