Aloha and good morning, everyone.

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 and Council members.

Our first presentation recognizes Matt Taufete and First Life After Prison for their unwavering dedication to empowering former inmates to start a new life, stay on the right path, and positively contribute to society.

This presentation is made by Councilmember Tauba.

Thank you.

Good morning, everybody.

Today we honor a man of courage, fate, and second chances.

Today we honor Matt Tafate.

Brother Matt and his organization founded 24 years ago, first lap or life after prison.

We also want to welcome board members Diana Spina, please raise your hand.

Brothers Matt's story is not easy.

He faced hardships, he made mistakes, he carried loss, guilt, and grief.

But in his darkest moment, he found light.

He found faith, he found purpose.

And instead of giving up, he gave back.

On January 10th, 20 uh 2002, he founded first lap, not for himself, but for others, for men leaving prison, for men trying again, for men searching for hope.

First lap provides structure, guidance, and a path forward, helping man rebuild their lives and dignity.

More than 1,000 men have come through his doors.

More than 1,000 lives change.

More than 1,000 second chances.

This is more than a program.

It's hope in action.

Brother Matt continues his work in prisons with youth and across our community, driven and not fun uh but not funded, but by fate.

His message is simple and powerful.

No one is beyond saving.

No one is beyond love.

No one is beyond a second chance.

So today the city council is proud to honor you, Brother Matt.

And I want to thank you and your team for helping me and my community walk and as well clean ups in Aniani.

And hopefully, you know, your example will lead to other people in the neighborhood, you know, making steps and bounds to keeping the area clean and safe for not only themselves but the children in the community.

So thank you for your courage.

Thank you for your faith, and thank you for lifting others up when uh we could have stayed down.

Everybody, Matt Tafote and his team.

Our next presentation honors the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials for recognizing this month as March for Water Month.

This presentation is made by yourself, Council Chair Waters.

Thank you.

The homeless city council is pleased to recognize March 2026 as March for Water Month in the city and county of Honolulu and expresses its sincere appreciation for the dedicated professionals who work every day to safeguard our water systems and protect public health.

Joining us in Council Chambers this morning are members of the Plumbers and Fitters Union, Local 675, Samuel Barrett, Junior, manager, business manager, and treasurer.

Matt Brady, President, Benji Panis, Vice President, Kiko Bukowski, Director of External Affairs, Ernie Lau, Chief Engineer of the Home Board of Water Supply.

Also President, Chad Kami Boyashi, and Shung Man Wong.

Mohalo for being here with us today.

While so much of your hard work happens behind the scenes, the important work that you do is essential for the well-being of our entire community, sustaining life, safeguarding public health, and supporting the economic vitality and environmental health of the city and county of Honolulu.

Across our state and nation, the infrastructure that supports our drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater is aging.

In fact, it is estimated that 1.2 trillion dollars in upgrades will be needed over the next two decades.

Underscoring the importance of sustained support and investments to protect municipalities from structural and environmental stresses.

This staggering deficit highlights just how essential the work of our water professionals are.

Here in Hawaii, more than 2,600 skilled plumbers, pipe fitters, and steam fitters work hard daily to maintain and upgrade the infrastructure that ensures clean water and proper sanitation throughout our islands.

The system we rely on every day only functions because of the skill, dedication, and vigilance of the people who design, maintain, and protect them.

March for Water Month serves as a platform for communities, industrial leaders, and policymakers to range to raise awareness about water conservation, access to safe drinking water, and the importance of investing in infrastructure that serves our entire community.

Now, therefore, be it resolved on the behalf of the people of the city and county of Honolulu, the Honolulu City Council, in partnership with IAM IAPMO, the Plumbers and Fitters UA Local 675, and the Honolulu Board of Water Supply hereby celebrates March for Water Month.

Furthermore, the Council encourages all residents to participate in activities and programs that promote awareness, education, and action that prioritizes water as a precious and vital resource for our entire future.

Aloha.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Mr.