Big Mahalo to the Royal Hawaiian Band Clee Club.

Kala Eastern, Grant Kono, and La Mel Palaka, beautiful Hawaiian music.

Good morning, everybody, and welcome.

Thank you all for being here.

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

Mr.

Clerk, our first recipient.

Thank you.

Today the Honolulu City Council is honored to recognize two extraordinary members of my district for community whose lives reflect the very best of service, leadership, and aloha.

Nathan Kapule and Kara Teshima, recipients of the twenty twenty-six outstanding Older American Awards.

Along with the honorees is Dennis Toshima, Carol's husband, and Kathy Kapule.

Nathan's wife.

Also present is Anton Cruckey, Director of Office of Community Services, and Derek Arioshi, also with the Office of Community Services.

Nathan and Carol have each dedicated countless hours to uplifting others and strengthening our community through volunteerism, compassion, and a deep commitment to helping those around them.

While their paths of service may look different, they share a common purpose, making Hawaii a better place for future generations.

Nathan Kapule has become a tremendous asset to the Hawaii State Health Insurance Assistance Program, helping Kupuna caregivers and families navigate complex health care decisions with patience, expertise, and compassion.

A retired Honolulu Fire Department captain, Gulf War veteran, and lifelong public servant, Nathan continues to lead through service by educating others, mentoring volunteers, supporting community initiatives, and always finding ways to give back to those in need.

Carol Toshima has also made a lasting impact through her dedicated volunteer work with the retired and senior volunteer program.

Whether mentoring students, encouraging literacy, supporting senior health fairs, assisting meals on wheels, or inspiring fellow volunteers with her positivity and aloha spirit.

Carol has touched countless lives through her kindness and unwavering commitment to the community.

Nathan and Carol embody the true meaning of servant leadership.

They remind us that leadership is not defined by titles or recognition, but by the lives we touch.

The compassion we show and the communities we help strengthen every day.

Thank you, Mr.

Clerk, our next recipient.

Our next presentation recognizes, recognizes Pai Pai Oheia on its education, stewardship, and the restoration of Heia Loco Ia.

This presentation is made by Councilmember Kia Aina.

Aloha Kaka Hiaka.

The Honolulu City Council takes great pride in honoring and congratulating Paipai Oheea on its 25 years of education, stewardship, and the restoration of Hea Loco Ia.

Please join me in welcoming our honorees, and if you could hold your applause until after all have been called, and if the honorees could raise their hands when I mention your name.

First, we have Hi Ile Cavelo, co-founder and current executive director under whose steadfast leadership, Pai Pai Ohea has realized the complete restoration of Hea Loco Ia and continues to be a treasured cultural resource.

Mahina Paishan, co-founder and founding executive director, who envisioned the restoration of the Loco Ia when it was still hidden under dense invasive mangrove.

Currently, Mahina is the principal consultant for Mahina Dwar Consulting and co-founder and CEO of Vai Vai Collective.

Anoeinoi Punua, co-founder and current Hawaiian language teacher at Punahol School, with Kuai Heilani, Center for Wine Studies, and Executive Director at Maile Kukahi Ainamona Academy.

Kao Isai Dudua, founding board president, Awai Ulu Programs Director, and Healpuni Palapala Project Manager.

In 2001, these leaders, along with Assistant Executive Director Kelii Kotubete, Kanekoa Kukai Schultz, Kliko Lihao Pike, Kala Ho and Kavai Ho started Pai Pai Oheea with the mission rooted in the restoration and stewardship of Heea Loco Ia through Ike Kupuna and Modern Methodologies.

Located in Heo Uli Kool Poco, Heea Loco Ia is an H 800-year-old fish pond encompassing encompassing 80 acres, 88 acres.

These conditions provide Paipe Oheea with a living laboratory to educate people of all ages about cultural restoration, sustainable food production, invasive species management, and aloha.

Through partnerships with the Kamehameha Schools and the Heea National Estherin Research Reserve, the organization has fostered opportunities for environmental research, cultural learning, and the exchange of IK that strengthens the long-term vitality of the Heia Ahupaa.

Together, these programs, along with the dedication of Pai Pai Ohea's leadership staff and volunteers, advanced the organization's mission and reinforce its role as a cornerstone of the Hawaiian community and the people of Hawaii.

On December 13th of last year, nearly 2,000 volunteers gathered for Mo'Okua, a community event hosted by the organization to celebrate the completion of the fish pond's 1.3 mile kuapa.

This remarkable achievement stands as a testament to the many hands, the countless hours and its core value of Malama Aina that has been poured into the last 25 years of Pai Pai Ohea.

Therefore, be it resolved on behalf of the city and county of Honolulu, the Honolulu City Council hereby honors and congratulates Pai Pai Ohea for 25 years of dedicated stewardship of Hea Loco IA and for the invaluable educational opportunities, cultural enrichment, and environmental restoration it has provided to our Koolau Poco community and the people of Hawaii, and offers its best wishes for an abundance and success for future generations.

Mahalous, I think.

Mr.

Clerk, our next recipient.

Thank you so much.

Aloha chair, fellow council members, members of our community.

It is my honor, on behalf of myself and Councilmember Tova to do this certificate for John H.

Clark III, a dedicated leader whose lifetime service has strengthened both our country and the Eva Beach community he proudly calls home.

Today we have with us John, his wife, Delia, and her daughter Sophia, who just graduated this year with a Bachelor of Arts from New York University.

Can we please give them a round of applause and a warm welcome?

After serving more than three decades in the United States Navy, retiring as a Navy commander in 2018, John continued his commitment to service by dedicating himself to supporting students, families, schools, and neighborhoods across Eva Beach and West Oahu.

Since making Eva Beach his home in 2009, John has become a respected and steady voice in the community.

Through more than 10 years of service on the Eva Neighborhood Board, including education chairperson, vice chairperson, and the board chairperson, he has consistently advocated for the needs of our community.

He's worked closely with educators, nonprofits, government agencies, and other community leaders to help improve opportunities and strengthen the quality of life for Eva Beach.

His leadership and volunteer service have supported Eva Beach Elementary, Elima Intermediate, Eva Makai Middle, James Campbell High School, and the 20th 21st Century Grant Advisory Council, the Joint Venture Education Forum, and Teen Building Hawaii.

I now yield the floor to Councilmember Tolpa.

Thank you.

Beyond his public service, John is also an accomplished author, leadership consultant, mentor, and founder of Teen Building USA, an organization focused on helping students develop leadership skills and increase graduation success.