OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Honolulu City Council Honorary Certificate Program - September 9, 2026

City Council — Wednesday, September 9, 2026
BodyHonolulu, Hawaii
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, September 9, 2026
StatusNEW · FILED
Video Record
0:00 / 37:13

Transcript — Verbatim
0:01

Aloha everyone.

0:03

Good morning and welcome.

0:04

How about a round of applause for the Royal Hawaiian Band Glee 12?

0:08

Gigi Takaki, Kala'i Stern, and La Amel Palaka.

0:11

Mahalo, you guys.

0:13

And thank you all for being here.

0:15

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.

0:25

Mr.

0:25

Clerk, our first recipient.

0:27

Good morning, Mr.

0:28

Chair and Council members.

0:29

Our first presentation recognizes Ray Ivazian III for outstanding environmental leadership, community service, and stewardship of Honolulu's parks, beaches, and oceans through the city and county of Honolulu's Adopt a Park program.

0:44

This presentation is made by Councilmember Talba.

0:47

Hi, good morning, everybody.

0:50

All right, today I'm proud to recognize the true community hero, Ray Iverson III.

0:54

Everybody give him a round of applause.

0:58

Ray is a U.S.

0:59

Marine Corps veteran.

1:01

Thank you so much for your service.

1:03

Veteran, teacher, scientist, engineer, inventor, environmental advocate, and volunteer.

1:09

The best way to describe Ray is simple.

1:11

He sees a problem and steps up to solve it.

1:14

Well, my seat will be open in two years, my friend.

1:19

Ray believes Earth Day is every day.

1:23

In 2018, he founded Seed, which stands for a stimulating education and ecological design.

1:29

He educates people of all ages about marine debris, microplastics, recycling, and protecting our environment.

1:36

And Ray has a unique way of uh letting people listen and getting people to listen.

1:42

He talks trash.

1:45

Through his trash talk presentation, Ray teaches Keiki and adults about the waste that ends up in our parks, beaches, mountains, and oceans, and what we can do about it.

1:56

One of Ray's most important contributions began right here with the city and county of Honolulu.

2:01

Ray was the first volunteer to join our Adopt the Park program.

2:05

Today, Ray helps care for Kie Lagoon Beach Park, Neil S.

2:08

Blazedale Park, and Kalama Beach Park, working alongside community organizations and volunteers.

2:14

They pick up litter, beautify our parks, restore public spaces, and make them a better place for everybody.

2:20

Ray doesn't just talk about environmental problems, he works to solve them.

2:24

Remarkably, he has developed innovative tools to help scientists and volunteers study microplastics and remove them from the ocean.

2:32

A quote from Edward Everett Hill captures his approach to service.

2:37

I am only one, but still I am one.

2:41

I cannot do everything, but I still can do something.

2:44

Ray shows us how powerful small actions can be.

2:47

His greatest impact may be the people he inspires.

2:50

When you teach one person to care, the person can inspire others.

2:54

Adopt a park, clean the beach, teach a child, care for our neighborhood.

2:58

That is how movement grows.

3:00

Today, Ray is studying architecture at UH Panor, where he is learning to build stronger and more sustainable communities.

3:09

But the best way we can honor Ray today is not with his certificate, it is by following his example, by caring for our parks, beaches, streams, mountains, and oceans, by teaching our Kiki to love and respect Aina, and by stepping up when we see something that needs to be done.

3:26

One person can make a difference, and we inspire others to join us.

3:31

Together, we can make Oahu a better place for generations to come.

3:35

Mahalo Ray, for showing us what it means to serve, for caring about our home, and chilling all of us to be and to do the same.

3:43

Thank you, Ray, and the King of the Community, and the Microsoft, and the United States.

4:51

Aloha, and good morning, everyone.

4:55

Fellow council members, members of the public.

5:00

Fellow council members, members of the public, it is my privilege and honor today to recognize Tyler Sugihara for an extraordinary career dedicated to serving people of the city and county of Honolulu and the state of Hawaii.

5:09

When we talk about public service, we often see the finished product, the roads maintained, problems addressed, and projects completed, communities care forward, but what we don't see is the dedicated individuals behind that work.

5:22

The public servants who show up day after day, committed to making sure the government works for the people it serves, and Tyler is one of those individuals.

5:29

Tyler dedicated an incredible 39 years and two months to public service, beginning with the State Department of Health in 1987 before joining the city and county of Honolulu in 1995.

5:42

His career ultimately led him to serve as chief of the divisions of road maintenance, a position he held from 2009 until his retirement on June 1st, 2026.

5:53

For more than three decades, Tyler gave our community not only his knowledge and expertise as an engineer, but also his leadership, experience, and most importantly, his commitment to serving the people of Hawaii.

6:06

What makes Tyler's career especially meaningful is that his service extended far beyond the responsibilities of his position.

6:12

He created Malama'o Kaina Community Volunteer Program, giving residents and community organizations an opportunity to work alongside the city and taking responsibility for public spaces.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Youth Programs████████████████████████████████████36%
Education████████████████████20%
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Personnel Matters████████████12%
Environmental Protection█████████9%
Parks and Recreation█████████9%
Summary of Proceedings

Honolulu City Council Honorary Certificate Program - September 9, 2026

The City Council convened to recognize several individuals and organizations for their contributions to the community through the honorary certificate program. The meeting featured presentations honoring environmental stewardship, public service, literacy advocacy, athletic leadership, youth sports achievement, and botanical garden management.

Ray Ivazian III – Environmental Leadership

  • Councilmember Talba presented the first certificate to Ray Ivazian III for outstanding environmental leadership, community service, and stewardship of Honolulu's parks, beaches, and oceans through the Adopt a Park program.
  • Ray Ivazian is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, teacher, scientist, engineer, inventor, and volunteer. In 2018, he founded SEED (Stimulating Education and Ecological Design) to educate about marine debris, microplastics, recycling, and environmental protection.
  • He was the first volunteer for the city's Adopt a Park program and now helps care for Kie Lagoon Beach Park, Neil S. Blazedale Park, and Kalama Beach Park.
  • He developed innovative tools to study and remove microplastics from the ocean. He is currently studying architecture at UH Manoa.

Tyler Sugihara – Public Service Retirement

  • Councilmember (unnamed) recognized Tyler Sugihara for 39 years and two months of public service, retiring as chief of the Division of Road Maintenance on June 1, 2026.
  • His career began with the State Department of Health in 1987 and continued with the city and county of Honolulu starting in 1995.
  • He created the Malama ʻo Kaina Community Volunteer Program, giving residents opportunities to maintain public spaces. He also volunteered with the American Public Works Association, Hawaii chapter, and assisted fundraising for the Boys and Girls Club.
  • In 2025, he was named DFM's manager of the year.

Read to Me International – 30th Anniversary

  • Councilmember Dosanto Stan presented a certificate to Read to Me International on its 30th anniversary, founded in 1996 by former First Lady Lynn Waihee and Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunrise.
  • The organization promotes reading aloud to children for at least 10 minutes daily, serving an average of 10,500 individuals annually.
  • Executive Director Dana Barnes leads core initiatives including the RTM 10 parent coaching program, family literacy events, the Kupuna Keiki Pen Pal program, and the Ted Sakai Hoala Reading Program for incarcerated parents.
  • The Council expressed appreciation for empowering families and fostering lifelong love of reading.

Donald “Spud” Botello – Life and Legacy

  • Councilmembers Nishimoto, Cordero, and Wire jointly recognized Coach Don Spud Botello for over six decades of dedication to Hawaii's youth, athletics, and education.
  • He was a standout athlete at Roosevelt High School and the University of Hawaii, part of the 1955 team that defeated Nebraska 6-0. He held a record for a 95-yard touchdown pass in 1957.
  • He served as assistant coach at UH (1960–1964), head coach/athletic director at Damien Memorial High School (1965–1974), then athletic director and head coach at Mid-Pacific Institute, building the Pac-5 football program. He captured Oahu Prep Bowl championships in 1982 and 1985.
  • He served as ILH executive director from 2003 to 2015. He was inducted into the University of Hawaii Sports Circle of Honor in 2000.
  • Councilmember Nishimoto shared personal memories as a former player, emphasizing Coach Botello's impact on youth.

Pearl City Little League Senior Baseball Team – 2026 World Series Champions

  • Councilmember Okimoto recognized the District 8 Pearl City Little League Senior Baseball Team for winning the 2026 Senior League World Series championship.
  • The team advanced as West Region champions on July 25, 2026, then competed in the World Series (August 1–8) in Easley, South Carolina. After losing their opening game 4–1, they rallied to win the U.S. semifinal 3–2 in walk-off fashion and the U.S. championship 12–0 against Delaware, televised on ESPN Plus.
  • The team roster, manager Tai Takahashi, and coaches were acknowledged.

Jocelyn “Josh” Sand – Retirement as Director of Honolulu Botanical Gardens

  • Councilmember Kiaina honored Jocelyn Sand on her retirement after more than 36 years of city service. She began as a plant propagator in 1990 and served as director.
  • She earned a master's in public administration from UH Manoa in 1994 and developed international partnerships to preserve rare and native plants.
  • Under her leadership, the five botanical gardens welcomed a historic 887,168 visitors in her final year, achieved ArbNet Level 3 accreditation, and advanced long-range plans for Hoʻomālahelu Botanical Garden and a new community garden at ʻEwa Beach.
  • Her daughter Miranda also works in horticulture.

Key Outcomes

  • Honorary certificates were awarded to all six recipients.
  • The Council directed its appreciation and congratulated each honoree.

Meeting Transcript

Aloha everyone. Good morning and welcome. How about a round of applause for the Royal Hawaiian Band Glee 12? Gigi Takaki, Kala'i Stern, and La Amel Palaka. Mahalo, you guys. And 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 Ray Ivazian III for outstanding environmental leadership, community service, and stewardship of Honolulu's parks, beaches, and oceans through the city and county of Honolulu's Adopt a Park program. This presentation is made by Councilmember Talba. Hi, good morning, everybody. All right, today I'm proud to recognize the true community hero, Ray Iverson III. Everybody give him a round of applause. Ray is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Thank you so much for your service. Veteran, teacher, scientist, engineer, inventor, environmental advocate, and volunteer. The best way to describe Ray is simple. He sees a problem and steps up to solve it. Well, my seat will be open in two years, my friend. Ray believes Earth Day is every day. In 2018, he founded Seed, which stands for a stimulating education and ecological design. He educates people of all ages about marine debris, microplastics, recycling, and protecting our environment. And Ray has a unique way of uh letting people listen and getting people to listen. He talks trash. Through his trash talk presentation, Ray teaches Keiki and adults about the waste that ends up in our parks, beaches, mountains, and oceans, and what we can do about it. One of Ray's most important contributions began right here with the city and county of Honolulu. Ray was the first volunteer to join our Adopt the Park program. Today, Ray helps care for Kie Lagoon Beach Park, Neil S. Blazedale Park, and Kalama Beach Park, working alongside community organizations and volunteers. They pick up litter, beautify our parks, restore public spaces, and make them a better place for everybody. Ray doesn't just talk about environmental problems, he works to solve them. Remarkably, he has developed innovative tools to help scientists and volunteers study microplastics and remove them from the ocean. A quote from Edward Everett Hill captures his approach to service. I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but I still can do something. Ray shows us how powerful small actions can be. His greatest impact may be the people he inspires. When you teach one person to care, the person can inspire others. Adopt a park, clean the beach, teach a child, care for our neighborhood. That is how movement grows. Today, Ray is studying architecture at UH Panor, where he is learning to build stronger and more sustainable communities. But the best way we can honor Ray today is not with his certificate, it is by following his example, by caring for our parks, beaches, streams, mountains, and oceans, by teaching our Kiki to love and respect Aina, and by stepping up when we see something that needs to be done. One person can make a difference, and we inspire others to join us. Together, we can make Oahu a better place for generations to come. Mahalo Ray, for showing us what it means to serve, for caring about our home, and chilling all of us to be and to do the same. Thank you, Ray, and the King of the Community, and the Microsoft, and the United States.

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