Robin McCann

The wetland area of Honolulu's Pearl Harbor bike path received a makeover with the help of Aiea Intermediate students as well as Pearl Harbor sailors in conjunction with the City and County of Honolulu. The clean up and replanting of native plant life, such as the Hawaiian Morning Glory, was part of the Adopt-a-Block and Adopt-a-Stream program. The project is a three-year plan (which began in October 2008) to reduce trash and invasive plant life by 80%.

Sailors worked side-by-side with students to remove invasive plant life, replacing the vegetation with native species. Native wetland plants were reintroduced to the area. The native plants help to filter out pollutants before they reach the ocean harbor. Honolulu city workers gave botany lessons to Aiea Intermediate School's eighth-grade science class, increasing their knowledge of their carbon footprint and its affects on the environment.

Thank you Aiea Intermediate and U.S. Navy for another demonstration of the Aloha Spirit and for protecting the environment while adding beauty to our already beautiful Island of Oahu.

Aloha,
Robin McCann, Robin McCann Realty, LLC

Whether you are an islander or a visitor to Hawaii, please take the time to honor the Nisei veterans by visiting the Nisei Fighting Men Exhibit. The exhibit will remain until the end of the year. The exhibit is on display at the main branch of Central Pacific Bank (2024 North King Street, Honolulu).

Nisei soldiers were second-generation Japanese-Americans who fought during World War II for their country, although that country neither trusted nor respected them. Several thousand Japanese-Americans who volunteered to serve were from the Islands of Hawaii; the remaining Nisei soldiers volunteered from the relocation camps on the mainland. A total of 17,600 Nisei men served in the armed forces. Every unit in which they served became known for its bravery under fire.

The Nisei men of Hawaii's 100th Infantry Battalion were the first allowed to serve in the armed forces. The battalion proved immediately that they were true soldiers, ready to defend and honor their country. Due to their outstanding performance, the government reversed its decision to prohibit Japanese-Americans from serving in the armed forces.

The Nisei fighting men served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion, Military Intelligence Service and Hawaii's famed Japanese-American unit of the 100th Infantry Battalion. The fighting motto of the Nisei soldier was "Go For Broke".

The 442nd Regimental Combat Team became the most highly decorated unit in United States' history. More than 18,000 individuals received citations. Eight of these Nisei soldiers units were awarded Presidential Unit Citations. More than 700 men gave their lives and over 9,500 were wounded and awarded the Purple Heart. The battalion earned the name the "Purple Heart Battalion".

The exhibit is quite moving, with pictures and memorabilia. You will find pictures of Senator Daniel K. Inouye, who earned the Medal of Honor, Elton Skamoto, Sakae Takahashi, Sueo Sakamoto, a McKinley High School graduate, and his brother, Ulichi Sakamoto. Ulichi Sakamoto was one of the 700 Nisei soliders who were killed in combat.

Related Websites:
Nisei Veterans Memorial Center (Maui)
Go For Broke National Education Newsletter
Go For Broke - The movie (still available on VHS and DVD)
The Spirit of Go For Broke - Hickam Air Force Base

Robin McCann, Robin McCann Realty, LLC

Honolulu's low-income housing will benefit from up to $3.8 million from federal stimulus funds. A total of $9.7 million in funds will be made available to the State of Hawaii for low-income housing. Kukui Gardens and other low-income affordable housing will receive funds from the Stimulus Package signed into law by President Obama. These stimulus funds will allow housing developers to purchase and begin construction of low-income apartments. The funds will help to replace state housing tax credits, which faded with the the economic meltdown. It is expected that 100-160 constructions jobs will be created by the projects created from the funds. Hiring for the jobs created will begin as soon as the federal funds are received.

Aloha,
Robin

Ladies, get your bling on and, gentlemen, dig out your ties because, on Sunday evening (February 22), you can party like a movie star at the Oscar Night America Party being held at Waikiki's renown Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The Royal Hawaiian Hotel will roll out the "red carpet" for all guests. The party will begin with cocktails being served at 4 p.m. in the Monarch Ballroom. Guests will receive an official Academy Awards program. Dinner will follow the cocktail party while watching a special advanced broadcast of the 81st Academy Awards. The party-goers will be the first in Hawaii to know who the winners are, as the broadcast will begin a full hour and a half (5:00 p.m.) before the publicly scheduled broadcast at 6:30 p.m.

Academy Award commemorative posters will also be available for purchase. There will be an auction held at the event which will include items such as the cane used by "House" star Hugh Laurie and an autographed copy of the "The Queen" signed by Helen Mirren, who received the Oscar for her performance in the movie. Guests will also be treated to a private guided tour of the newly redecorated Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

The Oscar Night America Party is hosted by the Hawaii International Film Festival's (HIFF) and is one of 46 being held nationwide to benefit local charities. Oscar Night America is in its 16th year and has raised $23.7 since its inception. To purchase tickets, please contact the HIFF officials at 528-3456, ext. 113, or send an -mail to oscar@hiff.org.

Aloha, Robin

The Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) is offering an Online Care Service to island residents. You do not need to be an HMSA member to use the Online Care Service and registration is free to everyone. HMSA members are pre-registered as part of their membership. The goal of Online Care is to provide fast and easy access to health care. Doctors will speak to you in person via phone, secure chat or videoconferencing. In addition, doctors are able to write prescriptions online. Online Care also offers you a choice of health providers. You may choose your doctor by zip code, hospital affiliation, specialty, language or gender. Online Care offers Hawaii residents the benefit of a consultation of a doctor without having to leave their home. Immediate help is available and no appointment is necessary. For more information, please visit the Hawaii Medical Service Association website: http://consumersonline.hmsa.com/overview.