Kapolei High students were presented honorary certificates from the State Legislature by Senator Gabbard and Rep. Har at a red-carpet award ceremony at the Ward Consolidated Theaters on May 15th.

Pictured (L to R – front row) are Shantelle Aglanao, Aizha-Lee Canne, Gianna Gabriel, and Senator Gabbard; (L to R – back row) Rep. Sharon Har, Shenon Moore, Patrick Guanzon, Daryl Madela, and Travis Spencer.

D.R. Horton Schuler Division was recognized by Senator Gabbard and Rep. Har at the Ground Blessing for their Mehana at Kapolei project on May 9th.

Pictured (L to R) are Senator Will Espero, Senator Gabbard, Mike Jones (President - D.R. Horton Schuler Division), Bob Bruhl (Vice President - D.R. Horton Schuler Division), Rep. Sharon Har, Councilman Todd Apo, and Maeda Timson (Kapolei-Makakilo-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board Chair).

Mark Ishizu was honored by Senator Gabbard at a ceremony at King's Cathedral Oahu in Niu Valley on April 26th, 2008 in recognition of him achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

Senator Gabbard recognized leaders of the Arthritis Walk at Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park on April 26th, 2008.

Pictured (L to R) are Dr. John Kippel (President & CEO, National Arthritis Foundation), Dianne Ward (Executive Director, Honolulu Arthritis Foundation), and L. Brunson White (National Arthritis Foundation Chair).

Chief Warrant Officer, Officer Aque, Jr. received an honorary certificate from Senator Mike Gabbard on behalf of the State Senate at a retirement ceremony in Wahiawa.

Nanakuli resident, Ms. Le'a Kunipo—Miss Hawaii Teen America 2008— was presented with an honorary certificate from the State Senate by Senator Gabbard at a fundraising party at Hawaiian Brian's on April 19th, 2008.

District 8 Police Officer John Dorsey, is honored by Senator Gabbard on behalf of the Hawaii State Senate at the Kapolei Police Station on April 14, 2008.

Dorsey has been with the Department for 16 years and was recently named Officer of the Fourth Quarter. Celebrating with him are Officers James Nobriga and Frank Pugliese (at left) and Captain Mitchell Kiyuna (right).

Ms. Shari Takahashi, of Waikele, is honored by Senator Mike Gabbard at the State Capitol on March 28th for being named the 2008 Leeward District Teacher of the Year.

Shaun Higashida (right) and Kyle Kettner (left) were honored by Senator Gabbard at a ceremony at Camp Timberline in Makakilo on March 29th, 2008 in recognition of their achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

Ms. Jeanine Wong was presented with an honorary certificate from the State Senate by Senator Gabbard on March 7th in recognition of her being named 2008 Hawaii Young Mother of the Year.

Mr. Malcolm Ching was recognized in the Senate Chambers on February 13th, 2008 for being named the Property Manager of the Year. Also pictured is Malcolm's wife, Amy.

Mr. Chris Ulu was honored by Senator Gabbard for the bravery he showed in rescuing a woman in the Don Quijote parking lot in Waipahu. Also pictured is Chris' wife, Francine.

On July 17th, 2007, Kapolei High School teacher Michael Staffaroni received an honorary certificate from Senator Mike Gabbard on behalf of the State Senate.

Mr. Staffaroni was recognized for being selected to participate in the exclusive “Economics Cadre” program.

John and Dionne Rau were paid a surprise visit at the “The Backyard” in Royal Kunia on New Year’s Day, 2008. Also pictured are Senator Gabbard’s daughter former State Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo (Ewa-Waipahu) and the Rau’s children Kaliyah and Evan.

The American Renaissance Academy was honored by Senator Gabbard and Rep. Har upon their Grand Opening in Kalaeloa on December 7th, 2007.

Pictured (L to R) are Kelly Tanizaki (President), Thomas Dunn (Legal Advisor), Bernadette Ortiz-Brewster (Director), Charles Beeck (Chairman of Executive Board), and world-famous film star, Jason Scott Lee.

Senior Pastor John Honold and Executive Pastor Garret Shon were presented with an honorary certificate from Senator Gabbard at Hope Chapel Kapolei's Grand Opening celebration in Kalaeloa on November 18th, 2007.

Principal Al Nagasako joined Senator Gabbard in presenting an honorary certificate from the State Senate to 12th grade Kapolei High student, Joan Quiba, during the school's band practice on August 14th. Joan was recognized for her outstanding writing abilities and being named a finalist at the 2007 Star Poets Contest.

The 2007 Leeward Young Artist Award winners were recognized by Senators Gabbard and Nishihara on Oct 25, 2007.

L - R (front) Hokulani Hokama-Ke’alohi of Nanakuli Elementary, Bryson Estabillo of Kapolei Middle, Renee Lum of Highlands Intermediate, (back) Cherie-Noelle Kaanana of Wai’au Elementary, Wallace Voeks III and Travis Kumano – both from Pearl City High, DayLin Guieb and Mike Poscablo – both from Waipahu High, and Richard Barbasa of James Campbell High.

Summer interns (L to R) Joan Danahy from New City, New York and her cousin, Ramona Roy, a Makakilo resident and Island Pacific Academy 10th grader, were recognized by Senator Gabbard on August 12th, 2007.

President Voi Ray Taeoalii was presented with an honorary certificate from the Legislature upon the groundbreaking ceremony for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' new Kalaeloa meetinghouse on November 3rd, 2007.

Alyssa-Lende Kane was presented with a commendation from the State Senate by Senator Gabbard at the Evolution Boxing Club in Waipio on August 25th. Alyssa is a 13-year old Kapolei resident who was recognized for her amazing feat of winning the 2007 Ringside World Boxing Championship in the 114-pound weight division.

Marking the 10 year anniversary of Israel Kamakawiwo`ole, "Bruddah Iz's" death on August 4th, 2007 are Mayor Mufi Hannemann, Jon De Mello, Mountain Apple Company, Israel's wife Marlene and Senator Gabbard.

Kapolei Hope Chapel Awana Club Leader Cissy Boyer, volunteers, and students are commended by Senator Gabbard for their efforts to raise funds for a Thailand youth charity.

Rudolfo "Rudy" Gabrillo received a certificate from Senator Mike Gabbard in recognition of his George S.B. Walters Shipyard Service Award.

(L to R) CWO-3 Eric MacDonald, Captain Frank Camelio, Commander - Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Mr. Rudy Gabrillo, Senator Mike Gabbard, and Mr. Bob McDermott, Executive Director - Honolulu Navy League

Kapolei High School teacher, Naidah Gamurot, was recognized by Senator Gabbard for her exceptional dedication to the teaching profession and for being named the 2007 Leeward District Teacher of the Year at a ceremony at KHS on May 24th.

Kapolei Elementary School teacher Laurie Ann Meyer received a certificate from Senator Gabbard after completing the rigorous National Board Certification program.

Kara England, owner of Time to Heal, is honored in her home by Senator Gabbard for her caring efforts to offer massage services for patients suffering from cancer.

Christian Mahuna and his mother, Ellena Young, were honored at the State Capitol on February 21, 2007. Christian survived a reckless driving accident as he waited for the bus near his Kalaeloa home.

Kapolei resident and Waikiki School Principal Bonnie Tabor was recognized at the State Capitol on Friday, March 30, 2007. Ms. Tabor’s leadership and dedication were instrumental in Waikiki School being selected as a 2007 Hawaii Blue Ribbon School and a Hawaii nominee for the 2007 National Blue Ribbon School Award.

Waikele Elementary School 5th grade student, Jacob Caskey, was presented with an honorary certificate from the State Senate at the school’s final assembly of the year on June 7, 2007. Jacob won honorable mention in the 2007 Hawaii Education Association’s Creative Writing Festival.

(L to R) Senator Gabbard joined Kapolei High School Hurricanes Girls Soccer Coach Brian Beck, KHS Boys Soccer Coach Bryce Kaneshiro, KHS Athletic Director Darren Camelo, and KHS Principal Al Nagasako at the Kapolei High Athletic Banquet at the Okinawan Cultural Center on May 27th, 2007.

Jonathan K. Yogi was commended by Senator Gabbard for achieving the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 44, Ko'Olina District at a ceremony held at Kapolei High School on May 23rd, 2007.

Ms. Joy Lynch and former Kapolei Middle School students Flora Cross, Rebecca Manahan, and Tafia Taimalelagi were recognized on the floor of the State Senate for winning the Pearl Harbor speech contest on the floor of the State Senate on February 5th, 2007.