By Senator Mike Gabbard

Honoring Kapolei Middle School Speech Contest
Aloha! Recently, I had the privilege of honoring four special people on the floor of the State Senate on Monday, February 5th: Ms. Joy Lynch and former Kapolei Middle School students Flora Cross, Rebecca Manahan, and Tafia Taimalelagi.

Last year, Ms. Joy Lynch, an 8th grade Language Arts teacher at Kapolei Middle School , visited the Pearl Harbor Memorial with her students. She was inspired by this experience and also by a trip that she had taken to visit the peace memorial at Hiroshima, Japan.

Ms. Lynch was moved to action and wanted Hawaii students to have the opportunity to speak at the Pearl Harbor memorial, so they could one day pass on to future generations the historical significance of the events of December 7, 1941. Ms. Lynch worked tirelessly and organized the first USS Arizona Memorial Scholarship Speech Contest at Kapolei Middle School.

The speech contest was held on June 16, 2006. Flora Cross who is now a 9th grade student at Kamehameha Schools, won first place. Ninth grade Kapolei High School students Rebecca Manahan and Tafia Taimalelagi won second and third place respectively. As part of their award for winning the speech contest, each student received a $1,000 scholarship and the opportunity to present their speeches at the 65th Pearl Harbor Anniversary Symposium.

On December 2nd and 5th, 2006, Flora, Rebecca, and Tafia became the first students in the nation to speak at a USS Arizona Memorial Museum Assocation event. These students' impressive writing and speech skills clearly conveyed their understanding and appreciation for this important event.

Veteran Bill Moves Forward
I introduced Senate Bill 699 this legislative session. This bill allows veterans to get specialty license plates at no charge. I thought it would be a nice gesture for government to give something back to the veterans and their families who make so many personal sacrifices to defend our country. SB 699 has passed out of the Intergovernmental and Military Affairs Committee and is moving forward.

Talk Stories
I'll be hosting talk stories in both Kunia and Kapolei in March. On March 10th, we will be meeting at the Kunia Wal-Mart (outside seating, just right of the store's main exit, closest to Kupuohi Street and Subway) at 9:00am. On March 24th, we will meet at the Kapolei Starbucks (outside seating, across from Longs Drugs) at 9:00am. I hope to see you there!

Please contact me if I can help you in any way. My phone number is 586-6830 and email is sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov. Mahalo for the privilege of serving you!