Mufi's Message - August 1, 2017

​HLTA  members continue to be very engaged in our community. For example, last week the Engineers Advisory Council initiated phase two of the theater stage rebuilding project at Kaiser High School. Throughout the week, Dennis Maher and his family, Stephen Weldon, and Chris Spencer (EAC chair and executive board members) not only hauled the lumber and materials into the Kaiser theater room, but worked on laying out the stage foundation every night so it would be completed by the weekend. Then on Saturday, eight members and volunteers came together to work on laying down additional foundation work, erecting walls, and putting in doorways.  Members of the EAC will be constructing the finishing touches over the next week or two, installing railings, stairs, and flooring. Mahalo to the EAC and all the volunteers who are working hard to complete this project! If you are interested in volunteering for a great cause, contact Dennis Maher at [email protected].
 
As mentioned in a previous Mufi’s Message, HLTA Oahu Chapter held a Back to School Supplies Drive at Kahala Mall, where they collected four large boxes of supplies and $500 in cash to donate to two Waikiki Elementary Schools.  Last Friday, HLTA’s Oahu chapter, represented by Oahu Chapter Chair Bonnie Kiyabu, HLTA VP Dean Nakasone, and HLTA member Jodi Uehara, dropped off $500 worth of Longs gift cards to Principals Michelle DeBusca and Joseph Passantino of Ala Wai and Aliiolani Elementary Schools, who were very grateful. In fact, Principal DeBusca mentioned that in the case of her school, HLTA's gift would be donated to students who were victims of the Marco Polo fire as it will help them purchase their school supplies. Mahalo to all who participated in this terrific service project.
 
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As many of you know, the legislative special session on funding for the Rail Project may have possible impacts on the transient accommodations tax. I have indicated in previous presentations and at our last board of directors meeting in July, we as an association will continue to have ongoing meetings and briefings regarding this issue. As a follow up to previous discussions, we will be holding a special meeting on Monday, August 7th at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Waikiki Beach Walk from 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm.  The meeting will include a presentation and a Q & A segment with the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s (HART) interim director, Krishniah N. Murthy.  Following his presentation, we will be sharing with you the latest proposals circulating in the legislature as well as bring you up to date on all the discussions we have had with key legislators in preparation of the special session that is tentatively scheduled for August 28th.​ To attend this meeting, please RSVP to Jared Higashi by Friday, August 4. Space is limited and priority seating is reserved for board members. 

HLTA Oahu Chapter's Bonnie Kiyabu and Dean Nakasone with Ala Wai principal Michelle DeBusca (left) and Dean, Bonnie, and Jodi Uehara with Aliiolani principal Joseph Passantino (right).