Nominations open for the Aloha Order of Merit The governor’s office is seeking nominations for individuals to be considered for induction into the Aloha Order of Merit. Nominations are being accepted online at hawaii.gov/gov through Jan. 31. The Aloha Order
Nominations open for the Aloha Order of Merit
The governor’s office is seeking nominations for individuals to be considered for induction into the Aloha Order of Merit. Nominations are being accepted online at hawaii.gov/gov through Jan. 31.
The Aloha Order of Merit honors individuals who have distinguished themselves nationally or internationally in their fields of expertise and who contributed to the attainment of statehood or who have provided extraordinary service to, devoted themselves to the betterment of, or brought honor to the state, a news release states.
“The Aloha Order of Merit is one of the highest honors to be awarded to individuals who have provided extraordinary service to and brought great honor to the State of Hawai’i,” Gov. Neil Abercrombie said in the release.
To be considered, an individual must meet the criteria outlined in HRS 5-7.6, which states that honorees shall have achieved national or international recognition in their field either by a single event or by the totality of their work that has been either pioneering in their field or that has been outstanding in the long-term. They must also have contributed to the attainment of statehood for Hawai‘i; devoted themselves to the betterment of the state, embodying the concept of the aloha spirit; provided extraordinary service to the state; or brought honor to the state.
Selection of the honoree will be made by the Aloha Order of Merit Committee and announced by the governor after approval by a concurrent resolution of the Legislature.
Lockheed raffle, auction benefits Toys for Tots
Lockheed Martin employees on Kaua‘i organized a benefit raffle and silent auction that will donate nearly $2,200 to this year’s Marine Corp League #938 Toys for Tots campaign, a news release states.
The donations will stay in Kaua‘i and benefit local children in the area.
“The Toys for Tots campaign on Kaua‘i has become an annual tradition that Lockheed Martin employees look forward to each year,” Tisa Herold, Lockheed’s Toys for Tots coordinator, said in the release. “We had incredible participation from the community with Dallace Burton of the Hana Group at PMRF and Stephanie Iona and Janice Oyama of Waimea Plantation Cottages providing valuable support. It is another example of the aloha spirit reaching out to others in the Westside community.”
Hawai‘i Farmers Union officially recognized
The National Farmers Union announced Wednesday the recognition of Hawai‘i Farmers Union as an official subdivision of NFU. The NFU board recently approved Hawai‘i to become the 33rd state to have an organized Farmers Union subdivision.
“HFU leaders have been very active in advocating for family farmers,” NFU President Roger Johnson said in a news release. “We are pleased at their hard work so far and look forward to working with them to help HFU continue to grow.”
In the coming months, HFU will hold a convention to approve organizational policy and vote on priorities for the coming year, the release states. The date and location will be announced at a later date.
“We are at a tipping point in current events,” HFU President Glenn Martinez said in the release. “It is time to band together in a common cause to protect and preserve the family farm in Hawai‘i.”
Those interested in joining HFU should contact Natalie Cash at 808-551-8442. For more information on the organization, visit www.hawaiifarmersunionunited.org.
