Transportation Security Administration "Certificate of Appreciation" Presented to Alfred Dela Cruz

In Photo from left to right: Bill Dailey (DAFSD), Frank "Mike" Abreu (Deputy FSD), Alfred Dela Cruz (Securitas), Cy Okinaka (AFSD) Photo by TSA

Frank “Mike” Abreu, Deputy FSD along with Bill Dailey, DAFSD and Cy Okinaka, AFSD, presented Alfred Dela Cruz with a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the Transportation Security Administration along with a beautiful two sided coin (photo below) for his protection of their officers from an irate passenger at one of their check points; and for his quick actions, outstanding professionalism in the performance of his duties.

On Wednesday,  July 18, 2012,  a male passenger going through one of the TSA check points suddenly started yelling, becoming overbearing and uncontrollable. When Alfred Dela Cruz stepped in to assist, the passenger started throwing punches at him.  To protect other passengers as well as TSA personnel at the check point, Al defended himself and with the  help of the TSA STSO Supervisor, Gary Tasoe, both had the passenger under control within minutes until help arrived. “Great team work” to  Alfred Dela Cruz and Gary Tasoe.

Lanikai takes the AAA, Hui Nalu AA and Waimanalo takes the A Division at the Kaneohe Marine Base

The canoe "Mokulua," was built in 1963 by George Perry. Refurbished in 1972 by Phillip Naone and again in 1991/1992 to OHCRA specs and named by George  for the Mokulua island offshore of Lanikai.  Information by LCC

The last race at the Kaneohe Marine Base by The Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Race Association (OHCRA) was back in 1993. Most of the canoe clubs I spoke with were happy to be back at the base. The view from the base looking up at the Koolau mountains, Kaneohe and the Pali is a breathtaking sight, with a crowd of about 4,000 paddlers overwhelming the pier and beach front. Today's event started off with several races that were cancelled at Waimanalo the previous week due to rough seas.  Lanikai won the AAA Division, Hui Nalu, the sponsoring canoe club took the AA Division and Waimanalo, the A Division.  Next week the OHCRA will be holding their Championship on Sunday at Keehi Lagoon starting at 8:00 a.m., and so will the The Na'Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a on Saturday. "click here" to see the photos of this event. "Enjoy." For the race results, "click here."

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 860 Annual Retirement Banquet

The National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 860 held their Annual Retirement Banquet at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa on Saturday, July 14, 2012. The following retired members, (photo above) Bottom row L/R - William Simmons, Letter Carrier with 22 years, Tom Ihara, Herbert Nakagawa, Clarence Sasaki, Gold Card members with 50 years service, and Warren Shimizu, Letter Carrier with 28 years. Top row L/R - Howard Komine, NALC President Branch 860, Michelle Luke, awarded the Shop Steward of the Year, Maurice Collette, awarded the Sam Hipa Award and Christopher Jackson, NALC Region 1 National Business Agent. Other retirees not present, Robert Choy, Bert Hamano, Robin Lundquist, Ronald Matsuo, Jean Orian and Sigrid Tokuda.


The guests in attendance were Frank Santos, USPS Honolulu District Manager; Greg Kawasaki, Manager of Post Office Operations; Christopher Jackson, NALC Region 1 National Business Agent; Terry Kaolulo, President of the Hawaii State Association of Letter Carriers; Bruce McDowell, NALC Branch 860 Food Drive Coordinator; Mike Kajiwara, Director of Product Donations - Hawaii FoodBank; Glenn Takara, Hawaii State Vice President; Chuck Lum, President NAPS 214 and Laurie Ramelb, Vice President NAPS 214. 


Bruce McDowell NALC Branch 860. (photo right) This year was Bruce McDowell's last year as the NALC Branch 860 Food Drive Coordinator in Hawaii.  He was presented a gift by Paula Miller, Region 1 NALC Food Drive Coordinator for his hard work for the food bank in Hawaii, Guam and America Samoa. This year, letter carriers throughout the nation collected 70.5 million pounds of food to help provide food to fifty million Americans across the country. Pictured with Bruce McDowell is Mike Kajiwara, Director of Product Donations, Hawaii FoodBank, Inc.


Christopher Jackson, Region 1 National Business Agent just wanted to add that we have to continue to make our company a success by continuing to push Customer Connect, raising the revenue and yes, our first class volume has dropped because of internet and our competitors. Today we have raised over 1.5 billion dollars in Customer Connect and this coming election in November is very important.  We need to elect the leaders who are going to vote for our company to allow us to keep six days delivery, keep our health benefits and our pay that we have now. The Postal Service is making million of dollars. If we were not paying into the pre-funding 5.5 billion dollars a year, we wouldn't be in this situation right now.  All congress need to do is allow us to stop paying into that fund and the Postal Service will get back on track and we can focus and give the service to the american people So don't forget to vote and to all the retirees, god bless and have a nice evening. Photos of this event, "click here."

47th Annual Makawao Town Independence Day Festival

This year is the 47th Annual Makawao Town Independence Day weekend celebration Festivities started on Thursday, July 5 continuing thru Sunday, July 8, 2012 and includes a Paniolo Parade followed by the 57th annual Rodeo which will be held at the "Oskie Rice Arena which is about a mile up the road off Olinda Road. If you have never seen the parade, it's like the old Hawaiian Cowboy (Paniolo) days. The keiki (children) riding their "stick horses," kick off the start of the parade followed by the Bikers Club, Antique Car parade show, Shriners, Haleakala National Park Rangers, Grand Marshall, Junior Rodeo Queen, Princess, Maui Cheer Babes, Maui Pipe Band, Miss Maui, Maui Extreme, Piiholo Ranch, the Koki Frogs, and ending with the Unicycles. 

When the parade ended, mostly everyone headed over to the "Oskie" Rice Arena Maui Roping Club to watch the 57th Annual Rodeo event. If you are contemplating going to next year's event, set your "GPS" to 3674 Baldwin Avenue (Makawao). This is T. Komoda Store & Bakery, one of the oldest and best bakeries on Maui. At this intersection, turn onto Olinda Road and continue about a mile and you'll see Oskie Rice Arena on your left. If you arrive at the Oskie Rice Arena early (7:45 am) enough there is a shuttle to the parade. For me, it was one very long days of Makawao celebration and Rodeo. This was only my second rodeo, and I can't believe I spent much of my time watching where I was stepping ........... Where ever you walked, there were horse droppings like golf balls on a driving range! Yes, inattention could land you in deep "s"?!@#, literally. You know what I mean. I also learned not to stand behind any horses when they pee.

Some of this year's events included the Mixed Team Roping, Wahine and Keiki Barrel Race, Wahine Breakaway Roping, Wahine Steer Undecorating, Century Team Roping, Dally Team Roping, Mugging, Calf Roping, Po'o Wai U, and Bull Bashing. Boy, from my observation, you would think what makes a Paniolo jump off his horse onto running cattle and not use his rope? Well, they seem to enjoy themselves, and the excitement from the crowd gives them that extra challenge. Winning also has a lot to do with their performance and the monetary prizes provide that additional incentive. Congratulations to all that participated. For me, the most enjoyable of the rodeo events was the "Mugging" where one Paniolo chases down and ropes the cattle, and his partner runs from the sideline and tries to tackle the cattle down so the Paniolo can tie off the cattle for the best time. Another favorite was the "Bull Bashing," where the Paniolo tries to hang or stay on the bull for the longest time without falling off. I sure enjoyed myself and it was a great experience. More photos "click here."