USPS Retirement Total "185" Years At the Annual NALC Branch 860 Retirement Dinner

On Saturday, July 9, 2011, NALC Branch 860 held their retirement dinner at the Waikiki Beach Marriot Resort & SPA in Wakiki. The guest speakers included members of the National Association of Letter Carriers. The first speaker was Myra Warren, Director of Life Insurance who was elected by acclamation at the 2010 Anaheim Convention to serve a second term as director of the union's Mutual Benefit Association. The second speaker was Christopher Jackson, National Business Agent Region 1 serving letter carriers in California, Hawaii, Nevada and the territory of Guam. The last speaker was John Beaumont, California State President. All three also participated in the presentation of the awards ceremony of the retirees and the Installation of Branch 860 Officers.

As for the NALC awards, Art Kimura (still working) and George Taguma (retired) were awarded the 50 year Gold Card. Letter carrier (L/R) Ross Higginbotham (not in photo, Sand Island) 26 years, Lawrence Welch (Waikiki) 40 years, Linda Tsuruma (Makiki) 30 years, Kenneth Valentine (Hawaii Kai) 16 years, Deborah McDonald (Waikiki) 27 years, and James Kamai, Jr. (downtown) 46 years. This year's Sam Hipa award and shop steward of the year went to Michelle Luke (photo, right with NALC Branch 860 President, Howard Komine). Other guest speakers were Kenji Higaki, Postmaster Honolulu, Jodie Nascimento, Manager Post Office Operations, Terry Kaolulo, Hawaii State President and Glenn Takara, Hawaii State Vice-President.

The following newly elected officers were sworn in by Christopher Jackson in the Installation of Officers for a three year term: Howard Komine, President Branch 860, Alvin Matsumura, Executive VP, Warren Shimizu, VP/Financial-Secretary, Maurice Collette, Recording-Secretary, David Ing, Treasurer, Trustees Julie Ishibashi, Don Yamasaki and Michelle Luke; Larry Fife, Sergeant at Arms, Joan Capinia, Health Benefit Officer and MBA, and Alvin Yoshikawa, Director of Retirees. Congratulations to all of this year's retirees and newly elected NALC Branch 860 officers. "Click" here to see candid photos.