U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) fielded questions on a variety of topics – from the North Korean nuclear threat to the future of Obamacare – during a well-attended town hall session hosted April 17 by Chaminade University and Saint Louis School.
Organizing the meeting was the Social Justice League, a newly formed campus group comprised of Chaminade students, faculty and staff.
In introducing the senator, Chaminade President Bro. Bernard Ploeger, SM, described Schatz as “a friend of education” who supports funding for student aid, student loans and Title III federal grants the university receives as a Native Hawaiian-serving institution.
Schatz, a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, emphasized the need for vigilance in seeking federal dollars for Hawaii. His committee assignment areas include: Education, Health and Human Services, Defense and Veterans Affairs.
“We are 5,000 miles away from Washington,” Schatz pointed out, “and we need a Congressional delegation to have that focus no matter what else is happening.”
Even though Schatz believes Americans have some “incredible challenges in front of us,” he remains cautiously optimistic that millions of citizens will continue receiving health insurance through the Obama Administration’s Affordable Care Act.
And although the Environmental Protection Agency might have “a lighter enforcement touch” under the Trump Administration, Schatz believes many “green” initiatives will continue, including clean air, clean water and renewable energy programs garnering bipartisan support.
As for the likelihood of North Korea firing a nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile at Hawaii, Schatz said “the risk is real” but that Mainland states are more likely targets for a strike.
“Let us worry about it,” Schatz said in calling for the U.S. government to shore up its missile defense systems and pursue additional intelligence gathering on the Korean Peninsula.
Schatz’s appearance was in keeping with Chaminade’s tradition of inviting a wide range of prominent guest speakers to discuss important issues of the day.
Thursday evening’s Mocktails and Masterpieces event kindled the fire with bursts of creativity. With artist Jenny B. facilitating, alumni painted canvas masterpieces that they could take home. The alumni mingled and caught up with old friends. The familiar warmth of campus ‘ohana surged feelings of nostalgia and fanned their anticipation for Saturday.
Outside of the Sullivan Family Library, a photo booth captured the memories of friendships and newly made friends. There was a ceramic pot sale setup by Fine Arts professor Yukio Ozaki, and the Campus Store offered Chaminade logo items for sale. Alumni like Teresa Fujino, MBA ’16 guided activities such as “DIY – Salty Scrubs,” where participants made bath scrubs. Kacie Cohen, MSCP ’13 and Darren Iwamoto, MSCP ’98 with Dale Fryxell, grant director of the E Ho‘opili No Na Haumana Project and interim dean of Education, manned the 110-AOK (Acts of Kindness) beading table.
The Reunion Street Festival – Food Truck Rally had many memorable highlights, thanks to the collaboration of the Office of Alumni Relations and Residence Hall Association. Tasty smells from the food trucks permeated the air as people lined up in front of Hawaii’s favorite food trucks on Second Road. Chardonnay Pao, BA ’13, MBA ’15 and Cherie Ann Park, MSCP ’13 served various ono plates from Kapakahi Grindz. The Nalo Made Lemonade booth was a hit. Shawn Niwa Kadooka, BBA ’91 mentioned how happy she was to be a part of the event, and said it required two resupply runs. Also, depending on your appetite, you could also choose dishes from Prime Sandwiches or Chamorro Grindz or something refreshing from Tats Shaved Ice.
“Featuring alum or alum related vendors is the best! It brings a sense of pride to the event knowing that Chaminade is investing and supporting alum businesses. I saw alum, current students, and employees coming to buy our product. The positive vibes were just on a whole other level of awesome,” Pao said. “Good music, ono food, and the use of Chaminade Dollars brought another sense of school spirit to the event.”
During a more structured part of the evening, Aunty Susan Frank Kama, BS ’61 in her melodic voice started a Lei Aloha ‘oli that cued alums to form a line as Chaminade president Bro. Bernard Ploeger, SM was escorted to the lawn. The chant continued as alums showered Bro. Ploeger with lei, warm hugs, and bid him a fond farewell as he concludes his 23 years of service at Chaminade University.
Then Micah G hit the stage and got the students, alumni, faculty, staff, and Marianists to get out of their seats and dance. The lawn in front of the library turned into a huge dance floor.
Mahalo to all, especially the Alumni Reunion Committee Volunteers: Alice Kaahanui BA ’86, Bernard Lum Hoy, BA ’59, Lolita Lum Hoy, BS ’61, Christy Aiwohi, BBA ’87, David Dinh, MBA ’15, Heather Nakao, BS ’12, BA ’15, Jeannie Pinpin, BA ’05, BA ’07, Lois Nakamura, BA ’85, Linda Tavares, BS ’63 Michael “Pika” Ahakuelo, BA ’02, MBA ’11, Scott Kishimori, BBA ’87, Shayne Iwamoto, AA ’12, BS ’13, Susan Frank Kama, BS ’61, Sweetie Pacarro, BA ’89, Terrence Kong, BS ’89, MSCP ’03.
