Little snacks may seem harmless, but they can amount to a surprising number of calories, causing weight gain.
There was press conference this morning to announce the implementation of Act 006 of the 2014 Legislature. The act requires notation of veteran status on state driver’s licenses and identification cards if desired by the applicant and is effective October 1, 2014.
Representative K. Mark Takai introduced the measure (HB1770) in the 2014 legislative session as part of his Military Appreciation Package. The following representatives were co-sponsors: Karen Awana, Tom Brower, Rida Cabanilla, Romy Cachola, Ken Ito, Chris Lee, John Mizuno, Dee Morikawa, Calvin Say, Scott Nishimoto, Takashi Ohno, Richard Onishi, Gregg Takayama, Jessica Wooley, and Ryan Yamane.
Ron Han, Director of the State Office of Veterans Services provided testimony during the 2014 legislative session that explains the intent of the new law. His testimony in part stated:
For the record, the legal definition as established in 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) says that “a veteran is defined as a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service, and who was discharged or re/eased there from under conditions other than dishonorable.” For federal Veterans Affairs benefits and entitlements, this definition remains in-tact.
However, forty seven States in the nation have passed some type of legislation to have “Veteran” notated on their driver’s license or on a separate card. Many of these states have reinterpreted the meaning of “Veteran” within their respective States to include those who served honorably in the National Guard and Reserves or those who served honorably in uniform but did not retire or go on active duty.
Highly recommend that the State of Hawaii support this “all-inclusive” concept so veterans will not need to carry their discharge or separation (i.e. DD Form 214 or NGB Form 22) papers to prove that they are veterans with this “all-inclusive” meaning. Many vendors across the United States give discounts to veterans with a legal ID proving that they are veterans.
Finally, some states who have had this legislation enacted, found that it helped law enforcement officers be alerted that they could be dealing with a veteran who may be suffering from a mental issue such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Officers were able to employ and to use the proper measures to prevent or de-escalate a potentially dangerous confrontation.
Veterans wanting to have “Veteran” placed on their driver’s license will pay the normal renewal fee (fee varies by age).
* Haircuts * Clothing * Door Prizes * Legal Advice * Lunch *
Homeless Veterans Stand Down & Job Fair Date: Thursday, November 6, 2014 Time: 0800 Registration 1000 Job Fair begins 1400 Pau Hana Where: 487th Field Artillery Armory77-230 Kamehameha Highway
Sessions: + Creating your résumé; preparing for job interviews + Understanding requirements for acquiring housing + Strategies for coping with stress+ Learning and discussing legal concerns
Job Fair begins at 1000 + Prepare a résumé + Practicing for job interviews + Meet employers + Submit job applications+ Interview for that great job
Job Fair Registration FormDeadline for registration is Wednesday, October 22, 2014
For more information about this event, call Iwie at (808) 203-6702
Sponsored by: * Office for Social Ministry, Diocese of Honolulu * Institute for Human Services * U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, Healthcare for Homeless Veteran’s Programs * State Office of Veteran ServicesPacIOOS is one of eleven regional observing programs in the U.S. that are supporting the emergence of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) under the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP).
PacIOOS just released a new page titled, “Sea Level Rise Inundation Risk” under the “Projects” tab highlighting a project funded by the NOAA Coastal Storms Program. This project aims to fulfill the need for Hawaiʻi-specific information regarding the impacts of sea level rise on coastal inundation zones. The project focuses on the urban corridor of Honolulu, from Diamond Head to Pearl Harbor, representing the majority of the state’s commercial and industrial sectors. The area was also chosen because of its high density, large population, major infrastructure, and high economic activity.
The study identified potential changes in exposure and risk to coastal inundation hazards (such as hurricanes, tsunamis and storm inundation) as a result of projected sea level rise. Through targeted outreach and the web viewer on PacIOOS’ website, the results of this research can serve as a decision-support tool for facilitating science-based planning and policy.
To read more and see the mapping http://tinyurl.com/q9h6xyv
To help keep you safe, we’ve listed some widespread attacks from the past year so you’ll recognize what to look for and avoid them, along with some proactive steps you can take now to better secure your computer. Learn more
Is there a connection between these two health conditions? Research says possibly so.
By Jennifer Schneider, AFCEC Public Affairs / Published September 30, 2014
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) — The Air Force has announced the winners of the 2014 Air Force Design Awards. Seven projects were recognized for achieving excellence in design.
“Winning projects like these raise the bar on the Air Force’s standard of excellence for facilities that are ‘battle ready, built right,” said Col. Mark Sloan, deputy director of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center Facility Engineering Directorate. “These facilities were designed with aesthetics and functionality in mind, while still placing strong emphasis on resource and cost efficiency.”
The U.S. Air Force Design Awards program, established in 1976 and managed by AFCEC, recognizes and promotes design excellence across the Air Force.
There are three levels of awards: Honor awards signify the best in design, followed by merit awards. Citation awards, the third award level, are given to designs that possess a special aspect that also deserves recognition, said David Duncan, manager of the awards program.
“The panel of jurors comprises experts of the highest professional standards who are knowledgeable of the Air Force’s design standards,” Duncan said. “When assessing a project, we ask jurors to place a strong emphasis on cost control, energy efficiency, functionality and sustainability.”
2014 Honor Award
Facility Design: F-22 Hangar and Squadron Operations and Aircraft Maintenance Unit, Hawaii Air National Guard, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; and the Postgraduate Dental School and Clinic, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.
2014 Merit Award
Facility Renovations and Additions: Advanced Power and Thermal Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
Facility Design: F-22 Systems Support Facility, Hill AFB, Utah; the Permanent Large Vehicle Inspection Station, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo.; and the U.S. Strategic Command Gate, Offutt AFB, Nebraska
2014 Citation Award
Facility Renovations and Additions: Communications Facility, Hawaii Air National Guard, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
Retiree News received a graduation notice from Janine Obando (née Calamaan). She graduated with her Master of Business Administration degree this past weekend.
Janine started out in the 201st Combat Communications Group many years ago. Janine left with her active duty husband as he got his next assignment. Janine continued her Guard career over the years, serving in other Air Guard units. Her well-earned promotion to master sergeant came a few years ago.
She currently works with the Florida National Guard in the social actions/equal opportunity area.
Congratulations to Janine!
Although the Pentagon has not come up with an official name for its air campaign against ISIS terrorists in Iraq and now Syria, the operations costs are mounting, and the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments has released a report tallying the numbers. Through Sept. 24, the costs amounted to between $780 million and $930 million, according to the think tank’s Sept. 29 report. CSBA analysts Todd Harrison, John Stillion, Eric Lindsey, and Jacob Cohn authored the work.
These costs include training and advising Iraqi and Kurdish forces, humanitarian airlift, intelligence gathering, airstrikes, and support activity. But future operations are harder to peg, and assuming a “moderate” level of air activity and support to around 2,000 deployed forces in operations centers, DOD would pay between $200 million and $320 million a month going forward, they wrote. Carried forward, this puts costs for a year from $2.4 billion to $3.8 billion. If the operations tempo picks up, costs could rise to between $350 million and $570 million a month, which could run from $4.2 billion to $6.8 billion a year, they stated.
There is no chance that Congress will repeal sequestration before he retires, but Senator Carl Levin, D-Michigan, insists that lawmakers might find a way to relieve the military and civilian agencies from automatic budget cuts next year.
“My hunch is it will be repealed or reduced, one way or another,” said Levin, chairman of the Armed Services Committee.
“I hope we can get rid of sequestration,” he said Sept. 24 during a breakfast meeting with reporters. Regardless of the outcome of the mid-term election, it is conceivable that Republicans and Democrats could find some common ground on which to build a budget deal that spares both defense and nondefense agencies from automatic cuts, Levin said.
The next round of spending cuts will begin Oct. 2015, unless Congress takes action. “When sequestration hits, people are going to start scrambling around,” he said.
Continue reading http://ow.ly/BWb72
Everyone has cravings, whether it’s that mid-afternoon sweet tooth or late-night salt fix. But if you’re trying to watch what you eat, controlling these food urges is crucial.
The State Department of Defense held its annual Retirement and Awards Breakfast on Friday, September 26, 2014 at the Hale Koa Hotel. Following the buffet breakfast was the recognition of the recent department retirees, state awardees, and Federal 30 & 40 Year Service Awardees. Major General Darryll Wong, the Adjutant General made the presentations.
Team of the Year AwardThe Community Resilience Outreach and Education Team, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) were the winners. Team members included: Leighton Ah Cook, Jennifer Howlett, Meischa Jackson, Shelly Kunishige, Brian Miyamoto, Brandee Nishimura, Kevin Richards, Steven Sigler, Marsha Tamura, Danny Tengan, Steven Yoshimura.
Team members Danny Tengan, Shelly Kunishige, and Leighton Ah Cook with Maj. Gen Darryll Wong
Colonel Reynold T. Hioki, Hawai‘i Air National Guard, received this award.
Maj. Gen. Darryll Wong presents Col. Reynold Hioki with his certificate
Nancy Saito, Administrative Services Office, is the department’s employee of the year.
Maj. Gen. Darryll Wong with Nancy Saito
Congratulations to all the award winners and the nominees! Special thanks to all the supervisors who took the time to write and submit nominations.
These winners will represent the Department of Defense in the statewide competition. Governor Neil Abercrombie will present statewide awards at ceremonies on Friday, October 3, 2014. The ceremony will be in the Capitol Auditorium in the capitol basement.
Photos by Stephen Lum
For a listing of those who were nominated for awards, recognized for their retirement, or extended service in DOD breakfast, go to http://wp.me/p3639O-1ZA
The Veterans Affairs Department is introducing new, standardized disability claims forms that officials say will make it easier for veterans and their survivors to clearly state what benefits they’re seeking from VA and provide the right information to process their claims and appeals, officials said Wednesday.
The new forms will “eliminate applicant guesswork, which often leads to delays in decisions and ultimately delays in receiving benefits,” A VA press release stated.
Continue reading http://ow.ly/BW9Eg
The Five Worst Airlines in America
A report released by AirfareWatchdog.com lists the domestic airlines that perform worst when it comes to factors such as canceled flights, on-time arrivals, and customer satisfaction. MarketWatch’s Rex Crum takes a look.
Watch the video http://tinyurl.com/lvboavq