Announcements for Sunday, May 14, 2023

Mahalo Kumu!

Honoka’a, Kohala, Kealakehe and Konawaena Complex schools on Hawaii Island celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week from May 8th-12. The week-long celebrations were organized with the help of students, parents, and administrators to appreciate and celebrate the tremendous effort, hard work, and aloha spirit of the teachers and staff in our schools.

The week was filled with fun and engaging activities that were designed to recognize the commitment and dedication of our teachers. Each day of the week featured a different theme to celebrate staff at many of our schools, with a fun activity for the entire school to participate in. On Monday, Kahakai Elementary held “Destination Hawaii Day,” with shaved ice being served to all the students. Kealakehe Elementary celebrated teachers with a succulent plant for each teacher. Konawaena High gifted teachers with a fun bag of treats. Konawaena Elementary held a “Nacho Average Staff” day by providing a Nacho Bar Luncheon for all staff, while Kealakehe Intermediate staff were treated to student made smoothies and cultural performances by alumni and students during their recess time.

Despite the numerous challenges the schools have faced this year, teachers and staff have continued to provide our students with the best possible care and learning opportunities. The Teacher Appreciation Week celebration provided a much-needed boost for morale and recognition of the key role teachers and support staff play in our communities.

The week-long celebration was organized to show gratitude for the tireless efforts of our teachers and staff, as well as acknowledging the critical role they play in shaping students’ lives. The week’s continued activities were a way to uplift the spirits of the teachers and promote the importance of their profession.

As we emerge from the challenges of the pandemic, it is essential to continue supporting our teachers and staff as they work hard to provide our students with the education they need to be successful in their lives. The Teacher Appreciation Week celebration was one way in which our schools said, “Mahalo” to the incredible work being done by educators across our island.

DBEDT seeks Japan trade show participants

The state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism is recruiting Hawaii companies to promote and sell Hawaii-made products at the Autumn 2023 Tokyo International Gift Show, or TIGS.

This will be the 12th consecutive year that DBEDT is organizing a Hawaii Pavilion at TIGS, to be held from Sept. 6-8 at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center (Tokyo Big Sight).

TIGS is the largest international trade show in Japan, drawing 200,000 buyers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers to meet exhibitors at more than 4,500 booths.

“Hawaii’s brand is known throughout the world and especially in Japan. There continues to be a growing demand for new and authentic Hawaii-made products,” said DBEDT Director James Kunane Tokioka. “Through TIGS, Hawaii exhibitors will have an opportunity to share their products with buyers and distributors and have a chance to expand their distribution in Japan. The aspirational value of the Hawaii brand is priceless in the global economy.”

Hawaii companies that participated in last year’s show achieved more than $5 million in export sales, even though Japan wasn’t fully open and recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to DBEDT.

“Buyers at TIGS know that Hawaii will be featured each year and look for our pavilion,” said Dennis Ling, administrator of DBEDT’s Business Development and Support Division. “Distributors, retailers and importers realize that the Hawaii brand is becoming more established and recognized for its quality and uniqueness in the Japan market.”

Registration for a full booth is $1,500. Deadline to apply is May 26.

The Hawaii Pavilion at TIGS is funded in part through a grant with the U.S. Small Business Administration State Trade Expansion Program.

Export-ready Hawaii companies interested in participating in the 2023 Tokyo International Gift Show can learn more and register at https://invest.hawaii.gov/exporting/tokyo-international-gift-show-tigs/.

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