Honolulu City Council presents honorary certificates to local groups and residents; no formal votes

The Honolulu City Council used its honorary certificate program to recognize multiple community groups and individuals during a ceremonial portion of the meeting; no legislative actions or votes were taken during the presentation period.

The council honored the Poʻokela Fellows class of 2025, a city-run internship program intended to introduce college students to government and public service. Council speakers said the program began in February 2008 and that the 2025 class includes 27 students recruited from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu, Chaminade University and Hawaii Pacific University. Councilmember Okimoto said the program pairs fellows with city mentors including directors, deputy directors, engineers and planners to provide hands-on experience. The council noted program alumni have gone on to city employment; the transcript lists 354 program alumni, with 22 in civil service positions, five in personal services contract positions and two in exempt positions.

The council also presented an honorary certificate to Inspire Health Outreach Team (IHOT), an outreach ministry of Inspire Church. Council comments described IHOT as a volunteer team that provides first aid and basic supplies and engages with people experiencing homelessness in Waipahu, Mililani and Wahiawā. Councilmember Talpa described the team’s work as “about humanity and kindness” and noted volunteers include medical professionals and community members who conduct outreach roughly twice a month.

Fiddlers Hawaii received recognition for 70 years in business. Council remarks summarized the company’s history from 1955, noting a 3,250-square-foot showroom and multi-generation ownership; the council extended its congratulations for the business’s contributions to the local design and hardware industry.

Mililani Uka Elementary School received an honorary certificate marking its 50th anniversary. Council remarks said the school opened in 1974, serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, and was described as consistently performing in the top 25% of Hawaiʻi elementary schools. Councilmember Okimoto and other members praised long-serving staff and the school’s community events and programs.

The council also recognized student winners of the city’s “Sole a Lei” Memorial Day poster contest. The Parks and Recreation Department received 44 entries this year and the council acknowledged 13 student winners across grade bands; the city’s Memorial Day ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific includes a goal to gather more than 38,000 leis.

Finally, the council honored Bill and Mary Arakaki for nearly 40 years of leadership of the Aiea Neighborhood Security Watch. Council remarks said the watch serves about 189 households and 216 members and credited the Arakakis with organizing car patrols, communications and volunteer coordination.

The ceremonial program concluded and the meeting recessed to a later time; no votes or formal council actions occurred during the honorary certificate presentations.