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Honolulu City Council honors local leaders, cultural stewards and community groups
Summary
The Honolulu City Council paused regular business for an honorary certificate program that recognized elder-care provider Hale Kuike, longtime educators and cultural stewards, transit operator Uilani Souza, and two teens for a lifesaving ocean rescue, among others.
The Honolulu City Council held an honorary certificate program recognizing a string of community leaders and organizations for service to the city.
Councilmembers presented certificates to Hale Kuike for two decades of memory-care services, Josephine Carrera for more than 50 years preserving Portuguese culture, Superblock Honolulu for 20 years of condominium management support, and Duane Abe on his retirement after 43 years in public education. The council also honored public-health leader Kunane Dreier, cultural instructor Allison Yanagi for more than 30 years in Okinawan performing arts, Aunty Uilani Souza for 40 years as a bus operator, and the Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber’s Cherry Blossom Festival Court.
Hale Kuike’s recognition highlighted its founding in 2005, an initial 26-bed single-level memory-care residence, expansion to multiple locations and growth in certified trainers in 2023–24. Josephine Carrera’s remarks and the presentation noted her lifetime of cultural teaching and performances; officials emphasized she is 96 years old. Superblock Honolulu’s founders — Duane Comine, Ronald Comine Jr. and Davey Felipe — were acknowledged for building a network of more than 50 property managers and for emergency-preparedness work in Ala Moana and Kakaako.
Councilmember Cordero recognized Salt Lake Elementary principal Duane Abe for 43 years in education, including 27 years at Salt Lake and 23 as principal, and recalled awards and leadership roles he received. Kunane Dreier was cited for two decades-plus of work coordinating harm-reduction and public-health programs and for receiving the 2025 Suzanne Richmond Crumb Award from the Hawaii State Department of Health’s Harm Reduction Services Branch.
Council Chair Waters introduced Allison Yanagi and praised her decades of cultural instruction and service to the council office. The council recognized Aunty Uilani Souza for 40 years of transit work and described her long shifts, popular routes and ties with riders. The ceremony concluded with presentation of the Cherry Blossom Festival Court and a round of thanks to performers.
The council recessed until 10:00 a.m. after closing remarks.
