Dept. of Transportation Monthly Newsletter
Connecting the DOTs...
September 2021
Lynn Araki-Regan’s New Adventure
We want to send a big aloha out to Lynn Araki-Regan, who is leaving the Department of Transportation for an opportunity to work at the Department of Taxation.
By: Jai Cunningham
Lynn spent the last two and a half years as the First Deputy under Director Jade Butay after moving with her husband, Keith, and son, Riley, from Maui to Oahu in January of 2019. And she says she will miss what she considers not just co-workers, “I will definitely miss my HDOT coworkers. Since relocating from Maui, my HDOT coworkers have been like my Oahu family.” Lynn’s leadership helped keep things running smoothly at the Department of Transportation especially during the Covid-19 pandemic when so many additional tasks were added to folk’s regular jobs.
“Such efforts were successful because they were not done by one person. They’re done by a team of great, dedicated HDOT employees,” she said. Lynn will be greatly missed, friends and colleagues sent her off with a photo booth and a mixture of smiles and tears. Aloha and best of luck Lynn in your new chapter at DOTAX!
CONNECTING THE DOTs Managing Editor: Rae Nguyen Column Writers: Rey Domingo Melanie Martin Darren Cantrill Copy Editors: Juli Chun Daniel Garcia
Contributors: Rachel Roper Gabriel Delapenia Brian Kamimoto Jai Cunningham Derek Chow Christy Cowser Reid Kawane Jade Butay
Contents
Lynn Araki-Regan’s New Adventure ............................ 1 Connecting the DOTs Wins 2021 Granicus Award ......... 2 Director’s Message ............. 3 Administration .................... 4 Airports ................................ 6
Connecting the DOTs Wins 2021 Granicus Award
Harbors ................................ 8 Recipe of the Month ........... 9
By: Rae Nguyen
Highways ........................... 10
What first started out as a monthly employee newsletter back in Sept. 2019, Connecting the DOTs flourished under Lynn ArakiRegan’s direction to become an award-winning publication when it received its first 2021 Granicus Digital Government Experience Award.
Keiki Cuties Ready for Back to School ............................ 12 Arrivals & Departures ...... 14
“Our newsletter is a great example of what interdivisional collaboration can accomplish,” said the publication’s editor-in-chief. “It has fostered connectivity and creativity and has empowered employees throughout our divisions to use their writing abilities to share the good work that our HDOT does, while improving team spirit and morale. ” “I’m proud of what our DOT ‘ohana has accomplished,” said Araki-Regan. See here for the Granicus press release.
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Message from our Director By: Jade Butay
DOT Updates
Aloha HDOT ‘Ohana!
Allow me to start this month’s message with a sincere mahalo to Rae Nguyen, Juli Chun, and Daniel Garcia for taking the helm of Connecting the DOTs, our newsletter to share what’s going on in the Divisions and to connect our employees with one another. Please read, enjoy, and contribute if you have the chance. Recent activities across the Divisions include: Administration. CSS Manager Darren Cantrill is our new Emergency Management Officer (EMO). The EMO is responsible for coordinating HDOT’s emergency response and relaying information to the State’s emergency management. Airports. The new Mauka Concourse extension to Terminal 1 at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport opened on August 27. The 230,000 square foot facility is the first major expansion in the State’s busiest airport since 1993. Harbors. Harbors is coordinating meetings with the cruise industry for a memorandum of agreement. A formal agreement between the industry and local jurisdictions is necessary before cruises can resume under the CDC’s conditional sail order. There are no scheduled bookings at this time; if an agreement is reached, we will share information with staff.
Highways. The emergency repairs to Kuhio Highway at Hanalei Hill are winding down and we’re able to open two lanes. The repairs will help restore a sense of normalcy to the north shore communities that were affected by the March 2021 landslide. On road safety, we’ve launched a “no excuses” campaign with our traffic safety partners to remind everyone that there is no excuse for engaging in dangerous behaviors when driving. I am ending this month’s message with a plea to please help reduce the spread of COVID-19, as Governor also stated in his recent message. If you haven’t already seen the message in your email, Governor Ige is asking us all to act responsibly and avoid gatherings. Let’s reduce transmission by continuing to wear a mask, stay home when sick, and wash your hands frequently. Let’s bring down the surge and COVID cases by reminding our friends and families to get vaccinated. Thank you for your help in keeping our workplace safe!
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Administration
Drugs, Alcohol and COVID-Crisis Counseling
By: Melanie Martin
When you think about a recovering addict or alcoholic, what type of person comes to mind? We have thoughts of the stereotypical “druggie,” who may look homeless, malnourished and acts crazy. But you will be surprised to know that drug addiction and alcoholism affects all ages, regardless of economic status, ethnicity or lifestyle. Drug and alcohol use have increased exponentially during the pandemic. The problem is so prevalent that some refer to this crisis as a pandemic in and of itself.
A lot of us don’t want to talk about drugs, alcohol or related mental health issues because of the existing stigma attached to it. Some believe that someone with a mental health issue can merely “shake it off.”
Recently, KHON 2 aired a two-part documentary series called, “A Pandemic in a Pandemic.” The documentary described how dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic has caused many of our residents to resort to drugs and alcohol to cope with the anxiety, stress, depression and isolation brought on or exacerbated by the pandemic.
Truth is mental health should be treated like any other disease. If someone has cancer, would we tell that person to “shake off” that cancer? Of course not. It is awesome that the tide is changing, and prominent people such as actors and professional athletes are speaking up via mental health campaigns about eliminating the stigma.
Suicides have skyrocketed, and the sad truth is that people of all ages are taking their own lives.
If you or anyone in your household are feeling stressed or anxious, there is help.
Just the other day, an alleged murder-suicide was reported at The Plaza retirement home in Waikiki.
Hawaii CARES launched a new COVID Crisis Counseling Program called Ku Makani.
A 92-year old man and 86-year old woman were found dead in the parking garage apparently from gunshot wounds.
In addition to crisis counseling, they also have virtual group sessions on various topics such as yoga, cooking, health and wellness, and much more.
Could their deaths have been prevented if they got help to cope with whatever they were dealing with?
They can be reached on O’ahu at (808) 8323100 or neighbor islands can call Toll-Free (800) 753-6879. PAGE 4
Administration Phishing: How to Avoid Being a Victim
By: Darren Cantrill
Phishing is a type of social engineering where an attacker sends a fraudulent (“spoofed”) message designed to trick a human victim into revealing sensitive information to the attacker or to deploy malicious software on the victim’s infrastructure like ransomware.
attack performed by cybercriminals, with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center recording over twice as many incidents of phishing than any other type of computer crime. The proper way to report any type of phishing attempts is to select “Report Phish” at the top of outlook and then delete the email.
Phishing attacks have become increasingly sophisticated and often transparently mirror the site being targeted, allowing the attacker to observe everything while the victim is navigating the site, and transverse any additional security boundaries with the victim.
In the browser, highlight the email you suspect is a phishing email, select the “3 dots” (ellipses), select “Report Phish” option. Delete email. Note: This information also exists in the Knowledge Base LINK.
As of 2020, phishing is by far the most common
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Airports Finding Your Childhood Best Friend Again
By: Brian Kamimoto
What began as a night medevac exercise at Kalaupapa Airport with the U.S. Coast Guard, turned into a reunion of two best friends. During the planning phase of the exercise, it was mentioned to USCG LCDR John Sauve, Air Station Barbers Point, that the squadron had a Maui boy flying with them. LCDR Sauve somehow managed to schedule the Maui boy for the exercise and the reunion was up and running.
Molokai ARFF Captain, Matthew Pires and USCG Lieutenant Wade Myers.
When you’re a kid, your friendships are one of the most important parts of growing up.
And if you manage to keep those friends through the trials of adolescence and into adulthood, cherish them.
Because they have no other real responsibilities, kids have time to cultivate their friendship. As a kid, friends come and go for various reasons.
What most people didn’t know was, Molokai ARFF Captain Matthew Pires, who served as an observer/evaluator for the exercise and USCG pilot, LT Wade Myers are best friends who lived up country Maui, where they literally lived a 100 yards from each other when they were kids. After high school, both took different career paths, but always with the purpose of helping others. Matt has been employed with the State for the past 11 years, which included stints with the Air Force and Air Force Reserve. Wade spent 11 years as an Army medevac pilot before transferring to the Coast Guard for the last four years.
Lieutenant Wade Myers and Lieutenant Joshua Smith conduct an orientation about the Dolphin helicopter.
But the childhood friends who stay, the ones we choose to keep around, are the most special.
He lives in Kapolei with wife Krystal, son Carsen (11), and daughters Mackenzie (7), and Rylee (5).
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See BEST FRIEND page 7
Airports BEST FRIEND continued from page 6
After not seeing each other for several years, Wade and his family moved back to Hawaii and this exercise provided both Wade and Matt the opportunity to work side by side as best friends in a professional capacity. Both experienced a real-life training scenario with their best friend in their chosen careers. Patient Captain Pires being loaded by Department of Health and National Park Service employees.
Matt finds comfort that Wade is now home, helping the community where he grew up. Matt and Wade may not live 100 yards from each other anymore, but their friendship is as strong as ever.
Join Us for General Ethics Training Class The Hawai’i State Ethics Commission is offering a General Ethics Training class on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. online via Zoom. The ethics training class will provide an overview of the state ethics laws that apply to all state employees. Topics will include conflicts of interests; gifts and the reporting of gifts; confidential information; misuse of official position; and post-employment restrictions. You can register for the course online here or call the Commission’s office at (808) 587-0460. Space is limited, so we encourage early registration.
Additionally, the Hawai‘i State Ethics Commission’s on-line training system is available here. This 30‑minute, interactive training provides basic information for state employees subject to the Ethics Code, including all executive and legislative branch employees, judiciary employees (other than judges and justices), and volunteer board/commission members. Individuals who complete the training can obtain a certificate of completion. An online training specifically for volunteer board/ commission members is also available at the forementioned link. PAGE 7
Harbors Hawaii Pilots Association Blessing of Hanakahi and Ahua Point Vessels
By: Derek Chow
On August 17, 2021, the Hawaii Pilots Association blessed the vessels Hanakahi and Ahua Point at Pier 19 on Honolulu Harbor.
Pilot Sinclair Brown (foreground) and Pilot Tom Heberle (background) untie maile leis on the Hanakahi and Ahua Point vessels, while Kahu Kekoa and guests place d their hands in blessed rainwater on the new vessels while transferrin g positive emotions to the vessels.
As Kahu Kordell Kekoa blessed the vessels, he talked about the important mission of the pilots to ensure large vessels safely navigate Hawaii’s commercial harbors’ narrow channels in rough ocean conditions. Hawaii Pilots President Sinclair Brown said that, “pilot boats Hanakahi and Ahua Point will continue to safely transport harbor pilots in a timely manner to vessels.”
hours a day, 7 days a week” in order to perform their jobs, pilots constantly monitor ocean and weather data for all island commercial harbors.
This will provide a safe and stable boarding/ disembarking platform for Hawaii Pilots 24
Leighton Barrett Joins as New Enforcement Unit Harbor Police
By: Gabriel Delapenia
Please welcome aboard our new employee Leighton Barrett to the Harbors Division, Harbor Police, Enforcement Unit, 3rd watch.
II (Harbor Police, Enforcement Unit).
Leighton’s first day was Sunday, Aug. 22nd as a Harbor Enforcement Officer
I believe he will be an excellent addition to our unit and the Harbors Division.
Leighton’s comes to us experienced in both Public Safety Corrections and multiple years as a Patrol Deputy Sheriff II with Florida’s Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
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Harbors By: Jai Cunningham
Happy Retirement Joni Savusa!
We also say aloha and a huge mahalo to Joni Savusa who has retired. Ms. Savusa worked for the HDOT for 41 years, all at Harbors. Joni enjoyed a retirement party on August 31st, and there was even a happy retirement cake.
service for the Department of Transportation and enjoy a wonderful retirement!
Looking at the pictures Joni must have started working for the DOT when she was 10 years old! Thank you Ms. Savusa for all your years of
End of Summer Treat - Pineapple Fruit Whip
By: Reid Kawane
Fruit whip aka (dole whip) 2 cups of frozen fruit (2 cups pineapple) 1 cup vanilla ice cream 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup liquid (can be water or juice or milk) Blend to smooth consistency, may need to stop a few times to scrape the sides down. Eat and enjoy or freeze for 30 minutes for firmer texture. PAGE 9
Highways National Child Passenger Safety Week Sept. 19-25
By: Christy Cowser
Car seats and boosters provide protection for infants and children in a crash.
However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping children rear-facing as long as possible, up to the top height and weight allowed by the particular seats.
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for children 12 years of age and younger. According to the most current national data, an average of two children under the age of 13 are killed and another 351 are injured every day.
It is the best way to keep them safe. Once a child outgrows the rearfacing car seat, he or she is ready to travel in a forward-facing car seat with a harness and tether.
Although Hawaii’s statistics are lower than the national average, we need to continue to use child safety seats to ensure that all of our keiki make it home safely every day.
After outgrowing the forward-facing car seat, a child should be placed in a booster seat until tall enough to fit in a seat belt properly. The safest place for all kids under 13 is in the back seat.
National research shows that child passenger restraints can reduce deaths by as much as 71 percent. To best protect our keiki, all parents and caregivers should follow Hawaii’s law and national best practices. Hawaii’s law requires our infants from birth to at least one year old and at least twenty pounds must ride in rear-facing seats and keiki under the age of four to ride in a child safety seat and children ages of four through seven to ride in a child safety seat or a booster seat when traveling in a motor vehicle.
During this week, certified child passenger safety technicians will offer free virtual car seat safety checks and education to parents and caregivers as part of National Child Passenger Safety Week, which runs from September 19-25, 2021. The week is dedicated to teaching parents and caregivers about the importance of correctly choosing, installing, and using car seats, booster seats, and seat belts.
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See SAFETY WEEK page 11
Highways By: Rachel Roper
Throwback Fun Fact
A while back, my boyfriend bought a bunch of used books from a library book sale. Buried in the pages of one, was this fun throwback item: a receipt for gas from September 19, 1965. Because the receipt is faded, it is a little difficult to read, but if you look closely, you can see that the total was a whopping $4.74.
Gas receipt from 9/19/65. (Purchaser’s and seller ’s inf ormation redacted).
That’s about $30 less than what I pay each time I fill my car with gas. The back of the receipt shows that the federal gas tax $0.04/gallon (compared to $0.184 today) and the Hawaii state gas tax was $0.09 (compared to $0.16 today). If any of you have a throwback transportation photo to share in next month’s newsletter, send them along with a caption to Rachel.LA.Roper@ hawaii.gov by September 15, 2021. SAFETY WEEK continued from page 10
Parents will also be reminded of the importance of registering car seats with their manufacturers so they can be notified in the event of a recall. The virtual car seat checks will be conducted as part of National Seat Check Saturday on September 25th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will include instruction on how to install and use car seats correctly. Technicians will also help determine if your child is in the right seat for their age and size and explain the importance of registering car
seats with their manufacturers so parents and caregivers can be notified if there is a recall. To make an appointment for a free virtual one-onone car seat check call (808) 527-2588. Click here for additional information.
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Keiki Cuties Ready for Back to School By: Jai Cunningham
August is that time of the year again, back to school, and that means back to school pictures.
at Christian Academy, and her little brother Nakulu’ai is finishing up his last year of preschool at the same school. Proud mom Jazelle Aolahiko works in the Office of Civil Rights.
We want to share with our HDOT family some of the great shots snapped in the past few weeks.
Riley Regan starts as a junior at ‘Iolani School. Proud mom Lynn-Araki Regan shows off her handsome son who recently had his braces off great smile!
This is Jasper Sage headed off to third grade. Jasper who is the nephew/ Godson of Ariel Hardwood, who works in the Airports Division. We’ve even got some headed back off to college.
Rajah Messiah Jefferson started his first days of his last year at Waipahu High School, Go Marauders! Rajah is the son of Candi Nicole Jefferson who works at Statewide Transportation Planning.
Daisha-Lee Romualdo is headed back for her sophomore year at Eastern Washington University. Her proud dad Kaohilii Romualdo is an ARFF Lieutenant at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.
Love Kishida has started preschool at Kamehameha Schools and grandma Karen Awana and grandpa Gregory Gomes, both HDOT family members, couldn’t be prouder.
Do you think Keira Fujikawa is a little excited for her first day in Kindergarten at Kalaheo Elementary School on Kauai? That smile sure looks like she can’t wait to make new friends! Dad Eric Fujikawa shared the great photo, he works as a Design Engineer in the Highways Division over on Kauai.
And check out Kapua Kamahele, she doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty with a little lo’I clearing. She attends the University of Hawaii and is on her way to a degree in Hawaiian Studies.
And we have siblings all getting ready for school, take for instance the Wakumotos. Kylie is a sophomore at Roosevelt High School, Zoey is attending kindergarten at Maemae Elementary School, and little sister Presley decided she wanted to bring all her bags and kitty as well with her to Tutu & Me! Proud papa is Toby Wakumoto, who works in the Highways Division-Motor Vehicle Safety Office. Another family that is happy to be back in school are the Aolahikos. It’s a new beginning for Na’ena’e, who is now a middle schooler
Mom Karen, who works in the Office of Civil Rights, and dad Greg are proud of their daughter! And congratulations to Kainoa Gerard who is a freshman at Clark University in Dubuque Iowa. Mom Erica and dad Rodney Gerard, who is an engineer in Highways say he plans to play volleyball and get a degree in education. Best of luck in your studies Kainoa! Have a great year to all these students, your HDOT family is proud of you!
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Riley Regan starts as a junior at ‘Iolani School.
Jaspar Sage star ts 3rd grade.
Kylie Wakumoto starts as a sophomore at Roosev elt High.
Na’ena’e Aolahiko starts 6th grade at Christian Academy.
Keira Fuji kaw kindergart a starts en at Kala heo Elementa r y.
Presley Wakumoto goes to Tutu & Me preschool.
Daisha-Lee Romualdo is a sophmore at Eastern Washington University.
rts olahiko sta Nakulu’ai A cademy. A n ia t Christ preschool a
Love Kishida starts preschool at Kamehameha Schools.
Rajah Jefferson starts his senior year at Waipahu High.
Kainoa Gerard at
Zoey Wakumoto starts kindergarten Kapua Kamehele Io’i at UH.
at Maemae Elementary.
PAGE 13
Clarke University.
ARRIVALS and
DEPARTURES Each month, we feature this section in our newsletter called “Arrivals and Departures,” spotlighting new employees (Arrivals) and departing/retiring employees (Departures). It is an honor to welcome the new employees, congratulate the retiring employees and wish both groups the best in their future endeavors.
ARRIVALS
NAME
Leighton Barrett
TITLE
Lynn Araki-Regan Joni Savusa
DIV/ISLE
Enforcement Officer II HAR/Oahu
DEPARTURES
NAME
E Komo Mai!
TITLE
08/01/21
Mahalo Nui Loa!
DIV/ISLE
First Deputy Director ADMIN/Oahu Business Services Supervisor HAR/Oahu
PAGE 14
DATE
DATE
09/01/21 09/01/21
A Journey to a Healthier You
State and county employees, retirees, and dependents age 18 and over
Kaiser Permanente invites you to be inspired to get on the road to a healthier you by joining the 6-week Well Traveled challenge. OPEN TO ALL EUTF MEMBERS REGARDLESS OF MEDICAL PLAN AFFILIATION.
Join the challenge September 13 - October 24, 2021 • Travel cross-country virtually as you record physical activity, 2-minute timeouts and gratitude. • Record your activities and earn points. Earn 25+ points a week to be rewarded with sights and attractions as you travel from coast-tocoast! • The goal of the challenge is to get at least 150+ points in 6-weeks to finish the journey.
REGISTRATION OPTIONS Participate as an INDIVIDUAL or gather your co-workers (3-5) and compete in the TEAM category.
WHEN TO REGISTER Registration is now open – September 20. CLICK HERE to learn more about the challenge and to register.
QUESTIONS Contact Kaiser Permanente Lloyd.Kishi@kp.org
kp.org/eutf/getinshape
National Seat Check Saturday September 25, 2021
Free VIRTUAL Car Seat Check Event
Saturday, September 25, 2021 | 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Appointment required: call 808-527-2588 In following guidelines to reduce the risk of exposure to Covid-19, and to keep you and your family safe, car seat checks will be VIRTUAL ONLY. We are not able to do in-person car seat checks. Appointments will be one-on-one, with a certified child passenger safety technician. Appointments run about 45 minutes long. Our Partners:
1319 Punahou Street I Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96826 T 808.527.2588 I Kapiolani.org
