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Community Briefs

HAWAII WRITTEN DRIVERS TEST NOW OFFERED IN SAMOAN

 

After months of community pressure, the Hawaii Department of Transportation has agreed to offer its written drivers test in Samoan and seven other languages including Tongan, Tagalog, Korean, Vietnamese, Spanish, Mandarin and Japanese. Faith Action for Community Equity (FACE) Hawaii led the call for these translations.

 

FACE Hawaii is also demanding translations in Chuukese, Marshallese and Ilocano, but the Department of Transportation has not yet agreed to these translations. 

 

FACE Hawaii is an interfaith community organization works to improve quality of life for low- and moderate-income families in Hawaii. For more information, please contact Kim Harman by email or at 808-375-9560.

 

DHSS STAFF ATTEND PERFORMANCE MONITORING WORKSHOP

 

Division managers, deputy directors, and employees of the Department of Human and Social Services attended a special workshop regarding performance monitoring and evaluation, held at Sadie’s by the Sea last week. The workshop was conducted by off-island delegate Lisa Teychea, the Associate Director of PIMA, headquartered in Arizona.

 

Teychea said the workshop is to provide a brief overview and evaluation as part of their work with DHSS, and they were brought in to work with DHSS to provide workshops in order to assist in gathering information for a five-year plan DHSS will be putting together.

 

In addition to DHSS, Teychea has also been working with local community coalitions, non-profit groups, and different departments and agencies in looking at some of the performance monitoring methods they are implementing.

 

She said she hopes this is one of many workshops to come, adding that "this is something that many people are interested in learning more about."

 

MARIST ST. JOSEPH OLD BOYS FUNDRAISE FOR SAMOA SCHOOL LOCALLY

 

The Marist St. Joseph Catholic School in Mulivai, Samoa will be celebrating its 125th anniversary later this year in August and the local chapter of the Marist St. Joseph's Old Boys Association is currently fundraising to help complete a new two-story school building that will house a science laboratory and a library on the school's campus.

 

The new building, according to Association spokesperson August Gabriel, will serve as a commemorative site for the school's 125th anniversary.

 

In an effort to help solicit funds locally, the local chapter of the Marist St. Joseph's Old Boys Association conducted a radio-thon that was linked to radio stations in Samoa this past weekend. According to Gabriel, the turn-out "wasn't that great, because of the short notice. There just wan't enough exposure and the word didn't get out to the public in time."

 

He added that there isn't an exact dollar figure on how much was collected locally, or even a definite amount on how much was collected in Samoa, although he said they will not be fundraising locally anymore, but the lines are still open for those who want to make monetary donations.

 

In addition to local individuals and businesses, Gabriel said they are soliciting the help of alumni from other schools in Samoa like Chanel College, Avele College, the Saint Mary's Old Girls Association (SMOGA), and the Samoa College Old Pupils Association (SCOPA) who live and reside in the territory, to see what they can put together as far as funds that can be presented during the anniversary celebration in August.

 

Altogether, the local chapter of the Marist St. Joseph's Old Boys Association has a membership of 46 people, led by group president Toleafoa Isitolo Wulf, vice president Aoomalo Manupo Turituri, treasurer Tagaloa Sione Ah-Sam, and secretary Rev. Atina'e Sheck.

 

The group is very active in the local community, hosting the monthly Toa o Samoa church services held at different churches across the territory, and also rugby games and tournaments, among them the TMO Marist’s 7s Rugby Tournament that has become a highly successful annual event.

 

All those interested in donating can call 258-1258; 252-1552; 258-3716 or 258-1697.