SI Central Oahu awarded a total of $12,500 to 5 recipients.

Youth Citizenship Awardee

SICO awarded $500 for the Youth Citizen-ship Award to Emma Hathaway whose mother was able to attend. One of her pro-jects was providing a Senior Prom at the Leahi Hospital. Some of the patients there are wheelchair bound and were assisted by being wheeled around as their form of danc-ing to the music.

Her bio from the program:

Current School: St. Andrew's Priory School Career Goal: Earn Masters or Doctorate degree in Psychology and run programs at a non-profit organization Volunteer organization: Young Women's Network Board of Director's program at the YWCA of Oahu, IHS Parent: M. Bridget Kubley

Calendar of Events

May Meeting at Ruby Tuesday

Thursday, May 9th—Changed to Second Thursday—

President Leona will be at Region Conference from May 2—5

5:00 p.m. for dinner Meeting starts at 6:00 p.m.

May 3-5, 2013—Region Conference, San Ramon, CA, all members invited

July, 2014—SIA Convention, Vancouver, BC—Make plans to attend.

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26 Years of Service

April 2013

As many times as Soroptimists see and hear the stories of the women who are helped by the Women’s Opportunity Awards, it never stops endearing us to them and their plights and bringing a tear(s) to those in attendance.

And, as often as the young women and one young man this year tell us of their community service projects, it is always awe inspiring.

Such were the cases again this year at the annual Awards Reception held at the Waialae Country Club. Each and every recipient was so grateful.

Co-Chairs Lyn Lurbe, Rene’ Tokunaga and Ellen Kazama, SICO’s representatives, carried out their duties with well-earned pride. Ellen was so busy collecting permission forms that she couldn’t be found for picture taking. Lyn had to sub for Chairman Sue Bias who had the flu. She did a great job with her incomparable enthusiasm.

Annual Awards Reception

Happy Birthday

Leona Takita—April 9th

Page 2

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SELECTS THREE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURTS TO SERVE AS RESOURCES TO SPECIALIZED COURTS

NATIONWIDE

NA MEA HOU

Excerpt from press release sent via email by Maile Kanemaru, Weed and Seed Director

WASHINGTON – The Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) today announced a new Mentor Court Initiative to support criminal and civil domestic violence courts across the country. “Specialized domestic violence courts play a vital role in our efforts to end violence against women,” said Bea Hanson, Acting Director of OVW. “Providing courts with the resources they need to safely and quickly inter-vene in cases of intimate partner violence not only saves lives, but sends a message to offenders that reducing domestic violence is a priority for our justice system.”

Successful domestic violence courts process cases more efficiently, increase offender compliance, impose en-hanced penalties, and achieve higher rates of conviction. There are now over 200 domestic violence courts in the United States. These courts require training and support, which is particularly effective when provided by peers. As mentors, the three courts will share their expertise by hosting site visits and linking courts with peers facing similar challenges. They will help other domestic violence courts implement best practices, improve proce-dures, replicate relevant programming, and build the overall capacity of state court systems to respond effec-tively to these difficult cases. The Mentor Court Initiative builds on OVW’s commitment to strengthening the court response to domestic violence. Since 2010, OVW has awarded over $10 million to court systems via the Court Training and Im-provements Grant Program (Courts Program). The Courts Program supports judicial education and the special-ized court planning and implementation integral to creating a collaborative and effective response to the crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

OVW, a component of the U.S. Department of Justice, provides leadership in developing the nation’s capacity to reduce violence against women through the implementation of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and subsequent legislation. Created in 1995, OVW administers financial and technical assistance to communi-ties across the country that are developing programs, policies and practices aimed at ending domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. In addition to overseeing 22 federal grant programs, OVW often undertakes initiatives in response to special needs identified by communities facing acute challenges. More information is available at www.ovw.usdoj.gov<;http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov>.

Per Maile Kanemaru, Weed and Seed Director: “Pilot project of Domestic Violence Courts. This is a break-through. Hope it comes to Hawaii someday.” We already have specialty courts such as Veteran’s Court, Men-tal Health Court and Drug Court. Hopefully, Hawaii will have a Domestic Violence Court one day.

WOMEN’S OPPORTUNITY AWARD

The District winner is Amber Carlson, sponsored by SI Waikiki with an award of $5000.

Page 3

AWARDS

WOMEN’S OPPORTUNITY AWARDS

Anyah Albert $3000

Marleina Dee Capua

$2500

Marleina attended St. Francis High School. Immediately after high school, Marleina moved to Seattle, Washington to pursue her Biology degree at Seattle University. After her first year of college, Marleina felt she wasn't ready to

continue studying, mostly due to being homesick. She moved back to O'ahu and began working. Soon after, she became a young mother and wife, and moved back to Seattle to start a new life. Marleina is a survivor of domestic violence. After eight years, she divorced and has returned to Hawaii to further her edu-cation. She now takes care of her grandparents and two children while pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing at Chaminade University and working part-time. She hopes to travel the world and provide care to those who don’t have access to health care. She is also obtaining a minor in Psychology to help educate teens on domestic violence.

Anyah is a survivor of domestic violence. She is the loving mother of her 3-year old son and a full-time student at Wind- ward Community College. Inspired by her former art history teacher, Sharon Rose, Anyah has begun her academic journey to pursue a bachelor’s degree in this field and —with great perseverance—a master’s and doctorate. Her love for her son and self, moand father all keep her motivated towards achieving success through education and being a positive role model. From the moment Anyah made a change in her life against domestic violence, she has forever been grateful for the many beautiful women and bright men who have held her hand through very tough times and those who are still with her today.

VIOLET RICHARDSON AWARD

An award of $500 was made to Pomaikaikealoha Nakoa as well as $500 to her charity. Pomai’s main project through the Pacific Asian Affairs Council is promoting global literacy. She will be departing again for Vietnam to teach English to 4th, 5th and 6th graders and to assist college bound students to be more fluent and proficient in English.

Her bio: Current School: James Campbell High School Career Goal: Psychiatry Volunteer organization: GLocal Literacy Foundation Parents: Maly Nakoa and Peter Nakoa Award: $500 sponsored by SI Central Oahu Donation to charity in honor of recipient: $500

WOMEN’S OPPORTUNITY AWARDS

Tianti Septianti $5,500 Award

Born and raised in Indonesia, Tanti moved to the United States in December 1996. She married and fell into an abusive relationship for 16 years, finally making the decision to get out of her situation in July 2012. Having no family in the United States, Tanti lives in a domestic violence shelter with her family.

Realizing that without job skills, a college education and with Eng-lish being her second language, Tanti made the decision to get an education in order to provide for her 3 children (2 with special needs and 1 severely disabled) and to give back to soci-ety. She is currently enrolled at Windward Community College with a goal to earn a degree in Occupational Therapy.

Officers and Directors

President: Leona Soto President-Elect: Rene Mansho Treasurer: Susan Lau Secretary: Dr. Kathy Ishimoto

Directors: Angie Bugarin, Ann Freed, Judy Fomin and Lorraine Fukumae

Committee Chairs:

Ann Freed: Program

Rene Mansho: Soroptimist Orientation and Leadership Training: Forums/Panels for awareness and advocacy, consistent with the Soroptimist Mission

Jackie Pactol and Angie Bugarin: Public Awareness and Newsletter :

Rene’ Tokunaga and Lyn Lurbe: Violet Richardson Awards and Reception

Lorraine Fukumae: Fundraising

Judy Fomin and Ellen Kazama: Membership

Lorraine Fukumae and Marion Poirier: Leeward Shelter

Rene Mansho and Lou Marcelo: Adopt-A-School

Marilyn Lee and Rene Mansho: SICO High School Scholarship

Jackie Pactol and Ellen Kazama: Lei Ilima Girls Club

Lou Marcelo and Angie Bugarin: Career/ College Fair for Women/High School students

Angie Bugarin: Bobby Benson Center

Rene Mansho: Ehime Maru Clean Up

P O Box 893102 

Mililani HI 96789‐3102 

SOROPTIMIST  INTERNATIONAL  

OF  CENTRAL  OAHU

Soroptimist Pledge

I Pledge allegiance to Soroptimism and to the ideals for which it stands,

The Sincerity of Friendship,

The Joy of Achievement,

The Dignity of Service,

The Integrity of Profession,

The Love of Country.

I will put forth my greatest effort to promote, uphold and defend these ideals for a larger fellowship in

home, in society, in business, for country and for God.

Soroptimist Grace

For the bread upon the board,

Make us truly thankful, Lord.

For each one meeting here

Whom our hearts hold close and dear,

For this day O Lord above

Now accept our grateful love.

Amen

email: leonasoto@aol.com Address for President Leona Soto

The Best for Women 

www.soroptimist. org