Honolulu City Council honors educators, storytellers, small businesses and student winners in honorary certificate program

The Honolulu City Council used its honorary certificate program to recognize a cross‑section of community leaders, nonprofit organizers, small businesses and student winners in a program that ran from an opening performance by the Royal Hawaiian Band Glee Club to a closing thanks from Council Chair Waters.

Council Member Kia Haina presented a certificate to Windward Community College Chancellor Dr. Artis Eschenberg, praising the chancellor’s efforts to expand access and student success. "Artis has served as the chancellor of Windward Community College since 01/02/2019," Kia Haina said, and the council cited a 20% increase in enrollment tied to the college's strategic plan and new programs including a Hawaiian‑immersion child care center and college coursework availability inside the carceral system.

Council Member Talbot introduced a recognition of storyteller Robert Lopaka Kapanui and Mysteries of Hawaii for 25 years of preserving cultural history. "For a quarter of a century, Lopaka and his wife Tanya Kapanui have shared Hawaii's haunted, historic and cultural stories with residents and visitors alike," Talbot said, noting national recognition for the pair’s tours and publications.

Council Chair Waters presented an 85‑year recognition to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1260, noting the local represents more than 3,000 members across Hawaii and Guam and highlighting apprenticeship and workforce training efforts. "Their work ensures the safety, stability and resilience of our communities," Waters said.

The council also honored longtime Waikiki Improvement Association leaders Rick Eggett and Joanne Morimoto for decades of service to Waikiki businesses and tourism planning, and recognized Watanabe Floral’s 80th anniversary with remarks from Council Members Radiant Cordero and Dos Santos Tam about the business's family history and community role.

Council Member Andrea Tupala presented a certificate to Elipayo Social Services for its work on the Leeward Coast, describing programs that operate food pantries in 11 public and charter schools reaching more than 5,000 people weekly, five kupuna pantries serving over 1,100 seniors, and a reported distribution of more than 13,000,000 pounds of food since the organization’s founding in 2021.

The council recognized winners of the 2026 Memorial Day poster contest (95 entries; 16 student winners across four grade categories) and noted the posters will be used in Memorial Day publications and the mayor’s ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

Council Member Weier presented certificates to the Wailua High School girls and Kahuku High School boys surfing teams as inaugural Hawaii High School Athletic Association surfing state champions, citing event participation and team scores: Wailua girls, 4,210 points; Kahuku boys, 3,150 points.

Finally, Dos Santos Tam recognized Sweet Leilani Florist on its 80th anniversary and announced the business will close on June 30 after decades of family operation. The council closed the honorary program and recessed briefly before continuing other business.

The presentations were ceremonial recognitions; no formal policy actions, votes or directives were taken during the honorary certificate program portion of the meeting.