Statement from Alex Santiago

"Maile grew up in Waianae, and has roots in this community. She also has experience under her belt and has achieved a chairship over the Human Services and Housing Committee. She is clearly the best choice for representing Wai`anae, Makaha, and Makua."
-- Alex Santiago
President of Health and Human Services Consultants
Former Chair, HI Democratic Party
Former State House Representative (1990-2000)
Makaha resident

Statement from William Ganiko

Email received in November 2006:

Mrs. Shimabukuro,

I am writing you this email because I came across it in one of the newspaper's that had your information and I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to thank you for all that you have done for us here in the Waianae area.

First of all, my name is Willie Ganiko and I am a 28 year old from Maili. I have been living here since our family moved out here when I was 2 years old. During my childhood and adolescent years, not too many things were done out here on the Leeward Side.

Seeing all the changes in the recent years with the increasing homelessness and poverty, I'm coming to realize this is probably how the Waianae Coast is going to be for a very long time. Not to put down our home land but it's just so factual I think. We are very low on the priority list of anything that the state has done. Complaints about the Waimanalo Gulch go unheard, just seems so unfair!

I could go on and on about many things but that is not my reason for emailing you. I just wanted to personally thank you for doing such a great job trying to do what is best for "Our People". This is by far one of the most hardest jobs representing the Waianae Coast but you really do a fantastic job! Taking the position that you have requires so much hard work and dedication. . .

I know you are a busy woman and I trully wanted to give you a big THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! I know that they're are others that feel just like me towards you and I hope I can speak well of them on my behalf.

Mahalo Nui Loa!

Sincerely Yours,

William Ganiko

UHPA Endorses Maile

Maile was very grateful to receive this message in December 2007:

Congratulations! You have been endorsed as a candidate in the 2008 election by the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly. . .This year, the Board of Directors, with the concurrence of the membership, voted to grant an early endorsement.

If you have questions, please contact UHPA at 593-2157.

Statement from Maralyn Kurshals

"Rep. Maile Shimabukuro knows the people and needs of the Wai`anae Coast. She has lived and worked here all her life, and her dedication and commitment is needed so that our voices can be heard! Maile has the intelligence and heart to represent us at the State Legislature and I fully support her."
-- Maralyn Kurshals

Statement from Rodlyn Brown

"Wai`anae needs Maile in office because she is truly dedicated to this Coast." -- Rodlyn Brown, Makaha Resident

Statement from Glenn Tokunaga

"Maile has done a lot to support our public schools. For example, she secured funding for air conditioning and got fans for our schools." -- Glenn Tokunaga

Maile's 2006 Election Flyer

Click on the image for a full-sized version.

Statement from Norman and Bonita Swift

"Rep. Maile Shimabukuro has supported Ahi Fever, Wai`anae Boat Fishing Club and the Fishing Community of Wai`anae and we are proud to support her in this coming election."

-President of Wai`anae Boat Fishing Club and Chairmen of Ahi Fever Fishing Tournament, Norman & Bonita Swift

Statement from Wade "Boo" Soares

Keeping Waianae's Schools Cool

Hardware Hawaii’s Corey Ann Bebb (left) and state Rep. Maile Shimabukuro accept a $10,000 check from Clifford Laughton for fans for Waianae classrooms. (Hardware Hawaii provided all the fans at factory cost and donated its profits.) Photo from Ray Sweeney.

The heat is on to beat the heat in Wai`anae's schools. Thanks to the aid of donations and volunteers, classrooms at Makaha, Leihoku, Kamaile, and Wai`anae Elementary, and Wai`anae High and Wai`anae Intermediate, are now cooler. With continued support, the goal of outfitting all classrooms in Waianae and Makaha with fans will be reached. Email Maile at maileshimabukuro@yahoo.com if you are interested in making a tax deductible donation to this worthy cause.

Click on the following links to read more:

• Residents along the Wai'anae Coast — one of O'ahu's hottest spots, downright sweltering in recent days — have mounted a drive to get a fan in every classroom.


• "Whenever you talk to the principals they say the portables are like ovens," said Shimabukuro. "For some reason, the way they are designed, they are the worst of the worst of the classroom spaces."


• Shimabukuro soon had an opportunity to feel the heat first-hand when she went to the high school campus to speak to the students. "I was just dying," she said. "My clothes were sticking to my skin. The heat was really unbearable."

'Ahi Fever' Fishing Tournament June 14-15

The annual "Ahi Fever" fishing tournament is scheduled for June 14-15 at Wai`anae Boat Harbor. Please support the event by making donations, such as purchasing an ad for the program. For more information, contact Norman and Bonita Swift at nswift9005@msn.com

Photo Galleries: Halloween Spooktacular, Friends of Maile Fundraiser, Makaha Surfing

Aloha- Please click here to view these 3 photo albums:

1) Halloween Spooktacular at Leihoku Elementary;
2) Friends of Maile Shimabukuro Fundraiser;
3) Maile Surfing Makaha (photos by Danny Kim)

Enjoy!

Click here to see all three albums.

Westside Stories March 2008

Click on the image to view the full size.