HO OLAHA - HGEAKauai Relay for Life 2016 - Wally Sonoda, former Unit 4 Chair. Maui members at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life 2016 . Wally Sonoda, former Unit 4 Chair, in

HO`OLAHAP U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E R E T I R E D P E O P L E

The Ho`olaha is published six times a year by the Hawaii Government Employees Association, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 152, AFL-CIO.

P.O. Box 2930Honolulu, HI 96802-2930(808) 543-0054www.hgea.org

I n t h i s i s s u eA Message From Retirees President: Paul Matsuo

Hoe Hana Brigade

2016 Primary Election HGEA-Endorsed Candidates

EUTF Updates

Big Island | Maui | Oahu | Kauai Island Chapter News

Travel to Oahu

Word Find Puzzle: Fun in the Sun07 | 08.16v o l u m e X X X V I V N o i V

Hawaii Government Employees AssociationAFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIOP.O. Box 2930Honolulu, HI 96802-2930

NON PROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDHONOLULU, HIPERMIT NO. 180

L T A Q C O W S T S T S U S R C X S U J F O I T W O E H N L S L P A E P O Y C L N Y O X V R O O A E G R N D L S U A G F B B B H I G R K I L I N O S A E T D G M E M E F C K N T O N E R I C X I D Y Z Y G R N A E S R I G U G S T H A B O N Z I I O U L C A R C H N T E O O T B O N G U B O I T P H L E I S T S L O I O R U Y Q Q N J L N E T D M Z I X N L O H S S S S G N O E A E A O T M H F A S N Q B B V V E O B N N E V X W X U H T U S V U A S N P T I I R M N D X E Q S N P P N C G W T Q N E F R C E J A B L T U P D A U Q T W G L L A B Y E L L O V L S L T Z N F A A G N I P P O H D N A L S I I G Z P V J I S A N D C A S T L E S I O E A C E W C S C O N C E R T S J I F N D S M S W W Z F G N I P M A C S U R F I N G E W J C B C O F Y U L R F B P M J L I G S N Q C C Z U L X E P Y O U C M B F I S Z A M V D A

funinthesunAdventureBeach TowelBBQBonfiresCampingConcertsCookoutsFishingFunGamesHobbiesIsland HoppingOutdoorsPool Parties

RelaxationReadingSand CastlesSchool SuppliesSnorkelingSpring CleaningSummer SchoolSurfingSuntan LotionSunny DaysVacationVolleyballWavesWhales

WORDFINDHawaii Chapter Retirees Hoe Hana Brigade. (L-R) Carol Denis, Elsie Iida,

Patricia Dunn, Ruth Walker, Charlene Sugihara and Joanne Yokote.

HO`OLAHA

Mahie TraskRetirees Unit Administrator

Tammy GannSecretary

Lariel SatoCommunications Specialist

B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S

Paul Matsuo, OahuPresidentRuth Walker, HawaiiVice-PresidentMuriel Masumura, OahuTreasurerSam Jacobs, OahuSecretary

D I R E C T O R S

Steve Criss, Maui Ricordo Medina, Maui Thomas Kiyojima, Hawaii Aileen Obina, Hawaii Timothy Albao, Kauai Betty Matsumura, Kauai Ethel Fleming, Oahu Susan Goya, Oahu Arlene Shimokawa, Oahu Ethel Shintaku, Oahu

07 | 08.16v o l u m e X X X V I V N o i V

H A W A I I D I V I S I O N

495 Manono StreetHilo, HI 96720(808) [email protected]

M A U I D I V I S I O N

2145 Kaohu Street, Ste. 206Wailuku, HI 96793(808) [email protected]

O A H U D I V I S I O N

888 Mililani Street, Ste. 401Honolulu, HI 96813(808) [email protected]

K A U A I D I V I S I O N

3213 Akahi StreetLIhue, HI 96766(808) [email protected]

the Retirees Unit has developed a new “pilot” program named Project Outreach Echo.

Using social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.) texting and email, we must make contact with family and friends living on the neighbor islands and the mainland and ask for their support of Democrats. The contact is free using a mobile device or computer. No stamps needed or trips to the post office!

The Republican platform continues to attack Social Security and Medicare benefits for the elderly. If they win the presidency and continue control of Congress, then retirement and health benefits may be eliminated or diminished. Losing these precious benefits, we may lose our independent lifestyles, and become burdens to our children and grandchildren. In some cases we may even alter their lifestyle by having them return home to care for us. With the death of Justice Scalia, the next president will make the appointment to the vacant seat. Unions have a lot at stake in who gets the appointment, and a Democrat Senate confirming the appointment is crucial.

Now is your chance to send the message to “Vote Democrat” through social media. Family members and friends, former co-workers and neighbors, professional counterparts and business associates, whomever you can “reach out and touch.” I urge you to please support Democrats, register to vote and then VOTE!

While non-partisan, Big Island and Oahu mayoral races are both critical races and the HGEA has endorsed former Mayor Harry Kim and Mayor Kirk Caldwell respectively. Please consider joining the campaigns by contacting their headquarters to see how you can help.

All the HGEA endorsements are on our website but look for the full list in this issue and in The Public Employee.

I want to congratulate the neighbor island chapters for answering the call to hold meetings outside of your regular scheduled meetings. Maui Chapter especially had two really successful meetings and is already planning a third in Lahaina. More information will be going to members in that district. Information will be coming out in the next Ho’olaha for the Christmas parties, as well as information for the Big Island New Year’s luncheon.

Thank you for your support as I attended your June general membership meetings. It was my pleasure to meet so many of you and I look forward to more meetings in the near future.

Sincerely, Paul

A Message From Retirees PRESIDENT

PAUL MATSUO CHAPTER NEWS

KAUAISeptember 19, 2016 (Monday) - General membership meeting at the HGEA office at 9:30am. Kaiser & HMSA representatives will be available. Plus, hear from HGEA-endorsed candidates!

October 10, 2016 (Monday) - Movie Day at the HGEA office at 9:00am. Movie to be announced.

December 8, 2016 (Thursday) - Christmas party at the Courtyard Marriott.

MAUIAugust 17, 2016 (Wednesday) - Movie Day (“Inside Man”) at the HGEA office at 9:00am.

September 20, 2016 (Tuesday) - General membership meeting at the UPW Hall at 9:00am. Kaiser & HMSA representatives will be available. Plus, hear from HGEA-endorsed candidates! There will also be a special drawing for a rice cooker!

October 24, 2016 (Monday) - Outreach at the Lahaina Civic Center from 9:00am - 1:00pm.

November 16, 2016 (Wednesday) - Movie Day (“Bucket List”) at the HGEA office at 9:00am.

December 2, 2016 (Friday) - Christmas party at Tante’s restaurant.

This year we have an opportunity to elect another Democrat President and to take Congress back by electing Democrats. Retirees need to become involved by voting Democratic nationally. With this objective,

BIG ISLANDSeptember 21, 2016 (Wednesday) - General membership meeting at the HGEA office at 9:30am. Kaiser & HMSA representatives will be available. Plus, hear from HGEA-endorsed candidates!

January 2017 - New Year’s party.

OAHUWith the passing of Treasurer Sam Yong, John Wadahara was sworn in as the new treasurer at the June general membership meeting. Chapter Director Ava Kridler was sworn in at the March meeting. Line dancing will resume at the HGEA office on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday.

September 17, 2016 (Saturday) - AFL-CIO Annual Foodbank Hunger Walk from 8:00am - 11:30am. Please sign up through the HGEA eBulletin.

September 22, 2016 (Thursday) - General membership meeting at the HGEA office at 9:00am. Please RSVP to Tammy at 543-0054.

October 1 & 2, 2016 (Saturday & Sunday) - Children and Youth Day. Volunteers are needed for the food booth.

October 5, 2016 (Wednesday) - Special Halloween Obake Movie Day at the HGEA office at 9:00am.

October 13, 2016 (Thursday) - Windward District Outreach. Information will be mailed.

November 16, 2016 (Thursday) - Movie Day.

December 14, 2016 (Wednesday) - Christmas party at the Japanese Cultural Center.

Come join fellow retiree members for another island venture, as we tour the beautiful and regal ‘Iolani Palace. We will also visit Hawaii’s first printing press in the Hawaiian language at the Hawaiian Mission House, home of the largest collection of Hawaiian language books in the world. This Honolulu excursion will be on Wednesday, October 19, 2016. Seats are limited, so please call Tammy at 543-0054 to register by August 15, 2016.

TRAVEL OAHU october 19, 2016

Kauai Relay for Life 2016 - Wally Sonoda, former Unit 4 Chair.

Maui members at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life 2016 .

Wally Sonoda, former Unit 4 Chair, in the golf cart at the Kauai American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

Retirees Unit officers at the HGEA General Assembly (Betty Matsumura, Ruth Walker, Aileen Obina and Ethel Fleming).

Helpful reminders for retirees• Effective May 1, 2016, CVS Health converted the four Target pharmacies in Hawaii to Longs Pharmacies.• Every January the Medicare Part B premium reimbursement is reset to the standard amount, which is 121.80 if you become eligible in 2016. If you were collecting Social Security in 2015 than you will continue to pay the standard amount of $104.90. If you pay a higher income-related Medicare Part B premium, EUTF will reimburse you the additional premium. However, you must submit to the EUTF a copy of the letter from Social Security Administration (SSA) showing your income-related premium (EUTF does not reimburse the penalties). EUTF reimburses you quarterly for the cost of your Medicare Part B plan.• If you are retired and turning 65 years old or your dependent is turning 65 years old, you and your Medicare eligible dependent must enroll in Medicare Part B to be enrolled in the EUTF retiree medical and/or prescription drug plans. To enroll in Medicare Part B contact the Social Security Administration toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. You are not required to enroll in Medicare Part B if you are only enrolled in the retiree dental, vision and/or life insurance plans.• As a reminder, enrollment in a Medicare prescription drug plan is limited to one Medicare plan only and is regulated by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). If you enroll into a non-EUTF Medicare prescription drug plan CMS automatically disenrolls you from the EUTF Medicare prescription drug plan and you will not be eligible to re-enroll in the EUTF plan until the next open enrollment period held in the fall of every year.• Please be sure EUTF has your current address and phone number.

If you are a Medicare retiree looking for a doctor who takes Medicare patients• Visit https://www.medicare.gov/physiciancompare to find a doctor in your area. Make sure the doctor you select is in the HMSA or United Healthcare (UHC) network.• All Kaiser Permanente doctors welcome Medicare members.

There are a number of ways to save money on your prescription drug cost.• Mail order is a cost efficient and convenient way to get your maintenance drugs.• Ask your prescription doctor if you can take a higher prescription dose of the same drug less often.

If you have any questions regarding the contents of this article, please contact the EUTF directly at 586-7390 or toll-free at 1-800-295-0089 or email at [email protected]. You can also visit their website for more information at www.eutf.hawaii.gov.

Following in the footsteps of our forbearers, the Hawaii Chapter retirees Hoe Hana Brigade ventured to the Pu’u Wa’awa’a Forest Reserve, over 66 miles towards Kona, to volunteer with the Martin Luther King Day’s work project sponsored by Kaiser Permanente.

We reluctantly rolled out of our warm and comfortable beds to face the cold 60-63 degree Hilo morning and started out at 5:45 am. But unlike the noisy open air trucks that smelled of oil and gasoline that picked up plantation workers ages ago, we were picked up in a luxurious comfortable heated truck driven by Elsie Iida. Our work apparel of long sleeves, long pants and gloves not only protected us from thorns and the sharp slivers of cane leaves, but also from the dreaded dengue mosquitoes.

At Pu’u Wa’awa’a Forest Reserve, we worked to weed (our skill level), while other volunteers weed-wacked, watered, prepared trail, and performed other tasks to maintain the forest reserve grounds.

We endured heat hovering around 86 degrees (but felt like 100 degrees) in the dry forest reserve grounds, but we survived. We ended the day tired and hot, but rode home in comfort in our air-conditioned truck, so no one complained about sore muscles and strained backs. We all were in total agreement that as soon as we got home, we would jump into a hot shower and take a nap!

(Photo on front page of Ho`olaha.)

Hawaii Chapter HOE HANA BRIGADE by ruth walker

H E L P F U L R E M I N D E R S F O R R E T I R E E S• Effective May 1, 2016, CVS Health converted the four Target pharmacies in Hawaii to Longs Pharmacies.• Every January the Medicare Part B premium reimbursement is reset to the standard amount, which is 121.80 if you become eligible in 2016. If you were collecting Social Security in 2015, then you will continue to pay the standard amount of $104.90. If you pay a higher income-related Medicare Part B premium, EUTF will reimburse you the additional premium. However, you must submit to the EUTF a copy of the letter from Social Security Administration (SSA) showing your income-related premium (EUTF does not reimburse the penalties). EUTF reimburses you quarterly for the cost of your Medicare Part B plan.• If you are retired and turning 65 years old or your dependent is turning 65 years old, you and your Medicare eligible dependent must enroll in Medicare Part B to be enrolled in the EUTF retiree medical and/or prescription drug plans. To enroll in Medicare Part B contact the Social Security Administration toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. You are not required to enroll in Medicare Part B if you are only enrolled in the retiree dental, vision and/or life insurance plans.• As a reminder, enrollment in a Medicare prescription drug plan is limited to one Medicare plan only and is regulated by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). If you enroll into a non-EUTF Medicare prescription drug plan, CMS automatically disenrolls you from the EUTF Medicare prescription drug plan and you will not be eligible to re-enroll in the EUTF plan until the next open enrollment period held in the fall of every year.• Please be sure EUTF has your current address and phone number.

If you are a Medicare retiree looking for a doctor who takes Medicare patients• Visit https://www.medicare.gov/physiciancompare to find a doctor in your area. Make sure the doctor you select is in the HMSA or United Healthcare (UHC) network.• All Kaiser Permanente doctors welcome Medicare members.

There are a number of ways to save money on your prescription drug cost.• Mail order is a cost efficient and convenient way to get your maintenance drugs.• Ask your prescription doctor if you can take a higher prescription dose of the same drug less often.

If you have any questions regarding the contents of this article, please contact the EUTF directly at 586-7390 or toll-free at 1-800-295-0089 or email at [email protected]. You can also visit their website for more information at www.eutf.hawaii.gov.

Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF)

Kauai members Mike and Pat Layosa at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Hanapepe.

Hawaii Chapter retirees at the West Hawaii Picnic.

Rummage sale to benefit the Maui American Cancer Society Relay for Life 2016 .

U.S. SENATEBrian Schatz

STATE SENATEDistrict 1

Kaiali‘i KaheleDistrict 2

Russell Ruderman

STATE HOUSEDistrict 1

Mark NakashimaDistrict 2

Clift TsujiDistrict 3

Richard OnishiDistrict 4

Joy San BuenaventuraDistrict 5

Richard Creagan

STATE SENATEDistrict 5

No Action Taken

STATE HOUSEDistrict 8

Joe SoukiDistrict 9

Justin WoodsonDistrict 10

No Action Taken

STATE SENATEDistrict 9

Stanley ChangDistrict 10

Les IharaDistrict 11

Brian TaniguchiDistrict 13

Karl RhoadsDistrict 14

Donna Mercado KimDistrict 15

No Action TakenDistrict 19

Will EsperoDistrict 20

No Action TakenDistrict 22

Donovan Dela CruzDistrict 25

Laura Thielen

STATE HOUSEDistrict 17

OpenDistrict 18

Mark HashemDistrict 19

Bert KobayashiDistrict 20

Open

STATE SENATEDistrict 8

Ron Kouchi

STATE HOUSEDistrict 14

Nadine Nakamura

2016 Primary ElectionYour HGEA-ENDORSED candidates

HGEA has endorsed a full slate of candidates for the 2016 Primary Election to be held on August 13, 2016. These candidates have been interviewed and screened by HGEA members who make up the Island and State Political Action Committees. A rigorous and time-consuming process was conducted with candidates seeking HGEA’s endorsement.

“Our endorsed candidates understand the issues that are important to working people, their families and our communities,” said State Political Action Committee Chair Jon Gasper.

For more details on candidates, please visit our election website:

REMEMBER: For the Primary Election, you may only vote for candidates in the same party.

(Note: “No action taken” means candidates did not contact HGEA for endorsement consideration in a timely manner or at all. An “open” endorsement means the union does not endorse a candidate.)

U.S. REPRESENTATIVECONGRESSIONAL

DISTRICT 1

Colleen Hanabusa

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE CONGRESSIONAL

DISTRICT 2

Tulsi Gabbard

H A W A I IDistrict 6

Nicole LowenDistrict 7

David Tarnas

HAWAII COUNTY MAYORHarry Kim

HAWAII COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEYMitch Roth

HAWAII COUNTY COUNCILDistrict 1

Valerie Poindexter

District 2

Aaron ChungDistrict 3

Moana Keli‘iDistrict 4

Eileen O’HaraDistrict 5

Danny PalekaDistrict 6

Maile DavidDistrict 7

Dru KanuhaDistrict 8

Karen EoffDistrict 9

Herbert Richards

www.hgea.org/elections2016

Wailuku-Waihee-Waikapu

OpenUpcountry

OpenSouth Maui

Don CouchMakawao-Haiku-Paia

No Action Taken

kauai COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEYJustin Kollar

kauai COUNTY COUNCILArthur Brun

District 21

Scott NishimotoDistrict 22

Tom BrowerDistrict 23

Isaac ChoyDistrict 24

Della Au BelattiDistrict 25

Sylvia Luke District 26

Scott SaikiDistrict 27

Takashi OhnoDistrict 28

John MizunoDistrict 29

Valerie Belen DionneDistrict 30

OpenDistrict 31

Aaron JohansonDistrict 32

Linda IchiyamaDistrict 33

OpenDistrict 34

OpenDistrict 35

Roy TakumiDistrict 36

Open

District 37

Ryan YamaneDistrict 38

Henry AquinoDistrict 39

Ty CullenDistrict 40

Randy GonceDistrict 41

Matthew LoPrestiDistrict 42

OpenDistrict 43

Stacelynn EliDistrict 44

Jo JordanDistrict 45

OpenDistrict 46

No Action TakenDistrict 47

OpenDistrict 48

Jarrett KeohokaloleDistrict 49

Ken ItoDistrict 50

OpenDistrict 51

Chris Lee

HONOLULU MAYORKirk Caldwell

HONOLULU PROSECUTING ATTORNEYKeith Kaneshiro

HONOLULU CITY COUNCILDistrict 1

Kymberly PineDistrict 3

Ikaika AndersonDistrict 5

No Action TakenDistrict 7

Joey ManahanDistrict 9

Ron Menor

M A U IDistrict 11

OpenDistrict 12

OpenDistrict 13

Alex Haller

maui COUNTY COUNCIL(Note: Endorsements were made for council seats in the primary election only.)

K A U A IDistrict 15

Tommy Oi District 16

Daynette “Dee” Morikawa

Mason ChockGary HooserRoss KagawaArryl Kaneshiro Derek KawakamiKipuKai Kuali‘iMel Rapozo

O A H U

PRIMARY ELECTIONAugust 13, 2016

Early Walk-In VotingOctober 25 through November 5, 2016

GENERAL ELECTION November 8, 2016

importantdates