NPIEN SALUTES AUNTY GENOA KEAWE

Aunty Genoa Keawe died Monday at age 89. She was best known for being an icon of traditional Hawaiian music, and toured throughout the United States, Asia, Canada, Switzerland, Brazil, and Russia. She recorded more than 20 albums and 150 singles.

Margo Lenson, author and publisher, Tui Communications remembers Aunty Genoa at Kapiolani Park when she lived in Kaimuki, Oahu. "Looking at Aunty Genoa's photos now, I see my mom's face. Aunty had 12 children; my mom had 11 ... maybe they had the same illuminating life-force?!"

Margo says Aunty Genoa's voice, "...that beautiful falsetto, still trembles in my heart's memory." Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann described Aunty Genoa's voice as "a symbol of Hawaii's culture." NPIEN sends aloha and condolences to Aunty's family. Her legacy of music will live on.

MONEY FOR THE TERRITORIES?

Congressman Eni Faleomavaega of American Samoa announced that by a vote of 380 to 34 the House passed H.R. 5140, the Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008 as amended by the Senate. The bill also ensures that residents of the territories (American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Northern Marianas Islands, Virgin Islands) are eligible for the same income tax rebates and child credit increases being provided to all other Americans.

“Given that many of our people live below the poverty level and our per capita incomes are well below the national average, the House and Senate also agreed to support our request to protect our local economies,” Faleomavaega said.

“This is good news for American Samoa, and good news for the other territories. Our men and women fight and die for this country and, like every other American, we are also confronted with the same, if not worse, economic challenges.

NPIEN COMMENT: NPIEN's hope is that we continue to seek recognition from the federal government to support the people of all of the territories. We salute the work of Congressman Faleomavaega, Congresswoman Bordallo of Guam, Congressman Luis Fortuno, Puerto Rico, Congresswoman Donna Christensen, Virgin Islands.

ANNUAL SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP DRIVE

Join NPIEN, renew your membership today, and receive a $10 discount on registration for the annual conference! For only $20, you can join an organization committed to the education of all students! Visit www.npien.com for more information. The membership drive ends May 30, 2008.

NPIEN's ANNUAL MENTORING PROGRAM

Interested schools can participate in NPIEN's annual Mentoring Program. Pacific Islander teachers, school administrators, doctors, business people, college students, and others are available to speak in lunch-time meetings at elementary, middle, and high schools. We even offer ukulele lessons! Contact us at www.npien.com

NPIEN AWARDS APPLICATIONS DUE 5/15

NPIEN is pleased to announce its annual awards ceremony on November 15, 2008 at the 7th Annual NPIEN Education Conference. Applications are available at www.npien.com Pacific Islander students with outstanding academic achievement can be nominated by their teachers and counselors. In addition, students can nominate their favorite teachers. Finally, the community awards recognize organizations or community members for their contributions to the Pacific Islander community.