Hawaiian Telcom University

[UPDATE: We want to thank everyone who supported the pledge drive.  We had a record setting evening, at some points with every available phone being used!  Pictures below.  Please continue to support by using the website www.pbshawaii.org/donate ]

Dear Family and Friends,

As you may know, I’m on the Board of Directors of Hawaii’s only public television station, PBS Hawaii, which quickly returned to the airwaves after a major fire disabled the TV studio and caused other damage on November 18. The station has found ways to be fully operational while major repairs are made.

Our Board will carry on our tradition of a December Pledge Night this coming Sunday, December 4 at 7:00 pm. We’ll be “going live” from a borrowed studio in the same building.

I hope that you will call in to pledge your support for this remarkable nonprofit organization as I volunteer with my fellow PBS Hawaii Board members on the phone bank. The evening program features a concert in Central Park with amazing tenor Andrea Bocelli, an example of the high-quality programming on this trusted TV station.

These are times in which we all need to prioritize and focus our charitable giving, and PBS Hawaii remains one of my top priorities for the following reasons:

• With traditional media shrinking and gaps widening in news coverage, there has never been a greater need for PBS Hawaii’s trustworthy information and civil discourse.
• Amid cuts in education, the arts are often the first to leave the classroom.

• PBS Hawaii fills the void by providing compelling music, theater, dance and visual arts to those who might not ever have the opportunity to experience them otherwise; and as “free TV,” PBS Hawaii continues to deliver award-winning keiki programming that educates and enriches our next generations, including young children who cannot attend pre-school.

I’m asking you to phone 973-2222 from Oahu–or             800-565-5616       toll-free–and make a gift to support this great organization. Remember, tune in on Sunday evening, Dec. 4, at 7:00 pm. I look forward to hearing from you. Or go towww.pbshawaii.org/donate to give now.

Mahalo!
Darren

Left to Right: Shengri Zhang (Vice President, International Banking for Bank of Hawaii), Betty Hoang Brow (Executive Vice President, International Banking Division of Bank of Hawaii), Judy Carlisle, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu Peter Carlisle, Chen Zhengming (Chairman of Sichuan Dongjia Group), Darren T. Kimura (President and CEO Sopogy Inc), Ningjin Miao (2011 Narcissus Queen) Chen Ziwei (Chairwoman of Sichuan Dongjia Investment Company), Lau Gong (Advisor to Sichuan Dongjia Investment Company) Lau Gong (Advisor to Sichuan Dongjia Investment Company

Ahu Kupanaha Iā Hawaiʻi ʻImi Loa from Oiwi TV on Vimeo.

Ahu Kupanaha Iā Hawaiʻi ʻImi Loa from Oiwi TV on Vimeo.

This video shares the special “aloha” spirit of Hawaiʻi in a way that has rarely been done before. Produced by Pono Shim and Don Mapes for non-profit Enterprise Honolulu, the video is to promote the islands as a special place of spirit and innovation. The video is based on the teaching of Aunty Pilahi Paki who was called the keeper of Hawaiʻiʻs secrets. Although she passed away in 1985 she prophesied that the world would come to Hawaiʻi in the 21st century to find the answer to world peace. That answer…aloha. Produced with the cooperation of numerous organizations who donated footage, the video invites others to come to our islands to partner to find solutions to the worldʻs problems.

What is Hawaiʻi, What is Aloha? from Don Mapes on Vimeo.

Five businesses have been chosen to represent the counties and the state.

APEC 2011 Hawaii Business Innovation Showcase winners awarded

It’s all part of the APEC 2011 Hawaii Business Innovation Showcase.”We understand there were 2000 companies that applied. From that they selected 35 local companies, and from that they selected five companies, so we’re just so honored to be part of the five,” said Darren Kimura, Sopogy President & CEO.

Sopogy, which is known for its solar power technology, was selected as the Honolulu County winner.

“We see the potential through this APEC opportunity to sell more technologies around the world, around Asia, that’ll create more jobs, create more tax revenue back into Hawaii, will allow us to continue building our business here,” said Kimura.

Photo courtesy of Darryl Watanabe photography

“Sopogy’s proven solar technology and thermal energy storage system will help Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam achieve clean energy goals,” said Phatthanasret Chayutthanabun, President of M.A.I. Development.  “In addition, Sopogy’s localized approach will create needed jobs.  We appreciate being Sopogy’s exclusive partners in these markets.”

“We are delighted to be partnering with MAI Development,” said Darren T. Kimura, President and CEO of Sopogy. “MAI’s commitment to solar thermal energy, strong track record in Thailand, and excellent governmental relations within Southeast Asia make the company an ideal partner for Sopogy.”