27 Years of Service

December January 2014

HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS FORUM

The forum held at the Mililani Hongwanji was well attended by a variety of people from as far away as the Windward side of Oahu. SICO and the Mililani Buddhist Womens Association jointly sponsored the forum bringing awareness to human trafficking with hopes of better collaboration between law enforcement and community groups who advocate for the survivors. The panel included Jon Karamatsu from the City Prosecutors office, State Attorney General David Louie, U.S. Attorney General Florence Nakakuni and Circuit Court Judge Ed Kubo along with Joshua Cooper, United Nations Hawaii, Dr. Tin Myaing Thien, Pacific Gateway Center and Jessica Munoz, and Tammy Bitanga from Courage House Worldwide Hawaii. This distinguished panel provided much background information and then fielded questions from the audience. As President Rene began making contacts and explaining the project, these distinguished people wholeheartedly encouraged her to pursue having the forum. Each wanted more awareness of the problems. Brought to light also was the lack of collaboration and fragmented efforts between agencies to combat trafficking.

SOROPTIMISTINTERNATIONALOFCENTRALOAHU

Na Mea Hou

Human traffickingsex and labor happens through force, fraud and coercion. Through fraudulent promises, girls and boys are coerced to go along with the solicitors who then confiscate their identification cards and passports to prevent them from being able to leave. The girls /boys are beaten and raped into submission, isolation and the feeling of hopelessness thereby rendering them dependent on their pimps. Judge Kubo and US Attorney General Nakakuni gave specific situations about sexual and labor exploitation. The panel discussed penalties, updated laws and possible future laws. State Attorney General Louie said that Governor Abercrombie has a strong stance against human trafficking. Even with enhanced penalties and the Waikiki clean up the problem continues to exist but is now less visible. City Prosecutor Jon Riki Karamatsu reported that there is a specific prosecutor to track girls who may be under duress or need help.
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Calendar of Events
February 6, 2014Ruby Tuesday, Mililani 5:00 p.m. for dinner Meeting starts at 6:00 p. m. February 6th, Next Membership Meeting, Mililani Ruby Tuesday 13-15th Womens Leadership Summit, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel 27th Board of Directors Meeting, Place TBD MarchInternational Womens History Month March 6th, General Membership Meeting, Mililani Ruby Tuesday 8th, International Womens DaySaturday of Service & Awards Reception Brunch, 9-12noon, Waialae Country Club 29th Bobby Benson Center Luau Fundraiser July, 2014SIA Convention, Vancouver, BCPlan to attend

Share the Light of Soroptimist Service

President Renes Message

Kung Hee Fat Choy!
Year of the Horse
Aloha Members! We have an amazing opportunity on February 13-15, at the Japanese Womens Society Foundation Womens Leadership Summit. It started in June last year when Jackie introduced us to the online story of the Nozomi Project about women who lost everything in the Japan Tsunami and were given hope to survive and find purpose in their lives. So I purchased their jewelry and shared their items with friends and wanted women to be in awe of the spirit of the Ishinomaki women. I contacted them and offered our assistance and they were happy. Ann Kobayashi was also touched and asked me to invite them to their seminar to share their story and help raise money for the women in need; and she also offered 10 of us free registration for the seminar and fashion show. Life is so wonderful! Note: The jewelry is made up of bits of ceramics and porcelain that the women have found in the wake of the tsunami. Please attend to witness their creativity and assist these women in need. The pieces seen online were so very well done.

Ruby Award Nominee

Last year, Ann Freed introduced us to Kat Brady, a dynamic and tireless advocate for returning Hawaiis women prisoners to Hawaii. At the meeting when she spoke to SICO members, she told about the dire situations that women prisoners are subjected to such as rape and poor prison conditions. For the first time in many years, the membership approved of the nomination of Kat for the Ruby Award. Her information has been submitted to Founder Region in hopes that she may qualify for more honors. Be sure to attend the Awards Reception when she receives SICOs Ruby Award.

Friendship Link News

In a holiday greeting card from SICOs Friendship Link, Osaka Naniwa, there was a Gift of Friendship invitation. Although we were thrilled, by the time the invitation was received, the deadline to apply had passed. This Gift of Friendship is an invitation for one person to visit the Osaka Naniwa club where one would be hosted and introduced to Japanese culture and other Soroptimist clubs. Your only expense would be transportation to and from Japan and your personal expenses. Club members would provide ground transportation and housing. So unfortunate that the correspondence was received late. Often, other clubs around the world have made similar offers so be sure to read your Soroptimist International newsletter.

Happy Valentines Day February 14th

No birthdays or anniversaries in February

Page 2 NA MEA HOU

Human Trafficking Forum, continued

To emphasize the seriousness of human trafficking, ___ who speaks to students, discussed that in one of her recent presentations, a young woman came forward for help. Then there are the two students who have been soliciting boys and girls into human trafficking who were then apprehended. This is happening right here in Hawaii and often right here in our neighborhood. Her talk is titled Stranger Danger. She also told of a flight attendant who observed two young girls with an adult woman whose needs were not being attended to and who appeared sad. The flight attendant reported this, the FBI followed up and discovered an entire house of young girl prostitutes. One of the young women who has undergone treatment at the Courage House related her story of having been abused from age five and of the horrors she endured until she got help. Shes now in her thirties, has a son and can feel safe. As for labor trafficking, one of the attendees told of areas on the piers that could pass as concentration camps with many illegal aliens of the fishing community being treated very poorly. Mr. Louie was not aware of this situation and stated that his office will look into it. There were many very positive comments from attendees about the forum. Together, SICO and MBWA have brought awareness, become advocates and can now take action. Action: *Support organizations such as Courage Worldwide House Hawaii. They equip women to testify by healing them. Many are afraid of reprisals. *Each of us has to be vigilant in our neighborhoods. Have open communication with your children and your childrens friends. Make them aware of stranger danger. *Encourage the schools to have more awareness through presentations such as the Stranger Danger presentation. Educate children that porn is not OK. *Community supportWhen testifying, the victims are re-victimized when they face the accused. They have to relive their horrors in court with public testimony. The forum was well covered with TV coverage by Paul Drews, KITV news reporter who interviewed President Rene. The Star Advertiser reporter was present as were other reporters. There was a half page story in the Star Advertiser which included a picture of Courage Houses Jessica Munoz and Tammy Bitanga. In this news item, SICO and MBWA were each mentioned as co -sponsors. Kudos to President-Elect Marilyn Lee who had the difficult responsibility of keeping the program on time while everyone wanted to speak and be heard.

Pictured are Rene with the SICO display, Angie ready to greet, tag and get guests signed in; Rene greeting the panel-two members still absent; and although Marilyn appears to be scolding City Prosecutor Karamatsu and Circuit Court Judge Ed Kubo!...shes just giving last minute instructions.

Here is the Courage House Hawaii banner which was actually hung lengthwise ; the very humorous Reverend Jan with Rene Tokunaga; and BWA Vice President Debbie with SICO President Rene offering mahalo and final words.

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Soroptimist is an international service organization improving the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.
Soroptimist Pledge I Pledge allegiance to Soroptimism and to the ideals for which it stands, The Sincerity of Friendship, The Joy of Achievement, The Dignity of Service, The Integrity of Profession, The Love of Country. I will put forth my greatest effort to promote, uphold and defend these ideals for a larger fellowship in home, in society, in business, for country and for God. Soroptimist Grace For the bread upon the board, Make us truly thankful, Lord. For each one meeting here Whom our hearts hold close and dear, For this day O Lord above Now accept our grateful love. Amen

Year of the Horse

Officers and Directors 2013-2014

President: Rene Mansho Co-Treasurer: Susan Lau Co- Treasurer: Lyn Lurbe Directors: Zoe Tanaka, Ann Freed, Judy Fomin and Lorraine Fukumae President-Elect: Marilyn Lee Secretary: Jackie Pactol

Committee Chairs:
Ann Freed: Program Lyn Lurbe: Soroptimist Orientation and Leadership Training (SOLT) Jackie Pactol and Marilyn Lee: Public Awareness and Newsletter Rene Tokunaga and Lyn Lurbe: Awards and Reception S O R O P T I M I S T I N T E R N A T I O N A L Lyn Lurbe, Jane Murakami, Lorraine Fukumae: Fundraising Ellen Kazama and Rene Mansho: Membership OFCENTRALOAHU Leona Soto: Leeward Shelter Jackie Pactol: Adopt-A-School POBox893102 Marilyn Lee and Rene Mansho: SICO High School Scholarship MililaniHI967893102 ** Lei Ilima Girls Club email: renemansho@hawaii.rr.com ** Career/ College Fair for Women/High School Students Address for President Rene Mansho Angie Bugarin: Bobby Benson Center Rene Mansho: Ehime Maru Clean Up www.soroptimist. org

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