Paa Pono Milolii
awarded $74K
OHA grant
Paa Pono Milolii
awarded $74K
OHA grant
Paa Pono Milolii has been awarded a $74,000 grant from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to support its community center. The grant is to go toward appliances and equipment for the center’s certified kitchen.
For more information on the program or to participate, visit paaponomilolii.org or contact paaponoinc@gmail.com.
Zonta Club
commemorates Denim Day
The Zonta Club of Hilo and Hawaii County Mayor Harry Kim, the County Council, and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will be promoting International Denim Day as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This year, Denim Day takes place on Wednesday.
The movement began in 1999 and was inspired by the women of the Italian Parliament, who wore jeans to work the day after an Italian High Court overturned the rape conviction of a 45-year-old man who sexually assaulted his 18-year-old driving student. The court based their decision on the victim wearing tight jeans and “certainly it is impossible to pull them off if the victim is fighting her attacker with all her force,” determining she must have helped the perpetrator remove her jeans, and by helping, the sexual act must have been consensual.
Mayor Kim has issued a proclamation, and Councilwoman Ashley Kierkiewicz will introduce Resolution 143-19 at the April 24 County Council meeting in Kona, to recognize all fourth Wednesdays in April as Denim Day in Hawaii County. The recognition by County government officials is meant to encourage all residents to make a social statement with their fashion statement, wearing jeans in solidarity with survivors and to take a stand against the destructive behaviors that perpetuate sexual violence.
