PPALM HAWAII INTEREST GROUP 

Second Quarter 2011 Meeting

The U.S. Army Reserve Center again sponsored the 2nd Quarter, PPALM-Hawaii meeting, held on 19 May 2011. The meeting started with a greet and meet session with pupus donated by the Hirai family. BG(R) Hirai, the PPALM-Hawaii Leader, introduced two new members from the U.S. Air Force - MSGT Greg Espinosa (USAF, Hickam) and Maj. Steve Singajewski (Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies). Also in attendance was special guest LTC Shirley Plaza from the Philippine Army and a fellow at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies. The highlight of the meeting was the presentation by GEN (R) Bramlett on the Nesei Veterans Series: Universal Values for a Democratic Society, where he shared with the group the video titled “Our Nobler Selves.” It chronicles the 100/442 using living interviews of several Maui born vets speaking about their experiences during the war. The committee showed this video to the state DOE Student Leadership Conference, vets assembled at the Maui Vets Center, and the Club 100 group. General Bramlett presented the video in person, explaining the values of our nobler selves and conducting a discussion. Additionally, several PPALM members are committee planners on a UH Endowed Nisei Veterans Series: Universal Values for a Democratic Society. 

 First Quarter 2011 Meeting

The PPALM Chairman, MG(R) Tony Taguba attended the Hawaii Group's 1st Quarter 2011 meeting at Fort Shafter, Hawaii.  The theme of this meeting was: “Sharing Our Mentor and Mentee Experience.”  Twenty-seven members attended this meeting representing all branch of service,  all components, and civilian/government service, including our newest member RADM Yuen, N-4 (Logistics), Headquarters, US Navy Pacific Fleet, Pearl  Harbor, Hawaii.  BG(R) Hirai, the PPALM-Hawaii Group Leader, opened the meeting by introducing the new members and several mentees from the G1 Office, Fort Shafter Hawaii, University of Hawaii cadre and Navy Medical Clinic and Tripler Medical Center.  The attendees presented and shared their mentoring and mentee experience to the group. Our main presenters were LTC Makalena Shibata (recently selected to become the 25th ID G-1 next Summer), RADM Yuen and MG(R) Taguba.  Mahalo nui loa to the presenters…our group gained another 100 years of shared experience.  The next meeting is planned in May and our theme will support the celebration of the Asia-Pacific Heritage Month. 

August 2010 Quarterly Meeting

 

 

On Thursday, 19 August 2010, the Pan-Pacific American Leader and Mentor Group - Hawaii conducted its quarterly meeting with members and prospective members at the US Army Reserve Center, Fort Shafter, Honolulu, Hawaii. The event was hosted and chaired by BG (R) Jim Hirai, our Senior Hawaii PPALM member, and his wife, Karen. Again, CPT Tuliloa Tuliloa Jr. of the 9th MSC G3, US Army Reserve Center sponsored our meeting . We were honored to have several distinguished presenters during this meeting. Our PPALM Chair, MG(R) Tony Taguba presented to the members, mentees, and their invited guests several updates on PPALM background, activities – today and the days ahead, and mentoring experiences. Dr Walt Kaneakau, Primary Staff Official from Senator Inouye’s office shared with us his doctorate thesis in leadership and mentorship, one that is visionary and merely pertinent to PPALM vision. Mr. Mike Kitamura from Senator Akaka’s office also attended the program to learn more about PPALM. Ms. Lynn Heirakuji, formerly a Staff Official from the Office of Manpower and Reserve Affairs and CSM(R) Clarence “Pohaku” Wilhelm, a former mentor of MG(R) Hirai also attended. The next PPALM Group – Hawaii meeting is scheduled in the November 2010.

 

PPALM-Hawaii Group is very proud to have leaders and mentors like CSM(R) Wilhelm. With his commitment to leading and mentoring for over two decades, Radford High School, Aiea, Hawaii named their Military Students’ Transition Center under him.

 PPALM Chairman, Tony Taguba with his former Command Sergeant Major, CMS(R) “Pohaku” Wilhelm

  PPALM Members from the Hawaii NG, CPT Miyake (L), LTC Varez-Lum, and Dr. Kaneakua, Senator Inouye’s Office.

 

PPALM Chairman, CSM(R) Wilhelm and PPALM-Hawaii Group Senior Leader. CSM(R) Clarence "Pohaku" Wilhelm was mentor to LTG Peterson, MG Taguba and BG Hirai among many other Soldiers, and civilians and more recently, many Radford High School students.

 

 Mr. Mike Kitamura, from Senator Akaka’s Office, chats with Carl and Sandy Chun, US Army and IMCOM , Fort Shafter, Hawaii

 

Tony Taguba and Jim Hirai leading the quarterly meeting and update to PPALM-Hawaii Group.

 

Ms. Karen Hirai with Mr. Nelson “Jude” Ramos, Navy retiree, and CDR Pete Madrigal, Navy Reserve, PPALM members