Present
Valsey Frietas, Yvonne Turro, Robert Maeshiro, Wayne Iseri, Lois Upton, Lee Hopkinson, Julie Aoyagi, Ann Marie Duca, Kahea Souza, James Garrett, Bryan Ferguson.

Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 8:14 p.m.

Approval of Minutes
Valsey moved and Robert seconded that the November 17, 2004 minutes be approved. Motion was carried unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report
Julie distributed report of Ohana balances as of 12/31/04. Discussion took place on certificates of deposit. It was decided that these certificates should also be listed as a line item on report though balances do not change throughout the year. Board members agreed unanimously that for benefit of future Ohana boards, this information should also be provided.

President’s Report
VValsey deferred PTSA discussion to Yvonne.

Vice President’s Report
Yvonne presented overview of PTSA meeting that took place at King Intermediate School on Tuesday, January 18, 2005. She explained the benefits of PTSA membership. The cost per Ohana member is $4.25 per year. $1.75 goes to the National PTSA organization and $2.50 goes to the local office. A group needs at least 14 members in order to join. For $165.00 per year, each PTSA member is awarded $1,000,000 liability insurance coverage. Yvonne shared that 60% of Hawaii schools are PTSA members. She will be completing the necessary forms for membership.

Committee Reports:

a. Shirts
None.

b. SCBM
The Ohana met jointly with the SCBM tonight. A slide show provided an overview of the SCBM. Discussion centered on the upcoming transition of the SCBM to The School Community Council (SCC) and its required election. Nomination ballots were distributed and are due back by January 28, 2005. The new SCC members should be in place by April 2005.

Ann Marie shared that the SCC will have much broader powers that the SCBM. The SCC will now control 72% of the school's annual budget. District Superintendent - Mrs. Lea Albert - shared that the SCC will now require new procedures. Where budget used to be presented in positions, now it is presented in dollars. This goes against everything administrators have ever done.

Lois said another flyer covering the SCC elections would go out next Wednesday. If parents would like more information, a coffee hour will be held after the flag pole assembly. It was mentioned that a lot of parents attend the flagpole event.

c. Workshop
Valsey announced that the next workshop would be Science Night. The date to be announced.

d. Membership
None.

e. Student Council
Ann Marie shared that the council was busy at work choosing a new cover for their planners. The field was narrowed to four (4) choices. The council voted for their favorite choice that differed greatly from the administration's choices.

Received thank you notes from the Key Project for their can goods drive.

Holy Family Nursing Home also received beautiful posters from the student council.

f. PCNC
Valsey mentioned that Kailani is busy planning the Grandparents Day. She still is very interested in having some type of "Cultural Day" and is talking with the May Day committee to see if both events can be combined.

g. Fun Fair
None.

h. Fall Fundraiser
Kahea said the fundraiser went very well. She doesn't have the final numbers yet. Parents with issues were taken care of. Kahea is looking for recruitment of a new chairperson for next year. Ohana thanked Kahea for a job well done.

i. Spring Fund Raiser
Kahea to meet with Ann Marie to set a date. The purpose of the fundraiser will be to upgrade many of the classroom and lab computers. Cd-roms are needed to run many of the current software programs. Many of the computers do not have cd-roms.

j. Playground
Wayne reported that prisoners were used to clean the hillside during the break. This was to prevent any encounters with students. The Ohana provided their lunches.

k. Faculty
Ann Marie shared the Weekly Service Review Report process. The report is posted weekly in front of the office.

Ahuimanu has a new first grade teacher to replace Mrs. Yamamoto who left during the Christmas break. The Ohana would like to welcome Mrs. Jan Shimoda who is doing a great job.

Castle Complex has made a Performing Arts Program available to all of its 3rd & 4th graders. This differs from the drama program that was run by Enola Mutch that was an after school program funded by the 21st Century Grant Enrichment Program.

Saturday, February 5, 2005 will be Iolani School volunteer workday. Students from Iolani will be doing cleanup work around campus as part of their community service program.

Ahuimanu students will attend CPAC performances on March 1 & 3. Performances open to the public will be on Mar. 4, 5 and 6. Yvonne's daughter Kaitlynn and Enola Mutch's daughter Melody were selected for admission to the program in December and will be performing.

Parent substitutes will be needed on February 25, 2005 due to teachers meeting session. Training for new substitutes will be held February 1st. Refresher courses will be available for veteran substitutes on February 4th. Lunch will be provided for substitute volunteers.

l. Administration
Packages sent to the marines arrived miraculously in time for Christmas on December 23, 2004. The marines replied with beautiful thank you cards. Ann Marie announced that their scheduled return of February 2005 has been postponed. We hope to see them safely home soon.

Ann Marie shared some ideas of how Ohana could help the marines and their families. She introduced the collage idea with pictures of marines lost in action and a message in the center "Ahuimanu Salutes Heroes from Bravo Company."

Discussion of sending Hawaiian flags to the families continued. Lee suggested that the photos of the school's flag ceremony honoring the marines should also be sent with the flags. Robert suggested having a memorial plaque set up at the school to honor our beloved fallen marines of Bravo Company.

m. Communications
James shared that Ohana Karaoke 2 of Koolau Shopping Center provided the tasty chicken wings free of charge at the October 2004 Ohana meeting. They refused to accept payment from James. He circulated a thank you card for members to sign.

New Business/Parental Concerns
$850.00 request for Admission Funding for CPAC. Lee moved and Lois seconded. Motion approved unanimously.

$450.00 request for funding to bring Banana Slugs singing group to Ahuimanu. Lee moved and Julie seconded. Motion approved unanimously.

New Business/Parental Concerns
None

Adjournment/Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 16, 2005. The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by:
Robert Maeshiro, Recording Secretary