Trump's Guam-born personal aide indicted for mishandling classified documents

SCREEN CAPTURE

Walt Nauta, right, Donald Trump's personal aide, has been indicted for mishandling classified documents and lying to federal investigators.

A Guam-born aide to Donald Trump pleaded "not guilty" today to federal charges that he conspired with the former reality show host and former President to withhold classified documents.

Walt Nauta, a Navy veteran who served as Trump's valet when Trump occupied the White House, faces five counts of concealing or withholding documents and taking part in a conspiracy to obstruct justice, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The federal indictment alleges that Nauta moved dozens of boxes containing classified documents at Trump's direction at Mar-a-Lago, Trump's home in Palm Beach, Fla., and then lied to federal investigators about it.

When Trump lost the 2020 election, Nauta retired from the Navy and became his personal aide and "body" man. Nauta, 40, is usually seen nearby wherever Trump goes, ready to do whatever Trump asks him to do.

Nauta was born in Agat, Guam where his relatives continue to live. When contacted by US media, his family sounded surprised at the news.

In an interview with the Washington Post before Nauta was charged, relatives in Guam described him as a "good boy" who moved to the United States "to enjoy his life, not to cause problems."

Nauta's mother, Pauline Torre, told the Washington Post, the fact that her son had been selected to serve the president "says it all."

The charges against Trump and Nauta largely center around their alleged efforts to mislead authorities about the classified material the former president hoarded at Mar-a-Lago.

Although surveillance footage shows Nauta moving 64 boxes out of a storage area at Mar-a-Lago, Nauta told federal investigators he didn't know the contents of the boxes nor if they were classified or not.

Trump and Nauta have continued their close working relationship, despite being named as Trump’s co-defendant . The relationship is complicated by a judge's order that the two to not talk to each other about the case.

Late last week, Nauta accompanied Trump on a political appearance in Philadelphia, where the two were photographed side-by-side ordering cheesesteaks at a famous city institution, reports The Rolling Stone.

Trump defended Nauta on his Truth Social social media platform and accused officials at the DOJ of "trying to destroy his life" and "hoping that he will say bad things about 'Trump'."

Nauta’s attorney Stan Woodward, accompanied by Florida attorney Sasha Dadan, entered Nauta’s not guilty plea at a federal court in Miami July 6 in front of Chief Magistrate Judge Edwin G. Torres, the Washington Post reported.

The Department of Justice charged Nauta with six felony counts in conjunction with Trump’s June 8 indictment: conspiracy to obstruct justice, withholding a document or record, corruptly concealing a document or record, concealing a document in a federal investigation, scheme to conceal and making false statements and representations.

Investigators of the DOJ's Special Counsel Jack Smith allege Nauta helped Trump move boxes at Mar-A-Lago containing classified documents in an effort to evade federal investigators and Trump’s attorneys. The indictment accuses Nauta of lying to the FBI by saying he did not know where the boxes were located before agents obtained security footage showing Nauta and another aide moving materials.

Federal Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee who is overseeing the case, scheduled Trump’s trial to begin August 14 but that will likely be delayed, a favorite Trump legal tactic.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter or at his blog Views From the Edge.

Hawaiian singer with a sweet voice wins American Idol

SCREEN CAPTURE

Iam Tongi is the first "American Idol" winner from Hawaii.

A Hawaii-raised singer from the Northshore of Oahu was named the American Idol of 2023. He is the first winner of the singing competition from Hawaii after 21 seasons.

Eighteen-year old Iam Tongi won the coveted reality show, American Idol, last night, beating out Megan Danielle, a 20-year-old singer from Georgia.

Iam, who was born in Kahuku, moved to Washington state with his family where he is currently a student at Decatur High School in Federal Way, Washington. He is a blend of Tongan, Samoan, and Irish ancestry.

When asked why his family left Hawaii, Iam said his family had been “priced out of paradise.” The cost of housing in Hawaii is among the highest in the nation.

Iam was introduced to a national audience during his auditions when he sang an tearful rendition of James Blunt's "Monsters," dedicated to his father and musical mentor, who passed away in 2021. Posted three months ago, the video went viral, garnering over 16 million views on YouTube.

“People thought I cry because I miss him, but it’s ’cause I hear him singing — I can hear his harmony,” Iam told “Idol” producers after the audition. “I know he’s with me. Through my music he’ll always be with me.”

Throughout his time on “Idol,” Tongi performed a wide range of songs — including Cat Steven’s “Father and Son,” Sam Cooke’s “Bring it On Home to Me,” and Simon and Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence.” but he seemed most at ease and joyful when he played his guitar and sang songs about Hawaii.

The winner of American Idol receives a $250,000 prize and a recording contract with Hollywood Records/19 Recording plus participation in a nationwide concert tour with the season's finalists.

Some of the most notable alumni from American Idol include Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Katherine McPhee.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter or at his blog Views From the Edge.

Hepatitis B: The virus that silently haunts Asian Americans

There is a virus that may affect immigrants born in Asia that can be undiscovered for years - even decades - until a cancer develops in the liver. By then, it can be fatal.

Asian Americans make up 6% of the total population in the United States, but account for 58% of the 862,000 Americans living with chronic Hepatitis B. Prevalence is also high among Pacific Islanders living in the United States. 

If discovered early, it can be treated but because of cultural and institutional barriers, AANHPI often don't discover the virus until later in life. 

Therein is the problem. A person can have Hepatitis B and not show any symptoms, except, perhaps, a general tiredness. Many people who don't know they have Hepatitis B often just learn to accept and  consider that condition as "normal." 

How is Hepatitis B spread? 

Hepatitis B is spread when someone comes in contact with blood from a person who has the disease. Most people born in Asian countries who have Hepatitis B were infected as infants or young children. Hepatitis B can be passed from an infected mother to her baby at birth or from a family member to young children. 

Considering that 70% of the AANHPI are first-generation immigrants, according to the US Census, and that they can inadvertently spread the virus to the next generation born in the US, it is may affect a good portion of the AANHPI population

It is important to know that Hepatitis B is not a genetic disease. People also do not get Hepatitis B from sharing meals, bowls or utensils with someone who has the disease. Hepatitis B is not spread through breastfeeding, hugging, kissing, holding hands, coughing, or sneezing. 

The following is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

Hepatitis B disproportionately affects Asian Americans

Hepatitis B is common worldwide, especially in many parts of Asia and the Pacific Islands. In the United States, hepatitis B disproportionately affects Asian Americans. While Asian Americans make up 6% of the US population, they account for more than 60% of Americans living with hepatitis B.

---

Hepatitis B is serious, but treatments are available

Left untreated, nearly 1 in 4 people living with hepatitis B develop serious liver problems, even liver cancer. In fact, hepatitis B-related liver cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths among Asian Americans. Getting tested for hepatitis B can help many people access lifesaving treatments that can prevent serious liver damage.

---

2 in 3 Asian Americans with Hepatitis B don’t know they are infected

People can live with hepatitis B for decades without having any symptoms or feeling sick. hepatitis B is usually spread when someone comes into contact with blood from someone who has the virus, and many people living with hepatitis B got infected as infants or young children. Testing is the only way to know if someone has hepatitis B.

---

Who should get tested for Hepatitis B?

• Anyone born regions of the world where hepatitis B is common, including Asia, the Pacific Islands and Africa
• Anyone born in the United States, who was not vaccinated at birth, and has at least one parent born in regions of the world with high rate of hepatitis B, including East or Southeast Asia the Pacific Islands (except New Zealand and Australia) and Sub-Saharan Africa
• Hepatitis B testing identifies people living with hepatitis B so they can get medical care to help prevent serious liver damage. Talk to a doctor about getting tested for Hepatitis B.

What should be done when a family member has Hepatitis B? 

Doctors will want to test all family members of people with Hepatitis B. This includes adults and children living in the same house. The test involves a simple blood test that takes only a small amount of blood from a person’s arm. Testing family members is important. Family members who have Hepatitis B should get medical treatment. Other family members who do not have the disease should get the Hepatitis B vaccine. This protects them from getting the disease. 

Hepatitis B test results will be kept confidential. People with Hepatitis B cannot be forced to leave the United States. They also cannot be fired from a job, or forced to leave school. 

CDC has developed resources, such as fact sheets and community mobilization toolkits, to help educate people born in these countries about the importance of hepatitis B testing.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.

RIP: Native Hawaiian educator and activist Haunani-Kay Trask

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII

Haunani-Kay Trask, 1950-2021

By Anita Hofschneider

Reprinted from CIVIL BEAT

Haunani-Kay Trask, a staunch advocate for her Native Hawaiian community, died in Honolulu early Saturday, July 3 at age 71.

Trask was known for her powerful speaking and persistent advocacy on behalf of the Native Hawaiian community, her nationalism and her writings.

“We are not American!” she told a crowd in 1993 in front of Iolani Palace on the 100th anniversary of the illegal overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom. “We will die as Hawaiians, we will never be Americans!”

At the time of her passing, she was a professor emerita at the University of Hawaii Manoa, where she helped found the Center for Hawaiian Studies and taught for decades.

One of her former students, University of Hawaii political science professor Noelani Goodyear-Kaʻōpua, described Trask as “one of the most influential and prominent and internationally renowned Hawaiian scholars and activists of the 20th and beginning of the 21st centuries.”Trask inspired Pacific Islander poets and advocated against the destructive impacts of the military and tourism industries in Hawaii as well as colonization and white supremacy globally, Goodyear-Kaʻōpua said.

“She has for decades fearlessly been thinking about the importance of the restoration of land to Native Hawaiians and the ways that land is central to politics,” she said.

Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong said Trask also inspired her and many of today’s grassroots Hawaiian leaders.

“I consider her to be one of the most staunch teachers and aloha aina advocates that Hawaii has ever seen,” Wong said. “Her work will remain one of the most honored in terms of how much inspiration and how much empowerment she gave us by all the things that she espoused and all the things that she taught.”

Her younger sister Mililani said Trask died peacefully around 2 a.m. in a Honolulu care home after years of battling Alzheimer’s.

Mililani Trask said her sister would have wanted to be remembered as a poet and teacher.

“When she was asked to introduce herself, she always started to say she was a poet, a Hawaiian woman poet,” Trask said. “She considered her greatest accomplishment was the work she did to found the Center for Hawaiian Studies.”

The two grew up together in Kaneohe, their father an attorney and their mother a public school teacher, just walking distance from Kaneohe Bay. As children, they’d walk to collect clams and bring them back in buckets.
Global Condolences

Haunani-Kay Trask attended the University of Wisconsin where she helped found a feminist campus organization, her sister said. After returning to Hawaii, Trask was first hired by the American Studies Department at the University of Hawaii and from there advocated to create a department dedicated to Native Hawaiians.
Jonathan Kamakawiwo‘ole Osorio, dean of the Hawai‘inuiakea School of Hawaiian Knowledge, said that Trask “inspired people everywhere.”

“Professor Trask was a fearless advocate for the Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) and was responsible for inspiring thousands of brilliant and talented Hawaiians to come to the University of Hawai‘i,” Osorio said in a statement. “But she also inspired our people everywhere to embrace their ancestry and identity as Hawaiians and to fight for the restoration of our nation. She gave everything she had as a person to our Lahui and her voice, her writing and her unrelenting passion for justice will, like our Queen, always represent our people. E ola mau loa e Haunani Kay Trask, ‘aumakua of the poet warrior.”

U.S. Rep. Kai Kahele, in a press release, said Trask “inspired and empowered generations of young scholars. Mahalo nui loa for your immeasurable contributions to the advancement of Native Hawaiians and indigenous people everywhere.”

Sen. Mazie Hirono tweeted: "Haunani-Kay Trask was an outspoken, thought-provoking educator and a fierce advocate who played an undeniable role in bringing to light the more painful parts of Hawaii's past, inspiring countless others to advocate for Native Hawaiians. My aloha to her family."

Mililani Trask said since the news broke about her sister’s passing, she has been fielding countless calls from Indigenous people in New Zealand, the Amazon, North America, Puerto Rico and elsewhere sharing their condolences and appreciation for her sister’s international influence on global Indigenous rights.

“My sister’s greatest legacy was her fearless advocacy, her strong loyalty to our people and culture and the rights attached to it,” Trask says. “Her understanding of our history was paralleled by her ability to understand modern issues impacting Indigenous peoples.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: Additional information from prepared statements from Sen. Mazie Hirono, Rep. Kai Kahele and Jonathan Kamakawiwo‘ole Osorio.

Sitcom 'Young Rock' based on Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, debuts Tuesday

 

Every legend has a beginning. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stars in Young Rock, a larger-than-life family comedy based on outrageous stories of the superstar's youth. 

This coming-of-age journey highlights the unforgettable moments and incredible relationships thrugh three stages of his life, from pre-adolecense, to teenager to young adult starting out on a career.

What the journey that took Dwayne from ordinary kid to extraordinary superstar – revealing he’s more like us than we know.

Co-created by Nahnatchka Khan and Dwayne Johnson, the series will be executive produced by Khan and Jeff Chiang, the team that brought us Fresh Off the Boat, another coming-of-age sitcom.  

Young Rock is the third situation comedy depicting the coming-of-age of AAPI youngsters. Besides Fresh Off the Boat, which ended after seven seasons, Netflix's Never Have I Ever is about an Indian American young woman and based on Mindy Kaling's teen years.

​Khan and Chiang co-wrote the pilot. Johnson will appear in each episode, and his formative years will be the series' focus and inspiration. The series premieres Tuesday, Feb. 16, 8 p.m. on NBC.

Three different Polynesian actors will portray Johnson in flashbacks in three different stages of his life: Adrian Groulx, Bradley Constant and Uli Latukefu.

As co-writer and producer of the show, it has allowed Johnson to reflect on his past.  He’s come to realize the challenges provided the opportunity for real growth.

“It became an anchoring factor in my struggle and my determination to, quite frankly, not be a victim when, again, we were evicted (from housing) when I was 13 or 14,” he said. 

As he worked with Khan to find the right approach to the show, “I did know in my heart the most important thing was to be authentic and to be OK with ripping some stories open and ripping some past open.”

Khan said working Johnson has been easy because the star wasn't afraid to let his life be scrutinized. 

“He really wanted to go there and show the struggle, that it hasn’t been a straight line to the top for him,” Khan told the Associated Press. “He’s been knocked down a lot and he’s had to pivot off what he thought was his dream and find a new dream, a new path. Being able to explore those kinds of moments in a comedy are really important.”

Sunday Read: Jason Momoa committed to Mauna Kea 'ohana'

INSTAGRAM

Actor Jason Momoa and police joke around with this photo.

Jason Momoa released a photo of his "arrest" for protesting the construction of Thirty-Meter Telescope (TMT) on top of Hawaii’s Mauna Kea volcano. 

By the expressions on the faces of the police officers and the bemused look on Momoa, the photo was staged as a joke.

What is not a joke is Momoa's commitment to stopping the TMT, which would be 18 stories high and cover the area of a NFL stadium.

"It's kind of the umbilical cord to earth," the Hawaii-born actor tells CNN. "You know, if you think about the Hawaiian islands, that's the biggest mountain in the world, right? All the way up. So Mauna Kea is the most sacred. They call it the belly button, too. That's like our birth place. You can imagine that in the middle of the ocean. That's how our islands were formed. So how can that not be sacred?"

Since the plans for the TMT were unveiled in 2015, opposition has been building resulting in a blockade of the road leading up to the observatory site which was slated to begin July 16. Native Hawaiians and their supporters have thus far been able to stop the delivery of building materials.

In between photo shoots, TV appearances, prepping for "Aquaman 2," and spending time with his family, the 40-year old Momoa joins the protests when he can, often bringing his family and other celebrities with him.

In an Instagram post last week, he jokingly wrote, “Sorry Warner Bros we can’t shoot Aquaman 2. Because Jason got run over by a bulldozer trying to stop the desecration of his native land.”

He continued, “THIS iS NOT HAPPENING. WE ARE NOT LETTING YOU DO THIS ANYMORE. Enough is enough. Go somewhere else.”

Another joke? Momoa himself has often spoken about the cause and the sacrifice he is willing to make to fight for this cause:

“It’s definitely a fear of mine. You know, I, I love playing ‘Aquaman,’ and there may come a time where it happens that I’m on set on something that I really love and Warner Brothers, who has taken care of me and launched my career, and there’s a certain part of you that goes, ‘I’m human, this is something I care about, but it’s an injustice that I have to do something about,” he told CNN.

INSTAGRAM

Jason Momoa spends as much time he can on Mauna Kea. Above, he is holding the hands of son and daughter.

Scientists prefer the Mauna Kea site because of the clear and dark skies on the dormant volcano. That explains why there are already 13 observatories built on the mountain, some are no longer being used.

“We allowed astronomy to have a place on the Mauna Kea but they continue to ask for more and more and more, and we have to say no at this point. Because when we say yes it means saying yes to the destruction of our endangered lands,” said president of the Mauna Kea Anaina Hou, Kealoha Pisciotta, told the BBC.

"Most of them are outdated and they're not as big. They're just up there and they promised to remove them and they never have. It's just another one of those promises ... and we're done. We're over it," he says.

Nevertheless, recent negotiations between the demonstrators and scientists will allow access to the working observatories by bulldozing a temporary road that would skirt the blockade.

“The resolution to this situation will likely include accelerated removal of decommissioned telescopes and Hawaiian land rights and self-determination. TMT and the astronomy community should support these efforts,” says Thayne Currie, an astrophysicist at the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California, who uses Mauna Kea telescopes. 

“The state leadership really needs to be decisive, both on TMT’s access and on these broader issues faced in Hawaii,” Currie stated.

The demonstrations show no signs of abating. A community has formed, with shops, a cafeteria and a lecture program set up. At times, the number of protestors have been in the thousands.

The Aquaman star says he feels the anti TMT demonstrations are working and describes his part in it as a calling to do what feels right in his soul.

"There's massive progress that's bringing our people together," he says, adding, "I think there's a lot of problems in Hawaii. There's a lot of things that have happened in our history, a lot of injustice, and so we're shining a light on it. People like myself or Dwayne Johnson, Bruno Mars, trying to spread the awareness all around the world. For my soul I need to be there. If I'm not working, I'm trying to get over there."

______________________________________________________________

TGIF Feature: Dwayne Johnson includes tribute to Samoa in 'Hobbs & Shaw'

Dwayne Johnson as Luke Hobbs leads his Samoan bro's into battle in 'Hobbs & Shaw.'

The scene may seem insignificant to most moviegoers distracted by all that's going on in the action-filled flick, but to Dwayne Johnson, having his Samoan heritage on display in his summer release, Hobbs & Shaw, it was very special.

"It’s the very first time we’ve seen Samoa ever featured and ever showcased in the movies," said Johnson in an article in this month's Vanity Fair.

“It was important to (Johnson) because for the first time he’s really able to, in a blockbuster film, embrace his cultural heritage,” said screenwriter and producer Chris Morgan in an interview with Vanity Fair.

The plot has hero Luke Hobbs, played by Johnson, return to Samoa.

While Johnson has been able to give a nod to his Samoa in his other films, Hobbs & Shaw gave him an opportunity to have a love letter to his heritage, says Morgan.

“I’m half black and half Samoan and very proud of who I am and what I am with the cultures that I come from, and having this opportunity to showcase one of my cultures — my Samoan culture — to the big screen, to the world in a global event movie, was very special to me.”

"You guys familiar with the Haka? OK great,"  Johnson asked the audience at CinemaCon2019. "Well, we don’t do that in this movie. But what we do is called the ‘Siva Tau.’ The Siva Tau is the Samoan version of the Haka and we still (perform it to) call upon our ancestors." 

The actors playing Hobb's relatives are of Samoan descent and they were really into the scene. Even during rehearsals there was a special feeling going on, says Johnson.

“I remember being there that night when he’s doing the Siva Tau, and (Johnson's) mom’s there and she’s crying,” Morgan recalled. “There’s so much going on. She’s seeing her son embrace his cultural heritage, and share it with the world on a giant movie, and speak her native language. It was very moving.”

“She had no idea it was gonna happen,” Johnson said in an interview on Live with Kelly and Ryan. “They’re tears of pride.”

Hobbs & Shaw was released in theaters Aug. 2.

________________________________________________________________________

Kahuku HS graduation has us all cheering

Getting high school students to do anything is a major challenge so its a wonder that Kahuku High School continues to put out out-of-this-world graduation ceremonies involving the entire class singing and choreography.

We've featured this high school before where 60% of the student body is Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. Asians make up only 9%. White students are in the minority with only 18% of the student body.

The pride in being one of these ethnic groups is self-evident in the video. I wish I had gone to this high school. It would have done wonders for my self-esteem during that vulnerable time of my identity-seeking years.

The Senior Medley has become a tradition at Kahuku H.S. and emulated by other Hawaiian high schools. This year's graduation ceremony took place May 23 at their school, located on the non-touristy Northshore of Oahu.

Watch all the way until until the end when the entire graduating class does a haka. 

Congratulations Kahuku graduates!
___________________________________________________________________

Dwayne Johnson rocks MTV Awards

SCREEN CAPTURE / BET

Lana Condor and Noah Centineo accept their MTV award.

Superstar Dwayne Johnson paid tribute to his mixed-race heritage with a bevy of breakdancers and Samoans performing the siva tua, the Samoan version of the Maori haka to the Queen classic song "We Will Rock You" at the MTV Movie & TV Awards.

The glitzy entrance was surpassed by his passionate acceptance speech for receiving the Icon Generation Award.

“I thank you, all of you at home. You are the reason I’m getting this…I want to share a really quick lesson with you guys, I’ve learned the most powerful thing we can be is ourselves,” he said.

SCREEN CAPTURE / BET
Dwayne Johnson accepts MTV's Icon Generation award.

“We are still that little kid just aspiring to be something better, aspiring to be important. When I first got to Hollywood, Hollywood they didn’t know what the hell to do with me. I mean I was half black, half Samoan, six-foot-four, 275-pound pro wrestler…I was told at that time you’ve got to be a certain way, you’ve got to drop some weight, you’ve got to be somebody different, you’ve got to stop working out, stop doing the things that I love, you’ve got to stop calling yourself ‘The Rock.’ For years I bought into it because you think, ‘Oh, that’s what I’m supposed to do and I was miserable doing that. I made a choice that I wasn’t going to conform to Hollywood, Hollywood was going to conform to me,” he continued.

"So, yes it’s important that you are your most authentic self.”

According to MTV, "the Generation Award celebrates actors whose diverse contributions to film and television have turned them into household names in the industry." Past winners have included Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pratt, Will Smith, Sandra Bullock, and Tom Cruise.

The former pro wrestler closed his speech with this sage advice: “When I was 15, I heard a quote and I’ll never forget it, 'It’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice.'”

MTV, which still caters to a youthful audience, also gave The Best Kiss award to Lana Condor and Noah Centineo for their kiss in the Netflix romantic comedy To All The Boys I Ever Loved.

______________________________________________________________________

Missing Hawaiian hiker's body found

MINA OHANA

Noah 'Kekai' Mina's body was found Wednesday off a Maui trail.

The body of Noah "Kekai" Mina was discovered by a crew of rescuers Wednesday (May 29), nine days after he was reported missing on Monday, May 20.

Mina, 35, had left at around at 8 a.m. 10 days ago to "seek clarity" while hiking the Kapilau Ridge Trail, known locally as Saint Anthony Cross, in Maui's Iao Valley. A helicopter spotted Mina's body 300 feet below the trail in an area that is described by searchers as "treacherous and dangerous."

Mina's father, Vincent, mother Irene, and sister Kahanulani said in a statement, “We are so very sorry that Kekai has passed from this realm, he meant the world to us as a son, brother and friend.

“We find solace that he was found, and ask all those that extended their hearts and love to Kekai and to us, that you pause, and take a moment to love and hold those that are dear to you a moment longer than you would normally do.”

The three said they are fortunate to have had the time here physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, with him. “Those that know Kekai understand what we’re talking about. He made a profound difference in ours and many other’s lives. He is our sunshine.

"We want to thank everyone from the depths of our hearts and souls, that have been here to support us, while praying to bring him home. We appreciate you and can’t thank you enough. Mahalo nui loa pumehana to one and all.”

Mina was the second hiker lost on Maui this week. In the other case, Amanda Eller was rescued after she was missing for 17 days during which she subsisted on berries and drank water from a stream.

_________________________________________________________________

City, state mourns the death of Ronil Singh

SCREEN CAPTURE

ASAM NEWS

After being fatally shot when conducting a DUI traffic stop December 26, Officer Ronil Singh, a Fiji neighbor, was commemorated with two Honor Guard viewings. 

According to ABC7 News, earlier this morning a procession traveled from Modesto to Newman while hundreds attended a viewing at the West Side Theater. One took place this morning from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Newman Community Meeting Room while another was set for 5 p.m.-9 p.m. at the Salas Brothers Funeral Home.

“It’s been a difficult time,” said Newman Police Chief Randy Richardson to the Modesto Bee. “Up and down, we’ve had some good times, we’ve got to spend some time together, tell some stories. But a lot of tears. It’s been a rough week.”

Newman has a population of about 11,000. It is an agricultural community transitioning into a bedroom community but it still retains the small-town ambiance.

OFFICER RONIL SINGH

Among those attending the vigil, were representatives of the state's law enforcement agneicies and many friends, neighbors and strangers who were touched by 33-year old Singh and his family.

“Ron was our neighbor and friend,” said Jann Mathies to the Bee. “He and his wife were fishing partners to my husband. He was such a kind and considerate guy and we are heart sick about what has happened.”

During a press conference at the White House, Donald Trump expressed his condolences, and mistakenly stated how Singh was shot in an attempt to politicize Singh's death.  He said that that Singh “was viciously shot for simply stopping someone from crossing the border. ... We don’t want that happening.” 

Singh was killed when he stopped a man suspected of driving under the influence.

Prosecutors say the suspect, Perez Arriaga, allegedly shot Singh after the officer stopped his vehicle to see if he was driving drunk. He has two previous drunken driving arrests, authorities said.

At his first court appearance, Perez Arriaga told the judge that his real name is Paulo Virgen Mendoza, but authorities were still referring to him as Perez Arriaga in court documents.

Singh's funeral is set to take place today (Dec. 5) to honor the husband and father of a five month old, with an honor guard procession to the cemetery.

________________________________________________________________________________

Police seek suspect in fatal shooting of Fijian American police officer

ASAM NEWS

AUTHORITIES IN CALIFORNIA are asking residents to be on the lookout for a man who shot and killed a police officer in California's Central Valley town of Newman.

KCBS Radio reports the suspect is believed to have shot the officer during a traffic stop at 1 a.m. Wednesday (Dec. 26).

The officer has been identified as Newman Police officer Ronil Singh, a native of Fiji who has been with the department since 2011.

Singh could be heard screaming “shots fired,” over his police radio. When officers arrived, they found him wounded. Emergency units rushed Singh to the hospital where he later would die.

“Our Newman Police family is devastated by the loss of Ronil,” said Newman Police Chief Randy Richardson. “If anyone has any information regarding the identity of the suspect, please contact law enforcement immediately so we can get this cop-killer off the streets.”

The suspect is described as an Hispanic man, heavyset, with close-cropped black hair. He was last seen driving a silver Dodge Ram 1500 extended-cab pickup truck, model year 2002 to 2009. The truck did not have a license plate, but instead had an “AR Auto” sign where the license normally would be.An uncle, Ugesh Yogi Singh, said in a Facebook post that his nephew had been “working overtime on Christmas night to provide the best for his family,” referring to the slain officer as “my adventurous nephew” and “my family’s action hero.”

Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department spokesperson Raj Singh told KCRA-TV that he knew the Officer Ronil Singh.

"He was living the American dream. He immigrated here from the Fiji islands, just like my parents did, and was definitely enjoying the American dream," Deputy Raj Singh said. "(He) loved camping. He loved hunting. He loved fishing. He loved his family. He loved visiting them back in Fiji. He loved having his family come over here."

A resident of northeast Modesto, Ronil Singh is survived by his wife, Anamika, and their 5-month-old son.

The police are seeking the suspect as seen here by security cameras.

Views From the Edge contributed to this report.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TGIF Feature: SNL host Jason Momoa Is the ultimate NBC page

JASON MOMOA, best known for his action roles, will be playing against type by hosting Saturday Night Live tomorrow, Dec. 8.

After playing Khal Drogo in HBO's Game of Thrones, the Hawaii-born Momoa won the role of DC superhero Aquaman. Ahead of the U.S. premiere of Aquaman on December 21. NBC put together a fun, kind of stressful promo prior to Momoa's SNL debut.

First posted on the official SNL YouTube page, the promo begins with an NBC Page - an intern that works in different departments at NBC to get experience in the field - telling Momoa to man the phones while he takes care of an emergency. 

Momoa seems thrilled with the task, and immediately gets a call regarding a question to which he doesn't know the answer. Momoa quickly sets off to figure out the caller's question, which includes a series of physical stunts that include punching Beck Bennett, breaking into Lorne Michaels' office, and breakdancing his way through security lasers. The promo ends with Momoa coming to the realization that the show is recorded live, which turns out to have been the caller's question. 
________________________________________________________________________________

Record number of AAPI members will be in 116th Congress

AAPI Congressional members assumed leadership positions in the House and in the Democratic Party, from left: Representatives Ted Lieu, Stephanie Murphy, Pramila Jayapal,   Raja Krishnamoorthi and Mark Takano.

THE 116th CONGRESS will bring tremendous milestones for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, including a record number of AAPI members of Congress and the inclusion of an Asian American member in House leadership. 

Earlier today, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) member, Rep Ted Lieu, D-CA., was elected to House Leadership as a Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) Co-Chair. In this role, Lieu will help guide messaging strategy for the entire House Democratic Caucus and will be the only AAPI member in House Leadership. 

The new Congress will also bring three new AAPI members to the U.S. House of Representatives, including Representative-Elects Andy Kim, D-NJ, Michael San Nicolas, D-Guam, and T.J. Cox, D-CA.  It will bring the number of AAPI lawmakers in Congress to a record-setting 20. The CAPAC is made up of members of both Houses of Congress.

“Since its founding in 1994, CAPAC has always strived to ensure that diverse voices are represented in the halls of Congress, and we are thrilled that the American people voted overwhelmingly to elect candidates who better reflect the diversity of our nation," said CAPAC chair Judy Chu (CA-27) in a statement.

Earlier in the day, House Democrats picked Congressman Ted Lieu as a Democratic Policy and Communications Committee co-chair. 

"Starting in January, the majority House Democratic Caucus will endeavor to stop any harmful policies of the Trump Administration and Republicans; work on a bipartisan basis to advance positive legislation to move our country forward; and execute our oversight responsibilities," said Lieu.
_______________________________________________________________________________

Jason Momoa to host 'Saturday Night Live,' Dec. 8

Jason Momoa is looking forward to hosting 'Saturday Night Live.'

DECEMBER WILL BE a huge month for Jason Momoa, the Hawaiian American. The biggest role in his career, that of Aquaman, will premiere Dec. 21 and he will host Saturday Night Live on Dec. 8.

Momoa is enjoying a hot period in his career right now. In addition to SNL and playing a super hero, his hit Netflix adventure series, Frontier, debuted recently for its third season. 

His role as Khal Drogo on Game of Thrones, HBO's megahit, is what launched his string of good fortune. As the series comes to an end in 2019, his portrayal  as the leader of the Dothraki and the husband of Daenerys Targaryen, the once and future Khaleesi, Mother of Dragons, has put another spotlight on him.

Momoa, at 6'4" and with a physique and a glare that can kill, he is an imposing actor. He is not known for his comedic skills, but as Aquaman, he delivers one-liners like a pro, in contrast to the other deadly serious DC superheroes, ie. Batman and  Superman.

He was practically giddy with glee when he learned he was going to host SNL as part of promoting the Aquaman premiere. His response to ET, says it all (tongue in cheek):

The only thing that would make the SNL occasion even more perfect? He would love turn his SNL sting into a family affair by being joined by his wife, actress Lisa Bonet , and stepdaughter, Zoe Kravitz. That hasn't been confirmed but, as an impish smile comes across his face, he says that's something he's working on.

_______________________________________________________________________________