NPAC to Honor Nutrition and Physical Activity Heros

Four Maui County Department of Public Works engineers will be honored for their exemplary work in built environment improvements: (left to right, back) Nolly Yagin, Julie Lum, (front) Kurt Watanabe and Shane Agawa. NPAC photo.

The Nutrition & Physical Activity Coalition (NPAC) will host its 8th annual meeting and luncheon on Friday, June 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Nahele Room of the Kahili Golf Clubhouse in Waikapū.

The meeting is open to the public and a complimentary buffet lunch will be served.

Since it was established eight years ago, NPAC has worked to reduce the ill effects of obesity and obesity-related health conditions through policy, systems and environmental changes.

The organization’s primary focus is to develop worksite wellness policies and improve conditions in the built environment.

The luncheon will begin with a welcome address by Mayor Alan Arakawa, followed by this year’s keynote speaker, Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Director Ford Fuchigami.

Fuchigami will discuss Maui’s new Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) designation, as well as the HDOT’s work with the O‘ahu MPO.

The Maui MPO was formed by the State of Hawai‘i and County of Maui to facilitate comprehensive planning for the use of federally funded transportation projects. Its policy board includes Fuchigami, Goode, Maui County Councilmembers Elle Cochran, Don Couch and Stacy Crivello, county Planning Director Will Spence and county Transportation Director Don Medeiros.

In addition, Maui County Department of Public Works Director David Goode, who serves as the chair of the Maui MPO policy board, will share information about the board’s meetings and priorities.

Following the keynote speeches, NPAC will acknowledge the businesses that participated in the 2015 NPAC Worksite Wellness Summit survey, share its results and other recent accomplishments.

The organization will also honor several individuals who have demonstrated exemplary work in nutrition and physical activity using a policy, environmental or systems approach.

This year’s honorees include Rep. Kyle Yamashita, and Maui County Department of Public Works engineers Nolly Yagin, Kurt Watanabe, Shane Agawa and Julie Lum.

“Good community design that includes sidewalks and bike access is of paramount importance to encourage active living for our Maui residents of all ages and abilities,” said NPAC Coordinator Sandra McGuinness. “We are thrilled to honor one of our Hawai‘i legislators who was instrumental in acquiring funding to create safe walking conditions for Kekaulike High School students. We are also excited to acknowledge the County of Maui engineers who helped design these improvements and others, including safe routes for three elementary schools.”

To reserve a seat for the June 24 luncheon, contact NPAC Coordinator Sandra McGuinness at (808) 264-7895 or [email protected] by Tuesday, June 21. Seating is limited and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

This year’s event is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, with support from the Maui Family YMCA’s Pioneering Healthier Communities initiative.