Why Dog Parks matter and how legislation can help out

Odin and his buddy playing at the beach. 

It was a group of nine people coming from different professional background and descent coming together every afternoon, but they all have something in common- their love for dogs.

This group of dog lovers come here daily to walk their dogs
and socialize with other dog lovers, too. 

During my homestay, my hosts Michelle and Joe introduced me to their two-year old dog and baby,  Odin who is a big sweet dog with black hair. After walking at the beach with Michelle and before having dinner, Joe and Michelle brought me to Kaha Park for Odin to play with other dogs.

With handsome and sweet Odin.

They meet every afternoon after work to allow their pets to play and to poop, but of course they have plastic bag which they use to pick dog poops. Dogs can run freely in this park without any leash, while their owners chat with each other about work and their advocacies.

Michelle and Joe playing with other dogs.

Benefits of having Dogs

According to some dog owners I met at Kailua, because of their dogs they get to destress, to mingle and to meet other people. I find it interesting how dogs can easily bring people together, and how people easily connect with other when they talk about their dogs.

Corner (2009), writes that emotional bonds is one of benefits from pet ownership especially people with inadequate human social support.

I learned from Michelle and some of her colleagues in the dog lovers community some of the benefits of having Dog Parks in the community which include having a healthier community since dogs could encourage to walk in them making the said person be physically active, community will show value and importance to pets as well as pet lovers, children will be taught the value of responsibility at a young age by having pets and by taking care of them such as walking them in parks, and dog parks could bring the people and community closer.

Advocating for Dog Parks

On Sunday of my homestay, Michelle and I walked Odin at the beach and Odin just carelessly enjoyed the sun, the sea. He was wearing his leash for easy catch whenever he is being difficult.

Here, we met Samantha Miller or just Jen. She is the dog owner of this totally awesome dog which knows how to swim and she is the person who leads the advocacy for having dog parks. In our conversation at the beach, Jen said that pet dogs must have the right to freely play in parks.

Jen added that there is now an ongoing public hearing on their concern to have it passed by legislature, but they still need to educate more people about their advocacy. She added that she can go house-to-house to disseminate information about their advocacy and to convince residents there on their campaign to have legislation act on it.

With Jen and Michelle who are lead persons in advocating
for Dog Parks in Kailua.

Source: WalletHub

2017 Most Pet-Friendly Cities

In October this year, WalletHub wrote an article listing the 100 most-pet friendly cities in the United States of America. The article ranked each city based on Pet-Budget, Pet Health and Wellness, and Outdoor Pet-Friendliness.

The city of Scottsdale in Arizona led the overall rank with a total score of 65.93, ranked 80th on Pet Budget, ranked first on Pet Health and Wellness, and second on Outdoor Pet-Friendliness. Meanwhile, Honolulu City of Hawaii only ranked 98 overall with a total score of 39.69, ranked 79th on Pet-Budget, ranked last on Pet Health and Wellness, and 34th on Outdoor Pet-Friendliness.

"Our data set ranges from minimum pet-care provider rate per visit to pet businesses per capita to walkability," said the article.

Michelle dressing Odin up for Halloween.

Odin in his Batman costume.

Inspiring Legislation

I am grateful to Joe, Michelle, Jen, and the rest of the dog lovers community for informing on their advocacy which could be adapted in our own municipality through legislation. In our town, we only have the Anti-Rabies Ordinance which is closely related to pets and responsible pet ownership.


Being the committee chairperson on Agriculture in our council, this could be a good initiative to care for pet owners especially dog lovers in our community.
I admire the courage of this group, but I admire their love and care for the protection and health of their pets more. Surely, pets are not just there to play around with, but pets are family, too.

Homestay, Politics, and Food: Inside an American Home

Dinenr at Kalapawai Cafe and Deli in Kailua, Honolulu County. 

Never did I think that I will have the opportunity to live in an American Home and to know how welcoming Americans are until this fellowship program.

Well yes, the Office of Citizen Exchanges Program Officer Chris Remsen of the U.S. Department of State have already told the professional fellows affiliated with the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) during our meeting back in Washington DC that one of the unique characteristics of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) fellowship program is homestay, or the chance to live in an American home for a day or two; however I did not know that it is this meaningful.

With Michelle at Kailua beach.

Couple Michelle Stephenson and Joe Roswarski accommodated me in their home last week where I spent overnight there. I rode the bus bound to Kailua and met them at Starbucks there. Michelle approached me with a warm and sincere smile and Joe came after. We went to their house and met their awesome baby dog Odin. I dropped my bag, and decided to walk in Kailua beach.

On Tourism

Michelle accompanied me to Kailua where she toured me on some of the best spots in the area. It was a good walk having to see some of the best views which I have not yet seen in Waikiki Beach.

Kailua Beach has less tourists here as compared to Waikiki beach
 and it offers this beautiful scenic view. Photos taken by blogger.

WATCH: Live Facebook post at the Kailua Beach when Michelle toured me here.

On top of the hilly part of the beach.
Photo taken by Michelle.

On Politics

What I appreciate more about this homestay is that ACYPL chose or matched our homestay with our interests. Michelle is the Chief Revenue Officer of a political technologies company NGP VAN + EveryAction. While Joe is a medical doctor in the Military based here in Honolulu. Both are active in political discourse and it was actually our main conversation over dinner and even while driving me back to Lincoln Hall.

Our conversations gave me context on the political situation here in the America and in exchange discussed various political and socio-economic issues in the Philippines with them. I think we agree on one point that their incumbent president has almost the same traits as ours on some aspects. We agree that some careless statements lead to more misunderstandings and division among citizens and the country as whole.

One of the crazy statements made by the current US administration was made late July this year when Trump announced that the "United States government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. military." Such statement "reversed a year-old policy reviled by social conservatives."

I think that it has impact to those who are already serving in the military and/or those who are already assigned in various bases, and worse would be those who wanted to sincerely serve this country but are barred just because of their sexual preference and orientation.


Watch New York Times report on this below:
 

On Anti-Intellectualism 

Dr. Joe is reviewing for his specialisation examination in medicine which is oncology, or on the study and treatment of cancer. I told him that I see my nerd friends who are actually in law school, med school, and grad school.

Selfie with Dr. Joe before leaving their home.

I clarified that nerd in a positive way because in our country there are two connotations of such word. Which led me in sharing about smart-shaming in the Philippines or the culture of anti-intellectualism. Which, according to him is also prevalent here in the US. (Here is a good read from GMA Network and from Rappler). Some people even use satire to shame others, which is very typical among circle of friends.

We both agree that to make build a stronger nation, people should invest in nurturing their skills and in learning more.

On American Food

Another common interest the couple and I have is our love for food, albeit both of them are good in cooking while I am not. They hosted me for dinner at Kalapawai Cafe and Deli, a restaurant by night and a deli by day.

Macaroni and cheese. 

I forgot the name of this barbecue steak. 

I was not able to sleep long that night since it was my first time there and because I also received a call from home. However, I really love the simplicity and comfort of my bedroom Joe and Michelle provided.

Inside my cozy bedroom. 

Exchange programs such as this, I believe, opens a gate of opportunities to a person not only to immerse in the culture and learn from various people and experiences while here, but also to share his perspectives on some political and social issues which could contextualise his understanding on various issues.

I am grateful to my homestay host and to ACYPL for this opportunity to learn and share ideas with Americans inside and out of their warm American home. Mahalo Joe, Michelle, and Odin!


CHECK OUT my next blog entry which is about our walk at the beach and dog park advocacy of some dog lovers in Kailua. 


NOTE: The opinion of the blogger does not reflect the opinion of the US Department of State, the ACYPL, and the Philippine government. 

How Public Participation and Transparency is observed at Hawai'i BOE meetings

Hawai'i State Board of Education during their General Business Meeting
 yesterday. Photo taken by the blogger. 

I had the opportunity as a professional fellow placed here at the Hawai'i State Department of Education to witness how education policymakers work and conduct session which was held yesterday.  

The Hawaii State Board of Education formulates policy and exercises control over the public school and library systems, according to the Hawaii State Department of Education website. 

During the Human Resources Meeting in the morning, the Hope Street Group, a national non-partisan, non-profit organization, presented some of their various teacher empowerment and positivity initiatives such as the Hawai'i State Teacher Fellows Program yesterday. 

HR Committee Chairman Brian De Lima presided the meeting. 

Kelly Miyamura, the Director of the Hawaii State Teacher Fellows Program said that this could address teacher retention in the state. 

"Teachers are the best teachers for teachers," said HR Comm Member Pat Bregin after congratulating the effort of the group on their fellowship program. Another HR Committee Member Bruce Voss said that the fellowship program for teachers is a way that turn teachers into leaders. 

 The second session in the morning was the Finance and Infrastructure Committee Meeting wherein they discussed the supplementary budgets of the State Department of Education and the State Public Library System for Fiscal Year 2018-2019. Both were approved but it underwent interrogation from some members of the Board.

The BOE website links to live audio of what's happening in the
meeting and also all the agenda and presentation in the meeting. 

Public Participation and Transparent Governance

Another factor I liked in the meeting is the transparency and how public participation is observed. The website publishes all the agenda for the day's meeting and also links to the live audio streaming of the meeting for public to be informed on what's going on or what's being discussed. 

Public testimony is also published on the website of BOE.

Moreover, public can share their sentiments by writing a testimony and deliver these testimonies during the meeting. According to some people I got to ask why is this observed is because the Board wanted to hear the views of the public before deciding on various policies being implemented in the education sector here. 

In the Philippines, government offices also observe good governance by being transparent, however not all meetings which concern the public is broadcast for public. I do hope some offices in the Philippines open not only its doors for public but also its doors online by opening meetings which concern the public via live audio streaming, live broadcast, or other platforms. 

As Committee on Education Chairman in our local legislative council, it is an opportunity to witness how these education policymakers work, decide, and conduct meetings on various issues concerning the public school systems here. 

First thing I did in the US

I often pray, but I have to confess that I do not go to the church every Sunday. Being religious has always been associated with us Filipinos. Aside from our rich history which shows the deep connection with the religion, it has also become tied with our rich culture. 

Photo of St. Patrick's Parish in Washington DC which I took on Sunday.

On Sunday here at the Unites States, I attended the 8 o'clock mass at Saint Patrick's Parish, located at Washington DC together with my Filipino colleagues Renne, Ben, and L.A. The church was built in 1792. It's the nearest church from our hotel approximately 35-minute walk, so we decided to attend first thing in the morning.

The marker in front the parish.

The parish was solemn and there were only a few who have attended the said mass as compared to the devotees who flock the church in the Philippines on Sundays.

Photo from Councilor L.A. Ruanto's Facebook page.

It's unusual to see a little number of people who attended the said mass. Way back in the Philippines, churches are often full-packed. You can barely seat during Sunday mass especially in the morning and late afternoon mass. But this place offers a solemn venue to reflect and to connect with God.

Photo from Councilor L.A. Ruanto's Facebook page.

With presiding priest Father John. 

Before jumping into busy and productive schedule including series of meeting here at the United States for my fellowship, I believe that I am prepared for whatever learning experience and even challenges which I am about to gain here because I did what I should do first. 

To my friends and family back home, I ask that you pray for all the fellows from 42 countries participating in this professional fellowship program that we may be safe in our various fellowship placements here in the US and that we may be instruments to glorify His name. #