Big Island Press Club Holiday Torch of Light Luncheon Honors Retired ICA Judge Dan Foley

11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday, December 14
Pueos Osteria at the Waikoloa Plaza Shopping Center

 (Press release) The Big Island Press is holding a special Torch of Light holiday luncheon Dec. 14 that not only honors three outstanding professionals, but also features a silent auction showcasing thousands of dollars in items including staycations at some of West Hawaii’s top resorts, dinners, excursions and more, all to benefit the club’s Scholarship Fund.

Retired Hawaiʻi Intermediate Court of Appeals Judge Daniel Foley is the recipient of the Big Island Press Club's annual meritorious Torch of Light Award. In addition, BIPC is presenting a special ʻOʻo Award to Civil Beat’s Kevin Dayton, for digging especially deep and unearthing information to create groundbreaking news in his coverage of the prison system. The Member of the Year Award went to Hawaii Association of Broadcasters president Chris Leonard for his advocacy of legislation allowing the electronic communications during declared emergencies.

After a series  of federal indictments of public officials at all levels of Hawai‘i government, House Speaker Scott Saiki convened a special commission chaired by Foley that produced a collection of bills aimed at increasing transparency and stemming corruption.

Foley, in addition to guiding the Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct, (often dubbed the “Foley Commission” in the press) also attended hearings on and/or submitted testimony and met with officials about all 31 of the measures in the commission package, shepherding them through the process. While not all of the measures passed, Foley was able to see a significant majority of them make their way through the legislative process to be signed by Gov. Josh Green. Because of that, citizens have more assurance that it will no longer be business as usual in Hawaii government.

The event at the award-winning Pueo's Osteria in Waikoloa Village includes a buffet luncheon featuring vegan, chicken and shrimp entrees, as well as soup, salad and dessert. Tickets are $42 for BIPC members and $50 for nonmembers.

Seating is limited and the luncheon is expected to sell out.  Ticket deadline is Dec. 6. You can find the link to sign up at www.bigislandpressclub.org.

While some of the top items in the silent auction will be available for bidding only at the luncheon -- stays at the Aston Waikiki Banyan, Auberge Mauna Lani Resort and the new Rosewood Kona Village Resort --  others can be bid online now at https://givebutter.com/c/1kOvRB/auction.