We are honored to feature these community leaders.
PLENARY SPEAKER
DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ
Hawaii State Senator
District 17
Donovan M. Dela Cruz, is a state senator from District 17, which encompasses Mililani, Mililani Mauka, portion of Waipi‘o Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village. Senator Dela Cruz is Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.
Prior to becoming senator, he also served on the Honolulu City Council for eight years, serving as its Chair for three years, being the youngest chair in the history of the Council, at age 30. Senator Dela Cruz is a graduate of the University of Oregon where he earned a BA in Journalism and Communication Studies; Masters in Organization Leadership from Argosy University.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
AUGUSTO “AUGIE” TULBA
Honolulu City Council
District 9
Augusto “Augie” Tulba, a resident of ‘Ewa Beach since 2000, was elected in November 2020 as one of nine members of the Honolulu City Council. As the representative for District 9, he oversees city-related issues in Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia, Mililani Town, West Loch, Iroquois Point, and portions of Ewa Villages and Ewa Beach.
A 2021 incoming freshman, Councilmember Tulba was appointed to serve as the Committee Chair for Parks and Community Services, and the Vice Chair for Public Safety. He is a voting member on three additional committees including (1) Housing and the Economy, (2) Executive Matters and Legal Affairs, and (3) Transportation, Sustainability, and Health.
A grandson of Sakada Filipino immigrants, he, his four brothers, and his parents Lawrence and Sharon Tulba lived in public housing in Kalihi. Councilmember Tulba’s humble beginnings shaped his work ethic, and continue to inspire his commitment to our community.
He has delivered keynote addresses on anti-bullying, dyslexia, mental health, and suicide prevention. Augie and his wife, Kimberly, currently serve as Directors of the Miss American Scholar Hawaii Pageant. For more than two decades, Councilmember Tulba has been at the core of local comedy, performing stand-up comedy for audiences in Hawai‘i and across the United States. He has written, directed, and starred in seven stand-up comedy DVDs and three CDs. His work has been recognized as the best comedy show by Honolulu Magazine, topped DVD sales charts, and won two Hawai‘i Music Awards and two Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards.
His entertainment career also led to him working as a radio show host, including a popular morning show that simulcast on multiple Hawaiian Islands. He produced the Augie Radio Show, a top-rated weekday morning show on Da Paʻina (93.1 FM O‘ahu, 95.9 FM Kauai, and online), and is now featured weekday mornings on Honoluluʻs Decades 107.9.
Councilmember Tulba’s recognitions include being named one of Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40; funniest comic in Hawai‘i by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and Midweek; best radio personality by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; and one of Hawai‘i’s Top 100 Influential Filipinos.