Author: support@14oranges.com

Watch Now: ?️ Natasha Puaoi National Library Worker’s Day

EVENTS COMING SOON | PERKS & DISCOUNTS | GIVE A MEMBER A SHAKA | April 11, 2024

This week we celebrate National Library Workers’ Day. Mahalo to all library workers for being important resources for their communities and cultivating a love of reading.

Natasha has been a lifelong bookworm, passing on her love of reading to her daughters. Through her work, she has been able to help her community, especially the homeless community, find lifesaving resources and reconnect with loved ones. Mahalo for all that you do, Natasha!

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April 14-20 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Mahalo to all telecommunicators for their dedicated work to ensure the health and safety of Hawaii.

April 26 is National Administrative Professionals Day. Mahalo to all admin professionals for their dedicated work to ensure operations run smoothly.

Each day across the country, more than 340 workers are killed and more than 6,000 suffer injury and illness because of dangerous working conditions that are preventable. That is why more than 50 years ago on April 28, Workers Memorial Day went into effect, promising every worker the right to a safe job — a fundamental right.

For nearly 90 years, HGEA has fought for a seat at the negotiation table to ensure our members’ safety and wellbeing. Together on this Workers Memorial Day, we echo the need for safe jobs and raise our collective voice to protect these rights alongside our partners at AFL-CIO.

Are you attending the Hawaii Democratic Party Convention on May 18 and 19? HGEA may be able to help subsidize the registration cost of being a delegate, however, we are trying to get an idea of how many members plan to attend. Take the survey below. This will help us formulate an accurate and responsible budget.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Hoʻomaikaʻi to our members who received the 2023 Librarian of the Year and Excellence in Service awards, broadcasted on Hawaii News Now’s Sunrise newscast.

Librarian of the Year, Unit 13

Tamara King, Kahuku Public & School Library, Oahu
Elizabeth Knight, Makawao Public Library, Maui
Susan Nakata, Library Development Services, Oahu

Excellence in Service Winners, Unit 3

Stacy Fujitani, Keaau Public & School Library, Hawaii Island
Eric Larsen, Lihue Public Library, Kauai
Ann Wallner, Makawao Public Library, Maui

Eric Larsen, Lihue Public Library, Kauai

Tamara King (second from left) with colleagues at Kahuku Public & School Library, Oahu

2024 National NASSP Assistant Principal of the Year Nominee

Congrats Jeffrey Horstman, Unit 6, Mililani Middle School principal, for being nominated as one of the finalists for the 2024 NASSP Assistant Principal of the Year award. This award recognizes outstanding assistant principals who are raising the bar in teaching and learning. Way to go, Jeffrey!

Maui Dispatchers Honored

for Wildfire Response

Maui dispatchers have garnered more national recognition for their heroic work during last year’s devastating wildfires.

The Maui Police Department said, “This recognition is a testament to the exceptional teamwork, leadership, and expertise exhibited by every member of our 911 call center. Their tireless efforts responding to emergency calls, coordinating critical resources, and providing invaluable support to first responders speak volumes of their commitment to our community.”

HGEA Member Earns Prestigious Abbott Medal for Marathon Finishes

Steven Pavao, a member of our Managerial and Confidential Employee Chapter, became the first Hawaii island resident to win the Abbott Six Star Finisher Medal, a prestigious award given to runners who successfully complete all six of the World Marathon Majors. He has been running marathons for the past 15 years, competing in North America, Australia, Asia and Europe.

The 27th Biennial HGEA General Assembly will take place Sept. 12-14 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort on Oahu. As the highest governing body of the union, the general assembly considers amendments to the HGEA charter of incorporation and bylaws, along with other non-charter/bylaws resolutions. The Committee on Charter, Bylaws and Resolutions is responsible for reviewing all proposed resolutions and making a recommendation to the general assembly.

Members may use the form linked below to submit a resolution for consideration. One form is for proposed amendments to the charter and/or the bylaws; the other form is for general resolutions. Guidelines on how to prepare a resolution are provided for your reference.

Charter/Bylaws Resolutions are due 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 15.

Non-Charter/Bylaws Resolutions are due 4:30 p.m., Thursday, June 14

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If you have specific inquiries, contact your local HGEA office or the HGEA Member Service Center at

(808) 543-0000 or service@hgea.org.

HGEA News
Hawaii Government Employees Association
888 Mililani Street, Suite 401
Honolulu, HI 96813

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April 11, 2024

Voting starts now!

EVENTS COMING SOON | PERKS & DISCOUNTS | GIVE A MEMBER A SHAKA | April 10, 2024

Aloha Subscriber,

Gov. Josh Green’s administration has offered HGEA a settlement for our temporary hazard pay grievances split into two compensation tiers — $10,000 and $20,000.

According to the settlement offer on the table, the THP payout that members receive will be based on the days affected employees physically worked their regular schedule during the period of March 4, 2020 to March 25, 2022. Unlike previous arbitrations in other jurisdictions, it is not based on the severity of exposure to the hazard, but rather on total days worked.

Those who physically reported to work for 420 days or more during the emergency proclamation would be entitled to $20,000. Those who worked a hybrid schedule (physical at work and telework) and physically reported to work for less than 420 days would be eligible for compensation of $10,000. Employees on alternate work schedules (4-10, 8-12, 10-month) have a different minimum day requirement for tier 1 placement. See settlement details before casting your vote.

HGEA is NOT making a recommendation on whether you should accept or reject this settlement offer.

READ SETTLEMENT DETAILS

Voting Information

All voting will be done through electronic ballot.
Voting starts today, Wednesday, April 10, and will remain open until 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 14.
An electronic ratification ballot was sent to your personal email address from “HGEA Ballot,” with the subject, “BALLOT: HGEA Temporary Hazard Pay Settlement Ratification.”
If you do not see a ballot email in your personal inbox on April 10, check your Junk Mail or Spam folder. See instructions on how to request a ballot. Requests for ballots must be received by 12:30 p.m. on April 14 (no later than four hours before the close of electronic voting).

Results of the ratification votes will be reported on Monday, April 15.

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Please do not reply to this email as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

For a complete list of member discounts or for more HGEA news, visit www.hgea.org.

If you have specific inquiries, contact your local HGEA office or the HGEA Member Service Center at

(808) 543-0000 or service@hgea.org.

HGEA News
Hawaii Government Employees Association
888 Mililani Street, Suite 401
Honolulu, HI 96813

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April 10, 2024

Hazard Pay Settlement Vote Starts Wed. April 10

EVENTS COMING SOON | PERKS & DISCOUNTS | GIVE A MEMBER A SHAKA | April 8, 2024

Gov. Josh Green’s administration has offered HGEA a settlement for our temporary hazard pay grievances split into two compensation tiers — $10,000 and $20,000.

HGEA is NOT making a recommendation on whether you should accept or reject this settlement offer.

READ SETTLEMENT DETAILS

Voting Information

All voting will be done through electronic ballot.
Voting starts on Wednesday, April 10 and will remain open until 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 14.
On April 10, an electronic ratification ballot will be sent to your personal email address from “HGEA Ballot,” with the subject, “BALLOT: HGEA Temporary Hazard Pay Settlement Ratification.”
If you do not see a ballot email in your personal inbox on April 10, check your Junk Mail or Spam folder. See instructions on how to request a ballot. Requests for ballots must be received by 12:30 p.m. on April 14 (no later than four hours before the close of electronic voting).

Results of the ratification votes will be reported on Monday, April 15.

FOLLOW US

Please do not reply to this email as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

For a complete list of member discounts or for more HGEA news, visit www.hgea.org.

If you have specific inquiries, contact your local HGEA office or the HGEA Member Service Center at

(808) 543-0000 or service@hgea.org.

HGEA News
Hawaii Government Employees Association
888 Mililani Street, Suite 401
Honolulu, HI 96813

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Kauai THP Update

EVENTS COMING SOON | PERKS & DISCOUNTS | GIVE A MEMBER A SHAKA | April 4, 2024

Kauai County Mayor Derek Kawakami can’t be serious about his recent (and unfair) offer to settle our temporary hazard pay case on behalf of our members. While the state is offering a settlement of $10,000 or $20,000 based on days worked during the emergency proclamation, Kawakami offered a paltry $7,000 for everyone, whether employed during the pandemic or not.

You gotta be kidding with this. Were Kauai County employees less affected by the pandemic than their state government colleagues? No way. We are better off proceeding with the second phase of arbitration than entertaining meager offers from Mayor Kawakami.

HGEA is not going to relent. We’ve already secured a phase I decision establishing that a hazard indeed existed for county employees during the pandemic, covering the duration of Gov. David Ige’s emergency proclamation from March 4, 2020 to March 25, 2022. And while the arbitrator went beyond the scope of the case by making eligibility decisions, HGEA is still in a strong position to argue in the next phase that our members deserve fair compensation, whether at the most severe (25%) or severe (15%) level.

We will accept no less than what the state is offering its employees.

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Please do not reply to this email as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

For a complete list of member discounts or for more HGEA news, visit www.hgea.org.

If you have specific inquiries, contact your local HGEA office or the HGEA Member Service Center at

(808) 543-0000 or service@hgea.org.

HGEA News
Hawaii Government Employees Association
888 Mililani Street, Suite 401
Honolulu, HI 96813

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DOE THP Update

EVENTS COMING SOON | PERKS & DISCOUNTS | GIVE A MEMBER A SHAKA | April 4, 2024

Now that we’ve successfully secured a win in arbitration for temporary hazard pay on behalf of state Department of Education employees, we’re working with the state budget director to ensure that money for this award gets put in this year’s budget and approved by the Legislature before the session closes soon.

The DOE decision was HGEA’s largest temporary hazard pay win to-date, with a significant number of the 7,800 school employees organized into Units 2, 3, 4, 9 and 13 likely awarded hazard pay at the highest rate. Exact eligibility determinations are still pending.

We have a meeting with the employer to reach some kind of agreement for funding. Our goal is to make sure money is set aside in this year’s budget to prevent any kind of delay in payouts to our members.

Stay turned for more updates soon.

Watch Randy’s update on our THP arbitration with DOE!

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Please do not reply to this email as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

For a complete list of member discounts or for more HGEA news, visit www.hgea.org.

If you have specific inquiries, contact your local HGEA office or the HGEA Member Service Center at

(808) 543-0000 or service@hgea.org.

HGEA News
Hawaii Government Employees Association
888 Mililani Street, Suite 401
Honolulu, HI 96813

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Big News: We got a THP offer from the state

EVENTS COMING SOON | PERKS & DISCOUNTS | GIVE A MEMBER A SHAKA | April 4, 2024

Members could receive a temporary hazard payout within the calendar year after Gov. Josh Green’s administration offered HGEA a settlement split into two compensation tiers — $10,000 and $20,000.

The offer would cover employees organized into Units 2, 3, 4, 9, 13 and 14 employed within the executive branch, University of Hawaii, public charter schools, the Judiciary, and the Hawaii Health Systems Corp.

We’ve spent several years fighting this battle. We’re confident that we would win our outstanding cases should we proceed to arbitration rather than accept a settlement. A settlement, however, would mean cash-in-hand sooner rather than later, with the first installment scheduled for this October.

The choice is now before you, our members. HGEA is NOT making a recommendation on whether you should accept or reject this settlement offer. The Governor has made a good-faith and relatively fair offer to resolve this sooner than later and we felt it was necessary to bring it out to you for a vote. Watch Randy’s video and review the FAQs below and vote how you feel is best.

Ratification is tentatively scheduled for the week of April 8.

Members eligible to vote will receive an email with a ballot link.

More details to come.

READ SETTLEMENT FAQS

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Please do not reply to this email as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

For a complete list of member discounts or for more HGEA news, visit www.hgea.org.

If you have specific inquiries, contact your local HGEA office or the HGEA Member Service Center at

(808) 543-0000 or service@hgea.org.

HGEA News
Hawaii Government Employees Association
888 Mililani Street, Suite 401
Honolulu, HI 96813

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April Benefits & Events

EVENTS COMING SOON | PERKS & DISCOUNTS | GIVE A MEMBER A SHAKA | March 25, 2024

HGEA will be closed on Tuesday, March 26 in observance of Prince Kuhio Day and Friday, March 29 for Good Friday.

_ALL ISLANDS_

VIEW FLYER

Register for the 2024 Basic Steward Academy

Thursday, March 28 at 5:30 p.m. and

Tuesday, April 2 at 5:30 p.m.

Every workplace needs someone looking out for workers’ rights, but did you know that many HGEA worksites don’t have a steward? That’s where you come in!

Don’t miss out on the last two sessions. Learn how to help protect members’ rights and bring fair and decent treatment to the workplace.

To RSVP, email Matthew Reiter at mreiter@hgea.org. Space is limited.

VIEW SCHEDULE

Apply Now! Hawaii State AFL-CIO Scholarships

Due Friday, April 12

A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to three graduating seniors who are currently attending high school in the state of Hawaii and plan to pursue post-high school study on a full-time basis at a university, college, community college, vocational or trade school.

All submissions must be received or postmarked by Friday, April 12.

APPLY NOW

_KAUAI_

VIEW FLYER

Retirement Seminar

Saturday, April 13, 9-11:30 a.m., Kauai Division Office

It’s never too early to start planning for your future. Let us help you plan for a worry-free tomorrow! Registration closes April 10.

_HAWAII ISLAND_

Final Four Watch Party

Saturday, April 6, 12-5 p.m., 495 Manono Street (HID MPR)

Join us for an exciting afternoon! Prizes and food will be provided.

Volunteers Needed! Special Olympics

Saturday, April 20, 5:45 a.m. until pau, Waiakea High School Track

The Community Action Committee is looking for volunteers to help set up the Special Olympics.

Please direct any questions to Riley Iyo at 808-961-0766 or riyo@hgea.org.

Volunteers Needed! NALC Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

Saturday, May 11, 1-7 p.m., Hawaii Island Food Basket, 40 Holomua Street, Hilo, HI 96720

You can make an impactful difference in the community! The AFL-CIO is looking for HGEA member volunteers and families

to help at the 2024 National Association of Letter Carriers’ Food Drive on Hawaii Island.

_MAUI_

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Volunteers Needed! Cemetery Clean Up

Saturday, April 6, 8 a.m. to noon, Kwong Fook Tong

In partnership with Malama Maui Nui, come make a difference at our annual cemetery clean up. RSVP by April 3.

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Retirement Seminar

Saturday, April 20, 8:45-11:30 a.m., Maui Division Office

It’s never too early to start planning for your future. Let us help you plan for a worry-free tomorrow! Registration closes April 17.

_OAHU_

Bingo Night

Monday, April 15, 5:30-8:30 p.m., HGEA 1st Floor Meeting Hall

Join us for a fun night of bingo! Space is limited.

Volunteers Needed! NALC Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

Saturday, May 11, 4-10 p.m., Hawaii Foodbank Warehouse

You can make an impactful difference in the community! The AFL-CIO is looking for HGEA member volunteers and families

to help at the 2024 National Association of Letter Carriers’ Food Drive on Oahu.

Featured Partner: Aqua Aston Hotels

Book a relaxing getaway this spring! HGEA members get an exclusive discount.

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Please do not reply to this email as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

For a complete list of member discounts or for more HGEA news, visit www.hgea.org.

If you have specific inquiries, contact your local HGEA office or the HGEA Member Service Center at

(808) 543-0000 or service@hgea.org.

HGEA Scoops
Hawaii Government Employees Association
888 Mililani Street, Suite 401
Honolulu, HI 96813

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Vote Scott Nishimoto for Honolulu City Council District 5

EVENTS COMING SOON | PERKS & DISCOUNTS | GIVE A MEMBER A SHAKA | March 22, 2024

When working people and HGEA members needed an advocate in the State Legislature, we knew we could always call on Scott Nishimoto. For more than 20 years he has stood with Labor and fought for our rights – and now it’s time to stand with him as he launches his campaign for the Honolulu City Council District 5, where Scott was born and raised.

Scott’s voting record speaks for itself:

Has always honored our contracts and supported funding for pay increases, including during the COVID-19 pandemic
Opposed taxing of pensions
Opposed employee furloughs to balance the budget

Scott has stood by HGEA members and public employees through thick and thin.

Please consider voting Scott Nishimoto for Honolulu City Council District 5.

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Please do not reply to this email as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

For a complete list of member discounts or for more HGEA news, visit www.hgea.org.

If you have specific inquiries, contact your local HGEA office or the HGEA Member Service Center at

(808) 543-0000 or service@hgea.org.

HGEA News
Hawaii Government Employees Association
888 Mililani Street, Suite 401
Honolulu, HI 96813

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Listen Now:?️Ep. 3 The Vacancy Crisis

EVENTS COMING SOON | PERKS & DISCOUNTS | GIVE A MEMBER A SHAKA | March 21, 2024

Whether it’s state or local county government, everywhere we look we’re finding that departments are understaffed and HGEA members are putting in heroic efforts to keep up the quality of services despite vacancy rates of upwards of 40%. In fact, recent reports on the county and state levels point toward an employment crisis of the likes we’ve never seen before in Hawaii. What is driving this problem? Where are all the workers? And is there a way out of this?

Mahalo to Karen Kama, Unit 13 speech pathologist, and Scott Collins, HGEA field services officer for MSC/Advocacy, for joining us on this important discussion.

LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

WATCH ON YOUTUBE

With March being Social Work Month, we would like to mahalo our members for all they do to ensure the wellness of our community. This month, we interviewed a few social workers whose critical work supports our community. These individuals were nominated for their extraordinary service.

Meet Cheryl Adolpho, Cameron Dexter, and Jenea Respicio, Unit 13 members.

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Please do not reply to this email as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

For a complete list of member discounts or for more HGEA news, visit www.hgea.org.

If you have specific inquiries, contact your local HGEA office or the HGEA Member Service Center at

(808) 543-0000 or service@hgea.org.

HGEA News
Hawaii Government Employees Association
888 Mililani Street, Suite 401
Honolulu, HI 96813

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Heroic dispatcher meets woman she saved

EVENTS COMING SOON | PERKS & DISCOUNTS | GIVE A MEMBER A SHAKA | March 14, 2024

Allison Ford, fire communications officer II and a Unit 3 member on the Big Island, received a surprise visit this week from the woman whose life she helped to save. With calm and clear instructions she guided distressed callers in performing CPR on their elderly mother.

“We don’t always get to hear the outcomes of our calls — much less if they are positive or not,” Ford told Hawaii News Now. Mayor Mitch Roth presented Ford with a certificate of commendation for her outstanding service.

WATCH NOW

Charter/Bylaws Resolutions are due 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 15.

Non-Charter/Bylaws Resolutions are due 4:30 p.m., Thursday, June 14.

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Fifteen state Department of Education principals – one from each complex area – were honored as the latest nominees for the 18th annual Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award.

The 2024 principal nominees, who each received a $1,000 prize, are: Lynne Ajifu, Mililani ‘Ike Elementary; Tommy Cox, Kapaʻa High School; Allyson Doherty, Kailua Elementary; Eliza Loha Kanahele Kaka, Lā‘ie Elementary; Gary Kanamori, Nāhiʻenaʻena Elementary; James Kau, ‘Aiea Intermediate; Marc Kawahara, Kalihi Kai Elementary; Hannah Loyola, Kohala Elementary; Ty Ogasawara, Pukalani Elementary; Sheldon Oshio, Waikele Elementary; Joseph Passantino, Keʻelikōlani Middle; Tiffany Pratt, Kaʻūmana Elementary; Wilma Roddy, Nāʻālehu Elementary; Kim Sanders, Ewa Makai Middle; and John Wataoka, Wai‘anae Intermediate.

Hoomaikai to all the honorees! A top winner will be named in April and will receive $25,000 – a $10,000 personal cash award and $15,000 toward a school project of the principal’s choice. Two semi-finalists will each receive a $2,000 cash award.

Unit 15’s Chantelle Brown, Hawaii’s first female ocean safety captain and the first female rescue watercraft operator in the nation, was honored on International Women’s Day as a “remarkable woman.”

In addition to the award from Maui-based nonprofit What Makes You Feel Beautiful, the organization produced a documentary about Brown’s barrier-breaking career in a field dominated by men.

“There are so many women from the islands who feel like they don’t have opportunity. Or they feel less educated and not knowing within themselves that they can reach whatever goal that they want,” Brown told Hawaii News Now. “What makes me feel beautiful is the way I can have other little girls look up to me.”

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Unit 13’s Mary Akimo-Luʻuwai, case management coordinator at the Maui Community Mental Health Center, is a winner of AFSCME’s Never Quit Service Award, which recognizes public service workers who go above and beyond the call of duty to make their communities better.

“I’ve never been one to say, ‘I can’t do that,’ or, ‘This can’t be done,’” Akimo-Luʻuwai said. “I won’t settle for that. If I can’t get to it right away, I’ll say, ‘Give me some time and I’ll see what I can do.’”

Nurse Supervisor Patricia Codorniz said Akimo-Luʻuwai went above and beyond after the wildfires ravaged Maui. “She created plans for her teams to be one of the first responders to provide more than the much-needed mental health care,” Codorniz said. “Today, she continues to take the lead and work many long hours leading her team and providing outreach to those affected by these devastating events.”

Maui Police Officer Kameryn Pupunu, the husband of Maui Union Agent Charity Sadang, was First Lady Jill Biden’s guest of honor at the U.S. Capitol for the president’s State of the Union address.

Pupunu was selected to represent all of Maui Police Department in honor of their bravery and heroism during the Maui wildfires.

He said he was honored to represent his colleagues at President Joe Biden’s speech. “There are many other good officers out there and other employees that work here, and not just during the fire but day to day, who respond to cases and help other people,” Pupunu told Hawaii News Now.

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Please do not reply to this email as we are not able to respond to messages sent to this address.

For a complete list of member discounts or for more HGEA news, visit www.hgea.org.

If you have specific inquiries, contact your local HGEA office or the HGEA Member Service Center at

(808) 543-0000 or service@hgea.org.

HGEA News
Hawaii Government Employees Association
888 Mililani Street, Suite 401
Honolulu, HI 96813

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