The Work Goes On….
By Hawaii State Senator Will Espero
Legislative work is not a “four month a year” job as many mistakenly believe. The hustle and bustle of public input is gone, but Interim is when we meet to find ways to improve our communities. Many of us continue efforts on our subject committees as members; review progress with agencies, programs and projects funded by the Legislature; and work on large scale policy and planning efforts. Last month I was elected Chair of OMPO, the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, which coordinates federally funded transportation construction and improvement projects for Oahu. Besides OMPO and the Workforce Development Council, I was appointed this month to two other groups, the State Highway Fund Task Force and the Broadband Task Force.
State Highway Fund Task Force. Keeping up the infrastructure to support Hawaii’s rapid growth challenges state resources. The very costly and many transportation projects place a heavy strain on the state budget as it tries to keep up with demands without being burdensome on taxpayers. The new task force will examine and develop strategies to maintain the economic well-being of this vital state fund.
Broadband Task Force. Broadband technologies are changing telecommunications as we know it. Major policy debates around the country has focused on regulation: the need to ensure the development of competition and consumer benefits, investment and services, and most importantly, open access and special situation access. This committee, comprised of internet providers and other government officials, will develop Hawaii’s response to this emerging issue.
Kauai Public Safety Visit
The Legislative Oversight Committee on Prisons visited the Kauai Community Correctional Center (KCCC) on August 24. This small prison of 125 inmates looked more like a cluster of buildings for a summer camp or retreat than a jail. Very little barb wire was visible although it was not totally barb-wire free. Set in a rural area across from a golf course, it is surrounded by acres of land farmed by the prisoners.
With a small inmate population to manage, the problems common in bigger facilities did not at all seem overwhelming. Warden Neal Wagatsuma appeared to have the facility operating relatively smoothly. His Lifetime Stand program — a disciplined, behavioral co-ed setting where inmates are trained to see the bigger picture and understand the consequences of their actions — was encouraging. Program directors and former inmates testified that Warden Wagatsuma was a man ahead of his time when dealing with re-entry and rehabilitation programs. I was pleased that this Kauai facility had a re-integration program that has had some success.
At the public hearing, we heard from several individuals actively involved with the Kauai Planning Action Alliance. This group of organizations and public safety staff supports rehabilitation efforts on Kauai. Among those testifying: Tali McCall, a staff member with the Salvation Army’s substance abuse program for inmates and ex-offenders; Al Sison of Mental Health Kokua, an organization that assists individuals with mental health problems; and Rebekah Reid of Community Integration Partnership which provides transitional housing for about 50 inmates and their families. A couple ex-offenders commended Warden Wagatsuma’s Lifetime Stand program for holding them accountable and helping them take responsibility for turning their lives around.
Kauai’s lack of a long needed residential drug treatment center has left some individuals frustrated. KCCC’s location in a major flood zone also poses problems, and a new facility is requested by the Department of Public Safety for the future.
Iroquois Point Access
Last week I organized a meeting with the Navy, Hunt Development, the state Attorney General, and other area lawmakers to discuss the issue of limited public access to the Iroquois Point housing development in Ewa Beach. Since Iroquois Point had been turned over to a private entity to manage the housing, the general public has not had access to the shoreline beaches unless they were living in a rental or a visitor of a resident. The Navy also had strict guidelines when it controlled the area as military housing. Now that civilians are able to rent at Iroquois Point, members of the public have questioned the policy of not allowing public access to the beaches.
The meeting at Pearl Harbor was fruitful, and Attorney General Mark Bennett was clear that limited public access must be provided considering the new arrangement the Navy has with Hunt Development. The Navy and Hunt are working on a policy which will provide limited public access to the area as soon as possible. Concerns about parking, housing security, Pearl Harbor security, and water activities were also discussed.
Kapolei Court Complex
The July 17, 2007 blessing and groundbreaking for the Kapolei Court Complex began the home stretch for Oahu’s Second City. The $125 million, 10.97-acre project is expected to open in 2009. Its four-story, 123,118 square-foot courthouse will contain 12 non-jury courtrooms and one jury courtroom, and will handle cases now heard at the Waianae District Court. The Complex will also contain a one-story, 52,306 square-foot, 66-bed secure juvenile detention facility, and 212 (including 11 handicap accessible stalls) public parking spaces. Some Family Court functions will be transferred from Kaahumanu Hale, while others will remain at Punchbowl Street. The James Campbell Estate generously provided the land to help build the Second City and foster economic growth in Ewa.
Senator Will Espero represents the 20th Senatorial District (Waipahu, Ewa, Ewa Beach and West Loch) on the Island of Oahu. He also serves as the Chair of the Senate’s Public Safety Committee.