Senate Majority Caucus

The Superferry proposal was approved by the State House of Representatives today.  Now, Senate Bill 1 Senate Draft 1 goes to Governor Lingle for her signature and  implementation.

The Senate passed it out on Monday, October 29, 2007. 

Other agenda items approved today:

Laura Thielen- Board of Land and Natural Resources Chair.

Darwin Ching- Department of Labor and Industrial Relations Director.

Clayton Frank-Department of Public Safety Director. 

Photos from the committee hearings and floor sessions have been posted on the Senate’s Flickr site.

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Senator Espero’s October 2007 Newsletter

If everything Hawaii imported was held to the stringent standards some have proposed for the Superferry, we’d have to ban Christmas trees, food, cars, and other items that we depend on every day. Environmental concerns are important, but they are not insurmountable, and they are not exclusive to the Superferry.

Continue Reading

In the spirit of Halloween, the House Majority Caucus blog has been featuring ghost stories from incidents that occurred in the State Capitol over the years.  You might be interested to learn that several happened in the Senate.

Stories courtesy of the House Majority Caucus.

The State Senate approved Senate Bill 1 Senate Draft 1 during floor session today.  The House Finance and Transportation Committees will be hearing the proposal at 1:30 p.m. in the State Capitol Auditorium.

Senator Taniguchi’s Floor Speech

Senator Hooser’s Floor Remarks

Audio of Senator Hooser’s Floor Speech (17Mb) (MP3 File)

Senator Tsutsui’s Floor Remarks

Senator Gabbard’s Floor Speech

Senator Baker’s Floor Remarks

Senator Ihara’s Floor Speech

State Senate Passes Compromise Superferry Bill

The state Senate this morning voted 20 to 5 to pass a compromise bill that would allow Hawaii Superferry to resume operations while the state conducts an environmental impact statement. Continue Reading.

Honolulu Advertiser; Monday, October 29, 2007.

The House Committees on Transportation and Finance have scheduled a hearing for Senate Bill 1 Senate Draft 1 on Monday, October 29, 2007, starting from 1:30 p.m. in the State Capitol Auditorium. 

The joint Senate Committees on Judiciary and Labor, Transportation and International Affairs, and Energy and Environment approved Senate Bill 1 Senate Draft 1. 

Judge Randal Lee was recommended for the Intermediate Court of Appeals by the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee.

Articles on Day 2 of the Superferry Special Session are posted.

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Decision Making on Senate Bill 1 is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Thursday, October 25, 2007, in room 229.

Read testimony and view photos (Kauai and Oahu only) from hearings on the neighbor islands and at the state capitol.

GOVERNOR’S STATEMENT REGARDING THE TIMING OF SUPREME COURT’S SUPERFERRY DECISION REFUTED

In the Honolulu Advertiser’s Oct. 13 article, “3-way Superferry remedy urged,” and in other media reports, Governor Linda Lingle is quoted as saying, “The Supreme Court, for whatever their reason was, decided to wait over a year-and-a-half to reach a decision and to do it two days before this service was set to begin.” The implication that the Hawai`i Supreme Court deliberately timed its decision to occur “two days before” the Superferry was scheduled to start is wrong and does a disservice to the people of Hawai`i by undermining their trust in the justice system. (more…)

Hawaii Legislature Reconvenes Today 

By Honolulu Advertiser Government Writer Derrick DePledge 

State House and Senate leaders said yesterday they believe that majorities in both chambers favor helping Hawaii Superferry resume service while the state conducts an environmental review, but are split on whether the current draft bill could be substantially amended to place more operating conditions on the ferry.  Continue Reading

Honolulu Advertiser, Wednesday, October 24, 2007. 

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By Honolulu Advertiser Writer Kevin Dayton

A divided audience of about 500 Big Island residents made sometimes impassioned pleas for and against the Hawaii Superferry at a hearing called by state lawmakers in Kona yesterday. Continue Reading

Honolulu Advertiser, Wednesday, October 24, 2007.

Gov. Linda Lingle today called state lawmakers into special session to consider bills to help Hawaii Superferry and amend the state’s extended court sentencing law.  Continue Reading.

Printed in the Honolulu Advertiser on Tuesday, October 23, 2007.

The first briefing will be on Sunday, October 21, 2007, at King Kaumuali’i Elementary School cafeteria in Lihu’e starting from 2 p.m.

The Maui briefing will be 3 p.m. Monday, October 22, 2007, at the Baldwin High School auditorium in Wailuku.

The Big Island briefing is on Tuesday, October 23, 2007, at Kealakehe High School in Kailua, Kona beginning from 3 p.m.

Latest version of the proposal and information can be found at the State Capitol website.

Hawaii Lawmakers Likely to Reconvene

By Honolulu Advertiser Government Writer Derrick DePledge

State House and Senate leaders have tentatively agreed to hear legislation to help Hawaii Superferry resume service while an environmental review is conducted and lawmakers will likely return in special session next week. Continue Reading

Legislature Keeping Ferry Bill in Tow

By Honolulu Star-Bulletin Writers Richard Borreca and B.J. Reyes

Lawmakers are inching closer to coming up with legislation to save the Hawaii Superferry, which is barred by court injunction from sailing. Continue Reading

Your tax dollars, both federal and state, are among the most visible in transportation projects. When the state repairs or builds new highways, or makes upgrades to bridges, intersections and roads to meet new federal standards, people notice. The largest projects right now are on the Leeward Coast, to support all of the new development in the region.  Continue Reading

By Hawaii State Senator Will Espero 

The debate and discussion about the Hawaii Superferry has invigorated the public. Supporters and opponents both feel their positions are correct. If there is such a thing as compromise on this matter, I offer the following ideas for discussion in order to allow the Superferry to operate while an environmental assessment is being completed.

Much has already been done about invasive species.  I would add that vehicles have their undersides washed (more…)