Senate Majority Caucus

Maxamina Catian helps a child in the Keiki Steps early education demonstration to build with blocks.

Senators stressed the need for early childhood education this morning with visits to the annual Champions for Children event and a press conference discussing bills related to children and education. Organizations like Child & Family Service, YMCA and Head Start hosted educational booths at the Capitol, and the Keiki Steps program provided an example of a play-and-learn preschool group.

Among the bills introduced this session is Senate Bill 2878, which establishes a similar Keiki First Steps Program to educate children from ages 0 to 5. The legislation, introduced by Sen. Norman Sakamoto (D- Kalihi, Moanalua Gardens, Salt Lake, Aliamanu, Foster Village, Hickam, Pearl Harbor, Pearl Ridge,`Aiea), says that early learning systems will produce long-term benefits for children that include school success, reduced crime, reduced dropout rates and increased workforce productivity.

Sen. Will Espero visits with a representative from the PATCH child care agency at the Champions for Children event.

According to the bill, Hawai`i’s children need support and guidance starting at birth to reach their full potential as citizens. A comprehensive early learning system provides quality opportunities for young children. (more…)

Senators voted to pass Senate Resolution 24 this morning.

The state Senate passed a resolution today that recognizes Hawaii’s overwhelming vulnerability to global climate change and asks the federal government to take steps in preventing it. Senate Resolution 24 urges President Bush to agree to an economy-wide reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and to commit the U.S. to a binding international treaty that would significantly reduce atmospheric greenhouse gas concentration.

The resolution comes at the same time as an international summit occurring today and tomorrow at UH Manoa’s East-West Center. Senate Resolution 24 will be issued to the president, Vice President Cheney and Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The “Major Economies Meeting on Energy Security and Climate Change” includes representatives from 16 countries that represent approximately 80 percent of greenhouse gas pollution, as well as representatives from the European Union and the United Nations.

Sen. Robert Bunda (D-Wahiawa, North Shore) introduced a bill last week that would establish a pilot project allowing temporary restraining orders (TRO) to be filed electronically, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

National statistics show that night and weekend filings constitute approximately 40 percent of domestic violence cases, and Senate Bill 2806 would allow persons in potentially-dangerous situations to obtain a TRO during hours when the courts are closed. (more…)

The Garden Island newspaper published an editorial this morning supporting Senate Bill 3170, which establishes pesticide-free buffer zones around schools. The article cites five incidences over the past few years in which students at Waimea Canyon Middle School complained of illness that was allegedly due to pesticide spraying.

“It would benefit our children, teachers and parents to know that the school where they all converge is a safe environment,” the newspaper said.

The editorial concludes with a request to “Keep Bill 3170 alive during the 2008 session.”

To read the entire editorial, click here.

(Left to right) Sen. Carol Fukunaga, Sen. Donna Mercado Kim and Sen. Rosalyn Baker toured the UH campus this month.

Sen. Shan Tsutsui recently organized a group of senators to visit the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa and see firsthand the campus’ much-needed improvements. Many UH-related initiatives were introduced this session, and Sen. Tsutsui recognizes with an essay in the Honolulu Advertiser that in order to improve conditions, a balance must be maintained between the UH Board of Regents and the legislature.

Senators got a firsthand look at the repairs needed for UH’s athletic facilities.

This morning at Waimea Canyon Middle School on Kaua`i’s west side, ambulances rushed 10 students to local hospitals with complaints of nausea and nasal and eye irritation thought to be the result of nearby pesticide use. The school closed shortly and students were treated and released.

This morning’s incident is not isolated. In response to similar past problems with alleged pesticide and herbicide impact on the health of students and staff, Sen. Gary Hooser introduced a bill last week in the State Senate that establishes three different pesticide-free buffer zones around schools. (more…)

Hawai`i senators introduced 133 new bills yesterday under the bill introduction deadline, bringing the total to 1263 new bills for review in the 2008 session. The Senate Majority Package bills were among those introduced. (more…)

Last night at 5:10 p.m., Majority Caucus Leader and Ways and Means Committee Vice Chair Shan Tsutsui (4 - Wailuku, Waihe`e, Kahului, Pa`ia, Lower Pa`ia), filed a mass transit accountability bill that was co-introduced by Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser (7 - Kaua`i, Ni`ihau), Transportation and International Affairs Committee Chair J. Kalani English (6 - Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka`i, Lana`i and Kaho`olawe) and Commerce, Consumer Protection and Affordable Housing Chair Russell Kokubun (2 - Waiakea Uka, Kalapana, Volcano, Kahuku). The bill was co-sponsored by Senate President Colleen Hanabusa.

Senate Bill 3213 requires the city and county of Honolulu to make a decision by June 30, 2008, on the technology of the fixed guideway system for the locally preferred alternative for a mass transit project, or the surcharge to fund the project shall be suspended effective July 1, 2008, for that county; requires the county by December 31, 2008, to award any related contracts for the technology of the fixed guideway system for the locally preferred alternative for a mass transit project, or return any unexpended moneys to the State for deposit into the state highway fund; authorizes expenditures from the fund, as deemed appropriate by the legislature, for transportation projects in the county for which the surcharge was collected.
(more…)

Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser and House Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell speak to reporters about the governor’s State of the State address.

Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser and House Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell held a joint press conference today with local reporters to question what they feel are missing pieces in the State of the State address that Gov. Lingle delivered yesterday. With a recent stock market drop, interest rate scares and a generally-slowing economy, the address provided few details of support for Hawai‘i’s economic future.

“We were looking for a direction and strategic planning,” Rep. Caldwell said. “Instead we were given plans for more spending.”

“Rather than wait for the potential economic crisis, we need to put a comprehensive plan into place that will get us through rough spots that might lie ahead,” Sen. Hooser said.

Rep. Caldwell called attention to the fact that Hawai‘i’s executive branch has all year to formulate and activate plans, while the legislative bodies are in session for only 60 days.

“If the Lingle administration will provide a direction for the state’s economic future, both bodies will work in cooperation,” Sen. Hooser said.

“The island of O‘ahu will benefit if areas like Turtle Bay are preserved in perpetuity at a time when the islands are experiencing exponential urbanization.”
Sen. Clayton Hee, District 23

“I appreciate that the governor acknowledged the T.J. Mahoney (work furlough and offender reintegration facility) and its director, Lorraine Robinson, because it is an area that needs more resources and assistance. … The Turtle Bay project is ambitious. With our other needs, I’m curious to see how she plans on financing the project.”
Sen. Will Espero, District 20

“The governor’s call for personal responsibility is important because the government cannot solve all the problems of the state. The Turtle Bay proposition is also honorable, but it’s unrealistic because our state budget consists of many other competing critical issues. Government leaders need be fiscally responsible and carefully choose our funding priorities.”
Sen. Gary Hooser, Majority Leader, District 7

By Hawaii Senate President Colleen Hanabusa
Jan. 16, 2008

I stood here before you a year ago, having assumed the Presidency of the Senate for the first time. On that day I informed you that the overarching theme of the Senate was sustainability for the future of our state. I asked you to remember that this journey to sustainability would not be quick or easy, and that it would require all of us to remain focused and patient in achieving our goals. (more…)

By Hawaii State Senator Roz Baker

Rob Perez’s recent series on the Hawai‘i State Legislature’s process for reviewing and awarding grants-in-aid painted an incomplete picture of how the Senate handles requests from community groups. I am afraid that the unfortunate overriding effect of Mr. Perez’s articles will be to erode public confidence in the grants process and the important function it performs in our community.

The Hawai‘i grant-in-aid program is in some ways a victim of its own success. Because it provides critical funding to organizations providing needed community services, the number of applications continues to grow. As the Advertiser series recognized (more…)

Best wishes in 2008!  And yes….Go BOWS!  GO WARRIORS! 

Lets all support the University of Hawaii against the University of Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl today!