Senate Majority Caucus

At the conclusion of the 25^th Annual Pacific Educational Conference, Senator Mike Gabbard was presented with a commemorative plaque from (L to R) Dr. Thomas Barlow, the President and CEO of the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning, and Dr. Claire Poumele, the Director of the American Samoa Department of Education. 

Media Release 

HONOLULU (July 21, 2008) — Senator Mike Gabbard just returned from the 25th Annual Pacific Educational Conference (PEC) in Pago Pago, American Samoa where he delivered the keynote speech during the opening festivities on July 14th. (more…)

By Hawaii State Senator Russell Kokubun
Chair, Hawai‘i 2050 Sustainability Task Force

In 2005, when the Hawai‘i State Legislature established the Hawai‘i 2050 Sustainability Task Force, the term “sustainability” was a catchy buzz word about saving our planet. Creating a long-range sustainability plan for our island state was met with some skepticism that this was a no-growth, environmentally-driven effort to keep our island green. At the time, the Hawai‘i economy was roaring; the price of a gallon of gasoline was $2.30; and Moloka‘i Ranch and Aloha Airlines were still in business. Life was relatively good, but on borrowed time. (more…)

By Hawaii State Senator Will Espero

Part II (of a two part series): Care in Remote Areas

Access to medical care has always been an issue for residents of rural or remote areas. The federal government established health centers and clinics to provide primary medical care for these distant populations. The increasing numbers of people getting their treatment from the clinics, though, has strained their ability to keep afloat. The two aspects most hit are staffing and financing. (more…)

By Hawaii State Senator Will Espero

Part I (of a two part series): Long Term Care and Organ Donation

Health care constitutes 26% of all federal spending. While social security is the big talk as the baby boomer generation steps into senior citizen status, their simultaneous entrance into the Medicare system will also take its toll on both federal and state governments.

Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, Chair of the Senate Human Services Committee, works hard during the legislative interim to keep current on the concerns and needs of our senior citizens. Her Kupuna Caucus brings together many of those who work with, are affected by, or are senior citizens. Over the years the (more…)

By Hawaii State Senator Will Espero

The local newspapers have reported on Maui couples flying to California to get married now that same-sex marriage is legal there. Some constituents have called to ask whether Hawaii will recognize these California marriages when the couples return.

It’s a constitutional issue revolving around a provision referred to as the Full Faith and Credit Clause. The basic principle here is that one state should honor court judgments entered in another state, giving the same credit, validity, and effect to the judgment that it had in the issuing state. The same recognition, however, does not apply to laws (more…)