Senate Majority Caucus

By Hawaii State Senator Will Espero 

In 2007, on Oahu alone, it cost more than $2 million dollars a day to import oil to produce electricity, an annual total of around $750 million dollars. One person testifying at an energy hearing at this past session described Hawaii’s dependence on oil as extreme, not only in generating electricity, but also for cars, jet fuel, and utility gas, as well as a basis for many consumable products and fertilizer for agricultural products. According to one source, at least eight farms and Oahu’s last dairy closed down within the last year, citing higher transportation and feedstock costs as primary contributing factors. (more…)

HAWAI‘I STATE SENATE
(4 to 6 month temporary full-time employment
beginning December 2008 or January 2009)

Work in a dynamic environment where public affairs meets politics and staff is key to the Senate’s operations. Our fast-paced legislative session (January to April) requires flexible working hours under strict deadlines and close interaction with elected officials, legislative staff, and the public. Learn more.

BUDGET ANALYST: Detail-oriented individuals with strong analytical and communication skills to manage confidential information, analyze and make recommendations on agency budget requests, and brief committee members. Knowledge of state government operations and legislative process desirable. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business with working knowledge of Microsoft programs.

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The Peace Day Committee announced that Glenn D. Paige, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, will be acknowledged for his commitment to global nonviolence and presented with the Peace Day 2008 Award during a special ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 at the Hawaii Convention Center.

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The Peace Day Committee has selected Gloria Tumbaga, 31, a registered nurse and third-year medical student, to give the keynote speech at the Peace Day Hawaii 2008 Celebration Ceremony Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hawaii Convention Center.

Gloria is a healer and humanitarian. She is an active volunteer with Aloha Medical Mission, an organization that provides free medical treatment to underserved areas abroad and in Hawaii.

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The public is invited to celebrate the second annual Peace Day Hawaii on Sept. 21 at the Hawaii State Convention Center. This free, all-day celebration will focus statewide attention on domestic, national and global peace. The event will include a forum on peace education, a peace ceremony and candlelight vigil, and a statewide “Bells for Peace” ringing.

Religious leaders and organizations have been invited to ring their church bells that morning to open the celebration. The Peace Education Forum will include guest speaker Tricia S. Jones, a Temple University professor who specializes in conflict resolution, who will discuss “Conflict Management Nationwide Educational Initiatives.” Other speakers will be Jeannie Lum, an associate professor at the University of Hawai’i; Peter Greenhill, co-director of ‘Iolani School’s Peace Institute; state Rep. Lyla Berg; and Justin Mew, principal of Niu Valley Middle School. (more…)

By Hawaii State Senator Will Espero

If you watched the Democratic National Convention recently, and I hope you did, you heard many invigorating and inspiring speeches about turning the country around, back to what many of us know as “The American Dream.” You also heard a generous sprinkling of calls for protecting our national security and strengthening our country by reducing our over-dependence on imported oil.

Dependence on foreign oil is thought by many in this country to be the reason we send our troops abroad to protect our oil interests. This dependence also leaves us economically vulnerable to the spikes in oil prices, with consequent rising prices for many things that have Hawaii and our nation in dire financial straits. On Opening Day of this year’s Legislature, gas sold at $100 a barrel, and by summer was hitting upwards of $150. (more…)

State Senator Rosalyn “Roz” Baker of Maui will receive the Mauka Makai Award for her significant contributions to the progress of cancer research, treatment, and education from the Cancer Research Center of Hawai‘i at the annual Mauka Makai…Voyage of Discovery gala on Friday, September 19, 6 pm. to 9:30 p.m. at the Waialae Country Club.

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By Hawaii State Senator Will Espero

The battle for a rail transit system for Oahu is heating up. Both opponents and proponents have formed organizations to further their causes. I have ridden many rail systems around the world, and I am a strong believer that we need to build a system for Oahu.

If the City Council had not voted against rail in 1992 by a 5-4 vote, Oahu residents would be riding rail today. There is a possibility a spur to Mililani, Ko Olina or Kahala Mall would have been operating or almost complete. It is my understanding that if Mayor Fasi had not lost his election in the 70s and his rail project was built, the federal government would have paid 90% of the costs. These facts show that this issue will not go away, and the longer we wait, the more expensive the project becomes. (more…)

Kauai State Senator Gary Hooser will be the luncheon keynote speaker at the 2008 Kauai Renewable Energy Conference on Tuesday, September 9, 2008. He expects to discuss the high cost of oil dependency & provide an insight into the Senate’s proposed energy agenda for the 2009 Legislative Session. This two day conference will be held on September 8-9 at the Kauai Marriot Resort and Beach Club.

By Hawaii State Senator Will Espero

Cable news channels have been reporting on the missing 3 year old girl from Florida, Caylee Anthony, for some time. Her mother is in jail for child neglect, lying to the police, and for not reporting her child missing. Caylee’s disappearance is suspicious. It appears her mother did not report her missing for a month, and only upon the insistence and questioning from Caylee’s grandmother did the missing child become an issue. Caylee’s mother is not saying much now and if she is not the primary suspect, she certainly is a person of interest. Caylee’s grandmother did state she smelled what could be the odor of a dead person in her daughter’s car. Theories about the disappearance include an accidental drowning and being kidnapped by a babysitter. (more…)

By Hawaii State Senator Will Espero

Last week, the Senate Economic Development and Taxation Committee and the House Economic Development and Business Concerns Committee convened a one day conference titled “Hawaii’s Aerospace Industry: The Next Frontier at the State Capitol.”

Director Jim Crisafulli of the Office of Aerospace Development was instrumental in securing experts from across the nation and locally to discuss the future of the aerospace industry in our state. (more…)