No time for blame in addressing teacher furloughs

The following op-ed by Senator Norman Sakamoto ran in yesterday’s Star Bulletin:

by Senator Sakamoto, District 15
December 29, 2009

With “Furlough Fridays” a reality, efforts toward a long-term solution are overdue.  The time that some are now devoting to finger-pointing and affixing blame are a distraction from the more important work we have before us.The real question is, as the economic torrent threatens to erode the foundation of public education, what can we do?

Two meaningful efforts are underway. First, community partners have stepped up to reduce the burdens on students, families, and employers by creating optional activities for furlough days. I commend all of those who have acted proactively to minimize the damage to the school house foundation.

Second, many people are asking if more resources are available to help strengthen the foundation of our educational system—like rocks arranged to protect an eroding embankment. Legislators are hard at work creating proposals that shore up the threatened foundations. These proposals are being presented to the parties to the collective bargaining agreements: the governor, Board of Education, DOE, HSTA, HGEA, and UPW.

Halloween at the Capitol

In the spirit of the year’s scariest holiday, Senate staff held a Mini-Pumpkin Decorating Contest at the Capitol. Check out some of the entries:

And the winners are:

• Most Scariest – “Senator Jack-O-Lantern”
• Most Creative – “Wana Li`ili`i”
• Senator’s Choice – “Wana Li`ili`i”
• Senate Staffer’s Choice – “Garfield”
• Special Effort Award – “Pinnochio & His Conscience”

Special committee to consider approaches to teacher furloughs

Parents against furlough Fridays Rally at the Hawai‘i State Capitol, October 23, 2009.

Senate President Colleen Hanabusa today announced that a Special Committee of the Hawai‘i State Senate will convene to consider the options available to address the question of teacher furloughs.

“I am proud that my colleagues are stepping up with a battery of ideas to solve the teacher furlough problem,” said Senator Hanabusa, “but every option raises questions. We need to look at not only whether money is available, but how we can ensure that any money we appropriate gets released by the governor and goes to education. We also need to answer some fundamental questions about whether any action we take will interfere with a collectively bargained agreement between the state, the DOE, and the teachers’ union. The right to collective bargaining is guaranteed in our state Constitution, so this is a significant concern.”

Hanabusa added that, “The worst thing we can do is build false hopes. We need to act responsibly. This is a complicated situation and a lot of different parties will have to come together to work out a solution. But this committee will get the ball rolling.”

Resources for flu season

As we enter the flu season, typically November through March, it is important we take simple steps to stay healthy and flu-free. The following links provide information about how to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus as well as the seasonal flu:

*  Flu.gov
*  Hawaii State Department of Health
*  H1N1 State and Federal Response by the National Conference of State Legislatures

To prevent transmission of the flu in our workplace, the Senate Supply Office maintains a stock of face masks, gloves, and disinfecting wipes for your use in your Senate office.

Around the Capitol

by Senator Will Espero
District 20

Legislator-in-Residence. I am enjoying my new role as Legislator-in-Residence at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The program was established in 2002 to provide opportunities for dialogue and collaboration between policymakers and the academic community. It allows lawmakers to explore significant issues facing the community and for faculty and students to learn how these issues can be transformed into policy. My goals are to create a West Oahu historical corridor: Pearl Harbor, Ewa Field, Honouliuli Internment Camp, Ewa Villages, and Fort Barrette. I also hope to address re-entry programs and inmate rehabilitation.

Hale O Ulu. Child and Family Services operates Hale O Ulu, a private, secondary alternative school for at-risk youth on Fort Weaver Road. These students are recommended from the state public school system. Students receive academic instruction, counseling, and family life education. This fall I am volunteering at Hale O Ulu, instructing students on current events, critical thinking, and government.

On the Environmental Council controversy…

Senator Mike Gabbard (District 19 – West Oahu), chair of the Senate’s Committee on Energy and the Environment, convened an info briefing to gather information on the operations of the state’s Environmental Council. The council has lost three members to resignation since April, and recently announced that it would defer further work until it receives adequate support from the State Department of Health.

“The Environmental Council serves important statutory functions,” said Senator Gabbard. “I think we have a responsibility to find out how we have reached the point that a lack of support from the administration has caused council members to quit, and forced the council to defer all further action.”

Children & Youth Day returns to the Capitol

The 16th Annual Children and Youth Day returns to the grounds of the Hawaii State Capitol, Washington Place, the King Kamehameha V Judiciary History Center, the Hawaii State Public Library Grounds, Kalanimoku Building, Department of Health Miller Street Parking Lot, Punchbowl  Street, and the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center.

Date:   Sunday, October 4, 2009
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

FREE PARKING will be available at all neighboring State and County public parking lots.

The event’s primary sponsors are McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Trust Fund, the Star Bulletin/Midweek, and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The State of Hawaii, City & County of Honolulu, Heather’s Inflatables, Hawaii Tents and Events and over 200 additional businesses and organizations are also providing substantial support.

Over 200 exhibitors and community organizations will offer free interactive, educational and fun activities for the whole family under the “Big Top” tents and on the grounds surrounding the Capitol, including:

• Sports, Games, and Rides: Ground Golf, soccer playing, inflatable bouncers for the keiki, Cyclone Swing, Giant Slide, Train Rides, Fire Truck Ride, Horse Carousel, “The Wild One” Obstacle Course, Hawaii’s Largest Mobile Rock Wall, Rope a Phobia
• Demonstrations and Tournaments: Aerospace activities (State Capitol Chambers) , Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament (bring your cards to Conference Rooms 325 and 329 at the State Capitol), Aloha Milk Caps Slam-O-Rama Tournament in Conference Room 309 and State Capitol Rotunda, and mixed martial arts demonstrations with Egan Inoue on the Frank F. Fasi Civic Center grounds;
• Hands on Arts & Cultural Activities: Craft making, lauhala weaving, Hawaiian storytelling, and other activities at Iolani Palace Grounds provided by halaus, Friends of Iolani Palace and the Mission Houses Museum;