Jun

18

SENATOR JILL N. TOKUDA TO HOST DISTRICT 24 TOWN HALL MEETING TO DISCUSS COMMUNITY CONCERNS

In the Community / Press Releases

Kaneohe, Hawaii – Senator Jill Tokuda will host a Senate District 24 Town Hall Talk Story Meeting on Tuesday, July 9, 2013, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm at Windward Community College in Hale ‘Akoakoa 107 and 109.

Our legislative town hall meetings provide excellent opportunities to engage with our constituents, allowing them to share their thoughts and perspectives with me, and to have their questions and concerns answered and addressed,” stated Tokuda.

Similar to the series of town hall meetings held since 2008 and hosted by Senator Tokuda, this meeting will provide residents with an opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns about issues facing our community and talk about the 2013 legislative session.

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Jun

17

Governor Signs Measure to Benefit Hawaii’s Honeybee Industry

Agriculture / Articles / Press Releases

(Senators Clarence Nishihara and Roz Baker join Governor Neil Abercrombie for the signing of Senate Bill 482 into law.)

Honolulu- Today Governor Neil Abercrombie enacted Senate Bill (SB) 482, relating to agriculture, into law. This measure helps to ensure the continued viability of honeybee stocks by encouraging beekeeping operations of all sizes throughout the State. Following the signing of SB 482 the Governor also proclaimed June 17 through 23 as “Hawaii Pollinator Week.”

Hawaii’s beekeeper operations play a critical role in the vitality of our honeybees,” said Senator Clarence Nishihara, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture. “The enactment of this measure seeks to promote the honeybee industry by leveling the hurdles currently required for beekeepers to operate in the State.”

Honeybees, as a primary pollinator of food crops, have a significant impact on agriculture in Hawaii.  Hawaii’s annual Farm Gate Sales from bee-pollinated crops is valued at $212,800,000. Unfortunately, vital honeybee populations are declining at a rapid rate due to the arrival of the varroa mites, nosema, and small hive beetles.

Small and large beekeeper operations are responsible for millions of healthy, pollinating bees throughout the State. Small beekeepers, however, have experienced significant barriers to beekeeping due to administrative and bureaucratic requirements.

It’s important that we continue to take the appropriate steps to curb the decline of Hawaii’s honeybee population,” said Senator Roz Baker, chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection. “This law improves Hawaii’s current beekeeping requirements, helping to sustain small beekeeping operations and ensuring an adequate supply of honeybees throughout the State.”

SB 482 clarifies the maximum number of gallons of honey that can be sold by a certified honey house or food processing establishment without obtaining a permit from the Department of Health (DOH). The measure also exempts from the permit requirement sales of honey directly to retail stores that, in turn, sell the honey directly to consumers. Further, the bill requires honey producers to include certain wording on labels of each container of honey, take a food safety class and make records available to DOH.

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Jun

07

Governor Enacts Measure Establishing ‘Civil Liberties and the Constitution Day’

Articles / Press Releases

((L-R) Senator Les Ihara, Jr., Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald, Governor Neil Abercrombie, Attorney General David M. Louie, Karen Korematsu, and Representative Mark Takai.)

Today Governor Neil Abercrombie signed Senate Bill (SB) 856 into law, designating January 30 of each year as “Civil Liberties and the Constitution Day.”

I applaud Governor Neil Abercrombie for signing this important measure into law,” said Senator Les Ihara, Jr., who was the primary introducer of the bill. “The establishment of Civil Liberties and the Constitution Day will ensure that the courage and actions of individuals who have fought for the constitutional and civil rights of all Americans will not be forgotten.”

0n February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, authorizing the removal of any or all individuals from military areas as deemed necessary and desirable and mandating the forced interment of Americans of Japanese ancestry. The order led to the relocation of more than one hundred ten thousand Americans of Japanese ancestry to remote internment camps built by the United States military in scattered locations around the nation.

One month later, on March 21, 1942, the United States Congress passed Public Law 77-503, which established penalties for violations of Executive Order 9066. Fred Korematsu, Gordon Hirabayashi, Min Yasui, and Mitsuye Endo were among Americans to challenge Public Law 77-503.

In 1980, the actions of the United States government, including the internment of Americans of Japanese ancestry during World War II, were reviewed by the United States Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians.  The Commission concluded in June 1983 that the decision to remove persons of Japanese ancestry to United States prison camps occurred because of “race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership.”

Hawaii served as an important backdrop of key World War II sites, including Pearl Harbor, Operation Forager, as well as a host to five internment camps for Japanese Americans,” said Representative Mark Takai. “A starker time in our Nation’s history, it remains incumbent upon us to recognize the individuals before us, whose commitment to freedom, in times of hysteria, helped make us all stronger.”

The enactment of SB 856 recognizes these and other individuals’ bravery and dedication through establishing “Civil Liberties and the Constitution Day,” to celebrate, honor, and encourage public education and awareness of the commitment of individuals to preserving civil liberties for Americans of Japanese ancestry and actions to promote equal rights for all citizens.

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Jun

04

Senator Will Espero to Introduce Booting Regulation Legislation

Press Releases

In light of what is currently occurring in the local “Booting” industry, Senator Will Espero will introduce legislation next session to regulate and allow booting.  If passed, the legislation will allow booting of vehicles once strict rules are adopted by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs following public comments. Currently, Senate Bill 1214, to ban booting, is before the Governor, and a state Office of Consumer Protection lawsuit is also being heard in the courts to stop current booting.

Senator Espero believes booting can be less expensive and more convenient for drivers versus being towed and having the added expense and time involved.

I have no problem placing a cap on the amount a person can be charged after being booted,” said Senator Espero, who represents District 19 (‘Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, ‘Ewa by Gentry, Iroquois Point, portion of ‘Ewa Villages). “The idea of being booted and towed should also be discussed and possibly banned since this would be a double hit on a driver.”

Elements of legislation that Senator Espero supports that should be included in the regulation of the booting industry include:

  • The placement of clear proper signage for drivers indicating circumstances for booting
  • Machines/Equipment with written receipt capability for proof of parking payment
  • Cap on any towing if needed
  • 24 hour access to vehicle
  • Formal complaint/challenge process
  • A cap of $25-$50 for unlocking a boot.

 

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May

30

Senator English Applauds Governor’s Release of $21.8 Million for Airports and Highways

Press Releases / Transportation

Honolulu- Governor Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of more than $21.8 M in capital improvement projects (CIP) for state airports and highways.  Projects include allocation of funds for priority projects identified by members of the State Legislature.

Chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation and International Affairs J. Kalani English issued this statement in response to the Governor’s release of funds:

“I am very pleased that Governor Abercrombie has released funds identified by the Legislature as key projects for enhancing the safety, capacity and usability of our airports and highways statewide,” said Senator English.  “The State of Hawaii’s transportation infrastructure is what connects us, bringing together our Ohana, our local businesses and our travel industry. These appropriations represent new construction jobs and much needed improvements to our roads and airports.”

One of the priority projects announced by the Governor included $ 395,000 for Statewide Bridge inspection and appraisal, in Fiscal Year 2013. These funds were appropriated for the planning for the bridge inspection and appraisal program to determine bridge needs and the prioritization of those needs.

“The recent bridge collapse in Washington demonstrates the importance of investing in the maintenance of our bridges,” said Senator English. “Residents of the State of Hawaii use our bridges every day to get from point A to point B. As Hawaii’s bridges age, it remains vital to invest in their infrastructure so that we can continue to ensure the safety of our traveling public.”

The Governor also announced that the Kahului Airport on Maui will be receiving $4,750,000 in CIP funding. This funding will include construction for repaving a portion of Runway 2-20 to comply with applicable FAA requirements.

“Construction and repaving of the Kahului Airport Runway 2-20 has been long-overdue,” said Senator English, who represents District 7 (Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lana‘i and Kaho‘olawe). “I’m extremely thankful that the Governor has approved much needed funding so that the airport can comply with FAA requirements.”

Other CIP funds announced by the Governor include funds for the Honolulu International Airport, Kapalua Airport, Kuhio Highway, Kekaulike Avenue, Castle Hills Access Road, Kalanianaole Highway Drainage Improvements and other important projects.

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