Our goal is to better understand the timetable for the issuance of a new provider number, when the hospital could reopen, who might potentially acquire the facilities, and what the current impact on healthcare access has been,” said Senator Josh Green, M.D., chair of the Senate Committee on Health.  “We will be able to better assess the direction we’re heading as a result of the hearing.”

The potential acquisition of Hawaii Medical Center’s facilities will also be discussed.

A representative from the following organizations has been invited to provide commentary:

Hawaii Health Systems Corporation

Department of Health

Queens Hospital

Hawaii Pacific Health

Kaiser

HMSA

Honolulu EMS

Our town hall meetings are an opportunity for us to encourage for us to engage in open and thoughtful discussions with our constituents,” stated Tokuda. “We welcome all to attend and look forward to good questions and creative suggestions to the challenges our state faces.”

Similar to the series of town hall meetings held since 2008, this meeting will provide residents with an opportunity to share their thoughts and concerns about issues facing our community and talk about legislation in the 2012 legislative session.

According to Hawaii Tourism Authority, for the month of December 2011, an outstanding 7.8 percent growth in total arrivals (to 683,293 visitors) and higher daily spending ($185 per person, up from $169 per person in December 2010) pushed total visitor spending to reach $1.298 billion- the highest one-month total on record, according to preliminary statistics released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. The increase, up $220.6 million over December 2010 in visitor spending, marked the 20th consecutive month of year-over-year growth since May 2010.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority further stated that, December’s strong performance also resulted in annual visitor expenditures increasing to $12.581 billion in 2011, making it the second highest level of visitor spending in the history of tourism in the Hawaiian Islands, down 0.4 percent compared to the 2007 peak year when visitor spending reached $12.626 billion. Total visitor arrivals also increased 3.8 percent to 7,284,069 visitors over 2010.

To view video click here.

Kauai native Chance Bukoski with Senator Ronald D. Kouchi.

OAHU- Senator Ronald D. Kouchi presented Kauai’s Chance Bukoski with a Senate Certificate at the State Capitol on Monday, January 30, 2012.  The Senate Certificate commended Bukoski on his athletic achievements throughout his collegiate soccer career.  Bukoski, a Hawaii Pacific University senior forward on the men’s soccer team, was voted on to the 2011 Daktronics NCAA Division II All-American First Team.  Bukoski was also recently featured in Sports Illustrated’s  “Faces in the Crowd”  January 9,2012 issue

For the past three years, we’ve been cleaning up and sprucing up the area, making it a safe pathway for residents to use,” said Sen. Shimabukuro, who represents District 21, which encompasses Ko Olina, Kahe Point, Nanakulli, Maili, Waianae, Makaha, Makua, Kaena Point.  “I encourage more volunteers to pitch in with the project.”

Waianae Coast public schools who participate in the “After School All-Stars” program (funded by Kamehameha Schools and The Campbell Foundation), and the Honolulu City & County’s Parks and Recreation Department have already committed to helping this year’s clean-up.

Dedicated individuals, as well as groups, have been volunteering for the past three years to upkeep the pathway.  Some of the groups include the Women of Wai‘anae, Nani O Wai‘anae, Teach for America/Be the Change and the Wai‘anae Boys & Girls Club.  Sen. Shimabukuro also obtained a $5,000 grant from AlohaCare to help support the effort.

This is a great opportunity for the students to learn about stewardship and taking care of their community,” said Tim Bross, site coordinator for the “After School All-Stars” program at Waianae Intermediate School.

People who want to take part in the project may contact Sen. Shimabukuro.  Volunteers are being asked to meet at Maili Point (across from Kaukama Road, aka, “Guardrails”).  They are being asked to bring sun protection and yard tools (ex., rakes, dust pans, weedeaters, shovels, picks).

Senate Bill 61, which was heard by the committee on January 30, 2012, would amend the existing Chapter 291C of the Hawaii Revised Statues, to provide greater clarity of language. Specifically, the bill would require motorists to move over and slow down their vehicles when passing a stationary emergency vehicle on a highway.

Several areas of improvement reviewed by the Committee include issues of double jeopardy and language. During the hearing, the committee members made amendments to the bill  and advanced it to the next committee.  The bill will now go to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

To view video click here.

Senate Bill 239 allows the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) to continue using the Hawaii Tobacco Settlement Special Fund for the school’s operational expenses. Extending the life of the fund would result in supporting the school’s mission of training physicians.

To view video click here.

Senator Michelle Kidani, who oversees all Capital Improvement Program projects for the Senate and serves as Senate Committee on Ways and Means Vice Chair, and Senator David Y. Ige, Senate Committee on Ways and Means chair, briefed the media on the passage of Senate Bill 809. The bill was passed on final reading by both the Senate and the House Chambers on January 30, 2012.

Senate Bill 809 increases University of Hawaii (UH) authorization to issue revenue bonds from a total principal amount not to exceed $200 million to a total amount not to exceed $300 million to fund UH construction projects, which would stimulate the economy and generate construction jobs. Upon passage of the bill, UH will query the campuses to compile a listing for the use of the appropriation and plans to start projects no later than Spring 2012. One of the projects that will benefit is the Culinary Institute at Kapiolani Community College, which will finally be able to begin construction.

To view the video click here.

Senate Bill 809 increases University of Hawaii (UH) authorization to issue revenue bonds from a total principal amount not to exceed $200 million to a total amount not to exceed $300 million to fund UH construction projects, which would stimulate the economy and generate construction jobs.   Upon passage of the bill, UH will query the campuses to compile a listing for the use of the appropriation and plans to start projects no later than Spring 2012.  One of the projects that will benefit is the Culinary Institute at Kapiolani Community College, which will finally be able to begin construction.

This bill is in line with the goals of the session, which is to create a win-win situation in job creation and addressing our aging infrastructure,” said Sen. Jill Tokuda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education.

I’m very pleased that the Legislature was able to fast track the bill to raise the revenue bond ceiling for the University of Hawaii,” said Rep. Scott Nishimoto, House Chair of the Higher Education Committee.  “Not only will it allow the University to move forward on projects to improve the campuses, but it will provide much needed construction jobs to help stimulate the economy.”

Sen. Michelle Kidani, who oversees all the Capital Improvement Program projects for the Senate and serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, echoed similar sentiments. “This goes along with our belief this session that we should be implementing more Capital Improvement Programs in order to put more people back to work,” she said.

“It’s another tool for the University.  We’ve been delegating to them a lot more fiscal flexibility and this revenue bond authorization would allow them to act without legislative approval explicitly,” said Sen. David Y. Ige, Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “The University will be able to bring on the projects quicker and a more timely fashion.”

Meanwhile, Senate Bill 239 allows the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) to continue using the Hawaii Tobacco Settlement Special Fund for the school’s operational expenses. Extending the life of the fund would result in supporting the school’s mission of training physicians.

“This bill allows us to extend the authority for JABSOM to use the Hawaii Tobacco Settlement Fund.  This will allow us to grow our own doctors and increase our healthcare providers and address the doctor shortage,” said Tokuda.

“JABSOM is the lifeline for physician providers, so without this bill our healthcare could worsen.  We need to show one hundred support for our medical school,” added Sen. Josh Green, M.D., Chair of the Senate Committee on Health.

“JABSOM is a critically important component of Hawaii’s health community,” said Rep. Ryan Yamane, House Chair of the Health Committee.    “Even during this challenging economic period, we will continue to work with the medical school to help ensure that their operations are adequately funded.”

The bills will now go to Governor Abercrombie for consideration.

The two-year contract with the NFL in which the state pays the NFL $4 million per game expires this year. Although contract negotiations with the Hawaii Tourism Authority are in progress, the NFL has said that they are keeping their options open and looking at other venues for the game.

In a letter signed by Say and Tsutsui and sent to Mike McCartney, President and Chief Executive Office of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, lawmakers expressed their “continued support for holding the Pro Bowl game in the State of Hawaii at Aloha Stadium, and we are willing to provide necessary support and assistance to help ensure that Hawai’i will once again play host to the Pro Bowl in the future. We encourage you to make every effort to secure a new contract with the NFL.”

The NFL Pro Bowl is a national sporting event that Hawaii families and fans look forward to every year. I strongly support its return, “ said Senate President Shan Tsutsui.  “The organization has become an important part of our community and its players have given so generously to our local charities and to the people of Hawaii.”

The Pro Bowl generates about $28 million in visitor spending and in excess of $3 million in state tax revenues. It has been held in Hawaii since 1979, except in 2010 when it was moved to Miami. Boasting sold-out games and over 13 million viewers each year, the Pro Bowl has provided invaluable global exposure to the Hawaiian Islands.