Senate Majority Caucus

The Education and Health committees deferred Senate Bill 2136 yesterday, which would require the Hawai`i Department of Health to give Hawai`i children the option of a vegetarian school lunch. Various community members, including Hesh Goldstein of K-108 Radio and a representative from the Hawai`i Medical Services Association, spoke in support of the bill.

The Hawai`i Department of Education testified that while it supports the notion for the DOH to develop vegetarian meal options, it doesn’t support a law that requires it. The DOE said that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has set standards that are nutritionally sound and that the Hawai`i School Food Authority serves over 100,000 school meals a day that meet those standards. The Department of Health also opposed the bill. Testimony, Late Testimony

Sen. Norman Sakamoto receives a lei from a child at Kaua`i Independent Day Services Center.

Battling a repair and maintenance cost backlog list of $257 million for the University of Hawai`i system and a Department of Education repair and maintenance cost backlog list of $420 million, the Senate Education Committee will process legislation and hear testimony concerning a number of unique initiatives this session. (more…)

A message from the Senate Public Safety Committee.
By Sen. Will Espero

As Chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee, I am working on many bills to increase public safety in our state. I will highlight several today for your input and comments.

The brutal murder of Karen Ertell in her own home by a 15 year old neighbor rocked our Ewa Beach community on the morning of May 25, 2007. As a juvenile in family court, the killer would have his murder trial closed to the public, and if convicted, be eligible for release by his 19th birthday. The charge of murder means the killer planned out taking the life of the victim before carrying out his deadly, violent act. I believe that when a 15 year old is charged with first or second degree murder, the trial should be held in the public arena, and not behind the closed doors of family court. My proposed legislation would require all 15 year olds accused of murder to be tried as adults, and if found guilty, serve time in juvenile detention, then be transferred to an adult prison upon reaching 18 years old. (more…)

This morning at Waimea Canyon Middle School on Kaua`i’s west side, ambulances rushed 10 students to local hospitals with complaints of nausea and nasal and eye irritation thought to be the result of nearby pesticide use. The school closed shortly and students were treated and released.

This morning’s incident is not isolated. In response to similar past problems with alleged pesticide and herbicide impact on the health of students and staff, Sen. Gary Hooser introduced a bill last week in the State Senate that establishes three different pesticide-free buffer zones around schools. (more…)

By The Garden Island Writer Lester Chang

Legislators visited Kauai Independent Day Services Center in Kapa‘a Friday and came away impressed by a program they said could help strengthen pre-school and special education programs in Hawai‘i’s public school system.

“For the young people being able to fully develop as a person, both analytical and creative skills, this program is apparently unique but is certainly successful,” said Sen. Norman Sakamoto, D-District 15, chairman of the Senate Education Committee. “The people are very, very fortunate to have a program like this.”

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Spending restriction burden must be shared

By Hawaii State Senator Norman Sakamoto

The recent Advertiser article, “Hawaii residents say environment worth tab,” raised a vital point that rated barely a mention in the text, but was glaringly obvious in the accompanying table: Hawaii’s people place a very high premium on education. Just over 80 percent of respondents agree that we need to improve our public education system, no matter how much it costs.

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By Honolulu Advertiser Staff Writer Dan Nakaso

Hawai’i would join other states with a registry of convicted murderers — similar to the state’s sex-offender registry — under legislation that may be introduced next year.

State Sen. Will Espero, head of the state Senate’s Public Safety Committee, plans to introduce a bill that would create a registry

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By Hawaii State Senator Rosalyn Baker 

In his commentary dated August 2, 2007 (”Public finance: Legislature afflicted by a serious lack of understanding”), Lowell Kalapa acknowledges that, “no doubt,” pedestrian safety measures called for in Senate Bill 1191, including recalibrating stop lights to allow more time for pedestrians to cross the streets and raising awareness about safety measures, are meritorious. Unfortunately, the rest of his commentary contains a number of glaring factual errors and omissions.

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By Hawaii State Senator Will Espero

There are inmates who must be kept in prison due to the nature of their crimes. There are also non-violent inmates who could probably be released with proper supervision, monitoring, assistance, and programs. Our prison population is increasing, and a different approach to handling our offenders must be implemented. Eventually, the majority of offenders will be released into our society to integrate with us.

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By Hawaii State Senator Will Espero

Let’s make no mistake about this: the Legislature cares about public safety. We want to reduce the incidence of repeat offenses by former inmates. We want to relieve prison overcrowding. The reality is that most offenders will complete their prison terms and go back into the community. The corrections system should, in that time while the

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By Honolulu Advertiser Staff Writer Christie Wilson

Hawai’i motorists may want to wait until Sunday to fill ‘er up. That’s when an 11-cent-per-gallon tax break on ethanol-blended gasoline will (more…)

By Kauai Garden Isle Newspaper Writer Nathan Eagle

Local gasoline consumers may feel better protected from price gouging knowing the oil industry watchdog in Hawai‘i is now fully funded.

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By Honolulu Star-Bulletin Reporter Richard Borreca

A joint House-Senate committee opens hearings today into troubles at the state Bureau of Conveyances.

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By Hawaii State Senator Donna Kim

The recent commentary by Ken Harding (”Chronically broken elevators inexcusable,” May 24, 2007) did not tell the whole story, and left an (more…)

Senate President Colleen Hanabusa today announced that three state senators will voluntarily shift their committee assignments for the next legislative session, and a new committee will be created.        

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