Senate Majority Caucus

By Hawaii State Senator Will Espero

The local newspapers have reported on Maui couples flying to California to get married now that same-sex marriage is legal there. Some constituents have called to ask whether Hawaii will recognize these California marriages when the couples return.

It’s a constitutional issue revolving around a provision referred to as the Full Faith and Credit Clause. The basic principle here is that one state should honor court judgments entered in another state, giving the same credit, validity, and effect to the judgment that it had in the issuing state. The same recognition, however, does not apply to laws (more…)

Bill’s Introducer Senator Gary L. Hooser Considers Groundbreaking Action “Vital”

Hawaii has become the first state in the nation to pass into law a requirement that all new homes built after January 1, 2010, be equipped with solar or other energy efficient hot water systems. Signed into law by Hawaii’s governor on June 26, the bill’s introducer, Senate Majority Leader Gary L. Hooser (D-Kaua’i, Ni’ihau) said, “Hawaii is almost totally dependent on imported oil for its energy needs and estimates show that, with this law, our oil consumption will be cut by 30,000 barrels during the first year and continues to decline exponentially thereafter.” (more…)

By Hawaii State Senator Will Espero

A couple of years ago, TIME magazine noted that high gas prices would succeed where all other efforts failed in persuading Americans to conserve gas when driving. TIME was right. In the last several weeks, the morning commute to town has shortened dramatically, even without school breaks, as residents adopted other ways to save at the pump. Carpool, Vanpool, TheBoat, TheBus, bicycle, motorcycles and motor scooters, and moving closer to your job – these are all ways that people have switched to in the effort to survive the climbing prices of gas.

Of course, if the rail was already here, we’d also have that option. (more…)

By Hawaii State Senator Will Espero

(`Ewa Beach, `Ewa by Gentry, Ocean Pointe, `Ewa Villages, West Loch, Honouliuli, Lower Waipahu)

Here is a brief summary of some of the bills the Legislature approved. Continue Reading

By Hawaii State Senator Will Espero

In a time when Aloha Airlines shut down, ATA announced its impending route closure, go! Airlines considered bankruptcy, and Delta and Northwest announced their merger, Hawaiian Airlines’ first venture into Asia marked a courageous and historic moment in the local airline industry. With the high volume of family visitations between Hawaii and the Philippines, flights to Manila are a natural choice for a destination in Asia. Kudos to Hawaiian Airlines for making this move to expand its territory to better serve Hawaii residents and visitors from abroad.

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By Sen. Will Espero (`Ewa Beach, `Ewa by Gentry, Ocean Pointe, `Ewa Villages, West Loch, Honouliuli, Lower Waipahu).

The Pew Center on the States recently issued a report with sobering statistics for lawmakers: 1 in 99 Americans is behind bars. The figures were startling. Only 1 in 837 people over the age of 55 are in prison, but for people in their 20s, that number is 1 in every 53. The ethnic disparities are even more alarming. One in 9 black men ages 20 to 34 is behind bars, compared to 1 in 30 men overall. Only 1 in 106 white men ages 18 or older is in prison, but 1 in 15 black men in the same age group are. The female prison population is also growing and showing ethnic disparity. One in 100 black women ages 35 to 39 is an inmate, compared to one in 355 white women. Our Hawaii statistics are just as worrisome: 44% or nearly one-half of our prison inmates identify themselves as Native Hawaiian/part-Native Hawaiian. (more…)

The Senate recently honored BAE Systems in appreciation for its support and co-sponsorship of the FIRST Robotics regional competition. BAE Systems had also sponsored and mentored five of Hawai`i’s high school robotics teams, generously donating time to encourage the youth in the areas of science and technology and building their future as well as the future of the state.
 
Pictured above: Galen Ho, Michael Heffron of BAE Systems, and Sen. Norman Sakamoto.

Teams from 25 Hawai`i high schools competed in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) competition in March. The teams built robots over a six-week period to solve a common problem with a standard set of rules and parts.

Sakamoto visited with Radford High School’s robotics team at the event. The team partnered with a Florida team to win first place and will advance to the national championship in Atlanta later this month.

Last week the Senate passed its version of the state budget. Sen. Shan Tsutsui (Wailuku, Waihe`e, Kahului, Pa`ia) has detailed the proposed funding for Maui County in a press release that includes comments from the other two Maui County senators, Rosalyn Baker (South and West Maui) and J. Kalani English (East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka`i, Lana`i).

Sens. Inouye, Hooser, Tsutsui and Baker listened to testimony during a Ways and Means Committee hearing last month.

The Senate has released its version of the state budget for fiscal year 2009. The proposal, contained in House Bill 2500, passed a vote on the Senate floor 22-2 Tuesday morning.

The Ways and Means committee handles all of the financial measures that pass through the Senate and has been working for months to prepare the 353-page proposal. According to committee chair Rosalyn Baker, the Senate’s version of the budget takes a prudent approach and reduces the general fund appropriations requested by Gov. Linda Lingle in December by $32.4 million.

Hawai`i’s economy has suffered from the effects of inflation and high oil prices over the past year, reflected most recently by the closures of ATA and Aloha Airlines.

Baker noted in a floor speech Tuesday that the state also has nearly half-a-billion dollars less in general fund revenues this year than it had last year.

“This budget does not create false impressions and should not give rise to false expectations,” Baker said, adding that her committee had crafted a version that sustains investments in education, transportation and health infrastructure, which she said are vitally important to regaining fiscal growth.

Senators and represenatives will meet over the next few weeks in a conference committee to finalize a budget proposal that they will submit back to the governor before the end of session on May 1.

The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor has approved a bill that would protect reporters from having to disclose their information and sources.

Committee members voted unanimously this morning to pass House Bill 2557, the so-called “shield law” that has attracted attention over the past few months from the attorney general, the Hawai`i Supreme Court, the county prosecutor, the police department, the Society of Professional Journalists and numerous other media-related entities. (more…)

Over 400 children, parents and educators participated in interactive learning centers yesterday at the Capitol, demonstrating for legislators the importance of early childhood education.

Studies have shown that children enrolled in early learning are more successful throughout their later school years, and legislators are considering several early education measures this year. U`ilani Batalona and her children Pukona and Kaichah painted together at the event, which included stations in reading, science, music, art and many other subjects.

Senate Education Committee Chair Norman Sakamoto attended the event and displayed art made by Joshua Chun. Chun’s mother Tammi is the executive director of the Hawai`i P-20 statewide education partnership and is enrolled with her son in interactive early education. This year, Sakamoto (Salt Lake, `Aiea, Kalihi, Foster Village) introduced Senate Bill 2878, which establishes a statewide early learning system and a council to oversee it. The bill has passed three Senate committees and two House committees and how awaits a conference committee hearing.

The House Committee on Finance passed legislation yesterday that would propose an amendment to the state constitution to lower the age required for Hawai`i’s governor or lieutenant governor. Senate Bill 966, introduced last session by Sen. David Ige (`Aiea-Pearl City), would ask citizens on an election ballot whether or not to change the requirement from 30 to 25.

“There are many outstanding, qualified, and experienced candidates under 30 who are unable to run for the office of governor or lieutenant governor because of the current arbitrary age restriction…” the bill says. (more…)

Demonstrators gathered at the Capitol Friday to rally for Aloha Airlines. Many stood along Beretania Street holding signs that asked passing cars to honk in support.

The carrier, which has serviced Hawai`i for over 60 years, declared bankruptcy on March 20. Jonathan Aoki (left) and Claire Sugawa were among the children participating in the rally. Aoki’s mother, Carolyn, is an Aloha employee.

Officials delivered speeches at the rally pledging their best efforts to help the airline stay in business. Sen. Rosalyn Baker, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, told the crowd that she flies Aloha to and from her district on Maui every week. Though Aloha announced it will halt all of its passenger operations effective today, the Senate is still considering two bills that would help the carrier. HB2860 exempts airlines from paying taxes on fuel sold from a foreign-trade zone for interisland air transportation. The bill passed a vote by the entire Senate this morning and legislators from the House and Senate will now meet in a conference committee to smooth out its details. HB509 would provide state loan guarantees for Hawai`i’s air carriers, and the Ways and Means Committee has scheduled decision making on HB509 for tomorrow.

Sen. Clarence Nishihara and Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland spoke with the rally’s organizer, pilot Randall Cummings, after the event Friday. “Hang in there,” Nishihara told the crowd in his speech. “…hopefully for another 60 years.”

By Sen. Will Espero (`Ewa Beach, `Ewa by Gentry, Ocean Pointe, `Ewa Villages, West Loch, Honouliuli, Lower Waipahu)

NEEDLES ON THE BEACH
`Ewa’s shorelines were dotted with unused blood-drawing needles last week, which presented a public health hazard. I was notified of the incident by a constituent, although the state Department of Health had known about it for about a week. Several buckets of needles were collected for over three days, and more continued to wash ashore for at least a week. Hau Bush Park, where many needles were found, is frequented by surfers and fisherman. Knowing of the needles would certainly minimize any public health risk the needles may have posed.

If buckets of needles are washing ashore on public beaches, the general public must be told. At the very least, the public would be cautious and attentive if they knew the possible risk involved, even avoiding the area until an all clear notification was given.

The media reported the situation after residents took action. The state Department of Health apparently does not have a policy to notify the media and public if needles or syringes wash ashore. I find both this and their decision to stay quiet a poor decision. I informed the director that a policy of immediate public notification needs to be adopted. I have faith the department will respond differently if this occurs in the future. (more…)

Various businesses and organizations gathered on the fourth floor of the Capitol today for a farmer’s market and information fair as part of Agricultural Sustainability Day. Sen. Jill Tokuda, Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs Committee chair, and Sen. Russell Kokubun, Commerce, Consumer Protection and Affordable Housing Committee chair, helped to organize the event, which donated its proceeds to Hawai`i Foodbank.

Mary Wilkowski, right, showcased vetiver plants ranging in age from two to five months at the fair. “Vetiver is the embodiment of sustainability,” Wilkowski said. “A sterile green nail, Vetiver’s dense, fibrous roots penetrate vertically to depths of 12’, holding soil in place, and ensuring that topsoil remains where it should—on the land.” Remarkably, the five-month-old plant had already reached a diameter of eight inches and displayed a beefy root system, she added.

Fairgoers examined some of Hawai`i’s invasive species, including snakes, tarantulas and coqui frogs, at the Department of Agriculture’s exhibit.

The fair educated lawmakers and the public on the importance of local agriculture. John Edney, left, and Cliff Kaholokula dished out Tropical Dreams Ice Cream on fruit dishes for those who attended the fair. Tropical Dreams, a Big Island company, bears the Department of Agriculture’s Seal of Quality, meaning that more than half of its ingredients are produced locally.