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…)

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…)

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…)

Hundreds of students from James Campbell High School marched around and into the Capitol yesterday to demand air conditioning for their school. “Air-conditioned classes are more convenient for my personal preference and for learning needs,” student body president Evelyn Obamos said in a speech she gave in the Capitol rotunda. Protest organizer Corey Rosenlee, a Campbell history teacher, said that temperatures in his classroom have exceeded 100 degrees.

Sen. Will Espero, pictured above, commended the students’ efforts to participate in government. Espero’s district includes Campbell, and he pointed out that the school also lies in the flight path of Hickam Air Force Base and Honolulu International Airport. “The heat and noise are a serious hindrance to learning,” he said.

After the protest, Campbell students flooded into legislators’ offices. Senate Majority Leader Gary Hooser explained to them that the legislature often faces difficult decisions when prioritizing the needs of the Department of Education that also include other school facility and program needs.

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

The UH-West O`ahu (UHWO) campus will soon break ground on the `Ewa Plain. One of the more exciting departments that some legislators hope to see there is the Academy for Creative Media, which is currently located at UH-Mānoa. Senate Bill 3168 would establish the Academy at UHWO. It’s a measure that would benefit west O`ahu, and here’s why. (more…)

By Sen. Will Espero 

Up to now, we have looked at the energy independence/global warming question as a matter of “we can’t afford to.” The more appropriate viewpoint is — we cannot afford not to. We must make the transition to independence from fossil fuels for the economic security and well-being of Hawai`i.

Since 2002, gasoline prices have increased 266 percent, in Hawai`i going from $1.27 to $3.38 per gallon for regular grade. These gas hikes gave Exxon the largest annual profit of a U.S. company last year, at nearly $41 billion, with other oil companies also posting comparably high profits. In the last year alone, sharp hikes in oil prices translated to a 25 percent hike in electricity and gas bills for local consumers. Besides this direct cost, the high cost of fuel is passed on along the chain of commerce, leading to increased product costs and operational expenses, which lower a business’ profitability and raise consumer prices. (more…)

By Sen. Will Espero

Attitudes that people are homeless because they lack personal responsibility hinder resolving the problem. But is this attitude accurate? Who are the homeless?

Former Military

Veterans who have risked their lives overseas in defense of our country and its allies make up 26 percent of those who sleep on the streets at night, though veterans are only 11 percent of our population. The trauma of being in the midst of intense danger day in and day out becomes too much to bear. The mental and emotional pain of war and severe sleep deprivation (another effect of war) take away veterans’ ability to function normally. These medical problems prevent veterans from being able to hold a steady job and function well on a regular basis.

The early presence of veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan causes some to worry that intense, prolonged and repeated deployments make newer veterans vulnerable to homelessness. Vietnam veterans, in contrast, did not unravel to the point of homelessness until about 10 years after returning home. Vietnam veterans faced social upheaval, job losses caused by manufacturing plants closing around the country and the memories of the horrors of the war. Lack of social and economic support and inadequate or unavailable mental health treatment all combined to create levels of stress that our military couldn’t cope with anymore. (more…)

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

About 800,000 Americans are homeless on any given night.

THINKING

How People Think Matters
How people as individuals think about homelessness, or any social issue, determines:

Whether it will be seen as a problem to be ignored or resolved
Who will be involved in resolving the issue
How the resolution will be crafted
Whether the resolution will be effective in resolving the problem
How much will be spent
How long it will take.

Political will is the willingness or indifference to an issue that determines whether there will or won’t be a government response, or what that response, if any, will be.

For example, warnings about climate change have been discussed for thirty years. Political will has increased as those who heard and were receptive to the warnings have reached positions where they have the authority to exert some influence in the business world or political spheres. Political will has still not yet reached the level where government will take decisive action on the matter, being open to and adopting solutions (except most notably in Portland, Oregon). (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…)

Maxamina Catian helps a child in the Keiki Steps early education demonstration to build with blocks.

Senators stressed the need for early childhood education this morning with visits to the annual Champions for Children event and a press conference discussing bills related to children and education. Organizations like Child & Family Service, YMCA and Head Start hosted educational booths at the Capitol, and the Keiki Steps program provided an example of a play-and-learn preschool group.

Among the bills introduced this session is Senate Bill 2878, which establishes a similar Keiki First Steps Program to educate children from ages 0 to 5. The legislation, introduced by Sen. Norman Sakamoto (D- Kalihi, Moanalua Gardens, Salt Lake, Aliamanu, Foster Village, Hickam, Pearl Harbor, Pearl Ridge,`Aiea), says that early learning systems will produce long-term benefits for children that include school success, reduced crime, reduced dropout rates and increased workforce productivity.

Sen. Will Espero visits with a representative from the PATCH child care agency at the Champions for Children event.

According to the bill, Hawai`i’s children need support and guidance starting at birth to reach their full potential as citizens. A comprehensive early learning system provides quality opportunities for young children. (more…)

Sen. Robert Bunda (D-Wahiawa, North Shore) introduced a bill last week that would establish a pilot project allowing temporary restraining orders (TRO) to be filed electronically, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

National statistics show that night and weekend filings constitute approximately 40 percent of domestic violence cases, and Senate Bill 2806 would allow persons in potentially-dangerous situations to obtain a TRO during hours when the courts are closed. (more…)

“The island of O‘ahu will benefit if areas like Turtle Bay are preserved in perpetuity at a time when the islands are experiencing exponential urbanization.”
Sen. Clayton Hee, District 23

“I appreciate that the governor acknowledged the T.J. Mahoney (work furlough and offender reintegration facility) and its director, Lorraine Robinson, because it is an area that needs more resources and assistance. … The Turtle Bay project is ambitious. With our other needs, I’m curious to see how she plans on financing the project.”
Sen. Will Espero, District 20

“The governor’s call for personal responsibility is important because the government cannot solve all the problems of the state. The Turtle Bay proposition is also honorable, but it’s unrealistic because our state budget consists of many other competing critical issues. Government leaders need be fiscally responsible and carefully choose our funding priorities.”
Sen. Gary Hooser, Majority Leader, District 7