Senate Majority Caucus

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…)

 
The Senate Printshop has focused more on CD burning and transmitting information electronically and less on printing pages for the 2008 legislative session.

Instead of flipping through loose-leaf binders, Sen. David Ige accesses documents with his laptop during session.

State senators have begun exemplifying their sustainability theme this session by reducing the amount of paper they use. Just days after session began, the Senate clerk’s office released statistics indicating that senators had already used 2.6 million less pages than the previous year. (more…)

 
Hundreds gathered at the Capitol this morning to commemorate 20 years of the state’s Hawaiian Language Immersion program. 

The pilot program opened in 1987, marking the first time in 100 years that instruction in government schools was conducted completely in the native Hawaiian language.

Five University of Hawai`i football players delivered Hawaiian-language speeches. Students cheered as Brad Kalilimoku led them in the team’s pre-game ha`a.

Students from the program met with UH football players.

This morning’s celebration also included speeches from local leaders. Sen. David Ige told students that while he knew the program was a good idea when it started, he never imagined it would be as successful as they all have made it today.

The celebration closed with a performance by the Waimanalo Sunset Band.

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…)