May

21

Statement by Senator Clayton Hee in Response to Governor’s Signing of Click it or Ticket Bill

Judiciary & Labor / Press Releases / Transportation

Honolulu- On May 20, 2013, Governor Neil Abercrombie signed Senate Bill (SB) 4, relating to Motor Vehicles, into law.  This measure requires all front and back seat passengers to be restrained by a seat belt assembly or child passenger restraint while the motor vehicle is being operated on any public highway.

Senator Clayton Hee, Chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor, issued this statement in response to the enactment of SB 4:

The data regarding seat belt use is irrefutable,” said Senator Hee, who was the introducer of the bill. “Seventy-five percent of back seat passengers suffer serious injury of death when they are not properly buckled up.  People’s lives will be saved by this new law and, at the end of the day, that is really what counts!”

According to the National Highway Safety Administration, seat belt restraints increases the safety of all motor vehicle occupants by as much as forty-five percent.  By requiring all front seat and back seat occupants to buckle up, this bill seeks to protect the safety of Hawaii’s motor vehicle drivers and passengers.

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May

21

Audit of DHHL Homestead Service Division to be Discussed by Senate Committee

Hawaiian Affairs / Press Releases

Honolulu- The Senate Committee on Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs will be holding an informational briefing to address concerns raised in the Audit of the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands’ (DHHL) Homestead Services Division and other related departmental issues.   The Office of the Auditor (Auditor) released a report on the division (Report No. 13-02) in April of this year.

The briefing will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 2:45 p.m. in the State Capitol’s Conference Room 229.

Among the concerns found in the report is the commission’s failure to meet its fiduciary obligations, as well as the department’s lax management of lessee loans. The report states that in attempting to provide long-term tenancy to lease beneficiaries, the commission has thwarted collection or cancellation of chronically delinquent homestead leases, consequently tying up leases and staff resources to the detriment of the beneficiaries still waiting for leases. The report further found that, as of June 30, 2011, there were 9,922 homestead leases statewide and 26,170 applicants waiting for homestead leases. In FY2011, the department issued 177 new homestead leases. That year, the department collected $61.1 million in revenues and accrued $70 million in expenses.

I’m glad that the department has recognized many of the Auditor’s concerns and is seeking to aggressively look at and take action on the loan delinquency issues,” said Senator Brickwood Galuteria, chair of the Senate Committee on Tourism and Hawaiian Affairs. “This is not a time to point fingers, but is a time for self-reflection. My hope is that through this report and discussion that we will be able to take steps to resolve these issues and enhance the overall performance of the agency. Our beneficiaries and the public at large deserve greater transparency and accountability.”

The following officials from the DHHL and the Auditor will be present during the discussion:

  • Jobie Masagatani, Director, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
  • Darrell Young, Deputy Director, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
  • Commissioners, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands
  • Jan K. Yamane, Acting State Auditor

DHHL administers about 200,000 acres of public lands set aside for agricultural and pastoral use to be leased to native Hawaiians, upon which they may live, farm, ranch, and engage in commercial or other activities. The department, headed by a nine member executive board, the Hawaiian Homes Commission, is responsible for the provision of financial and technical assistance to native Hawaiians (those with at least 50 percent Hawaiian blood), which enables them to enhance their economic self-sufficiency and promote community-based development. According to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act of 1920, by doing this, the traditions, culture, and quality of life of native Hawaiians will be self-sustaining.

No public testimony will be accepted.

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May

20

Governor Signs Traffic Safety Measures

Press Releases / Transportation

Honolulu- Today Governor Neil Abercrombie signed two traffic safety measures, Senate Bill (SB) 4 and House Bill (HB) 980, into law.

SB 4 requires all front and back seat passengers to be restrained by a seat belt assembly or child passenger restraint while the motor vehicle is being operated upon any public highway. According to the National Highway Safety Administration, seat belt restraints for all occupants increases the safety of all motor vehicle occupants by as much as forty-five percent. Through requiring all front seat and back seat occupants to buckle up, this measure seeks to protect the safety of Hawaii’s motor vehicle drivers and passengers.

“Seat belts save lives,” said Senator J. Kalani English, chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation and International Affairs. “The enactment of this measure reinforces what many of us already know, that the importance of seat belt use can’t be ignored. By taking a few moments to buckle up, we can each play a vital role in preventing an unnecessary tragedy.”

Distracted driving is a serious problem with growing national concern. Using cellular phones or other mobile electronic devices while driving creates preventable distractions that pose a risk of harm not just to the driver, but to others in the vehicle or on the road. HB 980 establishes a statewide law prohibiting the use of any mobile electronic device while driving.

“Studies show that mobile phone use while driving can have lethal effects,” said Senator English. “By providing consistent statewide requirements for the use of mobile electronic devices while driving, we are telling drivers that using a mobile device while driving is dangerous and unacceptable. I encourage Hawaii drivers to drive responsibly; the safety of everyone who uses our roads depends on it.”

Today’s bill signings kicked off Hawaii’s Click It or Ticket’ Mobilization enforcement campaign.

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May

15

New UH Athletic Director Ben Jay to Share His Vision for the Sports Program

In the Community / Press Releases

Honolulu – The University of Hawaii’s new Athletics Director Ben Jay will be talking about his vision for the UH’s sports program at a town hall meeting on Thursday, May 16, 2013. It will take place at Pearl Ridge Elementary School’s cafeteria at 7 p.m.

Recently, Jay sparked controversy among UH fans for his decision to change team names. He’s also brought attention to the poor state of the athletics facilities through twitter.

This will be a great opportunity for our constituents to hear how our new UH athletics director is going to improve the program and his vision for the future,” said Senate President Donna Mercado Kim, who represents District 14(Kapalama, ‘Alewa, Kalihi Valley, Ft. Shafter, Moanalua Gardens & Valley, portions of Halawa and ‘Aiea).

I encourage everyone to attend the town hall meeting to learn about the direction of UH Athletics and use this chance to engage in the discussion relating to the department,” said Sen. David Ige, who represents District 16 (Pearl City, Momilani, Pearlridge, ‘Aiea, Royal Summit, ‘Aiea Heights, Newtown, Waimalu, Halawa, Pearl Harbor).

The town hall is being hosted by lawmakers representing the Aiea and Pearl City areas: Sen. David Y. Ige, Senate President Donna Mercado Kim, Rep. Aaron Johanson, Rep. K. Mark Takai, Rep. Roy Takumi, Rep. Gregg Takayama and City Councilmembers Breene Harimoto and Carol Fukunaga.

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May

10

District Needs Fulfilled By Legislative Teamwork

In the Community / Press Releases

Honolulu- Through working together, Senators Malama Solomon and Gilbert Kahele, along with Representative Mark Nakashima are improving the quality of life in their districts. Together, the legislators secured $292.6 M in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding for the Hawai‘i Island districts, ensuring that many of their district goals were met. The project funds were allocated in the CIP portion of the State budget, House Bill (HB) 200. These appropriations represent new jobs and job training, education and healthcare, roads, airports and harbor improvements, and vital “safety net” services for our keiki, kupuna and less fortunate. This bill is currently awaiting Governor Abercrombie’s signature.

“A special thanks to everyone who called, emailed or sent testimony supporting these important projects. You made a difference!” said Senator Malama Solomon (District 4, Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, Kona).  “We also made progress on addressing the financial crisis our State faces by passing a bill that protects our all-important AA bond rating. This is how we finance major infrastructures to get results that benefit our community.”

“The projects funded by the budget will help move the Island of Hawai‘i forward by creating jobs, enhancing our public infrastructure and facilities, and investing in education,” said Senator Gilbert Kahele (District 1, Hilo). “Through projects at our schools like Waiakea Elementary and Waiakea High, we invest in our children’s educational development and provide a safe environment in which they can achieve success. “

“I am particularly pleased that funds have been allocated for a new rescue and fire fighting facility at Hilo International Airport, as well as runway improvements. In addition, we are addressing the critical shortage of primary care providers by establishing the training program,” said Representative Nakashima (District 1- Hamakua, Hilo). “By working collaboratively with my colleagues in both the House and Senate we will continue to secure funds to drive our economy and improve our quality of life.”

Senators Solomon and Kahele and Representative Nakashima, will hold a community meeting on Thursday, June 6, 2013 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, UCB 127.  Legislators will be giving residents a post 2013 Legislative Session update, including a discussion on CIPs.

Here are highlights of the CIP funding secured for the Hawai‘i Island districts:

 

AGRICULTURE

$2 Million             WAIMEA IRRIGATION SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS

$4.4 Million         LOWER HAMAKUA DITCH WATERSHED PROJECT

AIRPORTS

$43.4 Million       HILO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, NEW AIR RESCUE AND FIRE FIGHTING FACILITY,  RUNWAY 3-21 RECONSTRUCTION, SECURITY ACCESS CONTROL

$113.5 Million    KONA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, SECURITY ACCESS CONTROL, TERMINAL EXPANSION, INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS BUILDING

$3 Million             ELLISON S. ONIZUKA SPACE MUSEUM; IMPROVEMENTS

DBEDT

$12.017 Million  NELHA SEAWATER SYSTEM UPGRADES, ROAD AND NEW INTERSECTION CONNECTIONS

DEFENSE

$5.9 Million         YOUTH CHALLENGE ACADEMY (YCA) UPGRADE & IMPROVEMENTS

$300,000              WEST HAWAI‘I VETERANS CENTER; PLANS & DESIGN

EDUCATION

$1 Million             HONOKAA HIGH SCHOOL; ATHLETIC FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS

$5 Million             WAIMEA MIDDLE SCHOOL; 9-CLASSROOM SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY

BUILDING

$300,000              KEALAKEHE HIGH SCHOOL; ALL-WEATHER AND SYNTHETIC TRACK

$1.5 million         WAIAKEA ELEMENATARY SCHOOL; PLAY COURT

$450, 000             WAIAKEA HIGH SCHOOL; NEW BATTING CAGE

HARBORS

$1 Million             HILO HARBOR MODIFICATIONS

HEALTH

$1 Million             HAWAI‘I ISLAND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION; CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW ADULT DAY CARE FACILITY

$4 Million             KONA COMMUNITY HOSPITAL; RENOVATIONS AND UPGRADES

$1 Million             KOHALA COMMUNITY HOPITAL; RENOVATIONS AND UPGRADES

$1.8 Million         HB417: PRIMARY CARE TRAINING PROGRAM AT HILO MEDICAL CENTER

HUMAN SERVICES

$643,000              THE SALVATION ARMY FAMILY INTERVENTION SERVICES

JUDICIARY

$9 Million             KONA JUDICIARY COMPLEX

LABOR

$1.2 Million         HAWAI‘I COUNTY ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL; EMERGENCY REPAIRS AND HANDICAPPED ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS

$1.5 Million         KAHILU THEATRE FOUNDATION; IMPROVEMENT OF EXISTING FACILITIES

$30,000                 BRANTLEY CENTER, INC.; RENOVATIONS OF EXISTING FACILITIES IN HONOKA’A

LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

$6.5 Million         PUUANAHULU SHOOTING RANGE FACILITY

ROADS

$7.5 Million         AKONI PULE HIGHWAY, REALIGNMENT AND WIDENING

$4 Million             HAWAI‘I BELT ROAD ROCKFALL PROTECTION & DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS AT PAPAALOA

$27.7 Million       QUEEN KAAHUMANU HIGHWAY WIDENING

$15.7 Million       SADDLE ROAD EXTENSION TO KAAHUMANU HWY & MAINTENANCE BASEYARD

$1 Million             IMPROVEMENTS TO INTERSECTION AND SIDEWALK OF MAMANE STREET, HONOKAA

$6.25 Million       PUAINAKO ST. WIDENING/REALIGNMENT, KANOELEHUA AVENUE TO KOMOHANA STREET

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I

$2.4 Million         UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I PALAMANUI CAMPUS, PHASE I

$2 Million             UHH OFFICE OF MAUNA KEA MANAGEMENT; IMPROVEMENTS AND RENOVATION

$600,000              NORTH HAWAI‘I EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CENTER; RENOVATIONS

COUNTIES

$5 Million             WAIMEA DISTRICT/REGIONAL PARK; PHASE 1, FOR A ONE-TO-ONE MATCH OF COUNTY FUNDS OF $2.5 MILLION

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May

07

HAWAII LAWMAKERS SELECTED FOR NATIONAL EARLY LEARNING FELLOWS PROGRAM

Articles / Education / Press Releases

House and Senate Education Chairs Roy Takumi and Jill Tokuda Tapped to Participate in Program Sponsored by National Conference of State Legislatures

Honolulu, Hawaii – Representative Roy Takumi(Pearl City, Manana, Waipio) and Senator Jill Tokuda (Kane‘ohe, Kane‘ohe MCAB, Kailua, He‘eia, Ahuimanu) are among legislators from across the country who will participate in a new Early Learning initiative by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

The endeavor is designed to support emerging legislative leaders on early childhood learning expand their knowledge in all areas related to pre-kindergarten education.

Takumi and Tokuda were instrumental in stewarding early education bills through the 2013 Legislative Session, and successfully implementing into law the foundation for phasing in early learning in Hawaii, an issue which had been endlessly discussed since the 1990′s without concrete resolution.

State Legislatures have been on the forefront of addressing the early educational needs of our children. The NCSL Early Learning Fellows Program will enable us to get more information on policy issues, training, assessment, accountability and governance of early learning to better make decisions on Hawaii’s early education policies,” said Representative Takumi.

Takumi also served as a co-chair at the National Conference of State Legislature’s (NCSL) Foundation for State Legislatures Partnership on Educator Effectiveness. First elected to the State House of Representatives in 1992, Takumi served as Chair of the Higher Education Committee from 2001-2003 and as Chair of the Committee on Education from 2003 to the present.

Early childhood education is one of the greatest equalizers we can give our children, ensuring every chance that they can have to be successful in both school and life,” said Tokuda. “As we build Hawaii’s early learning system, we hope to integrate models of best practice from across the country with what we know works best locally to meet the needs of our children and families. Collaborating and engaging with colleagues and experts in the field of early childhood through this program will allow us to do this.”

Tokuda has served as the Senate’s education chair since 2011 and served as higher education chair since 2009. Tokuda has served in the Hawaii State Senate since 2007.

The program will also allow the Hawaii lawmakers to meet, discuss and learn from fellow legislators working on the issue, and engage with research and policy experts who are leaders in the field of early childhood learning.

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May

02

2013 Legislative Session: State Senate Invests In Hawaii’s Future

Press Releases


HONOLULU– The Hawaii State Legislature has adjourned on this final day of the 2013 Legislative Session.  With a spirit of cooperativeness, civility, and compromise exercised by the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and the House Committee on Finance, the Hawaii State Budget, House Bill (HB) 200, was passed more than one week before the final day of the 2013 session.  The budget’s early passage allowed the Senate to carefully assess the needs of Hawaii residents and the direction of Hawaii’s government through bills pending in conference committees.

By providing positions and $18,811,090 in fiscal year (FY) 2013-2014 and $14,358,110 in FY2014-2015 to modernize the state’s information technology (IT) infrastructure, the Senate sought to encourage long-term planning and efficiency efforts to fundamentally change the character and delivery of government services.  $130M was appropriated for informational systems in various departments to streamline tax collections, maintain and share critical health information, and to provide for a more secure communication network for the islands.  To help protect the state’s information and data, the Senate passed SB 1003, authorizing the Chief Information Officer to conduct security audits to detect and prevent IT intrusions and theft of the public’s personal information.  Through passage of HB 632, the Senate seeks to promote more open and transparent government as set out in the State of Hawaii Business and Information Technology/Information Resource Management Plan.

We are attempting to become more efficient in delivering government services through upgrading our antiquated IT infrastructure,” said Senate President Donna Mercado Kim. “Through refining a number of policies, government organizations also become more transparent and accountable to the public they serve.”

In addition to improving delivery of government services, the Legislature fulfilled its commitment to start prefunding unfunded liabilities pertaining to other post employment benefits.

The Legislature made appropriations to begin payment to these unfunded health benefit liabilities through HB 200 with $100M for FY14 and $117.4M for FY15.

Currently, the unfunded liabilities for the employer-union health benefits trust fund is $13.6 billion.  Paying down these liabilities will have a positive impact on the state’s bond rating and ensure that Hawaii’s future is not handicapped by increasingly burdensome debt.  Additionally, HB 546 will make Hawaii the first state in the nation to statutorily require payment of the annual required contribution for future public worker health benefits.

The Senate advanced the “Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative” by passing bills that align government regulations and policies with clean energy goals.  SB 19 exempts landlords who install renewable energy systems from the onerous requirements imposed on public utilities and serves as an incentive for landlords to adopt renewable energy systems.  SB 120 authorizes the Public Utility Commission (PUC) to establish a policy to incentivize Hawaii’s electric utility companies to make needed reforms that attain lower electricity rates. SB 1087 provides a lower cost financing alternative for Hawaii businesses and residents to utilize green infrastructure equipment and technology to reduce electricity consumption by leveraging clean energy technology. The innovative financing method created in this measure will provide a secure financing structure to allow the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to issue revenue bonds at very competitive rates and pass these savings on to the consumers in the form of lower borrowing costs.

In an effort to improve food self-reliance and agricultural resiliency, the Senate expanded livestock feed subsidies through SB 593, allocated funds to begin the process of producing clean, healthy and economic alternative fuel, fertilizer and feedstock, and to protect Hawaii’s unique environment ten inspector positions were funded for plant, pest and bio control personnel and programs

Seeking to encourage economic diversity, the Senate passed SB 1349 that reestablishes the income tax credit for qualified research activities to encourage job growth in research and development.  This measure contributes to the diversification of the State’s economy by creating and maintaining science, technology, engineering, and mathematics jobs in the State.  The Senate also passed HB 726 for the film, television, entertainment, digital media, and music production industry in Hawaii by increasing the amount of the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production income tax credit for qualified production costs incurred by a authorize production company.

The bills we passed lay the groundwork for diversifying our economy by making strategic investments in the agriculture and in the film industries.” said Senate Majority Leader Brickwood Galuteria.   “We also looked for opportunities to diversify the job market for the people of Hawaii.”

The bills now go to the Governor for consideration.

For more information on the bills:  http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/.

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May

01

Hawaii State Senate Statement Regarding House Bill 622

Press Releases

Passing the amendment without consulting with the other chamber affirmatively kills the bill.  The draft that was passed out of conference in the form of HB622, HD1, SD1, CD1 continued the additional protections of a shield law above and beyond what is provided by Hawaii’s constitution for the press.

The floor amendment presented a very substantive change to the conference draft that was agreed upon by the House and Senate conferees. Every draft of the bill up until that point sought to make the shield law permanent.  To introduce such a substantive change, moments before the Senate began its floor session, lacked the transparency and openness that the public expects and deserves. “


-Senate Majority Leader Brickwood Galuteria

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Apr

30

Public Safety Measures Makes Their Way to the Governor’s Desk

Press Releases / Public Safety & Military Affairs

Honolulu – A measure that would close the loophole in Hawaii’s gun law is on its way to the Governor’s desk for consideration.  The measure, Senate Bill 69, was passed out of the Senate and House today.   If it becomes law, county police departments are required to fingerprint, photograph and perform background checks on a person arriving in Hawaii with a firearm purchased outside of the state.

This measure tightens up our current gun law and it has nothing to do with denying someone their second amendment rights, it has to do with public safety,” said Senator Will Espero, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs.   He also is the primary introducer of the bill.

Hawaii has one of the strictest gun laws in the nation. This measure was supported by Hawaii Rifle Association.

Another measure introduced by Senator Espero and receiving approval from both chambers is Senate Bill 680, which establishes a state Homeland Security Office within the state Department of Defense.

Hawaii’s geographic location makes us vulnerable to homeland security threats.  This new office would complement the federal Department of Homeland Security and show the states commitment to terroristic and other threats to our state.  Currently, the main focus of the state Department of Defense is mostly civil defense or emergency preparedness and the National Guard,” explained Espero.

If the measure becomes law, the adjutant general will serve as the director of the State Homeland Security Office.   The office is tasked to prepare comprehensive plans and programs for homeland security and homeland defense, make studies and surveys of the vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure, and other tasks.

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Apr

26

Bill Relating to School Readiness Program Moves Forward

Education / Press Releases

Honolulu — A measure that would serve as a building block to creating a state-funded early childhood education program in the future advanced in conference committee today.

Senate and House conference committee members voted to move forward Senate Bill 1093, which establishes a school readiness program as a major component of the early learning system.

Senator Jill Tokuda, chair of the Senate Committee on Education and strong supporter of early childhood education, said the school readiness program is foundational as the state moves towards a funded preschool system.

“This is the first real investment Hawaii has made to join the vast majority of states that direct resources towards school readiness and early learning,” said Tokuda.  “We have must to be proud of, and should recognize the opportunity if provides us to build a firm foundation of readiness as our youngest keiki enter school.”

“The program creates a more robust, rigorous version of Preschool Open Doors, focused on efficiently and effectively utilizing the resources provided, and will call upon providers to do school readiness assessment filled in with the aim of making sure those who go through the program are ready for kindergarten,” she explained.  “This is one of the greatest equalizers we can give our children, ensuring every chance that they can have to be successful in both school and life.”

The program will be administered by Department of Human Services.  The bill appropriated $1.160M for administration costs for two years and $6M in FY15 for subsidies based on a sliding fee scale that the Department of Human Services will develop.

“This investment is significant to building up to the system,” she added.

The bill now goes before the full House and Senate for a final vote.

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