Senate Majority Caucus

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. Read the rest of this entry »

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.

The state Senate and House of Representatives held a joint session Tuesday to honor 31 of Hawai`i’s fallen military heroes. Friends and family members of the soldiers traveled to the Capitol for the special session and were presented with a Hawai`i Medal of Honor.

Sgt. Alexis Gagalac of Wahiawā accepted the award on behalf of his twin brother, Sgt. Alexander U. Gagalac, who was killed Sept. 9 while in Iraq with the U.S. Army.

Hundreds of soldiers from Hawai`i’s military bases also attended the ceremony to honor their colleagues.

“These names will remain etched in our state’s shared history,” Senate President Colleen Hanabusa said in her closing remarks.

The ceremony concluded with a 21-gun salute in the Capitol rotunda.

Hawai`i residents found many reasons to immerse themselves in their legislative branch of government today at the state Capitol.

Senate Bill 958, which would impose a 10-year moratorium on developing genetically-engineered taro, drew many supporters to its 9 a.m. hearing in the Capitol auditorium.

Lanakila seniors marched around the Capitol building about one hour later to raise awareness of senior hunger and support for their Meals on Wheels program. Sen. Norman Sakamoto presented them with a certificate on behalf of the Kupuna Caucus.

Legislative Hawaiian Caucus Day invited an information fair, the Royal Order of Kamehameha I and Grammy award winners Richard Ho`opi`i, Owana Salazar, Sterling Seaton and George Kahumoku Jr.

Today also marked the Developmental Disability Council’s 9th annual information day. Senators recognized hundreds of participants from Maui, Kaua`i, Moloka`i, Big Island and O`ahu during session.

The DDC information day is a time for the disabled and their families to learn more about the legislative process and form relationships with their legislators. Kaua`i participants expressed concern over shortages in dental care, health care and affordable housing during a Q & A session with Rep. James Tokioka (Lihue, Koloa) and Kaua`i Sen. Gary Hooser, right.

Last Thursday, students from around the state followed legislators to session, hearings, meetings and various other events at the Capitol. The students were winners of the Leader for a Day essay contest, which required them to detail in 500 words what they would do to improve the quality of life in Hawai`i if they were state leaders. Abigail Macadamia of Waipahu Intermediate School joined Sen. Clarence Nishihara on the Senate floor.

Katie Snuggerud, right, accompanied Sen. Lorraine Inouye at a human rights awareness information fair. Snuggerud was the winner from Hilo High School and traveled from the Big Island for the event.

Twelve senators and 27 representatives hosted student shadows from their districts. At the end of the day, Sen. Brian Taniguchi enjoyed a meal with Lauren Au, a student from Noelani Elementary School.

 
Jeff Mikulina, director of the Sierra Club Hawai`i chapter, asked House committee members to pass Senate Bill 644 because even with existing incentives for installing solar water heating, only 20 to 25 percent of new homes in Hawai`i install systems.

Senate Bill 644, which requires the installation of solar hot water heaters in all new single family residential construction, has returned to life and is moving in the House of Representatives. This bill had passed out of the Senate last year but was stalled in the House by a solid wall of opposition by the Hawai`i Solar Industry Association, the Building Industry Association, Hawaiian Electric Co. and The Gas Company.

This year, with oil prices now hovering over $100 per barrel, interest has been renewed in the measure that is projected to dramatically increase Hawai`i’s energy independence, generate increased economic activity and lower the cost of home ownership.

Industry experts agree that the most efficient and cost-effective time to install a solar hot water heaters is during a home’s initial design and construction. There is also general agreement that new developers installing 1,000 solar hot water heaters in 1,000 new homes can do so far more efficiently and at a lower price than later during an individual homeowner’s retrofit. Read the rest of this entry »

Chipper Wichman of the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kaua`i asked the Legislature for Grant-In-Aid help during Wednesday’s hearing.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee and House Committee on Finance held a joint informational briefing for Neighbor Island Grant-In-Aid (GIA) applicants Wednesday morning. Representatives from 57 neighbor island organizations were invited to attend, and each organization was given three minutes to testify. 

“Parents across-the-board continually seek safe places for their children, especially during those after school hours when they are working. We find ourselves competing for the hearts and minds of our children. But it is a fight we cannot afford to lose. A vibrant YMCA on Maui is a powerful and positive magnet to support, mentor and befriend our children,” Maui resident Sandy Canha said on behalf of the Maui Family YMCA. Read the rest of this entry »

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.

  
Two senators will hold a public meeting on Maui this week to discuss their priorities for the 2008 legislative session. Residents are encouraged to join Sen. J. Kalani English (Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka`i, Lana`i, Kaho`olawe) and Sen. Shan Tsutsui (Wailuku, Waihe`e, Kahului, Pa`ia) at Pa`ia School on Thursday, March 13 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Read the full press release from the office of Sen. Tsutsui.

Senators observed a moment of silence during session today in remembrance of three extraordinary individuals: Aunty Genoa Keawe, who brought joy to Hawai`i with her music and giving spirit, Rev. Frank Chong, a longtime volunteer with the American Cancer Society and a tireless advocate for the underprivileged, and Andrew Sato, a Pearl City teenager who took on life with courage and a hopeful outlook despite many hardships. The Senate had honored Sato during session on Feb. 29, just one day before he lost his battle with leukemia.

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. Read the rest of this entry »

State senators voted yesterday to pass 308 bills to the House of Representatives. A normal Senate session usually lasts about 30 minutes, but yesterday’s session lasted about five hours because of debate on approximately 140 bills, which were all approved by a majority. Read the rest of this entry »

This scanned photo, showing a ship docked at Nawiliwili Harbor, was submitted with testimony in support of Senate Bill 2526.

A bill that aims to reduce cruise ship emissions at a Kaua`i harbor is moving through the state Senate. Senate Bill 2526, introduced by Sen. Gary Hooser (D-Kaua`i, Ni`ihau), addresses health problems and pollution that Niumalu-area residents attribute to cruise ships’ bunker fuel burning near Nawiliwili Harbor.

Rep. James Tokioka (D-Lihue, Koloa) introduced a similar House Bill 2919, but the House committees on Transportation and Tourism and Culture deferred action on the measure, effectively killing the House version for this session.

Environmental groups and many Kaua`i residents had sent written testimony in support of the legislation, asking for a timely solution to what they described as a tangible black residue covering their homes and dangerous fumes around the harbor.

Kaua`i resident Carl Berg testified on Senate Bill 2526. Pictured are Sen. Gordon Trimble, Sen. Gary Hooser, the bill’s introducer, and Sen. Ron Menor, chair of the Senate Energy and Environment committee.

Carl Berg, a resident of Nawiliwili Bay, environmental scientist and former Department of Health employee, said he did not think the DOH’s past tests were accurate because the tests measured only ambient air and did not sample the harbor’s most-polluted areas.

“This is not acceptable. We smell it, we see it, it’s on our windows and we’re getting sick,” he said last Thursday. Read the rest of this entry »

Senate majority party members are working this session to guarantee proper government spending. Senate Bills 2824, 2825, 2826 and 2827, which are included in the Senate majority party bill package and seek to improve the state’s procurement practices, have passed through their committee hearings and will now move toward a floor vote and review by the state House of Representatives.

Senate Vice President Donna Mercado Kim (D-Moanalua, `Aiea, Fort Shafter, Kalihi Valley, Halawa Valley), who introduced the four bills, is also chairing a newly-created special Senate committee that is investigating a decision by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) to award a $8.7 million contract for a hydrogen renewable energy program.

On Sept. 25, 2007, DBEDT Director Ted Liu was directed by the state Procurement Office to rescind his selection for the contract. Liu had awarded the contract to H2 Energy LLC, though the company had been the lowest-ranking of three bidders in a procurement evaluation.

Sen. Clarence Nishihara (D-Waipahu, Pearl City, Crestview), vice chair of the new investigative committee, said that the committee was established to ascertain the facts of the contract decision and to maintain the public’s trust in government procurement.

Nishihara also chairs the Senate Tourism and Government Operations Committee, which was assigned to review the procurement legislation and passed all four majority package bills.

“The Senate will not hesitate to investigate practices that might not be in the public’s best interest. … State procurement should be open and equitable,” Nishihara said.

Sen. Jill Tokuda introduced two bills this session to to promote outreach and educational programs regarding the endangered Hawaiian monk seal species. Senate Bill 2464 designates the seal as the state mammal and Senate Bill 2465 designates the third Saturday in April as Hawaiian Monk Seal Day. The bills received testimony in unanimous support from over 50 parties. Students from five schools attended the bills’ hearing, including those from St. Andrews Priory School, pictured above.

The Hawaiian monk seal is one of only two native mammals in Hawai`i. (Photo courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)