Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland joined Lt. Governor Brian Schatz and Rotarian Dave Hamil in a ceremony recognizing winners of this year’s “Play It Safe” Safety and Nutrition Awareness Poster Contest. The event was held in theGovernor’s Ceremonial Room on May 16, 2012.
Sponsored annually by the Play It Safe International Program, the contest seeks to educate students from preschool through third grade on the importance of safety awareness and prevention.
“The Play it Safe International Program has greatly expanded safety awareness through the education of children,” said Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, who serves as the advisory chairperson for the Play It Safe International Program here in Hawaii. “Through being educated at an early age on the importance of health and safety awareness prevention, Hawaii’s youngsters are being protected from the potential hazards and risks encountered during the course of their daily lives.”
This year, eleven elementary school student award winners were presented with Certificates of Recognition by the Twenty-Sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii for their poster designs and advocacy of youth safety. During the ceremony Lt. Governor Schatz also provided a proclamation, signed by the Governor and himself, proclaiming May 16, 2012 as Play it Safe Day in the State of Hawaii.
Others in attendance included Lani Moo, members of the Hawaii State Sheriffs, Honolulu Police Department, Rotary Club of Waikiki, and Assistance League of Hawaii.
The winners of this year’s poster contest include:
Students from Central Middle School’s Student Government Association (SGA) emailed several questions to their Senator, Suzanne Chun Oakland (District 13- Sand Island, Kalihi, Liliha, Nu’uanu, Pauoa, Pu’unui) as part of this year’s “Ask Your Senator” project. Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland sat down to share her thoughts and answers to to some of the students’ questions.
Why is the gas prices going up and is there anything that can be done to address this?”
-Central Middle School Student
To view the Senator’s answer to this question, click here.
1. Is there anything Senator Chun Oakland can do to relocate the Methadone Clinic directly across from our school on Kukui Street?
2. What about the homeless population frequenting Kamamalu park on Vineyard Blvd.?”
-Central Middle School Student
To view the Senator’s answer to this question, click here.
Central Middle School would like to invite Senator Chun Oakland to speak with our SGA. If and when time permits, can she visit our school to speak with our SGA office/ students?”
-Central Middle School Student
To view the Senator’s answer to this question, click here.
How is the rail project coming along?”
-Central Middle School Student
To view the Senator’s answer to this question, click here.
Is there a way to reduce taxes?”
-Central Middle School Student
To view the Senator’s answer to this question, click here.
Students from Roosevelt High School’s Participation in Democracy class emailed several questions to their State Senators as part of this year’s “Ask Your Senator” project. Questions asked were derived from the students’ participation in the class’s assignment, Project Citizen. The assignment asks students to identify an issue in their community, research the problem, develop and evaluate alternative solutions, and reach their own solution to the problem in the form of a public policy. Together, Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland (District 13-Sand Island, Kalihi, Liliha, Nu’uanu, Pauoa, Pu’unui) and Senator Carol Fukunaga (District 11- Makiki/Punchbowl, Ala Moana, McCully) sat down to answer the students’ questions.
A group of students were interested in pedestrian safety on Nehoa Street, which is near their school. One student asked:
My group and I are currently doing a Project Citizen assignment regarding the crosswalk near our stadium, located on Nehoa St. There are no lights to signal drivers or pedestrians when they should stop or cross. We are thinking of alternate solutions that would catch the driver’s attention to prevent drivers from hitting pedestrians as they cross the street. We would like your support in pushing our policy through. Do you know of any possible solutions that we can create to solve our problem?” -Roosevelt High School Student
To view the Senators’ answers to this question, click here.
A handful of students were interested in the qualification requirements for current decision makers in the Department of Education (DOE). Specifically, one student asked:
We are doing Project Citizen in my Participation in Democracy class. We hope that we may be able to alter the way decisions are made about schools. We have come up with an issue that the decision makers are not highly qualified and do not have classroom experience. Our proposal is that before becoming a decision maker of the DOE, you must achieve an educational degree and gain classroom experience. That way, the members in charge of decisions for the schools are able to decide with knowledge, the appropriate actions to take in ways that would improve and benefit students and teachers for the better. Without experience in the classroom, decision makers are blind in what would be best.
What do you think of our issue and proposal?” -Roosevelt High School Student
To view the Senators’ answers to this question, click here.
One group of students were interested in addressing the increasing dropout rate of high school students in the State of Hawaii, explaining:
There is an issue that we would like to approach for Project Citizen. The number of high school students who are dropping out of school are increasing in the State of Hawaii. We feel this would be an appropriate issue for us to address to help our community get involved more with our high school students. We would like to see more student graduate from high school, so that they have a greater chance in getting into college, hence, better jobs, especially for our local kids. We would like to ask how you feel about this issue and whether or not you agree with that this topic is a big issue in the state of Hawaii.” -Roosevelt High School Student
To view the Senators’ answers to this question, click here.
One group of students were interested in offering vocational classes as electives, explaining:
As the students of Roosevelt High School, we are conducting a research project to prepare our graduates for a better future in collegiate and workforce careers. Our plan is to have more vocational classes offered as electives. We’re proposing classroom work time for the first semester and then going to community colleges/business schools for hands-on experience for the second semester.
We are asking for your support and we would also like your opinions and feedback on our pursuit for this change.” -Roosevelt High School Student
To view the Senators’ answers to this question, click here.
A group of students were interested in reinstating their school’s tradition of the senior patio. One student explained:
Me and my period 6 social studies class are working on Project Citizen. We want to bring back the tradition of the senior patio being exclusively for seniors so that next year the seniors can sit down in their own area and eat their lunch together. They can feel a sense of accomplishment that they earned to sit at the senior patio from their 3 years of hard work. That’s why we want to bring back the tradition. I was wondering if you can support us in reinforcing the tradition of the senior patio, and maybe even give us any suggestions.” -Roosevelt High School Student
To view the Senators’ answers to this question, click here.
State lawmakers joined Governor Neil Abercrombie in a ceremony recognizing winners of this year’s Play It Safe Safety Poster Contest on Thursday, November 17, 2011. The event was held in theGovernor’s Ceremonial Room.
Sponsored annually by the Play It Safe International Program, the contest seeks to educate students from preschool through third grade on the importance of safety awareness and prevention. Over the past twenty-eight years, the Play It Safe International Program has greatly expanded safety awareness through educating children across the United States of America and other countries.
“I believe that programs like the Play It Safe Safety Poster Contest provide valuable opportunities to help educate our children, beginning at an early age, on the importance of health and safety awareness and prevention,” said Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, who serves as the advisory chairperson for the Play It Safe International Program here in Hawaii. “It is an important reminder for all of us to be mindful of the potential dangers and risks that are encountered throughout the course of our daily lives.”
The winners of this year’s poster contest include:
The Senate Concurrent Resolution 130 working group and members of the community met for a brainstorming session at the Academy Art Center at Linekona on Wednesday, September 21, 2011. Those invited to the meeting included members from the Academy Art Center at Linekona, the Department of Education, the Arts education community, the City & County of Honolulu, Neighborhood boards, and neighboring properties.
The working group hoped to gain input on a long range plan for the properties at the Art Center, which serves as an art resource center for teachers, and benefits the surrounding community .
The working group was formed out of Senate Concurrent Resolution 130, SD1, which was passed by the Legislature during this past 2011 Legislative Session. The resolution, sponsored by Senators Brain Taniguchi, Carol Fukunaga, and Suzanne Chun Oakland, requested the Department of Education (DOE) to establish a working group to consider using the buildings adjacent to the Academy Art Center at Linekona on Young Street as an art resource center for teachers.
“Art education provides the potential to foster creativity that exists in each and every one of our children,” said Senator Taniguchi. “This resolution is another example on how we are providing opportunities to strengthen our teachers’ professional training and development, which in turn, improves art education in our schools.”
The Senate Concurrent Resolution 130 working group includes:
Senator Brian Taniguchi (District 10)
Senator Carol Fukunaga (District 11)
Senator Brickwood Galuteria (District 12)
Representative Della Au Belatti (District 25)
Representative Karl Roads (District 27)
Councilmember Tulsi Gabbard (District 6)
Councilmember Ann Kobayashi (District 5)
Vince Hazen, Director (Academy Art Center at Linekona)
Duane Preble, Community Member Representative (Honolulu Academy of Art Trustee)
Charles Kagawa, Facilities Director (Office of School Facilitates and Support Services, DOE)
Katherine Sakuda, Administrator SL II (Curriculum and Instruction Branch, DOE)
Evan Tottori, Resource Teacher (APP-AIR Curriculum and Instruction Branch, DOE)
Bundit Kanisthakhon, Architect (Tadpole Studios)
HONOLULU– Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland invites everyone to view the debut of a photo exhibit called, “The 100th Anniversary of the Revolution of 1911 Great Changes in the Capital—Beijing.” It can be viewed from September 23-30, 2011, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hawaii State Capitol’s Chamber Level.
The opening ceremony for the exhibit will be held on Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 4:30 p.m. in the State Capitol Auditorium.
The photo exhibit is co-sponsored by the Dr. Sun Yat-sen Hawaii Foundation, in cooperation with the Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.
“I am really excited to see the photos that capture China’s history and culture during the Xin Hai Revolution and how the country evolved into modern China,” said Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, who is a member of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce. She represents District 13, encompassing Sand Island, Kalihi, Liliha, Nuuanu, Pauoa and Puunui.
“I encourage everyone to see the exhibit and learn more about China’s history,” she added.
Following its debut at the State Capitol, the exhibit will be transferred to the Hawaii Heritage Center for permanent display.
(Honolulu) – The State House and Senate Committees on Human Services will be holding a joint informational briefing to receive updates from the Department of Human Services (DHS) Med QUEST Division on some changes being proposed and/or implemented by DHS as they relate to Medicaid programs. Members of the public are also invited to attend the hearing regarding any issues that may have arisen or may need attention in the provision of health services covered by Medicaid.
The Informational Briefing will be held on Friday, July 29, at 9:00 a.m. in Conference Room 329, at the State Capitol.
Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, Chair of the Senate Committee on Human Services, said “We hope local residents will show up at the hearing to listen to these changes that could impact Medicaid, and to express their ideas and comments directly to the their legislators and the Human Services people who administer Medicaid.”
On July 11, 2011, Governor Neil Abercrombie signed several senate bills into law. They include:
Senate Bill 11, assists in the planning for a potential separation of the Department of Public Safety and the Sheriff by establishing a task force. Once established, the task force’s duties, among other things, will be to determine whether a new Department of the Sheriff is needed, and if its establishment is feasible and needed, to begin the planning process. Findings and recommendations of the task force are to be reported to the legislature. The bill was introduced by Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland. The measure will go into effect on July 1, 2011.
Senate Bill 45, which facilitates more effective administrative and operational management of the Sheriff Division of the Department of Public Safety by repealing the civil service exemption for the first and second deputy sheriffs. To address the shortage, the Department of Public Safety has been working with the Department of Human Resources Development to expand the deputy sheriff class series to include captains and majors. However, the Department of Human Resources Development has required that the deputy sheriff positions first be converted to civil service before an expansion of the deputy sheriff class series is considered. This measure takes a necessary step toward improving the administration and operations of the Sheriff Division. The bill was introduced by Sen. Will Espero. The measure will go into effect on January 1, 2012
Senate Bill 631, encourages and facilitates the development of solar renewable energy facilities in Hawaii by increasing, with certain limitations, the areas within agricultural lands in which solar energy facilities can be constructed. The bill was introduced by Sen. Malama Solomon. The measure will go into effect upon approval.
Senate Bill 1213, establishes a temporary task force to study and make recommendations on state and county administrative rules to be amended or repealed to expedite the permitting and approval process. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort to improve governmental efficiency. The bill was introduced by Sen. Malama Solomon. The measure will go into effect upon approval.
Senate Bill 1530, authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to extend hotel, resort, commercial, and industrial leases for lessees who commit to making substantial improvements to the existing improvements. Authorizing the extension of leases will give hotels and resorts incentives to reinvest in their properties, which will improve the hotel and resort industry throughout the State. The bill was introduced by Sen. Malama Solomon. The measure will go into effect on July 1, 2011.
On July 1, 2011, Governor Neil Abercrombie signed several bills into law. They include:
Senate Bill 219 (ACT 174), which protects female inmates and their unborn babies. The measure prohibits the physical and mechanical restraint, including shackling and handcuffing, of inmates who are pregnant or in postpartum recovery. The bill was introduced by Senator Jill Tokuda. It will go into effect upon approval.
Senate Bill 892 (Act 175), which addresses the provisions in the Hawaii Revised Statutes regarding service animals that are either obsolete or inconsistent with federal law. The bill was introduced by Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland. It goes into effect upon approval.
Senate Bill 1154 (Act 178), whichpreserves the culturally and historically rich area of South Kona on the island of Hawaii by establishing the South Kona Wilderness Area. It will be administered by the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The bill was introduced by Senator Gil Kahele. It will go into effect on July 1, 2011.
Senate Bill 921 (Act 179) , which would allow certain child service providers to provide emergency shelter and related services to minors (runaway or transient youth) at no cost under certain circumstances. The bill was introduced by Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland. It goes into effect on July 1, 2011.
Honolulu – The public is invited to attend a community meeting to receive updates on the tsunami recovery efforts at Ke‘ehi Boat Harbor. The progress of pier improvements will also be discussed.
Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland (D –Sand Island, Kalihi, Liliha, Nu‘uanu, Pauoa, Pu‘unui) and Representative Joey Manahan (D – Sand Island, Mokauea, Kalihi Kai, Kapalama) are hosting the meeting. <strong>It will be held on Thursday, April 7, 2011, from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Ke‘ehi Boat Club</strong>, located at 4 Sand Island Access Road.
These representatives from state organizations will also attend:
Ed Texeira, State Civil Defense
William Aila, Chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources
Ed Underwood, Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Small Boat Harbor Administrator
Meghan Statts, DLNR Small Boat Harbor Oahu District Administrator
Carty Chang, DLNR Land Division, Engineering Division
Eric Yuasa, DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, Engineering Branch
Concerns and recommendations by the public are highly encouraged.
“The safety of our boaters and community comes first. We’d like to work with the community to discuss needed improvements to the harbor and to ensure that our safety plan is effective in the event of another disaster,” said Sen. Chun Oakland, who represents District 13, Sand Island, Kalihi, Liliha, Nu‘uanu, Pauoa, Pu‘unui.
