WHO: Sen. Will Espero, Rep. Tom Brower WHAT: Public Meeting on Affordable Housing WHERE: Hawai‘i State Capitol Auditorium WHEN: Monday, January 29, 2018 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Senator Will Espero (S Dist. 19 - ‘Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, ‘Ewa by Gentry, Iroquois Point, portion of ‘Ewa Villages) Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing and Representative Tom Brower (H Dist. 22- Waikiki, Ala Moana) Chair of the House Committee on Housing are hosting a public meeting on the issue of affordable housing. It is estimated that 23,000 affordable rental units are needed in Hawai‘i to meet the state’s housing needs over the next ten years. To reach this goal will require a creative and collaborative effort from the government and private sectors. The public is invited to bring their ideas and join in the discussion on finding efficient solutions to developing sustainable affordable housing across the state. The legislative proposals to be considered this Session will also be discussed. Guest presenters at the meeting will be representatives from Faith Action Community Equity (FACE), Institute for Human Services, Next Step Shelter, Partners in Care, Homeless Veteran’s Task Force, and Building Industry Association of Hawai‘i. # # # #hawaiisenate #willespero #talkstory #affordablehousing #InstituteforHumanServices

The Hawai‘i Women’s Legislative Caucus held their annual Legislative Breakfast and Panel Discussion at the YWCA Laniakea on Wednesday, January 24 where the caucus announced their 2018 Legislative Package. Included are bills that address access to quality healthcare, reducing gender violence, protecting children, increasing economic opportunities, and ensuring equal opportunity for women. The health and protection of women from domestic abuse and violence is an ongoing priority expressed by the Women’s Caucus. Protection from violence against women is introduced in SB2342 which mandates health insurance policies and includes coverage for clinical victim support services for victims of sexual violence and abuse. SB2343 expands the jurisdiction of the family court against offenses committed against family and household members, and SB2346 establishes a confidentiality program to help survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, and stalking. In regards to economic opportunities and equality for women, SB509 relates to pay equity and prohibits retaliation or discrimination against employees. SB2351 also prohibits enforced wage secrecy and retaliation or discrimination against employees, while SB2353 prohibits discrimination in education on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. There are also a number of bills that specifically addresses child care as in SB521, which establishes a six week paid maternity and paternity leave policy for government employees and SB2352 enforces protection of children from sex trafficking and prostitution. The Women’s Legislative Caucus is a bi-partisan organization comprised of women legislators in the House and Senate, as well as the County level, who support an agenda designed to improve the lives of women, children, and families in Hawai‘i. # # # #hawaiiwomenslegislativecaucus #ywcalaniakea #2018legislativepackage #donnamercadokim #laurathielen #jilltokuda #lorraineinouye

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – Students at Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School will soon have their long-awaited classroom space with $12.4 million in Capital Improvement Project funding recently released by the Ige Administration. Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School is located on the west coast of Hawai‘i Island. It serves students from preschool to grade 8, with the current enrollment at 800 students and growing. To accommodate the large student body, the school has been using portables for classrooms, as well as open library space. They also have been staggering instructional class time to share the limited classroom space. “Providing our keiki with comfortable and quality learning spaces is a critical component to their path to success,” said Senator Lorraine Inouye (Dist. 4 - Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, Kona) who helped secure the much needed funding during the 2016 Legislative Session. “Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School is literally bursting at the seams, so this new classroom building is going to be a tremendous asset to the students and staff. I’m grateful to my colleagues and the Governor for recognizing the needs of the Waikoloa community.” # # # #lorraineinouye #waikoloa #Waikoloaelementary

HAWAII LEGISLATIVE WOMEN'S CAUCUS TO PRESENT 2018 LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE WHO: Hawaii Women's Legislative Caucus WHAT: Hawaii Legislative Women's Caucus press conference to announce 2018 package WHEN: Wednesday, January 24 7:30-9 a.m. (Press conference to follow YWCA Legislative Breakfast & Panel Discussion by WLC Members) WHERE: Elizabeth Fuller Hall, YWCA Laniakea 1040 Richards Street; Honolulu In partnership with the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Organization of Women Leaders, and YWCA Oahu, members of the 2018 Hawaii Legislative Women's Caucus will participate in its annual breakfast and press conference to present their priority package of bills introduced this session. Every year bills proposed by Caucus members and women's advocacy groups are considered by Caucus members. Those bills that receive the greatest support are selected for inclusion in the package. This year's initiatives cover a broad spectrum of issues from ensuring access to quality healthcare, reducing violence against women, increasing economic opportunities for women in our state, protecting children, and ensuring equal opportunity for women. WLC Co-Convenors: Representative Della Au Belatti Representative Lauren K. Matsumoto Senator Rosalyn H. Baker Senator Laura H. Thielen House Members: Representative Lynn DeCoite, Representative Cindy Evans, Representative Beth Fukumoto, Representative Sharon E. Har, Representative Linda Ichiyama, Representative Lei Learmont, Representative Nicole E. Lowen, Representative Sylvia J. Luke, Representative Dee Morikawa, Representative Nadine K. Nakamura, Representative Joy A. San Buenaventura, Representative Cynthia Thielen, Representative Andria P.L.Tupola Senate Members: Senator Lorraine R. Inouye, Senator Michelle N. Kidani, Senator Donna Mercado Kim, Senator Maile S.L. Shimabukuro, Senator Jill N. Tokuda Click below to view the bills included in the package. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1npLmKGx6p-QuSvwGWYCtNUO9qoHJ3prl ### #laurathielen #rosalynbaker #rozbaker #hawaiisenate #hawaiilegislativewomenscaucus #lorraineinouye #michellekidani #donnamercadokim #maileshimabukuro #jilltokuda

WHO: Sen. Mike Gabbard, Sen. Karl Rhoads, Rep. Chris Lee, Rep. Richard Creagan, a and Rep. Ryan Yamane WHAT: Informational Briefing on Hawai‘i's Interagency Biosecurity Plan WHEN: Wednesday, January 24, 2018 10:00 a.m. WHERE: Conference Room 325 Hawai‘i State Capitol State Senator Mike Gabbard (Dist. 20 - Kapolei, Makakilo, and portions of ‘Ewa, Kalaeloa, and Waipahu), Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment, will be leading a joint informational briefing on the Hawai‘i Interagency Biosecurity Plan on Wednesday, January 24, 2017 at 10 a.m. at the State Capitol, Conference Room 325. The meeting is open to the public. The Department of Agriculture Plant Quarantine Branch will bring live invasive species specimens to the informational briefing. The State of Hawai‘i released the Hawai‘i Interagency Biosecurity Plan for 2017-2027 on January 10, 2017. This Plan is the state's first interagency, coordinated comprehensive plan to tackle the threats and harms from invasive species. Senator Gabbard said, "As Agriculture and Environment Committee Chair, I'm introducing several pieces of legislation this session that support recommendations of the Plan, including bills to develop the Invasive Species Authority, fund plans for a biocontrol containment facility, establish an agriculture import substitution grant program and local agriculture marketing campaign, create a biosecurity emergency response fund, and expand Hawai‘i Island Little Fire Ant control." Presentations will be made by: Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture, Plant Quarantine Branch Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture, Plant Pest Control Branch Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources Department of Health, Vector Control Branch University of Hawai‘i, Invasive Species Committees University of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Ant Lab More information on the briefing can be found on the hearing notice: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2018/hearingnotices/HEARING_AEN-WTL-EEP-AGR-WAL_01-24-18_INFO_.HTM For questions about the informational briefing, contact the Office of Senator Mike Gabbard at 808-586-6830. # # # #mikegabbard #HawaiiInteragencybiosecurityplan #agricultureenvironmental #HawaiiInvasivespeciescouncil #MikeGabbard #hawaiisenate #karlrhoads #chrislee #richardcreagan #ryanyamane

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – The Hawai‘i State Senate today convened the second year of the 29th Legislative Biennium Session with a renewed commitment to protect and sustain the people of Hawai‘i and its natural resources and to strengthen communities through effective legislation. Today’s opening session commenced with an invocation by Pastor Matt Higa from New Hope Kaua‘i. The National Anthem and Hawai‘i Pono‘i was performed by Ms. Nalani Brun. Among the honored guests in the Senate Chamber were members of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly, Governor David Ige, mayors and council members from the neighbor islands. Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi opened the session with remarks on issues where he hopes the Senate will continue to provide leadership and pass meaningful legislation. Senate President Kouchi encouraged Senators to continue to find ways to address the challenges of homelessness and follow through on the commitment to build affordable housing. With the state facing possible cuts of $12 million in federal aid, he asked Senators to remember to protect our kupuna and to ensure they are providing adequate health services for each and every resident of the state. He also encouraged Senators to continue to grow the economy to maintain funding for much needed services. “Creating opportunities for each and every child in this state to close the income gap and to be able to reach for the stars and realize their dreams,” is the reason Senate President Kouchi emphasized education as a priority for the Senate, starting with providing funding to allow better training for teachers to give students the best education available. President Kouchi called for support to expand the Promise Program, which provides tuition assistance for community college “so that financial need is not an obstacle to higher education and make college a reality for each and every student in Hawai‘i.” He also wants to see an expansion of the Early College program, which brings university instructors to local high schools. Students are able to earn college credits while in high school, giving them the confidence to pursue higher learning and helping defray the cost of college, which is “a critical stepping stone to allow our children to find that pathway to success,” said Senate President Kouchi. With the success of the Farm-to-School program that started in Kohala and is expanding to other schools, President Kouchi was encouraged to see a possible partnership between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Education to grow the program that sources local fruits and vegetables, and most recently, locally grown beef. The Department of Education serves more than 100,000 meals a day making it essentially the largest restaurant in the state. “If we have a commitment from the largest restaurant in the State of Hawai‘i to purchase locally grown food, this is the way I see a path forward to put active production on agricultural land the state has purchased and we will be able to bring back farming and address the issue of food security.” Reflecting on the events of Saturday’s false ballistic missile threat, President Kouchi told Senators “we found out how connected we are.” Just as in the moments when there was fear and the foremost thought was expressing love and appreciation for those closest to us, he encouraged Senators “to express love and hope and always be conscious of what you say.” He also vowed to work with the administration to determine the best practices and what is needed to ensure it does not happen again and how, as legislators, they can carry out their responsibilities to guarantee that each citizen and guest of the state will be safe. Kouchi also assured the Governor that all 25 State Senators are committed to working on legislation that provide the best results for the people of Hawai‘i. The Senate has committed to continue to fortify the state’s position as a leader in sustainability and climate change mitigation by working to implement the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals at the state level. The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals is a voluntary international call for action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2018 Senate Legislative Program are posted on the Hawai‘i Senate Majority website www.hawaiisenatemajority.com. “Hawai‘i was the first state in the nation to enact legislation that support the commitments and goals of the Paris climate accord,” said Sen. J. Kalani English, Senate Majority Leader. “The Sustainable Development Goals will continue the efforts of the Senate to build a more resilient state and improve the quality of life for future generations.” Photos of today’s opening session can be viewed on the Hawai‘i Senate Majority website www.hawaiisenatemajority.com and on Flickr www.flickr.com/hawaiisenatemajority. The public can access information on hearings and session activities during the 2018 Legislative Session on the Hawai‘i State Legislature’s website at www.capitol.hawaii.gov. # # # #openingday #hawaiisenate #2018legislature

The Hawai'i Cattlemen’s Council, Inc. (HCC) is the Statewide umbrella organization comprised of the five county level Cattlemen’s Associations. 150+ member ranchers represent over 60,000 head of beef cows; more than 75% of all the beef cows in the State. Ranchers are the stewards of over 1 Million acres of land in Hawaii, or 25% of the State’s total land mass. HCC is also unified with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) as well as your county cattlemen's association. HCC’s goal is to provide every cattle producer in the state the best opportunity to be both sustainable and profitable. They also believe in grass-roots leadership where every producer’s voice is important in establishing policies and direction for our industry both locally and nationally. https://www.hicattle.org More photos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHsm9pMSsd #HawaiiCattlemensCouncil #hawaiisenate #michellekidani #riviere #GilRiviere #ronkouchi #willespero #donnamercadokim #GilbertKeithAgaran

Representing the Hawai‘i State Senate, Senator Ronald Kouchi welcomed members of the Federation of Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly during a formal meeting at the State Capitol. The 15 members of the Assembly were in Hawai‘i as part of the Hawai‘i-Fukuoka sister-state relationship established in 1981. “After the missile scare this past weekend, it just underscores the importance of having strong allies and our continued striving together for peace and not war, so welcome,” said Senate President Kouchi, referring to the false ballistic missile threat alert that frightened residents statewide on January 13. Over the years, the sister-state relationship has been successful in promoting tourism and providing economic benefits for both Hawai‘i and Fukuoka. As part of their tradition, representatives from Fukuoka’s Prefectural Assembly travel annually to attend the Opening Day of the Hawai‘i State Legislature. #fukuoka #kouchi #RonaldKouchi #jkalanienglish #BrickwoodGaluteria #ronkouchi #fukuokaprefecturalassembly #senatepresident #hawaiisenate

Members of the Hawai‘i State Senate welcomed to the State Capitol ten delegates of the Gyeonggi-do Assembly delegation from the Republic of Korea during a formal meeting in the Office of the Senate President. Gyeonggi is located in the western central region of the Korean Peninsula and is the most populous province in South Korea. The delegates are part of a 128-member assembly that serve four year terms. The Gyeonggido Assembly delegates were visiting Hawai‘i Senators the day before the Senate convenes the 2018 Legislative Session and ahead of the start of the Gyeonggido 2018 Special Session which begins in February. The friendly meeting, that included Luis Salaveria, Director of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, was intended to be the first of many more as the Gyeonggido Assembly hopes to forge a stronger relationship with Hawai‘i to help increase tourism and business in both regions. #jkalanienglish #GilbertKeithAgaran #kaialiikahele #willespero #RonKouchi #michellekidani #BrickwoodGaluteria #GyeonggidoAssembly #southkorea #hawaiisenate #LuisSalaveria #republicofkorea

The Hawai'i State Legislature and Olelo Community Media launched a live weekly television program from the State Capitol. The 30-minute program titled "Live at the Legislature" premiered at 8:30 a.m. today and the show will thereafter air on Mondays at 8:30 a.m. (or Tuesdays if Monday is a holiday) until the Legislature adjourns on May 3. The program will air on channel 49. For the Senate, today's featured legislators were Senate President Ron Kouchi and Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English. "We’re always looking for ways to keep our constituents up to date on the events and issues of the Senate during the busy Legislative Session and this show will help us do just that," said Sen. J. Kalani English, Senate Majority Leader. "This is one more way we hope to encourage the public to actively participate in the legislative process and help us to make effective change and build stronger communities." Each week the program will feature segments from the House Majority, House Minority and the Senate to provide perspectives from each chamber. The live-stream of the weekly show will also be seen on OleloNet at www.olelo.com/49. Each show will be available at www.youtube.com/olelocm and through the Hawaii Government Public Network Channel 50. The House will post links on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/hihousedems/ . For more information, visit www.olelo.org. #Jillkuramoto #ronkouchi #jkalanienglish #liveatthelegislature #olelo #hawaiistate #hawaiisenate

The following is a statement by Senator J. Kalani English (Dist. 7- Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lana‘i, Kaho‘olawe), Senate Majority Leader, on today’s false ballistic threat alarm: “The events surrounding this morning’s false alarm regarding a “ballistic missile threat to Hawaiʻi” is both unfortunate and very unacceptable. The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency (Civil Defense) and the United States Pacific Command Center have confirmed that there is no threat to our islands. I am outraged that a mistake of this magnitude occurred. The initial alert was sent out via Civil Defense at 8:15 a.m. HST and it took the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency over 38 minutes to clarify that the “alarm” was inadvertent and indeed a mistake. The panic and pandemonium that many in Hawaiʻi experienced was unwarranted and completely unnecessary. I will be working with my colleagues in the Legislature to investigate into this matter and to provide the proper oversight to ensure that our state emergency alert system is properly functioning. We need to ensure that this never happens again and I am committed to doing so.” # # # #ballisticthreat #ballistialarm #hawaiiEMA #hawaiisenate #jkalanienglish #SenatorEnglish

WHO: Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health House Committee on Health and Human Services WHAT: Informational briefing WHEN: Tuesday, January 16, 2018 1:00 p.m. WHERE: Conference Room 229 State Capitol Senator Rosalyn Baker, Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health and Rep. John Mizuno, Chair of the House Committee on Health and Human Services, are holding an informational briefing on Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. in Conference Room 229 to be appraised on the status of the emergency medical services system statewide and to review the current policies on EMS. Dr. Virginia Pressler, Director of the State Department of Health (DOH), along with representatives from the EMS branch of the DOH will provide an overview of the EMS system. County emergency medical services and private emergency medical ambulance services will also present data on first-responder support. To view the informational briefing notice: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2018/hearingnotices/HEARING_CPH-HHS_01-16-18_INFO_.HTM For further information or if you require auxiliary aids or services to participate in the informational briefing (i.e. ASL or foreign language interpreter, or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the Office of Sen. Baker at 586-6070 to make arrangements. # # # #rosalynbaker #rozbaker #hawaiisenate #virginiapressler #DepartmentofHealth #DOH