The state officially launched a multi-governmental initiative today to address drug abuse prevention in Hawai’i. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports. Strategic Planning Group, Seated L-R: Dr. Judy Mohr Peterson, administrator of Med-QUEST; Rep. Gregg Takayama; Dr. Ginny Pressler, director, Department of Health; Sen. Jill Tokuda; Rep. Della Belatti; Sen. Josh Green. Standing, L-R: Dr. Alvin Bronstein, chief of EMS and Injury Prevention; Dan Galanis, state Epidemiologist; Eddie Mersereau, division chief at Alcohol & Drug Abuse Division. Drug Poisoning is the leading cause of fatal injuries in Hawai’i, surpassing death by motor vehicles dating back ten years. Department of Health director, Dr. Ginny Pressler, is heading a strategic planning group to leverage federal resources and address drug abuse prevention and treatment. “We have been fortunate in getting some federal dollars adding up to almost $10 million through multiple sources to address the opioid addiction problem. And we are using that opportunity to pull all the parties involved in this issue to address addiction in a broader context.” Hawai’i ranks 43rd in the nation for drug overdose deaths. But, State Epidemiologist, Dan Galanis, says 23 percent of fatal injuries in Hawai’i over the last 5 years were drug overdoses. “The peak ages for both fatal overdoses and overdoses that have a nonfatal event , 45-to-60 and slightly higher for males. You don’t see much in residents under the age of 18 years of age, but from 20 up to 50 is comparable throughout that sort of age range.” Senator Josh Green is an Emergency Room Doctor at Kohala Hospital on the Big Island. He says a more comprehensive approach to prevention is required. “Fifty percent of all the pills that get into people’s bodies don’t even come from the prescription that came from a provider, nurse practitioner or doctor. We know kids in Hilo getting pills, dollar a milligram. They buy the pills, they crush them and put them into Coca Cola and then we see the overdoses at schools and kids get wheeled into my ER.” Green says 10 percent of Americans have a drug addiction problem. Representative Della Au Belatti chairs the House Health Committee. She says the legislature has enacted laws to limit the number of narcotic pain pills that can be prescribed and also implemented a drug monitoring program. Now, she says, it’s time for a more comprehensive plan. “It’s so important here to have all the public health agency branches within the Department of Health, the medical community, as well as people who are on the front lines in the health care clinics, in the substance abuse treatment programs to which things like the drug courts are referring people to. So this really is across executive and judicial branches so that we’re treating this as a public health problem and making sure people are getting the treatment that they need.” The Strategic Planning Group will develop recommendations for the upcoming legislative session scheduled to adjourn in January. Dr. Pressler says the group’s approach is to take the initiative. “The really important aspect of what we’re doing here today is to look at all addiction as a chronic disease. And I’m very excited that Hawai’i, we’re getting ahead of the whole problem, so that we can take a very proactive approach before this becomes as big a problem as it is in other states in the nation.” According to the State Department of Health, on average,13 people die each month in Hawai’i from drug poisoning. Wayne Yoshioka, HPR News. #HawaiiPublicRadio #WayneYoshioka #drugpoisoning #GinnyPressler #DanGalanis #Opioid #JoshGreen #KohalaHospital #JillTokuda

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – The sacrifices of Filipino soldiers who fought alongside the United States and allied forces to bring an end to World War II are now being recognized and their final wishes of being buried in their homeland granted with the signing of House Bill 1420 (Act 105) into law. The Filipino soldiers played a vital role in the Allied victory of the Pacific as their numerous guerrilla actions provided the United States forces with time to build and prepare for the Allied counterattack. Although Filipino soldiers displayed tremendous courage and risked their lives to win the war in the Pacific, many of these soldiers were denied full veterans benefits, including burial benefits, which had been promised to them by the United States. While Filipino soldiers meeting specific requirements were eventually provided with burial benefits at national and state veterans cemeteries at no cost, similar to other veterans of the United States Armed Forces, the wish of some Filipino soldiers who were living in Hawai‘i was that their remains be returned to their homeland. However, this benefit of returning the remains of Filipino soldiers to their homeland for burial was not provided to them. Under Act 105, an appropriation of $50,000 of general revenues for fiscal year 2017-2018 will be made available for burial grants for Filipino-American veterans of WWII. The grants cover funeral and burial costs, including the cost of returning their remains to the Philippines for burial, provided that federal funding remains unavailable for this purpose, there remains eligible Filipino-American veterans living in the State of Hawai‘i and the appropriation shall be matched on a one-to-one basis from private sources. “These brave Filipino World War II veterans deserve the respect to have their last wish granted to be buried in the Philippines,” said Sen. Donna Mercado Kim (Dist. 14 - Kapalama, ‘Alewa, Kalihi Valley, Ft. Shafter, Moanalua Gardens & Valley, portions of Halawa and ‘Aiea). “Fewer and fewer of them remain with us, many whom are well into their 90’s. Granting their last wish to be reunited with their families in death seems like a small sacrifice for the State compared to the larger sacrifices they made for our nation.” “The signing of this measure not only symbolizes a much overdue recognition of their sacrifices for our country’s freedom, it also provides justice for the Filipino-American veterans of the second World War,” said Sen. Clarence Nishihara (Dist. 17 - Waipahu, Crestview, Manana, Pearl City, Pacific Palisades) Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs. # # # #DonnaMercadoKim #ClarenceNishihara #LorraineInouye #Hawaiisenate #FilipinoVeterans #FilipinoSoldiers #HB1420 #FilipinoAmerican

WAHIAWA, Hawai‘i - The University of Arkansas Community Design Center's (UACDC) master plan for the Whitmore Agribusiness Technology Park has been named to the 2017 World Architecture Festival Awards' shortlist in the category of Future Projects – Master Planning. The World Architecture Festival is the world's largest, live, inclusive and interactive global architectural awards program and festival. Since September 2016, the UACDC, in partnership with UA Office for Sustainability and UA Resiliency Center, has been working with the Agribusiness Development Corporation and various state and county agencies to develop the proof-of-concept master plan. The Agribusiness Development Corporation is the client and sponsor of the project that is being developed for the State. Local farmers in Hawai‘i face challenges today such as complying with food safety standards and reaching optimal economic scale. To address these challenges, the Agribusiness Development Corporation is taking a holistic approach so multiple issues can be solved through a consolidated facility in Whitmore Village. The future facility includes plans for processing and packaging facilities, retail areas for value-added products, and farmer workforce housing. Furthermore, ADC is currently in the process of purchasing over 1,500 acres of agricultural land in Central Oahu that will be leased out to local farmers for scaled production. “I am very proud to see the progress of this project being recognized on an international platform,” said Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz (Dist. 22 – Mililani Mauka, Launani Valley, Wahiawa, Waipi‘o Acres, Wheeler, Whitmore Village). “I look forward to the future of Whitmore Agribusiness Technology Park and how it will have a positive effect on the future of Hawai‘i's agriculture industry. The University of Arkansas Community Design Center will be invited to present their designs to a jury of more than 100 international judges, who will then determine the best projects within 32 completed and future project categories. The festival will take place on November 15-17 at the Arena Berlin, Germany. For more information on the World Architecture Festival, please visit www.worldarchitecturefestival.com # # # #DonovanDelaCruz #WhitmoreVillage #UniversityofArkansasCommunityDesignCenter #hawaiiSenate

Bolstered by the passage of a similar measure on Maui, the Hawaii County Council on Friday moved an amended version of a bill banning polystyrene foam food containers to the Environmental Management Commission. The measure, Bill 13, will return to the council later this summer for further action on first reading. If passed, it would go into effect July 1, 2019, with an educational program initiated that January. Maui’s bill, passed unanimously by that council and signed last month by Mayor Alan Arakawa, goes into effect Dec. 31, 2018. This makes Maui the first county in the state to pass a ban, while Hawaii County has been struggling with it for several years. Puna Councilwoman Eileen O’Hara, the bill sponsor, asked that the bill go to the Environmental Management Commission, whose members previously complained they’d had no input. O’Hara had led an ad hoc committee of stakeholders after the bill bogged down on a split vote last year. Testifiers have been overwhelmingly in favor of the ban. The only testifier opposed to the measure Friday was Joy Gold, who represents an Oahu foam food container manufacturer. She said the ban doesn’t make sense because the county doesn’t have a compost facility to handle the compostable alternatives. In fact, she said, the polystyrene foam containers are seen as a valuable feedstock for waste-to-energy plants such as one in the works for a site near the Puuanahulu landfill in West Hawaii. Gold said East Hawaii businesses buy 80 percent locally distributed polystyrene and 20 percent compostable or other paper-based products. The opposite is true in West Hawaii. Foam food containers account for less than 1 percent of waste in Big Island landfills, she said. She said compostable products can cost $40 to $65 more a case containing 200 to 500 units. “Smaller mom and pop operators must outlay cash to purchase cases of product in advance of sales,” she said in testimony. “This impacts thin profit margins and raising the cost of plate lunches is not always a competitive option.” Other testifiers disagreed. State Sen. Russell Ruderman, D-Puna, speaking as an individual, said it’s been more than 18 years since his Island Naturals stores opened, using almost no polystyrene food containers. “I’ve been watching with humor as folks say we can’t do it,” Ruderman said. “It’s fear-mongering that’s been going on. It’s not reality.” Steve Hirakami, director of Hawaii Academy of Arts &Science Public Charter School, disputed figures provided by opponents. He said his school switched from foam to alternative containers for its 637 students after he saw prices dropping because of more competition among manufacturers. While the containers once cost an average of 34 cents compared to 11 or 12 cents for foam, the price has now dropped to 18 cents, he said. Some council members didn’t think the cost difference was too great. “The cost to the environment and sea life is more important than a few more cents on a product,” said North Kona Councilwoman Karen Eoff. Eoff, along with two other current council members, had voted for the ban last year. Some other council members still aren’t ready to decide, and one member, Hilo Councilman Aaron Chung, has said repeatedly he is opposed. Some council members want further tweaking. “The exemptions bother me,” said Tim Richards, vice chairman of the ad hoc committee. “If we’re going to be a county that embraces it, we should embrace it wholeheartedly.” The bill as written exempts ice chests and coolers, county facility users and food vendors with county approval and providers of supplies during county emergencies declared by the mayor. Email Nancy Cook Lauer at ncook-lauer@westhawaiitoday.com. #RussellRuderman #EileenOHara #EnvironmentalManagementCommission

A law targeting the illegal wildlife trade in Hawai‘i has taken effect as of June 30, 2017, after passing the 2016 legislative session. The measure is “the most comprehensive U.S. state law targeting the illegal wildlife trade” according to a press release from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). Senate Bill 2647 (Act 125), sponsored by Senator Mike Gabbard, prohibits the sale, offer for sale, purchase, trade, possession with intent to sell or barter for any part or product of any species of elephant, mammoth, rhinoceros, tiger, great ape, shark and ray, sea turtle, walrus, narwhal, whale, hippopotamus, monk seal, lion, pangolin, cheetah, jaguar and leopard. These animals are recognized as endangered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and the Endangered Species Act. The law provides for continued exemptions for bona fide antiques, musical instruments, guns and knives, and traditional practices. It does not prohibit possession of these species of animals. “I worked on this issue for a number of years after learning that a 2008 investigation identified Hawai‘i as having the third largest ivory market in the U.S., only behind New York and California,” said Sen. Gabbard. “Many may not be aware that globally, wildlife trafficking falls right behind, and often hand-in-hand with illegal drugs, weapons and human trafficking crimes. Act 125 now serves as a model for other states and nations to emulate.” “Wildlife trafficking remains a high priority for enforcement,” said DLNR Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement Chief Robert Farrell. “We support any legislation that recognizes the importance of protecting species that are at risk of exploitation. Hawai’i is doing its part to be globally aware of this issue.” Enforcement of the new law was delayed until the end of June this year to allow individuals and businesses who possess wildlife products to lawfully dispossess them. During the last four years, several U.S. states have pushed for stricter laws on illegal wildlife trafficking including New York, New Jersey, California and most recently, Nevada. These states have passed laws against the purchase and sale of products made of elephant ivory, rhino horn and other endangered species. Washington and Oregon have enacted similar measures through ballot initiatives. The newly implemented Hawai‘i law was supported by local residents and grassroots and national conservation animal protection groups including The Humane Society of the United States, Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, NSEFU Wildlife Foundation and the Global March for Elephants and Rhinos, Vulcan Inc., International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Humane Society International (HSI), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). https://bigislandnow.com/2017/07/08/nations-broadest-wildlife-trafficking-ban-takes-effect-in-hawaii/ #mikegabbard #ConventiononInternationalTrade #EndangeredSpeciesAct #Ivory #SeaTurtle #DLNR #NSEFUWildlifeFoundation #NaturalResourcesDefenseCouncil

WHO: Sen. Will Espero, Rep. Tom Brower, Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Office of Project Management WHAT: Informational Briefing on affordable and workforce housing WHEN: Wednesday, July 12, 2017 10:30 a.m. WHERE: Conference Room 229 State Capitol Senator Will Espero, chair of the Senate Committee on Housing and Representative Tom Brower, chair of the House Committee on Housing will be holding a joint informational briefing on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. in Conference Room 229. The Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) will provide updates on its operations, projects, and goals, with a focus on building affordable or workforce housing. The briefing will also include an update on the Alder Street Housing project and judiciary components. The following individuals are invited to speak: Craig K. Hirai, Executive Director, Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation Dee Dee Letts, Coordinator, Office of Project Management, First Judicial Circuit The joint committee will allow limited time for public comments regarding affordable housing ideas. Agenda: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2017/hearingnotices/HEARING_HOU-HSG_07-12-17_INFO_.HTM # # # #willespero #HawaiiHousingFinanceandDevelopmentCorporatio #HHFDC #CraigHirai #DeeDeeLetts

HONOLULU, Hawaiʻi- Senator J. Kalani English (Dist. 7- Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and Kahoʻolawe) called the signing of House Bill 451 into law “a major step in ensuring stability for generations of Hawaiian families living on homesteads.” In an historic and symbolic gesture, the signing of HB451 (Act 80) marks the first time that a bill was signed into law on Molokaʻi, the site of the original Hawaiian Homestead lots at Kalamaʻula in 1924. HB451 lowers the Native Hawaiian blood quantum requirement from one quarter to one thirty-second for specified relatives to qualify to assume a Hawaiian homestead lease. “This Act will allow a current homestead lessee to ensure a reasonable level of security for his or her relatives who do not have the current requirements for successorship and will allow homestead property to stay within a family for generations to come,” said Sen. English. For more information on HB451, please visit http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=451&year=2017 # # # #HawaiiSenate #JKalaniEnglish #bloodquantum #HawaiianHomestead #HB451 #HB451 #Maui

“In an olympic-type fashion, FESTPAC 2020 will attract thousands of delegates from more than 27 Pacific Island nations to celebrate the richness and diversity of our indigenous cultures and art. More importantly, this is an indigenous festival for and by the peoples of the Pacific.” -Sen. J. Kalani English HONOLULU, Hawaiʻi- At the recently completed 2016 Festival of Pacific Arts (FESTPAC) in Guam, Senator J. Kalani English (Dist. 7 - Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, Kaho‘olawe) received the FESTPAC flag on behalf of the State of Hawaiʻi symbolizing the honor of hosting the Festival in 2020. The State of Hawaiʻi will have the prestigious honor of hosting The 13th Festival of Pacific Arts from June 11-27, 2020. FESTPAC is hosted every four years by a different Pacific Island nation. The festival was initiated by the Conference of the South Pacific Commission (now the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, SPC) to stem the erosion of traditional cultural practices. Since 1972, delegations from 27 Pacific Island countries and territories have gathered in an olympic-type setting to showcase their indigenous culture through art, song and dance. FESTPAC attracts thousands of visitors from around the world who appreciate the work of artists, performers and cultural practitioners from different nations in Oceania. The festival also creates a global market for art, ideas and indigenous products. In preparation for the 2020 FESTPAC, Sen. English introduced Senate Bill 545 which appropriates $500,000 to create a temporary commission on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts that will plan for the historic event. At a ceremony in his office, the Governor today signed SB 545 into law as Act 104. For more information, or to read SB545 in its entirely please visit http://capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=545 For more information on FESTPAC 2020, please visit http://www.paifoundation.org/festpac2020/ # # # #FESTPAC #jkalanienglish #ConferenceoftheSouthPacificCommision #SecretariatofthePacificCommunity #Oceania #SB545 #PaiFoundation #VickyHoltTakamine

The bill prohibits the sale, offer for sale, purchase, trade, possession with intent to sell, or barter for any part or product of any species of elephant, mammoth, rhinoceros, tiger, great ape, shark and ray, sea turtle, walrus, narwhal, whale, hippopotamus, monk seal, lion, pangolin, cheetah, jaguar, and leopard, all identified as threatened with extinction by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and the Endangered Species Act. The law does not prohibit the mere possession of such items. While the bill passed in the 2016 legislature, enforcement of the law was delayed until June 30, 2017, to grant individuals and businesses with wildlife products in their possession time to lawfully dispossess of the items. The law also provides continued reasonable exemptions for bona fide antiques, musical instruments, guns and knives, and traditional cultural practices. “I worked on this issue for a number of years after learning that a 2008 investigation identified Hawai‘i as having the 3rd largest ivory market in the US, only behind New York and California. Many may not be aware that globally, wildlife trafficking falls right behind, and often hand in hand with illegal drugs, weapons and human trafficking crimes. Act 125 now serves as a model for other states and nations to emulate,” said Senator Mike Gabbard. “Wildlife trafficking remains a high priority for enforcement. We support any legislation that recognizes the importance of protecting species that are at risk of exploitation. Hawai’i is doing its part to be globally aware of this issue”, said the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement Chief Robert Farrell. In the past four years, a number of states across the US have pushed for stricter laws to crack down on illegal wildlife trafficking. New York, New Jersey, California and most recently Nevada have each passed laws prohibiting the purchase and sale of products made with elephant ivory and rhino horn and other imperiled species. Washington and Oregon enacted similar measures through ballot initiatives. Photo credit: Wildlife Conservation Society The Hawai‘i bill was supported by dozens of grassroots and national conservation and animal protection groups including The Humane Society of the United States, Conservation Council for Hawaii, NSEFU Wildlife Foundation and the Global March for Elephants and Rhinos, Vulcan Inc., International Fund for Animal Welfare, Humane Society International, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Senate Bill 2647 (Act 125), sponsored by Senator Mike Gabbard, is described as the most comprehensive US state law targeting the illegal wildlife trade. As the “endangered species capital of the world,” Hawai‘i knows first-hand the devastating impacts of losing significant and iconic native species. Now, state have taken a historic step in helping to prevent the further loss of critically endangered species within its own borders and abroad. #MikeGabbard #illegalwildlifetrafficking #rhinohorn #HumaneSociety #WildlifeConservationSociety #NaturalResourcesDefenseCouncil #SB2647

NEWLY ENACTED LAWS SUPPORT WOMEN’S HEALTH, IMPROVES HEALTHCARE ACCESS, PROTECTS CHILDREN HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – Members of the Hawai‘i Women’s Legislative Caucus (WLC) were on hand as Governor David Ige signed several measures into law which provide greater assurance for families who utilize child care services, supports women’s health and access to healthcare, and addresses the growing opioid abuse epidemic. The three measures signed into law were part of a package of bills submitted this session by the WLC. An additional resolution, HCR 158, was adopted by the Legislature. HCR 158 encourages the continuation and expansion of community-based work furlough programs to assist female inmates transition back into society. 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. “I’m pleased the Governor joins us in striving to make our state stronger by supporting women and families,” said Sen. Rosalyn Baker (S Dist. 6 - South and West Maui) and WLC Co-convener. “It’s a joy to work alongside these women legislators who consider the health, safety and well-being of the women and families of our state as a priority.” “We are a caucus that is persistent. We not only passed bills, we also passed key resolutions that really build upon the collaboration of state, county and community stakeholders,” said Representative Della Au Bellati (H Dist. 24 - Makiki, Tantalus, McCully, Pawa‘a, Mānoa) and WLC Co-convener. “Signing the bill is just one thing, we now have to implement these measures. So, by partnering with our department agencies and folks within the communities, we make sure these bills actually deliver on the policies we put in place.” The House and Senate bills signed by the Governor today: SB505 SD1 HD2 CD1 (Act 66) Relating to Health Requires prescribing healthcare providers to adopt and maintain policies for informed consent to opioid therapy in circumstances that carry elevated risk of dependency. An informed consent process is considered a best practice in tackling over prescriptions of opioids. Establishes limits for concurrent opioid and benzodiazepine prescriptions. Clarifies Board of Nursing authority to enforce compliance with Uniform Controlled Substances Act. Repeals 6/30/2023. SB513 SD1 HD2 CD1 (Act 67) Relating to Contraceptive Supplies Authorizes pharmacists to prescribe and dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptive supplies to patients regardless of a previous prescription, subject to specified education and procedural requirements. Enables pharmacists to be reimbursed for prescribing and dispensing contraceptive supplies. SB514 SD1 HD1 CD1 (Act 68) Relating to Health Authorizes pharmacists to administer the human papillomavirus, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), meningococcal, or influenza vaccine to persons between eleven and seventeen years of age. Specifies requirements pharmacists must meet prior to administering the human papillomavirus, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis), meningococcal, or influenza vaccine. # # # #RozBaker #Jilltokuda #LorraineInouye #LauraThielen #DonnaMercadoKim

Maui Mana'o Episode 2: featuring Senator Gilbert Keith-Agaran, Senator Roz Baker and Senator J. Kalani English hosted by Senate Communications Director Jill Kuramoto on the 2017 Legislative Session and more! Tune into Olelo Channel 49 or watch in online, July 3, 2017 at 2:30am. Program runs for 26 minutes. Aloha! #hawaiisenate #GilbertKeithAgaran #RozBaker #jkalanienglish #jillkuramoto #Mauimanao #mauimanao #Olelo

SENS. KIDANI AND DELA CRUZ TO HOST COMMUNITY MEETING ON HURRICANE SEASON PREPAREDNESS WHO: Sen. Michelle Kidani, Sen. Donavan Dela Cruz WHAT: Hurricane Season Preparedness Meeting WHERE: Mililani High School Cafeteria 95-1200 Meheula Pkwy WHEN: Thursday, July 6, 2017 7:00 p.m. State Senators Michelle N. Kidani (Dist. 18 – Mililani Town, portion of Waipi‘o Gentry, Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia) and Donovan M. Dela Cruz (Dist. 22 - Mililani Mauka, Launani Valley, Wahiawa, Waipio Acres, Wheeler, Whitmore Village) are hosting a community meeting to provide Central Oahu residents with information on the 2017 hurricane season. The meeting will be held on Thursday, July 6, 2017 from 7:00 p.m. at the Mililani High School Cafeteria. Officials from various agencies will be present to provide information on the types of tropical cyclones, what to expect during the upcoming hurricane season, and how to prepare for any potential storm systems. "Our community needs to be prepared for the upcoming hurricane season," said Sen. Kidani. "Signing up for weather alerts, developing a family emergency plan, and building an emergency kit are all ways to be weather-ready." The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Central Pacific Hurricane Center predicts a strong chance of a near- or above-normal hurricane season, which lasts through November 30. This means a probability of five to eight tropical cyclones that will affect the Central Pacific. An average season produces four to five tropical cyclones, which includes tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes. "This is the third season in a row that experts predict to be more active than normal. The community should utilize public resources such as the Central Pacific Hurricane Center or the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency to gather as much information as they can before we enter the latter months of the season," said Sen. Dela Cruz. Officials stress that the outlook is a general guide to the overall seasonal hurricane activity in the Central Pacific basin and does not predict whether, or how many, of these systems will affect Hawai‘i. For questions about the community meeting, please contact Sen. Kidani at 586-7100 or Sen. Dela Cruz at 586-6090. # # # #MichelleKidani #DonovanDelaCruz #Hawaiisenate #Hurricane #MililaniHighSchool #NOAA