MEDIA RELEASE

Sens. Russell Kokubun and Dwight Takamine, and Reps. Jerry Chang, Clift Tsuji and Faye Hanohano will be hosting a mid-session community meeting in Hilo to provide residents an opportunity to share their concerns about legislation in progress and community issues.

Takamine says “this meeting is an opportunity for residents to engage in an open dialogue with their legislators and participate in the conversation about projects affecting people the Hilo area.”

WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 23, 7 p.m.
WHERE: University of Hawaii, Hilo – UCB Room 127

The public is invited to attend and participate in the open forum to inform and educate their legislators on issues that are affecting their communities. The legislators will also be sharing updates on education, budget and projects on the Big Island.

Community and Senior Club meetings

Rep. Mark Nakashima and Sen. Dwight Takamine will hold a series of mid-session legislative meetings with the Community and Senior Clubs to provide updates on the legislative session and district projects.

These meetings will be informative and will seek community input on projects, legislation and issues that both the Representative and Senator can address with their colleagues and respective government agencies. Meetings scheduled throughout the first district will take place the week of Feb. 22:

Community Meetings:

• Feb. 22, Monday, 5 p.m., Kohala (Rep. Nakashima) – Kohala Senior Center
• Feb. 22, Monday, 6:30 p.m., Waimea (Sen. Takamine) – Waimea Middle School Rm K-01
• Feb. 23, Tuesday, 7 p.m., Rural South Hilo – Kalanianaole School Cafeteria
• Feb. 23, Tuesday, 7 p.m. – Hilo (Sen. Takamine), UCB 127
• Feb. 24, Wednesday, 7 p.m. Honokaa – Honokaa School Cafeteria
• Feb. 25, Thursday, 6 p.m., North Hilo Community Council – Laupahoehoe High School

Senior center meetings:

• Feb. 22, Monday, 9 a.m. – Kohala Seniors
• Feb. 23 Tuesday, 9 a.m. – Paauilo Seniors
• Feb. 23, Tuesday, 9 a.m. – Hakalau Seniors
• Feb. 24, Wednesday, 9 a.m. – Honokaa Seniors
• Feb. 25, Thursday, 9 a.m. – Papaikou Seniors
• Feb. 25, Thursday, 10:30 a.m. – Hakalau Seniors

The first representative district includes North Kohala, South Kohala, Hamakua, North Hilo and parts of South Hilo. The first senatorial district includes Waimea, Honokaa, Laupahoehoe, Hamakua, Hilo, Waiakea Uka, and Keaukaha.

MEDIA RELEASE

What’s your “hot button” for the 2010 Legislative session that starts Wednesday, Jan. 20? Is it jobs? Stopping DOE Furlough Fridays? Counties hanging on to the Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT)? Energy or Ag self-sufficiency? The Kawaihae Bypass? Mortgage foreclosure relief? Recruiting more doctors? Government efficiency or downsizing?

Waimea’s elected policy makers – Sen. Dwight Takamine and Rep. Cindy Evans – will participate in this Waimea Community Association Town Meeting to discuss their overview of the 2010 Legislative session and hear from the community about local concerns, priorities and perspectives.

Everyone is invited to WCA Town Meetings. This month’s meeting will be at 5:15 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 14 in Waimea School Cafeteria.

All meetings this year will be in the cafeteria to better facilitate networking and community building. However, meetings are usually held the first Thursday of the month. It was moved this month to accommodate the legislator’s schedules.

To set priorities for Thursday’s legislative discussion, attendees will be given colored dots on arrival to “vote” for their top concerns or areas of interest before the meeting begins and then the issues will be discussed in that order of priority.

Also on the agenda will be election of a new WCA President and re-election of its Treasurer as well as adopting proposed amendments to the WCA Bylaws. All WCA members in good standing may vote in the election, which means that they are current on WCA dues of $12 per year.

Nominees for the two positions are Sherman Warner for President and Brian Thomas for Treasurer. Warner has served as WCA Vice president for the past two years and before that as Treasurer. Thomas has served as treasurer for the past year.

To review the proposed amended Bylaws ahead of time, visit www.WaimeaCommunityAssociation.org.

For more information, contact Bill Sanborn (895-1122).

Community invited to talk-story about 2010 legislative ‘Hot Buttons’ at Jan. 14 Waimea Town Meeting

What’s your “hot button” for the 2010 Legislative session that starts next Wed., Jan. 20? Is it jobs? Stopping DOE Furlough Fridays? Counties hanging on to the Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT)? Energy or Ag self-sufficiency? The Kawaihae Bypass? Mortgage foreclosure relief? Recruiting more docs? Government efficiency or downsizing?

Waimea’s elected policy makers – Sen. Dwight Takamine and Rep. Cindy Evans – will participate in this Thursday’s Waimea Community Association Town Meeting to discuss their overview of the 2010 Legislative session and hear from the community about local concerns, priorities and perspectives.

Everyone is invited to all WCA Town Meetings. This month’s meeting will be at 5:15 p.m., Thurs., Jan. 14, 2010 in Waimea School Cafeteria. All meetings this year will be held in the cafeteria to better facilitate networking and community building. However, meetings are usually held the first Thursday of the month. It was moved this month to accommodate the legislator’s schedules.

To set priorities for Thursday’s legislative discussion, attendees will be given colored dots on arrival to “vote” for their top concerns or areas of interest before the meeting begins and then the issues will be discussed in that order of priority.

Also on the agenda will be election of a new WCA President and re-election of its Treasurer as well as adopting proposed amendments to the WCA Bylaws. All WCA members in good standing may vote in the election, which means that they are current on WCA dues of $12 per year.

Nominees for the two positions are Sherman Warner for President and Brian Thomas for Treasurer. Warner has served as WCA Vice president for the past two years and before that as Treasurer. Thomas has served as treasurer for the past year.

To review the proposed amended Bylaws ahead of time, go to www.WaimeaCommunityAssociation.org.

For more information, contact Bill Sanborn (895-1122).

MEDIA RELEASE

Senators Russell Kokubun (District 2 – Puna, Ka‘u, Hilo) and Dwight Takamine (District 1 – Hilo, Honoka‘a, Laupahoehoe, Hamakua, Waiakea Uka, Keaukaha, Waimea) along with Jerry Chang (District 2 – South Hilo, Waiakea Kai, Kaumana, Keaukaha) and Clift Tsuji (District 3 – South Hilo, Panaewa, Puna, Keaau, Kurtistown) are hoping to get an earful from the community. The Hilo area legislators have scheduled a joint community meeting on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo’s UCB Room 127. The purpose of the meeting is to give the public a chance to express their concerns and priorities for the upcoming legislative session.

“This is a chance for the public to educate legislators on their major concerns,” said Kokubun, who serves as the Vice President of the Senate. “We all know that the state’s budget and economy are critical issues, but we also know that we need to maintain our focus on a variety of other issues that are important to the community, including agriculture, education and healthcare, among others.”

Chang, Chair of the House Higher Education Committee and a member of the Education Committee added, “Building our economy also implies ensuring that educational opportunities are available at every level,” Chang said. “In our community, that means everything from public elementary and high schools to UH Hilo and Hawai‘i Community College.”

As Chair of the House Agriculture Committee and a member of committees addressing areas such as consumer protection, economic revitalization and tourism, Tsuji believes that the voice of the public is vital in maintaining balance in the community. “These are the matters that affect our residents every day,” said Tsuji. “There is no substitute for hearing their concerns in their own voices, to make sure their values are represented in the Legislature. They need access to healthcare, education and jobs to feed their families, but they also want to maintain the kind of lifestyle that makes the Big Island a special place. We can help maintain that balance, but we have to start by listening.”

In the end, says Senate Takamine, who chairs the Senate Labor Committee, their effectiveness as legislators relies on the public’s willingness to share their thoughts. “Don’t be shy,” he said. “We want to hear from everybody who has a concern, even if it’s to say, ‘You need to do a better job of this.’ Bring your concerns and speak from the heart. Considering the serious economic situation that confronts, we really need to work together to forge our way into the future.”

The 2010 legislative session convenes on January 20, 2010.

MEDIA RELEASE

Representative Mark Nakashima and Senator Dwight Takamine announced today that they will hold Community and Senior Club meetings prior to the convening of the 2010 Legislature on January 20, 2010. Meetings scheduled throughout the First District are:

Community Meetings:

Jan 4, 2010 Mon   5:00 PM Kohala (Rep Nakashima) at Kohala Senior Ctr
Jan 4, 2010 Mon   6:30 PM Waimea (Sen Takamine) at Waimea Elem School Cafe
Jan 5, 2010 Tues  7:00 PM Rural S. Hilo at Kalanianaole School Cafeteria
Jan 6, 2010 Wed   7:00 PM Honoka‘a at Honoka‘a School Cafeteria
Jan 7, 2010 Thur  6:00 PM N. Hilo Comm. Council at Laupahoehoe HS Humanities Rm

Senior Centers Meetings:

January 4, 2010  Monday    Kohala Seniors (Rep)   9:00 AM
January 5, 2010  Tuesday   Paauilo Seniors        9:00 AM
January 6, 2010  Wednesday Honoka‘a Seniors       9:00 AM
January 8, 2010  Friday    Laupahoehoe Seniors    9:00 AM
January 12,2010  Tuesday   Waimea Seniors (Sen)   9:00 AM
January 12,2010  Tuesday   Hakalau Seniors       10:30 AM
January 14,2010  Thursday  Papa‘ikou Seniors      9:00 AM
January 14,2010  Thursday  Pepe‘ekeo Seniors     10:30 AM

Rep. Nakashima and Sen. Takamine would like to hear from the community their concerns and issues prior to the start of the legislative session. Mark and Dwight will also share information about issues facing state government in these challenging economic times as well as new legislative proposals.

MEDIA RELEASE

Senate President Colleen Hanabusa has announced a Special Committee of the State Senate will convene to consider the options available to address the question of teacher furloughs.

“I am proud that my colleagues are stepping up with a battery of ideas to solve the teacher furlough problem,” Hanabusa said, “but every option raises questions. We need to look at not only whether money is available, but how we can ensure that any money we appropriate gets released by the governor and goes to education. We also need to answer some fundamental questions about whether any action we take will interfere with a collectively bargained agreement between the state, the DOE, and the teachers’ union. The right to collective bargaining is guaranteed in our state Constitution, so this is a significant concern.”

She added, “The worst thing we can do is build false hopes. We need to act responsibly. This is a complicated situation and a lot of different parties will have to come together to work out a solution. But this committee will get the ball rolling.”

The Senate Special Committee on Education Funding will be chaired by Sen. Brian Taniguchi, and include Sens. Will Espero (Vice-chairman), David Ige, Dwight Takamine, Jill Tokuda, and Shan Tsutsui, along with Senate Minority Leader Fred Hemmings.

“If other senators would like to sit in on the committee hearings, they may,” Hanabusa said.

Hemmings said he is looking forward to working with the committee.

“I am most pleased as Senate Minority Leader that the Senate President is looking for ways to get kids back to school. I think this is certainly an issue where reasonable people can work together to find reasonable solutions,” he said.

Espero, the committee vice-chairman, said he believes immediate action is required.

“The loss of 17 classroom days is unacceptable and embarrassing,” he said. “We have a responsibility to take action and address the situation for the sake of our children, and I believe we have the means to do so.

The committee’s primary goal will be to review the variety of approaches that have been proposed to end the teacher furloughs.

The committee will also consider whether to recommend that the legislature return for a Special Session before the regular session that will convene in January.

“The Senate cannot call a Special Session on its own,” Hanabusa said. “That takes the concurrence of two-thirds of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. But we can make a recommendation, and I believe the committee will do so.”

Hanabusa also pointed out a successful Special Session would rely on the cooperation of other interests.

“We need to keep in mind that given the threat of a veto and potential legal challenges to any interference in a contract that is the product of collective bargaining, a Special Session only makes sense if we can get all parties—the administration, the DOE, and the HSTA—to the table and agree, at least in principle, with what we plan to do. Otherwise, we would be raising false hopes and expending state resources on a futile effort.”

The committee will release its hearing schedule at later this week.

Senate committee appointments for Big Island senators 2009-2010
 

Russell Kokubun (senkokubun@Capitol.hawaii.gov; 586-6760; toll free 974-4000 + 66760): Senate Vice President; Energy and Environment; Higher Education; Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs; Ways and Means.

Josh Green (sengreen@Capitol.hawaii.gov; 586-9385): Vice Chair Health; Commerce and Consumer Protection; Energy and Environment; Human Services. 

Dwight Takamine (sentakamine@Capitol.hawaii.gov; 586-7335): Higher Education; Judiciary and Government Operations; Labor; Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs.

House committee appointments for Big Island representatives 2009-2010 

Jerry Chang (repchang@Capitol.hawaii.gov; 586-6120):  Chairman Higher Education; Vice Chairman Housing; Education; Energy & Environmental Protection; Water, Land & Ocean Resources.

Denny Coffman (repcoffman@Capitol.hawaii.gov; 586-9605): Vice Chairman Energy & Environmental Protection; Finance; Housing; Water, Land & Ocean Resources.

Cindy Evans (repevans@Capitol.hawaii.gov; 586-8510): Agriculture; Economic Revitalization, Business, & Military Affairs; Legislative Managment; Tourism, Culture & International Affairs.

Faye Hanohano (rephanohano@Capitol.hawaii.gov; 586-6530): Chairwoman Public Safety; Education; Higher Education; Labor & Public Employment; Transportation.

Robert Herkes (repherkes@Capitol.hawaii.gov; 586-8400): Chairman Consumer Protection & Commerce; Energy & Environmental Protection; Housing; Judiciary; Water, Land & Ocean Resources.

Mark Nakashima (repnakashima@Capitol.hawaii.gov; 586-6680): Vice Chairman Higher Education; Education; Labor & Public Employment; Public Safety; Transportation.

Clift Tsuji (reptsuji@Capitol.hawaii.gov; 586-8480): Chairman Agriculture; Consumer Protection & Commerce; Economic Revitalization, Business, & Military Affairs; Judiciary; Tourism, Culture & International Affairs.

MEDIA RELEASE

A schedule of pre-session community meetings on the Big Island with Sen. Dwight Takamine and Rep. Mark Nakashima has been announced.

Both lawmakers invite Big Island residents to share their concerns about important issues and discuss key legislation being introduced this year.

Here’s what the schedule looks like:

Jan. 5 — Kohala, Kohala Senior Center, 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 6 — Rural South Hilo Community Council, Kalanianaole School Cafeteria, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 7 — Honoka’a, Honokaa School Cafeteria, 7 p.m.
Jan. 13 — Energy Forum, Honoka’a School Cafeteria, 7 p.m.
Jan. 15 — North Hilo Community Association, Laupahoehoe School, 6:30 p.m.

— Find out more:
Hawaii House Blog: hawaiihouseblog.blogspot.com/