Rep. Karen Awana Chosen fo 2009 Western Legislative Academy

The Council of State Governments – WEST (CSG-WEST), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization serving Western state legislators of both parties in 13 Western states, has selected Rep. Karen Awana (District 44 – Honokai Hale, Nanakuli, Lualualei) as a participant in its prestigious training institute for lawmakers in their first four years of service. The purpose of the Western Legislative Academy is to build excellence and effectiveness in state legislators in the Western region.

Admission to the Western Legislative Academy is highly competitive and is based on commitment to public service, desire to improve personal legislative effectiveness and interest in improving the legislative process. Thirty-nine state legislators from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming were chosen as members of the Class of 2009.

The Western Legislative Academy will convene August 5-8 in Colorado Springs, Colorado for three and a half days of intensive training in subjects such as the legislative institution, ethics, team building, communications, negotiations and time management. Faculty will include the Eagleton Institute’s Alan Rosenthal, a nationally recognized authority on state legislatures; Washington, D.C. communications expert Arch Lustberg, and a leading retired U.S. Air Force team building trainer.

Rep. Awana is serving her second term in the Hawaii State Legislature. She represents the Nanakuli area on the Waianae Coast of Oahu. She is currently the vice chair of the House Transportation committee.

The Council of State Governments – WEST is a region of the national Council of State Governments based in Lexington, Kentucky. Regional offices of CSG are located in Sacramento, Chicago, Atlanta and New York.

Funding for the Academy comes from the Colorado Springs-based El Pomar Foundation, which is dedicated to excellence in nonprofit organizations, and from Western state legislatures and corporate sponsors. The El Pomar Foundation also donates the campus for the Western Legislative Academy.

HOPE

The Judiciary brought to our attention a July/August 2009 article in the Washington Monthly praising Judge Steven Alm's project HOPE. It's worth a read here. HOPE has attracted national attention because it presents a real solution to mass incarceration. It works on a premise that every parent and pet owner understands; that behavior can be changed by punishment that is quick, if not immediate, and predictable.

An excerpt:

"For $3,000 per year, a HOPE-style mix of probation, drug testing, sanctions, and treatment only as needed, plus GPS monitoring, could deliver something like 80 percent of the crime-prevention benefits of a prison cell that costs ten times as much. With such a system in place, judges would have a real alternative to incarceration. And so would the governors who are thinking about letting prisoners out to save money. Today, two-thirds of those who leave prison will be back within three years; the exit from a prison is a revolving door. For felony probationers, the incarceration rate within three years is about 50 percent. If the "outpatient prison" could do for recidivism among parolees what HOPE did for new crimes by probationers, five years from now we could have many fewer people in prison than we do today, and half as much crime."

Info Briefing on Labor Issues

The House Committee on Labor & Public Employment and the Senate Committee on Labor will hold a joint informational briefing on Monday. Hearing notice here.

Date: Monday, July 20, 2009
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Place: State Capitol, Room 325

Agenda:

*Department of Labor will provide information on how the funding restrictions will impact the department.

*Department of Labor will also provide update on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds and on the condition of the state's unemployment trust fund.

*US Department of Labor is anticipated to make a presentation and provide comments on the Governor's proposed furlough plan.

Rep. Shimabukuro to speak on child protection legislation

Representative Maile Shimabukuro (District 45 – Wai'anae, Makaha, Makua) will speak at the Parents for Righteousness Conference, an annual public event on issues related to protecting Hawaii's children.

"Parents for Righteousness" is a support group for families affected by Child Protective Services.

Rep. Shimabukuro will discuss child welfare legislation on Saturday, July 18 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Wai'anae High School in the Career and Counseling Room.

"Child welfare issues have always been near and dear to me, particularly now that I am a parent," said Rep. Shimabukuro. "Although the Legislature was forced to make some difficult decisions this year because of severe economic conditions, we still managed to pass legislation that will benefit our keiki."

Those interested in attending should call Ivan Kapaona at 808-697-8384 to reserve a seat. Space is limited.

Rep. Shimabukuro will talk about child protective policy in relation to last year's "Grandparents' Bill" (SB 2730 from 2008), and the following bills passed during the 2009 Legislative Session:

HB 200, Act 162: Child Protective Services; Purchase of Service Contracts. Continued the provision of necessary support programs for struggling families in Hawaii by allocating $7,000,000 in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds for FY 2009-2010 and $6,200,000 for fiscal year (FY) 2010-2011 to purchase service contracts for child protective services.

SB 108, Act 6: Temporary Guardianship of Minor; Family Court. Provided a more stable environment for children placed under the care of a temporary guardian by extending the term of temporary guardianship from six months to one year.

HB 200, Act 162: Group Home; Foster Girls. Continued support for girls in the foster care system by appropriating $80,000 for FY 2009-2010 as a grant to Hale 'Opio Kauai, Inc. for design and construction to repair the Therapeutic Behavioral Health Group Home for foster girls in Lawai, Kauai

HB 200, Act 162: Foster Care Services. Increased assistance to the foster care system by adding $2,300,000 for FY 2009-2010 and $1,300,000 for FY 2010-2011 in increased federal matching funds resulting from the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage adjustment reflected in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to fund additional foster care services.

SB 851, Act 115: Child Support Enforcement. Clarifies that all income withholding payments be sent through the Child Support Enforcement Agency; allows the agency to disburse support by electronic transfer or direct deposit; allows for electronic copy or facsimile of a signature as proof of service for certified mail; clarifies lien payment and enforcement.

HB 1364, Act 67: Federal Funds; Appropriations. Promoted transparency in the use of ARRA funds and addressed the general revenue fund shortfall for FY 2008-2009 by appropriating federal funds for the following programs, among others, expected to receive funding under ARRA: Child Protective Services Payments; Cash Support for Child Care; and Cash Support for Families – Self-Sufficiency

HCR 5: Foster Families; Faith-Based Organizations. Encouraged the development of additional community-based support systems for foster children and foster families by urging faith-based organizations in the state to network and collaborate to support foster families, including through the formation of foster family ministries

HCR 39: Foster Care Awareness Month. Worked to improve the foster care system in Hawaii by declaring May "Foster Care Awareness Month" as a time to educate the public about various components of foster care and the foster care system (H.C.R. No. 39, 2009).

Environmental justice forum in Wai'anae

What: A youth environmental justice group from Wai'anae will hold a public forum to share and discuss their findings of three important questions:

1.) Why is everyone dumping their 'opala (trash) in Wai'anae?
2.) What is being done to address this problem?
3.) What can we do as a community?

Representative Maile Shimabukuro and other community leaders will attend the public forum.

When: Friday, July 17, 2009
6 – 8 p.m.

Where: Wai'anae Public Library
85-625 Farrington Highway

Ka Makani Kaiaulu o Wai'anae is a summer environmental justice and community organizing training institute for youth of the Wai'anae coast. The students learn about the history of non-violent social justice movements in Hawaii and around the world, attend workshops on organizing for community change, and conduct field work to document environmental impacts on the community.

Legislature Overrides 34 of Governor’s Vetoes

The Hawaii House of Representatives today joined with the State Senate in overriding 34 of Governor Lingle’s 53 vetoes. On June 30th, the Governor announced a list of 65 potential vetoes, one-fourth of the 250 bills passed in the 2009 legislative session.

“We weighed each veto carefully, taking into consideration the Governor’s objections,” said Speaker of the House Calvin Say. “These measures did go through the legislative process with significant public input. The overrides that we supported today are for bills that we and the public have debated and worked hard on. The majority of members, with their vote, believe they should go forward.”

The total number of bills passed this year was lower than in previous years due to the state’s severe budget shortfall. In 2008, the legislature passed 294 bills. In 2007, the legislature passed 394 bills. Of note, there were only three bills outside of the state budget bill that contained an appropriation of general funds. These bills are of critical statewide importance, related to healthcare, and considered high priority for Hawaii’s most vulnerable population.

“The state of the economy and the on-going budget crisis were top of mind as we approached the override session,” said Majority Leader Blake Oshiro. “This year, knowing that people are losing their jobs and businesses are closing, our first concern in considering overrides is how the public will be impacted, now and for the long-term. Critical needs like healthcare for children and the poor, food and energy security – these will end up costing all of us much more down the road if we abandon these efforts now.”

The following measures vetoed by the Governor were overridden by the Legislature and are now law:

House Bills

HB31 SD1 CD1 - RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES. Employers prohibited from using individual’s credit history in hiring and firing decisions, with exemptions.

HB183 HD1 SD2 CD1 – RELATING TO EDUCATION. Addresses various organizational issues for and activities of the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board.
HB343 HD1 SD2 CD1 – RELATING TO RURAL PRIMARY HEALTH CARE TRAINING. Appropriates funds to develop a statewide rural primary health care training program and support for the family medicine residency program of the UH John A. Burns School of Medicine.

HB358 HD1 SD1 CD1 – RELATING TO DRUG TREATMENT. Authorizes placement of certain offenders in secure drug treatment facilities.

HB754 HD1 SD1 CD2 – RELATING TO THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY. Transfers tourism research and statistics from DBEDT to HTA. Places ex-officio members from the HTA board to an advisory group. Expands the scope of tourism emergency. Provides additional funds to the tourism special fund for one fiscal year.

HB952 HD1 SD2 CD1 – RELATING TO LABOR. Certifies entities as exclusive representatives without an election where no other representatives are certified as the exclusive bargaining representatives for employers with an annual gross revenue of $5 million or more.

HB982 HD3 SD1 CD1 – RELATING TO FAMILY LEAVE. Establishes a new data collection system for family leave. Appropriates $10,000 from the disability benefits special fund.

HB989 HD1 SD2 CD1 – RELATING TO CHILDREN’S HEALTH CARE. Amends Act 236, SLH2007, which established the Hawaii Children’s Health Care program (Keiki Care) to extend the program to June 30, 2012. Appropriates $200,000 for each year of the biennium.

HB1471 HD2 SD1 CD1 – RELATING TO FARMS. Establishes a pilot program within the Department of Agriculture to implement a safe food certification for products, coordinate purchasing agreements between agricultural cooperatives and hotels/restaurants.

HB1479 HD2 SD1 CD1 – RELATING TO LABOR. Requires the department of labor and industrial relations to include in certified payroll records a fringe benefit reporting form, on which contractors and subcontractors itemize the cost of fringe benefits paid to both union and non-union laborers who perform work for the construction, alteration, or repair of public buildings and public works. Allows for any certified form containing fringe benefit reporting requirements to be submitted in lieu of a form supplied by the department of labor and industrial relations. Effective 10/1/2009.

HB1504 HD1 SD2 CD1 – RELATING TO HEALTH. Creates the Hawaii Health Authority to develop a comprehensive plan to provide universal health care in Hawaii.

HB1525 HD1 SD2 CD1 – RELATING TO MEDICAID. Requires the department of human services to include specified reporting requirements in all medicaid healthcare insurance plan contracts.

HB1538 HD1 SD1 – RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTALLY-SENSITIVE PRODUCTS. Requires the department of education to give first preference to Green Seal approved environmentally sensitive cleaning and maintenance products for use in public schools; requires the department of health to maintain a list of Green Seal program approved products.

HB1544 HD1 SD1 CD1 – RELATING TO TAX EXEMPTIONS. Conforms state tax exemptions to federal phaseout provisions under section 151(d)(3) of the IRC. Ties threshold to amounts in place in 2008.

HB1552 HD2 SD2 CD1 – RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS. Authorizes DLNR to issue long-term residential leases to qualified persons in state living parks. Establishes living park planning councils to develop state living park master plans to ensure the living park achieves its purpose and goals; establishes 2-year moratorium on evictions of residents of Kahana valley state park.

HB1676 HD1 SD2 CD1 – RELATING TO PUBLIC WORKS. Requires that the collective bargaining agreement be submitted to the director of labor and industrial relations in order for the terms in the agreement to dictate the prevailing wages with regard to a project financed through the issuance of a special purpose revenue bond. Effective 07/01/2009.


Senate Bills


SB19 SD1 HD2 CD1 – RELATING TO PROCUREMENT. Requires a procurement preference to a bidder in a public works construction contract of not less than $250,000 if the bidder is a party to an apprenticeship agreement registered with the department of labor and industrial relations for each apprenticeable trade the bidder will employ to construct the public works.

SB43 – RELATING TO PHYSICIAN WORKFORCE ASSESSMENT. Creates the John A. Burns school of medicine special fund and establishes an expenditure ceiling therefor; assesses a $60 fee upon renewal of physician and osteopathic physician licenses, with proceeds to be deposited to the special fund; requires recurring reports; appropriates $5,000 from the compliance resolution fund to the John A. Burns school of medicine special fund; requires reimbursement by June 30, 2010.

SB50 SD1 HD2 CD1 – RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCERS. Sets terms and conditions for leases of public lands to renewable energy producers, including requiring a public hearing, project completion, design, and financing documentation, and limitations on terminating or altering existing leases of public lands affected.

SB266 SD2 HD2 CD1 – RELATING TO GLOBAL WARMING. Establishes the climate change task force to assess the impacts of global warming and climate change trends in the State.
SB415 SD2 HD1 CD1 – RELATING TO HOME CARE AGENCIES. Requires the department of health to license home care agencies. Sunsets 6/30/2014.

SB420 SD2 HD2 – RELATING TO NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE. Amends the title of chapter 455 to "naturopathic medicine" and amends references therein; defines "naturopathic medicine"; changes the name of the board of examiners in naturopathy to the board of naturopathic medicine and authorizes the board to make rules; authorizes temporary license to licensed out-of-state naturopathic physicians in a declared public health emergency.

SB423 SD1 HD2 CD1 – RELATING TO HEALTH. Appropriates money to match federal funds for medicaid disproportionate share hospital allowance.

SB539 SD1 HD1 CD1 – RELATION TO CORRECTIONS. Renames the intake service center division of DPS to the reentry intake service centers and directs the reentry intake service centers to work closely and collaborate with the furlough programs in each county, the Hawaii paroling authority, and the correction program services division to ensure that the reentry needs of inmates are being met. Establishes an oversight committee and reentry commission.

SB605 SD1 HD3 CD1 – RELATING TO NOISE. Requires the department of health to add the dBC decibel weighting system to the current dBA decibel weighting system for purposes of community noise control. Sets permissible maximum sound levels for nighttime in any urban land use district and grants the DOH and the county liquor commission the authority to enforce these limits. Directs the county liquor commission, with assistance from DOH and DLIR, to develop recommendations for a permanent maximum sound level, in decibels.

SB695 SD1 HD1 CD1 – RELATING TO WORKERS’ COMPENSATION. Requires the employer to continue medical services to an injured employee despite disputes over whether treatment should be continued, until the director of labor and industrial relations decides whether treatment should be continued. Effective July 1, 2009.

SB777 SD1 HD1 – RELATING TO COMPREHENSIVE SEXUALITY HEALTH EDUCATION. Requires any recipient of state funding specifically for sexuality health education programs to provide comprehensive medically accurate sexuality education.

SB1005 SD2 HD2 CD1 – RELATING TO PUBLICITY RIGHTS. Establishes property rights in the commercial use of a person's name, voice, signature, or likeness.

SB1058 SD2 HD2 CD1 – RELATING TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES. Establishes a task force to examine issues relating to medical cannabis patients and current medical cannabis laws. Establishes a task force to examine the effects of salvia divinorum.

SB1183 SD2 HD2 CD1 – RELATING TO DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES. Requires the Hawaii civil rights commission to define in administrative rules certain definitions for purposes of discriminatory employment practices.
SB1206 SD1 HD2 CD1 – RELATING TO COUNTIES. Specifies that, subject to the approval of a county governing body, or in a county with a population of at least 500,000 people that has a county charter provision authorizing a county board to issue revenue bonds in its own name, then the county board may exercise all powers vested in the county with respect to an undertaking or loan program under the board's jurisdiction. Effective 07/01/09.

SB1218 SD2 HD2 CD1 – RELATING TO MORTGAGE LOAN ORIGINATORS. Allows the commissioner of financial institutions to regulate, license, examine, and enforce laws regulating mortgage loan originators. Exempts mortgage loan originators from chapter 454, HRS, relating to mortgage brokers and solicitors.

SB1224 SD1 HD2 CD1 – RELATING TO AIRPORT CONCESSIONS. Allows for certain adjustments and modifications to airport concession leases. Effective 07/01/09.

SB1665 SD2 HD1 CD1 – RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION. Enhances the workforce development capacity of Hawaii's community colleges by establishing a skilled worker and business development center to provide workforce training to meet the rapidly evolving needs of both employers and employees. Appropriates Reed Act funds.

Fate of Kahana Valley residents decided tomorrow

Governor Linda Lingle's deadline to veto bills is tomorrow, Wednesday, July 15, 2009. She has yet to veto a bill that would prevent the eviction of families living on state land in Kahana Valley. Dozens joined Rep. Jessica Wooley and Sen. Clayton Hee at the capitol on July 8, 2009 to rally in support of the passage of House Bill 1552.

Here are some links to media coverage of the rally:
Kahana residents ask Lingle not veto bill, SB
Time ticking on Kahana Valley bill, KHON2
Kahana Valley residents protest threatened veto, KGMB9

Lingle has said that she could not sign the bill the way it's written because she says "no one could be evicted even if they're breaking the law." She added that if corrected she may sign it or let go without signature.

The following are comments from Rep. Wooley, the lawmaker who introduced the legislation:

"If the Governor signs this bill, I will work toward eliminating language that the Governor is concerned about during the next session. However, I think it's unnecessary because there is nothing in the current bill that would prevent any resident of Kahana Valley from being arrested and prosecuted if they break the law. In addition, the bill does not trump any federal law that allows the government to seize property.

If the Governor wants innocent families to be evicted and their homes bulldozed because someone, somewhere in the park, at some unknown time in the future might violate the law, I simply can't support that."

Aquarius Unveiled

The tent came down today unveiling the newly restored "Aquarius" mosaic by artist Tadashi Sato. Here are some preliminary photos.

The White House meets American Idol meets Swine Flu

The Obama Administration spares no time utilizing new media to spread awareness and keep citizens engaged.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced a contest for the best video Public Service Announcement (PSA) "to help educate Americans about how to plan for and prevent the spread of swine flu and the H1N1 virus."

How can you submit a video? It's so easy. Visit the HHS channel on YouTube to submit a 15, 30 or 60 second PSA as a response video to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius' announcement. You should visit the www.flu.gov for contest rules and other information. One PSA video has already been submitted. Check it out below:



According to the White House blog, an expert panel will evaluate submissions and choose their favorites for vote by the public. The submission with the most votes will win $2,500 and appear on national television.

To all you talented filmmakers and creative individuals in Hawaii, leave us a comment or send us an email if you have submitted a PSA. The HHB crew would love to see them and we may just post our favorites to the blog.

Good luck to all of you!

Choy. Can you use that in a sentence, please?

Are lawmakers better spellers than newscasters? I don't know. But I'm pulling out the biased card and putting my money on Representative Isaac Choy...

The Manoa lawmaker was one of several VIP guests to play an on-stage speller in the production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at the Manoa Valley Theater on Thursday, July 2, 2009.

He was joined by some of the people you see daily bringing us the news and weather, including Ben Gutierrez (KGMB9), Pamela Young (KITV4), Leland Kim (KHNL8), and Angela Keen (former KHNL anchor).


One politician against four media bigwigs, you say!? Don't fret. Former State Representative and current Democratic Party Chair Brian Schatz buzzed with the hive of special guests as well.

Oh, did I mention that a few of these special Putnam County spelling wizards are fluent in Twitterverse too? I bet that gave them some leverage over the other contestants ;)

According to a press release from GooseGrade.com, Twitter users, on average, are better spellers than the average Joe. Find these tweeps @angelakeen, @bengutierrez, @brianschatz, @lelandkim.

Rep. Choy said that he had fun participating in the VIP night and we at the HHB headquarters are disappointed to have missed what seemed to be an evening full of laughter.

Photo 1: Rep. Isaac Choy with Aunty Gloria of the production "the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Photo 2: The cast of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" with the Twitta girls.

Supporters of Kahana Valley ohana to rally at Capitol

A demonstration will be held at the Hawaii State Capitol Wednesday, July 8 at 11 a.m. to support a bill that implements the recommendations made by a study conducted by the Legislative Reference Bureau in 2001 regarding the living park concept at Kahana Valley. The bill would allow the state to negotiate new leases for residents of state parks and keep six families from eviction.

House Bill 1552 authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to issue long-term leases to Kahana Valley residents; establishes a planning council to develop a state living park Master Plan; and establishes a 2-year moratorium on evictions of Kahana Valley residents. The bill was introduced by Rep. Jessica Wooley.

The six families were given notice of eviction by DLNR in June 2008 and had until the end of October 2008 to vacate the valley. An opinion made in March 2008 by the state Attorney General Mark Bennett said that the state no longer had the right to issue new leases as of 1993.

Because of support from the community and state lawmakers, DLNR Chairperson Laura H. Thielen announced in November 2008 that the state would not take action to evict the residents in order to allow the Legislature to consider revisions to Hawaii law to address these issues.

However, Governor Linda Lingle placed HB 1552 on her list of potential vetoes. The veto explanation states "special interest legislation that establishes a moratorium against the eviction of Kahana Valley residents, even when there are illegal activities occurring on the premises or these tenants fail to pay their rents and fulfill certain legal obligations to live in the valley."

Trisha Kehaulani Watson has a great post with the video "Keep da Mana in Kahana" on her Honolulu Advertiser blog "He Hawaii Au".

Kukui Connection - Rep. Mark Nakashima

Coming up on the Kukui Connection - Sunday July 12th (repeated July 26th), 4:00 p.m., Olelo, Channel 54 will be freshman Representative Mark Nakashima.

Rep. Nakashima represents District 1: North Kohala, South Kohala, Hamakua, North Hilo, and South Hilo. Geographically, it is one of the largest districts in the state.

He talks about:

*Economic activity of the district, predominantly agriculture and resort tourism

*The impact of the cancellation of incentive programs to the resort industry

*The long-awaited re-opening of the Mauna Kea Resort

*His background working in the state legislature and as an aide to former Congressman Spark Matsunaga

*His leadership role as National VP of the Jr. Chamber of Commerce

*His career as a public school social studies teacher

*Hamakua ditch

*Invasive species - varroa mite and coqui

*Education legislation

Kukui Connection is a weekly talk show, produced and hosted by Rep. Marilyn Lee.

Kukui Connection - Majority Leader Blake Oshiro

Representative Blake Oshiro serves as House Majority Leader. He appears this month on "Kukui Connection" - a weekly talk show produced and hosted by Rep. Marilyn Lee. The show aired Sunday, July 5th and can be seen again on July 19th and August 2nd, 4:00 p.m., Olelo, Channel 54. Here are some highlights:

*Rep. Oshiro's first year as House Majority Leader
*The fate of this year's Majority Package
*Access to healthcare
*Energy and Food Security Tax
*The need to raise certain taxes this session
*High tech tax credits

We are not alone

The National Conference of State Legislatures has compiled a comparison on what other states are doing in terms of layoffs and furloughs to address the economic crisis. It includes actions and proposals. The chart is here.

Manoa Library Going Green

The Manoa Public Library, located on Woodlawn Drive, will today shut its doors and lock up for the last time. It will reopen in two years, but by then book lovers can expect to be greeted with "greener" doors.

The building will be under construction for the next couple of years to become an new, larger, and environmentally-friendly community library. After completion of the "green" building, the State will seek Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. A LEED facility must be built with recycled products and material, and have environmentally sustainable design features, including reduced water use, renewable energy and natural lighting.

Library rats don't despair! You will still have access to the crack we story junkies call books. Portables on the Noelani Elementary School campus will serve as a temporary library facility.

The public is invited to the "Manoa Library Book Brigade", a special event with neighbors and community leaders in which participants will take a ceremonial walk carrying a book from the Manoa Public library to the portables across the street. The event is scheduled for August 1, 2009 from 9-10:30 a.m. Representative Isaac Choy, Manoa lawmaker, will participate in the ceremony.

Refreshments will be provided. Contact Christel Collins at 988-0459 for more information.

Keiki Care makes national news

FOX News is in town doing a story on Keiki Care, Hawaii's initiative to provide basic health coverage for uninsured children. Today, reporter Griff Jenkins interviewed the House Health Chair, Rep. Ryan Yamane, and Jennifer Diesman from HMSA, Keiki Care private partner provider. They filmed at Kewalo Basin State Park.

Rep. Yamane also brought along his own keiki, 1-year-old Gavan.

Notice of Intent to Veto

Here's a list of the Governor's potential vetoes, with links to the bills and bill history.

Thousands rally at Capitol against Lingle's furlough plan

Thousands of people came to the Hawaii State Capitol this afternoon to protest against Gov. Linda Lingle's plan to furlough state workers three days a month. Members of the Hawaii Government Employees Association, Hawaii State Teachers Association, United Public Workers, the UH Professional Assembly, and their families waved signs and cheered after each speaker took the stage calling for fairness. Chants criticizing the governor's plan rang through the Capitol halls. Here are a few of them:

We say: Negotiate!
Lingle says: Dictate!
The Law says: Negotiate!
Lingle says: Dictate!

Linda Lingle, Don't You Dare!
We Have
Contracts, Treat Us Fair!

Ho Ho, Hey Hey,
Our contracts are here to
stay!
Ho Ho, Hey Hey,
Lingle cannot get her way!

We say 'Union -
Strong and Proud!'
'Hear us Governor! Hear us loud!!"

Don't believer
her sound bites!
Linda Lingle, we have rights!

You can also find coverage on KITV4.

Never shake a keiki

House and Senate Committees on Human Services today held an informational briefing to take a closer look at what the state can do to better address elder and child abuse.

In 2009, three major cases have made headlines in the news. One involves a former nursing aide who was charged in June with fondling three elderly women at a Kahala nursing home. Another, a man who allegedly beat his 7-month-old daughter in 2007, was recently found guilty of attempted manslaughter. The final case involves a woman charged with the murder of her 7-month-old nephew. Doctors found signs of shaken baby syndrome, including internal bleeding in the skull and semi-detached retinas.

Rep. John Mizuno, chairman of the House Human Services Committee, invited government and community agencies to brief lawmakers, including the Honolulu Police Department, the Hawaii Coalition of Caregivers Association, Adult Residential Care Homes Association, and Community Care Foster Homes Association.

Dr. Philip Hyden, the Medical Director for Kapiolani Child Protection Center and expert on shaken baby syndrome, or abusive head trauma, explained that major head injuries, which defines shaken baby syndrome, can only be caused by excessive force. Injuries to an infant caused by an accident, such as falling off a 2-feet couch, are usually minor. Shaken baby syndrome occurs when the brain rebounds against the skull of the baby causing bruising, swelling, pressure, and bleeding in the brain and damage to retinas.

Abuse prevention was the main focus of today's meeting. Dr. Hyden said that many shaken baby syndrome cases happen because parents or caretakers become frustrated with a crying child or lose control of their anger during a stressful day. Pediatricians must be more adamant in reminding parents of the dangers of shaking a child, he added, no matter their socio-economical status.

Advocates of elder care, including care home and foster home caregivers and case managers, also shared concerns over the lack of oversight of the people hired to care for senior citizens in nursing home institutions.

Photo: Dr. Philip Hyden talks about what can happen to a child when vigorously shaken causing a form of inflicted head trauma.

Rep. Tom Brower in Hollywood

Representative Tom Brower, who is currently vacationing in Hollywood, sent us over a few photos taken early this morning of Michael Jackson's star at the Hollywood Walk of Fame where a crowd of several hundred people came to mourn the King of Pop's sudden death. The police opened the streets near the famous stars after the premiere of the film "Bruno" ended. Check the pics out below:

State Representative Tom Brower (D23-Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kakaako)

Crowd mourning the loss of Michael Jackson at 2 a.m. near the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Photo courtesy of Rep. Tom Brower)


Crowd mourning the loss of Michael Jackson at 2 a.m. near the Hollywood Walk of Fame (Photo courtesy of Rep. Tom Brower)

Capitol Tweeps

It's Follow Friday in Twitterville. Here's a list of elected officials and other State Capitol related folks on Twitter who you may be interested in following. A few have "protected" accounts, which means that you'll need to send them a request to start following. If I've missed someone, or if you work at the Capitol and want to be included, please let me know. (I did not include the "personal" twitter accounts of capitol staffers.) Also, I'm not aware of the Governor or Lt. Governor's offices on Twitter. If they are, send us a tweet.

Representatives:

Gil Keith Agaran - twitter.com/gilkeithagaran

Della Au Belatti - twitter.com/daubelatti

Mele Carroll - twitter.com/carrolloffice1

Cindy Evans - twitter.com/rep_cindy_evans

Chris Lee - twitter.com/repclee

Angus McKelvey - twitter.com/angusmckelvey

John Mizuno - twitter.com/forthepeople808

Mark Nakashima - twitter.com/marknakashima

Kymberly Pine - twitter.com/kympine

Gene Ward - twitter.com/geneward

Glenn Wakai - twitter.com/glennwakai

House Staff:

Thelma Dreyer - twitter.com/thelmadreyer

Georgette Deemer - twitter.com/georgettedeemer

Senators:

Kalani English - twitter.com/jkalanienglish

Will Espero - twitter.com/willespero

Carol Fukunaga - twitter.com/carol808

Mike Gabbard - twitter.com/senmikegabbard

Colleen Hanabusa - twitter.com/colleenhanabusa

Gary Hooser - twitter.com/garyhooser

Les Ihara Jr. - twitter.com/lesiharajr

Senate Staff:

Hawaii Senate Majority - twitter.com/hawaiisenate

Legislative Agencies:

House Sergeant at Arms - twitter.com/housesaa

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Gov signs energy bills

Representative Hermina Morita, Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, today issued the following statement on Governor Lingle’s signing of four energy bills:

“I am pleased to learn that Governor Lingle has signed into law these important energy bills. They are all critical pieces to our preferred clean energy future.

I am also anxiously awaiting her action and support of House Bill 1271 because it is the lynch pin, providing the organizational structure, funding and staffing, in achieving our long-term energy and food security strategy.

The Legislature recognized in the passage of House Bill 1271 that to achieve clean energy and food security we need to make critical infrastructure investments and this can only be done through consistent, dedicated funding and sustained political will.”


The bills, with legislative summaries, are:

SB 868 signed as Act 153. Addresses deficiencies in Hawaii's energy resources coordination statutes. Provides policy guidance to ensure adequate detail on the nature and relationship of the energy data analysis functions of the state energy resources coordinator and energy program.

SB 464 signed as Act 154. Amends the renewable energy technologies income tax credit to encourage use of solar and wind energy systems and to permit a portion of the excess of the credit over payments due to be refunded to the taxpayer in certain circumstances. Reduces the tax credit for certain energy systems used to meet substitute renewable energy technology requirements for single-family residential properties.

HB 1464 signed as Act 155. Provides for and encourages renewable energy use and development, and energy efficiency, including increasing requirements for renewable energy portfolio standard, expanding duties of the energy resources coordinator, establishing energy efficiency portfolio standards, requiring energy-efficient state buildings, requiring sellers to provide electricity-cost information, and appropriating funds from the Renewable Energy Facility Siting Special Fund.

SB 1202 signed as Act 156. Establishes the development of non-fossil fuel transportation as a state policy goal. Requires the designation of parking spaces for electric vehicles and provides penalties for parking a non‑electric vehicle in reserved spaces. Requires State and county agencies to follow a priority list when purchasing energy-efficient vehicles, including electric vehicles. Includes requirements for developing an electric vehicle infrastructure. Establishes the Transportation Energy Transformation Grant Fund Program. Eff. 7/1/2009.

Ruling on Campaign Spending

Today, the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals ruled in favor of plaintiff-appellee Charmaine Tavares Campaign, clarifying the campaign spending law relating to corporate contributions.

A copy of the ruling is here.

In summary, the ICA agreed with the Circuit Court's August 10, 2007 judgment that corporations may donate to candidates directly under the limits of $2,000, $4,000 or $6,000 according to the office for which the candidate is running. While the $1,000 limit for Political Action Committees is still in place, corporations do not need to contribute to a candidate via the PAC.

This past session, various "compromise" proposals were introduced, such as implementing an aggregate cap on corporate contributions of either $25,000 or $50,000. The advantage to the aggregate cap is that they would have included a disclosure mechanism with the abilityto more easily track corporate contributions. The compromise was opposed by advocates who wanted to see the cap remain at $1,000 or to eliminate corporate contributions altogether.

Majority Leader Blake Oshiro said that advocates who fought the compromise caps "rolled the dice and lost." He indicated that while he is personally okay with establishing an aggregate cap, he feels that it is "highly unlikely that a bill to do so would pass at this point."

Ah Quon McElrath to be honored for her activism

The nation's educators will posthumously honor Ah Quon McElrath with the César Chávez Acción y Compromiso Human and Civil Rights Award. The National Education Association (NEA) will present her family with the award at a special dinner on July 2, 2009 in San Diego.

Ah Quon passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2008 at the age of 92, a few days before her 93rd birthday. She was a well-known social activist and advocate for social justice who walked the halls of the State Capitol lobbying lawmakers to increase public services and enhance the benefits and rights of low-income workers. Ah Quon spent most of her life as a social worker for the International Longshoremen's and Warehouse Union (ILWU) and is renowned as the icon of the Hawaii labor movement.

Rep. Marcus Oshiro described her as "a champion of the working class and one of Hawaii’s favorite daughters” in an article by the Honolulu Star Bulletin.

Hawaii's educators nominated Ah Quon for the award in which is presented each year to someone who follows in the exemplary footsteps of Cesar Chavez in philosophy, work and leadership, according to a press release from the NEA.