Reps in the News

University of Hawaii: In The Honolulu Advertiser, Rep. Mark Takai predicts that the state courts will order the University of Hawaii to release the list of all the people who traveled to the Sugar Bowl on state money. Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, Rep. Mark Takai and UH regent Kitty Lagareta urged UH officials to release the documents, which they believe are of public record since state funds were used to pay for the airline tickets of employees and their families.

Rep. Takai commented on the need for a written travel policy of approved persons able to attend a bowl game...

Such a policy, which would be subject to public comment and regents' approval, would have helped the university avoid the type of "questions and terrible decision-making that followed the Warriors being invited to the Sugar Bowl," Takai said.
"It was as if they were creating policy on the fly," he said. "I have said publicly many times that I believe that UH erred in sending some UH employees, and the spouses and children of workers."

Strawberry Guava: In the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Rep. Clift Tsuji defends the organization of a public meeting on the Big Island to share information and answer questions regarding a proposed plan to release a scale insect to slow down the spread of the strawberry guava, an invasive weed. The meeting was not an open debate, however the public was able to submit questions to a panelist of officials, scientists and experts who support the plan.

"I thought it was a very prudent idea to have those who were in the field to come and explain their position on this," Tsuji replied. "Whether you agree with their position or disagree with their position, you came to listen.

A second environmental assessment plan will be released later this summer for public comment.