HOUSE SPEAKER SOUKI REMEMBERS CONGRESSSMAN MARK TAKAI AS A HARD WORKING ADVOCATE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII

Honolulu, Hawaii – “Mark was a thoughtful and caring public servant and a good friend to all us in the State House.  To say that he will be missed is not just a cliché but a heavy and sad reality,” said House Speaker Joseph Souki  “As much as Mark had accomplished in his full life, there was so much more he wanted to do and would have done—for himself and his family, and for all us here in Hawaii.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Sami and their children Matthew and Kaila and all of the Takai ohana in this very difficult time.”

Congressman Takai, 49, died July 20 from pancreatic cancer.

Takai served in the House of Representatives for 20 years before his election to Congress in 2014.

Here are some photos of Takai during the 2013 session.

LEGISLATURE GOES INTO SPECIAL SESSION TO AMEND MAUI HOSPITAL WORKERS BILL

Lawmakers convene following veto of the bill by the Governor

The House and Senate met July 12 in special session following Gov. David Ige’s veto of SB2077.

The bill provides state benefits to workers facing position abolishment, reduction-in-forces or workforce restructuring as the state moves forward with an agreement to have Kaiser Permanente assume control of operations at Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital and Lanai Community Hospital.

Legislative leaders said they will not move to override the governor’s veto, but will work with him to fashion a bill that will protect the health, safety and welfare of Maui residents and ensure a smooth transition from public to private management of Maui hospitals.

The legislature will be in recess until Monday morning when it will reconvene at 11 a.m. to take up amendments to the bill. The recess will also give time for the governor to negotiate a settlement with the UPW in its lawsuit objecting to the transition.

A final vote on the amended bill is expected on Wednesday, July 20.