Seeks courageous action to tackle homelessness, housing issues
Honolulu,
Hawaii – In
his opening day remarks, Speaker of the House Scott K. Saiki told the 51
members of the House of Representatives that they must "step up to the
plate" to provide the leadership needed during these "tumultuous
times."
"The State of Hawaii requires leadership now and
the House of Representatives can and should provide that leadership,"
Speaker Saiki said. "Unfortunately, one need only look to the past weekend
to see a glaring instance of the inability of government at various levels to
manage major issues facing out state."
Saiki was referring to the false emergency alert of an
imminent missile strike issued by the state.
"Saturday's events reinforce the importance of
the role of government. It also shines light on the role of the Legislature as
the policymaker and as the check to other branches of government," Saiki
said. "It is our duty to ensure that the three branches abide by their
respective constitutional duties so that we all do our jobs well."
Saiki said House members are diverse, experienced, and
energetic and begin this legislative session with a renewed sense of purpose.
"Our members have a pulse on what real people
actually think, what they do, and what they want," Saiki said. "We
should use this insight to be bold and creative. We should always be thinking
of how to make things better."
Saiki told the Representatives and members of the
public gathered in the House Chambers that the lack of affordable housing and
the increasing homeless population are "two painfully obvious challenges
that confront our state."
Saiki said solving these issues will take
"commitment and courageous action, sustained over several years."
With more than 7,000 homeless persons throughout the
state, Saiki said our approach to the issue requires multifaceted short- and
long-term action. He said an example of a successful public-private partnership
is Kahauiki Village, a self-contained community with 153 transitional homes, a
preschool, a market, and a police meeting room.
"This model can be extended to homeless
populations with substance abuse and mental health conditions," he said.
"One important takeaway is that Kahauiki Village represents what is
possible if people and agencies at different levels work towards a common
goal."
To be effective leaders, Saiki called on the
Representatives to be open to reform and challenge the status quo, to view
challenges through the lens of those who are impacted by them, and to take a
global approach to decision making.
"Members, we are at a moment in history where we
cannot just be stewards. This legislative session is a call to broader
involvement and decisive action," Saiki said. "We must be courageous activists
because the issues facing our state are too urgent to wait. I know that we are
up to the challenge."
(House Speaker Scott's K. Saiki's OpeningDay Remarks)