Lawmakers Lead by Example in the Fight Against the Flu

Rep. Morikawa and Vice Speaker Mizuno at Capitol Flu Shot Day

This year's influenza virus has had a devastating impact on the continental United States and is starting to appear in Hawaii. Tourism and military traffic increase our vulnerability to the spread of infectious disease and we must do everything we can to prevent the flu epidemic from reaching full force in Hawaii.

Kaiser Permanente, HMSA, and CVS-Longs helped make the day possible

The tragic death of four-year-old Jianna Cabasag on Sunday afternoon marks the first flu related death in the state this year. Young children like Jianna and our kupuna are especially susceptible to catching and suffering severe complications from the flu. It's imperative that we be proactive to prevent any more unnecessary deaths.

Vice Speaker John Mizuno, Rep. Dee Morikawa, and Senate President Donna Mercado Kim have already taken action to curb the spread of this particularly viral and deadly strain of influenza. They coordinated with HMSA, CVS-Longs, and Kaiser Permanente to provide flu vaccinations for their working members at the State Capitol earlier today.

Vice Speaker Mizuno receiving his flu shot.

"We are urging other organizations to collaborate with their healthcare providers to follow our lead and set up a flu shot day at their workplace. Individuals should contact their providers as well and get inoculated. The flu season is in full swing and it's not too late to protect yourself and your family," said Vice Speaker Mizuno.

Lawmakers Listen to be held on Kaua'i on Wed, April 11

(L-R) Reps. James Kunane Tokioka, Dee Morikawa, Derek Kawakami

Kaua‘i legislators will hold a “Lawmakers Listen” for the public to share their concerns, make suggestions, and provide feedback on issues and legislation important to their community. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. at Wilcox Elementary School Cafeteria in Lihue.

“Lawmakers Listen” is an outreach program by the House of Representatives to give residents an opportunity to ask questions and interact with House leaders, committee chairs, and their state representatives.

Kaua‘i lawmakers Representatives Derek Kawakami, Dee Morikawa, James Tokioka, and Senator Ronald Kouchi will be joined by Majority Leader Pono Chong; Majority Floor Leader Cindy Evans; Vice-Speaker Joey Manahan; Finance Chair Marcus Oshiro.

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Kauai: Mark Calendar for Waimea Town Meeting, June 29

WHAT: State Representative Dee Morikawa will host a Town Meeting for the Waimea community to report on the highlights of the 2011 legislative session and updates on key projects. Area residents are invited to attend.


WHEN: Wednesday, June 29, 2011
6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Waimea Neighborhood Center
4556 Makeke Road


WHY: In addition to the legislative highlights and capital improvement projects slated for the district, Rep. Morikawa will lead a discussion on the following:

Waimea Valley Ditch System, Waimea Levee, Multi-use Path (Kekaha to Waimea) proposal, potential for National Byways Designation, Waimea Story Boards and Music in the Park, Kokee issues, Waimea High School status.

A True Waimea Girl

Newly elected Rep. Dee Morikawa calls herself a "true Waimea Girl" because she lives in and represents Waimea on Kauai, she was born on the Big Island and raised in Waimea on that island, and then when the family moved to Oahu, she lived at Waimea Falls Park.

You can learn more about her this Sunday, March 6th, when Rep. Morikawa appears as the guest on the next "Kukui Connection" hosted and produced by Rep. Marilyn Lee. The show airs at 4:30 p.m. on Olelo, Channel 54. Here are some highlights:

Rep. Morikawa worked for the County of Kauai for 36 years, starting immediately after high school. She spent many years at the County's Department of Parks and Recreation where she learned she had an affinity for the game of golf. She coaches girls golf at Waimea High School and one of the highlights of her golfing career was making a hole-in-one at the Jennie K tournament.

Rep. Morikawa is vice chair of the House Health Committee and serves on the committees of Finance, Hawaiian Affairs, and Human Services.

She represents District 16 which includes the communities of Polihale, Waimea, Kokee, and Poipu on the island of Kauai. The remote island of Ni'ihau is also in the district. Rep. Morikawa has never been to Ni'ihau and would love to get an invitation by the Robinson family some day.

This episode of Kukui Connection repeats on March 13th.

Rep. Morikawa settles into new office

Left to right - Mark Mararagan, Rep. Dee Morikawa, Tommy Oi, Grant Kagawa

With the Opening Day of the 26th Legislature behind her, freshman Representative Daynette "Dee" Morikawa (District 16 - Ni‘ihau, Lehua, Koloa, Waimea) is ready to take on the rigors of the approximately four-month-long legislative session.

Rep. Morikawa was just recently assigned to her permanent office on the 3rd floor of the State Capitol. Since then, the onslaught of committee hearings and legislative meetings has filled her daily calendar. In addition, she meets with community groups, organizations, and members of the public on the many legislative bills of interest to them.

"The work here is nonstop and fast and at the same time very captivating,” said Rep. Morikawa. “I am still in the learning stages, but I am interested in all the issues and problems facing our state, especially in my district on Kaua‘i. It keeps me motivated, and I will do what I can to keep us going in the right direction."

Rep. Morikawa is very thankful for the guidance and assistance she receives from her House colleagues, especially Representatives Hermina Morita and Jimmy Tokioka.

"I am glad and fortunate to have the opportunity to work with them,” added Rep. Morikawa. “They have been so gracious and helpful to me. I also look forward to working with our counterpart in the Senate, Senator Ron Kouchi."

Representative Morikawa's State Capitol office staff includes Kekaha native, Mark Mararagan, who worked as office manager to former Senator Gary Hooser for the past eight years. Mararagan's experience and knowledge in Hawai‘i's legislative process and operations are expected to be an asset to Morikawa during her first year at the State Capitol.

Also joining Morikawa is Tommy Oi from Lihue, who is taking leave as the Kaua‘i DLNR Land Division Manager to work at the Capitol. In addition, Waimea's own Grant Kagawa, 2005 graduate from Waimea High School and recent graduate of University of Washington will be working as committee clerk in her office.

Morikawa has been selected as Vice Chair to the House Committee on Health. She is also a member of Finance, Human Services, Hawaiian Affairs, and Culture and the Arts Committees. She can be reached toll free by dialing 274-3141, then dialing 6-6280 at the prompt, or by email at repmorikawa@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Who's who?

Not sure what your lawmakers look like? You can familiarize yourselves with their faces here, a PDF of all the 2011-2012 lawmakers elected this past November, including the seven freshmen House members. They are Ty Cullen (D), George Fontaine (R), Mark Hashem (D), Linda Ichiyama (D), Aaron Johanson (R), Daynette Morikawa (D), and Gil Riviere (R).