Access to Justice Commission on next episode of Jordan's Journal

Rep. Della Au Belatti, Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald, and Rep. Jo Jordan

On the next episode of Jordan's Journal, Rep. Jo Jordan sits down with Rep. Della Au Belatti and Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald to discuss an upcoming Community Briefing on the work of the Hawaii Access to Justice Commission as well as to gather input from the community planned for the Leeward Coast. The shows special guests share the history of the Commission and what community members can expect from the meeting. Belatti and Recktenwald are appointed members of the Commission.

The Hawai‘i Access to Justice Commission, created by the Hawaii Supreme Court Rule 21 in 2008, comprises judges, attorneys, legal service providers, governmental representatives, and members of the Hawai‘i legal community. The Commission's primary purpose is to substantially increase access to justice in civil legal matters for low and moderate-income residents of Hawaii.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Wai'anae District Park Multi-Purpose room. From 6 - 6:45 p.m., six service providers will be on site for a legal fair in which attendees will be able to get their initial civil legal questions answered. These service providers include:
Domestic Violence Action Center, Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, Mediation Center of the Pacific, National Hawaiian Legal Corp, and
Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii. At 6:45 p.m., a formal presentation will be given by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald and Associate Justice Simeon R. Acoba, Jr.

For a preview of what will happen at the Community Briefing and to learn more of the Chief Justice and Rep. Belatti, watch this episode of Jordan's Journal online (embedded below) or catch it on 'Olelo 54 on these air dates and times:

Mon 11/26 @ 1:00 PM

Sun     12/2 @ 8:30 PM

Mon  12/3  @ 1:00PM

Mon 12/10 @ 1:00PM

Episode 21 - Access to Justice from Jo Jordan on Vimeo.

Maui Community Meeting on Equal Access to Justice

The Hawai‘i Access to Justice Commission, in collaboration with the Hawai‘i Justice Foundation, the Hawai‘i State Bar Association, and the William S. Richardson School of Law, will sponsor a community briefing on Maui on Monday, February 27, 2012 from 6-8 p.m. at Maui Waena Intermediate School.

The goals of the community briefing are to:
(1) Educate the public about the importance of equal access to justice in Hawai‘i;
(2) Share the past and ongoing work of the Commission;
(3) Increase awareness of low-income people’s legal rights and knowledge about legal resources the public can access when legal assistance is needed; and
(4) Receive community input regarding the needs for increased access to justice for all.

Members of the commission who will present are the Honorable Joseph E. Cardoza, Circuit Court Judge of the Second Circuit, Maui attorney B. Martin Luna, Senator Clayton Hee, and Representative Della Au Belatti.

The briefing will include a brief presentation of the Commission to discuss the work of the Commission and the importance of equal access to justice in Hawai‘i, followed by a question-and- answer session during which community input will be accepted. There will also be a mini-legal fair where the public will have the opportunity to speak with representatives from Mediation Services of Maui and the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, as well as browse through information and resources provided by other members of the Hawai‘i Consortium of Legal Service Providers.

For more information, call 808-753-7686.

The Hawai‘i Access to Justice Commission, created by the Hawai‘i Supreme Court Rule 21 in 2008, is comprised of judges, attorneys, legal service providers, governmental representatives, and members of the Hawai‘i legal community. The Commission's primary purpose is to substantially increase access to justice in civil legal matters for low and moderate-income residents of Hawai‘i. For more information about the Commission, visit http://www.hawaiijustice.org/hawaii-access-to-justice-commission.

Free Tax Clinic, Feb 4 @ State Capitol

Free Tax Clinic Feb 4 Capitol

Justice for all

Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald

The Hawai‘i Access to Justice Commission will host a series of community briefings in 2012 to discuss equal access to justice in Hawai‘i. What does "equal access to justice" mean?  Many people in our state are unable to afford representation in civil legal matters - such as housing, family, domestic violence, and consumer. Many people just don't know where to go for information about their legal rights. The Commission’s primary purpose is to increase access to information, representation, and essentially justice in these legal matters for low- and moderate-income residents of Hawai`i. Its goal is to create a balance that provides all people the opportunity to seek justice.

Associate Judge Daniel R. Foley

The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 11, 2012, 6-8 p.m. at The Parish of St. Clement, 1515 Wilder Avenue, with special guest presenters Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald and Associate Judge and Commission Chair Daniel R. Foley. A mini-legal fair will also be held with legal service providers available to share more information about their specific services.

Future dates include May 9, 2012, Windward Oahu, and November 14, 2012, Leeward/ Waianae Coast, locations and times to be determined. Info: (808) 586-9425

Charter School Task Force

Rep. Della Au Belatti (left) and Sen. Jill Tokuda (right) are

co-chairs of the Charter School Governance, Accountability and Authority Task Force.

The Task Force holds its second meeting Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Meeting notice here. Capitol TV will also be there and you can watch it live on Olelo, Channel 53. Here is some general information which can also be found on the Capitol website link:

Task Force members are:

Robert Campbell

Tammi Chun

Don Horner

Megan McCorriston

Robert McKeague

Lisa Okinaga

Steve Sullivan

Ruth Tschumy

Gene Zarro

Establishing legislation: Act 130/SLH2011. Requires charter school budget requests for needs-based facilities funding to include a detailed explanation as to the formula used and the funding request breakdown by school. Allows charter schools to appeal denied reauthorizations to BOE. Requires charter schools and their local school boards to develop internal policies and procedures consistent with ethical standards of conduct. Requires the charter school review panel to conduct a multi-year evaluation of each charter school every six years, instead of every five. Establishes a task force to address issues on charter school governance, accountability, and authority. (CD1)

Task Force Objectives:

1) Develop legislation or administrative rules that clearly and definitively designate the

governance structure and authority between and among key charter school organizations and

the department of education, the board of education, and the office of the governor;

2) Identify how the governance structure connects and relates to the state education agency

and local education agency;

3) Identify oversight and monitoring responsibilities of the charter school review panel, the

charter school administrative office, and the local school boards and develop a process for

enforcement; and

4) Discuss funding-related issues, including but not limited to appropriate funding levels for the

charter school administrative office.

Rep. Belatti's May/ June 2011 Newsletter

Rep. Belatti June 2011 Newsletter

Rep. Belatti's April 2011 Newsletter

Rep. Belatti April 2011 Newsletter

Rep. Della Au Belatti - March 2011 Newsletter

Newsletter March 2011 - Belatti

News from Rep. Belatti, District 25

Feb Newsletter - Rep. Belatti (D25)

Women's Caucus Press Conference Unveiling 2011 Legislation

Lawmakers and police push for Makiki neighborhood crime watch

Lawmakers and the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) are offering an opportunity for Makiki residents to learn about community policing and organizing Neighborhood Security Watch programs to create connections between police officers and community members to prevent, deter and reduce crime in the community.

The meeting will be held on Monday, January 24, 2011 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Christ United Methodist Church Educational Chapel. Community policing promotes partnerships to address the immediate public safety concerns of a community, such as crime, social disorder and fear. It empowers residents and the Makiki community to become active in increasing the safety and security of their homes.

"Community policing provides residents with a greater sense of security,” said Representative Della Au Belatti, District 25 (Tantalus, Makiki, McCully). “Residents can aid police in combating crime in our community by acting as extra eyes and ears of HPD. It also increases community pride and unity.”

On Oahu, property crime rose 5 percent while violent crimes decreased 1 percent in 2009. The spike in property crimes ended a six-year trend of declining offenses.

According to an annual report released by HPD in June 2010, there were 33,375 property crimes on Oahu in 2009, compared with 31,781 in 2008. Violent crimes show a slight decrease with 2,537 reported in 2009, compared with 2,575 the year before. Police have said in the past that crime tends to go up during tough economic times. Despite the increase, the current crime rates follow years of declining crime numbers, police emphasize.

Residents of more and more neighborhoods, from the North Shore to Manoa, have been coming together in recent years to form community policing groups to watch out for one another. Lawmakers and police are hoping to kick start new groups in the Makiki area with this introductory meeting.

“Crime prevention is everybody's responsibility,” said Sergeant Lawrence Santos. “Community policing reduces crime and improves the quality of life. It also addresses community concerns and can assist in the development of a community warning system.”

“Security watch groups are residents taking their community back,” Santos added. “It’s a proactive approach against crime and other social problems within the community. In addition, it not only serves residents, but has huge benefits for local businesses in the area.”

This event is hosted by Makiki's state and city legislative delegation, including Representative Della Au Belatti, Senator Carol Fukunaga, and Council Members Ann Kobayashi and Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo, and HPD District 1 Community Policing Team.

A local-style potluck will immediately follow the meeting. Christ United Methodist Church is located at 1639 Keeaumoku Street (between Wilder and Heulu). Please call Berna at 586-9425 or send email to b.fo@capitol.hawaii.gov for the meeting agenda or if you will attend as part of a group or organization.

Free tax preparation at the Capitol

What: Federal and State income tax preparation and filing at no cost for low- to moderate-income taxpayers who qualify. In partnership with the Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development and its affiliate programs, State legislators kick-off this year’s tax season with a special clinic designed to help taxpayers claim valuable tax credits, file electronic returns, and get their refunds quickly and easily. Tax preparation volunteers are trained and certified by the IRS, and may help taxpayers with special tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit.

For more information about the early season clinic at the Hawaii State Capitol and to make an appointment, taxpayers should call 808-548-8887. Free parking will be available at the public blue-metered stalls in the Capitol’s underground parking.

Who: Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development (HACBED); State Legislators: Speaker Calvin Say, Representative Della Au Belatti, Representative Tom Brower, Representative Sylvia Luke, Representative Scott Nishimoto, Representative Karl Rhoads, Representative Scott Saiki, Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, Senator Brickwood Galuteria

When: Saturday, January 29, 2011
9:00am-2:00pm, by appointment only

Where: Hawaii State Capitol
415 South Beretania Street, Room 329

Community Happenings: Makiki Cleanup, Volunteers Needed

Volunteers are needed for Makiki Community Clean-up Day, to join Representative Della Au Belatti, Friends of the Makiki Community Library, and Hui o Makiki to paint over graffiti, clean up the park and various other projects for the library. A completed waiver is necessary to participate. Call 586-9425 for more information.

Makiki Community Clean-up Day, inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dedicated service to others, is a day for friends and neighbors to work together for the betterment of the entire community.

When:
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Monday, January 17, 2011
8:00am-2:00pm

Where:
Makiki District Park and Makiki Community Library
1527 Keeaumoku Street
Honolulu, HI 96822

December Newsletter from Rep Belatti

Rep. Della Au Belatti's December newsletter is available on the blog. Read it here.

Rep. Della Belatti's November 2010 Newsletter

Rep. Della Belatti's November newsletter is now available on the blog. Read it here.

Makiki Town Hall Meeting

WHAT: State Representative Della Au Belatti and Council Member Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo will co-host a Town Hall meeting to discuss new ideas for bills before the start of the 2011 legislative session. The public is invited to attend with questions and comments for the lawmakers and to discuss significant issues to the community.

WHEN: Wednesday, December 1, 2010
6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Makiki Community Library
1527 Keeaumoku Street at Wilder Avenue
(ample parking at Makiki District Park)

WHY: While email and phone calls are an important way to communicate with elected state and city delegations, meeting and talking in person is one of the best ways for legislators to keep informed about issues that affect the neighborhood.

Youth Speaks Hawaii

Rep. Della Au Belatti welcomes Youth Speaks Hawaii, an award winning poetry slam group, to the House of Representatives. The group was presented with a certificate of appreciation on Monday, March 15th.

Free tax filing help at the Capitol, Feb 27

On Saturday February 27, 2010, from 9 am to 2 pm, IRS-certified volunteers take over Conference Room 329 of the State Capitol to assist taxpayers in filing their annual tax returns. In partnership with the Hawaii Alliance for Community-Based Economic Development (HACBED) and its partner organizations, state legislators* are hosting this special tax clinic to encourage low-to-moderate income taxpayers to save money and claim valuable tax credits. Last year alone, HACBED, its community partners, and 169 volunteers helped low-to-moderate income taxpayers claim over $3 million in tax refunds and over $1.7 million in EITC and Child Tax Credits, saving these taxpayers nearly $400,000 in tax preparation fees.

"There are many in our community who are unaware that they qualify for the EITC and need help in preparing their taxes," says Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland about this free community service for all taxpayers.

“We want to encourage Hawaii’s workers to use these free services early in the tax season to allow them to claim important tax benefits such as the EITC which can be worth from $457 and up to $5,657 for qualified taxpayers this year,” states Representative Della Au Belatti. “Tax clinics like this one at the State Capitol provide a valuable service for our hard-working taxpayers.”

As part of this special tax clinic, taxpayers will be able to file their tax returns for free and receive information about programs that may be of interest to them, including financial literacy classes and credit management. Tax preparation sessions are confidential and safe. All tax returns will be prepared by IRS-certified volunteers who volunteer at other sites coordinated by HACBED’s Family and Individual Self-Sufficiency Program.

HACBED’s Family and Individual Self-Sufficiency Program started offering these free tax assistance services to low-to-moderate income workers at four permanent sites in 2005 when it was first established under Aloha United Way. Today, this statewide Program recruits volunteers
for and coordinates the efforts of over 40 sites and clinics that are sponsored by non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and businesses. Some of the Program’s community partners include Alulike, Inc., Leeward Community College, Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Honolulu Community Action Program, INGDirect, Goodwill Industries, and several credit unions in Kekaha, Hickam, and Maui.

For help locating other free tax assistance sites, taxpayers can call Aloha United Way’s Helpline at 2-1-1. For a complete list of tax sites on Oahu, Big Island, Maui, and Kauai, more information about the EITC, other tax credits, and HACBED’s Family and Individual Self-Sufficiency Program, taxpayers should visit the Program’s website at www.hawaiitaxhelp.org.

For more information about the special clinic at the Hawaii State Capitol and to make an appointment, taxpayers should call 808-393-4364. Free parking will be available at the public's blue-metered stalls in the Capitol basement.

*State legislators sponsoring this first-time free tax clinic at the State Capitol are Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, Representatives Karen Awana, Della Au Belatti, John Mizuno, Karl Rhoads, and Maile Shimabukuro.

Lawmakers and Twitter: A match made in Twitterville?

Representative Della Au Belatti posted a question on Twitter yesterday asking her followers what they thought of a Yahoo! article criticizing tweeting politicians who use 140-character tweets to communicate with the public.

The article references Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's unintelligible tweets, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's TwitVids (Twitter videos) – specifically, the one of him wielding a large knife, and other national lawmakers who write about ballet, golf and other commonplace occurrences.

Rep. Belatti proposed this discussion topic:

DAuBelatti: Thoughts on politicians & twitter - do you agree w/Yahoo article? http://tiny.cc/A71tB DAB: I admit to tweeting about daily activities.

I was able to find responses from four of her followers. Here is what they had to say:

Susan Jaworowski, an assistant professor and program director of the Legal Education Department at Kapiolani Community College, opined on the ways lawmakers should tweet, sans faux pas.

lavasusan: To @DAuBelatti Ways to do it right: make decisions transparent to public, keep them informed. Even human touches good if not the majority.

lavasusan: To @georgettedeemer @DAuBelatti: legislators can be as stupid or wise on Twitter as any other medium. Tweetcongress.org mostly gets it right.

Gene Park, a former Star-Bulletin reporter, complimented Rep. Belatti on her 140-character tweeting skills and gave her the green light on tweeting personal commentary – as long as knife-wielding isn't part of the package.

genepark: @DAuBelatti I think you do a fine mix of personal and work related tweets. Mundane tweets humanizes the personality.

genepark: @DAuBelatti And tweeting on the job is not much of a timesink. The Arnold knifeholding thing is pretty weird though. Don't do that. :-)

The voice behind Makiki Talks, an on-line gathering place for everything Makiki, tweeted views that are shared amongst many social media critics. He/she suggests that elected officials are too careless when using new media.

MakikiTalks: @DAuBelatti I don't understand y elected officials who use trad [traditional] media so carefully, so strategically forget themselves in SoMe-social media.

MakikiTalks: @DAuBelatti People still scrutinize DECISION MAKING, & ultimately PERSON making decision. Don't want to see lack of judgment or inattention

MakikiTalks: @DAuBelatti ..to the big decisions the people trust & give responsibility to make. Twitter is still earning credibility as a com tool.

A handful of Hawaii's elected officials, including Reps. Della Au Belatti, Jon Riki Karamatsu, Angus McKelvey, Cindy Evans and other capitol tweeps, are posting their thoughts and activities on the social-networking phenomenon that has recently found its way into the mainstream.

What are your thoughts on the Twitter etiquette of elected officials? Should they tweet about the mundane? Should they be tweeting at all? Is Twitter the appropriate medium to respond and discuss serious issues?

Rep. Belatti - District 25 Newsletters

Community members of District 25 - Tantalus, Makiki, McCully can now find additional and up-to-date newsletters about legislative and community activities on Rep. Belatti's newsletter and notices site listed on the right column of the blog. Follow this link for newsletters from November 2008 to April 2009.