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.

Emergency Contraception Bill moves out of Judiciary Committee

Emergency Contraception bill moves out of Judiciary Committee

Maui Memorial Helipad Dedication

Maui Memorial Helipad Blessing. Left to right: Dr. Colin Lee, Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz, Rep. Gilbert Keith-Agaran, CEO Wes Lo, Rep. Kyle Yamashita, Anthony P. Takitani

- Photo Credit: Wendy Osher

On Thursday, September 22, 2011, Maui Memorial Medical Center dedicated the opening of a new helipad that will allow for faster transport of patients, especially cardiac patients.

The helicopter will begin trial landings on Monday, September 26, 2011. It is expected to save between 10-15 minutes over the previous landing site at the War Memorial Complex in Wailuku. The Maui delegation worked collectively to secure funding through the state legislature, approximately $3 million.

According to MMMC CEO Wes Lo, Maui is now the only neighbor island that is able to treat emergency heart attack victims. Lawmakers praised Wes Lo's vision for the project and his efforts to make it a reality for Maui residents.

See video and more photos at MauiNow.com.

News from Rep. Keith-Agaran, District 9

Newsletter Feb 2011 - Rep. Keith-Agaran

News from Rep. Keith-Agaran

We've just posted the latest newsletter from Rep. Gil Keith-Agaran (District 9 - Kahului, Wailuku, Puunene, Paia, Sprecklesville.) You can find it under the "Community Newsletters" section of this blog, or click here. (Click on the download to see a sharper pdf image.)

Maui lawmakers weigh in on DOE furloughs

The Maui News today printed an article previewing the types of legislation state lawmakers may propose this session to end state teacher furloughs and get students back in the classroom. The 2010 Legislative Session opens tomorrow, and lawmakers have until Wednesday, January 27, 2010 to introduce bills.

You can read the entire article here.

Or read excerpts of what some members of Maui's delegation had to say:

• "State Rep. Gil Keith-Agaran has joined his seven freshman colleagues in the House in proposing that the state Department of Education be mandated to offer 190 instructional days per school year."

• "State Rep. Joe Souki, a Democrat who serves Central Maui residents, said the mandate of 190 instructional days is 'fine, but where are you going to find the money for that? . . . You can't mandate something if you don't have the money for it.'

Souki is seeking support for a proposal to raise the general excise tax by 1 percentage point for five years and dropping the personal income tax rate to 8 percent."

• "'It's a collective-bargaining issue, so it's difficult for us to step in,' (Rep. Kyle) Yamashita said. 'Sure, we would all like to be involved in these negotiations, but it is governed by law that we can't. If we step in, we could open ourselves up to lawsuits, and I think that's where the Legislature needs to be careful.'"

• "State Rep. Angus McKelvey, a Democrat serving West Maui residents, said he was reviewing proposals, including one to dedicate $1 of the state's oil tax to restoring instructional days. His proposal would be an alternative to other measures, such as raising the general excise tax."

An Even More Thankful House

Continued from yesterday's post, more responses from House members and their staff about the things they are thankful for.

Maureen Andrade, Office Manager, and Rep. Henry Aquino, D-35 (Pearl City, Waipahu)

"Rep. Aquino is off island but I know that he is thankful for the Lords Blessings and for the Love from his family and friends and that although times are hard, we still find ways to share with the less fortunate…sharing ALOHA always! As for me, I’m most thankful that the Lord has blessed my kids and grandkids with love and respect and that he has blessed us with more time to share with my dad…who could ask for anything more!!!!"


Gil Keith-Agaran, D-9 (Kahului, Wailuku, Puunene, Spreckelsville, Paia)

"I'm thankful for my Maui family, law partners and staff, friends and clients who supported me this past Session on Oahu, although I'm tired of being reminded I didn't have many billable hours for nearly five months this past year."

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And to send you off to a joyous Thanksgiving Day spent having lunch or dinner with family and friends, Rep. Roy Takumi gives us an anonymous poem to think about before diving into the bowl of mashed potatoes and gravy!

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!
- Unknown

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM THE HAWAII HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES!!

Rep. Gil Keith-Agaran Returns to Public Service

Rep. Gil Keith-Agaran is quick to clarify that he is "newly-selected" as opposed to newly-elected. Governor Lingle selected Rep. Keith-Agaran to fill the Maui seat of former Rep. Bob Nakasone who passed away late last year.

Rep. Marilyn Lee interviews Rep. Keith-Agaran for her series, "Kukui Connection", which will air on Sunday, April 12 and 26, 2009, Olelo, Channel 54.

No stranger to state government, Rep. Keith-Agaran has served as the Deputy and then Chairperson of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Deputy at the Deparment of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and briefly at the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Watch the show and find out more about his interesting path thus far:

*After attending public schools on Maui, how he was encouraged to apply to Yale and got accepted.

*What made him choose Berkeley for law school.

*His involvement and service in the Maui community.

*His experience on the Finance committee this session.

*His interest in technology, accessibility, information.

*Pursuing issues important to the community, particularly education and jobs.

*Working on issues that were important to Rep. Nakasone, particularly long-term care.

Gil Keith-Agaran Appointed to fill House District 9 Seat

Photo: Maui News

Governor Lingle yesterday announced her appointment of Gilbert Keith-Agaran to fill the seat of former Rep. Bob Nakasone, District 9 - Kahului, Wailuku, Puunene, Paia, Spreckelsville on the island of Maui.

The Honolulu Advertiser report is here. The Maui News report is here.

From the Maui News:

"I'm honored, and I'm humbled by the appointment, especially because I admired and respected Bob so much," Keith-Agaran said. "He was one of the finest public servants Maui County has ever had. I hope to be able to accomplish half of what he was able to do."

Keith-Agaran said he already has his sights set on improving Maui's health care system, much as Nakasone did. He also said on Wednesday that he would like to see expansions and renovations to the island's schools, including a new Kihei high school.