Opening Day 2013

This morning, the 27th Hawaii State Legislature opened session. 2013 marks the return of Joe Souki as Speaker of the House. Representatives John Mizuno and Scott Saiki were voted in as Vice-Speaker and Majority Leader.

The new House leadership began by thanking Speaker Emeritus Calvin Say and Rep. Marcus Oshiro for their responsible leadership that kept Hawaii on the right course despite the largest economic downturn since the Great Depression. Speaker Souki cited improvements in tourism and construction numbers as well as a drop in unemployment as reasons to be cautiously optimistic about the state of the State. He laid out the goals of the session, including investments in infrastructure, environmental protection, and education, which will be paid for by raising revenues in ways that don't impact people with lower incomes and the middle class.

After a few years of subdued festivities in accordance with $2 billion in budget cuts resulting from the Great Recession, music and celebration returned to Opening Day. Maui's own Willy K headlined the entertainment, which also included the McKinley High School Choir. Both dedicated their performance to the late Senator and McKinley alumnus Daniel Inouye and included renditions of his favorite song, "Oh Danny Boy."

Governor Abercrombie, Lieutenant Governor Tsutsui, Senator Schatz, Chief Justice Recktenwald, former Senator Daniel Akaka, Honolulu Mayor Caldwell, and a number of other distinguished guests were in attendance for a day that was a beginning of a new session and a tribute to the late Senator Inouye.  

GMOs an Early Theme in Agriculture

World renowned food security, food sovereignty, and sustainable agriculture advocate Dr. Vandana Singh was scheduled to speak at the Capitol this morning, but her arrival on island was delayed causing her to miss the engagement. Instead, a roundtable discussion on agriculture, specifically Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) took place. The panel was composed of Reps Jessica Wooley and Lauren Cheape, national and local experts in the field, and a special guest from Molokai who has experienced, first-hand, the impact GMOs can have on surrounding communities. The standing-room-only crowd included former Governor John Waihee, several Senators, community organizations, and private citizens.

Rep. Jessica Wooley hosted the panel

Lawmakers told the public to expect a number of pieces of legislation regarding GMOs and sustainable agriculture to be introduced this session. The centerpiece of the legislative package is a bill proposing to require the labeling of GMO fruits and vegetables grown in Hawaii for consumption on the islands. The narrow focus of the bill has proponents optimistic that Hawaii may become the first state in the nation to require some form of GMO labeling.

Paul Achitoff (left) attorney for Earth Justice and  Andrew Kimbrell co-author of California's Proposition 37

2013 Legislative Timetable

2013 Legislative Timetable by

2013 Chamber Seating Chart

2013 Chamber Seating Chart by

Hawaii Health System Corporation: Primary Care Training Program

Hawaii Health System Corporation: Primary Care Training Program

On Thursday, January 10, 2013, the Legislative Big Island Delegation invited the Hawai'i Island Healthcare Alliance to present Hawaii Health System Corporation's (HHSC) initiative to increase the number of Primary Care Physicians and Clinicians Practicing on the Big Island. Presenting was Dr. Kristine McCoy, Program Director for Hawaii Health System Corporation. 

According to a 2012 UH Hilo study, in five years, one in three physicians currently practicing on Hawai'i Island will not be doing so. Hawaii Health System Corporation: Primary Care Training Program (HHSC PCPT) would train primary care teams. Teams can care for up to 10,000 patients with one doctor, before one doctor could only manage 2,500. Teams are more cost effective. One family physician costs $25,000 - $300,000 per year to train (residency), nearly one million dollars over the course of the residency. The HHSC PCPT trains a team equivalent to up to 4 physicians for $1.6 million.

Hawai'i State

Projected Physician Shortage

Decline by 2020 Due to Population Growth and Physician Retirement and Relocation

Source: JABOM Workforce Study 2011

Innovation is the key to solving the primary care gap. The new approach includes advanced practice nurses, pharmacist clinicians, and psychologists, as well as family physicians. Training will focus on skills for practicing in smaller communities. More than half of residents trained at rural sites practice in rural areas.

Hawai'i cannot count on the mainland to provide the needed physicians. The United States will need 52,000 additional primary care physicians by 2025. Source: Petterson et al, Annals of Fam Med Nov/Dec 2012

·               33,000 due to population growth

·              10,000 due to aging of our population

·               8,000 due to insurance expansion

HHSC feels new programs must be started in order to fill the gap. Physicians must be trained on site in rural areas. Of the 63 residents trained through the John A. Burns Medical Center:

·              50 stayed on Oahu

·              4 relocated to Maui

·              9 relocated to the Big Island

·              0 relocated to Kauai

Dr. McCoy comments on the projected physician shortage statewide.

Representative Cindy Evans speaks of the importance of innovation in healthcare.

Harold Wallace, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Bay Clinic, Inc. Hilo, Hawai'i comments on the need to increase preventive care.

Richard Taaffe, Executive Director, West Hawaii Community Health Center speaks on the clinic’s commitment to provide healthcare to the uninsured.

Submitted by: Michael Moscati, Communications and Community Outreach Liaison for Rep. Evans

Happy New Year!

It has been an interesting ride this year in politics and government, with many changes, endings, and new beginnings. As the New Year approaches, let's say goodbye to 2012 with one of Hawaii's beloved songs that reminds us to live each day with the Aloha Spirit we cherish in the islands. Hau'oli Makahiki Hou! Happy New Year from the Hawaii House of Representatives!

 

Rep. Jo Jordan's December 2012 Newsletter

Rep. Jo Jordan's December 2012 Newsletter

‘Ulu‘ulu: The Henry Ku‘ualoha Giugni Moving Image Archive of Hawai‘i

`Ulu`ulu: The Henry Ku`ualoha Giugni Moving Image Archive of Hawai`i from Jo Jordan on Vimeo.

The next episode of Jordan’s Journal is an exciting one, and one that may have you glued to your computer hours after watching it. 

Former House Rep. Heather Giugni appears with Rep. Jo Jordan to talk about ‘Ulu’ulu, an online repository of Hawaii film footage dating as far back as 1928. 

After watching the episode, I browsed the website, http://ulululu.hawaii.edu, and found a number of moments in our Hawaii history that I would never have been able to see before. Take a look at this political goodie, it’s a roundtable discussion with the candidates for the U.S. House 1st Congressional District special election to replace US Rep. Cecil Heftel for the remainder of his term in 1986. You’ll recognize Hawaii politicians Democrat Steve Cobb, Republican Patricia Saiki, Democrat Mufi Hannemann, and Democrat Neil Abercrombie. This is the election that took Abercrombie to Congress. 

The website is part of ‘Ulu‘ulu: The Henry Ku‘ualoha Giugni Moving Image Archive of Hawai‘i at UH West Oahu. Its mission is to “perpetuate and share the rich moving image heritage of Hawai‘i through the preservation of film and videotape related to the history and culture of Native Hawaiians and the people of Hawai‘i.”

At “The Archive,” they collect donated moving images related to Hawaii and its history from local businesses, organizations, and individuals, and staff work to catalog, preserve, and give the public access to these historic items. 

The videos online are just a few of the 17,000 videos, including 500 films, that “The Archive” holds. Because of copyright you won’t be able to watch the entire videos online, but you can view 10% of each video. If you find something that you are interesting in learning more about, the website instructs you to contact them or the original owners of the copyrighted material. 

You can watch this episode on ‘Ulu’ulu on Vimeo above, or catch it on Olelo Channel 54 on the following airdates: 12/16 - 8:30 p.m., 12/17 - 1:00 p.m., 12/24 - 1:00 p.m., 12/31 - 1:00 p.m.

Access to Justice Commission Meeting in Wai'anae

Wai'anae Access to Justice Meeting

Tis the Season to be on Facebook

 Each year the creative elves in the House Chief Clerk's Office put on display a themed Christmas tree for everyone to enjoy. This year they're going big. World Wide Web big. The elves want their Christmas tree to go viral. Let's help them out!

Go down to the parlor area of the House Chief Clerk's office in the Chamber and help our friendly elves make their Facebook-themed Christmas tree (Mr. Tree from here on out) go viral by signing your name on a "like" ornament and hanging it on Mr. Tree.

Also, check in with Mr. Tree throughout the week as he may just have a new status update to share with everyone. (You'll find the timeline of status updates near the "like" ornaments on the table)

This was yesterday's update. Mr. Tree sure looked thirsty.

And this is today's status update from Mr. Tree.

We at the House of Representatives are so lucky to have our friendly elves in the Chief Clerk's Office who every year put up an amazing tree for all of us to enjoy. The word in elf town is that Neal was responsible for getting the perfect tree, and that Denise and Tammy came up with the theme and decorations. Show your mahalo by liking Mr. Tree in person or on the House of Representatives Facebook page!

Rep. Richard Onishi to Hold Community Meetings

Public Invited to Community Input Sessions

 with Rep. Richard Onishi

WHAT:            Newly elected State Representative Richard Onishi (District 3 – South Hilo, Keaau, Honuapo) will host Input Sessions for community members to share their ideas and concerns about the district as well as their priorities for the 2013 Legislative Session. Info: 808-586-6120

WHEN/WHERE:         

                        Wednesday, December 5, 7-8 pm – Volcano Art Center

                        Friday, December 7, 7-8 pm – Hilo AJA Hall

                        Sunday, December 9, 7-8 pm – Pahala Community Center

                        Monday, December 10, 7-8 pm – Kea’au Community Center

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.

Freshmen House Democrats Profiled

Listen to Hawaii Public Radio and Wayne Yoshioka's story on the House Majority Freshmen:

Freshmen House Democrats Profiled

Welcome to the House!

Aloha and Welcome to the House Majority Freshmen Class of 2013!  From left to right - Rep. Romy Cachola, Rep. Richard Onishi, Rep. Takashi Ohno, Rep. Nicole Lowen, Rep. Kaniela Ing, Rep. Bertrand Kobayashi and Rep. Gregg Takayama.

Rep. Choy's November 2012 issue of Prevailing Winds

Prevailing Winds November 2012

Informational meeting and talk-story session with the regional coordinator of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness

Homelessness Info Meeting with Matthew Doherty, Fri. Nov. 9

Lahaina Bypass Soon to Become Reality

Kahoma Stream Bridge Topping Off –

Significant Milestone for Honoapiilani Highway Realignment

Lahaina, Maui.   State Representative Angus McKelvey issued a statement on the topping off ceremony held today at the Kahoma Stream Bridge.

 Kahoma Stream Bridge 

"The topping off of the bridge is a major milestone for improving traffic and road conditions for the residents of West Maui," said Rep. McKelvey.  "I am proud of the work by our legislative team to secure funding for the Honoapiilani Highway Realignment project, and thank our governor and transportation department for releasing the funds and starting the critical construction phase.  We are working together to get the job done."

The Honoapiilani Highway Realignment, popularly known as the "Lahaina Bypass Road", spans nearly a mile between Lahainaluna road and the Keawe Street extension.  Once completed, it will provide residents with an alternative route to go around Lahaina town and avoid congestion.  This first phase is expected to be completed by the end of next month, December of 2012.  

The reconstructed Kahoma Stream Bridge will showcase a new design with a low profile, minimizing the obstruction of views along the scenic drive.  It also eliminates the need for pillars below the bridge, leaving the stream itself unobstructed.

State Department of Transportation Director Glenn Okimoto gave opening remarks and Governor Neil Abercrombie and Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa provided remarks on behalf of the state and the county respectively.  Attendees also heard from Bob Pure, President of the Board of Directors for Lahaina Bypass Now, and William Wilson, President of Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company, Inc.  In addition to Rep. McKelvey, the legislature was represented by Senator Rosalyn Baker for the state senate. 

"This is a significant milestone in the construction of the first phase of the Lahaina bypass road,” commented Sen. Roz Baker (D-West and South Maui).  "I congratulate Wilson Okamoto Corp. for the fantastic, award-winning bridge design which preserves the gorgeous views from the roadway, is less intrusive on the landscape and preserves the functionality of the Kahoma stream channel.  Mahalo to Hawaiian Dredging, the subcontractors, and Hawaii DOT for working with the West Maui community to move this project forward.  We all look forward to opening the first phases of the long awaited road improvement later year and next January.”   

"The completion of this bridge represents the begining of the materialization of the Lahaina Bypass and for the community, a realization of a long-awaited need." said McKelvey, who explained that the bypass will not only give residents a more convenient way to access the homes and schools in the area but also serve as a much-needed emergency evacuation route if the main road be blocked by fire or other disaster."

The General Contractor of the Honoapiilani Highway Realignment project is Hawaiian Dredging and the estimated design and construction cost is $24.3 million.  The blessing was provided by Reverend Earl Kukahiko.