CSG West - Western Academy

CSG-West Western Academy - Colorado Springs - Group photo taken by Rep. Marcus Oshiro

The Council on State Governments - West holds educational seminars for state legislators in a program called the Western Academy. This year, the Academy was held in Colorado Springs, Colorado. House Representatives Faye Hanohano (District 4 - Puna, Pahoa, Hawaiian Acres, and Kalapana) and Marcus Oshiro (District 39 - Wahiawa, Whitmore Village, Launani Valley) were there to represent Hawaii.

Arch Lustberg and Rep. Marcus Oshiro.

Rep. Marcus Oshiro is the incoming Chairman of CSG-West. Arch Lustberg has been training state officials for 25 years and was recently honored by the CSG -West with the Distinguished Service to the States Award.

"I had the honor to be the Master of Ceremony for the four days, cheerleader and "older brother" since most of these 39 Senators and Representatives/Assemblymen, from 12 of 13 Western States have less than 4 years of service," said Rep. Oshiro.

Rep. Faye Hanohano


Adam Schrager and Rep. Marcus Oshiro

The other trainer was Adam Schrager, a news reporter and author. Schrager wrote "A Principled Politician - The Story of Ralph Carr" about Colorado Governor Ralph Carr (R) who protected AJAs during the WWII, and a new book, "The Blueprint", on the political transformation of Colorado during 2004 -2008 from red to blue.

CSG-West is a non-partisan organization which provides a platform for the legislatures in the 13 Western states to collaborate and share information. It was founded in 1947.