Kauai Volunteer Teacher Recognized at Legislature

Rep. Kawakami, Liliana Perry, Mason Gibson, Rep. Tokioka, and Marilyn 

For more than thirty years, Marilyn Pollock has volunteered her time teaching art in Hanalei School and Kilauea School on Kauai's north shore, assisting inmates at the Kauai Community Correctional Center in earning their associate's degrees, as well as holding art workshops at her home. Today she was presented with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the legislature for her three decades of community service by Kauai Representatives Derek Kawakami and James Tokioka.

Marilyn is known for using art as a medium to introduce children to history, culture, and science. Her latest project has challenged students to investigate the health of the Anini Reef as it suffers from the infestation of black algae by communicating with microbiologists, writing essays, and painting a mural of the reef in an effort to raise public awareness.

As Marilyn unfurled the beautiful mural of the reef in Senate Vice President Kouchi's office, she explained that there was an ulterior motive behind her visit. "We're here to lobby you on behalf of the reef," she told Kauai Representatives Kawakami and Tokioka. Ms. Pollock went on to explain the risk posed by the invasive algae as well as the civics and government lessons her students learned in the process of creating the mural.

The trip from Kauai to Honolulu was made possible through the generosity of an anonymous donor who covered the cost of airfare and accommodation for Marilyn, two students and their parents.

"There isn't a person on the island of Kauai whose life, or the life of a loved one, has not been touched by Marilyn Pollock," said Rep. Kawakami. "Her three decades of community service stand out as a prime example of how one individual can make a difference. She personifies the Aloha Spirit and is an inspiration to us all." 

Rep. Kawakami Showcases Kauai Products

KITV has been "Island Hopping" this week, and today's focus was the beautiful island of Kauai.  Rep. Derek Kawakami (District 14 - Hanalei, Anahola, Kealia, Kapaa, Waipouli) stopped by the studio this morning to talk story with Jill Kuramoto, and then to present a wonderful array of Kauai products, just in time for last minute Mother's Day shopping.  What a great ambassador for the Garden Island!

Rep. Kawakami and the KITV morning news crew

If you missed it, watch the two segments here:

http://www.kitv.com/news/entertainment/Island-Hopping-Kauai/-/8905032/13059900/-/tvjx16/-/index.html

http://www.kitv.com/news/entertainment/Island-Hopping-Kauai-Products/-/8905032/13059962/-/ntei2uz/-/index.html

Kaua'i group says peace through open arms

This is not a House-related issue, but I think it's an interesting one.

In a letter to Gov. Linda Lingle and congressional delegates, a Kaua'i humanitarian group urges Hawaii's leaders to negotiate with the U.S. Federal government to bring 17 Uighur nationals to Hawaii instead of the Republic of Palau. The letter was sent from Ed Coll on behalf of the Kaua'i Alliance for Peace and Social Justice.

The Chinese Muslims were determined not to be enemy combatants by a federal judge, but because of ardent congressional opposition to releasing them on U.S. soil, they are still in legal limbo at the U.S. Detention Facility in Guantanamo Bay. The nation of Palau agreed to accept the detainees Wednesday.

The Garden Island ran a story today, including quotes from the letter sent Thursday to state officials, about the groups suggestion of sharing the aloha spirit with these men by helping them rebuild their lives on the islands.

What do you think? Should detainees be allowed to resettle in Hawaii?

P.S: Peace Day 2009 is creeping up on us! Save the date! September 21, 2009! The Peace Day Hawaii committee is already planning for the event!

Free Legislative Learning Workshops in Kauai

The Legislature will host free workshops, "The Informed Citizen," on Kauai, April 10-16, to help residents understand the legislative process and provide tips on how to get their community issues more attention without leaving the island.

Suzanne Marinelli, Coordinator for the Hawaii State Legislature's Public Access Room, will present the free workshops at the following locations and times:

Thursday, 4/10/08
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Kapaa Library Conference Room

Friday, 4/11/08
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Lihue Library Conference Room

Monday, 4/14/08
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm*
Kilauea Neighborhood Center

Tuesday, 4/15/08
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Koloa Library Conference Room

Wednesday, 4/16/08
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Waimea Neighborhood Center

The Public Access Room is the public's office at the State Capitol, and is a division of the non-partisan Legislative Reference Bureau.

Kauai residents, who are interested in politics and want to understand the legislative process and how to get involved without leaving Kauai, as well as learn how to write effective testimony that will find its way into the hands of the right person at the right time, are encouraged to attend.

Rep. Sagum Meets with Community on Hanapepe Salt Ponds

The Kauai Garden Island reports today on Rep. Roland Sagum's meeting with the community to protect the Hanapepe Salt Ponds. Rep. Sagum is a freshman legislator from District 16 - Niihau, Lehua, Koloa, Waimea, who won the seat vacated by former Rep. Bertha Kawakami. He invited colleagues from the House Committee on Water, Land, Ocean Resources and Hawaiian Affairs - Rep. Ken Ito, chair, and Rep. Pono Chong, vice-chair - to listen to the discussion and to answer legislative questions.

Rep. Sagum introduced a bill last session to protect the salt ponds. The bill didn't make it through, but he plans to introduce another bill in 2008. From the Garden Island story, here's the gist of the problem:

“There’s so much development going on around here that it’s affecting the salt,” said Kuulei Santos, a salt maker who has carried on her family’s tradition.

Santos explained that water travels underground into wells about 4 feet deep. The salt makers transfer the water into beds made from black clay. The beds are about 4 feet by 3 feet and sun-baked. When the water crystallizes it forms salt. Though listed on the State Historic Preservation Register, there are no physical structures protecting the low-lying area from the activity around it. According to Santos, an area between the parking lot and beach was backfilled with old asphalt, which has disrupted the drainage of water to the beds. In addition, the neighboring Port Allen airport has undergone some development, Kaalani Road running alongside the ponds is eroding, and mud from the cane fields flows downhill to the ponds during the rainy season.

“There’s so much development going on around here that it’s affecting the salt,” said Kuulei Santos, a salt maker who has carried on her family’s tradition. Santos explained that water travels underground into wells about 4 feet deep. The salt makers transfer the water into beds made from black clay. The beds are about 4 feet by 3 feet and sun-baked. When the water crystallizes it forms salt.

Though listed on the State Historic Preservation Register, there are no physical structures protecting the low-lying area from the activity around it. According to Santos, an area between the parking lot and beach was backfilled with old asphalt, which has disrupted the drainage of water to the beds. In addition, the neighboring Port Allen airport has undergone some development, Kaalani Road running alongside the ponds is eroding, and mud from the cane fields flows downhill to the ponds during the rainy season.

Hanapepe Salt Ponds

Much of the sacred red salt used by kahu and kupuna for blessings and healing comes from the Hanapepe Salt Ponds on the island of Kauai. Freshman Representative Roland Sagum III, who works in planning and development, is afraid that the competing uses and activities in the area may permanently destroy the health of the salt ponds. His opinion piece on the need for a development management plan for the Hanapepe Salt Ponds appears today in the Kauai Garden Island.