Pro Bowl Trophy

 Football fan/ Waikiki Representative Tom Brower with Representatives Sylvia Luke and Scott Saiki, Chief Clerk CJ Leong and NFL Cheerleaders.

Rep. Tom Brower, Chair of the House Tourism committee, joined the Pro Bowl Cheerleaders at Wolfgang's Steakhouse (Waikiki), the official home of the NFL Pro Bowl Trophy on January 23, 2012.

While there, he ran into Reps. Sylvia Luke and Scott Saiki and Chief Clerk CJ Leong, who were having lunch at the restaurant.

"The Pro Bowl Trophy, which was on public display at Wolfgang’s from January 24th -28th, was a great way to kick off Sunday's NFL Pro Bowl event at Aloha Stadium," said Rep. Brower.

For more information on NFL Pro Bowl Hawaii 2012, please visit http://www.nfl.com/probowl.

Civil Union bill moves to the Senate

The civil union bill passed third reading today on the House floor with 33 voting yes and 17 voting no. It will now crossover to the Senate for consideration.

Here are some of the things said by house members who rose to speak in opposition or support of HB 444 (taken from live Twitter stream):

@georgettedeemer: Rep. Blake Oshiro: There will be a day when acceptance and tolerance are not just words. Let that day be today.

@georgettedeemer: Rep. Chris Lee: My generation overwhelmingly supports equal rights for all couples.

@georgettedeemer: On the House floor. Rep Ward: "Civil Unions is really an end-run for same-sex marriage."

@thelmadreyer: Rep. Marumoto (R) in support of civil unions: "I believe everyone should love and be loved."

@thelmadreyer: Rep. Sylvia Luke (D) in support of civil unions and speaking about discrimination:"It [the civil union bill] brings us closer to equality."

@ddepledge: State House Minority Leader Finnegan says she grew up loving late sister who was gay. But she believes bill would promote same-sex marriage.

@ddepledge: Rep. Pine says supporters should not discriminate against opponents for being Christians, Mormons or Muslims.

Following the decision on the floor, the GLBT Caucus of the Democratic Party and the Family Equality Coalition held a Family Day at the Capitol to bring GLBT families, friends, colleagues and neighbors to talk story with lawmakers. The Hawaii Friends for Civil Rights also presented a check for $1000 to the Family Equality Coalition.

Photo: The GLBT Caucus and the Family Equality Coalition enjoy food and talk story with House members and staff during Family Day at the Capitol.

House holds Natto fundraiser for Hawaii Foodbank

Today, Senate President Colleen Hanabusa and Rep. Sylvia Luke held the most nutritious fundraiser of the season for the Hawaii Foodbank. The theme was "natto", the traditional fermented soybean with a distinct taste, smell and consistency, in a variety of forms.

Choice #1: Natto with Raw Egg, perfect for all the bodybuilders at the legislature.
Choice #2: Raw Natto, over a bed of rice. Breakfast of champions.
Choice #3: Natto Smoothie, which may become the next big thing at Jamba Juice.

Did you know that natto is considered a near perfect food source, rich in protein? The soybeans are mixed with a bacterium called bacillus subtilis natto, thus the name.

House members received a copy of the flyer above on their desks as they entered the floor session at noon, much to Rep. Luke's surprise.

April Fool! Rep. Luke got up at the end of session and pointed a finger at Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell for pulling the prank. She asked Speaker to give him more work to do as he obviously has too much time on his hands.

Rep. Caldwell vehemently denies that he had anything to do with the joke. But, who did? It's still a mystery.