Appointees named to Native Hawaiian Roll Commission

Rep. Faye Hanohano and other House and Senate members today joined Gov. Neil Abercrombie at a press conference to announce the five appointees to the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission.

They are: former Governor John D. Waihe'e (At-Large), Lei Kihoi (Hawai'i), Mahealani Perez-Wendt (Maui), Na'alehu Anthony (O'ahu), and Robin Puanani Danner (Kaua'i).

Act 195, signed into law in July, requires the Commission to create a roll of qualified Native Hawaiians, as defined by state law, who would eventually be able to participate in the organization of a Native Hawaiian government.

Read more about it at KITV4.

Safe America

September is National Preparedness Month. The following is a public safety PSA that Rep. Rida Cabanilla taped for the National Foundation of Women Legislators 2011 Conference in Des Moines, Iowa last month. Rep. Cabanilla is the Hawaii State Chair for NFWL for the current membership year. Learn the text message shorthand to use in emergencies:

Happy Ending

A young family who lives in the bushes at Keaau Beach will be going to live in Washington state where the husband will be given work and the mother and child will get the health services they need.

Rep. John Mizuno has been working with Help the Hawaii Homeless, a non-profit organization helping to get services for homeless families and individuals. Together, they have been able to raise funds to purchase one-way airline tickets for 12 homeless people who have a place to stay on the mainland. The latest is this family of three: the mother, age 35, who suffers from fibromyalgia, the husband, and the 4 year old daughter who is autistic.

The family does not want their faces or names revealed as the biological father of the child has been stalking them. The mother recently re-united with her half-brother, whom she hasn't seen in 18 years, through a people-finder site on the internet. The brother offered to house the family and give the husband a job in construction if they were able to fly to Washington state.

Rep. Mizuno has two Facebook accounts - one has 3K followers, the other has 5K followers. He put out a media advisory for a press conference today to ask the public for assistance with airline tickets. He also put it up on Facebook, and early this morning they received a generous donation for the airline tickets and travel expenses. The donor lives on the mainland but is from Hawaii.

The family was forced to live in the bushes after a beach sweep earlier this year. The mother says that the hardest part of taking care of her child is meals. With fibromyalgia, it's difficult to make a fire to cook the meals and keep food from going bad so that she can feed her family.

Watch for news coverage tonight on a very happy ending for this family.

Maintaining Kapolei post office crucial

The following appeared in this morning's Honolulu Star-Advertiser. LInk here. (may require online subscription)

Like many West Oahu residents, I was taken aback by the United States Postal Service's announcement that the Kapolei post station might close, along with three others in Hawaii and nearly 3,650 stations across the country. After all, the continued growth of our "Second City" seemed to distinguish Kapolei from the other communities on the USPS list. As the Star-Advertiser's Aug. 13 editorial maintained ("‘Second city' should have a post office"), it is vital that postal service, in one form or another, remains in our burgeoning community.

However, while maintaining Kapolei's postal service is crucial, it is important to realize that the proposed closures are just another sign of how technology is changing our habits. Just as digital books and online bookstores precipitated Borders' recent closing, our increased reliance on e-mail, online bill payment and other shipping methods have significantly impacted USPS.

As a quasi-independent federal agency, USPS receives no taxpayer-funded appropriations from the U.S. Congress, and instead generates revenue through postage and services. Though the cost of a stamp rose steadily over the last few decades, it has not been enough to turn a profit as the use of services dropped significantly. USPS has also struggled to meet retirement and health care obligations to its employees, all leading to billions in losses in recent years.

In Kapolei, the current station's limited hours and limited parking have made it difficult to adequately meet the community's needs. However, Kapolei may be in better shape than other, more rural areas on the mainland (or the Kalaupapa settlement on Molokai), where the next closest office is at least 20 miles away. The Kalaeloa/Barbers Point post office is less than two miles from the main Kapolei office, and unlike the main station, there is plentiful parking. USPS also owns the Kalaeloa station land, eliminating the expense of costly rents. While hours are currently limited, that could potentially change, particularly if the Kapolei station is closed. Finally, shifting more business to the Kalaeloa location could help boost further economic activity that may accelerate the revitalization of the area.

Another option is a "contract postal unit," in which local businesses offer postal services. Kapolei currently has one small contract postal unit, located in Armac Printing, and depending on the location, size and hours of service of another contract postal unit, these facilities could be a viable alternative to replace the main station or work in partnership with the Kalaeloa station to give better choices to Kapolei businesses and residents.

No matter what type of postal service we envision for our community, it is critically important that we make our opinions known, as the period for public comment draws to a close on Sept. 23. USPS is accepting written comments via mail (District Manager, USPS, 3600 Aolele St., Honolulu, HI 96820), but has received only five letters regarding Kapolei as of this writing. USPS has also mailed a survey to area postal customers, and will host a public meeting on Thursday, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Kapolei High School Cafeteria, so I urge area residents and businesses to take advantage of these opportunities to share their thoughts.

Ultimately, though, our changing habits mean that a full-service postal office in every community may be a thing of the past. It is also clear that the post office still is an important part of many communities, including Kapolei. Though the only certainty is that tomorrow's postal service will not look like yesterday's, or even today's, now is the time to speak up about the best way to keep essential postal services available in Kapolei.

Rep Takai honored with Distinguished Service Metal

Photo from Hawaii Reporter. L-R: Brig. Gen. John Walsh, vice chair (air) of the National Guard Association of the United States; Representative Mark Takai; and Col. Murray Hansen, chairman of the National Guard Association of the United States awards committee. Photo taken by Ron Jensen

Last week Monday, the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) Distinguished Service Medal was awarded to Representative K. Mark Takai, who is also a Major in the Hawaii Army National Guard. He was presented the award during the 133 NGAUS General Conference at the Frontier Airlines Center in Milwaukee. The award is given to a member of the Armed Forces who has shown exceptionally outstanding service to the United States Government, to the Armed Forces of the United States or to NGAUS.

Here's an excerpt from news release from the NGAUS:

"Maj. K. Mark Takai is a 12-year member of the Hawaii Army National Guard, and a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is the current vice president of the Hawaii National Guard Association. He coordinated Hawaii’s winning bid to host NGAUS 2013 in Honolulu.

Maj. Takai is also a 17-year elected Representative of the Hawaii State Legislature and is the Chairman of the National Network of Legislators in the Military. He has served as the NGAUS Congressional Action Contact Officer in Hawaii for six years.

"Through his hard work and inspired vision, Maj. Takai has been steadfast in his support for the military. Much of what he has done for the military and the community goes far beyond his role as an Army officer,” said retired Maj. Gen. Gus L. Hargett, the president of NGAUS..."

"I am deeply touched and humbled by this award,” Takai said. “Citizen-soldiers throughout the country have assumed the call of duty. We proudly serve our nation in times of war, and serve our states during manmade and natural disasters. Being part of the Hawaii Army National Guard has been and continues to be rewarding.”

Judged

The Senate will tomorrow hold a special session to take a final vote on the nomination of Deputy Public Defender Karen Nakasone to a 10-year year term as a Oahu Circuit Court Judge. She testified and answered questions from members of the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee, who today voted 4-0 to approve her nomination.

Nakasone earned her law degree from Boston University. She has served as a deputy public defender since 1996, and before that as a law clerk to the Hawaii Appeals Court Judge Simeon Acoba Jr.

Kukui Connection: OMPO Director Brian Gibson

On the next installment of "Kukui Connection," Representative Marilyn Lee sits down with Brian Gibson, the new director of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. Rep. Lee is the chair of the organization's Policy Committee. Gibson comes from North Dakota and has 9 years of experience in transportation planning. He has been at OMPO for 15 months. 

You can watch the episode on the following Sundays at 4 p.m. on Olelo Channel 54: August 28, September 4, and September 11

On the show, they discuss the roles of the three committees of OMPO, which are the Citizen Advisory Committee, Technical Advisory Committee, and Policy Committee.

Gibson also shares what he believes to be his biggest challenge in transportation planning on Oahu, and suggests that we may be seeing more planning organizations on the neighbor islands if the 2010 census shows a larger population growth. Maui and Hilo were very close to the threshold in the 2000 census, he said.

The Federal Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1973 requires the formation of a metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for any urbanized area with a population greater than 50,000. This mandate was based on the need to ensure that existing and future expenditures for transportation projects and programs were based on a comprehensive, cooperative, and continuing (3-C) planning process. Federal funding for transportation projects and programs are channeled through this planning process.

Rep Chris Lee: Getting Women Equal Power Where It Counts

The following article from Rep. Chris Lee was published on Civil Beat yesterday

Getting Women Equal Power Where It Counts

Seventy percent of Hawaii’s elected officials are men. Women have been shortchanged in our government, and many issues important to women I know hardly get the attention they deserve. But this is not about why women should be more equally included in Hawaii’s critical decision-making — this is about how to get them there.

We are fortunate to have strong women representing us in Congress, but local politics is overwhelmingly male-dominated. Only 21 percent of elected county officials are women. Thirty-three percent of the State House is female, but women disproportionately hold just two of 10 Democratic leadership positions and chair only four of 20 House committees.

Many are already working to engage more women to vote and participate, which is positive. (Hawaii Women and Politics — A Sore Subject, August 1) However, if the real goal is more equal representation in government, then the solution goes far beyond reaching out to engage women — more women must step forward to run for office.

With limited resources, reaching out to engage anyone in the political process is extremely difficult. Despite our best efforts, political participation has continued to decline among both sexes, and a shrinking focus on civic education, social studies and history in our schools will soon exacerbate the problem.

People often have more pressing concerns than getting involved. While a 2010 survey sponsored by the Patsy T. Mink Political Action Committee found that 36 percent of Hawaii’s single mothers are not registered to vote, state data shows that 67 percent of single parents cannot afford basic food, healthcare, and housing without government assistance. In fact, 72 percent of all women surveyed showed more concern with daily issues than involvement with politics.

Can we really expect to overcome people’s focus on daily survival in these tough times? Even if we could, will engaging more women actually lead to electing more women?

Probably not.

Women are already more politically engaged than men, and more women vote than men in every election. Women under 35 are the most active, and 7 percent more show up to the polls than their male counterparts.

Engaging more women will lead to electing more women only if women predominantly vote for female candidates. While the Patsy T. Mink PAC survey found that 63 percent of women say they would vote for a female candidate over a male candidate — in reality this is not so clear.

In 2010, six men and one woman ran for Lieutenant Governor in Hawaii’s Democratic Primary Election. The only female candidate finished fifth with just 8 percent of the vote, and did little better when controlling for the amount of money each candidate spent. If gender mattered at all, it took a back seat to other things.

Other elections suggest the same conclusion. Of the 95 races for the state legislature in the last two General Elections, four had male vs. female opponents running for open seats with no incumbent. These seats were won by two women and two men, but political party – not gender – was the deciding factor for voters. In these districts the candidate matching the predominant political demographic easily won by large margins. Democrats won Democratic strongholds and a Republican won a Republican stronghold.

In the 31 other legislative races with male-female matchups, the incumbent won every time, regardless of gender. In fact, of all 95 legislative races, only five incumbents lost. Incumbency and basic demographics trump nearly every other factor that determines election outcomes except one — which candidates choose to run in the first place.

Of the 191 candidates who chose to run in these 95 legislative races, 70 percent were men. Most importantly, 22 men, but just four women, ran for the 13 key seats with no incumbent where newcomers have a real chance of winning.

It is not that women have trouble winning elections – it is that there are not enough women running to begin with.

Social, cultural and economic barriers still make it hard for some women to consider running for public office, but women who can run must step forward – it will take their help as elected leaders to ultimately break these barriers down.

Women like Patsy Mink demonstrate that Hawaii can benefit tremendously from female leadership in public office. If we are going to live up to the diversity and equality on which Hawaii prides itself, then women must be more equally included in the critical decisions that shape the future of our state. Engaging more women to vote is not enough — women must run for office in greater numbers.

So, if you are a woman and you care about Hawaii – then why not you?

State Capitol named energy finalist; reduces energy use for three consecutive months

This article is the first of many more guest blogs from the House Majority Staff Office (HMSO).

by Brandon Masuoka of HMSO

The Hawaii State Capitol recently earned special recognition in an ongoing, national energy savings competition that features more than 200 entrants.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency named the Capitol as an energy-saving finalist in the office category in the 2011 National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings, according to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism State Energy Office.

L-R: Brandon Masuoka, Paulette Abe and Merissa Sakuda are the 

building coordinators for the iConserve Energy Initiative Hawaii.

The national competition features 245 buildings across 33 states and the District of Columbia in an energy-saving competition. The building that sheds the most energy waste will be declared the winner in November.

"We've received strong support from EPA's ENERGY STAR program and look forward to even greater success in the remaining months of the competition," said Estrella Seese, Acting Energy Program Administrator for the State Energy Office, in July.

Hawaii's state departments are poised to save millions of dollars with energy conservation this year, and those savings can be used to bring services to the people of Hawaii.

The Capitol recently reduced its energy use for three consecutive months in February, March, and April compared to the same timeframe in 2010, according to the most current state data available.

The Capitol has cut its energy use through a variety of strategies, including mechanical, lighting, and plumbing upgrades, efficient operations, and an occupant behavior change campaign, according to the State Energy Office.
In June, officials with the Hawaii iConserve Energy Initiative -- a conservation program highlighting state employees using personal energy-saving behaviors at work -- celebrated with a Capitol rally that drew hundreds of conservation advocates. Gov. Neil Abercrombie, Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz, House and Senate members, department heads, media reporters, 50 Green Champion energy-conservation volunteers, and clean energy businesses, among others, attended the rally.

 

L-R: Brandon Masuoka, 4th floor coordinator; Paulette Abe, Overall and Chamber Coordinator; and Merissa Sakuda, 3rd floor coordinator of the Capitol building iConserve Energy Initiative Hawaii.

The iConserve Initiative -- spearheaded by the Department of Accounting and General Services, energy service company partner NORESCO, and the State Energy Office – has encouraged Capitol employees to change their daily routines to cut electricity, such as:

• Turning off unnecessary lights;
• Hibernating or shutting down computers when leaving for long periods;
• Turning off, unplugging, or removing personal energy-guzzling devices; and
• Closing office doors.

Last year, in partnership with DBEDT's Lead by Example energy efficiency program, state departments cut total electric consumption by 2.8 percent from 2009 and saved more than $20 million in energy costs statewide. The challenge is to surpass that $20 million amount this year in an effort to bring more services to the people of Hawaii, according to Gov. Abercrombie.

The state's energy efforts have been documented by several news outlets. Here are the Web links:

http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2011/05/06/hawaii-buildings-competing-in-epa.html
http://blogs.starbulletin.com/inpolitics/battle-of-the-buildings/
http://www.greenmagazinehawaii.com/6.30.11_iconserve.html
http://thegreenleaf.honadvblogs.com/2011/06/28/the-iconserve-rally/
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/15001027/state-capitol-rally-promoting-energy-efficiency?clienttype=printable
http://www.enigin.com/about/enigin-plc/news/-/enigin-news-hawaii-s-capitol-enters-energy-efficiency-battle

Also, here's the list of top contenders and complete midpoint results for all competitors in the 2011 National Building Competition: Battle of the Buildings. For additional information please go to the Hawaii State Capitol Building Facebook Page or http://www.noresco.com/hi.

Who is Dr. Cole?

"Who is Dr. Cole and what happened to him?"

Like many others who walked by the makai side of the Hawaii State Capitol today, that's exactly what I was wondering after picking up lunch and seeing a large flower memorial for a Dr. Cole near the pool of brackish water surrounding the building.

Little did I know that the ABC television series, "The River," was filming at the Hawaii State Capitol today.

Ah, that's who Dr. Cole is. 

According to a Honolulu Star Advertiser article:

"The River" stars [Bruce] Greenwood as Dr. Emmet Cole, who travels the world to film a popular nature television show. He goes missing in the Amazon, and his family, friends and crew set out to find him. "The shocking truth about his disappearance is out there, somewhere, just waiting to be discovered," says a statement released by the studio.

The pilot was shot in Puerto Rico before production was relocated to Hawaii. 

News Release on Rep. Lee's Election as WLN President

WLN Board Officer Press Release 2011-2012

Ordnance Reef Hawaii - Part 2

In part 2 of the Ordnance Reef Hawaii shows on Jordan's Journal, Rep. Jo Jordan talks with Dr. Eric DeCarlo, Professor of Oceanography at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and Robert O'Conner, Fishery Information Specialist.

Dr. DeCarlo and Mr. O'Conner discuss follow up efforts to determine what effects there have been after the initial removal project. This project will surely serve as a model for other areas of the world where munitions have been left by the military.

This episode airs on:

Monday, September 12, 2011 at 1 p.m.

Sunday, September 18, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Monday, September 19, 2011 at 1 p.m.

Rep. Jo Jordan represents District 45 - Waianae, Makaha, Makua.

To learn more about the project and see some stunning photos, you can find and "like" the Ordnance Reef Hawaii Facebook page here.

Below is great footage of collecting munitions from the ocean floor. You can see all the video from the Ordnance Reef Hawaii project on YouTube.

Rep. Marilyn Lee - New President of NCSL Women's Legislative Network

Congratulations to Rep. Marilyn Lee (right), elected to serve as the new President of the National Conference of State Legislatures Women's Legislative Network. Above she stands with Rep. Rosie Berger, Wyoming, past president of the Women's Legislative Network and incoming chair of CSG-WEST.

Learn more about the Women's Legislative Network here.

Here is Rep. Lee's travel report to the NCSL annual meeting:

Representative Lee's NCSL-Legislative Summit Travel Report

Ordnance Reef Hawaii

On the next episode of Jordan's Journal, Rep. Jo Jordan speaks with J.C. King, Assistant for Munitions, Dept. of the Army, and John Coughlin, Director, Engineering and Army Sciences for ARA.

Get a first hand account of the project to retrieve projectiles and other munitions from the ocean floor on the Waianae Coast. This show, which is the first episode of two shows on the subject of ordnance reefs, airs on:

Monday, August 29, 2011 at 1 p.m.

Sunday, September 4, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Monday, September 5, 2011 at 1 p.m.

You can view more video footage on YouTube here. (OrdnanceReefHawaii). Here's a sample:

Rep. Jordan represents District 45 - Waianae, Makaha, Makua. On the next episode, Part 2 on Ordnance Reefs, she'll be talking with Eric DeCarlo and Rob O'Connor.

Rep. Pono Chong on NCSL Exec Committee

NR NCSL Exec RepChong

Ka Pua Project

Rep. Jordan talks with Kaiulani Sodaro (center) and Maile Keliipio-Acoba (right) from the Kamehameha Schools Ka Pua Project

Currently running on Jordan's Journal, the public access television series produced and hosted by Rep. Jo Jordan (District 45 - Waianae, Makaha, Makua) is an episode on Kamehameha Schools, specifically the Ka Pua project.

The Ka Pua project is an outreach program through Kamehameha Schools to provide greater assistance for Native Hawaiian children throughout the state. The coordinators of the project found that the greatest concentration of Native Hawaiian children in need is on the Waianae Coast.

Rep. Jordan interviews Kaiulani Sodaro, Director, Enterprise Planning & Sustainability, and Maile Keliipio-Acoba, Project Manager for Ka Pua.

Together they discuss the three spheres of activity:

1)Partnership with the Department of Education P-20.

2)Race to the Top

3)New delivery model for education

You won't want to miss the final airing of this show on Sunday, August 21, 2011 at 7:30 p.m., Olelo channel 54.

Rep Mizuno Awarded Citizen Improving America Award

Rep. John Mizuno accepts the Citizen Improving America Award last week at NCSL. The award, below, was presented by the Honey Brown Hope Foundation in San Antonio, Texas, for "exceptional leadership abilities, career achievement and positive impact upon our nation." Rep. Karen Awana and Senator Brickwood Galuteria (back row) are there for support.

Are you ready for a disaster?

Reps Aquino and Cullen Hold Disaster Preparedness Meeting

Rep Jo Jordan - Education Town Hall Meeting

Jordan Education Flyer

Rep Marilyn Lee - August News

Mililani Community Report August 2011

Rep Isaac Choy's Manoa Hot Spots

Manoa Hot Spots

Aloha CSG West

Futurist Joel Kotkin is interviewed by David Adkins, Executive Director/CEO of CSG

Chris Watley, Director, CSG Washington DC Office interviewed by HPR's Wayne Yoshioka

CNN Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley delivers Keynote Address on 8/1/11

Candy Crowley and Rep. Marcus Oshiro, CSGWest Chair

Here are the links to news coverage of the CSGWest conference held in Honolulu July 30 to August 2, 2011:

Press Release

Great Falls Tribune

Carson Now (Nevada)

Nevada News Bureau

Hawaii Reporter - Welcome

Hawaii Reporter - Walsh, Crowley, Kotkin

Canada Views

Honolulu Star-Advertiser - Hawaii isn't Switzerland

Government of Alberta

Electric Light and Power

Utah Policy

Honolulu Star-Advertiser - Lawmakers Gather

KHON2 - Conference draws lawmakers

Honolulu Star-Advertiser - APEC

Honolulu Star-Advertiser - Fahrenkamp Award

Hawaii Public Radio - Debt Limit

Hawaii Reporter - Crowley Keynote

Hawaii Reporter - Fiscal Challenges

Civil Beat - Joel Kotkin

Hawaii Reporter - Joel Kotkin

Special Edition Prevailing Winds

Prevailing Winds Special Edition - Choy

Charter School Task Force

Rep. Della Au Belatti (left) and Sen. Jill Tokuda (right) are

co-chairs of the Charter School Governance, Accountability and Authority Task Force.

The Task Force holds its second meeting Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. Meeting notice here. Capitol TV will also be there and you can watch it live on Olelo, Channel 53. Here is some general information which can also be found on the Capitol website link:

Task Force members are:

Robert Campbell

Tammi Chun

Don Horner

Megan McCorriston

Robert McKeague

Lisa Okinaga

Steve Sullivan

Ruth Tschumy

Gene Zarro

Establishing legislation: Act 130/SLH2011. Requires charter school budget requests for needs-based facilities funding to include a detailed explanation as to the formula used and the funding request breakdown by school. Allows charter schools to appeal denied reauthorizations to BOE. Requires charter schools and their local school boards to develop internal policies and procedures consistent with ethical standards of conduct. Requires the charter school review panel to conduct a multi-year evaluation of each charter school every six years, instead of every five. Establishes a task force to address issues on charter school governance, accountability, and authority. (CD1)

Task Force Objectives:

1) Develop legislation or administrative rules that clearly and definitively designate the

governance structure and authority between and among key charter school organizations and

the department of education, the board of education, and the office of the governor;

2) Identify how the governance structure connects and relates to the state education agency

and local education agency;

3) Identify oversight and monitoring responsibilities of the charter school review panel, the

charter school administrative office, and the local school boards and develop a process for

enforcement; and

4) Discuss funding-related issues, including but not limited to appropriate funding levels for the

charter school administrative office.

Minnesota's Automated House Chamber

From the land that first brought us scotch tape and Wheaties cereal, Minnesota's House Communications Office has put together a series of videos on YouTube about their history and innovations over the years. The Minnesota House Chamber has had a form of electronic voting since the 1930's. The electric voting boards are the original ones installed in the House and Senate from that time. Amazing!

Illegal Critters

Rep. Clift Tsuji moderated a panel on "Invasive Species" at the recent CSG-WEST conference, and as part of the presentation, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture brought some conviscated, illegal critters for "show and tell."

Leopard Gecko

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Bearded Dragon

Bearded Dragon

Ball Python

Australia's National Broadband Network - Worth the Watch

David Lassner, University of Hawaii's Vice President for Information Technology and Chief Information Officer, shared this video on Australia's National Broadband Network with attendees at the recent Council of State Governments - WEST conference. His presentation was on what Hawaii has accomplished in the past few years on achieving access to broadband for Hawaii residents and businesses. Lassner served as Chair with Rep. Kyle Yamashita on the Hawaii Broadband Task Force. Yamashita chaired the CSG-WEST session on economic development.

This is a well done, informative and engaging piece on the benefits of broadband and how it will benefit your activities at home:

Liberty Dialysis and Fresenius Medical Care Merger

Liberty Dialysis Holdings Press Release 8 2 11yamane

Fact Sheet on Liberty Dialysis Merger

Fresenius Medical Care-Liberty Dialysis Holdings Merger Fact Sheet

1. Fresenius Medical Care, through its acquisition of Liberty Dialysis Holdings, will provide dialysis care to over 158,000 patients across the United States and continue its position as the largest provider of dialysis services in the nation.

2. The combined total number of clinics will be 2,086 across the United States.

3. In Hawaii the combined number of dialysis facilities will be 24:

Liberty Dialysis Hawaii Clinics:

i. Liberty Dialysis Hawaii –Kona, 78-6831 Ali'I Dr.
ii. Liberty Dialysis- North Hawaii, 67-1123 Mamalahoa Hwy
iii. Liberty Dialysis Hawaii –Hilo, 140 Rainbow Dr.
iv. Liberty Dialysis Hawaii- Liliha, 2226 Liliha St.
v. Liberty Dialysis Hawaii – Kahana, 10 Hoohui Rd.
vi. Liberty Dialysis Hawaii- Kailua, 25 Kaneohe Bay Dr.
vii. Liberty Dialysis Hawaii- Kauai, 3224 Elua St.
viii. Liberty Dialysis Hawaii- Leeward, 91-2137 Ft. Weaver Rd.
ix. Liberty Dialysis Hawaii- Maui, 105 Maui Lani Pkwy.
x. Liberty Dialysis Hawaii- Maui Home, 105 Maui Lani Pkwy.
xi. Liberty Dialysis Hawaii-Molokai, 28 Kamoi St.
xii. Liberty Dialysis Hawaii-Sullivan, 2230 Liliha St.
xiii. Liberty Dialysis Hawaii- Waianae, 86-080 Farrington Hwy.
xiv. Liberty Dialysis Hawaii- West Kauai, 4643A Waimea Canyon Rd.
xv. Liberty Dialysis Hawaii- Kaimuki, 3625 Harding Ave.
xvi. Liberty Dialysis Hawaii-Waipahu, 94-450 Mokola St.

Fresenius Medical Care Facilities:

i. Fresenius Medical Care- Honolulul Dialysis, 226 North Kuakini St.
ii. Fresenius Medical Care- Aloha Dialysis, 1520 Liliha St.
iii. Fresenius Medical Care-Kapahulu Dialysis, 750 Palani Ave.
iv. Fresenius Medical Care- Windward Dialysis, 45-480 Kaneohe Bay Dr.
v. Fresenius Medical Care- Pearlridge, 98-1005 Moanalua Rd.
vi. Fresenius Medical Care- Ko'olau, 47-388 Hui Iwa St.
vii. Fresenius Medical Care-Kapolei, 555 Farrington Hwy.
viii. Fresenius Medical Care- Wahiawa, 850 Kilani Ave.

4. In Hawaii, Liberty Dialysis is a joint venture with St. Francis and a majority of the nephrologists. Only one shareholder is changing; the rest are staying on. In addition, the local management team will continue. The bottom line is that Liberty Dialysis - Hawaii will continue after the merger with its strong local connections and high quality dialysis care that have served the community for years.

5. The combined total number of patients cared for in Hawaii will be 2900.

Welcome Council of State Governments - WEST

Media Advisory CSG-WEST Weekend FINAL

Rep. Jordan's Summer 2011 Newsletter

Jordan July-August 2011 Newsletter Click on "Fullscreen" at the bottom of the blog post for a larger version of the newsletter, or click on the "Download" button to save the PDF version of the newsletter to your computer.

Telling Stories and Growing Industries

Ty Sanga in orange on the set of "Stones." - Photo from Honolulu Weekly online

The panelists in today’s informational briefing on creative industries in Hawaii shared one underlying position: for the creative industry sector to be successful and sustainable in Hawaii, we must mentor, train and educate our youth, but that can’t be done if “the arts” are not included as required core education at local schools.

Ramsay Taum, of Pacific Islanders in Communications, said it best. He noted that the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Program should have been the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Program.

Beth Kammerer, director of Kahuku High School’s award-winning choir “Vocal Motion,” added that kids need enrichment programs. Our students absorb information in their math and science classes all day, she said, and in their music, film and art classes, they get to let things out, their feelings, their knowledge, and their stories.

Taum explained how Pacific Island cultures would tell their stories through song and dance, but today stories are and can be told through contemporary tools. We need to assist islanders to tell our cultural stories the way we tell our stories, he said, ultimately changing past interpretations of Hawaiian culture in the creative media industries.

An exciting addition to the discussion was Ty Sanga, a local boy from Kalihi and graduate of Saint Louis School whose short film “Stones,” which was filmed in Hawaii and adapted from a Hawaiian legend, was selected to be shown at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. The film was completed in 2008 as part of his thesis project at a mainland university. Sanga recounted to lawmakers how he had to persuade university advisers to allow him and his crew to film on location in Hawaii. They told me that I could just film it in California, I didn’t need to go all the way to Hawaii, he said. He wanted to film a story about Hawaii in Hawaii.

Hawaii’s creative industries has grown 10 percent since 2002, and today has a total workforce of 44,000 employees, said panelist Georgia Skinner, head of the Creative Industries Division at the State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. She said since the division’s establishment in 2003 there has been 10 feature films, four television series, and several national commercials shot in Hawaii. The companies provide internships to local students and contribute in various ways to the communities in which they are filming. Hawaii Five-O takes on five interns per season.

Skinner also talked about the need for more integration of digital arts into the classroom, using digital media in biology and math courses at elementary, intermediate and high school levels to engage students in both the arts and sciences. She noted that given the economy and lack of funding for classroom courses, DBEDT is working on connecting creative industry communities and creating strategic public and private partnerships. DBEDT will be taking a survey of Hawaii creative industry sectors to see what they need. Results of that survey should be out by the end of the year, before the start of the 2012 Legislative Session.

This was the first of several meetings held by the House Committee on Culture and the Arts. The next one is tentatively scheduled for September 7, 2011. The committee is lead by Representative Jessica Wooley.

Broadband Hot Shots

This appeared in MidWeek this week:

Bill For Broadband Infrastructure

Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed House Bill 1342 June 21. The bill, now Act 151, expedites the permitting process for broadband infrastructure. With this measure, broadband providers are exempt from state and county permitting requirements for installation, construction and development of broadband infrastructure for a five-year period. Pictured (from left) are Norm Santos, Ret. Vice Adm. Robert Kihune, Everrett Kaneshige, state Rep. Kyle Yamashita, Abercrombie, state Sens. Carol Fukunaga and David Ige, and John Komeiji.

Rep. Herkes on Act 48

Rep. Bob Herkes is speaking today before the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce on Act 48, a new law passed during the 2011 session to address the mortgage foreclosure issue.

On July 17th, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser published Rep. Herkes' opinion piece. We've copied it here:

'Flaws' in Act 48 are actually teeth to protect homeowners

On Wednesday, this paper reported on a meeting sponsored by collection lawyers to discuss Act 48 — Hawaii's mortgage foreclosure reform ("Attorneys say flaws mar new isle foreclosure law," Star-Advertiser).

It appears this meeting was a gripe session for those who previously enjoyed a free ride on a fast track through a giant loophole in Hawaii's foreclosure law.

Act 48 has taken the wind out of their sails because of its explicit moratorium on a law from the 1800s. That law allowed a bank to sell a home at a foreclosure auction in just four weeks — without requiring the homeowner's knowledge.

Until Act 48, these lawyers used that law to steamroll through the vast majority of Hawaii's foreclosures. That process had virtually no consumer protections, nor any third-party oversight.

With the fraud, deception, mismanagement and mistakes that have come to light during this national foreclosure fiasco, I feel no sympathy.

It's clear these lawyers are going judicial because they have little faith in their ability to follow the new non-judicial law and the integrity it requires.

One lawyer said he receives up to 100 referrals a month. If compensated at Fannie Mae's bargain rate of $1,100 per non-judicial foreclosure, that lawyer could still bring in $110,000 per month. However, Fannie Mae only pays $2,200 per judicial foreclosure — money they might not see for a couple years. Plus, these lawyers actually have to show up and plead their case to a judge. What a hassle! No wonder they're so upset.

They should look at the bright side. The Legislature could have taken the approach the New York courts have — require lawyers to affirm they actually verified the accuracy of the foreclosure papers submitted to the court.

Well, as we say here at the Capitol, "we can fix it next year."

I wonder if the collection lawyers gave any thought to why Act 48 was passed. Let me enlighten them.

This law wasn't passed for the banks who, with the help of Fannie Mae, seduced the unwary, concocted complex investment schemes to line their pockets, pass on the risk, and cheat the investors — the very banks that required the taxpayers to bail them out and keep our economy afloat.

Nor is Act 48 for the unscrupulous real estate agents and mortgage brokers who encouraged people to purchase homes they couldn't afford — whose greed contributed to the inflation of a market wherein the hard-working families of Hawaii can hardly afford a home. Their indulgences added to a housing bubble that was bound to burst.

Certainly, Act 48 was not passed for the collection lawyers, whose fast-track, fast-money non-judicial foreclosure binge is now over.

Let me be clear: Act 48 was passed to protect the consumer. It creates a level playing field for the beleaguered homeowner. It has helped many deserving homeowners, and will do so for many more.

Foreclosures breed foreclosures; and before Act 48, they were pouring right through that non-judicial loophole from the 1800s. To the lament of the collection lawyers, that loophole is now tightly sealed. As chairman of the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, I have no intention of reopening it.

It is plain to see that the biggest whiners in a post-Act 48 Hawaii are those who can no longer make big fast easy money.

What the collection lawyers are calling the "flaws" of Act 48 are actually "teeth." They are so sharp, the lawyers are running scared into the jaws of the courts.

The people of Hawaii have my pledge that I will do all in my power to support the other branches of government as we address this crisis together — for the consumer.

Former BOE student member on "Jordan's Journal"

Air Date: Monday, August 1, 2011 at 1 p.m. - Olelo, ch. 54.

Repeat Date: Sunday, August 7, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. - Olelo ch. 54

Mark Dannog, who just graduated from Waianae High School, will probably be the only student member of the Board of Education to experience being on both an elected board and an appointed board. Hear his story on the next "Jordan's Journal" - a community based television series hosted by Rep. Jo Jordan.

Dannog, who was elected to the Board of Education as a student member on July 14, 2010, stayed on the Board after it transitioned to an appointed board and completed his term on June 30, 2011. Governor Abercrombie has since appointed a new student member. As he is the only person to sit on both appointed and elected boards, watch the show to find out which he prefers and why.

He believes that the student member may be one of the most important members on the board because the student is the only person on the board who is actually in the school system every day and can witness firsthand how the board's policies are being implemented. He also believes that most parents in the Waianae area are not involved with their children's education, and that the schools and students could perform at a greater level with more parent involvement.

Now that he has graduated from high school, Dannog plans to start college, and then serve time with the Air Force after college graduation. After he has fulfilled his military obligations, he plans to enroll in law school, and eventually to come back to Hawaii to serve his home state.

Rep. Jo Jordan (District 45 - Waianae, Makaha, Makua) will be hosting a Town Hall Meeting focusing on Education on Wednesday, August 17, 2011, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Waianae District Park Multi-purpose Room. For futher information call Rep. Jordan's office at 586-8460 or email her at repjordan@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Big Guns

A group of elected officials and other guests were invited to tour Pearl Harbor on Saturday to learn more about the Pearl Harbor historic sites. Elected officials above include Rep. Ty Cullen, Councilmember Stanley Chang, Rep. Tom Brower, Councilmember Breene Harimoto and Rep. Jo Jordan. The group is gathered here on the U.S.S. Missouri.

Rep. Marilyn Lee interviews Councilmember Stanley Chang

Coming up next on Kukui Connection, Rep. Marilyn Lee talks with freshman Councilmember Stanley Chang who represents Honolulu District 4. The district spans from Makapuu to parts of Kaimuki, circles around Diamond Head through Waikiki, and ends at Ala Moana.

This show airs on Sunday, July 31st, 4:00 p.m. on Olelo Channel 54. It repeats on Sunday, August 7th. Here are some of the topics covered:

Personal story - Congressman Chang's parents, who immigrated to the U.S. from China, his education at Iolani and Harvard, his love for music and a stint at SONY BMG, and his strong ties to the Chinese community.

Top city issues - infrastructure, traffic, homelessness.

Young people and politics - why he decided to run, the value of life in public service, advice for young people looking at possible political careers.

Rep Aquino holds School Supply Drive

State Representative Henry Aquino will be holding a School Supply Drive to support the students of August Ahrens and Waipahu Elementary Schools. The drive will be held on the following dates and times outside the Longs Drugs at Waipahu Town Center:

Saturday, July 30, 2011 8:00 A.M. to 12 Noon

Saturday, August 6, 2011 8:00 A.M. to 12 Noon

"Many families going through difficult times are unable to provide basic school supplies for their children," said Rep. Aquino (District 35 – Pearl City, Waipahu.) "As a father with a young child, I know how important it is for students to have the supplies they need in order to do their homework and to learn effectively. We want to see every child going to class well prepared, so we are coming together, as a community, to help give them a good start."

The desired items include:

Wide-rule folder paper

Wide-rule composition books

#2 pencils

4 oz. glue

Portfolios

24 or 48-count crayons

12-inch rulers

For more information, call Rep Aquino's office at 586-6520.

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Hawaii Legislature to Host CSGWest Annual Meeting

CSG-WEST Hawaii Conference News Release