Tag: oahu

  • Happy (Belated) International Women’s Day!

    Happy (Belated) International Women’s Day (Tuesday, March 8)  

    Senators San Buenaventura, Moriwaki, Kanuha, Kim, and DeCoite wear purple for International Women’s Day—purple denotes justice, dignity, and hope.

    Tuesday, March 8 was International Women’s Day. The theme this year is #BreakTheBias—a gender equal word free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination; diverse, equitable, and inclusive; a world where difference is valued and celebrated.  

    In honor of the people of Ukraine: State Capitol to be lit in blue & yellow

    The Hawaiʻi State Capitol will be lit in blue and yellow for one month as the State of Hawaiʻi stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine. The Capitol will be lit starting tonight from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and will continue for the next 30 nights through April 8. Mike Gangloff and the Show Aloha Challenge are spearheading the special art installation at the Capitol, while Hawaiʻi Stage and Lighting are donating the lights. 

    The Capitol lights for Ukraine are being staged at no cost to the state under a Special Use Permit issued by the Department of Accounting and General Services.

    Contents

     

    Legislative Updates and Information on the Process 

    First Crossover
    Only about 25% of the bills introduced typically survive the First Crossover deadline. It may be a good idea to take a look at what remains for the rest of the session. Ask for hearings for those bills you support, and offer testimony on scheduled bills that you care about. To find all bills that have survived the First Crossover deadline (March 10th), click on the “Reports and Lists” button on the Legislature’s website (capitol.hawaii.gov), and then scroll down to the “First Crossover” section. You have a choice of whether you want to see all House or Senate bills that are still alive (2021 and 2022 bills) or want to see only the bills that have seen action so far this session (“with Action Taken in 2022 Only”).

    Substantive Resolutions—Single or Concurrent
    March 11– was the deadline for offering “Substantive Resolutions” –single or concurrent. Single resolutions are adopted by only one chamber; concurrent are adopted by both chambers and express the will or intent of the entire legislature. HCRs and SCRs are “offered” by their introducers and then referred to committees in the same manner as bills; and, after succeeding in all its committees in the originating chamber, it comes to the floor for a vote to adopt. If successful, it crosses to the other chamber for consideration, again being referred to committees and ultimately to the floor of that chamber for adoption. Only if adopted by both chambers, it is adopted and will be sent to those who are directed to act (see the last paragraph of the resolution to see where certified copies of the resolution will be sent).

    The Executive Budget
    The budget bill for FY 2021-2023 is HB1600. In the second year of a biennium, like 2022, the budget bill specifically amends the budget enacted in the first year of the biennium. After HB1600’s initial introductory pages, you’ll basically be looking at the content of last year’s Act 88, SLH 2021, with any changes noted. Any text or numbers to be changed or deleted will be indicated by brackets and strikethroughs [like this], and new text and numbers will be underlined. The House Draft of the budget crosses over to the Senate by March 16th. Need a little help deciphering the budget bill? Check out our handout, call with questions, or attend the budget workshop listed below.

    March Workshops
    Join on Zoom to attend one (or all) of the legislative workshops. Register below: 

    • The Budget Bill’s Journey, Wednesday, 3/16, 6 p.m. Register
    • Floor Sessions & Orders of the Day, Wednesday, 3/23, 6 p.m. Register
    • Odd Things Happen: Unlikely Scenarios, Wednesday, 3/30, 6 p.m. Register 

    For more information, visit the Public Access Room Website.

    Women’s Legislative Caucus Bills:
    The following Women’s Legislative Caucus bills passed in the Senate and are crossing to the House. To see the Women’s Legislative Caucus Package click here.

    • SB2634 SD1 appropriates monies to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage to 12 months following the end of pregnancy.
    • SB2635 SD2requires insurers and mutual benefit societies to cover mandated services for mammography at least as favorable as coverage for other radiological examinations.
    • SB2637 SD1mandates that there be a community-based work furlough program for all incarcerated women in the State. Monies will be appropriated.
    • SB2638 SD2 requires the Department of the Attorney General to provide annual reports to the Legislature on available data pertaining to the commercial sexual exploitation of children. Monies will be appropriated.   

    Other bills of interest to the Senate Women’s Legislative Caucus that passed third reading are:

    • SB2821 SD2 requires the Department of Education to provide menstrual products free of charge to all students on all public and public charter school campuses.
    • SB2640 SD2 appropriates monies to train incarcerated women to be GED tutors for their peers, provides college correspondence courses, and reentry and transition services to continue their education post-incarceration.
    • SB3294 SD2funds reentry planning circles for incarcerated women.
    • SB3295 SD1  establishes the Women’s Corrections Implementation Commission within the Department of Public Safety to provide oversight over state correctional facilities and community correctional centers that incarcerate women, receive and investigate complaints from incarcerated women, monitor progress in implementing reforms. 

    State News 

    Mask Mandate ends March 25th
    Gov. David Ige announced that the statewide indoor mask mandate will end when the current COVID-19 emergency proclamation expires –11:59 p.m. on Mar. 25. However, state health director Dr. Elizabeth Char, strongly recommends that you should still wear masks indoors if you are over age 65, with compromised immune systems, aren’t vaccinated, or care for people at risk of severe illness – and especially important in crowded settings. Settings where masks are still recommended indoors include:

    • Schools
    • Hospitals and health care facilities
    • Long term care facilities
    • Shelters
    • Correctional facilities
    • Other congregate living settings 

    While the mandate ends, please know that organizations and businesses may still opt to continue asking employees and customers to wear masks for an extra layer of caring for each other.

    Are Feral Chickens a Nuisance In Your Neighborhood?
    Are feral chickens in your yard, at a park near you, or keeping you up at night? Private property owners are responsible for nuisances or violations created by keeping feral chickens on their properties.

    • Call HPD (9-11) Non-Emergency) for noise nuisance or excessive number of poultry (max allowed by ROH 2 per household)
    • Call the state Dept. of Health vector control at (808) 586-4708 to report health nuisances caused by feral chickens. 

    For resources and information, visit: bit.ly/FeralChickens.

    10 Warning Signs of Dementia
    Alzheimer’s and other dementias cause memory, thinking and behavior problems that interfere with daily living. The Alzheimer’s Association® developed the new 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s education program to us recognize common signs of the disease and know what to watch for in themselves and others.

    Tuesday, March 15, 2022 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Register here. 

    District Happenings 

    Traffic Alert
    Major sewer work continues on South Beretania Street between Pawaa Lane and Artesian Street. This may cause partial lanes closures and traffic slowdowns throughout the day. 

    Waikiki Pedestrian Safety Sign-Waving Event
    The District 6 Community Policing Team, the community residents, Representative Tam and I participated in a sign-waving event to make Waikiki’s streets safer for both motorists and pedestrians. Mahalo to all the wonderful community volunteers!   

    Mark Your Calendars

    March 17: Makiki Neighborhood Board Meeting at 6:00PM (Virtual)
    Some of the topics up for discussion include the bulky item pickup program, Cartwright Park improvements, and illegal fireworks. For the full agenda and link, click here.  

    Weekend Waysides

    March 1-31:  “Women’s Change Makers” Virtual Reading Challenge
    Join the “Women Change Makers” Virtual Reading Challenge and celebrate Women’s History month by reading stories of inspirational creators, brave leaders, and bold champions.  To complete this March 2022 challenge, participants must read at least 600 minutes and read at least one book from the challenge reading list in Beanstack.   

    Sign-up or log in at librarieshawaii.beanstack.org or use the Beanstack App on your mobile device.  Once you are signed-up, simply use Beanstack to log reading minutes, and participate in activities or challenges.  Open to all ages! For more information, contact or visit your local public library.  

    Our office will continue to be here to serve you. If you enjoy our newsletter, it’s always appreciated to share it with a family, friend or community member.

    If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to respond to this email or email me here: my inbox is always open. You can also give our office a call at (808) 586-6740. Mahalo for waking up to our newsletter! Have a great day!

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  • We hear, and We Act!

    Annual Town Hall Meeting

    …this government of the people, by the people, for the people…” 

    — Abraham Lincoln 

    We had a wonderful Town Hall meeting on zoom this past Wednesday! Every Legislative Session, I get together with my colleagues representing this District to “talk story” with the community about the issues facing our District. Thank you to everyone who tuned in! Your questions steered our conversation! Many questions were about homelessness and what the state is doing to support and fund programs to help them. If you scroll down, you’ll be able to link to the bills progressing through the Legislative Session about homelessness. Other questions were about excessive noise, which many of you expressed is one of the primary issues facing our community. Below, we have provided a list of major noise-related bills that are moving through the legislature. 

    Town halls are truly all about people and communities and all of us connecting together for a greater good – a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. 

    Caring for each other!

    Contents

     

    Legislative Session Updates

    Bill Updates
    Many bills of interest are moving so do weigh in. We can’t list them all but since excessive noise was a concern to so many, see below. You have been heard! There are a number of bills on excessive noise:

    • SB2124 SD1 RELATING TO NOISE CONTROL—This is a comprehensive regulatory and enforcement bill, establishing maximum permissible noise levels in various zones, enables police to measure noise level and cite for violations; and stiffens penalties, including revocation of licenses, for violations of noise levels. The bill passed the Senate Committees on Government Operations and Health and will be heard by the Senate Committees on Consumer Protection and Judiciary on Tuesday 3/1 at 10am.
    • SB2125 RELATING TO LIQUOR LICENSESTo deter establishments from knowingly violating excessive noise along with other liquor laws, this bill increases the maximum allowable fine from $2,000 to $5,000. The bill passed its final Senate Committee on Judiciary today– Friday, Feb. 25—and once it is voted on by the full Senate watch for it in the House.
    • SB2127 SD1 RELATING TO NOISE POLLUTION—Establishes a noise pollution task force within the Department of Health to investigate noise pollution and provide recommendations on how to better regulate excessive noise pollution throughout the State, from both stationary and non-stationary sources. The bill was passed by the Senate Committees on Health and Transportation; and is moving to the Judiciary and Ways and Means Committees.
    • SB2382 RELATING TO CABARET LICENSES—To prohibit cabarets open until 4am in residential apartment mixed use districts in the Waikiki special district. This bill was passed by the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection and will now go to the full Senate for a vote; and will be then moving to the House.
    • SB3162 SD1 RELATING TO AUDIBLE REVERSE WARNING SYSTEMS—For the health and safety of residents, this bill seeks to replace the current audible reverse warning systems (back-up beepers) on state and county-owned commercial and construction vehicles with more effective broadband reversing alarms to mitigate noisy beepers. The bill was passed by the Senate Committee on Transportation and hearing by the Senate Judiciary Committee is March 3.
    • SB2159SD1 RELATING TO LEAF BLOWERS—Restrictions on use of leaf blowers will apply to government and clarifies residential zone as residential, apartment and business mixed use districts. The bill passed the Senate Health & Government Operations Committees and will be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb 28.

    There are a number of bills on homeless and services to them. One that will go a long way to ending homelessness — a coordinated, long-term and comprehensive homeless solutions office: 

    • SB2370SD1/HB1648 HD1 RELATING TO HOMELESS—This bill establishes one permanent state agency on homelessness and housing solutions responsible for ending homelessness. It was passed the Senate Committees on Human Services, Government Operations, and Ways & Means so it will go to the full Senate for vote; and in the House it has cleared the House Housing and Health&Human Services Committees and referred to House Finance Committee.

    On our environment and addressing sea level rise: 

    • SB2725SD1/HB1672HD1 RELATING TO SPECIAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS—Expands the scope of special improvement districts like Waikiki to address not only business development but environmental restoration and management and community benefits. The Senate Water&Land and Government Operations Committees passed the bill and moved it to the Judiciary/Ways&Means Committees. In the House the bill passed the Water&Land and Energy&Environmental Protection Committees and will be heard by the Finance Committee on Feb 28.
    • SB2724SD1 RELATING TO SEA LEVEL RISE ADAPTATION—Convenes a working group to develop a community Waikiki adaptation and resilience plan to address climate change and sea level rise. It passed the Senate Water&Land Committee and moves to the Ways&Means Committee. 

    There are hundreds of other bills. Be sure to register on the legislative website so you can follow and weigh in on those important to you here. It’s really easy. If you have problems or questions, call us at 586-6740.

    How to participate in Session? 
    Questions about how to write testimony and the legislative process? Contact the Capitol’s Public Access Room Team of Virginia, Keanu, and Ashley! Visit their website or phone them at (808) 587-0478 or email at par@capitol.hawaii.gov.

    How to watch a hearing live or recorded?
    You may watch and participate in hearings from anywhere in the world with internet connectivity! Please connect to the Hawaii State Senate’s YouTube Channel.

    State and Local News

    Bicycle Lane Refresh
    Protected bicycle lanes encourage more people to bicycle safely and bicycling helps our environment and is a proactive healthy way to travel around our District. Periodically, these bicycle lanes need refreshing. This Saturday, February 26, 2022, between 6:30 am and 7:30 am, a portion of a bicycle lane in our District on Pensacola Street will be repaired. Big mahalo to the American Public Works Association (APWA) – Hawaii Chapter– and the First Baptist Church for their support and service! Please learn more by clicking here

    COVID-19 Resources
    There is still time to request an in-home covid vaccination for those having difficulty getting to a vaccination site.  Call the State Department of Health at (808)586-8332 and select “in-home vaccination” from their automated list and then a person will come on the line to assist you.  For additional information on covid metrics, vaccinations and testing see below:

    SNAP, First-To-Work & TANF Offices Restart In-Person Services!
    The State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and First-To-Work Financial Assistance program are open for in-person assistance once again so you have a choice of in-person, online or phone call help. For in-person assistance you can visit their office in our District at 677 Queen Street. In-person services are available Monday through Friday (except holidays), 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please click here for more information. 

    Mark Your Calendars

    “Preschool Open Doors” Program Applications – Deadline March 31st
    Apply for the “Preschool Open Doors” (POD) program through March 31, 2022. The program provides subsidies that families may use at any state-licensed preschool! Children entering kindergarten in the 2023-2024 school year (born between August 1, 2017 and July 31, 2018) are eligible but priority is given to underserved or at-risk children. Funding and space is limited, so please request an application as soon as possible from PATCH, by visiting patchhawaii.org or calling 791-2130 or toll free 1-800-746-5620. PATCH can also help families locate a preschool convenient for them. 

    Neighborhood Board Meetings
    Our office participates in Neighborhood Board Meetings located in our District. We look forward to seeing you there!

    Homelessness: Monthly Webinar
    The Governor’s Coordinator on Homelessness convenes monthly webinar sessions homelessness and behavioral health topics. For more information, please contact Special Assistant Jason Kasamoto at 808-208-3712 or email at jason.s.kasamoto@hawaii.gov
    . To view past webinars, click here. For more information on this month’s webinarand the webinar registration link, click here.

    National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) Starts March 7, 2022
    The State Dept of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (DCCA) is hosting the 18th Annual NCPW Fair with five free scam prevention workshops, March 7-11, 10 am HST. Learn from experts on how to protect yourself from various scams and what you can do to become a smarter consumer. For a link to the workshops, click here. Also being offered is the Consumer Wise packed filled with consumer protection brochures. Consumers can request a hard copy packet or electronic version by emailing education@dcca.hawaii.gov.

    Weekend Waysides & Upcoming Events

    Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too?
    Disney animation legend, James Coleman, will be at the Park West Gallery in Waikiki this Saturday from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. He is the artist renowned at Disney Studios for painting the most amazing backgrounds for their animated films. His work includes the backgrounds for “Winnie the Pooh and Tigger, too”, “The Little Mermaid”, and “Beauty and the Beast” among many other Disney animated films. He will do a live painting demonstration and an hour-long Q&A discussing his fine art and remarkable career at Disney. Free and open to the public.

    King’s Runner 10K
    On your mark, get set, ready…..go! Be sure to register soon for the King’s Runner 10K happening in our District’s Thomas Square. The run is set for Sunday, March 6th. It’s a flat course with no time limit. Both runners and walkers are welcome! Be sure to register soon! Register and learn more here.

    Hawaii Entrepreneur Resource Fair – March 4
    Coming to our District on March 4 is the largest entrepreneur resource fair in the State! In partnership with Kamehameha Schools, the Hawaiʻi Entrepreneur Resource Fair will be held at SALT at our Kakaʻako from 5:30pm-8:00pm. The Fair is aimed at equipping local entrepreneurs with the resources they need to start their own company and help stimulate our local economy. The Fair will connect entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources, education, and business support to help them in their current or future business endeavor. Biggest mahalo to major sponsors – Central Pacific Bank, the Patsy Mink Center for Business & Leadership, SALTLIGHT, and the US Small Business Administration! Free to the public. Learn more by clicking here.

    Our office will continue to be here to serve you. If you enjoy our newsletter, it’s always appreciated to share it with a family, friend or community member. 

    If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to respond to this email or email me here: my inbox is always open. You can also give our office a call at (808) 586-6740. Mahalo for waking up to our newsletter! Have a great day!

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