HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – The Hawai‘i Senate today voted 23-2 to pass House Bill 2739 titled “Our Care, Our Choice Act” which allows a mentally capable, terminally ill adult with six months or less to live, the freedom to make their own end-of-life decisions. There was broad support for HB2739 within the Senate, which had advanced Senate Bill 1129 during the 2017 Legislative Session. SB1129, which had similar safeguards as the House bill, was deferred by a House committee and was never put to a House floor vote last session. On the floor, Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi thanked Senator Karl Rhoads for researching and crafting SB1129. He also acknowledged Senator Rosalyn Baker, Chair of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health and Senator Gil Keith-Agaran, then-Chair of the Committee on Judiciary, and their staff for the efforts made last year to “put forward a public document that we could debate and discuss in order to get to the bill that we would be comfortable upon voting. All of those efforts have helped us get to a better place with the bill being voted on today.” Senate President Kouchi also acknowledged the public for being “engaged with the Senate every step of the way on this issue.” The bill is now transmitted to the House for their review and is expected to be enrolled to the Governor for his consideration. # # # #hawaiisenate #ourcare #ourchoice #ourcareourchoiceact #breeneharimoto #donnamercadokim #gilriviere #joshgreen

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – The Hawai‘i State Senate today voted unanimously to advise and consent on Russell Suzuki as the Attorney General for the State of Hawai‘i. Suzuki has been serving as the acting chief legal and law enforcement officer for the state since February 2 when Attorney General Doug Chin resigned to become Lieutenant Governor. For the last 36 years, Suzuki has been working at the Department of the Attorney General as a public-sector attorney. He served as First Deputy Attorney General under Attorneys General Doug Chin, David Louie, and Mark Bennett. Prior to that, he was a Supervising Deputy Attorney General of the Administration Division and Education Division. Before his employment at the Department of Attorney General, he practiced criminal defense law, family law, business law, and military law at the law offices of Yoshiro Nakamura. Suzuki has a B.A. from the University of Hawai‘i and earned his J.D. from Ohio State University. “Russell Suzuki comes to us with strong support from those who testified on his nomination observing that his seasoned judgement, extensive knowledge and professional demeanor will continue to be an asset to the Department of the Attorney General,” said Senator Brian Taniguchi, chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary. # # # #hawaiisenate #russellsuzuki #attorneygeneralhawaii #wintehnpark

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – The Senate Committee on Ways and Means today passed the State Budget bill, House Bill 1900 HD1 SD1, which adjusts appropriations for Fiscal Biennium 2017-19 funding for operations and capital improvement projects of Executive Branch agencies and programs. With additional revenues projected by the Council on Revenues and from the arbitration settlement with the tobacco industry, the Senate draft adds $53.9 million to Act 49, SLH2017 for Fiscal Year 2019. The Senate's total operating budget for the Executive branch is $14.3 billion, with an additional $674.8 million in general obligation bonds appropriated for Capital Improvement Projects in Fiscal Year 2019. This draft reflects Senate priorities supporting issues relating to homelessness, health, and education that impact local residents in each county. Other highlights include funding for: Increasing our affordable housing inventory; Agriculture programs and services; Local business grants to help expand and diversify our economy; Early Childhood Education, Early College, and Hawai‘i Promise; Natural resource preservation; Critical Medicaid and adult dental healthcare services; Rapid Re-housing, Housing First, and the implementation of Ohana Zones; and An additional infusion into the State's Emergency Budget and Reserve Fund. Additionally, the Senate prioritized Kūpuna care in response to the Hawai‘i State Plan on Aging, which revealed that by 2020, 1 in 4 residents of Hawai‘i will be 60 years or older. By 2035, one-third of the State's population will be over 60. As the State's aging population increases, the Senate recognizes the need for home and community-based services providing support with $3.9 million for Kūpuna Care, $4 million for the Kūpuna Caregiver Fund and $1.7 million for Aging and Disability Resource Centers around the State. "The Senate put together a responsible financial plan that includes a supplemental budget that continues to fund critical services and programs. We looked at ways to cut costs, reduce spending, and put forward bills to generate revenue, which have crossed over to the House. These measures will address long-term budgeting needs and generate revenue, shrinking the gap between revenues and expenditures. This will bring the state out of the red for fiscal year 2019 as well as bring the overall State's Financial Plan in the black by fiscal year 2022, one year earlier compared to the current State Financial Plan," said Senate Ways and Means Chair Donovan M. Dela Cruz. The bill now goes to Third Reading for a full vote in the Senate before crossing back over to the House ahead of conference. # # #

The Senate Committee on Judiciary today voted to advise and consent on gubernatorial nominee, Russell Suzuki, to serve as the Attorney General of the State of Hawai‘i. Suzuki has been the acting chief legal and law enforcement officer for the state since February 2 when then Attorney General Doug Chin resigned to become Lieutenant Governor. Suzuki’s appointment now goes before the full Senate for confirmation. *More photos on our Hawai'i Senate FLICKR photo sharing website: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmf6HFuP #russellsuzuki #senatecommitteeonjudiciary #attorneygeneralhawaii #dougchin #briantaniguchi #mikegabbard #donnamercadokim #laurathielen #karlrhoads

The Hawai‘i Senate today recognized Melveen Ku‘uleipuanani Leed for her incomparable career in music and entertainment, one that spans more than five decades and garners world-wide acclaim. Melveen Leed, known as “da tita,” began her long and illustrious career performing as a keiki on Moloka‘i for family and friends. She grew to become an international acclaimed performer, while remaining true to her roots as a Hawaiian entertainer and local icon. Melveen was honored with nine Nā Hoku Hanohano Awards, she is a five time recipient of the Female Vocalist of the Year, and they presented her with their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. She has recorded 28 albums in 18 different languages, and last year she was inducted into the prestigious Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame. Melveen was most recently honored at the Pan Pacific Southeast Asian Women Association of Hawai‘i for her outstanding achievements that span a lifetime. The Association cites her accomplishments in entertainment, indigenous issues, philanthropic work, and for serving as a positive role model for young people in the Pacific and worldwide. #melveenleed #hawaiisenate #mikereyes #brickwoodgaluteria #laurathielen #michellekidani #donnamercadokim #clarencenishihara #ronkouchi #briantaniguchi #glennwakai #kaialiikahele #joshgreen #mikegabbard

An innovative learning program that provides at-risk youth the valuable life-skills they need to succeed was highlighted today as the Senate recognized Colette Miyamoto Kajiwara for being named the 2017 Outstanding Educator by corporate sponsors Spectrum and Hawai‘i Pizza Hut. Kajiwara is the Director of the Alternate Learning Center Store Front School in Wahiawa, where she has helped at-risk students for more than 30 years. Store Front provides curriculum for core subjects, while motivating Central O‘ahu students who face challenging situations at home or school. In Kajiwara’s own words, “We become the student’s friends, confidantes, advisers, disciplinarians and surrogate parents, and help rebuild lives. We teach our students that they need to be resilient to move forward, because backward is not an option if they want to survive.” #colettemiyamotokajiwara #spectrum #hawaiipizzahut #OutstandingEducator #alternatelearningcenterstoreFrontschool #Wahiawa #SenatorDelaCruz #donovandelacruz #hawaiisenate

The Hawaii Senate recognized Sheri Rolf for her almost three decades of service as Coordinator of the Hawai‘i Foodbank’s annual food drive. More than 120,000 households currently receive food assistance from the Hawai‘i Foodbank. It is estimated that one in five Hawai‘i residents will need food assistance this year and sustaining this effort relies on the hard work and dedication of the many volunteers statewide. Rolf and her volunteers just kicked off the 2018 Food Drive and this year’s Food Drive Day is April 21. In her own words, Rolf said she feels “lucky to have the privilege of serving in this position as it is the best volunteer job ever. We just want to provide hope for tomorrow.” #hawaiifoodbank #sherirolf #hawaiisenate #michellekidani

Zaria Dudley was recognized by the Hawai‘i Senate for her accomplishment of being named a 2018 Gold Medal Portfolio Award winner by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards is the nation’s longest running and most prestigious recognition and scholarship program for teens grades 7-12. Dudley is a senior at Leilehua High School and she is one of 16 students to be awarded for her nationally recognized portfolio “Life Unscripted.” Her work will be displayed at the Art Write Now 2018 National Exhibition, and she will be honored at Carnegie Hall on June 7, as part of a week of celebration in New York City. #hawaiisenate #zariadudley #2018goldmedalprotfolio #leilehuaHighschool #Lifeunscripted #donovandelacruz #senatordelacruz

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – The Senate Committee on Judiciary today passed House Bill 2739 titled “Our Care, Our Choice Act.” The bill allows a mentally competent, terminally ill adult with a prognosis of six months or less to live, the option to make their own end-of-life decisions. The bill contains many of the legal safeguards that were in Senate Bill 1129 which passed the Senate in the 2017 Legislative Session and was deferred in a House Committee. The Judiciary Committee today advanced HB2739 unamended in a 4-1 vote. Prior to decision making, the members of the Committee shared their positions on the bill in a respectful, open discussion. “All of us felt the weight of this decision knowing that it is a very important, very personal issue in the community,” said Senator Brian Taniguchi (Dist. 11 - Manoa, Makiki, Punchbowl, Papakolea), Chair of the Committee on Judiciary. “I appreciate all of those who submitted testimony and shared their stories and opinions on this bill. Be assured, they all were read and considered. In the end, the majority of the Committee felt this bill gives qualified individuals a choice on the best care for themselves.” HB2739 now goes before the full Senate for third reading. If the bill passes in third reading, it will be transmitted back to the House and will be enrolled to the Governor for his review. # # # #Senatejudiciary #hawaiisenate #ourcare #ourchoiceact #SB1129 #sb1129 #BrianTaniguchi #HB2739 #HB2739

Members of the Hawai‘i Senate today recognized exceptional middle and high school students who are acknowledged for their outstanding school and community service. Students were selected for the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, for the State of Hawai‘i. This is the largest youth recognition program in the U.S. Mahealani Sims-Tulba is a senior at Sacred Hearts Academy. Mahealani authored a book on bullying called “It’s Okay to Be Different,” and she uses this book to connect with and encourage your people who might be facing bullying. She has also established a non-profit foundation called “BRAVE,” which stands for “Be Respectful and Value Everyone.” Additionally, Mahealani created a music video to share her message, appears in weekly television programming, initiates an annual toy drive for children in need, and participates in numerous community events. Grace Kennedy is an eighth grader at St. Anthony School in Kailua, Hawai‘i. Grace is a board member for “Kidz For A Cause” and she has raised thousands of dollars to benefit sick and abused students. Grace began her volunteerism by selling tickets to a benefit theater show and raised $1,000 to help purchase clothes, toys, and school books for the Children’s Justice Center on O‘ahu. As a Prudential Spirit award recipient, Grace will travel to Washington D.C. next month and attend an awards gala at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History. Justin Wong is a senior at Roosevelt High School and he has worked with the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders to reduce political polarization amongst his peer group by introducing public dinner discussions and initiating discussions online. Justin has 400 volunteer service hours and has served two terms as President of his school’s Leo Club. Emily Smith is a sophomore at Ho‘ala School in Wahiawa. Emily is the founder of “Lend-a-Paw,” a pet-rescue organization that aims to ensure that shelter animals are well fed and able to live in safe environments. “Lend-a-Paw” manufactures dog treats and pet toys, and they also support fundraising efforts, all of which is shared with the community through a YouTube Channel and via school presentations. #educationweek2018 #mahealanisimstulba #sacredheartsacademy #GraceKennedy #KidzforaCause #JustinWong #E #Emilysmith #LendAPaw #BRAVEFoundation #ItsOkaytobedifference #prudentialspiritofcommunityawards #nationalassociationofsecondaryschoolprincipal #hawaiisenate

The Senate today honored the Hawai‘i School Counselor of the Year, Bianca Yanuaria of Keolu Elementary. School counselors have a great impact on students, and Yanuaria is recognized for her care and service to our youth, chosen from over 600 public and private schools in the state. Yanuaria is recognized for the positive impact she makes on her students and school. During her four years at Keolu Elementary, she has created a recess program to deal with conflict resolution on the playground, reduced absenteeism by 11%, and started an “Aloha” committee to build relationships among faculty. In response to her honor, Yanuaria said “it is humbling to be recognized for doing what I’m passionate about.” #BiancaYanuaria #Hawaiisenate #keolaelementary

The Hawai‘i Senate today recognized the Waialua High School Robotics Team, also known as “The Hawaiian Kids” for winning the 2018 Festival de Robotique in Montreal, Canada. Lead by Glenn Lee, the program’s coach, engineer and project director, the students designed a robot named “Poi Pounder XIX Wave Rider” and won out over 54 other international teams. They also garnered the Industrial Design Award sponsored by GM. Coach Lee is also a top ten finalist in the Varkey Foundation’s 2018 Global Teacher Prize, chosen from a field of 30,000 applicants from more than 170 countries. The Wailaua Robotics team is the first robotics-related program in the state and their motto is “It’s not about winning…It’s about teamwork, commitment, and responsibility!” Honored on the Senate floor today along with Coach Lee was mentor Victoria Pescaia and team members Abraham Shell, Anthony Miyatake, and Toshio Yoshizumi. Also honored by the Senate were the members of the Leilehua High School CyberPatriot team for their recognition as the Top U.S. Army All Service Team in the Nation in 2017. CyberPatriot is the nation’s high school cyber defense competition that challenges teams to develop solutions to real-life cyber security situations. Leilehua High School Army JROTC team has previously won two Army Service Championships in 2012 and 2013, making this their third win, in addition to three consecutive Hawai‘i State CyberPatriot Championships. This year, the Leilehua CyberPatriot team is once again the Hawai‘i State Champion and they will attend the National finals in Baltimore, Maryland in April. Honored on the Senate floor was LHS CyberPatriotic Team coach Nick Spiridgliozzi, Team Captain Jacob Huerta, and team members Tyler McWilliams and Jared Olive-Stalling. #hawaiisenate #educationweek #waialuahighschoolroboticsteam #TheHawaiianKids #donovandelacruz #senatordelacruz #cyberpatriot #leilehuahighschool #leilehuahighschoolarmyJROTC