“One Christmas when I was a kid, we took a family vacation to Vancouver. It was the first time I saw snow. When my dad explained to me that it was below freezing outside, I asked him, "Does that mean if I leave ice cubes outside, they won't melt?" "You can try," he replied. So I took some ice cubes and left them outside our hotel room, and sure enough, the following morning, they were still there, intact. That was a true surprise for a kid growing up in Hawaii.” #StanleyChang #Christmas #hawaiikai #hawaiisenate

On the latest episode of Aupuni Connections, Senator Russell Ruderman of Puna discussed the topic of increasing Hawai’i’s minimum wage, in future initiatives for the idea. Senator Ruderman discussed his opinion about the current minimum wage not being a livable wage. You can find air-dates below and channels information or watch the show by visiting the video on demand page, naleo.tv/vod/ . (Airdates 12/4 at 3:00 PM on Channel 53, 12/5 at 12:30 PM on Channel 54, 12/6 at 8:30 AM, Channel 53, 12/7 at 11:00 AM on Channel 54 and also 12/8 at 6:30 PM on Channel 53 #hawaiisenate #minimumwage #aupuni #aupuniconnections

Members of the Senate’s Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health were given an update of the state’s effort to fight the growing opioid epidemic. The Senators were joined at the State Capitol on Dec. 1 by members of the House Committee on Health as the State Department of Health (DOH) presented an overview of the opioid initiative plan by DOH Director Dr. Virginia Pressler and Edward Mersereau, Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division Chief. It is estimated about 150,000 Hawai‘i residents are currently struggling with pain medication addiction. That figure is up from the 50,000 people addicted to opioids a decade ago. There were 56 opioid related deaths in 2016 and 37 of those deaths involved people with prescription painkillers, according to DOH statistics. Although Hawai‘i is ranked the eighth lowest in the nation for opioid mortalities, the impact on the state’s hospitals billed for treatment on opioid-related overdoses is staggering: about $9.8 million in hospital charges in 2016, according to the Hawaii Health Information Corp., a nonprofit that collects health care data for policymaking. The Legislature granted $200,000 last session to the DOH to develop the opioid plan in collaboration with other state agencies and community groups. The DOH plans to request another $200,000 this coming legislative session. Opioids are a highly-addictive narcotic commonly used to treat pain prescribed to an estimated 400,000 people in Hawai‘i each year. It takes about three weeks for a patient to become addicted to the drug, which can stop a person’s breathing and heart, resulting in death when combined with alcohol and other depressants. As with the rest of the country, opioid misuse represents only one facet of the broader addiction problem in Hawai‘i. The Hawaii Opioid Action Plan is intended to be a living document and will be reviewed and adapted by individuals and institutional stakeholders as needed to address opioid and other substance misuse problems in Hawai‘i. #rozbaker #jilltokuda #russellruderman #stanleychang #hawaiisenate #opiod #substanceabuse

Requiring licensing of family boarding and private homes that provide healthcare to the elderly or disabled, and finding ways to encourage builders and developers to make homes safer and easily accessible to the elderly and disabled, are just some of the proposals being considered for introduction by the Kupuna Caucus. The Caucus meets regularly throughout the year to discuss issues facing kupuna and their families. The most recent gathering in early December was to prioritize legislation ahead of the 2018 Legislative Session. Another priority is to maintain current levels of funding for essential services. It is estimated that by 2020, 19 percent of Hawaii’s population will be age 65 and older and increase to 23 percent of the population by 2030. The State Legislature has demonstrated its support of Hawaii’s seniors over the years. Last year, the Legislature passed HB607 which created the Kupuna Caregivers Program to assist family members in obtaining care for their elders while remaining in the workforce. This program is the first of its kind in the nation. The Kupuna Caucus is in its 12th year and is comprised of a bi-partisan group of House and Senate state legislators, a broad array of community organizations, government departments, businesses, and individuals concerned about the well-being of the elderly in our community. More photos on our Flickr Site: https://www.flickr.com/photos/hawaiisenatemajority/sets/72157688530879492 #kupuna #kupunacaucus #HB607 #hawaiisenate #LesIhara

WHO: Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, and House Committee on Health and Human Services WHAT: Informational Briefing WHERE: Conference Room 329 State Capitol WHEN: Friday, December 1, 2017 1:00 p.m. Senator Rosalyn Baker (Dist. 6 – South and West Maui), Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, along with members of the House Committee on Health and Human Services, are holding an informational briefing on Fri., December 1, 2017 in Conference Room 329 at 1:00 p.m. to appraise lawmakers of the status on opioid use across the state and how the state is addressing the growing epidemic of opioid abuse. Dr. Virginia Pressler, Director of the State Department of Health and the state health department’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Division Chief, Edward Mersereau, will provide an overview of the Opioid Initiative Plan with a focus on treatment access, prescriber education and pain management practices, data-informed decision making, prevention and public education, pharmacy-based interventions, and law enforcement and first-responder support. To view the informational briefing notice: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2017/hearingnotices/HEARING_CPH-HHS_12-01-17_INFO_.HTM For further information or if you require auxiliary aids or services to participate in the informational briefing (i.e. ASL or foreign language interpreter, or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the Office of Sen. Baker at 586-6070 so that arrangements can be made. # # # #rozbaker #hawaiisenate #senatecommittee #commerce #consumerprotection #health #virginiapressler #edwardmersereau

“My family loves the holiday season because we always find a way to spend more time together with the ones we love. The holidays are also a reminder of how lucky we are - and the holidays remind us that we should give back a little more to those who are going through rough times, in Hawaii and across our country. Finally, we are a Jewish, Mormon, Russian Orthodox, Buddhist clan, so we have a lot of spirituality to consider when December comes along. Please spread the love around!” Senator Josh Green (Dist. 3 - Kona, Ka‘u) #hawaiisenate #joshgreen #Hawaiisenator

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i - Senator Michelle Kidani has been appointed to the Steering Committee of the Education Commission of the States (ECS). Her nomination was approved at the ECS Winter Commissioners Meeting in Denver this week. As a member of the Steering committee, she will serve as the leader of Hawai‘i’s ECS membership team that includes other state lawmakers, the Department of Education, the University of Hawai‘i, and other executive branch representatives. The ECS was created in 1965 as a national-level partner with the 50 states to provide research and in-depth reports on state policy issues. “As chair of the Senate’s Committee on Education, I have been active with ECS for some time, and it’s an honor to now serve on the Steering Committee,” Senator Kidani said. “It is vital that Hawai‘i’s voice be heard in a national forum such as ECS which has the ability to influence the nation’s education policies. This is especially important when there are uncertainties about federal support for our public schools under the current administration.” Senator Kidani is Vice President of the Senate, Chair of the Committee on Education, and a member of the Committee on Ways and Means. She was first elected in 2008, and currently represents Senate District 18 which includes Mililani Town, a portion of Waipi‘o Gentry, and the Waipahu area neighborhoods of Royal Kunia, Village Park and Waikele. # # # #hawaiisenate #michellekidani #Steeringcommittee #EducationCommissionoftheStates #WaysandMeans #Mililani

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – Senator Clarence Nishihara (Dist. 17 - Waipahu, Crestview, Manana, Pearl City, Pacific Palisades), Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs, was among the nearly 100 people who attended the town hall meeting on Nov. 29 at Aloha Stadium to discuss the draft environmental impact statement on the state’s plan to build a replacement for the Oahu Community Correctional Center. Sen. Nishihara is the Senate representative on two task forces created to study best practices on incarceration policies and costs and make recommendations to the state legislature on ways to improve Hawai‘i’s correctional system. In his testimony, Sen. Nishihara strongly recommended that beyond a plan on size and cost of a new prison, is a more critical need to consider how to establish a more effective penal system, improve the recidivism rate, and implement alternatives to incarceration. Sen. Nishihara’s testimony is included here: The state’s preferred site for a new prison is the current Animal Quarantine Station in Halawa. It is estimated the cost of the project would be about $525 million. The public has a chance to comment on the draft EIS through January 8. # # # #clarencenishihara #OCCC #Oahucommunitycorrectionalcenter #animalquarantinestation #halawa #hawaiisenate

Increasing the amount of trade and cargo between Hokkaido and Honolulu was part of the discussion during a meeting at the State Capitol held in late November. The Legislative Assembly of Tomakomai Port Authority sat down with state lawmakers to review the freighting status between Port Tomakomai and the Port of Honolulu and how to promote mutual economic development. The Tomakomai Port Authority delegates and Hawai‘i legislators shared information on maritime operations and the responsibilities of the port authority. The Hokkaido delegates were also scheduled to tour Honolulu Harbor during their official visit. Port Tomakomai is located about 30 miles south of the capital city of Hokkaido. It handles more than 100 million tons of cargo, making it the fourth largest in volume among ports in Japan. More than 95% of all consumer goods available in the State enter Hawai‘i via ocean transportation through its commercial harbors. Hawai‘i and Japan are directly connected by regular container liners and there is optimism that ocean transportation can be strengthened through future exchanges as part of this sister-state relationship. #tomakomai #tommakomaiportauthority #hawaiisenate #MarkNakashima #LorraineInouye #BrianTaniguchi #BreeneHarimoto #RonaldKouchi

The Hawai‘i State Senate is accepting job applications for the upcoming 2018 legislative session. Working at the Hawai‘i State Senate offers individuals an opportunity to work in a dynamic public service organization, work closely with elected officials and the public, and learn more about the legislative process. Session jobs require a 4 to 6 month commitment, depending on the position. Most begin on January 3, 2018 and end on the last day of the legislative session. Senate employees working 20 hours or more per week are eligible for health insurance through the Hawai‘i Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund. More information about employment opportunities with the Hawai‘i State Senate can be found online at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sjobs.aspx. To apply, please send a cover letter, position reference number, and resume to sclerk2@capitol.hawaii.gov. #hawaiisenate #senatejob #legislativesession

WHO: Sen. Will Espero, Rep. Gene Ward, Dr. Craig Downs WHAT: Media Availability for water sampling for sunscreen toxins WHERE: Hanauma Bay Educational Beach Kiosk, beach level WHEN: Friday, November 17, 2017 4:30 p.m. Senator Will Espero (S Dist. 19 - ‘Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, ‘Ewa by Gentry, Iroquois Point, portion of ‘Ewa Villages) and Representative Gene Ward (H Dist. 17 - Hawai‘i Kai, Kalama Valley) will be joining Dr. Craig Downs, internationally renowned ecotoxicologist and Executive Director of the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory in Virginia, and the Friends of Hanauma Bay to conduct water sampling to measure the level of sunscreen toxins at Hanauma Bay. Dr. Downs is known for sounding the alarm in Hawai‘i of the damage certain chemicals in sunscreen have on the reefs in Hawai‘i. He supported legislation in 2017 that would have banned the sale of sunscreen containing the ingredients oxybenzone and octinoxate. Sampling will take place at 4:30 pm Fri., Nov. 17, 2017 at the Educational Beach Kiosk on the beach level at Hanauma Bay. The media is invited to witness the sampling at Hanauma Bay and to understand the process and the importance of this scientific study of our reefs and the ocean environment. The work on November 17 and the findings may be used to support legislation to ban sunscreen with certain chemicals during the 2018 Legislative Session. # # # #willespero #hanaumabay #sunscreen #sunscreentoxins #hawaiisenate

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i - Members of the Hawai‘i State Senate today confirmed the appointments of Judge Paul B. Wong, Judge Matthew J. Viola, and Rowena A. Somerville to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit (Oahu) and Jessi K. Hall to the District Family Court of the First Circuit. “’Well-qualified’, ‘respected’, ‘fair’ and ‘objective’ are characteristics that were echoed in testimony and letters of support for each of the appointees,” said Senator Brian Taniguchi (Dist. 11 - Manoa, Makiki, Punchbowl, Papakolea), chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary. “I am confident that each of these appointees will be strong and valued assets to the bench on Oahu.” Judge Paul B.Wong has served as a judge on the District Court of the First Circuit since his appointment in May 2012. Prior to his appointment, he was a Partner with the law firm of McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon, LLP, and a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu. Wong is a graduate of the University of Southern California and Boston College of Law School. Wong’s confirmation fills the vacancy created by the retirement of former Circuit Court Judge Karl K. Sakamoto in December 2016. He will serve for a term of 10 years. Judge Matthew J. Viola was appointed as a family court judge in August 2010 and has served as the presiding judge of the Juvenile Drug Court of the First Circuit and most recently served as the lead judge of the domestic division of the District Family Court of the First Circuit. Prior to his appointment as a family court judge, he was in private practice and also served as a part-time family court per diem judge and as a contract attorney for the City and County of Honolulu Ethics Commission. Viola is a graduate of Williams College and Stanford Law School. Viola’s confirmation fills the vacancy created by the retirement of former Circuit Court Judge Dexter D. Del Rosario. He will serve for a term of 10 years. Rowena A. Somerville has been an attorney for more than twenty years, and served as a law clerk with the Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission and District Court of the First Circuit. Most recently she has been serving as an Administrative Hearings Officer for the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Previously she served as a Deputy Attorney General in the Land and Transportation Division and as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu. Somerville is a graduate of the University of Hawai‘i and earned her law degree from the University of Hawai‘i, William S. Richardson School of Law. Somerville’s confirmation fills the vacancy created by the retirement of former Circuit Court Judge Derrick H. M. Chan. She will serve for a term of 10 years. Jessi L.K. Hall most recently has been Of Counsel with Kleintop & Luria, LLP focusing on family law. She previously served as an associate attorney at Coates & Frey, AAL, LLLC where she handled family law cases. During her career, she has served on numerous boards and committees, including Volunteer Legal Services Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Justice Foundation, and the Mediation Center of the Pacific. Hall is a graduate of the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and earned her Juris Doctor degree from Oklahoma City University School of Law. Hall’s confirmation fills the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Catherine H. Remigio to the Circuit Court of the First Circuit. Hall will serve for a term of six years. Photo courtesy: Hawai‘i Senate Communications (L to R: Paul B. Wong, Rowena A. Somerville, Jessi L.K. Hall and Matthew J. Viola) Flickr Photo Sharing: https://flic.kr/s/aHskryJjyQ # # # #paulwong #matthewviola #romwenasomerville #jessihall #hawaiisenate #hawaiijudiciary #Hawaiisenate