State legislative leaders have informed the federal government that they will hold a special legislative session within the next two months to deal with providing a funding mechanism for Honolulu’s over-budget rail transit project. Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi and House Speaker Scott K. Saiki announced that they sent a joint letter to the Federal Transit Administration advising the agency of the Legislature’s commitment to convene a special session in July or August. They said no specific dates have been set for the session and no funding mechanism has been agreed upon. “After working with members of our federal delegation, it was deemed necessary and prudent to assure the FTA that the Legislature recognizes and understands the requirements under the Full Funding Grant Agreement between the City and County of Honolulu and the FTA,” according to a statement from Kouchi and Saiki. ** 20160629-3571 BSN HART RAIL CAR GRAFITTI PHOTO BY DENNIS ODA A rail car that was vandalized by graffiti has been wiped off with a solvent by 4 HART (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation) workers using good old “elbow grease” as told by Dan Grabauskas (exec. dir. and CEO of HART). Grabauskas stood by the car that he said was as good as new as there were no scratches on the surface and the original painting and decals were not damaged after the graffiti was wiped off. The mass transit cars are stored in the Operations & Servicing Building at HART’s Rail Operations Center as seen in the photo. PHOTO BY DENNIS ODA. JUNE 29, 2016. #hawaiisenate #RonKouchi #RonaldKouchi #ScottSaiki #HawaiiLegislature #Rail #HonoluluRail #HonoluluRapidTransit #DennisOda #DanGrabauskas

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – Legislation to help ensure large information technology (IT) projects will have better success and optimal use of public resources was signed into law. Senate Bill 850 requires state departments to conduct independent verification and validation for large IT projects to control state expenditures in a responsible manner. “This came about with the Senate Ways and Means committee and House Finance committee really looking at how to do well with all of our IT upgrades,” said Senator Jill Tokuda (Dist. 24 - Kane‘ohe, MCBH, Kailua, He‘eia, ‘‘Āhuimanu) who introduced the bill. “I know among the priorities of the Governor is fiscal accountability, integrity and IT upgrades, so I think it’s great we can do this and be accountable.” Office of Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) IT Governance Officer Todd Nacapuy, praised the Legislature and the Governor for taking a “proactive approach” to achieve the successful development and implementation of highly technical IT projects. SB 850 (Act 37), takes effect July 1. Other bills signed into law by Governor David Ige include House Bill 942 (Act 35) which authorizes the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts to commission an artist to design and build a monument to honor and commemorate Filipino veterans of World War II. “I applaud my legislative colleagues for doing our share in righting the wrongs in neglecting these Filipino veterans, many of whom have passed on,” said Sen. Lorraine Inouye (Dist. 4 - Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, Kona), who had relatives who served in the war. “I think it is so appropriate that Hawai‘i join the effort to correct this injustice. We can do our part in correcting the broken promises and discriminatory treatment of these veterans who served our nation so admirably during World War II,” said Gov. Ige. For a full list of bills signed by the Governor to date, visit www.capitol.hawaii.gov #technology #Senatebill850 #sb850 #JillTokuda #GovernorIge #HB942 #LorraineInouye

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i - The status of the state’s affordable housing projects led the discussion during the recent joint informational briefing at the State Capitol with the Senate and House Committees on Housing. Committee members heard from Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority Director, Hakim Quansafi, who briefed state lawmakers on the variety of projects aimed at addressing the lack of available public housing for Hawai‘i residents in need of affordable housing. The State has identified a need for an additional 64,700 housing units to meet the projected long-term housing demand. To ease the demand, HPHA is hoping to add thousands of housing units along the Honolulu rail route through a public-private partnership. In total, 10-transit oriented development projects identified by HPHA could add up to 10,600 new housing units in the coming years. Two projects in the early stages of development include the redevelopment of Mayor Wright Housing in Palama and Kuhio Park Terrace in Kalihi. The redevelopment of the Mayor Wright parcel will feature up to 546 housing units and over 40,000 square feet of commercial space. The project would provide new housing for current residents and create additional affordable workforce housing and market-priced units “Unleashing the potential of Honolulu’s rail system with transit-oriented development projects like Mayor Wright will go far in addressing the critical housing shortage our working families face. I look forward to engaging with our state’s housing agencies to identify more state-owned parcels in the urban core that can be developed into high-density affordable housing projects,” said Sen. Espero. According to the HPHA, there currently is a 10-year, $815 million repair and maintenance backlog. In the last Legislative session, lawmakers provided $20.175 million to address the backlog and safety improvements. In an effort to address the affordable housing crunch, Lawmakers passed HB1179 which expands the types of rental housing projects that can be exempt from general excise tax, encouraging the development of rental housing projects targeted for low-income residents. The Legislature also passed SB1244 authorizing the Hawai‘i Community Development Authority to waive its right to repurchase affordable housing units and transfer that right to repurchase to a qualified nonprofit housing trust on the condition the units remain affordable housing units. SCR154 requests the Hawai‘i Housing Finance and Development Corporation to develop a plan to best leverage available state and county resources to develop affordable housing projects, including the transfer of a parcel of land on Maui for the purpose of developing a mixed-use rental housing project. # # # #WillEspero #KarlRhoads #ClarenceNishihara #BreeneHarimoto #hawaiisenate

Ho‘oulu Mea Kanu (Growing Plants), a workshop about sustainability and food safety and security, will take place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. June 24 at Hawaii Academy of Arts and Science Public Charter School in Pahoa. The event is free and refreshments will be provided. The workshop addresses the questions: What is sustainability? What is the role of state, county and community? How do we integrate traditional Hawaiian values of sustainability? Participants are encouraged to visit “hot topics” tables with information about rapid ohia death, food safety, little fire ants and food preservation. State Sen. Russell Ruderman and County Council member Eileen O’Hara will discuss sustainability, the Hawaii 2050 plan and state and county initiatives. Various presenters will discuss soil-building techniques and share specific knowledge about plant varieties that work for this island climate. Current efforts to build a more sustainable and resilient community also will be discussed. The school is located at 15-1397 Homestead Road. For more information, contact EJ Paterson at ej.paterson@gmail.com. #RussellRuderman #EileenOhara #RapidOhiaDeath #FireAnts #hawaiisenate #HawaiiIsland

HONOLULU, Hawai'i - Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz joined 324 state legislators of the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL) in a bipartisan effort to call on President Trump to maintain designations of national monuments, following the president’s recent executive order calling for a review of the Antiquities Act. The move could jeopardize national monuments designated by presidents in the past two decades. Since being enacted, the 1906 Antiquities Act has been the subject of 157 designations of national monuments by nearly every previous president beginning with President Theodore Roosevelt, and includes such areas and places as the Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Chaco Canyon, Olympic National Park, Muir Woods, and the Statue of Liberty. Presidential actions under the Antiquities Act in many instances led to subsequent congressional action to provide National Park status to these very special areas of natural and archaeological values, scientific and educational interest, and importance in our nation's history and culture. "Hawai‘i is home to four national monuments, including the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, which is the largest contiguous fully protected conservation area in the United States. Protecting these areas is critical to ensure a legacy of natural and archaeological resources for future generations as well as building resiliency against the effects of clime change." said Sen. Dela Cruz (Dist. 22 - Mililani Mauka, Waipi‘o Acres, Wheeler, Wahiawa, Whitmore Village, portion of Poamoho) Seven other Hawai‘i state legislators signed the letter in support of protecting public lands, including Senators Karl Rhoads (Dist. 13 - Dowsett Highlands, Pu‘unui, Nu‘uanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Palama, Liliha, Iwilei, Chinatown, and Downtown) and Laura Thielen (Dist. 25 - Kailua, Lanikai, Enchanted Lake, Keolu Hills, Maunawili, Waimanalo, Hawai‘i Kai, Portlock). The letter initiated by Washington State Senator Kevin Ranker urges the president to work with Congress and state legislators to increase public funding for the management of all federal lands and water rather than pursuing a pathway that could lead to weakening protections for these important publicly owned areas and sites. "National monuments hold an important place in our history and culture in the United States. No president has attempted to revoke a national monument before," said Jeff Mauk, Executive Director of NCEL. "We urge the president to work with Congress and state legislators to increase funding for public land management and boost the surrounding local economies." Economic benefits also have value in outdoor recreation and tourism. According to the 2017 Outdoor Recreation Economy Report by the Outdoor Industry Association, public lands, including national monuments, national parks, and national wildlife refuges created a significant amount of economic output. "Public support for protecting special places is strong, and many small communities increasingly depend on tourism and the growing outdoor recreation economy," said Ranker. "The effort to eliminate or shrink national monuments risks $45 billion generated nationwide by public lands, including national monuments. NCEL Letter Below: # # # #DonovanDelaCruz #hawaiisenate #jeffmauk #NCEL #karlrhoads #laurathielen #kevinranker #Papahānaumokuākea

WHO: Sen. Will Espero, Rep. Tom Brower, Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority, Hunt Companies Hawai‘i Region WHAT: Joint Informational Briefing WHERE: Conference Room 229 Hawai‘i State Capitol WHEN: Thursday, June 15, 2017 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Senator Will Espero, chair of the Senate Committee on Housing and Representative Tom Brower, chair of the House Committee on Housing will be holding a joint informational briefing on Thursday, June 15, 2017 from 10:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. in Conference Room 229. The briefing will feature updates from the Hawai‘i Public Housing Authority (HPHA) on its current housing program and future housing projects. HPHA, led by Executive Director Hakim Ouansafi, is tasked with developing and managing affordable rental housing, supportive housing, and public housing for the people of Hawai‘i. In addition to HPHA, the committees have invited Mr. Steve Colon, President of Hunt Companies’ Hawai‘i Region, to provide updates on their highly anticipated redevelopment of Mayor Wright Homes. The project is envisioned as one of the many transit-oriented development projects along the Honolulu rail transit corridor. “Unleashing the potential of Honolulu’s rail system with transit-oriented development projects like Mayor Wright will go far in addressing the critical housing shortage our working families face. I look forward to engaging with our state’s housing agencies to identify more state-owned parcels in the urban core that can be developed into high-density affordable housing projects,” said Sen. Espero. The redevelopment of the Mayor Wright parcel will feature up to 546 housing units and over 40,000 square feet of commercial space. The project would provide new housing for current residents and create additional affordable workforce housing and market-priced units. The joint-committee will allow time for public comment at the hearing. Agenda: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2017/hearingnotices/HEARING_HOU-HSG_06-15-17_INFO_.HTM ### #hawaiisenate #hawaiilegislature #WilliamEspero #willespero #Housing #HPHA #HakimOuansafi #SteveColon #MayorWrightHomes #HuntCompanies #HawaiiPublicHousingAuthority

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – Senator J. Kalani English today called the signing of Senate Bill 559 and House Bill 1578 into law “a significant step towards our goal of reducing carbon emissions and the effects of climate change.” Governor David Ige’s signature on SB 559 (Act 32) and HB 1578 (Act 33) demonstrates the administration’s support of the Legislature’s commitment towards enhancing the sustainability of the land and marine environment by creating incentives for limiting carbon emissions and provides the State with a guide to planning and mitigation strategies for the impact of climate change. In support of these Acts, the four county mayors signed a commitment agreement to follow the goals enshrined in the Paris Accord, joining at least 68 mayors of other major U.S. cities who have already pledged their commitment to the Accord. The U.S. Constitution provides broad powers to State and local governments. With this authority, these governing bodies are able to set policies and standards to implement and enforce regulations that address the effects of climate change. “I’m pleased to have the Governor and the County Mayors on board with the Legislature in recognizing the serious reality that climate change is having on our islands and the Pacific,” said Sen. English (Dist. 7 - Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokaʻi, Lāna‘i, Kaho‘olawe), who is the Senate Majority Leader and introduced SB559. “By working together, we will achieve the goals that were set forth by the international community in the Paris agreement to reduce carbon emissions by 2025.” Sen. English also noted that this effort is part of the Aloha+ Challenge and Hawai‘i’s 2030 statewide sustainability goals. Sen. English is currently at the United Nations in New York where he is attending the UN Oceans Conference focused on the protection of the world’s oceans. He is joining experts, environmentalists, and leaders from nearly 200 countries in developing an action plan to conserve and manage the ocean’s resources.

With President Trump’s decision today to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, the State is prepared to address climate change as it pertains to Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. The Hawaiʻi State Legislature this session passed SB559 SD1 HD2 CD1 which recognizes that climate change poses immediate and long-term threats to the State’s economy, sustainability, security, and way of life, and addresses the impact of climate change, one of the priority issues of the Senate. Senate Majority Leader, Sen. J. Kalani English (Dist. 7 - Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lana‘i, Kaho‘olawe) introduced SB559 which funds the creation of the Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission and provides the State with a guide to planning and statewide implementation using the latest scientific analysis and risk assessment to monitor and forecast climate change impacts at the regional, state and local level. “The effects of climate change are real, as seen primarily with sea level rise in the Pacific,” said Sen. English. “The measure adopted relevant sections of the Paris Agreement as state law, which gives us legal basis to continue adaptation and mitigation strategies for Hawai‘i, despite the Federal government’s withdrawal from the treaty.” “The bill was crafted in collaboration with the Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary Academy (TBA21 Academy), which hosted a think tank in the Marquesas Islands, focused on climate change and cultural resiliency,” explained Sen. English. “With our way of life here and across the Pacific being left vulnerable to sea level rise and climate change, we simply cannot leave our future in the hands of those who may be misinformed and misguided.” TBA21 is a globally recognized art institution based in Vienna, Austria. TBA21 announced their commitment to focus on the impact of climate change on the oceans at COP21 in Paris and met with scientists, policy makers, and local leaders at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Honolulu in September 2016. # # # #SenatorEnglish #jkalanienglish #PresidentTrump #ParisAgreement #SB559 #sb559 #MauiSenator #hawaiisenate #hawaiilegislature #TBA21 #ThyssenBornemiszaArtContemporaryAcademy #IUCN #WorldConservationCongress #Oceans #SaveourPlanet

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – Senator Lorraine Inouye, Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, joined Governor David Ige, the Chairman of Japan Airlines Masaru Onishi, Federal airport officials, and state and county tourism officials in announcing JAL’s return to the Kona International Airport at Keahole on Hawai‘i Island. Beginning in September, JAL is starting a new daily, non-stop service between Narita International Airport in Tokyo and the Kona International Airport. This marks the return of the route that was suspended in October 2010 as part of the airline’s corporate reorganization to downsize business. At the time, JAL had vowed to return to Kona. As part of the announcement, JAL’s chairman said the airline is hoping to contribute to the development of Hawai‘i’s regional economy, while also promoting Hawai‘i’s culture. The Narita/Kona flights will be utilizing JAL Sky Suite 767-300ER aircraft which seats 199 passengers and will be fitted with the airline’s most current interiors. JAL’s new service is expected to result in more than $84 million in visitor spending and nearly $10 million in state tax revenue, according to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. The service will also support about 900 jobs on Hawai‘i Island. Flickr photo link: https://flic.kr/s/aHskWhLRsZ #LorraineInouye #GovernorIge #MarkNakashima #KonaAirport #JapanAirlines #JTB #JAL #SenatorInouye

SENATOR CHANG CO-SPONSORS WILDFIRE SAFETY AND PREVENTION WORKSHOP WHO: Sen. Stanley Chang, Sen. Laura Thielen, Rep. Gene Ward, City Councilman Trevor Ozawa, representative from Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO) WHAT: Community workshop to share wildfire mitigation and safety tips and develop action plans WHERE: Kamiloiki Elementary School 7788 Hawai‘i Kai Drive WHEN: Monday, June 5, 2017 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Senator Stanley Chang (Senate Dist. 9 - Hawai‘i Kai, Kuli‘ou‘ou, Niu, ‘Aina Haina, Wai‘alae- Kahala, Diamond Head), Senator Laura Thielen (Senate Dist. 25 - Kailua, Lanikai, Enchanted Lake, Keolu Hills, Maunawili, Waimanalo, Hawai‘i Kai, Portlock), Representative Gene Ward (House Dist. 17 - Hawai‘i Kai, Kalama Valley), and City Councilman Trevor Ozawa (Council District 4 – Ala Moana, Hawai‘i Kai) will be co-sponsoring a workshop to provide residents of East Oahu tips to help prevent the spread of wildfires and how to prepare in case of a fire emergency. A representative from the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO) will be presenting important information on understanding problems and solutions with combating wildfires. HWMO has been instrumental in helping Hawai‘i Island communities develop action plans against wildfires. “In the last few months, there have been more than a dozen wildfires in and around Kamilonui Valley. That’s far too many to not take action,” said Sen. Chang on why he wanted to be proactive in light of the recent outbreak of wildfires in his district. “Although these fires are under investigation, there are steps residents can take to prohibit the spread of fires and also protect their property. There’s no reason to wait.” The Wildfire Safety and Prevention Workshop is part of a two-day, multi-level government effort to address the recent rash of wildfires in Hawai‘i Kai. A Public Safety Town Hall Meeting is being held on Tuesday, June 6 at Hahaione Elementary School starting at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the problems and prevention of wildfires in East Oahu with city police and fire officials and a wildfire expert. The meetings are free and open to the public. #hawaiisenate #StanleyChang #LauraThielen #GeneWard #TrevorOzawa #Hawaiiwildfiremanagement #Kamilonui

The 2017 Hawaii Legislative Session didn't quite mirror the chaos in Washington, D.C., but it was the wildest in recent memory. It ended badly for Maui, with longtime House Speaker Joe Souki resigning his position. And, earlier in the session, West Maui Rep. Angus McKelvey was removed as chair of the powerful House Consumer Protection Committee and put in charge of the Higher Education Committee amid controversy over a doomed bill to regulate pesticide use. There is also good news for the island and West Maui specifically. Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding approved this year includes $126.5 million for improvements at Kahului Airport, $63 million for construction of the new Kihei High School, $18.3 million for a Lahaina Boat Harbor ferry pier, $7.8 million for Kaanapali Beach restoration and berm enhancement and $40 million for Lahaina Bypass land acquisition and construction (from North Keawe Street to Puukolii Road in Kaanapali). Given the strange ending of the session, West Maui residents must have some good questions. Mine is, "Are any taxes contributed on Maui going into the idiotic Honolulu rail project?" The community can hear directly from West Maui Sen. Roz Baker and Rep. McKelvey at their End-of-session Wrap-up and Talk Story on Tuesday, May 23, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the West Maui Senior Center at 788 Pauoa St. in Lahaina. All are welcome to learn about bills passed this session, ask questions and voice concerns. Attend to hear about the highlights of the 2017 session and leadership dynamics at the legislature. "The reality is the legislature of Hawaii - like the County Councils, Congress or other political bodies - is a house of cards," McKelvey said in March, recognizing the looming change in House leadership. "At the end of the day, Lahaina and Maui are still protected, and we are still able to be doing good things for all of our people, especially our young people. Like all things political, change will surely occur again in the future, and for the better, no matter how the cards are dealt." #rozbaker #senatorbaker #lahainanews #hawaiisenate

HILO — Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is one of several co-sponsors for a bipartisan bill aimed at decriminalizing marijuana at the federal level. Gabbard, a Democrat representing the 2nd District, and the bill’s introducer, Republican Rep. Tom Garrett of Virginia addressed the measure Wednesday during a press conference in Washington, D.C. They were accompanied by parents whose children take cannabidiol oil to help with seizures. In written statement, Gabbard called the current federal laws “archaic” and said they were “turning everyday Americans into criminals.” She said she had signed on to the bill because it was part of an overall effort to reform an “overburdened and broken” criminal justice system. “This bill is a bipartisan effort that will be a great step forward in solving many of the fiscal and social challenges that our current policy is causing,” she said. Marijuana has already been decriminalized in 21 states, which typically means that first-time offenders for possession will not be arrested or face prison time. Recreational marijuana is legal in eight states. In Hawaii, marijuana is legal for medical use. A bill for decriminalization was introduced to the state Senate during this year’s legislative session, but it did not receive any hearings. State Sen. Russell Ruderman, a co-sponsor of the state bill, said he did not think a local or a national decriminalization effort would be successful because of “uncertainty at the federal level.” President Donald Trump has not yet addressed marijuana decriminalization or legalization, but as a candidate he spoke in favor of medical marijuana. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions, however, is not in favor of legalization or decriminalization, noting in a speech given in March that “our nation needs to say clearly once again that using drugs will destroy your life.” At the state level, Ruderman said, “I don’t think this (was) the year to go forward and stick our heads out.” The U.S. House bill is also aimed at helping nascent industrial hemp markets, like Hawaii’s. An industrial hemp pilot program was approved last year by the state Legislature. This year, funding for the program was appropriated. Industrial hemp contains less than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (the psychoactive component of marijuana), but because it comes from the same plant as marijuana, it can only be cultivated under strict regulations. Gabbard also has supported federal legislation that would make it easier to grow industrial hemp nationwide. #senatorruderman #russellruderman #marijuana #tulsigabbard #hemp