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

Maui High School held its Annual Awards Night on Tuesday, May 16 at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College Pāʻina Building. The event recognized student achievement through an array of scholarship and award presentations. Doctors Frank Baum and Colleen Inouye kicked off the program with the presentation of the Maui High School 2017 Valedictorian Awards. The scholarship is annually funded by the the Colleen F Inouye MD and Frank R Baum MD Foundation. This year’s graduating class fielded 30 valedictorians, the school’s highest number of seniors within a single class to earn this distinction. Valedictorian honors are granted to seniors who have achieved a 4.0 cumulative GPA or higher and who have also earned and met the requirements of one of the Honor Recognition Certificates as outlined by the Hawaiʻi Department of Education. The doctors awarded a total of $15,000 in scholarship funds. They also once again gifted each Saber valedictorian with a baseball cap from each of the awardees’ designated college or university. Senator Gil-Keith Agaran, an alumnus of Maui High School and Yale University, was in attendance to present the Yale Book Award to juniors Camryn Ban and Taylor Tagud. This recognition is awarded to students at the end of their junior year at public and private secondary schools who are noted for outstanding personal character and intellectual promise. The Maui High School Foundation Scholarship was also among the presentations. The Foundation granted $10,500 in scholarships to deserving seniors in the categories of General Scholarship, CTE Scholarship, and AVID Scholarship. Foundation board member Brian Moto notes the Foundation was able to award an additional $500 AVID Scholarship this year through the generosity of recently retired principal, Bruce Anderson. Anderson was also in attendance and presented the scholarship to recipient Shanlee Sumibcay who will be attending UH Maui College to study Dental Hygiene. For the first time, the awards program featured a college signing portion in which seniors who were presented with scholarships that night were also given a designated moment in the spotlight to formally sign a letter of intent to attend their selected colleges and universities. Principal Jamie Yap said, “this resembles an athletic signing, and the idea is not to let Athletic achievement overshadow Academics. You have to balance them.” According to Yap, the idea came from Maui High’s College and Career Counselor Tad Iwata. “We do it for our outstanding athletes, so why not do it for our outstanding scholars as well,” Yap said. A total of 68 soon to be college students participated in the signing session with friends and family looking on. Iwata, who was also the event coordinator, stated that “only a fraction of the scholarships earned by this year’s seniors were recognized in the program. We are very proud of our seniors who have acquired and reported over $15 million in merit or academic based scholarships so far. This is the largest sum of merit based scholarships reported by a senior class in my years at Maui High.” Iwata has been the College and Career Counselor at Maui High since 2007. At the conclusion of the event, Principal Yap announced Iwata’s upcoming departure from Maui High School that will take place at the end of the school year. “Mr. Iwata will surely be missed as he moves into a new direction to support his family.” Yap announced that Scott Tressidder, who is the grade-level counselor for this year’s senior class, will be filling the vacancy created by Iwata as our the school’s College and Career counselor. “Tad has had an influence in the growing number of college-going graduates across Maui,” says Maui High Parent-Community Facilitator Stacy Woodson. “He has been a great and valuable resource over the years not only to our students, but to any student from any school seeking college preparation or financial aid pointers. He has been a great collaborator with other high schools and organizations in developing and sharing college prep and college awareness strategies. He has developed relations with colleges from all over the nation and has been successful in recruiting many of their reps to our schools and College Fairs. Mostly he has helped a lot of students get into college despite financial barriers. We were very lucky to have him. He’s made a difference for a number of families during his time here.” Maui High’s 2017 Senior Class will be holding their graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 20, 2017 at the War Memorial Stadium beginning at 5 p.m. #hawaiisenate #SenatorKeithAgaran #GilbertKeithAgaran #mauihighschool #UniversityofMaui

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi released the following statement upon receiving news that U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono will undergo treatment for kidney cancer: "On behalf of the Hawai‘i State Senate, our thoughts and prayers go out to Senator Hirono and her family at this difficult time. It is hoped that Senator Hirono's tremendous grit, determination, and indomitable spirit that has served the people of Hawai‘i so well, will be galvanized by our support and well wishes." # # # #maziehirono #hawaiisenate #senatorhirono #ronkouchi

Honolulu, Hawaii – Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi announced several new committee chairs and an addition to Senate leadership as part of the Senate's recent reorganization. Senator Donovan Dela Cruz will be the new Ways and Means committee chair with Senator Gil Keith-Agaran serving as the Ways and Means committee vice chair. The current Senate committee on Judiciary and Labor will be divided into two committees with Senator Brian T. Taniguchi chairing the Judiciary committee and Senator Jill N. Tokuda chairing the Labor committee. Senator Kaiali‘i Kahele is the new Majority Whip. These new positions are effective at the close of business on May 12, 2017. ### #HawaiiSenate #donovandelacruz #briantaniguchi #jilltokuda #kaialiikahele #GilKeithAgaran #Reorganization #leadership

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – State Senator Donna Mercado Kim (Dist. 14 - Kapalama, ‘Alewa, Kalihi Valley, Ft. Shafter, Moanalua Gardens & Valley, portions of Halawa and ‘Aiea) visited Ms. Doris Boushey’s fourth grade class at Moanalua Elementary School today to share the children’s book Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty. The book tells the story of Rosie, who wishes to become an engineer and help her aunt accomplish her dream of flying. After an unsuccessful attempt, Rosie learns that you only fail when you quit. The book is meant to motivate and inspire young girls to reach for their dreams and enter careers that seem unavailable to them. Sen. Kim’s reading day is part of the National Foundation for Women Legislator’s (NFWL) mission to help elected women continue to be leaders in their community and celebrate the historic accomplishments of women who break barriers every day. Elected women on the state, municipal, and local levels across the country are participating in similar reading day activities. “It’s an honor to work with the NFWL to read to the students at Moanalua Elementary today and deliver the message that each of them can achieve anything with hard work,” said Sen. Kim. “Their smiles and hugs are day brighteners and I hope books like Rosie Revere will encourage students to pursue their dreams.” “We thank Sen. Kim for being a role model to students in her community,” stated Minnesota State Senator Carrie Ruud, NFWL’s 2017 Chair. “Inspiring the next generation of elected women is essential to our work at NFWL.” The National Foundation for Women Legislators is the oldest organization for elected women. Because the organization does not have dues, over 5,000 elected women are considered members. As a non-profit, non-partisan organization, NFWL serves as a forum for women legislators to be empowered through information and experience. www.womenlegislators.org # # # #hawaiisenate #donnamercadokim #NationalFoundationforWomen #MoanaluaElementary #NFWL

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i - Delegates of the prefectural governments and business leaders from Hokkaido and Hiroshima visited members of the state legislature to further affirm the sister-state relationships that have been built and nurtured over the years. The sister partnerships have had a positive impact on Hawai‘i’s economy by promoting tourism and commerce. Establishing a legislative partnership is a new initiative between Hawai‘i lawmakers and the Governors and Vice-Governors of the visiting prefectures, which share many of the same concerns on regional issues including the environment and energy. Delegates from the prefectures said they expect to establish a foundation for wider exchanges in the future between the two states in business, culture, education and tourism. Delegates from Japan were in Hawai‘i to attend the first-ever Japan-Hawai‘i Economic Summit in Kona held May 9-11, hosted by the Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism and the U.S.-Japan Council (USJC), a Washington D.C.-based nonprofit educational organization. The attendees, which included several state Senators, allowed for robust discussions on shared issues and opportunities within the areas of business, tourism, education, and energy, and forge connections for future collaboration and trade. # # # #Hawaiisenate #Hokkaido #Hiroshima

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – The Hawai‘i State Senate adjourned the 2017 regular session today taking action on a number of priority areas including homelessness, healthcare, education, and the environment. These priorities align with the Senate’s commitment to the Legislative Program set forth at the start of the 2017 session. Members of the Senate, along with their House counterparts, approved the allocation of about $40 million over the next two years on homeless programs, a top priority of the Legislative Program, including $500,000 each year for services for homeless individuals with serious and persistent mental health challenges; $800,000 for outreach and counseling services for chronically homeless individual families with severe substance use disorders and $300,000 each year for clean and sober housing for chronically homeless individuals. Investing in our children, from preschool to college, reflects the Senate’s priority in education. $90 million was allocated to address conditions for school facilities statewide. The Legislature passed SB423 which ensures that public school students will receive a school meal, even if the student’s meal fund account balance is zero. $1 million in general funds was appropriated in each fiscal year for the Early College High School Initiative. Lawmakers passed measures to address our environment including funding to fight invasive species such as the Coffee Berry Borer and to provide support in the Rapid Ohia Death response. They also passed SB559 which ensures statewide support for Hawai‘i’s green initiatives and measure the efforts being made to mitigate the effects of climate change throughout the state. By passing HB607, Hawai‘i becomes the first state in the nation to pass legislation which authorizes a program to support those who provide care for the elderly. In addressing a disease making headlines locally and nationally, $1 million was appropriated to address Rat Lungworm disease. In his closing remarks, Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi (Dist. 8 -Kaua'i, Ni'ihau) said despite trying and difficult times during the Session, he was grateful and proud of his colleagues and Senate staff for “working as professionals each and every day.” “I’m pleased with the work done over the last 60 days,” said Senate Majority Leader, Sen. J. Kalani English (Dist. 7 - Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lana‘i, Kaho‘olawe). “There were certainly challenges throughout this session, particularly in the area of the budget, where tough choices had to be made. However, my Senate colleagues always kept in mind the best interest of the people of Hawai‘i. I’m hopeful that what issues remain unresolved at the end of this session, we can work together to find solutions and move forward.” On the stalemate over funding for the rail project, the Senate remains open to negotiate an agreement with the House to ensure adequate financing to complete the project, yet minimize the impact on the most vulnerable citizens of the community. Under Senate Rules and Senate Resolution 96, during the interim, the membership of each Standing Committee can be appointed by the President subject to action by the Senate. Should there be changes to a Standing Committee, the new assignments will be announced. The Hawai‘i Senate Majority 2017 Legislative Program can be viewed on the website www.hawaiisenatemajority.com To view all the bills passed in the 2017 Legislative Session, visit www.capitol.hawaii.gov # # # #sinedie #hawaiisenate