SENATOR MAILE SHIMABUKURO 2023 HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE
The passing of Governor’s Message (GM) 524 sent a message to the Governor that the Hawaii State Senate has made a decision to advise and consent Kali Watson as the Chairperson of the Department of Hawaiian Homes and for consideration and confirmation as the Chairperson, Department of Hawaiian Homelands, Gubernatorial Nominee, for a term to expire 12-31-2026.
The Senate Floor vote is scheduled for 11:30AM during the floor session on Friday March 24, 2023
Click here for link to GM524
SB941 will be heard by the Housing and Education Committee on March 21, 2023 at 2PM
SB941 authorizes the School Facilities Authority to partner with public and private agencies to develop teacher and educator housing. Authorizes the School Facilities Authority to transfer appropriated funds to partner state agencies for the development of teacher and educator housing. Appropriates funds to the School Facilities Authority for the construction of teacher and educator housing. Specifies Nanakuli High and Intermediate School, Waipahu High School, and Mililani High School as initial locations for the teacher and educator housing pilot.
Click here for link to testify and get an updated status of SB941
Congratulations
to DOCARE Officers’ Class of 2023
On 2/22/23, HI Senate Ways & Means Committee Chair Donovan Dela Cruz and I visited the largest in history class of 41 DOCARE officer recruits at the Honolulu Community College (HCC) Marine Education Training Center Under the leadership of Lieutenant Carlton Helm and others, the recruits will wrapped up 9 months of training on 03/17/23. These recruits from across the state must complete a rigorous training, involving missions on both land and water, prior to going on duty. At the end, recruits will earn college credits via HCC.
More information, video, and photos of this amazing class can be found by clicking this link.
If you’re passionate about protecting Hawaii's natural, cultural, and historical resources, DLNR would love to work with you! DLNR’s nearly 900 employees work across the state in a wide range of job and career types across divisions including Aquatic Resources, Boating and Ocean Recreation, Bureau of Conveyances, Conservation and Coastal Lands, Conservation and Resources Enforcement, Engineering, Forestry & Wildlife, Historic Preservation, Land Division, and State Parks.
Click here to find information on jobs with DLNR and partner organizations, as well as volunteer opportunities.
Kaena - Makaha - Waiʻanae - Nānākuli - Mā‘ili - Ko Olina MARCH 2023
Congratulations Kali Watson!
Advise and Consent for Katie Ducatt as Deputy Chairperson for DHHL
A hearing has been scheduled for March 30, 2023 at 1pm in Room 224.
A Governors Message (GM) 526 has been submitted for consideration and confirmation as the Deputy to the Chairperson, Department of Hawaiian Homelands, Gubernatorial Nominee, KATIE DUCATT, for a term to expire 12-07-2026.
Click here for link to GM524
Testimony is needed to support SB1040
This bill could fall in line with hopes to build Kupuna housing on DHHL’s land near Waianae Comprehensive since “threatened with homelessness” is broadly defined. SB1040 is scheduled on 3/22/23. The bill “Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to establish the native Hawaiian supportive housing pilot program on the Leeward Coast of Oahu to provide individual or shared micro housing units and services to native Hawaiian beneficiaries who are homeless, or threatened with homelessness, and who are on the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands waiting list.” Please consider submitting testimony in support with amendments, asking to remove the “micro” unit requirement so that DHHL has flexibility in regards to the size of the housing units. Please submit testimony in support and spread the word!
Click here to submit testimony.
Good News! SCR59 / SR53 has been scheduled!
A hearing has been scheduled for March 23, 2023 at 1pm in Room 224. The resolution is the State of Hawaii, City and County of Honolulu, federal entities, and private land owners are urged to work together to immediately open the section of the Waianae Coast Emergency Access Road extending Pa’akea Road out to Lualualei Naval Road to be used as a parallel route for the Waianae Coast on a permanent basis.
Click here to submit testimony.
Congratulations to Nanakuli-Waianae and Campbell-Kapolei District Teachers of the Year Nuikala Koerte and Leeann Manuel!
Education Week kicked off on 03/13/23, and the Senate honored five teachers on the Senate
State Teacher of the Year Michael Ida (Farrington-Kaiser-Kalani). District Teacher of the Year Nuikalā Koerte (Nānākuli-Waiʻanae). District Teacher of the Year Leeann Manuel (Campbell-Kapolei). District Teacher of the Year Keevan Matsumoto (Kaimukī-McKinleyRoosevelt). District Teacher of the Year Daphne Okunaga (Pearl City-Waipahu)
Waianae Moku Kupuna Council (WMKC) Offers the Senate "Moment of Contemplation"
On 03/13/23, Aunty Georgiana Navarro of the WMKC delivered the "Moment of Contemplation" to the State Senate. SR45 recognizes the WMKC as an advisory resource for elected officials. In closing we Kupunas know that you know Aunty Pilahi Paki's "The Spirit of Aloha Law" I'm looking at the eyes of our leaders today who has been reminded time and time again that when you DO "The Spirit of Aloha Law" then we our WMKC will support you. Mahalo and Aloha. Kou inoa mai au” - Georgiana Navarro
2023 Hawaii Senate
Legislative Session Update
Homelessness & Housing
~ Ohana Ola O Kahumana Expansion: GIA for Kahumana to purchase the 4.5 acre parcel next to its existing transitional shelter in Lualualei Valley. The land will be used to create a kauhale for approximately 80 individuals experiencing homelessness. ($6.89m)
~ Homeless Crisis Stabilization Beds: GIA for Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center (WCCHC) to provide six stabilization beds and assistance with transitional shelter placement, for unsheltered individuals. The project also includes a food distribution center and a Hawaiian Cultural Center. ($1.8m)
~ Kauhale Bill (SB1442): Appropriates $15m/year for the ohana zones pilot program, including expenses relating to operations, upkeep of facilities, provision of services, and administrative costs. Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds for the construction of facilities for the ohana zones pilot program. Establishes one position within the Office of the Governor that is responsible for the deployment of the capital improvement funds appropriated by this Act. Specifies certain exemptions shall apply to the ohana zone construction. A possible Kauhale site includes vacant land behind Nanakuli Sack and Save.
~ DHHL Supportive Housing (SB1040): Project aimed at providing DHHL wait-listers who are homeless or threatened with homelessness with supportive housing and services.
~ Transitional Shelter: Utilize former military officer's housing in Kalaeloa for unsheltered DHHL wait-listers
~ Ulu Ke Kukui: renovate a former transitional housing project into rental units for DHHL beneficiaries
Transportation
~ Paakea Road (SCR59 / SR53): Funding and Resolution urging the creation of a parallel route from Paakea Road to Lualualei Naval Road by removing the emergency access road gates
~ Contraflow & Turning Lanes: Add turn lanes at the Lualualei Naval Rd., Nanaikeola St., and Helelua St. intersections; extend the afternoon contraflow
~ Makaha Surfing Beach: Adopt the master plan by re-routing Farrington Highway further mauka to address sea level rise and improve safety
~ Speed Humps: Install speed humps at Princess Kahanu Estates, Nanakuli Valley Hawaiian Homestead, and other high-speed areas; lengthen existing speed humps to extend to shoulders.
~ Car Registration (SB1046): Exempt veterans from motor vehicle registration fees for one non-commercial vehicle
~ Makau Street (SCR193 / SR198): Urges the City to improve the Keaau Beach parking lot to create an alternate bus turnaround
Education
~ Cool Classrooms: air condition all Waianae Coast classrooms by the end of 2023
~ Papahana O Kaiona alternative learning center: establish a facility and operations at the old Kaiser Building on St. John's Road
~ Waianae Coast Swimming Pool: collaboration between Waianae High, YMCA, WCCHC, and others
~ Youth Mental Health (SB1044): Appropriates moneys to hire school-based youth mental health specialists
~ Teacher Housing (SB941): Authorizes the School Facilities Authority to partner with public and private agencies to develop teacher and educator housing. Specifies Nanakuli High and Intermediate School, Waipahu High School, and Mililani High School as initial locations for the teacher and educator housing pilot.
~ "Waterman" Movie (SCR195 / SR200): Urges DOE to accept the filmaker's free offer to show the Duke Kahanamoku "Waterman" movie to 7th graders, and incorporate its life and history lessons into curriculum
~ The Recruiters: GIA for Music Production on the Waianae Coast $1.6m
Hawaiian Affairs
~ Grants to Non Profits (SB1609): Provide grants to non-profits serving Hawaiians in areas of economic development, online marketing, and burial repatriation.
~ Housing Credits & Exemptions (HB567): Provide DHHL with GET and School Impact Fee exemptions. Extend Affordable Housing Tax Credits.
~ Waitlist Successorship (SB738): Grant DHHL waitlisters who are terminally ill or aged 60 and over a lease which can be passed on to successors who are at least 25% Hawaiian. Allow heirs of wait-listers who are deceased to make a claim for a lease. This will preserve an ohana's place on the waitlist, even if surviving heirs are less than 50% Hawaiian.
~ Hawaiian Intellectual Property (SCR191 / SR196): Urging the establishment of a working group.
~ Hawaiian Language (SCR196 / SR201): Urging the appointment of a committee to plan expansion of Hawaiian language education in the DOE
~ Waianae Economic Development Council: GIA for Nanakuli Village Center digital hub and co-working space ($834,410)
~ Hawaiian Laws (SB16): Requires that the Hawaiian version of a law be held binding if the law in question was originally drafted in Hawaiian and then translated into English and if the law has not been subsequently amended, codified, recodified, or reenacted in English.
Environment
~ Pokai Bay Jetty: $5m CIP for re-design for improved circulation
~ Makua Management System (SB1258 / HB1267 / SCR39 / SR33): Requires DLNR to develop and implement a management system for Ka‘ena point state park, Makua, and Keawa‘ula regions
~ Flood Mitigation: Collaboration between Navy, City, State, and community groups in Lualualei Valley
~ Limu (SB1037): Designates Limu Kala (Sargassum echinocarpum) as the official Hawaiʻi state limu
~ Ocean Waste (SCR23 / SR18): Urges state to recognize the 4th Saturday of every September as "Trash Fishing Day"
~ Kingdom Pathways: GIA for Environmental preservation $238,669
~ Landfills (SCR57 / SR51): Resolution urging the City to provide real property tax relief to residents within a 1/2 mile radius of landfills
~ Ulehawa Canal (SCR192 / SR197): Resolution urging the City to conduct quarterly dredging, and extend the seawall groin further
Agriculture
~ Pig Farmers (HB300 / SB1246 / HB946): hog, sheep, goat, chicken, and other small animal slaughterhouse at Kalaeloa ($4m CIP)
~ Kalo (SB1498): protection of taro lands
~ Local Farmers (SCR24 / SR19): Urges state to pursue exemption to the commerce clause for agricultural produce grown or raised in HI
~ Waianae Moku Navigators: GIA for Food Security ($763,505)
~ Kahua Paa Mua: GIA for Agricultural Education
~ Solar Farm Low Income Housing (SCR58 / SR52): Resolution urging solar farms to raise panels and build units for homeless individuals under them
Health
~ WCCHC Emergency Room: GIA for operating funds ($2m)
~ Telephone Only (HB907): Authorizes reimbursement of telehealth services provided by way of an interactive telecommunications system be reimbursed.
~ WCCHC Family Medicine Residency Program: GIA for renovations and medical equipment to address shortage of primary care providers ($500,000)
~ Dialysis (SB473): Exempts drug manufacturers, wholesale prescription drug distributors, and third-party logistics providers of home dialysis drugs, supplies, and devices from the license, registration, and permit requirements for pharmacies; provided that certain conditions are met.
~ Midwives (SB1047/HB955): Makes permanent the existing exemption for birth attendants to continue to practice without a license, under certain conditions. Expands qualifications for licensure to include the North American Registry of Midwives portfolio evaluation process. Modeled after Oregon legislation.
~ Reproductive Care Workforce (SCR38 / SR32): Urging JABSOM to prioritize efforts to strengthen HI's reproductive care workforce in rural areas
~ KAMP Hawaii: GIA to help with over 1000 participants at 5 district parks on West Oahu. Kalaniana’ole Beach Park, Ma’ili Community Park, Pilila’au Community Park, Waianae District Park and Makaha Community Park. This is the 17th year providing the Healthy Lifestyle Summer program to these parks ($2m)
Judiciary
~ Clean Slate (SB410): automatically remove expunged offenses, and delete dismissed traffic citations, from a person’s public record
~ Mental Health Crisis Centers (SB1594): Court diversion program for unsheltered and other individuals experiencing mental health instability
~ Tenants' Rights (SB393 / SB26): Requires landlords to provide opportunity for mediation prior to eviction. Prohibits evictions where landlord caused unit to become uninhabitable.
~ Juvenile Justice (SCR197 / SR202): Urging the Courts to assess and share data regarding fees imposed upon youth defendants
~ Involuntary Mental Health Treatment (SB1492): Requires DOH to track and publicly report certain data relating to crisis reports, emergency mental health transports, and court-ordered treatments. Requires DOH to respond to reports about persons having severe mental illness who are in need of assistance and to assess whether those persons may fulfill the criteria for assisted community treatment. Establishes that a court's denial of a petition for involuntary commitment shall serve as notification to DOH that the person should be evaluated for assisted community treatment. Requires Attorney General to assist with the preparation and filing of petitions for assisted community treatment, unless declined by the petitioner.
~ Rent Relief (HB1439): Establishes and appropriates funds for a pre-litigation mediation pilot program. Requires landlords to participate in mediation before filing an action for summary possession. Creates and appropriates funds for an emergency rent relief program.
Public Safety
~ Fire Prevention (SB409): $1.5m per year for a statewide fire prevention program
~ Kaala Farm: GIAs for fire prevention ($500,000) and fire prevention grant administrator ($50,000)
~ HFD Helicopter (City Initiative): Twin-engine 280 gallon bucket fire fighting helicopter (3x HFD’s current capacity)
~ Called 2 Impact, Inc: GIA for At-Risk Youth on the Waianae Coast $8,000
~ Clean & Sober Homes (SCR36 / SR30): Resolution urging the City to more evenly distribute clean and sober homes and mental health facilities throughout Oahu
~ Disaster Preparedness (SCR194 / SR 199): Urging government to design a disaster preparedness plan for the Waianae Coast
