SENATOR MAILE SHIMABUKURO 2024 HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE
BREAKING NEWS
LATEST COMMUNITY UPDATES
What an extremely successful Easter Basket Drive filled with essential household items such as toiletries, utensils, beddings/towels, and especially hygiene products. These gift baskets are distributed to help Hawaii’s needy families.
LEGISLATION TO BOLSTER NATIVE FISH HATCHERIES STALLS
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SB2329 which I introduced this session was to promote and fund production of fishponds with mullet (’anae) and other equipment for aquaculture. Wai’anae High School “Marine Science Learning Center” (MSLC) is an on-campus aquaculture facility offering students hands-on education in marine science and commercial enterprise. It unfortunately died quietly in House Conference. It was hoped that the research done at the MSLC would continue its success raising ogo and salt-water tilapia for sale as a source of local protein. The outcome of these projects is that they can provide resilient strains of native aquaculture stock for larger fishponds. There are currently 40 fishpond under Hui Malama Loko i’a who hope that this form of indigenous harvesting could result in a full-fledged source of healthy food produced with native knowledge, for the native people, in there native places. This is a wonderful example where the ways of old are now becoming new all over again. IMUA !!!
MAY 2024
Ka‘ena
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Makahā
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Waiʻanae - Nānākuli - Mā‘
ili - Ko Olina
Ku’uwehi Hirashi / HPR
Mark Ladao / HPR
2024 SUCCESSFUL WLC EASTER BASKET DRIVE
LEGISLATIVE UPDATES ON BUDGETARY PRIORITIES
BUDGET CIP PRIORITIES
1) Nānākuli High & Inter School
Performing Arts Center ($30M)
2) Wai’anae Intermediate Playcourt ($5M)
3) Elepaio Social Svcs GIA* ($1.2M)
DLNR FIRE PREVENTION INITIATIVE Fire Dipping Wells for Wai’anae Coast
$500,000 grant submitted by DLNR
GRANT-IN-AIDS OPERATING FUNDS
a) Westside Striking* - $50k Boxing club to promote self-esteem and health for youth ($135,300)
b) Na Kama Kai* - $150k Ocean safety awareness, funding for 4 professional development courses. $418,800
c) Makana O Ke Akua* - $150k clean and sober homes coupled with case management $854,997
d) Ulu A’e Learning Center* - $175k clean and sober homes coupled with case management $199,883
e) After-Schools All-Stars Hawaii* - $100k An after-school “Career Exploration Opportunities” program $370K
GRANT-IN-AIDS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS (CIP)
(i) Makaha Learning Center* - $135k Alternative energy and construction trades training $540,000
(ii) MA’O Organic Farms, dba Waianae Community Re-Development Corporation $50k Clearing of 30+ acres of farm land $200,000
iii) Ulu A’e Learning Center* - $50k Campus expansion for a pavilion and modular classroom. $50,000
iv) Elepaio Social Services* - $1.2M Plan, Design, & Construct emergency food warehouse. $2.5M
HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS / LAND
RELATING TO BURIAL SITES (SB2591 SD2)
Imposes a fine on any private landowner that fails to disclose a record with the Bureau of Conveyances or documents used to offer real property for sale, the existence of burial or archaeological sites on their property that the landowner knew or should have know of. Requires finds collected to be deposited into the Hawai’i Historic Preservation Special Fund.
EDUCATION
RELATING TO MENSTRUAL PRODUCTS in public buildings (SB3000) <Bill lapsed however the $400k funding was put in HB1800 Budget Bill>
HEALTH
RELATING TO DLNR (SB1258 SD2)
Develop & implement a management system for Ka’ena, Makua, & Keawaula
RELATING TO WATER QUALITY (SB2322 SD1)
Requires the Department of Health to require continued water testing during brown water advisories under certain circumstances. DOH agreed to implement intent of this bill WITHOUT passage.
JUDICIARY
RELATING TO LIMITATION OF ACTION (SB2439 SD1)
Revives and/or extends the statute of limitations for civil actions brought by victims of sexual assault against an alleged offender.
RESOLUTIONS
SUPPORTING GAZA CEASEFIRE (SCR13/SR6)
Urging Hawaii Congressional Delegation to support Gaza Ceasefire
DOA TO SUPPORT AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SCR29/SR19)
Urging the DOA to to improve the aquaculture program strategic plan.
RELATING TO CLEAN AND SOBER HOMES (SR53)
Urges that the DOH lead an informal “Clean & Sober Homes” working group
URGING THE PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION OF LIMU KALA (SR55)
REQESTING DAGS TO ESTABLISH COMMUNITY GARDENS (SR86)
INCENTIVIZING THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE (SR56)
Incentivize the increased teaching and use of ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i through DOE hiring more permanent Hawaiian language teachers.
KOMMUNITY
KŪKĀKŪKĀ
(Talk Story)
PAPAHANA ‘O KAI’ONA VISITS CAPITOL
Early in this 2024 Session, the motivated students & staff of Papahana ‘O Kai‘ona came to visit the State Capitol to learn how to actively participate in the legislative process as well as the many functions that their legislators can help in building much stronger communities & constituents. Papahana ‘O Kai‘ona is a culturally-enhanced alternative program for many students across the Wai’anae Coast !!
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF HAWAII VISITS
Members of the Wai’anae Boys & Girls Club came by the office to “talk story” and remind us how important & valuable their programs are for the youth of the Westside community.
The BGCH seeks to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive and caring responsible citizens. They deliver such programs during after-school hours as a critical time to train, shape, and grow. The phenomenal progress has definitely been a huge win for Wai’anae !!
MS. DONNA SORIANO OF WAI’ANAE ELEMENTARY IS THE NANAKULI-WAI‘ANAE COMPLEX AREA 2024 TEACHER OF THE YEARS
The Hawaii State Senate had the honor and privilege to recognize a group of teachers, one who teaches at Waianae Elementary School and was awarded as the NanakuliWai’anae Complex Area’s 2024 Teacher of the Year
Ms. Donna Soriano teaches STEM & computer science. She utilizes a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from UH and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instructional Design focusing on STEAM from Concordia University. Her leadership in establishing her school’s Seahorse Media Program, design lab, and robotics team exemplifies her commitment to providing students with hands-on technology-driven learning opportunities.
LĀHAINA STRONG
I had motivated LAHAINA STRONG members wanted to advocate for their island of Maui on their ongoing struggle to recover and flourish.
They are looking for legislators to advocate for SB2919 which establishes county-level control for zoning ordinances controlling short-term rentals (transient accommodations). This will help provide more affordable homing options for many displaced by the fire. ~ Maile
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Maile
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