December 27, 2011
Ignition Interlock Making a Difference on Hawaii Roads
As Hawaii's ignition interlock program nears its 1-year anniversary, a recent news report shows that the program to prevent drunk driving is having an impact. I introduced this law after becoming the victim of a drunk driver in 2007, and was very pleased when it was finally implemented on January 1, 2011. Since then, 983 ignition interlock devices have been installed in our state, and the devices have stopped drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of more than .02 from driving on more than 3,200 occasions, including more than 450 times when they blew above the legal limit of .08 BAC. Check out this story to learn more, and please make safe driving a priority during the holiday season and beyond.
September 6, 2011
Rep. Har to Host September 21 Town Hall Meeting on UH-West Oahu
Along with other area elected officials, I will be sponsoring another community-wide meeting, this time focused on the new UH-West Oahu campus in Kapolei and all of the exciting academic opportunities that will help train our young people for careers and shape our area's economy well into future. Please join UH-West Oahu Chancellor Gene Awakuni and UH-West Oahu administrators and faculty on Wednesday, September 21 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Kapolei High School cafeteria for a presentation on the construction progress, academic programs and how to apply at the new Kapolei campus. Call my office at 586-8500 with any questions - I hope to see you there!
September 6, 2011
Rep. Har Presents School Supplies to Onelau'ena Transitional Shelter
In partnership with the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) and the Office Depot Foundation, I was very pleased to present a donation of 56 sack-packs containing school supplies on August 4, 2011 to students and families residing at the Onelau'ena Transitional Shelter located in Kalaeloa. You can learn more about the shelter and the school supply donation program in the Midweek West Oahu Community News August 31, 2011 edition
July 21, 2011
New Law Introduced by Rep. Har Encourages Renovation of State Buildings Through Public/Private Partnerships
On July 12, 2011, Governor Abercrombie signed a new law that will make it easier to renovate and repair state buildings. HB1505, signed into law as Act 231, was introduced by Rep. Sharon Har (D-40: Kapolei, Makakilo, Royal Kunia, Kalaeloa) and creates a state facility renovation partnership program which provides the State with the ability to enter into public-private partnerships while allowing the State to retain the land under the building and charge lease rent via a ground lease on the property.
"These types of public-private partnerships work in other states and will assist the State of Hawaii in moving forward with our ailing building infrastructure," said Rep. Har. "Act 231 provides the state with another tool to keep our state facilities safe, clean, and a source of pride for the people of Hawaii."
The state facility renovation partnership program will be administered by the Department of Accounting and General Services, which may enter into agreements with a private investor for the sale of a facility suited for the program. The private investor would renovate, maintain or construct the facility, and lease the facility to the state. The state would maintain ownership of the land beneath the facility, and will have the option to purchase the facility back from the private investor.
Read more about the bill here HB1505 .You can also watch a report KITV report by KITV on the new legislation or read the Associated Press story Associated Press
July 7, 2011
Transportation Town Hall Meeting
On June 30, 2011, in response to many concerns shared by constituents, I joined area elected officials in sponsoring a town hall meeting to discuss current and upcoming transportation and traffic issues in our community. The state Department of Transportation and the city and county Department of Transportation Services both gave presentations, which are linked to in the "Documents and Links" section of this page. I hope you find this information useful!
June 23, 2011
Rep. Har on Jordan's Journal:
Rep. Har appeared on the most recent episode of Rep. Jordan's Olelo program "Jordan's Journal" to discuss the growth of Kapolei and other West Oahu communities, and to share information about a transportation town hall meeting she will be hosting, along with other area legislators, on Thursday, June 30, 7 pm at the Kapolei High School cafeteria. You can view the entire episode online here: View Episode
March 2, 2011
Star-Advertiser: "State Building Should Be Sold"
Rep. Har's letter to the editor regarding her bill, HB1505, which would allow the state to enter into public-private partnerships to renovate state buildings, appeared in the March 1, 2011 Star-Advertiser.View full letter
January 25, 2011
Star-Advertiser: "It's time to fine-tune ignition interlock law"
Rep. Sharon Har wrote a piece in the January 24, 2011 Star-Advertiser on the new Ignition Interlock law, along with her plans to introduce legislation that will address issues that have arisen as the law has been put into practice. View full article
12/30/2010
Ignition Interlock Law Takes Effect January 1, 2011
The House Majority blog shares details about the new Ignition Interlock law, which took effect January 1 after being initially introduced in 2008 by Rep. Sharon Har as a key tool to fight drunk driving in our state: View full article