June 17, 2013
Legislative Town Hall Meeting on June 25
On Tuesday, June 25 from 7:00pm - 8:30pm at the Waianae District Park in the Multi-purpose room, I will be hosting a Legislative Town Hall meeting. This meeting will focus on the state budget and also provide a wrap-up of the 2013 Legislative Session.
June 17, 2013
Representative Jordan's Community Newsletter for the 2013 Session
Representative Jordan releases her Community Newsletter for the 2013 Session highlighting the over $50 million in new projects included in the state budget to improve our community and the Top Accomplishments of the 2013 Legislature.View full article
June 17, 2013
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is offered once a year to households that need assistance in paying their electric or gas bills. Last Year, HCAP helped 5,638 families apply for LIHEAP benefits! Oahu residents can qualify for one of two programs: (1) Gas or Electric Bill Payment Assistance - An energy credit for households having difficulty paying their gas or electric bills or (2) Energy Crisis Intervention - Financial assistance for households whose electricity or gas has been or is scheduled to be shut off. LIHEAP is available for one month only: June 3 - 28. Download a 2013 brochure at LIHEAP Brochure for more information. To apply: Visit one of HCAP's five District Service Centers during LIHEAP application hours - Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursday, Fridays: 9am - 12 noon and Tuesdays: 9am - 12 noon and 4:30pm - 6pm or call 521-4531 for more information. You must bring documents when you apply and can go to LIHEAP for more details.
June 17, 2013
Queen's Medical Center - West Oahu Begins Construction
Five months after acquiring the former Hawaii Medical Center West, Queen's Medical Center begins construction on its new Ewa campus and some high-tech changes are in the works. Queen's received its demolition permit, so much of the existing facility will be transformed. The preparation is the first stage of a more than $70 million renovation project. The emergency department is completely gutted, but will soon be three times larger with more than 20 patient bays. The operating rooms and intensive care units will also get an upgrade and receive state-of-the-art equipment. Queen's is planning to hire more than 400 employees before the hospital opens in spring 2014.
June 17, 2013
Honolulu International Airport Modernization Begins Construction
With the groundbreaking for a new Aloha Air Cargo facility, the state Department of Transportation (DOT) celebrated the start of approximately $750 million in improvement projects for the Honolulu International Airport, as part of the statewide Hawaii Airports Modernization Program. The privately funded $12 million Aloha Air Cargo facility is a key component in upgrades and improvements at the Honolulu Airport and highlights the importance of public/private partnerships that benefit the people of Hawaii. Construction on the state's projects in this area is expected to begin next month. While the improvements will include millions of dollars in runway and taxiway improvements, the main features that the public will enjoy will be a new commuter terminal, the new mauka concourse, and a consolidated rental car facility. The program also includes many support projects, such as a new employee parking lot, maintenance hangars, and roadway improvements.
June 17, 2013
U.S. DOE approves Hawaii's new school accountability and improvement system
The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) announced it has received federal approval for a new Strive HI Performance System designed to ensure all students graduate college- and career-ready. The redesigned school accountability and improvement system approved by the U.S. Department of Education replaces many of the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) with multiple measures of success to meet the needs of Hawaii's students, educators and schools. After winning a Race to the Top grant in 2010, HIDOE established two Zones of School Innovation (ZSI) that targeted support for struggling schools in rural or remote, hard-to-staff areas serving the largest population of native Hawaiian and economically-disadvantaged students in the state. The Strive HI Performance System is a culmination of work by Hawaii educators, parents, community groups, and higher education. It replaces NCLB's most ineffective and outdated components with meaningful benchmarks aligned with goals of the HIDOE/Board of Education State Strategic Plan. The Strive HI Performance System not only reflects the State Strategic Plan, it aligns and connects with state education policies and initiatives including Common Core State Standards, updated assessments, more rigorous diploma and graduation requirements, successful school improvement strategies in the ZSI and robust teacher and principal evaluation and support systems. HIDOE will work closely with Complex Area Superintendents and principals this summer to ensure school leaders and educators are positioned for successful implementation of the Strive HI Performance System in the coming school year. For more information, visit HIDOE's new Strive HI Performance System webpage at Hawaii DOE Strive HI
June 17, 2013
Farrington Highway Realignment Feasibility Study
I submitted testimony to the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization (OMPO) Policy Committee in support of adding the proposed Farrington Highway Realignment Feasibility Study to the Draft FYs 2014-2015 Overall Work Program. In my testimony, I specifically noted the following: "With the Policy Committee's support and inclusion of the Farrington Highway Realignment Feasibility Study in the Draft FYs 2014-2015 Overall Work Program (OWP) it will greatly help by providing an opportunity to gather important information to move forward the long community desired Makaha Beach Park Master Plan, which was developed by the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation Department in 1997."View full article
May 10, 2013
Kamaile Academy Electrical Upgrades
The Governor is releasing $800,000 for electrical upgrades at Kamaile Elementary Public Conversion Charter School Campus, which was included in my CIP bill from 2011 and the last fiscal biennium budget for fiscal years 2011 and 2012.
May 10, 2013
Congratulations to Johna-Rae Leedy and Kaliko Kauai
The State of Hawaii Boys and Girls Clubs held the Boys & Girls Clubs of America State of Hawaii Youth of the Year Competition and Legislative Luncheon earlier this session. The Youth of the Year program helps Boys & Club members become articulate, well-groomed and knowledgeable spokespersons for their Club and their community. The outstanding qualities of a candidate's character, community service and leadership that make a Youth of the Year are promoted in clubhouses every day for all members. I had the pleasure of personally congratulating Johna-Rae Leedy and Kaliko Kauai, the 2013 State of Hawaii Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year Honorees from the Waianae Clubhouse.
May 10, 2013
Waianae High School Building AA - Reroof Dining Room & Kitchen
Construction totaling $249,876.32 at Waianae High School to reroof Building AA will be initiated shortly. The contract has been awarded to United Pacific Builders, LLC. A pre-construction conference to discuss scheduling and construction start date will be held between the contractor and the school in order to minimize disruption and disturbance during the construction.
May 10, 2013
Representative Jordan's Community Newsletter for March-April 2013
Representative Jordan releases her Community Newsletter for March-April 2013 highlighting bills under consideration earlier this session on issues ranging from public safety, housing, efficient allocation of public funds, and medicaid program integrity. I'm also proud that Kamaile Academy participated in Education Week at the Legislature and Johna-Rae Leedy and Kaliko Kauai were named the 2013 State of Hawaii Boys & Girls Clubs Youth of the Year Honorees from the Waianae Clubhouse.View full article
May 10, 2013
Kamaile Academy Public Charter School Campus Expansion
Construction totaling $855,300 at Kamaile Academy Public Charter School for Campus Expansion will be initiated shortly. The contract has been awarded to Hako Plumbing, Inc. dba Hako Construction. A pre-construction conference to discuss scheduling and construction start date will be held between the contractor and the school in order to minimize disruption and disturbance during the construction.
March 20, 2013
MMRP Fieldwork on the Waianae Coast Rescheduled
The Army's planned supplemental Military Munitions Response Program (MMRP) fieldwork originally scheduled to take place from February 18-March 29, 2013 in portions of Makua Beach and an upper section of Kaena Point State Park, east of Keawaula Beach has been rescheduled to October 2013 as a result of unforeseen contracting delays. If you have any questions, you can contact Amy Bugala, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii Public Affairs Chief at 656-3158 or 656-3159.
March 20, 2013
Translocation of Hawaiian Monk Seals from the NWHI to the Main Islands, Deferred
The Hawaiian monk seal research program permit application for conducting activities implementing the monk seal recovery program was recently published in the Federal Register. The application has deferred for up to 5 years, the proposed translocation of juvenile monk seals from the NWHI to the main islands; the permit application specifically states "no seals would be moved from the NWHI to the MHI." The merits of the translocation proposal have been debated for the last several years among marine scientists, ocean users and conservationists. The deferral is appropriate at this time but may be reconsidered for future permit applications based on the seal's recovery progress over the next 5 years.
March 20, 2013
Waianae High School Building J Reroof
Construction totaling $131,400 at Waianae High School to reroof Building J will be initiated shortly. The contract has been awarded to Certified Construction, Inc. A pre-construction conference to discuss scheduling and construction start date will be held between the contractor and the school in order to minimize disruption and disturbance during the construction.
March 20, 2013
Representative Jordan's Community Newsletter for January 2013
Representative Jordan releases her Community Newsletter for January 2013 highlighting a few Opening Day activities including my interview conducted by students from the Nanakuli Boys & Girls Club, the Governor's State of the State Address, and the awarding of the inaugural Hawaii Aloha Order of Merit award to Senator Daniel K. Akaka. I also announced my House Committee assignments and briefly summarized a few of the bills I introduced this session.View full article
December 19, 2012
Representative Jordan's Community Newsletter for December 2012
Representative Jordan releases her Community Newsletter for December 2012 highlighting the release of $500,000 for the Makaha Valley Flood Study and a few special events held last month including Kamaile Academy's Exhibition Night at UH West Oahu, the Veterans Day Ceremony held by our local Leeward VFW Post 849, and the informational meeting and talk-story session on homelessness that I co-sponsored featuring Matthew Doherty, the regional coordinator for the Western region of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.View full article
December 19, 2012
Governor Releases CIP Funds for Waianae High School and Makaha Elementary School
Governor Abercrombie announced the release of more than $44 million for various capital improvement projects (CIPs) statewide, including public schools, health facilities, transportation infrastructure and more. Of the 44 million, $3.5 million is for various schools, statewide for design, construction and required works of art for modifications at various schools to meet ADA accessibility guidelines. The project will provide 1) student, staff and public accessibility to programs and/or facilities as required by the ADA for Waianae High School; and 2) accessibility to areas of school campuses that are typically visited by the public for Baldwin High School, Makaha Elementary School, and Aliamanu Middle School (Projects may include modifications to walkways, ramps, parking stalls, elevators, building interiors and exteriors to make them ADA compliant).
December 19, 2012
Congratulations to Hoa Aina Farms
Hoa Aina Farms earned a 1st Place Award for Innovative Solution under the Project Awards category in the 2012 Hawaii First Lego League Championships. Over 200 teams participated in the event.
December 19, 2012
Western Legislative Academy
On November 13-16, I attended the Western Legislative Academy (WLA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Each year, the Council of State Governments West brings together a distinguished national faculty to offer the West's premier training experience for Western state legislators in their first four years of service. The goals of the WLA are to help newer legislators become more effective and to build stronger state legislative institutions with training offered by a faculty of outstanding academics, corporate, military and public trainers who work with a small class of lawmakers that come from 13 Western states. Members of the Academy are selected on the basis of their dedication to public service, desire to improve personal legislative effectiveness and commitment to the institution of the legislature. The WLA provides an opportunity for Western state legislators to sharpen skills needed for effective lawmaking, building support for the legislature as an institution and giving legislators from different states the opportunity to learn from each other.
October 18, 2012
Access to Justice Commission Community Briefing in Waianae on December 11 at 6pm
Please join us for a Community Briefing that I am co-hosting with the Access to Justice Commission on December 11 at 6pm at the Waianae District Park to share the Commission's goals, past accomplishments and current initiatives, followed by questions from community participants. Legal service providers will conduct a mini-legal fair to begin assisting individuals who need help. For more information about the Commission, visit http://www.hawaiijustice.org/hawaii-access-to-justice-commission. Questions about the community briefing can be directed to the Office of State Representative Della Au Belatti at 586-9425.
October 18, 2012
H-POWER Tour
I had the honor of taking a special legislative tour to celebrate the expansion of the H-POWER Waste to Energy Facility on October 10. The facility, located in Kalaeloa, is owned by the City and County of Honolulu and operated by Covanta Energy, whose mission is to take municipal solid waste (MSW) which is normally taken to the landfill and burn it for energy while removing metals for recycling. With the expansion and completion of the new 3rd burner, H-POWER is capable of increasing power generation for up to 65,000 homes on Oahu, which is equal to 8% of Oahu's energy consumption and reduce the amount of MSW taken to the landfill.
October 18, 2012
Domestic Violence Awareness Month and "kNOw more" March in Waianae
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and on October 6, I participated in the kNOw more march in Waianae town and especially appreciate the double meaning behind the event. Domestic Violence Awareness Month is not only a time to unite to call attention to a problem that is unacceptable (the "NO more" part) but it is also a time to bring community awareness to family violence (the "know more" part).
October 4, 2012
100K Homes Oahu
I participated in 100K Homes Oahu, a community-driven movement to identify and house the 100 most vulnerable homeless residents on Oahu by September 30, 2014. This effort to end chronic homelessness is modeled after the national 100,000 Homes campaign, followed by over 150 communities including Hilo, Hawaii. The movement is led by a partnership of community volunteers, business entities, faith-based organizations, government offices, and non-profit agencies. During Registry Week, more than 150 volunteers took to the island's streets, beaches and parks to locate families and individuals experiencing chronic homelessness. The 100K Homes Oahu movement will save lives, save money, and improve the quality of life for everyone in our community. You can be part of the solution. For more information, visit http://www.100khomesoahu.org
September 25, 2012
Paiolu Kaiaulu First Annual Awareness Day
On September 15, I attended the First Annual Awareness Day under the Big Top event for Paiolu Kaiaulu emergency shelter in Waianae. Many of the service providers shared their programs and outreach services for the shelter. There was great entertainment and food, but the best part was the many residents sharing their different cultures with several group performances. This shelter that began a little over five years ago has made such a big difference in so many lives and I'm so proud to have been part of its humble beginnings. Currently, there are over 130 children living in the shelter and the facility holds about 280 residents total.
September 25, 2012
Opposition to Recommended Tax Increases
I joined in opposition to recommended tax increases in the draft report entitled Study of the Hawaii Tax System: Final Report, dated August 28, 2012 by the PFM Group. The recommendations are intended to generate net general revenues of approximately $481 million in 2014 and, apparently, at least that amount annually thereafter. Opposition to the following specific recommendations were emphasized: (1) The increase of the general excise tax rate by 0.5 per cent; (2) the imposition of the income tax on pension income; (3) the increase of the corporate income tax rate; and (4) the elimination of the income tax deduction for real property taxes paid.
September 25, 2012
Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness
Colin Kippen, Hawaii State Coordinator on Homelessness convened the first meeting of the statutorily-created Hawaii Interagency Council on Homeless (HICH) on September 10. The purpose of the meeting was to convene under the terms of Act 105, SLH 2012, Relating to the Interagency Council on Homelessness, to discuss and adopt the ten year state plan to end homelessness, and to accomplish other responsibilities under Act 105. Governor Abercrombie created the HICH by Executive Order 11-21 in 2011. That Executive Council met and conferred, developed a 90 day plan to address homelessness, created working groups, and developed a template for a ten year plan to end Homelessness. In 2012, the HICH staff held meetings throughout the state to hear from service providers, community members, public citizens, businesses, and homeless people and advocates about the plan it had been drafting. At approximately the same time, the 2012 Hawaii Legislature followed the Governor's lead on Executive Order 11-21 and codified the terms of EO 11-21 into what is now referred to as Act 105, SLH 2012, Relating to Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness, with a few minor changes. The legislature's intention was to codify the executively-created Hawaii Interagency on Homelessness under State law so that it would have a clearly defined structure that would endure over time.
September 25, 2012
State Auditor Releases Management Audit of the DOE's School Bus Transportation Services
The Auditor initiated this audit in recognition of rising student transportation costs and previously identified problems at the DOE involving contract monitoring, fiscal controls, and adherence to procurement rules. The Auditor concluded that the DOE has lost control of its student transportation program and noted that there are no easy fixes for the department's problems. However, a systematic approach to program management would put the department in a better position to determine whether rising school bus costs are justified or result from anticompetitive behavior that warrant further investigation. The report can be viewed at View full article
September 25, 2012
Makaha Elementary School Campus Electrical Upgrade
Construction totaling $493,700.00 at Makaha Elementary School for Campus Electrical Upgrade will be initiated shortly. The contract has been awarded to Paul's Electrical Contracting LLC. A pre-construction conference to discuss scheduling and construction start date will be held between the contractor and the school in order to minimize disruption and disturbance during the construction.
September 25, 2012
Hawaii's Energy Future: Exploring the Natural Gas Option
I attended a Seminar on Hawaii's Energy Future: Exploring the Natural Gas Option. Switching from oil to natural gas for the bulk of Hawaii's electricity production could lower power bills and there are several initiatives underway to ship liquefied natural gas to Hawaii. Hawaii Gas applied with federal regulators to ship liquefied natural gas to Hawaii from the West Coast in refrigerated tanks mounted inside shipping containers starting later this year. The quantities of liquefied natural gas would be relatively limited in the first phase of the project, but the company said it plans to eventually use specialized tankers to bring in larger quantities of liquefied natural gas that could be used for electricity generation.
September 25, 2012
HUD Announces Nearly $13 Million to Produce Affordable Housing for Low Income Native Hawaiians
US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan announced $12.7 million in funding to produce affordable housing for low-income native Hawaiian families. Since the program began in 2002, HUD's Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant (NHHBG) and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands have built, acquired, and rehabilitated more than 460 housing units. In addition, NHHBG-funded programs offered a wide variety of housing counseling services as well as do-it-yourself home repair training to more than 800 low-income Native Hawaiian families.
September 25, 2012
Governor Abercrombie Releases $92 Million for University of Hawaii's CIPs
Governor Abercrombie announced the release of more than $92 million for priority Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) throughout the University of Hawaii system. Allotment of funds for the following priority projects, identified by the State Legislature, was approved by the Governor:
• $60 million - University of Hawaii, statewide - Planning, design and construction for capital renewal and deferred maintenance for all UH campuses.
• $19.4 million - University of Hawaii, statewide - Systemwide health, safety and code requirements for UH campuses
• $2.5 million - UH West Oahu - Sitework to complete campus' first phase, which includes creation of Kaloi Gulch Greenway along the former Kaloi Gulch alignment, and landscaping and fencing to meet city requirements to protect a photovoltaic panel array
• $1.25 million - UH West Oahu - Construction of Road A, a four-lane private road that will be the main entrance to the UH West Oahu campus, connecting the campus to Farrington Highway
• $900,000 - UH West Oahu - Design of the Academy of Creative Media Building, which will house the creative media program (digital media production)
• $500,000 - UH West Oahu - Design of the Allied Health Building, which will include a classroom, laboratories, offices and other related spaces, as well as house the dental hygiene training program (potentially providing dental hygiene services to Leeward, North Shore and Central Oahu communities)
September 25, 2012
Congratulations to Calvin Endo who received the White House Champions of Change Award
The White House honored Calvin Endo, one of twelve parents as "Champions of Change." These extraordinary parents have devoted their time and effort to their PTA chapters across the country and had the opportunity to share their stories with Administration officials and PTA members across the country. In addition to serving as the Education Chairman for the Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board, Calvin serves as the PTSA President for Waianae High School. He works with all the principals on the Waianae Coast and the Waianae Leeward Community College, and participates with HUI for Excellence in Education (HE'E) - a statewide coalition of diverse stakeholders committed to working collaboratively to identify opportunities to improve public education in Hawaii.
September 25, 2012
Asset Limit Task Force
The Asset Limit Task Force has conducted meetings in response to a resolution that I introduced and passed this session, HR124 - Requesting the Department of Human Services to Conduct a Study on Asset Limits to Qualify for Public Assistance. The Asset Limit Task Force is compiling data and reviewing studies to prepare recommendations for appropriate changes to asset limits.
September 25, 2012
State Auditor Releases Report No. 12-04
The Auditor released Report No. 12-04 entitled Study of the Transfer of Non-general Funds to the General Fund in response to a resolution I introduced that passed last year, HCR No. 166 - Requesting the Auditor to Conduct a Study Regarding the Transfer of Non-General Funds to the General Fund. The report can be viewed at View full article
June 8, 2012
Legislative Town Hall Meeting with House Finance Chair Marcus Oshiro on June 13
On Wednesday, June 13 from 7:00pm - 8:30pm at the Waianae District Park in the Multi-purpose room, I will be hosting a Legislative Town Hall meeting with special guest House Finance Chair Marcus Oshiro. This meeting will focus on the state budget and also provide a wrap-up of the 2012 Legislative Session. As a prelude to the Legislative Town Hall Meeting, tune into my Olelo show - "Jordan's Journal" featuring Representative Marcus Oshiro on channel 54 on Monday, June 11 at 1:00pm. You can also view this show at anytime by becoming a fan of my Representative Jo Jordan Facebook page, which includes a link to "Jordan's Journal" on Vimeo. You will receive the most updated information on my Representative Jo Jordan Facebook page, so become a fan today.
June 8, 2012
Leeward Community College Waianae Students Visit the State Capitol
Students enrolled in a course related to Ecology and Environment at LCC Waianae visited the State Capitol in order to learn what goes on at the Capitol, why it's important, and how it's related to green jobs and the environment. The students had the opportunity to meet with me and tour the House and Senate Gallery as well as the Executive Chambers.
June 8, 2012
Honoring Our Heroes on Memorial Day in Waianae
I had the privilege of honoring those who served our country and lost their lives in defense of our country on Memorial Day by joining our local Leeward VFW Post 849 at the Herbert K. Pililaau Army Recreation Center. At the event, I expressed how truly thankful I am to live in a free country and honored to pay respect to those that have given their lives to protect our freedoms.
June 8, 2012
Waianae High School's We the People
I was invited to serve as an honorary judge for Waianae High School's We the People simulated legislative hearings. We the People is designed to imitate the public hearings that legislators hold to give students a chance to participate in government. The students not only learn about the history and philosophy of our form of government, but they also participate in the process by preparing a statement and defending their position before a panel of judges in order for students to have a lifelong impact on how they perceive and hopefully participate with government.
June 8, 2012
Congratulations to Waianae High School's Class of 2012
Congratulations to all the graduates of Waianae High School's Class of 2012. As an alumna of Waianae High School, I am especially proud that the Class of 2012 made history with 13 valedictorians. SeeFull article
June 8, 2012
Leihoku Elementary School Students Visit the State Capitol
Ninety 5th graders and ten chaperones from Leihoku Elementary School toured the State Capitol in a field trip to learn about state government. Students visited with me in the House gallery, where they had an opportunity to ask questions. They also shared their future goals of going to colleges both here and in other states including Oregon and Michigan and specifically mentioned schools like UCLA, Yale and UH Manoa. As for careers, the students mentioned becoming doctors, police officers, and many other exciting professions. It was an informative and inspiring visit.
June 8, 2012
Representative Jordan's Community Newsletter for the 2012 Session
Representative Jordan releases her Community Newsletter for the 2012 Session highlighting the Top Accomplishments of the 2012 Legislature and the over $24 million in new projects included in the state budget to improve our community. View full article
May 10, 2012
Representative Jordan's Community Newsletter for April 2012
Representative Jordan releases her Community Newsletter for April 2012, which highlights the Lawmakers Listen Town Hall Meeting with House Leadership, the Town Hall Meeting on Flood Mitigation, construction upgrades underway at Waianae High School and the great news that Waianae High School's Searider Productions was named an Apple Distinguished Program.View full article
May 10, 2012
The State Legislature Congratulates Senator Daniel K. Akaka
The House and Senate both congratulated Senator Daniel K. Akaka, who was honored by the National Guard Association of the United States as the 2011 recipient of the Harry S. Truman Award for Distinguished Service in Support of National Defense. As a longstanding member of the Senate Armed Services and Veterans' Affairs committees, Senator Akaka worked to help increase benefits, full-time manpower, and the availability of body armor, as well as for rewriting the Post-9/11 GI Bill to include National Guardsmen mobilized under Title 32. The Truman Award is the highest award given to a lawmaker and is presented to awardees for their sustained and exceptional contributions to national defense and security, awarded only to thirty-four other individuals since its inception in 1969. Representative Jordan had an opportunity to personally congratulate Senator Akaka.
May 10, 2012
Department of Transportation Update
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has ongoing work with its contractor replacing pavement markings from Kaena Point to Nanakuli. The DOT also reported that the current status of Farrington Highway Drainage Improvements in the Vicinity of Orange Street in Makaha is that construction plans, specifications and estimate documents are being finalized. The estimated advertised date is May 2012 and the estimated notice to proceed date is November 2012.
May 10, 2012
Governor Abercrombie Signs Unemployment Insurance Bill Into Law
Governor Abercrombie signed House Bill 2096, which extends the mitigation of the Unemployment Insurance tax increase through calendar year 2012, into law. The legislation allows local businesses to save hundreds of dollars per employee annually in Unemployment Insurance tax contributions. These savings may make the difference between staying in business or not, allowing companies to hire additional employees, and preventing businesses from laying off current employees.
May 10, 2012
Makaha Elementary School Students Visit the State Capitol
Sixty-three 5th graders and seven chaperones from Makaha Elementary School toured the State Capitol and Judiciary in a field trip to learn about the branches of state government. Students visited with me in the House gallery, where they had an opportunity to ask questions. They also shared their future goals of going to college and being astronauts, scientists, and many other exciting professions. It was an informative and inspiring visit.
May 10, 2012
Waianae High School Building VV Replace Center Bleachers
Construction totaling $1,357,200.00 at Waianae High School for Building VV to Replace Center Bleachers will be initiated shortly. The contract has been awarded to Index Builders, Inc. A pre-construction conference to discuss scheduling and construction start date will be held between the contractor and the school in order to minimize disruption and disturbance during the construction.
May 10, 2012
Town Hall Meeting on Flood Mitigation
Mahalo to everyone who participated in the Town Hall Meeting on Flood Mitigation held on March 28. Ninety percent (90%) of the attendees who submitted a feedback form indicated that the meeting was very informative, which began with State Civil Defense providing the results of the community clean ups. State Civil Defense reported improved stream flow during the recent storms in March and credited the community for continuing the efforts started by government agencies working together. A proposed flood mitigation program with near-term, mid-term, and long-term projects was presented. Some near-term projects already started, such as clearing the streams. One of the mid-term projects is the Puhawai Road Drainage Improvements, which was one of my capital improvement projects appropriating $2 million. State elected officials shared information about pending capital improvement projects. The meeting concluded with community flood education and outreach efforts shared by Ka Wai Ola O Waianae. Victor Flint also compiled a post flooding survey sharing the positive outcomes and plan of action for flood mitigation moving forward. The Town Hall Meeting on Flood Mitigation can be viewed at http://vimeo.com/repjordan. Additional information can be obtained at http://www.wix.com/repjordan/floodmitigation.View full article
May 10, 2012
Lawmakers Listen Town Hall Meeting an Overwhelming Success
Mahalo to everyone who participated in the Lawmakers Listen Town Hall Meeting that I hosted on March 14 featuring several House leaders including Speaker Calvin Say, Vice Speaker Joey Manahan, Majority Leader Pono Chong, Majority Whip Sharon Har, Finance Chair Marcus Oshiro, and Economic Revitalization & Business Chair Angus McKelvey. Ninety-two percent (92%) of the attendees who submitted a feedback form indicated that they received information about issues currently being considered by the Legislature. Waianae coast residents asked questions ranging from education, economic development, agriculture, and public safety. Several residents also expressed their support for two bills that I introduced - House Bill 2684, which requires the Department of Transportation to conduct a feasibility study on the extension of the zipper lane westward from Waipahu toward Kapolei, west of the Kunia on-ramp and House Bill 2883, which requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to conduct a flood study on Makaha Valley. Students from Kamaile Academy and Waianae High School who are part of the YMCA Youth in Government program also attended the meeting in preparation for their conference planned for later this year. Five individuals took the opportunity of having face time with lawmakers to personally thank Speaker Say for having a significant, positive impact on their lives. The Lawmakers Listen Town Hall Meeting can be viewed on Olelo or anytime at http://vimeo.com/repjordan.View full article
May 10, 2012
Representative Jordan's Community Newsletter for March 2012
Representative Jordan releases her Community Newsletter for March 2012, which provides 2012 Mid-Session Highlights, the Eku Stream Clean Up in Makaha, and Makaha Elementary School's visit to the Capitol.
View full article
March 9, 2012
Lawmakers Listen Town Hall Meeting on March 14
On Wednesday, March 14 from 7:00pm - 8:30pm at the Waianae District Park in the Multi-Purpose Room, I'll be hosting a Lawmakers Listen Town Hall Meeting with House Leadership. The following are tentatively scheduled to attend: Vice Speaker Joey Manahan; Chair Angus McKelvey, Committee on Economic Revitalization & Business; Vice Chair Sharon Har, Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources; Chair Marcus Oshiro, Finance Committee. Mid-session legislative highlights will be provided with an emphasis on Economic Revitalization & Business and Water, Land, & Ocean Resources. Refreshments will be served.
March 6, 2012
Eku Stream Clean Up in Makaha A Success
Mahalo to the over 25 volunteers who made the February 18 Eku Stream Clean Up in Makaha a success, resulting in the removal of 8 truck loads of green waste, 6 truckloads of rubbish, and 1 truck load of metal waste from the stream! I wanted to extend a few special thanks to Raymond Elsey, Jr., the Program Manager of E Kumu Wawae and the program participants who comprised half of the volunteers for the clean up; Pake Salmon, Communication Coordinator and volunteers of Ka Wai Ola O Waianae, a community driven initiative to stop illegal dumping and non point source pollution along the Waianae Coast; Al Frenzel, Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board member; Nicholas and Shelley Youngleson, Makaha residents; Lenore Pascubillo, Nanakuli resident, and Chad Flick of Schofield Barracks. I would also like to express my appreciation to State Civil Defense for conducting a recon of Eku Stream with a City and County drainage engineer prior to the clean up, Waianae District Park Director Jackie Spencer for allowing access to the staging area at Mauna Lahilahi Beach Park, the Waianae Boat Fishing Club for supplies, Fred Dodge for the gloves, and All Paradise Tree Service for assistance with the disposal of green waste. This clean up would not have been possible without the combined efforts of community members, organizations, and state and city government agencies and officials.
March 6, 2012
Miscellaneous Repair and Maintenance at Waianae High School
Construction totaling $2,415,771.00 at Waianae High School for Miscellaneous Repair and Maintenance for Race to the Top, Zones of School Innovation will be initiated shortly. The contract has been awarded to BCP Construction of Hawaii, Inc. A pre-construction conference to discuss scheduling and construction start date will be held between the contractor and the school in order to minimize disruption and disturbance during the construction.
March 6, 2012
Representative Jordan's Community Newsletter for January-February 2012
Representative Jordan releases her Community Newsletter for January-February 2012, which provides highlights from the Opening Day of the State Legislature, the Puuhulu Area Stream Clean Up, and the House Finance Committee Budget Briefings.View full article
February 10, 2012
Waianae Volunteers Clear Stream in Puuhulu Area
KHON 2 News aired a story about the Puuhulu Area Stream Clean Up. View full article
February 10, 2012
Mahalo to the Puuhulu Area Stream Clean Up Volunteers
Mahalo to the over 150 volunteers who made the December 10, 2011 and January 16, 2012 Puuhulu area Stream Clean Up a huge success. The clean up focused on removing overgrown shrubs and trees in the stream bed from Puuhulu Bridge on Puuhulu Road to Puhawai Road in order to relieve some of the clogged streams and waterways.
January 31, 2012
Waianae Intermediate School Classroom Renovation - Buildings A, B, C, D, & E, Renovate Restrooms
Construction totaling $341,322.00 at Waianae Intermediate School for Classroom Renovation – Buildings A, B, C, D, & E, and to Renovate Restrooms will be initiated shortly. The contract has been awarded to Hako Plumbing, Inc. dba Hako Construction. A pre-construction conference to discuss scheduling and construction start date will be held between the contractor and the school in order to minimize disruption and disturbance during the construction work.
January 13, 2012
$2 Million Released for Waianae Coast to Alleviate Flooding
Governor Abercrombie has released $2 million in general obligation bond funds for the planning, design and construction of a flood alleviation project for the Waianae Coast. Funding for this project was introduced in my capital improvement project request and subsequently included and passed by the Legislature in Act 164, during the 2011 legislative session. The project includes drainage improvements along Puhawai Road in Waianae and involves an intergovernmental working agreement between the State Department of Land and Natural Resources and the City and County of Honolulu. The area called Lualualei Flats is prone to flooding, primarily due to poor drainage infrastructure, lack of stream maintenance, illegal dumping in streams and ditches, illegal grading, and filling in of streams or diversion of surface runoff. Improvements will be made to the culverts and other related work.
December 30, 2011
Puuhulu Stream Clean Up A Success
Mahalo to the over 120 volunteers who made the December 10 Puuhulu Stream Clean Up a huge success, resulting in the removal of 6.32 tons of trash, 1.73 tons of green waste, as well as metal and other waste from the stream! This clean up would not have been possible without the combined efforts of community members, organizations, businesses, and federal, state, and city government agencies and officials listed below.
Government: United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono, US Army Corps of Engineers, Senator Maile Shimabukuro, Representative Jo Jordan, Representative Karen Awana, Hawaii State Civil Defense, Department of Defense, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Mayor Peter Carlisle, Department of Environmental Services, Department of Facility Maintenance, and Department of Planning and Permitting.
Organizations: Community Enhancement Club, E Kumu Wawae, Hawaii National Guard Youth Challenge Academy, Hoomau Ke Ola, Ka Wai Ola O Waianae, Kupu, Program for Afterschool Literacy Support, and Waianae Boat Fishing Club.
Businesses: All Paradise Tree Service and Paradise Lua Inc.
December 30, 2011
Representative Jordan's Community Newsletter for Winter 2011
Representative Jordan releases her Community Newsletter for Winter 2011, which provides an update on upgrades underway at schools in the Waianae Complex area. The newsletter also highlights House Finance Committee site visits over the past few months, my participation as an alternate House Appointee to the Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness, and an educational policy workshop I attended in Coronado, California.View full article
December 30, 2011
Live and Let Live Campaign in December
The Live and Let Live Campaign held its 2011 kick-off event on Saturday, December 3 at the Kapolei HPD station for this important community program that encourages increased driving safety during the holidays. This program has been in existence in the Leeward area for more than 25 years, and creates community awareness through sign-waving, a poster contest for high school students and other activities to help reduce traffic fatalities and accidents during the busy holiday season.
December 30, 2011
2011 Waianae Coast Annual Christmas Parade
The Waianae Coast Rotary Club and the Waianae Mall sponsored the Waianae Coast Community's 17th Annual Christmas Parade on Saturday, November 26. This year's theme was "Embracing Waianae's Diversity." Mahalo to everyone who helped put on a great parade for our community.
December 30, 2011
Building N - Diesel Storage Removal at Waianae Elementary School
Construction totaling $36,900.00 at Waianae Elementary School for Diesel Storage Removal at Building N will be initiated shortly. The contract has been awarded to FOPCO, Inc. A pre-construction conference to discuss scheduling and construction start date will be held between the contractor and the school in order to minimize disruption and disturbance during the construction work.
December 30, 2011
Miscellaneous Repair and Maintenance at Leihoku Elementary School
Construction totaling $74,104.00 at Leihoku Elementary School for Miscellaneous Repair and Maintenance for Race to the Top, Zones of School Innovation will be initiated shortly. The contract has been awarded to CMK Builders, Inc. A pre-construction conference to discuss scheduling and construction start date will be held between the contractor and the school in order to minimize disruption and disturbance during the construction work. This appropriation for Leihoku Elementary School follows a contract awarded to Brian's Contracting, Inc. earlier this year for $3,950,000.00 to complete whole school renovations at Leihoku and Nanakuli Elementary Schools.
December 30, 2011
Congratulations to Waianae Student Journalists who Covered APEC Summit
Three Waianae High School students and two recent graduates covered First Lady Michelle Obama's visit to MA`O Organic Farms for Searider Productions, which can be viewed at http://vimeo.com/32295840. For more details, View full article
December 30, 2011
First Lady Michelle Obama Visits MA`O Organic Farms
First Lady Michelle Obama toured MA`O Organic Farms on Saturday, November 12 guided by student interns participating in the youth leadership training program, who also took part in a roundtable discussion. The First Lady's visit promoted organic farming and food sustainability as part of her Let's Move initiative, targeted at childhood obesity. The next day the First Lady hosted a luncheon for all the spouses attending APEC and 90% of the fruits and vegetables served were grown at MA`O.
December 27, 2011
Hawaii FIRST LEGO League West Leeward District Tournament
FIRST Lego League (FLL) is an exciting and fun global robotics program designed to ignite enthusiasm for discovery of the basic principles of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in children, ages 9 to 14. Each year, FLL teams of 3 to 10 children, embark on an adventurous challenge, based on current, real-world issues. This year's theme was Food Factor. The Hawaii FLL District Tournament for West Leeward was held at Waianae High School on November 12 . Congratulations to all the teams that participated and especially Leihoku Elementary & Waianae Elementary Schools who advance to the state competition in December.
December 14, 2011
Luane Higuchi named Leeward Oahu District Teacher of the Year 2012
Congratulations to Luane Higuchi from Waianae Intermediate School, who was named Leeward Oahu District Teacher of the Year 2012. Luane encourages her students to be responsible for their learning and believes extra-curricular activities are essential for student development. Most recently, Luane coordinated the American Savings Bank's Bank for Education contest, bringing $100,000 to Waianae Intermediate. As a media teacher, Luane has held numerous academic summer workshops and her students have created award-winning public service announcements.
December 5, 2011
Office of Information Practices Updates Their Website
Director Cheryl Kakazu Park from the State of Hawaii - Office of Information Practices (OIP) provided me with an update on the new changes, training, and website. The OIP, which promotes open and transparent government in Hawaii, administers two open government laws: 1) the Uniform Information Practices Act (UIPA), HRS Chapter 92F, which requires open access to government records, and 2) the Sunshine Law, Part I of HRS Chapter 92, which requires open public meetings. Both laws are intended to open up government processes to public scrutiny and participation by requiring government business to be conducted as transparently as possible, while balancing personal privacy rights guaranteed under the Hawaii State Constitution. To explain the open government laws' requirements, OIP has training tools and guides readily available on their website at http://hawaii.gov/oip/index.html. Through OIP's attorney of the day service, members of the public or government agencies can call (808) 586-1400 to receive, usually within 24 hours, general advice to their open government inquiries. OIP's opinions, including a subject matter index, can be found on their website, along with the laws, rules, various forms, Openline newsletters, and other guidance.
December 1, 2011
Congratulations to the 2011 Leeward Young Artist Award Finalists
47 students were honored, selected as finalists from 240 entries submitted by teachers in the Leeward public school district. The finalists from Kamaile Academy included Paulina Esteban (Grade 9), Anuilagi Simi (Grade 10), Leionaona Verce (Grade 10) and the finalists from Waianae High School included Joseph Garnica (Grade 12), Shaundaera Pogorsky (Grade 12), and Skye Tuinei (Grade 10). From these finalists, 10 entries received a Leeward Young Artist Award, one of which was awarded to Skye Tuinei of Waianae High School.
November 22, 2011
Miscellaneous Repair and Maintenance at Waianae Intermediate
Construction totaling $816,500.00 at Waianae Intermediate for Miscellaneous Repair and Maintenance for Race to the Top, Zones of School Innovation will be initiated shortly. The contract has been awarded to C C Engineering & Construction, Inc. A pre-construction conference to discuss scheduling and construction start date will be held between the contractor and the school in order to minimize disruption and disturbance during the construction work.
November 22, 2011
Miscellaneous Repair and Maintenance at Waianae Elementary
Construction totaling $284,747.00 at Waianae Elementary for Miscellaneous Repair and Maintenance for Race to the Top, Zones of School Innovation will be initiated shortly. The contract has been awarded to Bauske Environmental, Inc. dba BENDCO. A pre-construction conference to discuss scheduling and construction start date will be held between the contractor and the school in order to minimize disruption and disturbance during the construction work.
November 17, 2011
Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness Holds Two Meetings
The Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness (HICH), on which I serve as an alternate House appointee, was established by Governor Abercrombie via executive order and is composed of state department directors, federal agency representatives, and community leaders in order to develop a unified plan on addressing homelessness. The first meeting held on August 25 began with a welcome and introductions of all participants. Marc Alexander, Vice-Chair of HICH shared lessons learned from the 90-Day Plan to End Homelessness in Hawaii. A presentation on the 100,000 Homes Campaign was also made at this meeting and a video on this initiative can be viewed at http://vimeo.com/13288704. At the second HICH meeting held on October 12, the HICH agreed that Hawaii should participate in the 100,000 Homes Campaign. The HICH also agreed to establish 4 Investigative Committees as follows: 1) Investigative Committee on Stable and Affordable Housing, 2) Investigative Committee on Economic Security, 3) Investigative Committee on Health and Stability, and 4) Investigative Committee on a Homeless Crisis Response System. I will serve as an alternate on the Investigative Committee on Economic Security and the Investigative Committee on Health and Stability. The Investigative Committees conducted their first meetings in the beginning of November.
November 15, 2011
Briefing on Federal Health Care and Long-Term Care Funding Opportunities
A special briefing for legislators and community organizations on federal funding opportunities for the State by AARP Senior Legislative Representative Ilene Henshaw from Washington DC was held on October 11. The briefing focused on Opportunities for Hawaii to leverage federal funds available through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Results of a new AARP Hawaii 2011 Long-Term Care Survey – including county-by-county results.
November 7, 2011
House Finance Committee Visit MA`O Organic Farms
The House Finance Committee started its site visits on Oahu on September 21 with a tour of the Honolulu International Airport and the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility. The next day, the Committee toured the Kamamalu Building and Waimano Ridge. Although I wasn't able to attend the site visit to Central Oahu and the North Shore region on September 27 because of an invitation-only conference in Coronado, California, the House Finance Committee then visited the Leeward Oahu region on October 5. The Committee visited MA`O Organic Farms and also heard from community partners including Ka`ala Farm, Inc. and Searider Productions. I was honored to showcase some of the great resources in our community. The Leeward Oahu site visit also included a tour of the Salvation Army Kroc Community Center, UH West Oahu, and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Community Center in Kapolei. The next day, the House Finance committee conducted site visits in Windward Oahu including tours of Windward Community College and Heeia Fishpond. The remaining visits include Hawaii Island from October 25-27 and Maui from November 1-3. The details for the site visits are being handled primarily by the House Finance Chair Marcus Oshiro and his staff in coordination with House Finance Committee area legislators. I will continue to share updates on the upcoming site visits as details are finalized and released by the Chair and staff of the House Finance Committee.
October 26, 2011
Testimony Opposing the City's Proposal to Extend Waimanalo Gulch Landfill's Life and Attorney General Opinion
On October 3, 2011, I submitted testimony to the Planning Commission of the City and County of Honolulu in opposition to the Department of Environmental Services application to amend Special Use Permit No. 2008/SUP-2 deleting the July 31, 2012 deadline to cease disposal of municipal solid waste at Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill (WGSL). In short, I expressed my concern that this City administration continues to disregard commitments made to my community to close WGSL and seriously consider other sites outside of the Leeward Coast. I also enclosed an opinion from the Attorney General clearly stating that if the Planning Commission is inclined to approve the application to delete the municipal solid waste deadline, the matter must still go before the State Land Use Commission for approval.View full article
October 18, 2011
Miscellaneous Repair and Maintenance at Makaha Elementary
Construction totaling $292,203.00 at Makaha Elementary School for Miscellaneous Repair and Maintenance for Race to the Top, Zones of School Innovation will be initiated shortly. The contract has been awarded to BCP Construction of Hawaii, Inc. A pre-construction conference to discuss scheduling and construction start date will be held between the contractor and the school in order to minimize disruption and disturbance during the construction work.
October 12, 2011
CSG Policy Academy for Newly Elected Legislators held in Coronado, California on September 27-28
The Council of State Governments (CSG) invited me to join a select group of leading policymakers to attend the Policy Academy for Newly Elected Legislators (PANEL) - an educational policy workshop for select first-term state legislators from CSG's western region. This invitation-only event was made possible through the generous support provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and CSG's 21st Century Foundation. The goal of PANEL is to inform and educate newly-elected legislators on successful implementation of rigorous academic standards, efforts to prepare students for global competitiveness, developing assessment systems aligned with common core state standards, building school capacity for student success, ensuring teacher effectiveness, and aligning state policies to improve college and career readiness. CSG engaged attendees in a facilitated discussion focused on promising policies and programmatic solutions designed to ensure every student has the knowledge and skills needed for a successful college experience or career. This initiative will enable first-term legislators to better serve our state by empowering us to make well-informed decisions on a range of important education issues.
October 10, 2011
In the Media
Midweek Article, "UH-West Oahu Shares Progress," features Town Hall Meeting sponsored by area elected officials.View full article
October 10, 2011
Representative Jordan's Community Newsletter for Fall 2011
Representative Jordan releases her Community Newsletter for Fall 2011. The newsletter provides an update on infrastructure improvement projects planned for our community as well as information about some of the recent conferences that I was invited to participate in Hawaii and on the mainland.
September 27, 2011
Highlights from CSG-West Annual Meeting on Jordan's Journal
Tune into my Olelo show - "Jordan's Journal" featuring Representative Marcus Oshiro, the current presiding Chair of the Council of State Governments - West (CSG - West), who discusses the planning and successful completion of the 64th Annual Meeting held in Honolulu from July 29 - August 2, 2011 on Channel 54 on any of the following dates and times:
9/26/11 Monday 1:00pm
10/2/11 Sunday 7:30pm
10/3/11 Monday 1:00pm
You can also view this show at anytime by becoming a fan of my Representative Jo Jordan Facebook page at facebook.com/repjordan, which includes a link to "Jordan's Journal" on Vimeo. You will receive the most updated information on my Representative Jo Jordan Facebook page, so become a fan today.
September 22, 2011
Expanding Preschool Opportunities in Waianae and Nanakuli
The State Department of Education is committing $6 million over the next three years for early childhood education as part of its Race to the Top initiatives. As a result, about 800 additional Hawaii children will be subsidized to attend preschool. The subsidies will benefit pre-K students living in the "Zones of School Innovation," which are the Nanakuli/Waianae and Kau/Keaau/Pahoa areas. About 75 children in the Zones of School Innovation are enrolled in preschools through the Preschool Open Doors, a statewide program administered by PATCH for the state Department of Human Services. With this additional funding, more children in the Zones of School Innovation will be able to participate in the program this year. Superintendent of Schools Kathryn Matayoshi announced that PATCH is accepting applications for children to receive preschool subsidies. Families can apply for subsidies for their 3- and 4-year-old via PATCH's website, www.patchhawaii.org, or by calling 808-791-2130.
September 19, 2011
Town Hall Meeting on UH-West Oahu
Join me and other area elected officials for the West Oahu Town Hall Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 21 from 7:00pm - 8:30pm at the Kapolei High School Cafeteria. UH-West Oahu Chancellor Gene Awakuni and UH-West Oahu administrators and faculty will provide updates on the construction of the new Kapolei campus, academic programs at the new campus and information on applications. For more information, call 808-586-8460 or email repjordan@capitol.hawaii.gov.
September 14, 2011
Miscellaneous Repair and Maintenance at Kamaile Academy
Construction totaling $364,115.37 at Kamaile Academy for Miscellaneous Repair and Maintenance for Race to the Top, Zones of School Innovation will be initiated shortly. The contract has been awarded to MEI Corporation. A pre-construction conference to discuss scheduling and construction start date will be held between the contractor and the school in order to minimize disruption and disturbance during the construction work.
September 14, 2011
Ordnance Reef Technology Demonstration - Part 2 on Jordan's Journal
Tune into my Olelo show - "Jordan's Journal" for part 2 of the Ordnance Reef Technology Demonstration project with Dr. Eric DeCarlo, Professor of Oceanography at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and Robert O'Conner, Fishery Information Specialist who discuss follow up efforts to determine what effects there have been after the initial removal project of underwater military munitions at Ordnance Reef on the ocean floor in coastal waters off Waianae on Channel 54 on any of the following dates and times:
9/12/11 Monday 1:00pm
9/18/11 Sunday 7:30pm
9/19/11 Monday 1:00pm
You can also view this show and part 1 of the Ordnance Reef Technology Demonstration project with J.C. King, Assistant for Munitions, Department of the Army and John Coughlin, Director, Engineering and Army Sciences for ARA at anytime by becoming a fan of my Representative Jo Jordan Facebook page at facebook.com/repjordan, which includes a link to "Jordan's Journal" on Vimeo. You will receive the most updated information on my Representative Jo Jordan Facebook page, so become a fan today.
September 14, 2011
House Finance Committee Conducting Site Visits on Kauai, Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui
The House Finance Committee will be conducting site visits beginning September 7-8 on Kauai and continuing on Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui until the first week of November. While the details are being handled by House Finance Chair Marcus Oshiro and his staff, the itinerary for the first site visit on Kauai includes reviewing capital improvement projects such as the funding for Hanalei River Breach, highway improvements to Route 560, and school improvements. I will continue to share updates on the upcoming site visits as details are finalized and released by the Chair and staff of the House Finance Committee.
September 14, 2011
Briefing with Herb K. Schultz, Regional Director of the US Department of Health & Human Services
Mr. Herb Schultz of the US Department of Health & Human Services briefed House Finance, Health & Human Services leadership on the Implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the Opportunities for Collaboration and Partnership. Opportunities identified by Mr. Schultz include consumer protections like eliminating co-pays, deductibles and other cost sharing for many preventive services; ending insurance discrimination so people who have been sick can't be excluded from coverage or charged higher premiums; reducing racial and ethnic health disparities by expanding initiatives to increase racial and ethnic diversity; affordable insurance coverage through Health insurance Exchanges that will offer one-stop shopping to individuals on an easy to use website; and essential benefits package that will take into account the health care needs of diverse segments of the population. Mr. Schultz explained that States can elect to establish and operate their own Exchange or choose to have the federal government facilitate an Exchange on their behalf. After providing an overview on affordable insurance exchanges, Mr. Schultz highlighted a few more opportunities including the Prevention and Public Health Fund totaling $1.25 billion for 2010 and 2011 for prevention and to expand primary care workforce; Medicaid Expansion to help low-income adults who have disability but don't meet the disability requirement of the SSI program and expands options for community based care; and Partnership for Patients which is aimed at keeping hospital patients from getting injured or sick by reducing preventable hospital acquired infections and helping patients health without complications by reducing hospital readmissions.
September 14, 2011
State Interagency Council on Homelessness
Speaker Say has designated me to serve as an alternate House appointee to the Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness (HICH), which Governor Abercrombie established by executive order. The 24-member council - composed of state department directors, federal agency representatives, and community leaders - will develop a unified plan on addressing homelessness. The Council will meet quarterly and report annually to the Governor, the Legislature and county mayors, including policy recommendations supporting the statewide plan. The Council will align its efforts with the US Interagency Council on Homeless (USICH) established by President Obama in 2009. Key mandates for the Council include: increasing transitional and permanent housing options; acquiring increased federal funding to support homeless efforts; replicating successful initiatives implemented in other states; and increasing the integration of social, health, training, and housing services to reduce duplication among homeless assistance programs. I attended the first meeting held on August 25.
August 29, 2011
Highlights from the Ordnance Reef Technology Demonstration Project on Jordan's Journal
Tune into my Olelo show - "Jordan's Journal" featuring J.C. King, Assistant for Munitions, Department of the Army and John Couglin, Director, Engineering and Army Sciences for ARA who discuss the Ordnance Reef Technology Demonstration project involving the limited recovery of underwater military munitions (UWMM) at Ordnance Reef on the ocean floor in coastal waters off Waianae and the destruction (demilitarization) of any recovered UWMM using commercially available technologies on Channel 54 on any of the following dates and times:
8/29/11 Monday 1:00pm
9/4/11 Sunday 7:30pm
9/5/11 Monday 1:00pm
You can also view this show at anytime by becoming a fan of my Representative Jo Jordan Facebook page at facebook.com/repjordan, which includes a link to "Jordan's Journal" on Vimeo. You will receive the most updated information on my Representative Jo Jordan Facebook page, so become a fan today.
August 29, 2011
Opposition to the City's proposal to extend Waimanalo Gulch Landfill's life
On August 13, I submitted comments to the City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting in opposition to the application to amend Special Use Permit No. 2008/SUP-2 to delete the July 31, 2012 deadline to cease disposal of municipal solid waste at Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill. In summary, I requested the public comment period be extended to allow the community a reasonable opportunity to submit comments on the issue. I also noted that the Planning Commission must deny the application because it doesn't have the authority to modify the State Land Use Commission's Order dated October 22, 2009, which added the July 31, 2012 deadline to cease disposal of municipal solid waste. Finally, I expressed my deep concern that the City continues to disregard commitments to close Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill and seriously consider other sites outside of the Leeward Coast.View full article
August 29, 2011
NCSL Legislative Summit 2011 held in San Antonio, Texas from August 8-11
I participated in the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit with more than 4,800 attendees in San Antonio, Texas from August 8-11. NCSL is the bipartisan voice of the states serving the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. The NCSL Legislative Summit is the largest and most important meeting of the year for legislators and legislative staff. The main topic at the summit focused on state budgets in light of the sluggish economy. At the same time, many more issues were addressed in the 150 policy sessions held during the summit and provided the perfect opportunity for policymakers to exchange ideas.
August 25, 2011
Town Hall Meeting on Education Summary
Thank you to everyone who attended the Town Hall Meeting on Education and submitted Feedback Forms. The overall response from the meeting was positive as reflected in the Summary. For others who planned on attending, but weren't able to make the meeting, Olelo will televise the meeting as follows:
Friday, September 9, 7pm on Ch. 54
Tuesday, September 13, 9am on Ch. 49
Wednesday, September 21, 12pm on Ch. 49
Friday, September 30, 4pm on Ch. 54
View Article
August 12, 2011
Representatives from Kamehameha Schools on Jordan's Journal
Tune into my Olelo show - "Jordan's Journal" featuring representatives from Kamehameha Schools who provide an overview of Kamehameha Schools past presence and future commitments along the Waianae Coast on Channel 54 on any of the following dates and times:
8/15/11 Monday 1:00pm
8/21/11 Sunday 7:30pm
You can also view this show at anytime by becoming a fan of my Representative Jo Jordan Facebook page at facebook.com/repjordan, which includes a link to "Jordan's Journal" on Vimeo. You will receive the most updated information on my Representative Jo Jordan Facebook page, so become a fan today
August 12, 2011
CSG-WEST 64th Annual Meeting held in Honolulu from July 30 to August 2
I participated in the Council of State Governments-WEST (CSG-WEST) annual meeting with over 600 attendees that was held in Hawaii this year. CSG-WEST is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that brings Western state legislators from the 13 western states to share best policy practices, cooperate on regional issues and engage in professional development training. In addition to attending the conference, I assisted with greeting and hosting attendees at the many events and tours. I also served as a volunteer during one of the sessions on "Keys to Political Communication." The meeting theme, Halawai, which is Hawaiian for "Where Leaders Gather," reflects the need for western state legislators to assemble and seek opportunities to collaborate and share experiences and lessons learned about what works and what doesn't work in serving their constituents.
July 28, 2011
Community Spotlight featuring Mark Dannog on Jordan's Journal
As a prelude to the Town Hall Meeting on Education, tune into my Olelo show - "Jordan's Journal" featuring Mark Dannog, an alumnus of Waianae Elementary, Intermediate, and High Schools and former student member of the Hawaii State Board of Education on Channel 54 on any of the following dates and times:
8/1/11 Monday 1:00pm
8/7/11 Sunday 7:30pm
You can also view this show at anytime by becoming a fan of my Representative Jo Jordan Facebook page at facebook.com/repjordan, which includes a link to "Jordan's Journal" on Vimeo. You will receive the most updated information on my Representative Jo Jordan Facebook page, so become a fan today.
July 28, 2011
Town Hall Meeting on Education
Join us for a Town Hall Meeting on Education with special guests Lisa DeLong, Department of Education Complex Area Superintendent of Nanakuli & Waianae and Dee Jay Mailer, Kamehameha Schools Chief Executive Officer on Wednesday, August 17, 2011 from 7:00 - 8:30pm at the Waianae District Park Multipurpose Room. For more information, call 808-586-8460 or email repjordan@capitol.hawaii.gov. View flyer
July 28, 2011
Representative Jordan's Community Newsletter for Summer 2011
Representative Jordan releases her Community Newsletter for Summer 2011. The newsletter focuses on education based on feedback received from a survey included in the first newsletter that the most important issue of concern is education. School improvement projects for the Waianae community totaling over $6 million is highlighted and a breakdown of general funds appropriated for education for FY 2010-2011 is included in the newsletter.
July 28, 2011
Afternoon Zipper Lane Update
At an Informational Briefing before the House Committee on Transportation on July 22, the Department of Transportation (DOT) provided an update on the current status of CIP projects and when asked by members of the House Committee provided a status of the westbound Zipper Lane during peak afternoon travel. The DOT shared that the State has prevailed against the protest that was lodged regarding the state's contract selection process. At this time, the contractor is awaiting approval from the Department of Health and the Federal Highways Division. Although the DOT wasn't able to provide a timeframe on when the project would be completed at this point, the process is moving forward.
July 28, 2011
Greenways and Trails Bill Becomes Law
Governor Abercrombie signs HB 1405, a bill I introduced into law, which promotes smart growth, the critical preservation of open space, and sustainability in Hawaii through the establishment of a statewide system of greenways and trails. Although the legislature was unable to allocate funding or staff toward this effort, the Office of State Planning is seeking support and stakeholder participation from county/state agencies. Anyone interested in participating to gather information for the report due later this year, should contact our office. You can also tune in to Hawaii Public Radio's coverage on the bill.
July 28, 2011
State of Hawaii Leadership Familiarization Tour of Pearl Harbor
The Pearl Harbor Historic Sites partners invited State leaders to participate in a Tour of Pearl Harbor on July 23. The partners provided updates on several sites including the recently completed Pearl Harbor Visitor Center, visitor enhancements at the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park, ongoing restoration of the Ford Island Control Tower by the Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, and new air-conditional systems and ongoing teak deck restoration at the Battleship Missouri Memorial. The Pearl Harbor Historic Sites collectively provide a powerful historical journey. The National Park Service and three non-profit entities are the caretakers of several of America's most treasured icons, each an enduing tribute to the honor and sacrifices of American veterans and a window through which the State of Hawaii shares real-life examples of valor with future generations.
July 28, 2011
Governor Signs Bill Relating to Intellectual Disabilities Into Law
On July 11, I participated in a bill signing ceremony for House Bill 761, which changes references in the Hawaii Revised Statutes by substituting "intellectual disabilities" wherever the term "mental retardation" appears. This bill follows a national movement led by self-advocates to use people-first language that is less offensive and more respectful, and to eliminate the negative stigma that is associated with the term mental retardation. Two of my constituents submitted testimony on this bill before the House Human Services Committee and both individuals shared their personal experience in supporting this measure. These individuals are the champions that we should recognize in this nationwide effort and in representing their voice, it is my privilege to co-sponsor this bill and ultimately participate in the bill signing ceremony hosted by the Governor.
July 28, 2011
Congratulations to the New and Returning Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board Members
I wanted to take this opportunity to congratulate the new and returning members to the Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board who held their initial convening meeting on July 5. As a former member of the Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board, I know firsthand the hard work and dedication required to serve as a neighborhood board member. I look forward to working with the Board for our community.
July 21, 2011
Status Report on proposed Jack in the Box at Waianae Valley Road and Farrington Highway
My office was contacted by Tom King of Jack in the Box. He informed our office that they have received their permit. They plan to start site demolition on July 25th. The facility will consist of a single story structure with a drive thru. The current entrance from Farrington Highway will continue to be used and a new side entrance off of Waianae Valley Road will be located near the current vacant lot behind the Old Masago's lot. The current Waianae Valley Road entrance into the property will be closed to help accommodate a new required right turn lane off Waianae Valley Road. Construction is estimated to be complete by the end of 2011. Additional details as the project proceeds will be shared with the community.
July 12, 2011
Kapolei-Area Town Hall Meeting on Traffic & Transportation Issues
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Kapolei-Area Town Hall Meeting on Traffic & Transportation Issues held on Thursday, June 30 featuring officials from the State Department of Transportation (DOT) and City Department of Transportation Services (DTS). Representative Har and her staff took the lead in coordinating this meeting and I am truly grateful for their hard work. For those who weren't able to attend the meeting, I have included the presentations made by the State and City transportation officials and will post future dates that the event will broadcast on Olelo.Town Hall Meeting Town Hall Meeting (short)
June 27, 2011
Leadership Forum for State Lawmakers - Opportunities for Working Families in Tight Budget Times
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) invited me to participate in a leadership forum - Opportunities for Working Families in Tight Budget Times to be held in Denver, Colorado from June 26-28 at the recommendation of Speaker Say. NCSL is inviting 12 states to send small teams to this meeting. At this meeting, I will have an opportunity to examine issues related to working families with leading experts in the field. I will also have up to four hours to work with colleagues on issues important to our state, and return home with an action plan. During these state team sessions, and throughout the meeting, NCSL policy experts will be on hand to provide assistance. Issues covered at the Forum will include: Asset Building - Saving for Education, to Buy a Home or Start a Business, Jobs/Workforce, Low or No-Cost Policy Approaches, Maximizing Public Investments in Tight Budget Times, NCSL Partnership on Hunger, and Tax Credits for Working Families.
June 23, 2011
$600,000 Awarded in Grants to Community Organizations on Oahu's Leeward Coast
The Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism and the Department of Health awarded $600,000 in grants to 11 community organizations to undertake various environmental projects on Oahu's Leeward Coast. These organizations were selected on the basis of their project's positive environmental impact on Leeward communities, and their contribution to further the goal of protecting and enhancing the public health and the environment, as well as educating children, families and the community about important environmental issues. A few of these organizations include: Alternative Structures International - $60,000 for the installation of solar voltaic panel systems and energy saving upgrades at 2 transitional homeless shelters with 120 family units, Ka'ala Farm, Inc. - $23,000 to erect a hog-wire fence around the Nanakuli Valley Cultural & Botanical Preserve to mitigate damage to archeological sites and the killing of new native plantings by feral pigs, Kupu/Hawaii Youth Conservation Corp - $77,000 to help restore the Waianae Mountain Watershed and create service-learning opportunities for Leeward Coast youth to earn college credits, Nani O Waianae - $73,000 to organize community watch groups to regularly patrol "hot spots" in Waianae where illegal dumping occurs and to report these incidents to the proper authorities; and SeaHawaii Foundation - $69,000 to produce, in conjunction with Searider Productions, 3-4 minute video segments and a website to document the goals, progress and results of each project funded by the SEP grants.
June 23, 2011
Ordnance Reef Technology Demonstration Planned for a 3 Week Period During July 2011
The Ordnance Reef (HI-06) Technology Demonstration involves the limited recovery of underwater military munitions (UWMM) and the destruction (demilitarization) of any recovered UWMM using commercially available technologies, including development of new components and procedures, for the recovery and destruction of UWMM. Disposed UWMM are present at Ordnance Reef (HI-06) on the ocean floor in coastal waters off Waianae. This demonstration of technologies is designed to evaluate the remote recovery of UWMM and the at sea destruction of recovered UWMM. The munitions targeted for recovery during the demonstration lie at depths of 20 feet to 120 feet. The munitions will be recovered and brought to the surface for disposal while limiting impacts to coral, live rock, and marine life. For more information, visit www.ordnancereefhawaii.org
, the new page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ordnance-Reef-Hawaii/169281289801652?sk=wall , and future video feeds from the technical demonstration at http://www.youtube.com/ordnancereefhawaii
June 23, 2011
Additional Dates for A Conversation with Representative Sharon Har on Jordan's Journal
In case you missed the previous showings of my Olelo show - "Jordan's Journal" featuring Representative Sharon Har, you have a couple more chances to catch the show on Channel 54 on the following dates and times:
6/26/11 Sunday 3:00pm
6/28/11 Tuesday 10:30pm
You can also view this show at anytime by becoming a fan of my Representative Jo Jordan Facebook page, which includes a link to "Jordan's Journal" on Vimeo.
June 17, 2011
A Conversation with Representative Sharon Har on Jordan's Journal
As a prelude to an upcoming Kapolei-Area Town Hall Meeting on Traffic & Transportation Issues scheduled for Thursday, June 30 from 7:00 - 8:30pm at the Kapolei High School Cafeteria, tune into my Olelo show - "Jordan's Journal" featuring Representative Sharon Har on Channel 54 on any of the following dates and times:
6/18/11 Saturday 5:00pm
6/19/11 Sunday 2:00pm
6/20/11 Monday 1:00pm
6/21/11 Tuesday 8:30pm
You can also view this show and all previous shows at anytime by becoming a fan of my Representative Jo Jordan Facebook page at facebook.com/repjordan, which includes a link to "Jordan's Journal" on Vimeo.
June 17, 2011
Legislative Town Hall Meeting Summary
Thank you to everyone who attended the Legislative Town Hall Meeting and submitted Feedback Forms. Meeting attendees learned a lot and the feedback received was all positive as reflected in the Summary. For others who planned on attending, but weren't able to make the meeting, Olelo will televise the meeting as follows:
Sunday, July 10, 7:30pm on Ch. 54
Tuesday, July 12, 11:30am on Ch. 49
Wednesday, July 13, 8:00am on Ch. 49
Thursday, July 14, 1:00pm on Ch. 54
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June 16, 2011
Additional Dates for Budget Talk with House Finance Chair Marcus Oshiro on Jordan's Journal
In case you missed the previous showings of my Olelo show - "Jordan's Journal" featuring Representative Marcus Oshiro, you have a couple more chances to catch the show on Channel 54 on the following dates and times:
6/18/11 Saturday 4:30pm
6/19/11 Sunday 10:30am
You can also view this show at anytime by becoming a fan of my Representative Jo Jordan Facebook page, which includes a link to "Jordan's Journal" on Vimeo.
June 8, 2011
Budget Talk with House Finance Chair Marcus Oshiro on Jordan's Journal
As a prelude to the Legislative Town Hall Meeting with special guest House Finance Chair Marcus Oshiro scheduled for Wednesday, June 15 from 6:30 - 9:00pm at the Waianae District Park Multi-purpose Room, tune into my Olelo show - "Jordan's Journal" featuring Representative Marcus Oshiro on Channel 54 on any of the following dates and times:
6/9/11 Thursday 6:30pm
6/10/11 Friday 2:30pm
6/11/11 Saturday 5:30pm
6/12/11 Sunday 1:30pm
You can also view this show and the two previous shows featuring Senator Maile Shimabukuro and DLNR Chairperson William Aila, Jr. at anytime by becoming a fan of my Representative Jo Jordan Facebook page, which includes a link to "Jordan's Journal" on Vimeo. You will receive the most updated information on my Representative Jo Jordan Facebook page, so become a fan today.
June 8, 2011
Legislative Town Hall Meeting Update
Join us for a Legislative Town Hall Meeting with special guest House Finance Chair Marcus Oshiro on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 from 6:30 - 9:00 pm at the Waianae District Park Multi-purpose Room. Governor Neil Abercrombie is unable to attend the meeting as originally planned because his mother-in-law has passed and her private memorial service is scheduled for the same evening. I offer my sincerest condolences to the Governor and his family. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we are fortunate to have Representative Marcus Oshiro share his extensive knowledge of the State budget. View full article
June 3, 2011
Legislative Town Hall Meeting
Join us for a Legislative Town Hall Meeting with special guests Governor Neil Abercrombie and House Finance Chair Marcus Oshiro on Wednesday, June 15, 2011 from 6:30 - 9:00 pm at the Waianae District Park Multi-purpose Room. For more information, call 808-586-8460 or email repjordan@capitol.hawaii.gov.
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June 3, 2011
Representative Jordan's Legislative Update 2011
Representative Jordan releases her report of the 2011 Legislative Session, which briefly summarizes important measures that have become law or are poised to become law.View full article
June 1, 2011
Keaau Beach Park Clean Up
On Saturday, May 21, I participated in the Keaau Beach Park Clean Up organized by the Makaha Hawaiian Civic Club. One of the main objectives of the Makaha Hawaiian Civic Club has been to adopt the different parks within Makaha and plan clean ups for each site. The voluntary service provided by organizations like the Makaha Hawaiian Civic Club is invaluable to our community.
May 23, 2011
Waianae Intermediate School Wins Olelo Youth Xchange Student Video Competition in the Animation and Mini Documentary Categories
Students in elementary, intermediate and high school were challenged to create videos addressing issues affecting their community, the state, country or world in the Olelo Youth Xchange Student Video Competition. Of the 582 entries received this year that were submitted by more than 1300 students, Waianae Intermediate School were the winners in the Animation category for "Sponge & Mr. Bucket" and the Mini Documentary category for "Behind the Smile." Congratulations to all the participants and winners of the Olelo Youth Xchange Student Video Competition who are learning the value and importance of speaking out and speaking strong by using the creative and powerful medium of video.
May 12, 2011
Replacement of Fire Alarm/Public Address System at Kamaile Academy
Construction totaling $272,850.00 at Kamaile Academy to replace the fire alarm and public address system will be initiated shortly. The contract has been awarded to C & C Electrical Contractor, Inc. A pre-construction conference to discuss scheduling and construction start date will be held between the contractor and the school in order to minimize disruption and disturbance during the construction work.
May 9, 2011
Afternoon Zipper Lane Update
The State of Hawaii Department of Transportation (DOT) provided an update on the public's request to expedite the development of a westbound Zipper Lane during peak afternoon travel. DOT initiated a project in 2009 to modify the existing Zipper Lane to accommodate afternoon traffic on H-1 from the Radford Drive Overpass to the Waiawa Interchange. The project was awarded to a contractor in fall 2010. However, two unsuccessful contractors protested the award and the state's contract selection process, causing the state to halt the project while they addressed the protests. Despite the state's response that they made the award in accordance with state and federal regulations, the contractors have petitioned to a formal hearing with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The additional hearing will further delay the project for 6 months to a year. The DOT is aware of the importance of this project to the public and is working to handle the protests as quickly and efficiently as possible, so the afternoon Zipper Lane Project can resume.
May 9, 2011
Solar Water Heating Rebates Available
The State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism's State Energy Office will direct additional American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to support the highly successful Hawaii Energy Solar Water Heating Rebate Program. With these additional funds, 220 waitlisted customers will receive the $1,500 and new applicants will receive a $1,000 rebate for their solar water heating systems. The rebates will be awarded on a first-come-first-served basis until July 1, 2011, or until the ARRA funds run out. On July 1, 2011, the rebate will return to $750.
Solar water heating systems reduce a family's electricity costs and allow it to utilize clean energy resources. The benefit to the state's energy independence is clear. Therefore, in addition to these rebates, solar water heating systems are eligible for tax credits of 35% from the state and 30% from the federal government. Hawaii Energy also offers the "Hot Water, Cool Rates" solar interest buy-down program through Participating Lenders. This program provides rebate and low interest rate incentives to residents who finance their solar water heating systems. For more information on the Hawaii Energy Solar Water Heating Rebate Program or the "Hot Water, Cool Rates" program visit www.hawaiienergy.com
May 9, 2011
Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve Gets Predator-Proof Fence
The Department of Land and Natural Resources completed construction of a predator-proof fence at the Kaena Point Natural Area Reserve to protect the native species that live there. The fence is 700 yards and encloses more than 59 acres of natural habitat for eleven endangered plant species, Hawaiian monk seals, and native sea-birds. The fence protects these endangered species and their nesting areas from predators like cats, dogs, mongooses, rats, and mice, giving the populations a chance to recover over the next few years and to prosper into the future. While the fence closes off the area to predators, it still allows for public access to the area reserve seven days a week through three non-locking double door gates. The fence is the first of its kind in the United States and the Hawaiian Islands and will be used as a model in other conservation areas. For more information about the Kaena Point Nature Reserve and the predator-proof fence visit the websites of the Hawaii State Department of Parks at http://www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/kpsalf, the Kaena Point Ecosystem Outreach Team at http:www/state.hi.us/dlnr/dofaw/kaena/index.htm, or the Friends of Kaena at http://www.restorekaena.org.
May 9, 2011
Leihoku Elementary School Students Visit the State Capitol
Ninety 5th graders from Leihoku Elementary School toured the State Capitol and Judiciary in a field trip to learn about the branches of state government. Students visited with Representative Jordan in the House gallery, where they had an opportunity to ask her what she does, how she got her job, what she liked about being a representative, and where she sits in the House Chambers. They also shared with her their future goals of being veterinarians, pediatricians, detectives, naval men, and teachers. It was an informative and inspiring visit for both the Leihoku students and Representative Jordan.
For previous news updates, visit our news archives.