Transportation Forum with Department of Transportation regarding Highway 130
Thursday, December 1, 2011
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Pahoa Neighborhood Facility
15-2710 Kauhale Road
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Board of Education Forum with Board Member
Brian J. De Lima (Vice Chairman, Hawai'i)
Friday, December 2, 2011
5:30pm - 7:00pm
Waiakea High School Cafe
155 W. Kawili Street
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Senator Kahele held his final talk story forum on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at the Waiakea High School Cafeteria from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Read more...
In line with previous "talk story" forums Pahoa and Volcano, Senator Kahele is looking forward to meeting with community members in Ocean View to discuss the unique issues that they are grappling with. The forum will be held on Friday, October 14 from 5:30 PM at the Ocean View Community Center.
Please view the flyer for the event or get more information here at the KHON2 website.
For residents on the Big Island, if you do happen to come across any axis deer please contact the Big Island Invasive Species Committee Hotline at (808) 961-3299. Please provide your name, contact information, an estimate of how many deer, and the location where the deer were sighted.
Please view the video clip at Big Island Video News.
Senator Kahele wishes to extend a big mahalo out to all those who attended the Infrastructure and Transportation Townhall Meeting that he hosted on September 22 at Kea‘au Elementary. In particular, he would like to thank the State Department of Transportation Director Glenn Okimoto for bringing his senior staff to the event as well as Hawai‘i County Department of Public Works Director Warren Lee and his staff for providing information to the community. A number of concerns were highlighted in the course of the meeting and having this type of venue to exchange information is vital to ensure a thorough and transparent process.
Please read his letter of thanks and view clips from the meeting at Big Island Video News.
Working hand in hand with the Governor and Hawai‘i State Civil Defense, Senator Kahele was able to procure a grant of $76,405 for KAHU 91.7 FM that would expand broadcast services for the entire Ka‘u district. This will prove vital in expanding the range of emergency broadcasts needed to inform residents in times of crisis.
Please read the press release from KAHU 91.7 FM.
There are a number of difficult issues that the communities of District 2 are currently grappling with. These issues include the Aina Koa Pono project as well as the status of Highway 130. Senator Kahele begins to address these issues in an interview with Big Island Video News.
Axis deer has long been a problem that the islands of Maui, Lana‘i, and Moloka‘i have had to grapple with, and it has been brought to my attention that axis deer may be making its way to the Big Island. The problems associated with axis deer are multi-faceted, affecting areas ranging from our fields of coffee, macadamia nuts, local gardens, nurseries, anthurium farmers and even our ranchers. I will be doing everything in my power to ensure that an axis deer population is not established on the Big Island.
Please read the editorial that was published in the Hawaii Tribune Herald.
After months of working with the County and the Administration, $17.9m has been released by the Governor for the planning, design, and construction of the Ka‘u Gymnasium and Community Shelter. A big mahalo to Councilwoman Brittany Smart and Hawai`i County for their diligence in their pursuit of this funding.
Please read more at Ka‘u Calendar News Briefs.
Last night was the first of a series of community forums that I plan to have spanning my district to have an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the issues and concerns of those whom I represent. I believe the meeting at the Cooper Center generated the kind of discussion that enabled me to better grasp the particular issues of concern in the Volcano community. Mahalo to everyone who showed up and for actively participating as voices for their community.
Please read more at the Ka‘u Calendar News Briefs and at Big Island Video News.
Act 173 would allow for a simple and straightforward means to pass on real property from a decedent to a beneficiary without having to go through probate court in much the same way that personal property such as life insurance, pension plans, securities, or banked assets is currently able to do. This would help grieving families avoid the expenses and potentially lengthy processes of probate court and would additionally provide the State with cost savings by reducing the need for probate court services.
Please read more in the West Hawaii Today. The actual wording of Act 173 can be found here.
Senator Kahele is planning to have a community forum on Wednesday, August 31, from 5:30 PM. This forum will be the first of a series of forums where the Senator is interested in hearing the concerns of his constituents and brainstorming solutions that could include legislation for the 2012 Legislative Session. This first forum will be held at the Cooper Center in Volcano. Please email your concerns or questions to senkahele@capitol.hawaii.gov prior to the meeting with the subject heading "Cooper Center Forum".
To view the meeting flyer, please click here.
On Friday, July 1, Governor Abercrombie signed into law Act 178 creating the South Kona Wilderness Area. This act would ensure that the cultural, historical, and biological richness of the South Kona area would be preserved for future generations to enjoy.
For more information please visit the Hawaii Tribune Herald, and watch his interview with Gina Mangieri and Marisa Yamane on KHON2 News.
Senator Kahele, along with fellow legislators from the State and County, celebrated the Fourth of July by participating in parades throughout the district. Please have a look at the pictures through Senator Gilbert Kahele's photostream and through the Ka‘u Calendar News Brief.
June 10, 2011 marked the first nonstop flight between Los Angeles and Hilo, a landmark event that is expected to provide a much needed boost to the economy in Hilo. It was a joyous occasion attended by many and celebrated with aloha. For more please visit the Ka‘u Calendar News Briefs and Big Island Video News.
Interacting with youth at the Lawai‘a ‘Ohana Camp held at Miloli‘i, Senator Kahele led camp youth on a hike and shared the rich history behind the fishing village and the devastation and rebuilding that has occurred following the March 11 tsunami. Please read more at the Ka‘u Calendar News Briefs and at Big Island Video News.
Highway 130 is the sole artery connecting Hilo to Pahoa, one of the fastest growing communities in the State of Hawai‘i. Changes need to be made to address safety and traffic concerns and move this much needed project forward.
Please read more in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald.
As a freshman senator, this session proved to be a testing ground for me. While challenging at times, working together with other legislators, my staff, and my constituents, we were able to send 6 bills up to the Governor for consideration to become laws.
Please click here to read more in the Honolulu Civil Beat, and also read our latest newsletter for a more in depth wrap-up.
Charter schools like the Volcano School of Arts and Sciences play a vital role in providing access to education for all of our keiki on the Big Island. As one of my CIP priorities, I am collaborating intimately with members of the Ways and Means Committee to ensure funding that would support the excellent work of the Volcano School of Arts and Sciences and help them to establish their campus at the old Keakealani Outdoor Educational Center site.
Please click here to watch the Daily News Update for Wednesday, April 13 at Big Island Video News for the story.
The conditions of road infrastructure across the district are a growing concern, particularly in rural areas. Working in tandem with Representative Faye Hanohano, Senate Bill 1626 is in response to these concerns and will hopefully be a step towards improving roads both within the district and across all of Hawaii County.
Please read the full article in the West Hawaii Today.
Reopening the Kulani Correctional Facility falls in line with Governor Abercrombie's "A New Day in Hawai‘i" plan and provides an avenue that will help to halt the practice of shipping our inmates out of Hawai‘i. Working with the Department of Defense, and the Department of Public Safety, we are looking to find a solution that will be beneficial to all parties involved.
For more information please watch the video clip here.
Water is a vital resource and a necessity for our local communities. I understand the concerns of the community at Hawaiian Ocean View Estates and I want to work together with the Department of Water Supply and Rep. Herkes to achieve a workable solution as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Watch the video clip on Big Island Video News.com.
Sen. Kahele spent the weekend in Miloli‘i and its surrounding areas assessing the damages caused by the tsunami that struck Hawai‘i in the early morning hours on Friday, March 11, 2011.
For more information, view a video clip on Big Island Video News.com or read the article on the Ka‘u News Briefs blog.
The South Kona Wilderness Bill is one of my top priorities this legislative session. I take great pride in being a product from Miloli‘i and preserving its natural resources and beauty is my passion.
Read more in the Ka‘u Calendar
Agriculture is of utmost importance to the State of Hawai‘i and in particular the 2nd Senatorial District. Ensuring its continued viability directly impacts Hawai‘i's food and energy security and is a critical component to advance sustainable living. I will continue to make agriculture a top priority during the 2011 Legislative session.
Read more in West Hawaii Today.
"I'm honored and I'm humbled that the governor had selected me to be the senator and I'll do the best I can for everybody, the whole state, and the Senatorial District 2," - Sen. Kahele
Read more in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald.