Aloha!
This holiday season reminds us to give thanks for the ways in which our lives are enriched.
For many of us, our first thoughts are not about possessions, but about family and friends, a safe and secure living environment and the blessing of good health.
Not everyone enjoys even these good things. It's important to remember that and be ready to help so that the less fortunate might find reasons to be thankful.
One of the best ways to mark this time of year is to thank someone for being a part of your life. Hugs and a smile are easy to give - and receive, too!
Remember also that while Thanksgiving Day appears just once on our calendars, most of us can find good things for which to give thanks each and every day.
My hope is that you can count an abundance of blessings, and that you have many reasons to say "Mahalo!"
Happy Thanksgiving!
- Senator Michelle Kidani
(The following is an email by Sen. Kidani sent to constituents regarding the cuts in school bus service by the Department of Education, and is posted here for reference.)
Aloha All,
Immediately after the announcement of the school bus service cuts, I asked DOE to reconsider the cuts for the multi-track schools state wide since they begin school on Monday, July 9th. The DOE and BOE agreed and bus service will continue status quo until July 30 for all multi track students only. While this will give parents some time to look for alternate measures, I know it will not resolve everyone's problems. I advise you to call your child's school to get your questions answered.
I also attended the BOE meeting on Tuesday, July 3rd to ask for reconsideration of cuts to service where safety issues are major, such as having routes which must cross freeway on/off ramps. There was some reprieve in Mililani where Mililani Town Middle School students will still have bus service but Mauka Middle School students will not. For the same safety reasons, Mililani High School students living in Mauka will also have bus service and students living in lower Mililani will not.
There is one bus that services Melemano, Waipio, Kipapa Park route which will drop off students at Waena, MHS and MMS meaning that all grade levels will be on the same bus together. Parents of younger students need to be aware of this which may determine whether they want their younger children to take this bus or not.
The DOE has hired a consultant to review bus routes to determine whether there are more effective ways to rearrange service. I have asked the DOE to reconsider reinstating bus service until the consultant has reviewed the routes and needs. Therefore, I have also requested that DOE revise their District Exemption rules to include no bus service as a reason for a DE.
Thank you for your patience.
A copy of my newsletter detailing this year's legislative session is now online, under the "Documents and Links" section on the left side of this page. This newsletter was also mailed out to all homes in Senate District 17 last month.
On May 3, 2012 (the final day of the 2012 legislative session), the Senate voted on the supplemental state budget for fiscal year 2012-2013. As Vice Chair of the Ways and Means Committee, I am responsible for overseeing the portion of the budget covering capital improvement programs (CIP), which includes all major construction projects to be undertaken by the State of Hawaii to maintain and repair infrastructure and state facilities. Below is a video of a floor speech I gave on the highlights of this year's CIP budget.
The Mililani/Waipio/Melemanu Neighborhood Board (No. 25) will be meeting tonight (April 25) at 7:30 PM, in the Mililani Town Recreation Center III (95-281 Kaloapau Street). Click here to see the agenda. Included in the agenda will be a public forum on the impacts of the new legislative districts laid out by the 2011 State Reapportionment Commission.
The Waipahu Neighborhood Board (No. 22) will be meeting tomorrow night (April 26) at 7:00 PM, in the Filipino Community Center (94-428 Mokuola Street). Click here to see the agenda. Included in the agenda is a presentation by the city's Department of Transportation Services and Oahu Transit Services, Inc. on the proposed changes in bus service scheduled to take effect this summer.
The Mililani Mauka Neighborhood Board (No. 35) will be meeting Tuesday night (April 17) at
7:00 PM, in the Mililani Mauka Elementary School cafeteria (95-1111 Makaikai Street). Click here to see the agenda. Included in the agenda items are a liquor license presentation for the Mililani Mauka Tesoro 2GO convenience store, a presentation by Alexander and Baldwin about their plans for developing the Mililani Mauka Gateway property (near the Mililani Mauka McDonald's), and an update from the city about repaving roads in Mililani Mauka.
The Senate Committee on Economic Development and Technology (EDT) and the Committee on Ways and Means (WAM) voted in a joint hearing yesterday (April 3) to amend and pass HB2145 as the Invest in Hawaii Act of 2012. The original bill, SB2012, was passed by the Senate and sent to the House six weeks ago, but was never heard. To keep the repair and maintenance package alive, the contents of SB2012 were inserted into HB2145 at the joint hearing (see the proposed Senate Draft 1 presented at the hearing), and the new bill is now scheduled for a vote by the full Senate on Tuesday, April 10.
The Invest in Hawaii Act contains a proposed $500 million package to raise bonds to pay for various repair and maintenance projects throughout the State of Hawaii, and the state hosted a press tour to show examples of needed repairs at state facilities such as Farrington High School and Leahi Hospital.
"Educators show need for 'Invest in Hawaii' construction money" (Hawaii News Now)
"Farrington High School at top of list to receive funding" (KITV News)
"Senate eyeing facility repair backlog, aims to create jobs" (Maui News)
The Mililani/Waipio/Melemanu Neighborhood Board (No. 25) will be meeting Wednesday night (Mar. 28) at 7:00 PM, in Mililani Town Recreation Center III (95-281 Kaloapau Street). Click here to see the agenda (PDF). The board will be holding a public forum on the impacts of the new legislative districts set by the 2011 Reapportionment Commission, which are effective beginning with this year's elections. The board will also consider a resolution regarding restrictions imposed on the Honolulu Fire Department as a result of the 16-ton weight limit on the Kamehameha Highway Kipapa Gulch Bridge set by the state Department of Transportation.
I will be attending both meetings, and you are welcome to come and discuss any bills or other business currently in the Legislature.
The Mililani Mauka Neighborhood Board (No. 35) will be meeting Tuesday night (tomorrow,
March 20) at 7:00PM, in the Mililani Mauka Elementary School cafeteria (95-1111 Makaikai Street). Click here to see the agenda.
The Waipahu Neighborhood Board (No. 22) will be meeting Thursday night (March 22) at 7:00PM, in the Filipino Community Center (94-428 Mokuola Street). Click here to see the agenda.
I will be attending both meetings, and you are welcome to come and discuss any bills or other business currently in the Legislature.
Yesterday, the Hawaii State Senate hosted a floor presentation honoring the 40th anniversary of the passage of Title IX, the landmark Congressional law barring gender discrimination in all educational programs receiving federal funding, which was authored by the late Congressmember Patsy T. Mink. The floor presentation was a part of a number of events at the Hawaii State Legislature happening this week as part of Education Week.
Five individuals were invited to the State Senate both as beneficiaries of Title IX and as contributors in support of gender equality:
Marilyn Moniz-Kahoohanohano, Assistant Athletic Director at UH-Manoa and a former member of the Wahine Volleyball team, who is also the Senior Women Administrator for the Athletics Department where she has worked for 23 years.
Jennifer Solidum Rose, Gender Equity Specialist at UH-Manoa. Last year, she honored by the Hawaii State Bar Association as their 2011 Champion for Social Justice as a career advocate for social justice for women.
Sabrina Shizue McKenna, Associate Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court and former member of the Wahine Basketball team. Her distinguished career as a lawyer and a judge began when she graduated from the Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii, an opportunity made possible by Title IX.
Jill Leilani Nunokawa, Civil Rights Specialist at UH-Manoa and a former member of the Wahine Basketball team. As part of her duties, she provides counseling and assistance to students and staff to prevent and resolve disputes involving racial and gender equity, including invoking Title IX's protections when it becomes necessary.
Catherine Betts, Executive Director of the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women. As director, she oversees and coordinates the Commission's efforts to advocate for women's equality.
The Hawaii State Senate will be having a floor presentation next Tuesday, March 13, honoring the 40th anniversary of the passage of Title IX, the landmark gender equality legislation championed by the late U.S. Representative Patsy Mink. Session will convene at 11:30 AM at the Capitol. As with all State Senate sessions, the public is welcome to attend.