Friends of Library Name Senator Kim "Legislator of the Year"

Senator Kim accepting the "Legislator of the Year" honor






The Friends of the Library of Hawaii recently named Senator Kim "Legislator of the Year" for her efforts to preserve vital funding for the library system during her term as chair of the Ways and Means Committee and for her leadership in securing support for the Salt Lake and Aiea public libraries during her legislative tenure.

The award was presented by Governor Neil Abercrombie and the Friends at a January 11 ceremony at Washington Place. Said Senator Kim, "I accept this honor not for myself but for my fellow legislators, past and present, without whom I could not effectively represent the residents of my district...for all the employees of the Hawaii State Public Library System, who devote themselves to providing this important public service across the islands...and to the patrons of our libraries - young, old, and in-between - who are the reason we work so hard to support this cherished American institution."

Happy Holidays from Senator Kim

Celebrating Palama Settlement Centennial and the Tourism Committees tour Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club and the Disney Aulani Resort. Read more in the December 2011 Community Report.

November 2011 Community Report

Information on the upcoming APEC Summit taking place November 8 - 13 and how you can help your neighborhood through the Prosecutor's Drug Nuisance Abatement Program. Read more in the November 2011 Community Report.

October 2011 Community Report

Senator Kim at the 5th annual China-United States Tourism Leadership Summit. The After School All-Stars program held a presentation at Dole Middle School with a surprise visit by founder Arnold Schwarzenegger. Read more in the October 2011 Community Report.

September 2011 Community Report

State reapportionment is in its final stages for public hearings at the listed locations with the final plan due on September 26th. Information on the pedestrian safety program "Walk Wise Hawaii" which took place at the end of August. Read more in the September 2011 Community Report.

August 2011 Community Report

Update on the ongoing HSTA contract negotiations at the Aiea / Pearl City Town Hall meetings. Capital Improvements worth $2,000,000 for Dole Middle School and Aiea Intermediate School. Come see Frank DeLima at the AARP hosted "Tips for Successful Aging" seminar. Read more in the August 2011 Community Report.

June 2011 Community Report

Wrap-up of the 2011 Legislative Session and information on the possibility of a Special Legislative Session. Support Hiki No, the nation's first student news network with area participants Moanalua and Farrington High School. Stay informed and involved in the legislative process with the help of the Public Access Room. Read more in the June 2011 Community Report.

May 2011 Community Report

Update on the conclusion of the 2011 Legislative Session. Supporting success for Hawaii's students through the Step Up program in our public schools. Moanalua High Schoolhas been selected as one of 15 model high schools by the International Center for Leadership in Education. Read more in the May 2011 Community Report.

April 2011 Community Report

April 2011 Community Report-325 bills were passed from the Senate to the House on March 8. Families of 16 Service Members received the Hawaii Medal of Honor from the State Legislature. Over 100 turned out for Moanalua/ Salt Lake Town meeting March 29. Read more in the April 2011 Community Report.

March 2011 Community Report

March 2011 Community Report- Updates on legislative bills and resolutions, town hall meetings, Aloha Aina Earth Day at Farrington High School, capital improvement project funds for Kalihi-Waena Elementary and Moanalua Elementary Schools... Read more in the March 2011 Community Report.

January 2011 Community Report

January 2011 Community Report- Highlights include the new Senate Leadership assignments, an invitation to Meet & Greet Governor Neil Abercrombie and Lt. Governor Brian Schatz, tourism-related news on 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, and kudos to Hawaii 3R's, the non-profit organization which recently awarded a grant of $96,900 to Moanalua High School. Read more in the January 2011 Community Report.

November 2010 Community Report

Highlights include congratulations to Dole Middle School recognized as first Hawaii school to receive 2010 School of Distinction award, Investigation of the Dept. of Budget and Finance's handling of state's investment in student loan auction rate securities, funding for Kalihi-Palama Health Center in fight against chronic kidney disease. Read more in the November 2010 Community Report.

October 2010 Community Report

News highlights include information on the two Constitutional Amendments to be on the ballot, congratulations to Red Hill Elementary for meeting AYP goals, free flu vaccines for kids, an update on Kuhio Park Terrace, the First Annual Appreciation Day Celebration, and a schedule of town events and community meetings. Read more in the October 2010 Community Report.

KITV story on Senate investigation of DOT

"The embattled deputy state transportation director in charge of airports abruptly stepped down last week with just five days' notice. Brian Sekiguchi's management skills and ethics have come under fire by a key state senator...At a July 19 hearing, State Senate Ways and Means Chairwoman Donna Mercado Kim accused Sekiguchi of taking at least one day of vacation in April of 2009 without putting in for vacation time..." View full article

Summer 2010 Community Bulletin

Included are: highlights and accomplishments of the 2010 Legislative Session, community survey results, Senator Kim on the Hot Seat, 2010 Donna Mercado Kim Aloha Spirit Awards. Read more

Resignation of state airports chief leaves questions that must be answered

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser yesterday published the following editorial:

"The director of Hawaii's airports through most of the Lingle administration abruptly resigned this month, but his departure should not abort investigations of the state Transportation Department's airports division. Taxpayers deserve to know whether the irregularities preceding Brian H. Sekiguchi's departure took the form of sloppy administration, lack of oversight, criminal wrongdoing or all of the above..." View full article

Community Report

August 2010 Newsletter - Senator Kim's Committee on Ways and Means is conducting a series of informational briefings at the State Capitol this summer with the state's Department of Taxation, Department of Transportation, Department of Human Resources Development, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism and the Department of Budget and Finance in regards to various issues.