Senator Kouchi Attends Western Legislative Academy

Senator Ronald Kouchi was among 39 state legislators who participated in this year's Western Legislative Academy. (Photo courtesy: Lynn Boutte Photography)









Senator Ronald D. Kouchi, senator for the 8th Senatorial District for the islands of Kauai and Niihau, recently received his certificate of legislative training completion from the Western Legislative Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado conducted by The Council of State Governments-WEST (CSG-WEST), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization serving Western state legislators.

The purpose of the Western Legislative Academy is to build excellence and effectiveness in state legislators in the Western Region of the United States. The selection process is very competitive and is based on the individual legislator's commitment to public service, desire to improve personal legislative effectiveness and interest in improving the legislative process.

Senator Kouchi was one of 39 state legislators selected by the academy from 93 applicants in the Western Region to participate in its prestigious training institute for newly elected lawmakers in their first four years of service. Joining Senator Kouchi as members of the Western Legislative Academy Class of 2012 from the Hawaii State Legislature were Senator Donovan Dela Cruz (District 22), Representatives Aaron Johanson (District 31) and Representative Derek S. K. Kawakami (District 14).

"I am excited to put what I learned at the academy in motion as a legislator," said Senator Kouchi, "The skills and knowledge I gained have taught me to become a more effective legislator, which will result in further benefit to my constituents."

The academy was held during three and a half days of intensive training in subjects such as legislative institutions, ethics, communications, negotiations, time management and leadership. Faculty is drawn from academia, former military and private sector instructors. A highlight of the training is an afternoon at the US Air Force Academy, working on personal assessments and team building.

The Council of State Governments-WEST is the western region arm of the national Council of State Governments (CSG) which is based in Lexington, Kentucky. Regional offices of the CSG are located in Sacramento, Chicago, Atlanta and New York. View the media release.

Kauai Continues to Be Represented in the Hawaii State Senate Leadership

Kauai Senator Ronald Kouchi has once again been selected to serve as the Hawaii State Senate's Majority Caucus Leader during the 27th Hawaii State Legislature, which will convene on January 16, 2013. Senator Kouchi was first selected as the Majority Caucus Leader for the 26th Legislature, which began in 2011.

Adding to Senator Kouchi's role is his position as vice chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, with Senator Clarence Nishihara serving as chair.

"Having been involved in the agriculture community, I was pleased to accept the position when Senate President asked me to serve as vice chair of the committee," said Senator Kouchi. "I would like to work on issues regarding food security and sustainability, making sure that we as a state is able to provide for ourselves if a disaster strikes and isolates us from cargo being shipped here."

Senator Kouchi will also continue to serve as vice chair of the Senate Committee on Tourism and Government Operations, with Senator Donna Mercado Kim serving as chair, and he will also continue to serve as a member of the Senate Committee on Transportation and International Affairs.

The Hawaii State Senate announced its leadership members a day after the general election. The Senate acted quickly to organize with a primary goal of promoting an environment of cooperation and shared leadership and authority. Committee assignments were announced last Friday. View the media release.