Lawmakers Listen Kaua‘i
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
5:30-7:00pm
Wilcox Elementary School Cafeteria
View the flyer for more information.
Lawmakers Listen Kaua‘i
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
5:30-7:00pm
Wilcox Elementary School Cafeteria
View the flyer for more information.
(Senator Ronald D. Kouchi with Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii Youth of the Year Club Winners Joseph Camelo and Tosha Taylor.)
Kauai students Tosha Taylor and Joseph Camelo were recognized by the Hawaii State Senate today for being chosen as club winners for the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii (BGCH), Youth of the Year Program. The Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing youth with personal and character development programs to assist them in their growth to become responsible citizens. View the photo release.
(Senator Ronald D. Kouchi with 2012 Hawaii State Science & Engineering Fair Kaua‘i student participants.)
Fifteen Kaua‘i students who won divisions in the Kaua‘i District Island-wide Science Fair participated in the 2012 Hawai‘i State Science & Engineering Fair (HSSEF) held at the Hawai‘i Convention Center from April 2 - 4, 2012. The HSSEF, now in its 55th year, is the oldest and largest science fair held in Hawai‘i. Each year, more than 7,000 students participate in science fair programs throughout the State, with approximately 500 of these students qualifying to compete in the HSSEF.
The following Kaua‘i students qualified to participate in the 2012 HSSEF and were also division winners in the Kaua‘i District Island-wide Science Fair: Julia Hirano, Emily Carlson, Cheyenne Natividad-Parraga, BreeAnn Cabayan, Sharay Rapozo, Jacky Lin, and Braden Kobayashi of Waimea Canyon Middle School, Mallorie Aiwohi, of Kapa‘a Middle School, Savanah Frisk, Casey Nakamura, Taylor McGinnis, Kalani Murakami and Marissa Goo of Kapa‘a High School, Kayla Ishida of Waimea High School, and Noelani Murray of Kaua‘i High School.
While on Oahu, the students visited the State Capitol to observe the Senate and House Legislative Sessions, and met with the Kaua‘i legislative delegation. Senator Ronald D. Kouchi spoke to the students and commended them on their accomplishments. Senator Kouchi stated, "It is inspiring to see so many students interested and excelling in the science, math, technology and engineering fields. Participating in science fairs such as the HSSEF gives students the unique opportunity to meet and learn from scientists, while gaining hands-on training. It is important for our youth to cultivate an interest in these fields which will help them in the increasingly technical global workforce." View the press release.
(Kauai County Farm Bureau members with Senator Ronald D. Kouchi at Agricultural Awareness Day at the State Capitol. From left to right: Johnny Gordines, Senator Ronald D. Kouchi, Jerry Ornellas, Scott McFarland and Laurie Ho)
The Kauai County Farm Bureau participated in the 2012 Agricultural Awareness Day held on Thursday, March 29, 2012, at the State Capitol. Agricultural Awareness Day, now in its sixth year, is an opportunity for the Hawaii agricultural industry to showcase its diverse range of products while giving policy makers and the public an opportunity to learn more about the industry.
The Kauai County Farm Bureau provided a "Kauai Grown" exhibition which featured flowers, produce, plants, honey, coffee, keeshir tea, dried bananas, jam and honey lip balm, in addition to literature promoting various products from the island at the event. The Kauai Grown exhibit was one of 39 exhibitions, which included companies, statewide government agencies and organizations participating in the sponsored event.
As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Kauai Senator Ronald D. Kouchi said, "The annual Agricultural Awareness Day at the State Capitol provides a unique opportunity for legislators and the public to meet farmers and organizations integral to the agricultural industry. I am pleased to see the many varieties of high quality produce, specialty fruits and products from Kauai, which reflects our island's diversified agriculture industry."
The Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, along with the Hawaii Food Industry Association, Hawaii Food Manufacturers Association, Hawaii Restaurant Association, Hawaii Cattlemen's Council, Hawaii Department of Agriculture, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources sponsored this year's event. Senate Committee on Agriculture Chair Clarence Nishihara and Vice Chair Gilbert Kahele, along with State House Committee on Agriculture Chair Clift Tsuji and Vice Chair Mark Hashem, co-hosted the event. View the press release.
(Senator Ronald D. Kouchi and Mike Yamane, Chief of Operations for Kauai Island Utility Cooperative)
The Senate Ways and Means (WAM) Committee passed out HB 2740 HD1 with amendments today, extending the sunset date on Act 198 of 2009 for a total of five years from 2012 through 2017. The Senate amendment extended the sunset date from three years in the House version of the bill, to five years. HB 2740 HD1 and the Senate amended sunset extension recognizes and re-affirms the Senate's belief that Hawaii utilities like Kauai Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC) that use environmentally cleaner naptha fuel for power generation, should continue to realize reduced tax requirements.
After the Senate WAM Committee passed HB 2740 HD1 with the extended sunset date, Senator Ronald D. Kouchi commented, "The extension of the sunset date from three years to five years will ensure that KIUC's lower tax rate will provide substantial savings of approximately five million dollars a year to Kauai cooperative members, allowing KIUC to pass these savings on to businesses and to the community."
The bill now goes before the full Senate for a floor vote. View the media release.
(Senator Ronald D. Kouchi and HSTA Kauai Chapter Representatives. Back row left to right: Senator Ronald D. Kouchi, Senator Jill Tokuda, Representative Derek S.K. Kawakami, Representative James Tokioka. Front row left to right: Kathy Shibuya, Jackie Sanborn, HSTA Kauai Chapter President Jodi Maeda, Representative Dee Morikawa and HSTA State Government Relations Chairperson Devi Berg with her daughter Hi‘ilei Berg)
Representatives from the Kaua‘i Chapter of the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) Government Relations Committee met with the Kaua‘i legislative delegation and Senator Jill Tokuda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, at the State Capitol on Friday, March 23, 2012 to discuss current legislative issues. The Kaua‘i legislative delegation consisted of Senator Ronald D. Kouchi, Representative James Tokioka, Representative Dee Morikawa and Representative Derek S.K. Kawakami. View the photo release.
(Students and coaches from KAUIBOTS Team #2465 and Senator Ronald D. Kouchi at the Stan Sherriff Center.)
The KAUAIBOTS Team (Team #2465), composed of students from Kapa‘a High School, Island School, Kaua‘i High School, and Waimea High School, are on Oahu today to compete in the 2012 First in Hawaii Regional Robotics Competition. The three-day tournament is being held at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa's Stan Sherriff Center. This is the 5th consecutive year that a team representing the island of Kaua‘i is participating. View the photo release.
(Senator Ronald D. Kouchi and Kiana Pigao, Hawaii State Student Council Kauai District Representative.)
Kiana Pigao, Kauai District Representative for the Hawaii State Student Council and a sophomore at Waimea High School, met with Senator Ronald D. Kouchi today at the State Capitol. Kiana was on Oahu to take part in Education Week activities at the State Capitol. View the photo release.
(Senator Ronald D. Kouchi, Miss Garden Isle 2012 Liane Ancajas, Representative Dee Morikawa and Representative James Tokioka)
The Kaua‘i delegation today presented Miss Garden Isle 2012 Liane Ancajas with a Legislative Certificate of Recognition, congratulating her on being crowned Miss Garden Isle 2012. The Kaua'i delegation that honored Miss Garden Isle 2012 consisted of Senator Ronald D. Kouchi, Representative James Tokioka and Representative Dee Morikawa. View the photo release.
(Senator Ronald D. Kouchi, Representative James Tokioka, Representative Dee Morikawa, Representative Derek S.K. Kawakami, teachers Justin Carvalho and Robyn Herbig, and students from Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School.)
(Representative Derek S.K. Kawakami, Representative James Tokioka, CKMS teacher Justin Carvalho, Senator Ronald D. Kouchi. Bottom row: Representative Dee Morikawa, CKMS teacher Robyn Herbig)
Thirteen students from Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School (CKMS) won first and second places in the SkillsUSA Convention Technology Challenge Contest held on Wednesday,
February 22, 2012, in Honolulu.
SkillsUSA is a non-profit educational association which serves high school and post-secondary school students. The organization hosts annual local, state, and national competitions in which students demonstrate occupational and leadership skills. The association works to provide quality educational experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship and character development.
CKMS students participating in the SkillsUSA contest were Keala Iwasaki, Scott Cushnie, Keegan Loo, Sean Ebueng, Trevor Fruedig, Branden Remegio, Scott Ota, Saedy Tumaneng, Marissa Martinez, Sarah Matsunaga, Sydney Brady, Marilyn Clement and Elizabeth Makizuru. CKMS teachers Justin Carvalho and Robyn Herbig accompanied the group.
While in Honolulu, the CKMS students and their teachers met with their Kauai Legislative delegation, Senator Ronald D. Kouchi, Representative James Tokioka, Representative Dee Morikawa and Representative Derek S.K. Kawakami. Each student was presented with a legislative certificate commending them on their achievement at the SkillsUSA Convention.
View the media release.
(Representative James Tokioka, Senator Ronald D. Kouchi, Reef McIntosh and Representative Derek Kawakami)
Reef McIntosh, a professional surfer from Kapa‘a, Hawaii, was honored by the Kaua‘i Legislative delegation on winning the "2012 Da Hui Backdoor Shootout" surf competition. The event was held at the Banzai Pipeline on Oahu's North Shore in January 2012. Presenting the Certificate of Recognition yesterday were Senator Ronald D. Kouchi, Representative James Tokioka and Representative Derek S.K. Kawakami. View the photo release.
(Senator Ronald D. Kouchi, Miss Kaua‘i 2012 Lei U‘i Kaholokua, Representative Dee Morikawa, Representative Derek S.K. Kawakami and Representative James Tokioka)
Miss Kaua‘i 2012 Lei U‘i Kaholokua was presented with a Certificate of Recognition by the Kaua‘i delegation today at the State Capitol, congratulating her on being crowned Miss Kaua‘i 2012. The Kaua‘i delegation that honored Miss Kaua‘i 2012 consisted of Senator Ronald D. Kouchi, Representative James Tokioka, Representative Dee Morikawa and Representative Derek S.K. Kawakami. View the photo release.
(Senator Ronald D. Kouchi and 2011 Librarian of the Year Karen Ikemoto)
The Hawaii State Senate recognized Kauai Librarian Karen Ikemoto for being named 2011 Librarian of the Year. As the first librarian from the Garden Isle to win the award, Mrs. Ikemoto was presented with a Certificate of Recognition from Kauai Senator Ronald D. Kouchi during a Senate Floor Presentation celebrating Education Week today.
A strong supporter of public libraries, Senator Kouchi commented, "Karen is more than deserving of the Librarian of the Year Award. She has gone to extraordinary lengths to upgrade facilities and services at the Hanapepe Public Library to better meet the needs and interests of the local community. Her humility, kindness and passion for the profession make her more than deserving of this honor."
Ms. Ikemoto has worked for the Hawaii Public Library system since 1992 and is currently Branch Manager of Hanapepe Public Library.
In its ninth year, Education Week is organized by the Hawaii State Senate Committee on Education. Focused on highlighting the success of our libraries, schools and our students, this year's celebration will include programs and events that bring everyone, from our youngest of keiki to our most mature kupuna, to the State Capitol to educate and engage with policymakers. View the media release.
(Kauai Senator Ronald D. Kouchi during Senate Session)
The Hawaii State Senate passed SB 2967 (SD1), which seeks to establish a separate collective bargaining unit for Ocean and Water Safety Officers, at a floor vote during Session on March 6, 2012. Under SB 2967, Bargaining Unit 14, which represents ocean safety and water safety officers, would be created.
Upon passage of SB 2967, Kauai Senator Ronald D. Kouchi commented, "Ocean safety personnel and water safety officers are an integral part of our first line of emergency responders. Kauai has some of the most beautiful, but also dangerous beaches in the world, and our water safety officers put their lives on the line everyday as part of their job. By having their own bargaining unit, they will now have the chance to represent themselves collectively and have their issues and concerns unique to their group addressed."
Senator Kouchi continued, "I am greatly pleased with the passage of this bill since it reflects our understanding and appreciation for the service that ocean safety personnel provide."
SB 2967 has crossed over to the House of Representatives where it will await assignment to a Committee for a hearing.
View the media release.
(HSTA State Secretary Beverly Gotelli, Senator Ronald D. Kouchi and former HSTA Hawaii District President Lorraine Hora)
Kauai resident and Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) State Secretary Beverly Gotelli and former HSTA Hawaii District President Lorraine Hora met with Senator Ronald D. Kouchi on February 23, 2012 to discuss upcoming legislative priorities for HSTA. View the photo release.
