State Senator Malama Solomon, who represents District 1 (Waimea, Hamakua, North Hilo, Rural South Hilo, and Hilo) on Hawaii Island, will hold a series of community forums to report on key measures from this year's Legislative Session. The first meeting will be conducted at the Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana‘ole Elementary and Intermediate School Cafeteria on Monday, May 7, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.
"The 26th Legislature has been very productive. There have been advances in issues that we feel particularly strong about, so as to improve our quality of life," Said Senator Malama Solomon. "I look forward to having the opportunity to report back to the community on these matters which impact us all."
Several prominent issues tackled during the 2012 Legislative Session included, geothermal energy development, agriculture development, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs settlement, education, and sustainability
Here is a list of the meetings:
Monday, May 7, 2012; 5:30 p.m.
Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana‘ole Elementary & Intermediate School Cafeteria
27-330 Old Mamalahoa Highway
Papaikou, HI 96781
Tuesday, May 8, 2012; 5:30 p.m.
Honoka‘a High & Intermediate School Cafeteria
45-527 Pakalana Street
Honokaa, HI 96727
Wednesday, May 9, 2012; 5:30 p.m.
Laupahoehoe Public Library
35-2065 Old Mamalahoa Hwy
Laupahoehoe, HI 96764
Thursday, May 10, 2012; 5:30 p.m.
Waimea School Cafeteria
67-1225 Mamalahoa Highway
Kamuela, HI 96743
Monday, May 14, 2012; 5:30 p.m.
North Kohala Library
54-3645 Akoni Pule Highway
Kapaau, HI 96755
Tuesday, May 15, 2012; 5:30 p.m.
NELHA Gateway Center
73-970 Makako Bay Drive
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii
Thursday, May 17, 2012; 5:30 p.m.
Waikoloa Elementary & Middle School
68-1730 Ho‘oko Street
Waikoloa, HI 96738
View the media advisory.
Governor Abercrombie is releasing Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding for the Waimea to Ka‘u areas on the island of Hawaii.
"I would like to thank the Governor for releasing the funding for these much needed projects," said Senator Malama Solomon, who represents District 1, encompassing Waimea, Hamakua, North Hilo, Hilo and Keaukaha. "The projects will greatly impact and improve the lives of our residents who live in the area by providing work and accelerating our economic recovery."
"There are people who are under-employed and unemployed in the trades industry on Hawaii island, and these capital improvement projects will provide jobs that they so urgently need," said Senator Gilbert Kahele, who represents District 2, encompassing Ka‘u, Puna and Hilo.
Here are the following projects receiving funding:
• $1,000,000 Waimea Hydropower Plant: install a hydropower plant in the Waimea Irrigation System
• $874,925 Surveillance of Water-Side Threats to Critical Infrastructure at Hilo, Kawaihae, Nawiliwili and Port Allen Harbors: design/build construction for surveillance systems
• $210,000 Hawaii Belt Road Drainage Improvements, Vicinity of Hakalau Bridge: drainage improvements
• $3,200,000 State Lower Hamakua Ditch Watershed Project: land acquisition, design and construction to repair the flumes, ditches, reservoirs, and tunnels
• $300,000 State Lower Hamakua Ditch Watershed Project: construction to repair the flumes, ditches, reservoirs, and tunnels
• $2,000,000 Waimea Transfer Ditch Improvements: construction and improvements
• $4,150,000 Paauilo Rendering Plant and Slaughterhouse: building renovation, infrastructure improvements and equipment replacement
• $113,000 Information and Communication Services Division - Anuenue Radio Sites and Towers: design and construction engineering of Waiakea radio facility
• $2,500,000 Keaau Middle School: additional construction, works of art and equipment of a new classroom building
• $500,000 Ka‘u Irrigation System Improvements: plans and design for improvements, including renovation of the existing water tunnel system in the Ka‘u area
• $284,000 Ka‘u Hospital: installation of solar powered parking lot lights, replacement of hospital doors, renovation of entrance ramps and installation of a wireless repeater for advanced communications
• $4,000,000 University of Hawaii at Hilo Living Learning Community: construction and equipment
• $16,000,000 University of Hawaii at Hilo, Student Housing Developments Phase 1: construction
• $550,000 The Arc of Hilo: construction of the gymnasium
View the media release
Senators Gilbert Kahele and Malama Solomon, along with their colleagues in the Hawaii State Senate, honored Debra Ching Maiava and Ric Maiava of Ken's House of Pancakes in Hilo for being named 2012 Junior Achievement of Hawai‘i Business Hall of Fame Laureates on March 9. They are among four local businesses named to the hall of fame.
Senator Malama Solomon talks about two of her favorite art pieces which are displayed in her office. The works of art include an acrylic on canvas by Carolyn Parrish entitled, "Stormy Day at Coconut Island," and an oil on canvas by Paul Yardley entitled, "North Kauai." The public will be able to view these pieces and other works of art on March 2, 2012 at the 4th Annual Art at the Capitol from 5 - 7 p.m.
Sen. Malama Solomon will begin a five-day Legislative recess with a community update from
5:30-7:30 p.m., Thurs., Feb. 23, 2012 at the Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Plant. Everyone is invited to share their thoughts and concerns about legislative priorities while there is still time to amend bills before First Decking on March 2, and First Crossover on March 8, 2012. (First Decking and First Crossover determine what measures are still "alive" and becoming more fine-tuned in the legislative process.)
The community is invited to discuss any issue of concern, including public education, job creation, watershed protection and related game animal concerns, expediting geothermal and other alternative energy resource development, mortgage relief, taxation, etc. Also up for discussion will be major Capital Improvement Project (CIP) requests and ongoing CIP projects including improvements to Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway, Kawaihae Harbor and agricultural water systems.
Sen. Solomon has invited representatives of several state agencies to participate in a discussion of issues that are high on the 2012 Legislative agenda, including State Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Director Alapaki Nahale‘a, Department of Agriculture Deputy Director Jimmy Nakatani, Department of Transportation's Hawai‘i District Airports Manager Chauncey Wong Yuen, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Robert Lindsey.
Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Plant is a large warehouse co-op run by Waimea's Lalamilo farmers in partnership with the State Department of Agriculture to cool down Waimea-grown vegetables before being shipped to market. It is located on Mamalahoa Highway townside of Lalamilo Farm Lots. The entry to the cooling plant warehouse is almost directly across from the new Ala ‘Ohia Highway (also known as the new Parker Ranch connector road). The cooling plant has large bay entry doors so warm jackets are suggested and hot coffee will be provided.
For more information or to express your thoughts about specific bills, contact Sen. Solomon toll free: 974-4000 Ext. 67335, or email SenSolomon@capitol.hawaii.gov. View the media release
Ten cowboys will be inducted into the Paniolo Hall of Fame at the Hawai‘i Cattlemen's Council Annual Convention on Saturday, November 19, 2011, held at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island. The induction ceremony is scheduled to start at noon.
The Paniolo Hall of Fame was initiated 12 years ago to recognize individuals statewide who have contributed to keeping Hawai‘i's paniolo heritage alive. Including the 2011 inductees, there are 116 members, both living and deceased, in the Paniolo Hall of Fame. Read more...
The Waimea Community Association will hold its monthly town meeting on Thursday, December 1, 2011 at Parker School Theatre, from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
The highlight of the town meeting will be a listening session with the Big Island's State Board of Education (BOE) member Brian DeLima. DeLima is among nine members who were appointed by the Governor to the newly formed BOE earlier this year. Read more...
On October 28, 2011, Senator Malama Solomon (District 1, Waimea, Hamakua, Keaukaha and Hilo) and Senator Clayton Hee (District 23, Kahuku, La‘ie, Ka‘a‘awa, Kane‘ohe) participated in a panel discussion on Act 195, regarding Native Hawaiian recognition by the State of Hawaii.
The event was part of the 52nd Annual Convention of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs (AHCC), which took place from October 24-30.
Senator Malama Solomon (District 1, Waimea, Hamakua, Keaukaha and Hilo) and Senator Clayton Hee (District 23, Kahuku, La‘ie, Ka‘a‘awa, Kane‘ohe) led the charge for the passage of Senate Bill 1520, which subsequently became Act 195 when it was signed into law by Gov. Abercrombie in July.
"This landmark legislation is for the Native Hawaiian people, but it is also of vital importance for all the people of the State of Hawaii," said Sen. Solomon, chief negotiator of the bill.
"This law is one more step, in a journey long overdue, that affirms Native Hawaiians as the first nation of these islands," said Senator Clayton Hee, author of the bill.
Act 195 formally recognizes Native Hawaiian people as "the only indigenous, aboriginal, maoli people of Hawai‘i." In addition to formal recognition by the State of Hawai‘i, the measure also established the Native Hawaiian Roll Call Commission. Members of the commission were appointed by the Governor in September. It is composed of five members, one from each county and one at-large seat. The Commission is tasked with preparing and maintaining a roll of qualified Native Hawaiians as defined by the Act.
Other members of the panel included Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee Colette Machado and former Governor John D. Waihee, III, who is a member of the Native Hawaiian Roll Call Commission. The panel was moderated by former AHCC president H.K. Bruss Keppeler, Esq.
HILO - The Senate Committee on Water, Land and Housing (WLH) Chair Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz and Vice Chair Senator Malama Solomon in partnership with Senator Gilbert Kahele are hosting the Department of Land and Natural Resources' (DLNR) Hawai‘i Island Listening Sessions on Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5, 2011. The DLNR Administration team, including Chairperson William J. Aila, Jr., First Deputy Guy H. Kaulukukui, and Water Deputy Bill M. Tam from Honolulu, is visiting Hawai‘i Island to hear community comments, questions, and concerns regarding topics under the Department's jurisdiction. This is part of a series of DLNR Listening Sessions to be conducted statewide.
"The meetings and site visits that DLNR has been conducting on the neighbor islands have been very successful in helping Senators address community concerns and needs," said Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, who has been attending the talk story sessions.
"Having Chair William Aila and his team visit the Big Island is a great opportunity for them to listen to residents and to see for themselves the pressing needs of our community," said Senator Malama Solomon, who represents District 1, which encompasses Waimea, Hamakua, North Hilo, Keaukaha, and Hilo.
"I look forward to continuing the conversation with Chair William Aila and his DLNR team about finding a solution to the problem the axis deer is posing on the Big Island's agricultural industry," said Senator Gilbert Kahele, who represents District 2, encompassing Ka‘u, Puna and Hilo.
"These listening sessions are purely for the Department to visit with communities and receive feedback on the communities' ideas and concerns relating to the Department's responsibilities," said William J. Aila, Jr., Chairperson of DLNR. "Community participation is essential to caring for our land and natural resources in Hawai‘i."
The DLNR is responsible for managing 1.3 million acres of state land, 3 million acres of state ocean waters, 2 million acres of conservation district lands, our drinking water supply, our fisheries, coral reefs, indigenous and endangered flora and fauna, and all of Hawai‘i's historic and cultural sites. DLNR's management responsibilities are vast and complex, from the mountaintops to three miles seaward of our beautiful coasts. The health of Hawai‘i's environment is integral and directly related to its economy and quality of life.
For more information on DLNR and its divisions, visit www.hawaii.gov/dlnr.
If you are unable to attend but would like to send your comments, questions, and concerns to the DLNR, please e-mail: DLNR2011ListeningSessions@hawaii.gov