To expand the DOE's digital learning pilot statewide, funds are being sought in the 2015-17 fiscal biennium budget and from other sources. The Department briefed a joint session of the education committees to review program results. A video presentation includes comment from Mililani Waena Principal Dale Castro, teachers and students who are using the digital devices supplied to each of the school's students. Read more...
The State Legislature will recognize students, teachers and school administrators during presentation ceremonies at the State Capitol over four days next week (March 17-20). Lawmakers have set aside Education Week for the past few years to honor excellence in teaching and campus leadership as well as student achievements in academics and community service.
Co-sponsors of the week's events are Senator Michelle Kidani, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, and Representative Roy Takumi, House Education Committee Chair.
"Nearly every day we hear about the outstanding accomplishments of students and teachers in our public schools," Senator Kidani said. "They deserve public recognition for their work. This is a very inspiring week for all of us at the Capitol."
Representative Takumi added, "Just last week we learned that Hawaii is one of only a handful of states that earned the highest marks for progress on reforms. The students and teachers we recognize during Education Week are perfect examples of the excellence we are striving to support."
This year's honorees will be recognized with congratulatory certificates from both the Senate and House. The ceremonies are open to the public with gallery seating available in both Chambers. The Senate convenes at 11:30 a.m. each day; the House convenes at noon.
View the news release for a schedule of Education Week's events and awardees.
The State Capitol hosts a public open house this Friday, March 6, beginning at 5:00 p.m. to show off artwork from the State's collection that is exhibited in lawmakers' offices and elsewhere in the building.
Senator Kidani has an unusual photographic art piece in Room 228. Here she talks about the art and the artist:
I joined Senator Maile Shimabukuro (at left) in a visit to Waianae High School in her Senatorial District to learn about the new installation of a photovoltaic air conditioning system in a classroom there. With us are students, WHS administrators and representatives from GreenPath.
Last week, Sen. Michelle Kidani (Chair of the Senate Education Committee) and Sen. Maile Shimabukuro visited Waianae High School to learn about a solar air conditioning unit donated to the school by GreenPath Technologies, Inc. The company installed the unit on one of the school's portables at the request of Sen. Shimabukuro.
The air conditioning unit is "off the grid," and therefore does not increase the school's electricity bill. This is a key factor, since the majority of HI's schools would require power upgrades, and incur large increases in their electricity bills, if they were to install traditional air conditioning.
This donation comes at a time when the DOE has been tasked to study how best to address the problem of hot classrooms. The DOE is working on a school cooling report, which they will release to the Legislature in the coming months.
For more information about solar air conditioning, visit the "Fahrenheit_73" Facebook page, or www.greenpath-tech.com (Note: GreenPath Technologies, Inc. is an SBA certified Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO) Owned 8(a) Small Disadvantaged Business).
For more information about the Department of Education's Heat Abatement (classroom cooling program) visit online at:
www.hawaiipublicschools.org.
Senator Michelle Kidani attended an honors assembly at Mililani Mauka Elementary School today, along with Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui and Jane Foley of the Milken Family Foundation. They were on hand to make the surprise announcement that a Mililani Uka grade K-2 teacher - Jana Fukada - had been selected as the 2014-2015 Milken Educator. The award is equivalent to winning the "Oscar of Teaching," and recognizes Fukada's passionate support of education and her anticipated future contributions to teaching.
View the DOE News Release
National Seat Check Saturday is being held on September 20 on Oahu at Waipio Shopping Center from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) launched Child Passenger Safety Week on Monday, September 15, with a clear message: Let's protect our keiki.
During a news conference at the Hawaii State Capitol, Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui was joined by members of the HDOT, the county police departments, the departments of Health and Education and child passenger safety advocates to reaffirm their commitment to keeping our most vulnerable passengers - our keiki - safe while riding on our roadways. "It's our job to protect our keiki," Lieutenant Governor Tsutsui said. "They rely on us, so select the child passenger restraint that best fits your child and your vehicle. Also, remember to get your car seats checked to ensure they're properly installed, and definitely make sure your keiki are buckled in the right way."
During Child Passenger Safety Week (September 14-20) and throughout the year, Hawaii's child passenger safety technicians are dedicated to helping parents and caregivers learn how to correctly install child safety seats and properly buckle up keiki, whether it's in car seats, booster seats or using the vehicle's seat belts.
"Every 34 seconds in the United States, a child under the age of 13 is involved in a crash," Hawaii Department of Transportation Interim Director Ford Fuchigami said. "Using age- and size-appropriate child restraints is the best way to keep your child safe. We want to caution parents and caregivers not to move their children too quickly out of child safety seats and booster seats."
Hawaii's Child Passenger Restraint Law requires children less than four years of age to ride in a child safety seat. Children four through seven years old must ride in a child passenger restraint or booster seat. Violators are required to appear in court. If convicted, violators are required to attend a four-hour class and may be assessed a penalty of $100-$500.
However, just because a child has reached the age of seven doesn't necessarily mean that he or she is ready to move out of a booster seat. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 24 percent of children ages four through seven were prematurely moved to seat belts, and nine percent were unrestrained altogether.
Parents and caregivers can get their seats checked this weekend at free events in all four counties, as part of "National Seat Check Saturday." The inspections are conducted by certified child passenger safety technicians who have been trained to provide instruction on how to choose the right car seats, how to install them and how to use them correctly. Hawaii has more than 150 certified technicians from all walks of life, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, medical professionals and parents - all with the same passion and goal, keeping our keiki as safe as possible while riding on our roadways.
National Seat Check Saturday is being held on September 20 at the following locations and times:
Oahu: Waipio Shopping Center, Waipahu | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Maui: Maui Marketplace, Kahului | 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Kauai: Walmart, Lihue | 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hawaii: Central Fire Station, Pahoa Fire Station, Waikoloa Fire Station, Waimea Fire Station, Pahala Fire Station, Kailua Fire Station | 10 a.m. to noon
All parents and caregivers are invited to attend these free events. Child Passenger Safety Week is sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. For more information on child car safety, as well as how to find other car seat check events, visit the Keiki Injury Prevention Coalition (KIPC) Hawaii website at www.kipchawaii.org or www.safercar.gov/parents.
Senator Michelle Kidani will present a $3,000 scholarship check from the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislatures (NHCSL) and a congratulatory certificate from the State Senate to Isis Usborne, a Mililani High School valedictorian from the class of 2014, at the Lieutenant Governor's office, 5th floor, State Capitol, on Wednesday, August 27, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. Isis will use the $3,000 grant to help with tuition and expenses as she enrolls at UH Manoa for the fall semester.
Isis is one of only 11 students nationwide selected for this award. Applications for the award are accepted from high school seniors of Hispanic ethnicity who attend schools in legislative districts represented by state lawmakers who are also of Hispanic descent. Sen. Kidani, who is of Puerto Rican descent, represents District 18 in which Mililani High School is located. The school also serves students and families in the adjacent District 22, represented by Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, also of Puerto Rican descent. Both Senators are active members of the National Hispanic Caucus.
The John S. Martinez Closing the Achievement Gap Scholarship was created in memory of the late Connecticut State Representative and former NHCSL President John S. Martinez to recognize the values most important to him - leadership, innovation, compassion and public service.
A Mililani High School graduate is one of just eleven students from across the U.S. selected to receive a college scholarship award from the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislatures (NHCSL).
Isis Usborne, a valedictorian from the MHS Class of 2014, will use the $3,000 grant to help with tuition and expenses as she enrolls at UH Manoa for the fall semester. The John S. Martinez Closing the Achievement Gap Scholarship was created in memory of the late Connecticut State Representative and former NHCSL President John S. Martinez to recognize the values most important to him - leadership, innovation, compassion and public service.
Applications for the award are accepted from high school seniors of Hispanic ethnicity who attend schools in legislative districts represented by state lawmakers who are also of Hispanic descent. Mililani High School is located in Senate District 18, represented by Senator Michelle Kidani who is of Puerto Rican descent. The school also serves students and families in the adjacent District 22, represented by Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, also of Puerto Rican descent. Both Senators are active members of the National Hispanic Caucus.
"Mililani is a diverse community where we celebrate and share each other's heritage," Senator Kidani said. "I encourage Hispanic students in my district to apply for this prestigious award each year, and we are so pleased to congratulate Isis for her outstanding accomplishments that easily qualified her for the Martinez scholarship."
Isis has displayed admirable leadership, academic excellence and a passionate commitment to community. She was a Valedictorian in her graduating class with a 4.089 GPA - achieved while successfully completing six Advanced Placement classes. She received multiple honors for her academic work, including awards at district and state science and engineering fairs, and as a member of the Mililani High School We the People constitutional studies team that travelled to Washington, D.C. for national competitive events.
In her community, Isis has been a legislative intern and participated in numerous service activities - including tutoring and mentoring fellow students, campus beautification programs and events to promote health and environmental awareness. "Students like Isis who are high achievers always have a terrific support team behind them," Senator Kidani added. "We are grateful to her dedicated teachers and mentors at Mililani High School and to her family and friends who have been with her through the last four years."
Senators Donovan Dela Cruz and Michelle Kidani have scheduled a town hall meeting for concerned Mililani residents to discuss how the community can work together with city and state agencies to stop the spread of Little Fire Ants (LFA). The meeting will be held on Monday, July 14 from 7-9 p.m. at Mililani Mauka Elementary School Cafeteria. Agencies invited to the meeting are the Dept. of Agriculture, the Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, the Dept. of Health, the Invasive Species and Council.
The Dept. of Agriculture last week confirmed that at least eight homes on Auina St. in Mililani Mauka are positive for LFA and the infestation has spread to the gulch.
"We wanted to take swift action and bring our community together," said Sen. Kidani. "The best way for us to control the spread of the Little Fire Ants is to educate the public on how to detect and treat infestations."
The LFA is considered the world's most invasive species. It has been found on Hawaii Island since 1999 and in December 2013 was detected on hapuu logs (Hawaiian fern) on Maui and Oahu. More recently, six acres in Waimanalo has been treated after detection of LFA.
"We also want to give the community an opportunity to ask questions and share concerns," added Sen. Dela Cruz. "With this being residential areas, it's a serious discovery, and surely triggers a lot of fear and questions in people. The meeting is intended to bring awareness and set a community effort in motion to help the state combat Little Fire Ants."
The public should report concerns of LFA infestation at the toll-free PEST HOTLINE at 643-PEST (7378).
For questions about the town hall meeting, please call Sen. Dela Cruz at 586-6090 or Sen. Kidani at 586-7100.
_REV.jpg "Click to view an informational flyer on how to test for Little Fire Ants")
(Click the image to view a flyer on how to test for Little Fire Ants.)
Good News!
Our long-awaited Kamehameha Highway resurfacing project between Ka Uka Boulevard and Waihau Street was scheduled to get underway on Monday, June 23.
View the flyer from Department of Transportation for more details.
Trying to get around on Oahu's streets and highways "driving" you crazy?
Major rehab work along H-1, rail construction along Farrington Highway, the rail route crossing over H-1/H-2 and onto Kamehameha Highway, and street paving in our neighborhoods are all underway at the same time - causing traffic headaches for hundreds of drivers. While these projects had all been worked out on a coordinated schedule, weather-related and other delays have meant adjustments in the construction plans that further complicate driving from one place to another almost daily.
Here's where you can find information and even subscribe to email alerts that might make your commute or other drive times easier:
• State DOT - http://hidot.hawaii.gov/ or call 586-2170
• Rail rapid transit - http://www.honolulutransit.org/traffic-updates or call 566-2299
• City street repaving - http://www.honolulu.gov - Road repaving update - or call 768-9311
Better . . . and better looking!
Area residents are taking notice of the new "pleasant green color" anti-graffiti paint on roadside walls along the northbound lanes of Kamehameha Highway in Waipio. I included funding for this project in the State budget and it has had the desired effect - much better looking walls, and a deterrent to taggers.
The Star Advertiser's Kokua Line columnist recently quoted several motorists who passed along a big mahalo to the Department of Transportation for applying the clear-coat, water-repellant surface, and for cleanup crews who are able to scrub away graffiti much more easily.
The DOT welcomes volunteer cleanup crews to assist State workers. Call them at 831-6714 to make arrangements - the DOT can provide supplies and coordinate schedules.
The Hawaii State Senate today honored one of its longest continuously serving members of its body for having devoted more than half his life to representing residents of Pearl City and Aiea.
Lawmakers presented Sen. David Ige, who has chosen not to seek re-election to his Senate seat, with a certificate of appreciation commending his service to the state of Hawaii.
"The legislature has been fortunate to have a visionary leader such as Senator Ige," said Senate President Donna Mercado Kim. "He has brought two decades of skilled experience and insight that has allowed us to fulfill our goals at its highest potential."
"It's been an honor to work side-by-side with Sen. Ige," said Sen. Michelle Kidani, vice chair of the Ways and Means Committee. "He's a devoted public servant, and Hawaii is better today because of his leadership. We wish him and his family all the best."
Sen. Kidani offered up the certificate on behalf of the Hawaii State Senate:
"The Senate is pleased to recognize Hawaii residents for their service in the public interest and exceptional leadership over a sustained period of years. In this spirit, the Senate commends a member of this body - Senator David Y. Ige - for having devoted more than half his life to representing residents of Pearl City and Aiea as a member of the State Legislature.
David Ige was appointed by Governor George Ariyoshi to a vacant seat in the House of Representatives in December, 1985, at the age of 28. He took his seat in the session of the Thirteenth Legislature that convened on his 29th birthday, January 15, 1986.
David and his colleagues, Les Ihara, Jr., and Brian Taniguchi, were elected to the Senate in 1994, and today the three of them are the longest continuously serving members of this body. For that kind of endurance alone, they warrant commendation.
David's 20-year tenure in the Senate has been marked by thoughtful, intelligent, insightful and forward-thinking policy proposals that have always sought to build solid foundations for a better Hawaii. His well-recognized ability to understand the big picture implications of decisions for which we are responsible as elected officials has contributed to his effectiveness as a leader among us. We are so fortunate to have benefitted from his wisdom and counsel.
Now, David has chosen not to seek re-election to his Senate seat. He will leave behind a distinguished record of accomplishments and accolades too numerous to recite. However, we do acknowledge his key role in supporting public education through increased funding, allowing more autonomy and fiscal flexibility, and authoring the first laws creating charter schools.
We note his authorship of the Hawaii Telecommunications and Information Industries Act. We are grateful for his focus on transforming the Legislature to make government more accessible that has made this body a national leader in electronic accessibility. In 2010, to recognize his leadership on the Senate's paperless initiative, David was awarded the National Association of State Chief Information Officers State Technology Innovator Award.
In more recent years, we cannot help but stand in awe of his grasp of the State budget and the process by which it is formulated under his leadership as Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means.
Like most of his colleagues, David works in the private sector. He is a successful electrical engineer and project manager with a 34-year career devoted to information technology, telecommunications, networks and responsible public communication policy. He served with distinction for more than 18 years as an engineer at GTE Hawaiian Tel.
Literally closer to home, the Senator is a devoted husband to his wife Dawn and a loving father to their three children, Lauren, Amy and Matthew. They have provided unquestioned, loyal support and encouragement to David as he has pursued his professional and public service careers.
The Senate of the Twenty-seventh Hawaii State Legislature, Regular Session of 2014, commends Senator David Y. Ige for his tireless commitment to improving the lives of all Hawaii residents. With sincere gratitude, the Senate further extends warmest Aloha and best wishes to our departing colleague, with the wish for good health and much success in life beyond legislating."
Senator Michelle Kidani will host an open forum Town Hall Meeting for District 18 residents to learn more about the Emergency Medical Services Command Center and ambulance facility to be built in Waipio. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 2, at Kanoelani Elementary School beginning at 7:00 p.m.
To read more, click here to view the news release.
Senators Donovan Dela Cruz and Michelle Kidani this session have proposed a resolution calling for the state to establish a public safety technology campus and cyber security command center in order to ensure access to public safety services during a natural disaster.
The resolution asks the Department of Accounting and General Service and the Chief Information Officer to look into developing a plan to relocate public safety facilities located within and nearby inundation zones to a centralized non-inundation zone area that will provide direct access to highways and be in convenient proximity to hospital and military services assistance. It also recommends changes to the current organization of Hawaii's data centers, which are not fulfilling the capacity, reliability and security needs of various departments.
"Our public safety facilities are old and located in inundation zones. We need to upgrade these facilities and move them to a central location that doesn't run the risk of flooding," said Sen. Dela Cruz. "During a major disaster like Hurricane Katrina and Sandy, the way our public safety facilities are established now, critical systems could be unavailable for months."
"Hawaii's current data center environment, comprised of 30 low quality data centers, is poorly secured, monitored and completely unstaffed 65 percent of the time exposing the state to major physical and cyber security breaches," added Kidani. "We have to do better with our technology infrastructure and build a permanent data center for heightened data security."
Recommended as a prime location for a new, consolidated public safety technology campus and cyber security command center facility is 150 acres of land for sale in central Oahu. The lands provide geographic diversity, being far enough from the coastline and in close proximity to major highways.
The data command center would include 8,000 to 10,000 square feet for a computer room with 250 racks, an electric power load of two megawatts for information technology equipment, and a tier 3 reliability rating. Ten acres would be dedicated for an innovation and research facility, 40 acres for a sheriff facility, and an unspecified number of acres for facilities housing city, state and federal public safety agencies.
Congratulations to the participating students of the Leeward District Science & Engineering Fair for their hard work on such impressive projects. On Wednesday, February 26th, students were given awards for their achivements at Leeward Community College.
Maria Andrea Jurado was awarded 1st place for her chemistry project, which aimed to develop a molecule to combat cancer.
Senator Kidani and Senator Donovan Dela Cruz took a tour of Larry Jeft's farm last month in Kunia.
They were able to discuss Larry's attempt to keep veggies as inexpensive as possible in order for Hawaiian consumers to be able to afford fresh and local vegetables.
However, the issue arose that the Waiahole irrigation ditch and tunnel system, which transports water from the Windward side of the island to farms in central Oahu, requires maintenance. Depite the fact that funding for this maintenance was included in the State Budget a few years ago, the State Department of Agriculture has not yet started work. Senator Kidani is now working with the director of the Department to ensure that the funding does not lapse or that the money is not re-authorized.
Our support goes out to commercial farmers such as Larry and encourage them to continue their efforts of providing affordable produce to Hawaiian customers.
The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) announced that they are now accepting applications for the John S. Martinez Leadership Scholarship. NHCSL will award scholarships to eleven Hispanic public high school students that reside in the district of a Hispanic State Legislator.
Senators Donovan Dela Cruz (District 22 - Mililani Mauka, Waipi‘o Acres, Wheeler, Wahiawa, Whitmore Village, portion of Poamoho) and Michelle Kidani (District 18 - Mililani Town, portion of Waipi‘o Gentry, Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia), both of Hispanic descent, are encouraging students living in their districts to apply. Each recipient will be awarded a one-time $3,000 scholarship upon graduating high school and admittance into a college or university. They will also have an opportunity to meet their lawmaker and be recognized in the community for educational excellence.
"We have a plethora of promising leaders attending our Hawaii high schools," said Sen. Kidani. "They diligently work hard day after day on their studies while participating in a variety of extra-curricular activities including giving back to their community."
"Everyone should be afforded the opportunity for higher education, and scholarships like this make it possible," added Sen. Dela Cruz. "This scholarship gives students the resources necessary to achieve their academic goals. We encourage all junior and senior students who meet the requirements and are attending high school in our districts to submit an application."
To be eligible for the NHCSL John S. Martinez Leadership Scholarship, each student must be Hispanic or of Hispanic descent, a U.S. legal resident, have a 3.0 or higher grade point average, a junior or senior enrolled in a high school in Senate District 18 or 22, nominated by the school principal, teacher, guidance counselor or lawmaker, and submit an application packet.
For more information and/or to submit an application, students should visit www.nhcsl.org. The deadline for applications is March 15, 2014.
Honolulu Civil Beat The new high school slated for Kihei, Maui, is on track to being named after the late Hawaii Congresswoman Patsy Mink.
The bill proposing the designation was introduced by Sen. Michelle Kidani last Friday and promptly signed by all 25 members of the Senate - unanimous support that was highlighted in a press release today. Senate Bill 2446 is one of 10 bills being introduced as part of the Women's Caucus legislative package.
Continue reading the article on Honolulu Civil Beat.
I was deeply honored to be invited to deliver the keynote address at the December 2013 commencement ceremonies at UH West Oahu's Kapolei Campus.
These occasions mark a milestone in the lives of these individual grads. But each of these events is also a true milestone for this new campus as enrollment now surpasses 2,400 students and the numbers of those who have earned their degrees and certificates increase - by about 26 percent over last year's numbers.
I maintain my firm support for this campus as a true focal point and source of great pride for our Central and West Oahu students.
My colleague, Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, and I were pleased to co-chair the 8th Annual National Conference of the Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs (BHCC) in early December. The conference was a four day summit bringing together legislative leaders from across the country. The event was the largest annual conference to date for the organization.
Conference meetings included a mix of policy sessions covering a wide array of areas: health care, fiscal policy and state budgets, public education reforms, land development, natural resources, energy and other issues. Hawaii benefits from conferences such as this where we can share best practices and hear the perspectives of state legislators who face the same challenges we do here in the islands.
The last two months have been busy and filled with site visits, conference travel and opportunities for visits to many of my district sites and organizations. Here is a short recap...
Pali Momi Medical Center
I was invited to tour the Hui Malama Kako‘o cancer support Group at Pali Momi Medical Center by one of the Center's founders - Waipio Valley resident Barbara "Pua" Iuli. The Center offers patients and family members the opportunity to learn from others' experience, exchange information and resources.
Mililani Homecoming 2013
It's always an honor to be invited to ride in the Mililani High School Homecoming Parade and to celebrate Trojan Pride during the MHS football homecoming game.
Waipahu Homecoming 2013
The Waipahu cheer team and the Marauder mascot invited me to join them for a photo session at the WHS homecoming football game.
Congratulations to the Mililani Pinto All-Stars of the Central Oahu Youth Baseball League for their summer to remember. Team members were selected by League coaches who screened more than 250 players following the regular season.
The All-Stars won the First Annual Zone Tournament in late May and the Mililani Goodwill Tournament two weeks later. They travelled to Kona for the State Pinto Tournament, and went undefeated in five games, ultimately emerging as State Champions. After the State Tournament, Mililani played in the prestigious Kalanianaole Athletic Club Tournament, finishing with a 3-0 record in pool play, advancing to the following week's gold bracket division, losing only in its last game to Wai Kahala "A" in a close 8-7 finale.
While the individual efforts all contributed to the remarkable season, this kind of success is also a tribute to the encouragement and support of coaches and families.
A big Mahalo for the team's hard work and warmest Aloha to everyone who had a part in this winning season.
Investing in Hawaii's Future: Senate District 18 Projects
$7.9 million for school construction
Waipahu High:
• $5.5 Million design and construction for athletic field turf, & all-weather 8-lane track
• $8 Million for retaining wall behind the school
Waikele Elementary:
• $500,000 to expand cafeteria to add a performing arts stage
• $300,00 (FY2015) for digital media and library expansion
Kanoelani Elementary: $475,000 portable classroom building
Mililani Waena Elementary: $325,000air conditioning equipment
Mililani Middle: $300,000 resurface parking lot
$7.28 million for road and highways
Kamehameha Highway: $4 Million resurfacing and installation of lighting, Lumiauau St. to Lanikuhana Ave.
H-1 Waikele: $1.5 Million repaving of on and off ramps
Kipapa Stream (Roosevelt) Bridge: $1 Million rehabilitation or replacement
H-1 Kunia Interchange: $780,000 interchange and approaches improvements
Senator Kidani welcomed Hanalani School senior Chelsea Robinson of Mililani to recognize her selection as the 2013 Distinguished Young Woman of Hawaii. Formerly known as the Junior Miss program, the competition honors high school seniors from each state who demonstrate excellence in academics and exemplary service to their schools and communities. Chelsea will head to the national competition in Mobile, Alabama, this summer and plans to use her full scholarship to Hawaii Pacific University.
Waikele Elementary School's Student Leadership Team conducted surveys about the effects of school bus transportation cuts this year and sent the results to Senator Kidani. Grateful for their involvement, the Senator personal met with the students and also invited Ray L'Heureux, Department of Education, to explain what is being done to restore bus service in their neighborhoods. "They made us feel special!" commented one student.
Kudos to Mililani High School the 583 graduates of the Class of 2013 who hit a record $12.4 million in scholarship grants for post-secondary education and training in its 40th year. MHS was selected for bronze medal recognition as one of the eleven best public high schools in Hawaii by U.S. News & World Report. This was especially meaningful for new Principal Fred Murphy, who assumed the top job at his alma mater this year. He's a proud graduate of the MHS Class of 1988.
The nearly 600 seniors in Waipahu High School's graduating class proudly celebrated the school's 75th anniversary as one of Hawaii's legacy public school campuses this year. The Class of 2013 qualified for more than $11 million in merit-based scholarships. As the school year ended, Principal Keith Hayashi was honored with the Masayuki Tokioka Foundation Award for Excellence in School Leadership, with a cash prize that he plans to re-invest in Waipahu's highly successful Career Pathways and College Readiness programs.
Kidani presents awards to elementary school students:
Each year, Senator Kidani asks each of the elementary schools in her district to select two outstanding 5th or 6th grade students for special recognition. This award is selected by the teachers of the "graduating" class as they move on to their Middle schools.
The Senator awards them with gift cards (with the suggestion that they stock up on summer reading materials!) and Certificates of Congratulations from the Hawaii State Senate. Congratulations to this year's honorees!
Please click here to view the June newsletter and to see the students for 2013!
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.
Copies of my February 2012 Neighborhood Board Reports are now online. Please see the "Documents and Links" section on the left side of the page.
Yesterday, the Hawaii State Senate voted on the Invest in Hawaii Act of 2012. The bill was passed with unanimous support from the whole chamber, with senators from each of the counties and from both parties speaking in favor of the bill on the Senate floor. SB2012 now moves into the House for their consideration, and my colleagues and I ask them to act as quickly on the bill as we in the Senate have.
Click here for a video of Senator Kidani's floor speech on SB2012.
Click here for the text of Senator Kidani's floor speech on SB2012.
The Mililani Mauka Neighborhood Board (No. 35) will be meeting tonight (Feb. 21) at 7:00 PM, in the Mililani Mauka Elementary School cafeteria (95-1111 Makaikai Street). Click here to see the agenda. The board will be honoring the outgoing commander of the Hawaii National Guard's 29th Infantry Brigade, Keith Tamashiro, who is also a member of the Mililani Mauka board.
The Mililani/Waipio/Melemanu Neighborhood Board (No. 25) will be meeting tomorrow night (Feb. 22) at 7:30 PM, in Mililani Town Recreation Center III (95-281 Kaloapau Street). Click here to see the agenda. Wayland Baptist University, which recently opened a new campus in Mililani, will be giving an introductory presentation. The board will also be honoring the late former State Representative Sam Lee, who passed away on February 10. There will be a public forum with myself and other Mililani-area state legislators about bills and issues being considered by the Hawaii State Legislature this year.
The Waipahu Neighborhood Board (No. 22) will be meeting Thursday night (Feb. 23) at 7:00 PM, in the Filipino Community Center (94-428 Mokuola Street). Click here to see the agenda. The board will be honoring Waipahu resident Tevita Apina (also known by his stage name Hikariyama Torao), winner of the KZOO Radio Karaoke Contest. Mr. Apina will be travelling to Japan in May to appear in the NAK - Nippon Amateur Kaiosai Grand Prix karaoke competition.
Last week Friday (February 10), the Senate Ways and Means Committee (responsible for overseeing bills involving the State's fiscal matters) voted unanimously to pass SB2012, also known as the Invest in Hawaii Act of 2012. The bill allocates $500 million from state bond sales to pay for repair and maintenance projects at state facilities, taking advantage of historic lows in bond interest rates while providing jobs to the state's construction industry. The bill includes $150 million for projects at state public schools, $90 million for the University of Hawaii's Manoa and Hilo campuses, and $60 million for facilities maintained by the Department of Accounting and General Services.
Video of comments by Senator Kidani
Senate Majority press release
We're currently 3 weeks into the 15 weeks of this year's legislative session, with the First Lateral deadline coming up this Friday. All bills that are not ready to be heard by the final committee referred to will die on that date.
The following are some of the bills that I have introduced that are making progress (links go to the bill's status page):
• SB226 (Provides that the county may impound vehicles used in the commission of street prostitution in specified zones as established by the counties.)
• SB2484 (Authorizes a state income tax credit for certain expenses paid or incurred by a school teacher during the taxable year (SD1).)
• SB3054 (Requires a financial and management audit of department of public safety commissary operations and out-of-state commissaries where Hawaii inmates are confined.)
The Senate also honored Mililani resident Scott Kaneshiro last Wednesday (February 8) for his winning design for Hormel Foods' special Hawaii Edition SPAM can label. (Click here for a Civil Beat article.)
Yesterday, the State Senate and the State House passed two bills that were carried over from the 2011 session, SB239 and SB809. SB239 allocates money from the Hawaii tobacco settlement fund to the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) under the University of Hawaii, to ensure it can continue to educate and train future medical doctors. SB809 authorizes the University of Hawaii to issue $100 million in bonds to pay for construction and repair projects across UH system campuses. (The bonds will be paid for with revenue generated by UH such as tuition, dorm rent income, and parking fees.)
Click here to view the Senate Majority press release
Click here to view a video of the press interview
This year's Hawaii Children and Youth Day will be this Sunday, October 2, at the State Capitol District in town. Events will be held at the Hawaii State Capitol and elsewhere in honor of Hawaii's children. The website for this event is at http://www.hawaiicyd.org.
The Mililani/Waipio/Melemanu Neighborhood Board (No. 25) will be meeting Wednesday, September 28, 7:30 PM at Mililani Recreation Center III (95-281 Kaloapau Street). The meeting agenda is available at http://www1.honolulu.gov/nco/nb25/11/25sepag.htm.
All neighborhood board reports and news letters from May through September are now online and available in the "Documents and Links" section.
I will also be attending an informational town hall meeting held by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation about the rail project at Kapolei Hale (1000 Uluohia Street) on Tuesday, September 27, 6:00 PM. If you are unable to attend this meeting, HART will host another meeting on Thursday, September 29, 6:00 PM at the Highlands Intermediate School cafeteria (1460 Hoolaulea Street, Pearl City). A flyer with meeting information and other meeting locations and times is available at http://honolulutransit.org/media/25821/2011railtownhallflyer.pdf.
The Mililani Town Association will be sponsoring "National Make A Difference Day" on Saturday, October 22. Activities include painting out graffiti, collecting canned food donations for the Hawaii Food Bank, and collecting recyclables in conjunction with Aloha Aina Earth Day. People interested in volunteering can contact the MTA at 623-7300 to sign up.
The Mililani/Waipio/Melemanu Neighborhood Board (No. 25) will recess for the month of April; the next meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 25, 2011.
The Waipahu Neighborhood Board (No. 22) will be meeting this Thursday, April 28, 7:00 PM at the Filipino Community Center (94-428 Mokuola Street). The meeting agenda is available at http://www1.honolulu.gov/nco/nb22/11/22aprag.htm .
I would also like to extend my aloha and congratulations to the nine new appointed members of the Board of Education that were confirmed by the State Senate yesterday. Their presence brings a new wave of optimism to our teachers and students wanting fresh leadership for their schools.
The Mililani Mauka Neighborhood Board (No. 35) will be meeting next Tuesday, April 19, 7:00 PM at the Mililani Mauka Elementary School cafeteria (95-1111 Makaikai Street). The meeting agenda is available at http://www1.honolulu.gov/nco/nb35/11/35aprag.htm .
All bills in the Legislature that are still alive for this year have passed Third Reading in both chambers. Most bills (where the House and the Senate passed differing versions) will now go to a conference committee, where members of the House and Senate negotiate a final version to be passed and sent to the Governor. Bills where the both chambers have already agreed on a final version will be sent directly to the Governor. Information on all bills in the 2011 session is available at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2011/.
My March 2011 Neighborhood Board reports for Waipahu and Mililani are now online. Please see the Documents and Links section to view them.
SB172 (Fireworks Labeling; Importation; Permit Revocation or Suspension): Scheduled to be heard by the House Judiciary Committee (JUD) on Tuesday, 3/22.
SB224 (Lupus Working Group): Referred to the House Health Committee (HLT), hearing TBA.
SB640 (Wireless Enhanced 911 Fund): Deferred indefinitely by the House Public Safety and Military Affairs Committee (PBM) on 3/17.
SB643 (Excessive Speeding; Repeat Offender; Forfeiture of Vehicle): Deferred indefinitely by the House Transportation Committee (TRN) on 3/16.
SB1197 (Schools; Alternative Energy Design): Referred to the House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee (EEP), hearing TBA.
SB1375 (Instructional Days; Multi Track Public Schools): Passed by the House Education Committee (EDN) with amendments on 3/16, now pending Second Reading and referral to the House Finance Committee (FIN).
Information on all bills in the 2011 session is available at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2011/.
The Mililani/Waipio/Melemanu Neighborhood Board (No. 25) will be meeting next Wednesday, March 23, 7:30 PM at MTA Recreation Center III (95-281 Kaloapau Street). The meeting agenda is available at http://www1.honolulu.gov/nco/nb25/11/25marag.htm/ .
The Waipahu Neighborhood Board (No. 22) will be meeting next Thursday, March 24, 7:00 PM at the Filipino Community Center (94-428 Mokuola Street). The meeting agenda is available at http://www1.honolulu.gov/nco/nb22/11/22marag.htm.
I will be present at both meetings, so please come if you have any questions or comments you would like to present to me.
SB172 (Fireworks Labeling; Importation; Permit Revocation or Suspension): Passed by the Judiciary and Labor committee (JDL) on 2/25 with amendments.
SB224 (Lupus Working Group): Passed by the Ways and Means committee (WAM) with amendments on 2/24.
SB640 (Wireless Enhanced 911 Fund): Passed by WAM with amendments on 2/24.
SB643 (Excessive Speeding; Repeat Offender; Forfeiture of Vehicle): Deferred by JDL to 3/1.
SB1197 (Schools; Alternative Energy Design): Passed by WAM with amendments on 2/24.
SB1375 (Instructional Days; Multi Track Public Schools): Passed by WAM with amendments on 2/24.
October 2010 - "Aloha! With the 2011 Legislative session just months away, my staff and I have been researching and preparing several pieces of legislation I plan to introduce: Bullying and cyber-bullying: Establish civil penalties for bullying and require anti-bullying policies in public schools...." -Senator Kidani
September 2010 - Aloha! It has been a busy few weeks at the Capitol. I was recently appointed as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs and we have begun our Illegal Fireworks Task Force meetings. Ways and Means Committee held several meetings during this interim, focusing on DOT.... -Senator Kidani
May 2010 - "Aloha! The 2010 legislative session adjourned on April 29. I've summarized key bills that the Legislature passed beginning on page 2. Unless indicated with an Act number, the bill is still under consideration by Governor Lingle and may still be vetoed. View a full list of all the bills passed..." -Senator Kidani