Senator Rosalyn Baker Member Feed

May 2015 Newsletter

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MAUI SENATORS WANT MORE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ON WASTEWATER SYSTEMS POLICY CHANGES PROPOSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

With more than 77,000 cesspools, neighbor islands will be largely impacted

Sen. Roz Baker (District 6 - South and West Maui) has asked the Department of Health (DOH) to hold public hearings on the neighbor islands on proposed wastewater management policy changes, and to provide more time for meaningful comment. The changes will affect more than 77,000 homeowners on the neighbor islands and 11,000 on Oahu.

The proposed changes include prohibiting the installation of new cesspools and requiring sewer connections or upgrades of existing cesspools to a septic tank within 180 days after the sale of a property.

"There is no doubt in my mind that septic tanks are better than cesspools," said Sen. Baker. "However, the department should have been working with the community on a plan that could be supported. I also greatly appreciate DOH wanting to protect groundwater resources by reducing the number of cesspools in the state, but using the administrative rules process rather than actively engaging the affected communities is not the best approach. I would prefer a carrot rather than stick approach to give our community members a genuine voice in any proposal."

DOH has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, October 2 on Oahu where only about 12 percent of all cesspools in the state are located. Video conferencing is also being made available on Kauai, Hawaii Island and Maui. Residents affected on Molokai, which has over 1,400 cesspools, will not be able to participate in the video conferencing.

In a letter addressed to Director Linda M. Rosen, she has asked DOH to hold public hearings on all neighbor islands, especially on Molokai where access to video conferencing is not available.

"There could be a lot of unintended consequences with these policy changes," said Sen. Baker, "such as

Hawaii Women's Legislative Caucus calls for accountability of HPD in extreme domestic violence case involving its officers

Following the public release of a surveillance video showing a Honolulu Police Department (HPD) sergeant allegedly brutally beating his girlfriend in a Waipahu restaurant, the Hawaii Women's State Legislative Caucus and the three women members of the Honolulu City Council are calling on HPD to explain its policies and procedures for handling criminal actions involving its own officers and how the failure to act that occurred earlier this week is not repeated.

According to reports, HPD officers responding to the scene did not arrest the sergeant, nor did they file any reports of the incident that night. It was only on the following day, after a citizen provided HPD and the press with the surveillance video, that HPD took action to remove the sergeant of his police powers and begin an internal investigation into the incident, according to a Hawaii News Now report.

The Joint Women's Legislative Caucus and City Council members released the following statement:

"We are calling for a meeting with the Chief of Police, followed by an informational briefing with the Honolulu Police Department and Police Commission. The public has a right to know the department's policies and procedures for response to domestic violence or any other crimes when the offender is a police officer, particularly one who serves in a supervisory role.

"HPD officials must explain to the public why the alleged assailant was not charged and arrested given evidence of probable cause, including multiple witnesses who had to come to the woman's aide and a video surveillance depicting the appalling domestic violence assault.

"It is absolutely unacceptable that HPD officers chose not to enforce our domestic violence laws. The fact that the woman denied the incident is to be expected under the circumstances. Indeed, the responding officers' failure to take action clearly communicated that her safety will not be prote

$19.5 MILLION PROTECTS LIPOA POINT FROM DEVELOPMENT
Sen. Roz Baker today applauded the administration's release of $19.5 million specified by the Legislature for the acquisition of Lipoa Point at Honolua in West Maui. The land will be preserved as conservation land in perpetuity.

During the 2013 session at the behest of Sen. Baker and Rep. Angus McKelvey, lawmakers passed a bill (HB 1424, Act 241, SLH2013) for the acquisition of lands at Honolua Bay with the intent of protecting it from future development. In January 2014, $500, 000 was released to support activities supporting the land acquisition including title search, property appraisal and boundary surveys.

"Release of these funds means that the State is moving forward with purchasing acreage at Lipoa Point," said Baker. "Rep. McKelvey and I fought to get the Legislature to include $20 million in its budget to fund this acquisition. These are pristine lands threatened by development. As stewards of the aina, we had to make every effort to protect our natural resources for future generations."

"Mahalo to the Governor for recognizing the importance of the timely acquisition of this precious resource to be preserved as conservation land in perpetuity," added Baker. "And congratulations to all who advocated and stood with us to protect Lipoa Point."

2014 End of Session Newsletter
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KIHEI LIBRARY TO RECEIVE $400,000 FOR AIR CONDITIONING REPLACEMENT
Sen. Roz Baker, who represents District 6 - South and West Maui, is pleased to announce that funding identified by the Legislature for a new air conditioning system at Kihei Public Library has been released by the administration. The library will receive $400,000 for construction.

"Improving the conditions of community infrastructure which supports education and literacy is part of the legislature's commitment to the people of Hawaii and my commitment to the people of Kihei," said Baker. "Once construction on replacing the air conditioning is completed, families will have a betterexperience when they go to Kihei Public Library. In addition, modernizing our air conditioning systems brings us up-to-date with energy efficiency. We will see less energy used and more money saved. Air condition for Kihei Public Library and other construction projects identified by my colleagues and I willalso help revitalize our economy by creating jobs that will get our people back to work."

Baker will keep the community informed of the start and timeline of construction as they become known.

Community members are encouraged to contact her at 808-586-6070 or senbaker@capitol.hawaii.gov should questions arise.

In the Community

Senator Baker and Rep. Angus McKelvey honoring the dedicated tutors of the Lahaina Complex Tutor Program. Founders Pat and Richard Endsley and the volunteer tutors in reading and math make such a difference for our keiki by helping them improve their skills.

STATEMENT FROM MAUI SENATORS ON $305.5 MILLION FOR NEW CAR RENTAL FACILITY AT KAHULUI AIRPORT
Maui's Kahului Airport will receive $305,500,000 in capital improvement projects (CIP) funding appropriated by the legislature. Governor Neil Abercrombie released funds for the construction of a new multi-level consolidated car rental facility and roadway improvements at Kahului Airport.

The car rental facility will include a customer service building, quick turnaround, ready return vehicle parking spaces, four 15,000-gallon fuel storage tanks, a people mover system to and from the terminal, site improvements, roadway connections to airport terminal roadways, additional employee parking spaces and potential flat-plate, non-reflective photovoltaic panels. A new access road to the facility will run from Hana Highway to Airport Loop Road.

"Residents and visitors alike will see improvements in customer service as the new car rental facility will streamline the car rental process," said Senator Roz Baker, who represents South and West Maui. "Airport modernization is good for Maui and the State, and projects like this will certainly improve our tourism industry."

"Right now customers have to drive through the terminal roadway system to get to the existing rental car facilities, causing congestion in front of the terminals," said Senator J. Kalani English, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, who represents Hāna, east and upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lana‘i and Kaho‘olawe. "A new access road from Hana Highway to Airport Loop will help to alleviate traffic congestion at the airport."

"I'm glad the governor released funds appropriated by the legislature for this large and important project that benefits all of Maui," said Senator Gilbert Keith-Agaran, who represents Wailuku, Waihe'e, and Kahului. "It will create more local construction jobs, stimulate the economy, and improve the overall customer experience for residents and visitors. I am looking forward to work on this p

WOMEN'S LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS DONATES EASTER BASKETS TO HELP FAMILIES IN NEED
The Women's Legislative Caucus today donated more than 100 Easter baskets full of essential household items to The Institute for Human Services (IHS) to help families in need.

Baskets filled with laundry soap, utensils, dishes, toiletries, towels, and school supplies will benefit clients who get help and support in transitioning out of homelessness. The items in the baskets will be a nice welcome for the families and individuals who are just starting off in a permanent home.

"The Caucus has been doing these drives for about 10 years now," said Senator Roz Baker (D - South and West Maui). "Community support really helps nonprofits like IHS. We're so grateful to everyone who took the time to make these beautiful baskets and share aloha with those in need."

The Women's Legislative Caucus is a bipartisan organization which consists of the women Senators and women members of the House of Representatives. The Caucus works closely with women's organizations and concerned individuals across the State, as well as with the Governor, state agencies and other legislators to advocate for programs and services that benefit women.

For information on how you can organize a food, toiletry, clothing or other drive for IHS, email drives@ihs-hawaii.org.