Senator Donna Mercado Kim Member Feed

January 2015 Community Report

January 2015

Farrington High breaks ground on first phase of master plan renovation

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Farrington High School's Edward Thompson Skippa Diaz Stadium was held at Kusinoki Field today.

Visit khon2.com to read the full article.

Hawaii State Senators congratulate designer Kini Zamora

Designer Kiniokahokuloa "Kini" Zamora was presented with a Senate certificate recognizing his success on the television series "Project Runway" and for his achievement in launching fashion company KINIandDINKO with Dean "Dinko" Satta, and two clothing lines, KZ Hawaii and Kini Zamora.

HPD CHIEF CANCELS MEETING WITH HAWAII WOMEN'S LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS AND WOMEN HONOLULU CITY COUNCILMEMBERS

The Hawaii Women's Legislative Caucus today announced that they received a call from the Honolulu Police Department's (HPD) Chief of Police's office canceling Thursday's meeting with the Women's State Legislative Caucus and three women members of the Honolulu City Council.

A representative of the Women's Caucus spoke with the office of Chief of Police Louis M. Kealoha to ask that the commitment to meet with the women on Thursday be honored.

"The purpose of Thursday's meeting was for the Women's Legislative Caucus and the three women city councilmembers to have the opportunity to speak with Chief Kealoha directly," said Senate President Donna Mercado Kim, a member of the Women's Caucus. "We hoped to work cooperatively with the police to strengthen efforts to end domestic violence and keep victims safe. We wanted to discuss concerns and questions about HPD's internal policies and procedures regarding domestic violence cases, especially when one of their own officers is a suspect that has been brought to us by victims' service providers."

"The Women's Legislative Caucus and women Honolulu City Councilmembers asked for the opportunity to discuss these issues with Chief Kealoha prior to the public informational briefing so that he could be prepared to respond fully in public, and to, hopefully, open the door to improved partnerships and outcomes in domestic violence cases," said Senate President Kim.

A representative of the Women's Caucus was told the meeting was cancelled because the internal investigation was not yet completed. "We made it clear that the Women's Caucus understands that personnel investigations are confidential and that we have no intention of interfering in that matter," stated Senator Laura Thielen, co-chair of the Caucus. "We told Chief Kealoha's office that our concern and our meeting is to be focused on the broader HPD policies and response to domestic violence incidents."

Statement from Senate President Donna Mercado Kim on BLNR's decision to issue a lease for a temporary Housing First Transition Center at Sand Island without public input or details of the project

Senate President Donna Mercado Kim issued the following statement on the Hawaii State Board of Land and Natural Resources' decision to approve a temporary housing first transition center lease and right of entry at Sand Island to the City and County of Honolulu. The Sand Island Housing First Transition Center includes a vague plan to temporarily house 100 homeless families.

Kim is disappointed that the Board issued a lease without details of the project and without giving the public an opportunity to provide input. In written testimony sent to the Board on September 12, 2014, she suggested that the Board defer action to issue a direct least of land until the next month's meeting. Kim said that a one month delay will not affect the project but will go a long way to involving the community and giving the city time to develop and share details of the project.

Kim's statement on BLNR's decision to issue a lease of land to the City and County of Honolulu for a housing first transition center without input from the community or details of the project:

"Despite the lack of public input, the community's opposition, and details of the city's plan, BLNR approved the lease of land for a temporary housing first transition center for the homeless at Sand Island.

"The only person to vote against the motion was Vernon Char, who suggested granting the immediate right of entry but to delay decision-making on the issuance of the lease until further details were provided by the City on the planned project.

"Char's motion was in line with the recommendations I made in written testimony to BLNR on September 12. I had also requested that we give the public an opportunity to express their thoughts and concerns on a project that could impact their community, and require the City to submit quarterly reports to ensure accountability and transparency.

"Although disappointed with the decision to approve the l

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

STATEMENT FROM SENATE PRESIDENT DONNA MERCADO KIM ON THE PASSING OF FORMER HAWAII ISLAND LAWMAKER ROBERT "BOB" HERKES
Senate President Donna Mercado Kim today issued the following remarks on the passing of former lawmaker Robert "Bob" Herkes, who passed this week at 83:

"I am saddened to learn of the passing of former lawmaker Robert "Bob" Herkes and my thoughts and prayers are with Jo-Anna and their family. Our state lost a revered man who dedicated his life to public service, and we were lucky to have him serve as a state senator, state representative and Hawaii County Council member. Even after leaving the Legislature, Bob never stopped contributing to the well-being of our state. The Senate in April confirmed him as a member of the Hawaii Tourism Authority Board and he was scheduled to attend his first meeting just a few days ago. Until the end, he was committed to improving the lives of Hawaii's people.

"Bob cared deeply about his home and its people. He fought tirelessly to strengthen our communities and create a better life for all. Many will remember him for effectively passing legislation helping homeowners during the mortgage foreclosure crisis, and spearheading efforts to address the impacts of VOG on health and safety, agriculture, the economy and tourism. Because of his work, Hawaii Island received a mobile medical van that acts as a roving clinic in under-served areas.

"He was a respected lawmaker, sharp businessman and compassionate mentor and friend. We will miss him dearly.

"On behalf of the Hawaii State Senate, we offer our deepest condolences to his wife Jo-Anna, sons Bob, Ken and Dough, and all family and friends at this difficult time."

Sign the petition: Demand that the Board of Regents re-open the search for the University of Hawaii's new President
Aloha,

After learning from Hawaii News Now that UH failed to consider a viable presidential candidate that was recommended to them, I can no longer remain silent on this issue.

I speak out not in favor of any candidate, but in the best interest of the students and the University. This is such an important decision. Finding the best candidates far outweighs the Regents excuses why they are only left with two candidates.

Therefore, I am supporting the UH Manoa Graduate Student Organization and its resolution vote of "no confidence" in the search process, and I call for the Board of Regents to re-open their search.

Please join us by signing an online petition asking the Board of Regents to re-open the search for the next system-wide President of the University of Hawaii.

Click HERE to sign the petition: Demand that that Board of Regents re-open the search for the University of Hawaii's new President.

The final selection should also include the three newly confirmed Regents and should not be pushed to a vote to accommodate the three outgoing Regents whose terms expire on June 30th.

Mahalo,
Senator Donna Mercado Kim
Senate President

STATE SENATE ADJOURNS SESSION APPROVING MORE THAN 240 BILLS INCLUDING KEY MEASURES THAT IMPROVE THE LIVES OF HAWAII'S PEOPLE
Lawmakers remain vigilant throughout legislative session striking a balance on measures supporting keiki, kūpuna, workers and environment

The Hawaii State Senate today adjourned the 2014 session passing more than 240 bills that align with its initial priorities to make Hawaii a better place for everyone now and in the future through initiatives supporting Hawaii's keiki, kūpuna, workers and the environment.

"The ability to compromise and work together is essential to making good laws that help Hawaii's people today and in the future," said Senate President Donna Mercado Kim. "It is thanks to the patience and passion of our members and advocates that we were able to complete another successful session."

"With anything we do in life, it's always about balance. That's the same way we look at it here in our majority caucus," said Sen. Brickwood Galuteria. "Every issue will have two opposing sides. Our job as lawmakers is to come out at the end of session with worthy legislation that improve the quality of life of our people. I think we did just that and I'm proud of my colleagues in the Senate Majority.

The Senate Majority, whose members are Democrats, this afternoon took action on its final bills of the session. Some of the major bills discussed and approved were several education measures that align with earlier action emphasizing the Senate's commitment to Hawaii's keiki, the future of Hawaii.

Lawmakers passed four bills relating to education, one prohibiting teachers from using seclusion and creating conditions and procedures for the use of restraint in schools in order to promote the safety and well-being of students (HB2257), and another raising the salary cap of the superintendent of education in order to attract and retain exemplary candidates (HB2257). The third bill will allow charter schools to charge fees on the use of facilities to help cover operating costs (

COMPROMISE LEADS TO LEGISLATURE'S APPROVAL OF OVER 135 MEASURES AHEAD OF SINE DIE
Lawmakers pass fiscally responsible state budget bill supporting keiki, measures supporting kūpuna and the environment, and flagship bills raising the minimum wage and funding the Turtle Bay Conservation Easement

The Hawaii State Legislature today approved more than 135 on final reading ahead of the adjournment sine die this Thursday, including the state supplemental budget, measures supporting kūpuna and protecting the environment, and flagship bills raising minimum wage and funding the Turtle Bay Conservation Easement. The measures will now be enrolled to Governor Neil Abercrombie for consideration. The Governor has until Monday, June 23 to notify the legislature of an intent to veto and until Tuesday, July 8 to sign.

"Through the diligence and efficiency of my colleagues in both the Senate and House, not to mention their willingness to compromise, we have passed key measures that support our workers, kūpuna, keiki and environment," said Senate President Donna Mercado Kim.

"Caring for our kūpuna and protecting our environment was a priority of the legislature this year," said Majority Leader Brickwood Galuteria. "The four measures we passed will help fund preventive measures to care for our aina and seniors."

State Supplemental Budget

HB1700 includes funding for core services such as education, health, the University of Hawaii, human services, the environment, public safety, and supporting and caring for the lives of Hawaii's people.

Through prudent money management, and in order to reflect a