2015 Session Wrap-Up

Reprinted with permission from Westside Stories.

Click here to read part 1.

Click here to read part 2.

Women of Waianae Honored by Hawaii Women Lawyers: Photos & Video

On April 17, 2015, Women of Wai‘anae (WOW) was given the "President's Award" by Hawaii Women Lawyers (HWL). HWL President Tricia Nakamatsu recognized WOW for their outstanding service to the community, including awarding college and vocational scholarships to non-traditional students on the Wai‘anae Coast.

Judge Lanson Kupau congratulated Women of Waianae. Judge Kupau (left), Donna Costa (center), and Karen Young (right).

Women of Waianae President Karen Young (left) posed with Hawaii Women Lawyers President Tricia Nakamatsu.

Women of Waianae received the "President's Award" from Hawaii Women Lawyers at the Pla

Senate Certificate presented to Wai‘anae Boxing Club and "Papa" Fred Pereira

On April 18, 2015, a Senate certificate celebrating the Wai‘anae Boxing Club and honoring "Papa" Fred Pereira was presented by Stacy Garcia Jr. on behalf of Sen. Shimabukuro at the Wai‘anae Recreation Center.

The year 2015 marks the Wai‘anae Boxing Club's 50+ year anniversary. It was established by Coach "Papa" Fred Pereira in 1962, and has kept keiki off of the streets and away from negative influences like drugs and violence. The club boasts a proud and long-standing tradition of producing champion fighters who represent the people of Hawai‘i at national and international boxing and mixed martial arts competitions.

"Papa" Pereira, who turned 81 this year, was recognized for his impressive boxing career in the United States Army. He comes from a family of athletic competitors, including his father, Anton, who was an outstanding boxer, and his grandmother, Anita, the oldest runner to compete in the Honolulu Marathon at 80-years-old.

The festive event was attended by family and community members, as well as various club supporters. Entertainment was performed by a local band which played Jíbaro and Bomba & Plena music. On behalf of Sen. Shimabukuro's office, many thanks goes out to "Papa" Fred Periera and his ohana for the invitation and tremendous hospitality.

Mahalo nui loa to Shane Soares for inviting Sen. Shimabukuro, and for being one of the organizers of this special event.

Hokulea Honored; Makaha's Richard "Buffalo" Keaulana Recognized As One of Original Crewmembers

Buffalo Keaulana and Senator Shimabukuro

On Monday, April 6, 2015, the Hōkūle‘a's original crewmembers were honored at the State Capitol. Big Mahalo Nui Loa to Senator Gilbert Kahele of Hawaii Island and his staff for preparing all the speeches and overseeing the Hōkūle‘a floor presentation.

Visit the Senate Majority Flickr album to view more photos.

Hokulea's original crewmembers honored at State Capitol
Source: KHON2 TV News | Click for full story

Various lawmakers in both the Senate and House chambers recognized the Polynesian Voyaging Society, as well as 12 of the 13 living crewmembers of Hokulea's maiden voyage from Hawaii to Tahiti and back in 1976.

PVS was founded in 1973 by Herb Kane, Ben Finney and Tommy Holmes. Then on March 8, 1975, PVS launched its first waa kaulua, the Hokulea, in Kaneohe Bay.

Her maiden voyage to Tahiti in 1976 was led by Mau Piailug, using traditional, non-instrument navigation.

"We are grateful to have our governmental body take the time to celebrate the worldwide voyage and to me, it shows that Hawaii is still with us, that the canoe still matters. As the voyage now heads into the Indian Ocean, which is much more dangerous, it gives us the strength to set sail," said Nainoa Thompson, pwo (master) navigator and president of PVS.

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The Hawaii State Senate Recognizes Art Frank and Al Lewis for Their Outstanding Advocacy

On Wednesday, April 1, 2015, Senator Maile Shimabukuro delivered the following remarks during a floor presentation honoring Art Frank:

Art Frank, who is deaf and suffers from quadriparesis, is someone who has defied all the odds and served Hawaii's community in countless ways. He has had a long and active role with the disabled community, on the Wai‘anae Coast, and with the Hawaii Democratic Party.

In 1981, Mr. Frank spent five years lobbying for a bill which allows deaf individuals to attend government meetings and request a sign language interpreter or communication access real time translation, also known as "CART." He also worked tirelessly to ensure that Capitol restrooms were ADA compliant, and that disabled parking was afforded to disabled visitors at the Capitol, enduring 27 parking tickets in the process.

Mr. Frank has also testified in support of measures to benefit the Wai‘anae Coast. He has come to the Capitol on short notice, numerous times, to speak out in favor of measures to help alleviate traffic and otherwise improve conditions for the west side. He also attends neighborhood board and other community meetings and events aimed at bettering the lives of those on the Wai‘anae Coast.

Mr. Frank, along with his dear friend who we are also honoring today, Al Lewis, has been a devoted member of the Democratic Party for decades. Mr. Frank and Mr. Lewis have volunteered countless hours for many campaigns. I met both of them on the campaign trail, and was deeply inspired by their positive energy, enthusiasm, and sense of humor. Mr. Frank, who resides on the Wai‘anae Coast, and Mr. Lewis, who hails from Waimanalo, have volunteered for campaigns spanning the island, going as far as the opposite side of the island to support the candidates they believe in.

Raised in Waimanalo, Mr. Frank graduated from St. Louis high school, and is proud of his Hawaiian and "chop s

Nanakuli and Waianae Boys & Girls Clubs Compete in Youth of Year Competition

The Youth of the Year Program recognizes Boys & Girls Club members who, with the help of their Clubs, have overcome personal challenges and have given back to their Clubs and their communities. Youth of the Year winners demonstrate service to Club, community and family; academic success; strong moral character; life goals; and poise and public speaking ability. These high achievers personify the values and character of their hometown Clubs, and are shining examples that GREAT Futures start at Boys & Girls Clubs.

Senator Maile Shimabukuro's 2015 Bill List

AGRICULTURE
SB774 HB509	Classification of Agricultural Lands; Taro Lands: Creates a classification of agricultural public lands entitled “taro lands”. Appropriates funds to the board of land and natural resources to create an inventory of lands classified as taro lands.
SB775 HB1427	Temporary Shelters; Agricultural Land: Permits temporary shelters on lands in the agricultural district.

COMMERCE AND CONSUMER PROTECTION

SB776

HB1266

Insurance; First Party Claims; Prompt Payment; Unfair Claim Settlement Practices; Makes an insurer's failure to pay a claimant, in a first party insurance claim, an amount the insurer deems fair within thirty days of a demand for payment of the claim an unfair claim settlement practice.

SB772

Public Utilities Commission; Disclosure Requirements: Requires utilities seeking to hire a public utilities commission employee or recent employee to file a notice of contact. Requires that commissioners' financial disclosure statements b

Opening Day 2015 Photos: Senator Maile Shimabukuro

The Opening Day of the Twenty-Eighth Legislature was held on January 21, 2015. Staff, friends, family, and supporters joined Senator Shimabukuro to celebrate the occasion. Former aide, Wally Inglis, who worked with the senator for most of her political career, stopped by to say hello. Longtime family friends Rolando and Susan Cruz, who now live in San Diego, also stopped by with their granddaughter, Ciena Jadu, who is now attending UH-Manoa.

View more Opening Day photos on Senator Shimabukuro's District 21 blog

NANAKULI HIGH SCHOOL GOLDEN HAWKS PARADE OF CHAMPIONS

Sen. Maile Shimabukuro to present Senate congratulatory certificates

The Nanakuli community on Saturday, November 22 will come together to congratulate the Golden Hawks champions and achievement players at the Parade of Champions scheduled for 9:30 a.m. The parade will start at Nanakuli High School and Intermediate (NHIS) parking lot, through Nanakuli Town-Farrington Highway, ending at Lualualei PVT Landfill Company.

Sen. Maile Shimabukuro, who represents the Leeward Coast, will present two congratulatory certificates on behalf of the Hawaii State Senate to NHIS Golden Hawks Varsity Football Team and NHIS Lady Hawks Junior Varsity Girls Softball Team, both winning their respective 2014 Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II Championships.

“These young athletes, led by their dedicated coaches, persevered both on and off the fields this season,” said Shimabukuro. “We are all so very proud of them and their victories, in academics, in sports and in their teamwork.”

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."

Senator Maile S.L. Shimabukuro Member Feed