Senator Glenn Wakai Appointed as Palau's Honorary Consul

A local lawmaker is now a diplomat. State Senator Glenn Wakai was recently appointed as Palau's honorary consul to Hawaii by Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr.

In appointing the State Senator, Remengesau expressed his appreciation for Wakai's contribution and support to Palau and its citizens in Hawaii. As Palau's honorary consul, Wakai will be working with the Republic of Palau to seek ways to strengthen Palau's emergency relief capacity and bolster the nation's relationship with the U.S.

"This appointment is truly an honor, which I accept with happiness and determination. I don't plan to simply attend events and smile at cameras. I recognize our neighbors in the Pacific sometimes have difficulty adjusting to life in Hawaii. I aim to empower the Palauan community in Hawaii," says Senator Glenn Wakai (Kalihi, Salt Lake, Aliamanu, Foster Village). "I have already organized meetings with their local leaders to map out a game plan for more community involvement and creation of individual success stories. This new relationship between Palau and Hawaii will lead to Better Days in the Pacific."

Wakai is serving his second term as a Hawaii State Senator, following eight years in the State House of Representatives. He is the current chair of the Senate's Committee on Technology and the Arts. He has created a non-profit, Reach out Pacific (www.reachoutpacific.org), which takes containers of medical and educational supplies to impoverished islands throughout the Pacific.

Prior to his political career, Wakai spent more than a decade as a television newscaster, first in Guam and Saipan, before returning to Hawaii to work at KHON2 and KHNL.

Wakai is a graduate of Mid-Pacific Institute and the University of Southern California. View the media release.

Governor Enacts Open Data Measure

Governor Neil Abercrombie today signed into law a measure to enhance government transparency and accountability in Hawaii through increasing public awareness and access to open data.

House Bill (HB) 632, relating to open data, requires the State's Executive Branch departments to make electronic data sets available to the public.

"Here is an example of how ONE excellent idea, turned into ONE bill, which resulted in ONE significant policy change," says Senator Glenn Wakai, Chairman of the Technology and Arts Committee, "If we are going to reinvent government, step ONE is Open Data. Having data available to the public will lead to a more responsive and more accountable government."

Open data has been a top initiative of the State's Chief Information Officer (CIO). In August of 2012 the State launched its open data site, data.hawaii.gov, with data sets being voluntarily provided by departments and agencies. The site incorporates data that is readily available in digital format and commonly requested by the public. The intent of this measure is to continue and ensure the open data efforts of the CIO in the multi-year, multi-phased program open data initiative.

The CIO, in consultation with the Office of Information Practices, will develop policies and procedures to implement the open data program initiative. View the media release.

Senator Glenn Wakai, along with fellow Senators, Representatives and Burt Lum, joined Governor Neil Abercrombie for the signing of House Bill 632, relating to open data. Lum played an active role in raising awareness of the importance of open data and drawing community support during the 2013 Legislative Session. (L-R: Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland, Sen. Glenn Wakai, Burt Lum, Gov. Neil Abercrombie, CIO Sonny Bhagowalia, Rep. Angus McKelvey, Rep. Clift Tsuji, Rep. Karl Rhoads, Sen. Michelle Kidani.
Photo Courtesy: Senate Communications.)

Aliamanu/Foster Village Town Hall Meeting

Wednesday, April 10, 2013
6:00-7:30pm
Radford High School Cafeteria

Click here to view the flyer.

EXCLUSIVE: Debate stirs over community service mandate for certain public housing residents

(KHON2 News) - Unemployed folks living in federal housing are being asked to do community service or move out. It's a federal requirement that's been in affect for more than a decade, but there's a new push to enforce it here in Hawaii. Continue reading on KHON2.com...

Bills would allow state to make money from private developers

(HawaiiNewsNow) - Queen Liliuokalani School in Kaimuki ceased to be a school this past year, when the Board of Education decided to close it. Education officials said the campus and its buildings would be used for a teacher resource center and storage. Read the article and see the news segment on Hawaii News Now.

Lawmakers Listen

"Lawmakers Listen" provides a unique opportunity for our community to have a face-to-face discussion with district legislators, House leadership and Chairs of key House Committees. Please join them on Thursday night (April 12, 2012) starting from 6 p.m. at Salt Lake Elementary School Cafeteria. Click here for more details.

Farrington High School at Top of List to Receive Funding

(KITV News) - You don't need to look far to find what needs fixing on Farrington High School's campus. "You've got bottle caps up there," said Department of Education Public Works Administrator Duane Kashiwai as he peered up at the ceiling.

Granted the campus is old -- it celebrated its 75th birthday this year. Read more on KITV.com

Educators Show Need for 'Invest in Hawaii' Construction Money

(HawaiiNewsNow) - Half a billion dollars could start pumping into Hawaii's economy within months. The money from a state bond sale would pay for renovations at nearly every public school in Hawaii along with scores of other properties. Read more on HawaiiNewsNow.com

Star Advertiser Photo Gallery: Farrington High School

Fill Your Stomach and Fill Your Mind

Please join Senator Wakai and Representative Johanson at Foster Village/Aliamanu/Aiea Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, April 4, 2012, starting from 6 p.m. at Radford High School Cafeteria. Click here to view more details.

Lawmakers tackle future of Aloha Stadium

(Hawaii News Now) "With the site of next year's Pro Bowl still up in the air, lawmakers are tackling future plans for Aloha Stadium again. Ideas include building a brand new facility or creating a development around the existing one." Read more on HawaiiNewsNow.com

Budgets cut, but not weeds, so residents take on park maintenance

(Hawaii News Now) "Salt Lake District Park has only one maintenance person to take care of the facility, which includes a baseball field, a swimming pool and a gym. And that's why about 20 volunteers showed up Saturday with gardening gloves, rakes, weed whackers and dozens of garbage bags."   Read more on HawaiiNewsNow.com

Watch the video on HawaiiNewsNow.com

A Town Hall meeting in early July at Salt Lake Elementary drew 80 residents

Senator Glenn Wakai and Representative Linda Ichiyama hosted a 2 1/2 hour town hall meeting on July 6, 2011. The evening began with a power point presentation (see attached) by Senator Wakai and Representative Ichiyama going over this past legislative session. Topics ranged from the state budget, district capital improvement projects, to community activities and legislative initiatives. The night ended with a lively question and answer session. Thank you to Mrs. Ichiyama for making ono chili and hot dogs for those in attendance.

Senator Wakai and Representative Ichiyama - July 7, 2011 Town Hall Presentation

Aloha Aina Day Coming to a Community Near You: Aliamanu-Foster Village

If you have used cooking oil, HI-5 beverage containers, scrap metal and appliances, newspaper, cardboards and other items left around your home, please bring it over to the next Aloha Aina Day at the Oahu Veterans Center (1298 Kukila St.) on Saturday, July 9, 2011, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Various organizations will be collecting used or unwanted materials. Many of them will be recycled and prevented from filling the landfills. Please see attached flyer for more specific details on what other items will be accepted. This is a great way to help yourself and, at the same time, help your community.

Aloha Aina Day Flyer.

Donated Goods Head for Western Pacific

(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) "Bookshelves languishing in a basement at the University of Hawaii were given a new life yesterday as they were packed into Matson containers destined for islands in the western Pacific."

Read "Donated Goods Head for Western Pacific" in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Pension Tax Idea Galvanized Potent Voting Block

(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) "As the first session of the 26th Hawaii Legislature clunked to a close Thursday afternoon, Sen. Glenn Wakai (D, Salt Lake-Foster Village) tweeted: "We dodged a bunch of bullets - NO increase in the general excise tax, pension tax, soda tax or alcohol tax."

Read "Pension Tax Idea Galvanized Potent Voting Block" in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Reach for the Stars from Hawaii

(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) "Today marks the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's historic address before Congress, during which he set forth his visionary and ambitious goal toward "landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth" - within a decade."

Read "Reach for the Stars from Hawaii" in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Abercrombie, Schatz to Attend Town Hall Meeting

(Hawaii News Now) "Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz will talk with residents of Aiea and Pearl City during a Town Hall meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Pearl Ridge Elementary School cafeteria."

Read "Abercrombie, Schatz to Attend Town Hall Meeting" on KFVE