Monthly Archives: May 2003

I had a meeting with police officers at the Pearl City Police Station to discuss some safety and nuisance concerns in Waipahu. I explained some of my residents' concerns and the officers explained that they will especially keep an eye on those areas mentioned. In addition, I am working hard with the police to eliminate some of the drug problems in the community.

I presented letters and certificates for student leaders at Waipahu Intermediate School. The presentation was done on-camera to be broadcasted school-wide. I ate lunch with the students and conversed with them. I am especially proud of the work done by the student peer educators who help their classmates by educating them on issues such as drugs and teen pregnancy.

I recently came back from the bill signing for the Ko Olina Tax Credit, which was held at the Ko Olina Resort. Fortunately, our office got some of the House and Senate members who supported the bill to be there. Many of the Democratic legislators only found out last night because they were not invited or there might have been some miscommunication by the Governor.

I believe information should be shared with everyone regardless if they are proponents or opponents. Our office updates interested persons on measures, scheduling, process, amendments, etc.

In the beginning of the 2003 Legislative Session, my office put together some very helpful information and contact data. As a result, I was recognized by a “good government” organization called the Hawaii Pro-Democracy Initiative for good deeds.

I shared this information with Governor Linda Lingle at the beginning of the 2003 legislative session as I had high hopes for her. I remember excitedly going upstairs to the Governor's office to make an appointment so I could give her the information to help her get familiar with the Legislature. The secretary told me, they won't schedule me in person but rather, fax them my request for an appointment. I left the information and told the secretary that it is just something small to help the Governor as she settles in with her new job.

A couple of days ago, I announced the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) I worked on that made it into the Hawaii State budget bill. Waikele Elementary School and Honowai Elementary School are two of the three schools in his district that got CIP appropriations. To meet the community's growing needs, Waikele Elementary School wants an extended parking lot where parents can safely pick up and dropp off their kids. Honowai Elementary School has been waiting for fiteen years to get their library air-conditioned. The dust has been a threat to books and materials and the heat has affected learning in the facility.

Yesterday, KGMB 9 News covered my announcement regarding Honowai Elementary School's concerns. The media mentioned that Honowai Elementary School's CIP for air-conditioning was not on the Department of Education's (DOE) priority list and that the Governor hinted she may line-item veto projects not on the list. However, members of the schools stressed the importance of having air-conditioning to protect books and give students a better learning environment due to the hot nature of the Waipahu-Ewa plains.

I am working on some measures I hope to introduce for next year's legislative session. Many of the measures deal with economic development. I am trying to come up with as many ideas as I can to help diversify our economy, create jobs and bring in investments. When the bills are ready, I will anounce them.

I hosted some judges from Tianjin, China and had a nice talk with them in my office I showed them the Hawaii State House of Representatives chamber before escorting them to the Hawaii Supreme Court to meet Chief Justice Ronald T.Y. Moon.

This past couple of weeks I have been visiting the schools in my district to touch basis, and present letters and certificates to all the outgoing and incoming student leaders.

At Waikele Elementary School, I presented certificates and letters at their student government meeting room. A couple of the students remembered me speaking to them in the “Young CEO” program, which encourages kids to be entrepreneurial. The student leaders gave me a group picture of them with all their signatures. I proudly display the picture in my office.

Kaleiopu'u Elementary School gave me the opportunity to present certificates to their student leaders in their morning assembly, which was videotaped and broadcasted live throughout the entire school. After, I had a really good talk with the student leaders.

This evening, Rep. Karamatsu presented certificates and letters to the student leaders at Waipahu High School that was held at the Pearl City High School auditorium. “Their enthusiasm and energy was really satisfying to see,” mentioned Rep. Karamatsu. He continued, “They are truly up and coming leaders.”

I organized Waipahu’s first town meeting held by its legislators. The topic was “Legislative Wrap-Up.” The meeting was held yesterday, Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at the Waipahu Intermediate School Cafeteria from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M.

The legislators participating were Senators Cal Kawamoto, Brian Kanno, and Willie Espero, and Representatives Alex Sonson, Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo, and Jon Riki Karamatsu. I moderated the meeting and had each legislator give a summary of what happened this past legislative session. We covered a wide range of issues and finished the last half hour of the meeting with questions and answers.

At the town meeting, Waipahu Intermediate School’s social studies teacher brought a display of the students work regarding history. They are raising money to help some of their students attend “History Day” in Washington D.C.

The event was enjoyable. Approximately fifty people attended that night.