Monthly Archives: April 2004

House Floor Speech
Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
on
H.B. 2569
Relating to Niihau Shell Products
Thursday, April 29, 2004
6:30 p.m.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support.

H.B. 2569 prohibits items made of seashells from being labeled “Niihau” if not 100% made of Niihau shells and made within the State. As we are moving ahead in strengthening and diversifying our economy, we must include our native Hawaiians to be a part of this historical movement. This bill takes a small step towards that direction.

Specifically, H.B. 2569 would protect the Native Hawaiian Niihau shell product businesses on Niihau from other businesses using the term “Niihau” on their products when in fact their products (1) do not comprise of seashells harvested from the island of Niihau, its waters, or beaches; and (2) are not fabricated, processed, or manufactured entirely within the State. In addition, this bill allows labeling that indicates the percentage of Niihau shell content if the item contains at least 80% Niihau shells and is made entirely in the State.

The Native Hawaiian Niihau shell product businesses on Niihau are known for their craftsmanship and selection of pristine shells from their island. The policy behind this measure is to protect Hawaii businesses, especially native Hawaiian businesses from being taken advantage of by businesses fraudulently using the term “Niihau” for their products. After all, customers pay hundreds, even thousands of dollars for Niihau shell products. Hawaiian cultural products are becoming more and more popular in the global economy as Hawaii in itself is a brand name. Besides retail businesses, with e-commerce businesses on the Internet, the potential for abuse is even greater.

Therefore, I created H.B. 2569 to help protect our Hawaii businesses, especially those owned by our Native Hawaiian brothers and sisters. Thank you.

House Floor Speech
Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
on
H.B. 2569
Relating to Niihau Shell Products
Thursday, April 29, 2004
6:30 p.m.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support.

H.B. 2569 prohibits items made of seashells from being labeled “Niihau” if not 100% made of Niihau shells and made within the State. As we are moving ahead in strengthening and diversifying our economy, we must include our native Hawaiians to be a part of this historical movement. This bill takes a small step towards that direction.

Specifically, H.B. 2569 would protect the Native Hawaiian Niihau shell product businesses on Niihau from other businesses using the term “Niihau” on their products when in fact their products (1) do not comprise of seashells harvested from the island of Niihau, its waters, or beaches; and (2) are not fabricated, processed, or manufactured entirely within the State. In addition, this bill allows labeling that indicates the percentage of Niihau shell content if the item contains at least 80% Niihau shells and is made entirely in the State.

The Native Hawaiian Niihau shell product businesses on Niihau are known for their craftsmanship and selection of pristine shells from their island. The policy behind this measure is to protect Hawaii businesses, especially native Hawaiian businesses from being taken advantage of by businesses fraudulently using the term “Niihau” for their products. After all, customers pay hundreds, even thousands of dollars for Niihau shell products. Hawaiian cultural products are becoming more and more popular in the global economy as Hawaii in itself is a brand name. Besides retail businesses, with e-commerce businesses on the Internet, the potential for abuse is even greater. Therefore, I created H.B. 2569 to help protect our Hawaii businesses, especially those owned by our Native Hawaiian brothers and sisters. Thank you.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
Floor Remarks Inserted into the Journal
April 16, 2004
49th Day
House Concurrent Resolution 127, House Draft 1
Requesting the Department of Accounting and General Services to Conduct a Study on the Cost of Maintaining Aloha Stadium

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support.

The Aloha Stadium (Stadium) in Halawa was built in 1975 and has served the general public for twenty-nine years. The repair and maintenance of the Stadium addressed various problems, including concerns with the corten steel used in the initial construction of the Stadium. That problem was addressed during a major overhaul of the Stadium from 1989 to 1995 that cost the State approximately $88,000,000. There is an anticipated maintenance cost concerning the replacement of all of the Stadium seats at a cost of approximately $17,500,000 over a three-year period. In addition, the Stadium parking lot is also in need of repair and is expected to cost the State approximately $6,000,000. I introduced this measure to find out what it will cost to maintain the Stadium with the intention of introducing another resolution in 2005 requesting the Department of Accounting and General Services to conduct a study on the cost of building a new stadium, and to have the department do a comparison between the two studies.

Thank you.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
Floor Remarks Inserted into the Journal
April 13, 2004
47th Day
House Bill 1800, House Draft 1, Senate Draft 1, Conference Draft 1
Relating to the State Budget

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support.

As a member on the House Finance Committee, I am proud to have taken part in the final passage of the State budget bill. This budget provides for the priorities of the people of Hawaii while maintaining fiscal discipline. The legislature has allocated the limited available resources of the State to meet its most critical needs, namely the reinvention of our education system, ice use abatement, and affordable prescription drugs. The appropriation contained in the State budget is a thoughtful spending plan that reflects a balanced approach to addressing the important priorities of our communities without any tax increases.

Thank you.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
Floor Remarks Inserted in the Journal
April 13, 2004
47th Day
House Resolution 186 and House Concurrent Resolution 258
Urging the United States Congress to Support the Passage of S. 68, Relating to Improving Benefits for Filipino Veterans of World War II

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support.

I want to express my support of House Resolution 186 and House Concurrent Resolution 258, which urges the United States Congress to pass S. 68 to improve benefits for certain Filipino veterans of World War II. The Rescission Act of 1946 withdrew the U.S. veteran's status of Filipino World War II soldiers, thereby denying them the benefits and compensation received by their American counterparts and soldiers of more than sixty-six other U.S. allied countries, which were similarly inducted into the U.S. military. The passage of S. 68 would extend full and equitable benefits, particularly health benefits, to Filipino veterans.

Thank you.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu
Floor Remarks Inserted in the Journal
April 13, 2004
47th Day
House Resolution 181 and House Concurrent Resolution 250
Requesting the President of the United States and the United States Congress to Support H.R. 677 Extending Veterans' Benefits to Filipino Veterans

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support.

I want to express my support of House Resolution 181 and House Concurrent Resolution 250, which urges the President of the United States and the United States Congress to pass House Resolution 677 (H.R. 677). H.R. 677 would deem certain service in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts to have been active service for purposes of benefits under programs administered by the Secretary of Veteran Affairs for qualified Filipino veterans. The resolution recognizes the courage and loyalty of the Filipino troops who fought along side our armed forces in the Philippines during World War II. Thus, H.R. 677 would make health benefits available to more of these qualified Filipino veterans.

Thank you.

In order for education reform to succeed, parental support is necessary. We must make sure our children are studying, turning in their homework, and behaving well. I attended public school from Pearl City Highlands Elementary School until graduating from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

I was able to achieve my education because of my parents. As a baby, my mom who is a public school teacher would read to me until I began reading on my own. From three years old, my mom had my sisters and I complete workbooks and reading books by giving us pennies for each page completed.

When times are bad, my mom always tells me to look at a half a glass of water as half full, rather than half empty. Basically, make the most of what you got in your situation.

My dad was very strict, like “samurai.” I often got scoldings for my grades in math, my weakest subject matter. I guess that is why my dad is an electrical engineer and I became an attorney, businessman, and politician. Although I dreaded the anger in my dad’s voice, I appreciate it today. It prepared me to be calm and strong when I talk to someone who is angry or frustrated.

My dad always tells me to don’t blame others for my problems, but it is up to me to better the situation. That lesson taught me accountability, rather than blaming on others.

It is because of my mom and dad that I try to make the most of life. I am very fortunate to have great parents. I love them.

Thank you for expressing your desire to have locally elected school boards. I supported education reform by passing measures over to the Senate that will fund the unique needs of each school and student; give principals autonomy and flexibility over how school funds are spent; convert the School Based Management system into school-based boards comprised of parents, students, teachers, principals, and community members; and give school-based boards concrete responsibilities and allow them to participate in the school decision-making process.

Below are some of the reasons why 30 of the 51 members of the House of Representatives, including myself, voted against Governor Lingle’s education package:

 The Governor’s proposal would increase, not streamline, administrative bureaucracy. Her proposal calls for seven local school boards and seven district administrative staffs. That means duplicating many of the functions of the current statewide DOE seven times over. It’s bound to cost more. Moreover, the local boards can create more boards, further expanding government.

 Contrary to popular belief, the local boards in her proposal would not have full say in academic and financial matters. What many people don’t realize is that the Governor’s plan calls for creation of a seven-member statewide Education Standards and Accountability Commission (ESAC) that would:

1. Establish and maintain academic standards.
2. Establish a formula for distributing funds for school operations.
3. Establish a formula for distributing capital improvement funds to the districts.

 The local boards would only allocate funds according to formulas established by the ESAC. This means that the central ESAC — whose members would be appointed, not elected — would play a major role in deciding how money is spent in the individual districts and schools.

 The Governor would have the final say over who is appointed to the ESAC. Her proposal calls for its members to be appointed by the House Speaker and Senate President with the Governor having the final say in accepting or rejecting appointees. The Governor would have ultimate control over who gets on the ESAC, not the voters.

 Last, but certainly not least, recent news reports have pointed out that the Governor has presented no real evidence that smaller school districts will improve student performance. At its core, the Governor’s proposal asks that we demolish the current education structure and launch into an untried, unproven experiment in educational governance with no safety net.

I think it makes more sense to strengthen individual schools by addressing the needs of the schools first, giving those in the classroom the support mechanisms and accountability to put students first. That’s the goal of the Democratic reform package.

Great students don’t just happen. They succeed because of motivated teachers and supportive parents who make classroom learning exciting and challenging. To achieve top-notch performance, we need to give our schools and the people in them the tools they need to succeed.

We must put students first. Education reform is first and foremost about our kids and their futures. That’s why Democratic legislators in the State House are focused on the needs of the schools themselves. The type of school board structure we have is one of the least important parts of the formula we need to achieve true education reform.

Effective change requires motivated people to make it work. Today’s schools suffer from an array of problems that have greatly frustrated our teachers, principals, parents and students. Unless these problems are addressed, there is little hope of creating a better future for Hawaii’s young people.

Here are the ideas the Democratic majority is working on this legislative session.

 A student-weighted budgeting process to assure schools receive realistic funding for the types of students they are teaching.

 A training academy for principals to keep them up to date on educational management techniques.

 A bonus program to encourage teachers to become National Board Certified.

 An elected board for each school with the authority to assist the principal and teachers in defining and meeting their educational goals.

 Greater decision-making authority for school administrators over things they don’t control today, such as personnel, budgets, supplies, school construction and maintenance.

 A financial system that ensures the money budgeted and authorized for the schools actually gets to the schools.

 The end of micro-management by the Governor and Legislature; giving local
educators the autonomy to do their jobs and — just as importantly — holding them accountable for results.

 A school board whose members are elected by and accountable to specific geographic areas of the state like legislators.

Here’s what we can expect if we implement these initiatives:

 Funding will be based on the unique needs of each school and its students.

 Budgeting and administration of education funds will be more transparent to everyone.

 Bureaucracy will be reduced, and accountability will be increased.

 Innovation and initiative will be encouraged at the local level.

 Parents, students and educators will be empowered to make the most of the potential that exists in every one of our schools.

Pride is a powerful force that can make good things happen. We need to give our schools back their pride. We need to adopt a truly local approach, one that works at the individual school level. We simply must: “Put Students First.” Once again, thank you for expressing your concerns to me.

House Floor Remarks for 2003 Principals of the Year
March 31, 2004

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, when we think of people who were most influential in our lives, educators come quick to mind. As a young thirteen year-old freshman at Pearl City High School, I remember my social studies teacher requiring us to memorize an interesting fact about all the Presidents of the United States and to read inspiring historical accounts such as a portion of United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye's biography. He made history and politics “cool.” It is through school that I was reminded of all the sacrifice done by those before me. Although, not apparent at that time, I believe this was the spark that left an impression on me that would eventually lead me to law and politics.

Likewise, I believe Principal Curtis Young is leaving a lasting impression on the many students he has worked with. Therefore, I am honored to recognize Mr. Curtis Young of Honowai Elementary School, the 2003 National Distinguished Principal, also known as Hawaii’s Elementary Principal of the Year. Mr. Young, will you please rise and be recognized.

In July of last year, I had the privilege of surprising Mr. Young with a framed House Certificate before the children that inspire him and the teachers and staff that support him at a student assembly at Honowai Elementary School. I believe it was not a surprise to anyone at the assembly that Mr. Young was recognized because he is the Principal of the Year every year at Honowai.

As some of our schools struggle to meet the standards of the Federal “No Child Left Behind Act,” Mr. Young’s leadership has left the standards of that act in the dust. As Honolulu Star-Bulletin reporter Susan Essoyan stated in an article about him in December of last year, “The numbers look almost too good to be true. At Honowai Elementary School, which serves mostly low-income students in Waipahu, test scores keep going up.”

In 1997, 60 percent of the third-graders scored below average on the reading SAT. In 2003, only 18 percent did so.

In 1999, the first time fifth-graders took the SAT, just 7 percent scored above average. Just four years later, 35 percent scored above average.

He was able to provide inspiration and encouragement in a school that has one of the largest English-as-a-second language populations and where 70 percent of the students are poor enough to qualify for subsidized lunches. The following is Mr. Young's belief as stated in the Star Bulletin article, “My fundamental belief is if you're going to make a difference with kids, that difference must be made at the level of interaction between the student and the teacher. Training for teachers, support for teachers, the time for teaching and the resources.”
Not only has Mr. Young provided a nurturing environment to promote student achievement, but also staff achievement in which the Milken Family Foundation found a National Educator in Leonard Villanueva, who I was privileged to honor in our Chamber last year. When Mr. Villanueva was asked how to replicate Honowai’s success, he gave a three-word formula: “Clone Mr. Young.”

At Honowai Elementary School, Mr. Young has “reformed” criticism into challenges, obstacles into opportunities, and excuses into examples. He reforms education every day so that everyone their school can achieve success.

Mr. Young, thank you for your service. Also joining him in our Gallery is his wife, Carol Young. Ms. Young, will you rise and be recognized.

At this time I would like to relinquish the floor to Representative Glenn Wakai who will speak about our next honoree. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.