Daily Archives: May 1, 2007

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu

Written Comments

Senate Bill 1228, Senate Draft 1, House Draft 1, Conference Draft 1

Historical Preservation; Japanese Internment Camps in Hawaii
Tuesday, May 1, 2007

I rise in support.

The story of the wrongful and unconstitutional internment of Japanese Americans by the United States government during World War II must never be forgotten.  Many of them lost their jobs and property because of their imprisonment for simply having Japanese ancestry.  Unfortunately, some died in these internment camps.  Many young Japanese American men volunteered for military service and died for their country while their families were imprisoned by the very country they were fighting for.  Through this bill, the State of Hawaii supports establishing a process to determine the most appropriate means of memorializing the World War II Japanese American internment camp experience in Hawaii.

Thank you.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu

Written Comments

Senate Bill 896, Senate Draft 1, House Draft 2, Conference Draft 1

High Technology; Incubation Center; Kakaako

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

I rise in support.

This bill would help in developing Hawaii's technology and life science industries by appropriating $150,000 for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the sum of $250,000 for fiscal year 2008-2009, for the lease agreement between the High Technology Development Corporation and the developers or owners of a life science complex in Kakaako, and for plans for and operations of a high technology incubator and innovation center to be held at that complex.

Thank you.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu

Written Comments

House Bill 692, House Draft 2, Senate Draft 1, Conference Draft 1

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Special Purpose Revenue Bonds; Lapsing; Aloun Farms

I rise in support.

I am in strong support of extending the lapse date of special purpose revenue bonds issued to assist Aloun Farms to June 30, 2010.  This company has played a huge role in Hawaii's agricultural industry and sustainability.  Aloun Farms plans to use the special purpose revenue bonds to build an agricultural processing plant in the future to strengthen its operations.  However, not too long ago, the company's landowner sold the land to a developer that plans to build homes on its land once the lease expires.  With the uncertainty of where Aloun Farms will be located in the future, an extension of the special purpose revenue bonds would be very helpful for this important Hawaii agricultural company.

Thank you.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu

Written Comments

Senate Bill 837, Senate Draft 2, House Draft 2, Conference Draft 1

Agricultural Lands; Agribusiness; Kunia; Ewa ($)

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

I rise in support.

I created this bill to protect Hawaii's most valuable agricultural lands.  It appropriates $9,200,000 and authorizes the Agribusiness Development Corporation to purchase agricultural land in Kunia and Ewa from private entities.  In addition, it enables the Agribusiness Development Corporation to lease agricultural lands in Kunia and Ewa for up to 55 years to farmers.

Thank you.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu

Written Comments

House Bill 334, House Draft 1, Senate Draft 1, Conference Draft 1

Relating to Special Purpose Revenue Bonds; Sopogy, Inc.
Tuesday, May 1, 2007

I rise in support.

This is an exciting time for Hawaii where companies in our state created by local residents are researching and developing technology to produce and store renewable energy.  One such company is Sopogy, Inc., which is developing clean electricity from a renewable and abundant resource, the sun, at a price lower than the market price and independent from oil price fluctuations, which is in the best interest of the public.  I am happy to play a small role in assisting Sopogy, Inc. by introducing and supporting this measure that would authorize the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds in an amount not exceeding $10,000,000 to assist the company with planning, designing, constructing, equipping, and operating a solar farm power plant at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority or another suitable site in the state.  I look forward to the exciting work of Sopogy, Inc. as they help Hawaii and our world produce clean energy.

Thank you.