Maile's Updates

Free Tax Preparation Help
Thanks to certified volunteers working at tax assistance sites across the State, you can have your federal and state tax returns prepared for free. Waianae Community Outreach, located at 87-132 Farrington Hwy., will be staffed with tax preparation volunteers on Tues. & Thurs. from 9am-3pm. Call 696-5667 to schedule an appointment.



Legislative Update

In response to a request from Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, I recently submitted proposals to federally fund five Wai'anae Coast projects. Last year, one of my requests to Rep. Hirono resulted in $3.5m being awarded to the “Seawinds Apartments” low-cost rental project by Waianae Community Outreach and Housing Solutions. Furthermore, the following is an updated list of bills I have introduced or support:

Education
. HB 1640, my Capital Improvements (CIP) Bill requests funds for all 6 Wai'anae &
Makaha schools for air conditioning, building expansion, & new construction; it also
provides funds to acquire land & build at Leeward Community College-Wai'anae

Housing
. HB 828 makes public housing affordable in perpetuity
. HB 351 (SB 1294) provides funds to repair and renovate public housing

Health and Human Services
. HB 894 establishes pilot program to support federally qualified health centers, such
as Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, as patient-centered healthcare homes
. SB 1310 establishes a Medical Home Demonstration Project for Wai’anae
Coast Comprehensive Health Center
. HB 1454 requires DHS to include in its request for proposals for QUEST providers
provisions to prevent disruption of services caused by the positive enrollment policy
. HB 1504 creates the Hawaii Health Authority to develop a comprehensive plan to
provide universal health care in Hawaii
. HB 1642 allows only licensed providers to submit proposals for purchases
of health and human services
. SB 1040 bans smoking at public events on beaches & at recreational areas

Environment
. SB 701 places moratorium on municipal solid waste Leeward Coast landfills

Outdoor Recreation
. HB645 HD1 establishes a pilot program to issue annual passes to Hawaii residents to
fish overnight at Kaena Point State Park Reserve
. SB 411 permits overnight camping at Kaena Point State Park Reserve

Hawaiian
. HB 901 HD1 provides for OHA to receive portion of income from public land trust
. HB 1663 (SB 709) prohibits testing & growing of genetically modified (GMO) taro
. SB 86 establishes the Makua Valley Reserve Commission
. SB 1085 SD1 prohibits the sale of ceded lands Native Hawaiian claims are resolved
. SB 1677 SD1 requires two-thirds vote of Legislature to sell or exchange ceded lands
. SB 1645 directs that criteria be set for use of bamboo as accepted building material

Public Safety
. HB 795 prohibits minors from operating or riding on all-terrain vehicles
. HB 1713 allows Civil Defense, when no emergency exists, to enter private property to
clean streams & waterways and carry out other preventive measures
. HB 1776 helps enforce the law prohibiting inmates in correctional facilities from receiving state public assistance
. HB 831 (SB 672) allows a court to order substituted service of a TRO if the court finds that the abuser has been deliberately avoiding personal service

Transportation
. HB 1640 (CIP) includes $7 million for construction of turn lanes at the intersections of
Nanakuli and Haleakala Avenues with Farrington Highway.
. HB 829, 1HD exempts veterans from paying the vehicle weight tax

Communications
. HB 984 HD2 implements recommendations of Hawaii Broadband Task force by
implementing the Hawaii Communications Commission

Consumer Protection
. HB 1359, HD1 protects businesses wrongly accused in complaints to DCCA

Government
. HB352 (SB 1039) establishes August 4 as Barack Obama Holiday
. HB 830 (SB 676) creates unit in Auditor's Office to investigate government waste &
fraud

Contact me at maileshimabukuro@yahoo.com or 586-8460 if you have any questions or concerns. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!