Legislative Update & News from Maile

Aloha!

The 2010 legislative session officially begins on 1/20/10, and I look forward to a challenging 4 ½ months at the capitol.

Due to our financial crisis, the usual “Opening Day” ceremony and public festivities are unfortunately cancelled this year.

This session, I will again serve as Vice-Chair of the Hawaiian Affairs Committee, and sit on the Education, Higher Education, Human Services and Health Committees. Some of the bills I will be introducing and supporting include:

1) Prohibit all Oahu landfills from accepting municipal solid waste as of July 2012, except for natural disasters and special waste (ie, waste that the city must show cannot be shipped, converted to energy, or recycled);

2) Following a non- judicial foreclosure, allow the previous homeowner 30 days to appeal if he/she can show that the sale price was unfair;

3) Require homeless shelters to allow participants to remain in their unit during the administrative appeal process;

4) Allow disabled patients to opt-out of mainland-based health plans (SB 1310), and prohibit pre-tax bids for QExA health insurance contracts (HB 1642);

5) Increase penalties for forced prostitution/human trafficking;

6) Prohibit all taking of sand from public beaches, except from designated areas;

7) Make assaults on lifeguards equal to a felony, similar to laws protecting firemen, police, and EMT's;

8) Urge State of Hawaii to recognize and adopt the UN declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples;

9) Allow property owners to designate beneficiaries on deeds;

10) Return the E Ala voyaging canoe to the Wai'anae Coast.

Bills must be introduced by late January, so let me know immediately if you have any other suggestions.



Please join me at two important events in January:

MALAMA MAKUA YARD SALE, JANUARY 9 & 10

What: Yard Sale!
When: Sat. & Sun., Jan. 9 & 10, 8am-2pm
Where: 86-024 Glenmonger St. (corner of Pokai Bay St. & Glenmonger St., Waianae)
Why: Fundraiser to help Malama Makua pay court fees and other costs
Who: Call Karen or Maile at 696-4677 or email maileshimabukuro@yahoo.com to donate items or for more information


PEOPLE’S PATH CLEAN-UP & BEAUTIFICATION, JANUARY 16

Volunteers continue to work on this important project, which aims to create a pathway along the Wai`anae Coast. The state has already planned a partial pathway coming from the Honolulu direction, which ends at Lualualei Naval Road. The “People’s Path” will hopefully continue this pathway along the entire coast. For over a year, volunteers have cleaned and beautified the Maili Point section of the pathway, and are asking for your help again, in honor of Martin Luther King weekend.

What: Clean-up and Beautification of People's Path
When: January 16, 2010; 7:30-11:30am
Where: Maili Point (meet across from Kaukama Road)
Who: Sponsored by Rep. Maile Shimabukuro, Women of Wai`anae, AlohaCare, and others
Why: Our goal is to create a pathway along the Wai`anae Coast

Wear protective footwear and sun protection. Gloves, trash bags, and refreshments provided. For more information, contact: maileshimabukuro@yahoo.com or call 696-4677

Please spread the word about these two events.

It continues to be an honor and privilege to serve you. Contact me with your questions and concerns, at maileshimabukuro@yahoo.com or 586-8460. Mele Kalikimaka a me ka Hauoli Makahiki Hou!