Representative Karen Awana State Capitol, Room 319 Honolulu, HI 96813

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Community Report REPRESENTATIVE KAREN AWANA Aloha, I hope all is well for you and your family. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you as the representative for the 44th District. I wanted to update you on my ongoing work on issues of community and state importance that support our families. I am happy to announce that we have finally received funds for the planning of a branch of the state library system in Nanakuli. This project has been a topic of discussion for many years. In addition, I have shared with the State Librarian my hope to incorporate renewable energy sources in making this building self-sustaining. I will continue to apprise you of future developments. My focus on improving the lives of Hawaii's families is continuous. I have sponsored and supported measures to, among other things, raise the exemption on state income taxes, so working people can keep more of what they earn; encourage the building of affordable housing and penalize real estate speculation, so our families can afford a place to live; and protect our environment, because Hawaii's natural beauty is a precious resource that we cannot take for granted. If you have any questions or just want to talk story about issues that concern you, please call me at 586-8465. Again, thank you for allowing me to serve as your representative in the State House. Mahalo,

2007-2008 SESSION

Representative Karen Awana Secures Millions for Our District the latest examples of the Legislature's During the 2008 Legislative Session, I continuing commitment to the people of helped to secure funds that will benefit our district. (see page 2 for projects) everyone in District 44. Appropriations for our district for the 20072009 biennium will improve school facilities, support economic development, and provide additional community resources. In addition, I supported the allocation of fund for various improvements at Maili Elementary School, Nanakuli Elementary School, and Nanakuli High and Intermediate School totaling approximately $3,000,000.00 for items such as Representative Awana celebrates with Race Commissioner new classroom furniture, roofHannie Anderson, Patty Teruya, Kimo Kelii and keiki ing, and various renovations. from the Leeward Kai Canoe Club at the Annual Father's These items are just some of Day Regatta

Building Bridges between Residents and Government I have held the opinion that the best form of government is government "of the people, by the people, and for the people." As one of the representatives for the people of the Leeward Coast, I firmly believe that continued interaction between community residents and their government representatives is the best method of developing sound legislation. Therefore, I have remained actively involved in the community both listening to resident's concerns and spearheading meetings on issues that are important to our people, including: • Private Landfills; • Ocean Resources; • Public Safety; • Transportation Issues; • The separation of Nanakuli High and Intermediate School; • Agriculture Issues; and • Deterring Youth from Underage Drinking. continued on page 2

Rep. Karen Awana at Ka Wai Hona O Ka Na'auao Charter School in Nanakuli to hear the priorities of residents.

Konishiki Receives a Standing Ovation on the State House Chamber Floor Konishiki aka Saleva'a Atisanoe was recognized by the State for his International contributions and his Konishiki Kid's Foundation. Already recognized in Poland, Africa, China and Japan, this is the first time that Konishiki has been formally recognized in the United States. Representative Awana stated, "He has taught us all that we can dare to dream, and when we do – dream big." For the first time during this session, everyone in attendance was so moved by Konishiki's accomplishments that legislators and guests rose in applause. Congratulations Konishiki!

(From L-R)Michelle Leao, Luania Sula, Junior Atisanoe, Representative Awana, Tala Boy, Reverend Lautoa Atisanoe, Konishiki, and Chie Konishiki.

Repair & Maintenance/Grant in Aid Capital Improvement Projects Hawaii Building Industry Foundation

$1,000,000.00

Design and Construction for Training Center

Maili Elementary School

$94,000.00

Reroof building P-11; Replace Exhaust Vent and Install Security Screens in Kitchen; Repair and Replace Railings in Building D; ADA Improvements, Classroom Furniture Replacement

Nanakuli Hawaiian Homestead Community Association

Building Bridges continued from page 1

In addition, I believe communication between residents and government achieves excellence in governance. As such, providing legislative updates to the community, coordinating workshops which will inform residents of the inner workings of the State Legislature and how this branch of government operates, and meeting with our Hawaii Congressional Delegation to discuss issues relating to District 44 have been high on my agenda. Moreover, attending meetings at the Waianae Coast Neighborhood Board, Nanakuli/Maili Neighborhood Board, Kapolei Neighborhood Baord, Honokai Hale Community Association and Puu Heleakala Community Association has allowed me to hear the voices of the community and garner a better understanding of the issues affecting our residents on a daily basis. Building bridges with residents I serve and the government that serves them is an important, yet never ending task. I will continue to further this effort as I continue my work for our District.

$250,000.00

Plan, Design and Construction for the Development of a Hawaiian Center

Nanakuli Elementary School

$1,734,000.00

Campus Renovation; Install Sprinkler Systems and Replace Electrical Panel Outlets in Building B; Sink Installations in Building D; ADA Improvements, Classroom Furniture Replacement

Nanakuli High and Intermediate School

$768,000.00

Reroof Building A; Redesign Roof in Building J, Reroof Building V, Repair Drainlines in Building W, Classroom Furniture Replacement

Nanakuli High and Intermediate School

$1,337,000.00

Design and Construction for a New Classroom Building; Ground and Site Improvements; Equipment and Appurtenances

Nanakuli High and Intermediate School

$1,560,000.00

Plan, Design for a Leeward Regional Track and Field Stadium to include a Full Sized Four Hundred Meter-Eight Lane Synthetic Running Track and Complete Field Event Area; Ground and Site Improvements

Nanakuli Public Library

Representative Karen Awana celebrated with Kawika Nahoopili from Wai'anae Olelo and Event Coordinator, Kaimi Dung at the Annual Ho'iki'ike O Wai'anae Festival.

$100,000.00

Contact Representative Karen Awana

Plans for a New Public Library in Nanakuli

Waianae Coast Community Mental Health Center

$125,000.00

Hale Na'au Pono Plan and Design

Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center

$1,000,000.00

Phase II of the Campus Expansion

Waianae High School

$900,000.00

Plan, Design and Construction of a New Building

Waianae Small Boat Harbor Various Improvements

State Capitol, Room 319 Honolulu, HI 96813

$1,700,000.00

586-8465 (office) 586-8469 (fax) [email protected]

The 2008 Legislative Session Accomplishments On Opening Day, the Speaker of the House called for Hawaii to take charge of its own destiny. "We are thousands of miles away from the resources necessary to support the lives of well over a million people. So, we must significantly increase our efforts to achieve greater sustainability." The focus of the 2008 legislative session was to balance environmental and economic concerns recognizing the fact that in order to achieve this goal, good environmental policy and a strong economy must work together.

House Majority Leadership visits Nanaikapono Elementary at Lawmakers Listen. Attendees were provided a rare opportunity to make recommendations to legislators and hear from your House of Representatives in our own home town.

Reducing Hawaii's Oil Dependency Solar Water Heaters - SB644 requires the installation of solar water heaters in all new residential developments constructed after January 1, 2010. Solar Energy Facilities - HB2502 permits solar energy facilities to be built on marginal agricultural lands, those with a soil classification of D or E. This will allow us to "farm" the sun. Renewable Energy Expedited Permitting - HB2863 allows expedited state and county permitting, with environmental safeguards, for renewable energy projects that generate at least 200 megawatts of energy.

Protecting the Environment Biosecurity/Invasive Species SB2850 establishes a biosecurity program within the Department of Agriculture to prevent the entry of invasive species into the state, or movement of pests inter-island, and to respond effectively in eradicating and controlling pests. Electronic Device Recycling - SB2843 requires electronic device manufacturers to establish programs to collect, transport, and recycle discarded computers and electronic devices. Preservation of Conservation Land - SB2198 provides tax credits to landowners to donate land or in-

Nanakuli resident, John Felice expresses his concerns about a neighboring landfill at a community meeting hosted by Representative Awana. Members from the Department of Health were also present.

(Front Row L-R) Rep. Karen Awana-International Affairs Vice Chair, and Rep. Calvin Say-Speaker of the House (Back Row L-R) Rep. Maile Shimabukuro-Housing and Human Services Chair, Rep. Pono Chong-Vice Speaker, Rep. Marcus Oshiro-Finance Chair, Rep. Tom Brower-Agriculture Vice Chair, Rep. Ken Ito-Water, Land, Ocean Resources & Hawaiian Affairs Chair, Rep. Kirk Caldwell-Majority Leader, Rep. John Mizuno-Health Vice Chair.

vest in management of land to encourage the preservation and protection of conservation land in the state. HB3177 increases the penalty for violations within the conservation district and protects Native Hawaiian gathering rights.

Sustaining Agriculture

Expanding Access to Healthcare Medicaid reimbursements - SB2041 appropriates $5.7 million, which will be matched by $7.5 million in federal funds, to help cover costs for Medicaid patients treated at Hawaii hospitals. Uninsured medical care - SB2542 appropriates $1 million to Hawaii's federally qualified health centers to provide medical care for the uninsured.

Important Agricultural Land Incentives - SB2646 fulfills a 30-year-old constitutional mandate to identify prime state-owned agricultural lands, to be continued on page 4 known as IAL's – Important Agricultural Lands. The bill provides incentives for landowners to designate their lands as IAL's in order to sustain viable agricultural operations and protect those lands from development. Photovoltaic Energy and Wind Power - HB2261 provides financial assistance for farmers, including loans for photovoltaic energy and wind power generation projects, and others that improve the viability of the farming operation. Representative Awana speaks out in support of the PartFarmers' tax benefits nership for Prescription Assistance, a program that proHB2739 allows more farmers to vides prescription drugs at low or no cost to those lacking qualify for enterprise zone tax coverage. Spokesperson Montel Williams stands at the far benefits. right.

Accomplishments

Aunty Aggie was recognized for being a Living Legend in the areas of Hawaiian Culture and Arts. She is the founder of the Waianae Coast Culture and Arts Society. Congratulations Aunty!

continued from page 3

Prescription drugs savings - HB7 authorizes Hawaii's participation in the interstate I-SaveRx program, which expands residents' access to safe and affordable prescription drugs. Doctor shortages in rural areas HB2519 creates a working group to develop a plan to establish the Hawaii Health Corps Program that will address the issue of physician and dentist shortages in rural and underserved areas of the state. Family caregiving and aging in place - SB2830 extends the joint legislative committee on family caregiving and renames it to reflect the expansion of the committee's authorization to address aging in place issues. This committee, the Joint Legislative Committee on Aging in Place, is responsible for developing the state's public policy on caregiving, and the legislature appropriated $500,000 for kupuna care programs. Remote Dispensing – SB2459 Permits the operation of remote dispensing of pharmaceuticals to assist patients living in underserved or remote areas.

Education – From Early Childhood to University Early Childhood Education SB2878 establishes the framework for the Keiki First Steps early learning system, giving priority to underserved or at-risk children. The Mixed martial arts champion, Nico Vitale encourprogram will ages youth to abstain from provide high illegal drugs and underage quality educa- drinking at a community tion for event hosted by RepresentaHawaii chiltive Awana dren prior to entering kindergarten through grants to public or private programs and services. DOE and UH repair and maintenance - HB2500, the state budget bill, includes $100 million for whole school classroom renovations statewide, and $66.4 million for school building repair and maintenance. The bill also includes over $60 million for repair and maintenance at UH campuses statewide.

Representative Awana, a graduate of St. Andrew's Priory, congratulates Aunty Agnes "Aggie" Cope at the Priory's Annual Queen Emma Ball.

Increasing Affordable Housing Inventory Affordable housing inventory HB2238 requires that public housing projects and affordable housing constructed or managed with state or county funds remain affordable in perpetuity. SB3174 increases the Hula Mae multi-family housing revenue bond authorization by $100 million.

Traffic and Highway Safety Ignition Interlock Device for DUI cases - HB3377 requires the installation of an ignition interlock device into the automobiles of persons arrested for driving under the influence while their cases are pending and their licenses are revoked. The device prevents the starting or operating of the vehicle of a person with more than a minimal amount of alcohol consumption. Pedestrian Safety - HB357 appropriates $1 million for the Department of Transportation to identify and improve problematic intersections, high-risk crosswalks and road crossings in order to promote pedestrian safety, especially for elderly persons.

Protecting Children, Saving Lives Unattended children in motor vehicles - SB2245 prohibits adults from leaving a vehicle with an unattended child inside for more than five minutes. Sexual offense against a minor - SB2080 requires the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board to suspend a teacher's license when

In an effort to provide the Puu Heleakala and Kahe Kai residents with resources to deter violence and crime in their neighborhood, Representative Awana hosted a community meeting. Officers from the Honolulu Police Department were present along with the Lieutenant Governor's Drug Control Strategy Team shown here with the representative.

the teacher has been convicted of a sexual offense against a minor; the teacher's license may be permanently revoked pending investigation. Endangering welfare of a minor HB2346 expands the crimes of endangering the welfare of a minor in the first and second degrees to include situations in which an adult causes or permits a minor to inject, ingest, or inhale certain controlled substances that are not prescribed by a physician. Electronic monitoring device SB2218 establishes a two-year pilot program allowing the courts to require an abuser to wear a global positioning system device, prohibit contact with the victim within court defined geographic exclusion zones, and notification when the abuser enters those zones.