August - September 2008 Newsletter

BARBARA MARUMOTO
REPRESENTATIVE 19th DISTRICT
State Capitol #304, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Ph: (808) 586-6310 Fax: (808) 586-6311
repmarumoto@capitol.hawaii.gov
NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD REPORT
AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2008
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES
The Governor has released $2 million for
Kalanianaole Highway improvements near
Makapuu Point. Interim committees have
been meeting on the economic effects of
vog and state housing finance issues.
Elections Office Fiasco - Rep. Marumoto
was very disappointed with the actions of the
Elections Commissioner when he printed the primary election ballots before challenges were settled and without consulting with political parties.
Other decisions call into question his suitability
for this important job.
The State Dept. of Transportation planted vegetation
along the on and off ramps by Kahala Mall. Tens of
thousand of runners pass this area every year.
Senior Citizens Issues - As Co-Convenor of the
Kapuna Caucus, Rep. Marumoto is asking that the
Governor release money for programs that help seniors stay at home rather than move to rest homes.
The Executive Office on Aging along with the DCCA
and AG issued a Hawaii Fraud Prevention & Resource Guide. It warns people about identity theft,
internet, tax, securities and healthcare fraud.
Remember To Vote
Primary Election: September 20th
Must register to vote by August 21st
General Election: November 4th
Must register to vote by October 6th
You can find voter registration forms and
information from:
• Satellite City Hall
• Public Libraries
• US Post Offices
• Phone Directories
• Office of Elections website:
http://hawaii.gov/elections
As a member of the House Committee on Tourism, the representative attended the 2 day Tourism
Conference at the Convention Center. In view of a dismal outlook, industry officials were encouraged to step up new and creative marketing efforts.
Rep. Barbara Marumoto
Page 2
DISTRICT CONCERNS
Kahala Avenue Pool Inspected by DOH – Because of reports at the Waialae-Kahala Neighborhood Board No. 3 of stagnant water in a swimming pool at 4585 Kahala Avenue owned by Japanese millionaire, Genshiro Kawamoto, Rep. Marumoto asked the Department of Health to look into possible
health hazards. The DOH Vector Control Branch inspected the premises on June 25 and Department
Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino reported the following. "The inspector observed no mosquito breeding.
The inspector determined that a water pump is continuously running to circulate water and fish were present." Photographs accompanied the report. The letter and photos will be turned over to the NB No. 3
Chair.
KCC CULINARY INSTITUTE
GETS $5 MILLION FROM CONRAD HILTON FOUNDATION
The University of Hawaii happily received $5
million to help construct the Culinary Institute slated for the slopes of Diamond Head.
KCC hopes to raise a total of $14 million in
private funds for the $20 million project.
Currently the KCC program provides a twoyear program, but the new facility would enable it to offer advanced training and bachelors degrees.
Dean of Culinary Hospitality Carol Hoshiko, Vice Chancellor Louise Pegotto, Chancellor Leon Richards, Noel Trainor,
Liaison to the Hilton Foundation, ‘Nalo Farm’s Dean Okimoto, and Community Colleges Foundation’s Mariko Miho.
District Schools Achieve AYP – What schools made Adequate Yearly Progress under the No Child
Left Behind Act? Forty percent of Hawaii schools made AYP. Last year 65% made it, but it gets increasingly difficult for schools to keep improving. The schools in East Oahu did very well. In the entire
Kaimuki-Kalani Complex 13 schools made the grade and only 5 did not. In contrast, on Maui, 26 schools
did not make AYP - several of those must undergo restructuring - and a mere four made it.
Kaimuki-Kalani School Complex Results – Neighborhood schools
Aliiolani
Met AYP
In Good Standing, Unconditional
John H. Wilson
Kahala
Kaimuki Middle
Met
Met
Met
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Not Met "
Met "
Met "
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Pending
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Kalani High
Liholiho
Lili'uokalani
19th District
Page 3
New Leadership in Schools – Kalani/Kaimuki
Complex Superintendent Estelle Wong is now the
Principal of Kaimuki Adult Education. The new
Kalani/Kaimuki/Farrington Complex Superintendent is now Ronn Nozoe. Kahala Elementary’s
new Principal is Peter Chun, who was formerly the
Honolulu District Superintendent. Congratulations
are in order to all concerned!
Waialae Charter School 1st Day of School
Did you see the photo gallery of Jodie Cheff's first
grade class in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin or the
spread on Kaimuki in August issue of Honolulu
Magazine. Mentioned were W & M Burgers,
Young Scales, Waialae Dojo, Punchbowl Fender
Works, St. Patricks Church, JJ’s Bistro, Coffee
Talk, Queen Theatre among others.
The Kalani High rifle team practices shooting
at the range behind the school.
Kalani High In Need of Athletic Improvements – Rep. Marumoto toured the athletic facilities
and the school is showing its 50 year old age. The weight room is small and crowded, the gym floor is
starting to shift, and the trainers' offices are shabby. Alumni are holding a golf tournament to raise
money for new weight room equipment. Also a student pointed out that the riflery team could use shade.
Under Title IX the school requires a softball field or a girls athletic locker room. Marumoto will work to
obtain these and other improvements during the 2009 legislative session.
New Pre-school at Waialae Baptist Church
Waialae Baptist on the corner of 21st Avenue and
Harding is starting a Christian pre-school for 3 and
4 year olds. Director Danette Abe set the hours for
7 am – 3 pm weekdays at $680/mo. There is a nonrefundable $220 registration fee. Care until 5 pm
will bring the cost up to $700/mo. For information
call 732-5558 or 732-5561. Visit
www.waialaebc.org.
Kaimuki - The Kaimuki Christmas Tree Commit-
Kaimuki resident Dan Carvalho displays a congratulatory certificate from the House of Representatives
at the Kaimuki Orchid Society’s show that was held
at Kalani High School.
tee has plans to add energy efficient lights and add
more strands to the frame. Donations can be sent
to the Kaimuki Business & Professional Association. For more neighborhood activities, check
www.kaimukihawaii.com
Page 4
Neighborhood Board Report
NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES 2008 REPORT
As usual the NCSL annual meeting is a great learning opportunity, and the more time one invests in the proceedings, the more one takes away from the experience. I always return home with new ideas and goals.
General Session – Demographer James Johnson held delegates attention on Friday as he described the specifics of the Changing Face of America. The "browning" and "graying" of the country will have profound effects on policy. Republican pollster Kellyanne Conway and Democrat pollster Celinda Lake also provided
spellbinding numbers on the key issues driving voters in 2008. People's concerns have shifted markedly to
expensive energy and the rising cost of living. Newt Gingrich and Lee Hamilton provided input on dealing
with creativity and new solution to solve our thorny problems of health care, energy, education and the environment. Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Rendell exhorted legislators to address the nation's infrastructure
issues – highways, bridges, sewer lines, etc..
DNA for Arrestees – The NCSL provided an excellent program on the crime-fighting use of DNA collected
from arrestees. A panel from the National Institute of Justice of the DOJ, the Virginia Department of Forensic Science, the Justice Policy Center, the National Governor's Association, and the Lieutenant Governor of
Tennessee discussed state legislation to mandate collection from arrestees. Whereas 45 states require DNA
from convicted felons, only a dozen states require DNA swabs from arrestees.
The Virginia expert favored arrestee samples noting that arrests take place much earlier than conviction. This
means that databank matches, "hits", can be made earlier, and potentially prevent further crimes by the same
person. He further noted that although the arrestees' samples comprised 2% of the profiles in the Virginia
databank, it made up 9% of the hits. More information is available in my office or through NCSL.
Women's Legislative Network - As a past president of the NCSL Women's Network I attend Network events.
One function featured two inspirational women who are helping to restore and revitalize their New Orleans
communities after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. I sat in the session on the Driving Costs of College Tuition
that suggested state policies to mitigate increases.
Another Network panel encouraged legislators to convene concerned citizens to address pressing community
issues and thorny problems. Convening stakeholders and community members can be an important problemsolving technique. Though meetings might be contentious, common ground may be found when dialogue
ensues.
Asian-Pacific-American Caucus – Despite the fact that no official NCSL Caucus event was scheduled, Sen.
Sharon Tomiko Santos of Washington organized an informal gathering to discuss reviving the group. Hawaii
Reps. Chang, Karamatsu and Sen. Fukunaga attended. Considering that there are Hispanic, Black, and a tribal
caucus (that handles Hawaiian issues) under the NCSL umbrella, there should also be an APA legislators'
group.