LIHU‘E — The 27th State Legislature opened Wednesday, and an expected change in the House of Representatives leadership has given more — or at least some — power to the Republican minority in Hawai‘i’s Democratic-dominated political arena. The seven Republicans
LIHU‘E — The 27th State Legislature opened Wednesday, and an expected change in the House of Representatives leadership has given more — or at least some — power to the Republican minority in Hawai‘i’s Democratic-dominated political arena.
The seven Republicans in the 51-member House now occupy several positions in the 19 House committees, including the vice chair of the Finance, plus the Energy and Environmental Protection committees.
On the Senate side, Sen. Ron Kouchi (D-Kaua‘i-Ni‘ihau), was sworn in as vice president of the 25-member body, a position he said will likely help the Garden Isle.
“Hopefully we’ll be able to get an even greater share of projects coming back to Kaua‘i,” Kouchi said.
Rep. Joseph Souki (D-Waihe‘e-Wailuku), was elected speaker of the House, after having secured the vote from more than half of the Democratic caucus and all Republicans.
Rep. Dee Morikawa (D-Waimea-Po‘ipu), said when Rep. Calvin Say (D-Palolo-Kaimuki), resigned as House speaker Wednesday, he made a last-ditch effort to block Souki from the House leadership by endorsing former Finance Committee Chair, Rep. Marcus Oshiro, (D-Wahiawa), to replace him.
Rep. Derek Kawakami (D-Hanalei-Kapa‘a), who was one of the 17 Democrats who supported Oshiro, said it’s going to be a “learning experience” to serve under a new leadership, and he looks forward to it.
Rep. Jimmy Tokioka, (D-Wailua-Koloa), also supported Oshiro. He said there was a lot concerns with the organization of the House, especially because Souki offered various vice-chair positions in several committees to the Republicans.
Morikawa was the only Kaua‘i representative who sided with Souki. She said she had announced her support early on, when Oshiro wasn’t in the picture.
“There’s one thing I learned up here: Once you give your word to somebody, you have to stand by it,” she said.
Kawakami said Oshiro has always been a “great friend” of Kaua‘i, often spending time here to see projects first-hand. Kawakami said he is not aware of the reason why Oshiro won’t be a member of any House committee this year.
“Why he is not on any committees has not been released publicly to us,” Kawakami said.
However, he said Oshiro has made himself available to share his knowledge if needed.
“I rely on him for everything that deals with how the state of Hawai‘i operates, how things are funded, and I’m just lucky to know him as a friend and fall back on his knowledge,” Kawakami said.
Souki had already served as House speaker in the 1990s and has also been the chair of the Finance Committee.
“Souki is a very intelligent man; he spent a huge part of his life as a representative,” said Kawakami, adding he never had a chance to serve with him in any committees, but he was looking forward to working together for the common good of Kaua‘i and the state.
Work ahead
Kawakami, on his third year at the Legislature, picked up an additional committee this year. He is now the vice chair of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee, and sits on the Judiciary, Water and Land, Ocean and Hawaiian Affairs, and Energy and Environmental Protection committees.
“It’s exciting, I’m really looking forward to continuing to work for Kaua‘i,” he said.
Some of Kawakami’s main issues this year will be economic development, protecting Hawai‘i’s watersheds and fighting off invasive species, he said.
Overall, he said he will continue to pursue balancing the budget in a fiscally responsible way, in light of large cost items. Education, public safety and health are important parts of the budget, he said.
Morikawa said the opening session was challenging, but the Legislature is “finally organized” with new faces in new places.
“I have been assigned to be vice chair of Health, member of Finance, Human Services and Housing (committees),” said Morikawa, adding those are “pretty much” the same committees she had last year.
She said healthy initiatives and programs on Kaua‘i are leading the example throughout the state, and she wants to continue working in these areas.
“I will be introducing the pesticide-reporting bill, to at least get out the dialogue so all the stakeholders can voice their concerns,” said Morikawa, adding that she will be keeping in contact with state agencies on the progress of projects for her district, and continue to assist communities in whatever way possible.
Tokioka said it has been an honor and privilege serving his district for the last six years.
Some of the key bills that have been circulated by the House include legalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana, legalizing same-sex marriage, a ban on assault weapons and extending the tax credits on photovoltaic systems. His said his staff preparing a survey to ask our constituents to weigh in on these issues.
Tokioka is a member of the Finance, Tourism, and Economic Development and Business committees.
“This session, I am looking forward to working with our counterpart in the Senate, newly elected Senate Vice President Ron Kouchi, on continuing the work we started to improve our highways, the new gym and tech center at Kaua‘i High School and the many other capital improvement projects for District 15,” Tokioka said.
Kouchi is the vice chair of the Senate’s Agriculture Committee, and a member of the Ways and Means, and Transportation and International Affairs committees.
“Job creation continues to be at the top of the list,” said Kouchi, adding he will be supporting diversified agriculture, food security and other agriculture opportunities such as bio-fuel energy production.
Education, including school busses, teachers contracts and wisely spent dollars for the University of Hawai‘i are also some of his priorities, he said.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@ thegardenisland.com.
