LIHU‘E — The annual Legislative Forum hosted by the state Council on Developmental Disabilities wrapped up an unusual week that had four political events crammed into four days. More than 100 people attended Thursday night’s event, the largest crowd of
LIHU‘E — The annual Legislative Forum hosted by the state Council on Developmental Disabilities wrapped up an unusual week that had four political events crammed into four days. More than 100 people attended Thursday night’s event, the largest crowd of any event this week.
“It’s an opportunity for individuals with disabilities, family members, service providers and elected officials and candidates — for state legislators as well as the county council offices — to come together to express issues and concerns about disabilities,” CDD Executive Director Waynette Cabral said.
And if there were a couple things to be learned from the event’s organization and attendees, it would be how to throw a warm welcome to political candidates, have them answer tough questions, hold them accountable and then feed them with pupus and desert — and pizza.
Cabral said the role of CDD, which operates under the state Department of Health, is to further develop resources in the community to better service people with disabilities.
“We are like the liaison with the governor, the state Legislature, the county council,” Cabral said. “We have staff in each of the counties.”
There were several tables set up for county and state agencies, and nonprofit and for-profit organizations that offer services to “people with possibilities,” as guest speaker Leolinda Parlin said during an entertaining address prior to the candidates answering a battery of questions.
“Agencies are here for people with disabilities to come and look at and view what kind of services are available, and they’re able to find out information from agencies that are represented here,” said CDD Program Specialist El Doy, who provides staff support for the Kaua‘i Developmental Disabilities Committee.
Work for people with possibilities
Councilman Tim Bynum said there will be opportunities for employment at the planned Materials Recovery Facility, a recycling center yet to be built that will require a lot of manual work.
“Hale ‘Opio has a recently started program that teaches young people how to dress, how to interview, how to show up on time, and that might be a good way to have a special unit for the young people with possibilities in that program,” Council Vice Chair JoAnn Yukimura said.
Council candidate Ross Kagawa said the government could expand hiring programs at supermarkets and restaurants. He the county could also help people with possibilities to start their own business and then hire other people with possibilities.
County Managing Director Gary Heu said there are many success stories in the community that should be shared. He cited many employers that provide job opportunities for people with possibilities.
“There is an exemption within the civil service law that provides for government, including the county, to contract with organizations that hire persons with opportunities and possibilities,” said Heu, adding that the administration has been communicating with Maui County, the only county in the state currently utilizing that provision.
Council Chair Jay Furfaro said the council should work closely with the administration to categorize opportunities and provide training.
Councilman KipuKai Kuali‘i said the county should highlight and expand the already successful programs.
Bynum said the council presents certificates to those private sector employers, which would come before the council and tell their story, potentially inspiring other businesses to follow their foot steps.
Councilman Mel Rapozo told the audience to hold the candidates accountable. “When we talk about hiring people with disabilities, maybe we should be submitting a quarterly report to the state Disability Council, so that we are forced to do what we say we are going to do,” he said.
State Senate candidate William Georgi said one way of getting people with possibilities to work is to offer incentive to employers to hire them temporarily, so they can get their foot on the door.
State Rep. Dee Morikawa, D-16th District, said she worked for 35 years at the county Parks and Recreation Department. During her term she took some employees referred by social programs, but this has faded away. “I’m just sorry that the federal funds have ran out and there hasn’t been any initiative to bring it back,” she said.
State Rep. Derek Kawakami, D-14th District, said it’s a wonderful idea to develop partnerships among different agencies. He also said when his family used to own Big Save supermarkets, the company partnered with the Friendship House.
“It was a very meaningful relationship,” said Kawakami, adding that the collaboration provided tremendous workers. “These were individuals who took pride in their work, they took pride in showing up on time, they really took ownership of the responsibilities.”
Bullying
Rapozo said the council passed a resolution against bullying. He said the Department of Education should remove bullies from the school to provide a safe environment.
Prosecuting attorney candidate Justin Kollar said the county needs to work with the state legislators and educators at the state level to address bullying.
Hooser said the county should set an example against bullying, it could server a vital role in educating the community.
Kuali‘i said he and Rapozo co-introduced the resolution, and part of the document was to promote more education against bullying.
“Since 2011, the state Legislature has initiated 12 measures to address specifically bullying in the classroom, so I would say it’s a top priority,” Kawakami said.
State Rep. Jimmy Tokioka, D-15th District, said the Legislature passed 10 additional anti-bullying measures prior to the 12 measures Kawakami mentioned.
Giorgi said in a lot cases someone needs to make sure the school knows about it. He also said that in many cases the bullying happens because the child is acting what he or she has learned at home, and that needs addressing as well.
Morikawa said before it comes to the penalty part of it, she would to see education on it. “We need to teach them compassion and respect,” she said.
Bill Arakaki, Kaua‘i Complex Superintended at the state Department of Education, said the state is working with young students to address bullying, so by the time they get to high school there is a better environment.
Sen. Ron Kouchi, D-Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau, said this DOE program is not just how you protect the victim, but they also have the children talk to each other. “The person who is being bullied has the opportunity to explain to the bully what is so hurtful about was being said,” Kouchi said.
Crime
County Prosecuting Attorney Shaylene Iseri-Carvalho said there are a lot of juveniles coming through the criminal justice system, and many times those juveniles have not been identified as a developmental disability child until they go through the system.
“We provide a lot services, treat them with compassion and respect,” she said.
Kollar said he prosecuted juvenile cases on Kaua‘i and worked with diversion programs, which brought him into contact with individuals with disabilities on a daily basis.
“It really underscore the importance of having strong programs in the court system,” he said.
Other challenges
Many candidates were surprised to find out that when an individual goes into a care home, their monthly allowance is $50. Half of that money goes to transportation, and the rest is used for personal needs such as clothing, shampoo, deodorant, soap, medications and other necessities.
Some candidates talked about subsidizing bus passes.
The recent cuts in school bus services was also brought up. A proposed solution would be to subsidize buss passes for those school students who had been affected.
Health benefits and homelessness was also discussed.
Suzanne Kashiwaeda moderated the forum. After she ran the questions through the candidates, each was allowed a 45-second closing remark.
Cabral said CDD has been organizing the annual legislative forum for more than 15 years, even during years which have no elections.
Thursday’s event was the last in a string of several ones this week.
The week started with a council forum Monday evening at Waimea Theater, which was followed by two back-to-back events: A coffee hour Tuesday morning at the Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center and a council forum Tuesday night at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@ thegardenisland.com.
