Host Representative Kymberly Pine speaks with Representative Aaron Ling Johanson and Beth Fukumoto, Director of Minority Research about the 2012 bill package.
for more information contact: reppine@capitol.hawaii.gov
Archive for January, 2012
Better Government Hawaii State House Minority Bill Package
January 28, 2012Rep. Ching announces Hawaii Cacao Festival at Haleiwa January 29, 2012
January 28, 2012Cacao Fest is upon us! It is time so partake in celebration of the cacao pod and all things chocolate that come thereafter. We hope to see you Sunday in Haleiwa for your 3rd Annual Cacao Festival… bring your appetites!
Here are some of our vendor offerings for this Sunday’s Cacao Fest:
Baker Dudes are baking up Chocolate Croissants hot out of the oven!
Lyndi from Divine Delights indulges us with Raw Cacao Brownies and Raw Chocolate Pudding with a nut crust!
Happy’s Cafe is delighting us again with her Chocolate Salad Dressing!
If you are thirsty Haloa Farms will quench your thirst with Cacao Smoothies!
Hawaiian Cheesecake will be bringing extra Waialua Chocolate Cheesecakes sold by the cupcake or the whole pie…yum!
Taro Delight’s ooey gooey Chocolate Taro Espresso Brownie is rich and so, so decadent, a must!
Onopops, for the kid at heart, will cool you down with a dark Chocolate 5 Spice, Mexican Chocolate, Chocolate Apple Banana and Kula Strawberry dipped in Waialua Estate Chocolate pops!
Da Kine Kettlecorn is popping up Cacao-covered Kettlecorn with brown sugar!
Enjoy a sweet Romeo & Juliet Crepe with Chocolate, strawberries snd whipped cream from Le Crepe Café!
Devour Fresh From Haleiwa’s Mole’ Chicken Wings!
And when you are done, It’s Soap will wash you clean with Chocolate Soap!
And that is just a small sampling of the offerings this Sunday. January 29, 2012
Lots of exciting things to do once you’ve eaten you way through the Fest… like take a tour to the Waialua Estate Cacao Orchards! (sign up for 9:30, 10:30 or 11:30 shuttle, only $5!) Or Meet Patricia Bragg as she talks about the Braggs Healthy Lifestyle at 10 & 11! And be sure to watch the Madre Chocolate Demo on their Bean to Bar Chocolate Making Process! (9, 10, 11, 12) Meet Melanie Boudar, creator of Sweet Paradise Chocolate and take home some beauties for your sweetie! Talk to the growers and chocolate makers on the cutting edge of Hawaii’s cacao industry! And be sure to taste the samplings of Ben Tabious, Executive Pastry Chef at Turtle Bay Resort!
We will see you this weekend at Ala Moana Farmers’ Market (Saturday 8-12), Hawaii Kai Farmers’ Market (Saturday 9-1) and Haleiwa Farmers’ Market (Sunday 9-1)!
Rep Gene Ward Announcement of International Holocaust Remembrance Day
January 28, 2012In 2005 the UN General Assembly designated January 27—the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau—as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. On this annual day of commemoration, every member state of the UN has an obligation to honor the victims of the Nazi era and to develop educational programs to help prevent future genocides.
This year’s theme is Children and the Holocaust. Watch or read Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks on the 1.5 million Jewish children and the tens of thousands of other youths who died during the Holocaust.
For further information contact repward@capitol.hawaii.gov
Christopher T. Van Marter in hearing for Cyber Crime bill HB2288
January 27, 2012Representative Kymberly Pine’s office taped Christopher T. Van Marter’s testimony in a hearing for HB2288
Measure Title: RELATING TO RECORD KEEPING.
Report Title: Computer Crime; Record keeping; Internet Service Providers
Description: Requires internet service providers to keep consumer records for no less than 2 years.1/26/2012 H The committee(s) on ERB recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
For more information contact: reppine@capitol.hawaii.gov
Rep. Fontaine addresses bill to support survivors of human trafficking
January 26, 2012LABOR & PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT Stand. Comm. Rep. No. 3-12
H.B. No. 1452, H.D. 1 RELATING TO SERVICES FOR SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. (Survivors of Human Trafficking; Services)
AS AMENDED, PASS SECOND READING, REFER TO JUDICIARY
Contact: repfontaine@capitol.hawaii.gov
excerpt from Capitol TV Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012
Fontaine Factor Sex Trafficking in Hawaii
January 25, 2012Representative George Fontaine speaks with Kathy Xian – Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery (PASS) and Kalei about Sex Trafficking in Hawaii.
National Human Trafficking resource center 888-3737-888
Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery 808-343-5056
repfontaine@capitol.hawaii.gov
Farm to School Program Introduced by Rep. Cynthia Thielen
January 24, 2012HAWAII REPORTER- HONOLULU, HAWAII – January 22, 2012
A bill establishing a Farm to School Program within the Department of Agriculture was introduced today by Hawai‘i State Representative Cynthia Thielen (R, 50th District: Kailua, Kaneohe Bay). This program would require public schools to purchase Hawai‘i -grown produce when it is available at approximately the same cost as foods imported from out of state.
“Not only does this program support our farming industry, but it offers healthy food choices to our young people. The Farm to School Program is a win-win situation for us all,” said Representative Thielen, adding, that the partnership between Hawaii food growers and schools offers numerous nutritional, environmental and economic benefits to our state.
HB1718 (The Farm to School Bill) describes Hawai‘i-grown produce as “fruits and vegetables grown in the state which are unprocessed, minimally processed, flash frozen, or otherwise prepared and handled to maintain their freshness while providing convenience to the user”.
“Our school budgets are tight, and it is important to point out that this bill stipulates that the foods purchased locally must not cost more than 3 percent of comparable produce. Additionally, local produce must meet US Department of Agriculture requirements,” explained Representative Thielen.
In addition to using Hawaii-grown produce in their menu selections, Hawaii schools would also be encouraged to have farmers markets on school grounds, plant school gardens and educate students on the nutritional, environmental, and economic benefits of preparing and consuming Hawaii-grown produce.
“Educating our younger generation on the benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables is important if we want to promote wellness and health that will last a lifetime,” said Rep. Thielen.
For more information regarding HB1718, contact the office of Representative Cynthia Thielen, (808) 586-6480.
Rep. George Fontaine – Not Your Standard Hawaii Politician
January 24, 2012
By Susan Halas January 23, 2012
As the 2012 Hawaii State Legislature opens for business, now is a good time to take a look at George Fontaine.
This Maui legislator is definitely a departure from the norm. In a body full of Democrats he’s one of only eight Republicans serving in the House. In a group dominated members with high seniority, he’s a freshman. In a political scenario often orchestrated by Oahu, he represents South Maui. And, in a roomful of former lawyers, he was a cop before he entered politics.
George Fontaine (51) is not your standard-issue Hawaii politician. He represents South Maui’s 11th State House District including Kihei, Wailea and Makena. To him Republican means “less government, more economic opportunity for business.”
As for style, his is non-confrontational: “It’s how you carry yourself and what your attitude is that counts.
“A long time ago my father gave me some very good advice. In two words my dad told me: ‘Be nice.’ That advice has carried me a long way. You need other people to get things done. My main objective is representing the people in my district. You have to find common ground. I’m not a partisan guy. Leave the party tag at the door.”
Before seeking public office, Fontaine was active in the Maui community for many years. He served as an officer with the Maui Police Department from 1980 to 2005, retiring as Wailuku Patrol Captain.
While a member of the MPD he also started and later sold Maui Gateway, an early internet service provider. He considers himself tech savvy and is also the author of a number of computer books.
After retirement he became Hawaii Rotary District Governor from 2007 to 2008. This volunteer position involved extensive travel and kept him in contact with Hawaii’s 43 Rotary clubs with more than 2,200 members.
After that politics came easily. “My life has always been about public service, it was a natural.” In just a short time he’s gone from “enforcing the laws to making them.”
His own top priority is the economy. “Government doesn’t create jobs,” he said. “Business creates jobs. My sympathies lie with the private sector; making it possible to have a healthy business community.”
Fontaine first ran and lost in 2008. He ran again and won in 2010. He’s just finished the first year of a two year term and is already raising funds to run again this fall. He’s hoping to raise $50,000. “Well maybe,” he said, “$30,000 would be more realistic.”
He refers to himself as a “fiscal conservative” and a “committed family man.” His wife Paige is his campaign manager and an excellent photographer. They have two children Phillip 15 and Angelique 17. The family lives in Kihei where they belong to St. Theresa’s Catholic Church. Before his life became so busy he enjoyed diving and also liked to play golf.
His advice to Maui voters of all parties is: “Stay involved; stay active. Follow the bills that interest you. Let your lawmakers hear from you. We are all here to represent you.”
HOUSE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE TO GOVERNOR ABERCROMBIE’S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS
January 24, 2012
“We heard many priorities today from Governor Abercrombie that we in the Republican caucus have shared and supported for years. Fiscal prudence, tourism, infrastructure and high-tech industry are truly important factors in improving our economy and creating jobs in Hawaii.
The fiscal situation this year has improved from last year, but less bad is not a surplus. Today’s address highlighted short-term revenue raising solutions and some long range spending plans, but Abercrombie did not bring forth sustainable measures to put Hawaii on a better economic track. Without including the next set of projections from the Council on Revenues, Abercrombie’s plan still leads us into a deficit next year, and he made few comments to indicate that he would focus on economic growth and small businesses development.
Abercrombie identified some of our state’s major concerns like reducing our dependence on oil, improving education and encouraging healthy lifestyles, but we need to be sure our solutions are responsible and sustainable. Right now, Abercrombie’s plan puts our State in a continual deficit for the next 5 years; we need to be sure we are thinking more long-term.
Abercrombie’s call for unity and the absence of tax increases are a good beginning. However, we hope that as the session moves on the governor and the legislature can develop and promote solutions that will fix our problems today AND decrease the cost-of-living for our constituents in the long run.”
The House Republican Caucus is Minority Leader Gene Ward, Minority Floor Leader Kymberly Marcos Pine, Minority Policy Leader Barbara C. Marumoto, Assistant Minority Leader Cynthia Thielen, Assistant Floor Leader Corinne W.L. Ching and Minority Whips, Representatives George Fontaine, Aaron Ling Johanson, and Gil Riviere.
Rep. Marumoto: Protecting Hawaii from Snake Invasion
January 23, 2012
Jan. 22 2012 HONOLULU, HAWAII -
In the 2012 legislative session Rep. Barbara Marumoto will be introducing two snake bills, two bills to reduce auto costs and a measure to require that the list of names of people nominated for judgeships be released to the public as part of her legislative package. Her traffic safety bills calling for helmets, ATV legislation, etc., from 2011 remain alive.
In order to revive the brown tree snake prevention program, Rep. Marumoto is requesting the restoration of three positions for dog handlers in the Department of Agriculture. Another measure would instead provide the department with funds to contract with a private entity who already has trained dogs. The latter may be less expensive and could get started faster.
Bills to reduce drivers ‘ costs include a $10 decrease in state auto registration and a reduction in the state weight tax. Last year the Legislature raised registration from $20 to $45. Marumoto proposes to lower the weight tax from by.5 cents per pound.
The courts have determined and the Judicial Selection Commission have agreed that the names of people nominated for judgeships should be made public. Believing that transparency leads to a better informed constituency, Rep. Marumoto wants to see this policy codified in statute.
