Aloha Friends,

I appreciate your interest in our democratic system of government and welcome your input with respect to the ways that we carry out our responsibilities.

It is a great honor to represent North Kohala, South Kohala, Hamakua, North Hilo, and South Hilo at the Hawaii State House of Representatives. I will make every effort to be attentive to your concerns and to inform you of important news from the Legislature.

My office is just a call, letter, or e-mail away. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Dwight Y. Takamine
State Representative
1st District

TOPICS OF INTEREST

• Tradewinds Forest Products, LLC
  Tradewinds Forest Products has introduced a proposal to build a $30,000,000 facility on the Hamakua coast that will process domestic eucalyptus logs, some harvested from state-owned plantations, into high strength, thin veneer sheets for exportation. The same facility will generate surplus electricity from the burning of wood. To support this project, Representative Takamine has introduced House Bill No. 2878, C.D. 1, which authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist in the planning, design, constructing, and equipping of facilities for the production of Tradewinds Forest Products' core products. This project will provide much-needed economic stimulus for the communities in the Hamakua area.
  
  
• Irrigation Repair and Maintenance
  Representative Takamine is a strong supporter of our agricultural industry. Representing the Hamakua area, he understands the urgent need to fix our irrigation systems. House Bill No. 2179, C.D. 1, establishes the Irrigation Repair and Maintenance Special Fund to provide funding to repair various irrigation systems around the state.
  
  
• Coqui Frogs
  Coqui frogs represent a fast-growing environmental threat. Although the Big Island has been most severely affected, other islands of the state remain highly vulnerable to this invasive species. House Bill No. 2763, H.D. 1, would have appropriated funds for each county of the state to eradicate coqui frogs. However, this measure failed to gain legislative approval.

NEWS AND EVENTS

• March 13, 2006. House passes $500,000,000 supplemental budget. (More)
  
  
• May 5, 2006. Representative Takamine successfully doubles funding for capital improvement projects on the Big Island. (More)