Year: 

40
Ewa, Ewa Beach, Ewa Gentry, Iroquois Point
Representative Bob McDermott was a Marine Officer who served in Gulf War 1. He has been married for 30 years and has eight children and seven grandchildren. He holds an MBA degree from Chaminade University. Representative McDermott has served six terms in the Hawaii State House of Representatives. Representative McDermott is a devoted family man and an active member of his church. He has served our community in many ways and is honored to represent the Ewa Beach community in his seventh term in the State Legislature.


May 13, 2019

Insights on PBS Hawaii 2019 Legislative Wrap-Up



Daryl Huff invited Representative Bob McDermott, Senator Rosalyn Baker, Honolulu Civil Beat's Chad Blair, and League of Women Voters' Douglas Meller to sit down and debrief the 2019 Legislative Session.

View full episode here: https://www.pbshawaii.org/insights-on-pbs-hawaii-2019-legislative-wrap-up/


May 8, 2019

Servco Appliance + Campbell High School Saber Cafe



Click to view a video recap of Saber Cafe's ribbon cutting ceremony. here


March 13, 2019

The Importance of Honoring Our Vietnam Vets

MidWeek West O'ahu Voice McDermott's Message...

For the past six years it has been my privilege to lead the Hawaii House of R epresentatives in recognizing the extraordinary heroism and patriotism of those members of our community who served in Vietnam. This year, we invited [Staff Sergeant Leonard “Lenny” Ho, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel L. O’Leary III, Lieutenant Colonel Johnie E. Webb, Jr., Lieutenant Colonel Vincent Vernay, Admiral Richard Macke, General David Bramlett] to be awarded official certificates which noted their achievements and expressed Hawaii's gratitude...

Honoring our Vietnam Veterans each year is our way of saying thank you and mahalo for the blood, sweat, and tears, you shed for us so many years ago, in a land far away.

For the full article, please visit

View full episode here: MidWeek's Digital Edition Archive


February 28, 2019

Hawaii News Now Interview


State Rep. Bob McDermott discusses national politics with Steve Uyehara of Hawaii News Now. View full article


January 23, 2019

Let's Keep Hawaii Film-Friendly

Here’s a lot of good news about our film industry in Hawaii.

First, the economic impact of film and television production is big and it is growing. Production expenditures for 2018 are projected to be $477 million, an increase of $157 million over 2017. View full article


January 13, 2015

State refuses support to private general aviation at Kalaeloa

Jan 07, 2015

State Representative Bob McDermott called on Governor Ige to reverse a short sighted money grab instituted by the outgoing Abercrombie administration in the waning days of his term.

McDermott said, "Gov. Ige seems like a reasonable man; surely he will see a 439% percent increase in rents - overnight - is unreasonable and foolish. General aviation is a clean and technologically advanced industry and everyone from airplane mechanics and hangar janitors depends on these pilots to keep flying. This Abercrombie policy will kill the industry to the parts suppliers overnight and make it truly accessible for only the super-rich. I ask Gov. Ige to restore common sense and reverse this Abercrombie money grab." View full article


July 14, 2014

Inmates, Lions Pitch In At North Road Cleanup

McDermott's Message...Rep. Bob McDermott July 3rd 2014

As we continue the work of beautifying the Ewa area, I was asked by several community members to clean up some roadside growth. Litter and vegetation had overgrown a portion of North Road, and many folks expressed concern over its unsightly appearance. The area in need was about 800 yards in length, but both sides of the road needed attention, so that meant the job entailed 1,600 linear yards. A big job - too big for a weekend community cleanup lasting two hours. Generally speaking, this is not something the municipal agencies engage in because of funding restrictions.
View full article


July 14, 2014

Campbell JROTC Cadets Are Learning How To Lead

McDermott's Message ... by Rep. Bob McDermott June 04 2014

Campbell High School's Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC) teaches values of citizenship, service to the country, personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment.

The NJROTC program was established by public law in 1964. The program is conducted at accredited secondary schools throughout the nation, including Campbell High, and is led by instructors who are retired Coast Guard officers, Marine Corps, Navy and enlisted personnel.

The curriculum emphasizes citizenship and leadership development, as well as our maritime heritage.
View full article


June 26, 2014

Remembering The West Loch Disaster

MidWeek April 9, 2014 McDermott's Message by Rep. Bob McDermott

As we approach Memorial Day, it is proper to take a moment to reflect upon all those who have served, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. All of us are aware of the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. However, most of us are unaware of the other wartime disaster that took place here: the West Loch Disaster.

The disaster occurred in the West Loch part of the harbor, which at the time was used as a staging area for a fleet of Landing Ship, Tank (LSTs) and other amphibious assault ships being prepared for the upcoming Operation Forager, an invasion of the Japanese-held Mariana Islands.

On May 21, 1944, 29 ships gathered in the harbor's West Loch to load ammunition and supplies in preparation for the operation. The LSTs, or ships designed to land battle-ready tanks, were closely nested together along six berths. At 3:08 p.m., an explosion rocked the deck of LST 353 and subsequently spread fire among the tightly packed ships loaded with fuel and munitions, including a volatile cargo of 20mm, 40mm and small-arms ammunition, 200,000 gallons of diesel fuel, drums of lubricating oil, flares, signal rockets and fog oil smoke pots. The chain reaction of explosions that followed left six sunken LSTs and several more severely damaged. The resulting fires lasted 24 hours.

In all, at least 163 men were killed and 396 wounded.

View full article


March 21, 2014

Rep McDermott - Pono Choices

Roy Chan's Cartoon March 19 -26 2014

Midweek link: View full article


March 7, 2014

Campbell High Swim Team: Full Speed Ahead

McDermott's Message March 05, 2014

I recently asked young Samuel Bass IV to tell me about the Campbell High School swim team. He shared the following:

This year, the Sabers are showing great potential as they show off some of their talented swimmers.

Who are these up-and-coming swimmers? Makoa Alvarez, age 16 (a junior), brought Campbell its first-ever OIA record last year in the 100-yard backstroke. This year, he broke his own record in the OIA championships, swimming the 100-yard backstroke, sending him off to the state championships. At states, Makoa achieved another record: the state record for the 100-yard backstroke! His time was 49.79, tying the past record and claiming the title as his own.
View full article


January 14, 2014

McDermott says 'Pono Choices' is medically inaccurate, inappropriate for middle school

January 09, 2014

A state House lawmaker claimed today that Pono Choices, a pilot sex education curriculum aimed at public middle school students, is not medically accurate or age appropriate and deliberately minimizes the risks of homosexual behavior.

State Rep. Bob McDermott (R, Ewa Beach-Iroquois Point) said he wants the state Board of Education to either pull the curriculum from public schools or make revisions to the content.

View full article


December 30, 2013

Legislator steamed over DOE sex ed program

Honolulu Advertiser Thursday, December 19, 2013 By Nanea Kalani

A state lawmaker suing the state for legalizing same-sex marriages says a controversial sex education program being taught in some public schools is inappropriate because it promotes a "homosexual lifestyle as a positive or 'pono' choice."

Rep. Bob McDermott (R, Ewa-Iroquois Point) said he heard from concerned parents during the state's debate over marriage equality that middle school students were being taught about same-sex relationships and oral and anal sex as part of the curriculum for a pilot sex education program called Pono Choices. View full article


August 21, 2013

West Community Cooperates To Fix Its Roads

Aug 14, 2013 by Representative Bob McDermott

During my first term as your state representative, I've tried to meet with as many constituents of district 40 as I possibly can. I've held town hall meetings, visited with condo associations and have gone door-to-door.

I've asked people what their concerns are, and have done my best to get them some action from government. Many of those concerns focus on city services, including the bus routes, police service and maintenance of streets.

Well, thanks to a very active community member, Ewa resident Ariel Dejesus, we took up the project of getting North Road repaired, albeit temporarily. The immediate safety issues have been mitigated, and we are working with Councilmembers Ron Menor and Kymberly Pine to see if the city can come in with a more permanent solution.

View full article


August 8, 2013

Health Department ruling blocks loans for isle veterans

Aug 07, 2013 By Bob McDermott

An arbitrary state Department of Health ruling effectively blocks Veterans Affairs loans to homes with rainwater catchment systems, many of them in Hawaii County.

This declaration by the DOH, that rain catchment water is non-potable, has stopped all VA loans and refinancing on homes with county-approved catchment systems. This could affect up to 60,000 of the most affordable homes on the Big Island. It has locked in existing VA home mortgages at higher rates and blocked veterans who own existing homes from refinancing at the current low rates with no money down. View full article


July 1, 2013

Rep. McDermott blasts Abercrombie administration's obstruction of VA loans

Friday, June 21st, 2013

State Rep. Bob McDermott held a press conference at the State Capitol to outline his efforts to work with Gov. Neil Abercrombie's administration to alter an arbitrary Department of Health ruling posted on their website that blocks VA loans to homes with rainwater catchment systems. "We tried working with Gary Gil at the DOH and Blake Oshiro at the Governor's Office for over sixty days," explained Rep. McDermott. "Everyone seemed to understand the situation, but absolutely nothing was done to correct the problem." View full article


June 17, 2013

Iroquois Beach Target Of Replenishment Project

May 29, 2013 by Representative Bob McDermott

Midweek article

Everybody knows that Hawaii's beaches are world-renowned. They are assets to our island communities and contribute greatly to our unique Hawaiian lifestyle.

Having eight children of my own, I can attest to the fact that going to the beach is one of the best and most affordable things a family can do together.

The Ewa community has several beautiful beaches, from the old Barbers Point Air Station, to our town's namesake Ewa Beach, to the scenic Iroquois Point.

Our relationship to our beaches helps define us. Whether it is fishing for a record-size 'o'io, surfing, or just enjoying the sunset, our beaches are critically important to who we are as a people - and that's why it is worth noting when one of our corporate citizens repeatedly steps in to make things better. View full article


April 3, 2013

Proposed Capital Improvements For Campbell High

March 27, 2013 By Representative Bob McDermott

My first CIP (capital improvement project) requests for House District 40, the Ewa area, were focused on Campbell High School. After a series of meetings with school administrators, teachers and the Department of Education engineers, I came to several conclusions.

First, a new second high school is not needed, but major improvements to Campbell High School's existing facilities are long overdue.

View full article


February 27, 2013

Rep. Bob McDermott Addresses Teachers' Contract

February 20, 2013 by Rep. Bob McDermott

It is long overdue to settle the teachers' contract. Making them grovel over less than a 2% increase (when health care costs are factored in), while at the same time proposing an expensive new preschool program is breathtakingly insulting. This reinforces the belief among teachers that they are not appreciated and they are made the perennial whipping boys for all of the systemic shortcomings that produce public dissatisfaction. The teachers are by and large dedicated professionals who feel underappreciated and this preschool maneuver by the Governor offers them solid evidence that they are indeed taken for granted. View full article

2015 Committee Member of
 Measures Introduced in 2015
Measure and Title
HB355
RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FORTIETH REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.
HB356
RELATING TO TAXATION.
HB357
RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
HB358
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB404
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE HAWAII INNOVATION WAIVER TASK FORCE.
HB405
RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
HB406
RELATING TO CONTROVERSIAL PUBLIC SCHOOL CURRICULUM.
HB407
RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
HB408
RELATING TO COTTAGE FOODS.
HB409
RELATING TO FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENTS.
HB410
RELATING TO AUDITING THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.
HB411
RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE WEIGHT TAX REDUCTION.
HB415
RELATING TO FERRIES.
HB416
RELATING TO RETAIL WHEELING.
HB417
RELATING TO VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEE REDUCTION.
HB418
PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES II, III, AND XVII OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO PROVIDE FOR INITIATIVE, REFERENDUM, AND RECALL.
HB419
RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.
HB420
RELATING TO THE AUDIT AUTHORITY OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.
HB421
RELATING TO ENERGY STORAGE.
HB468
RELATING TO EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
HB469
RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.
HB471
RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
HB473
RELATING TO SHOOTING RANGE PROTECTION.
HB474
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE II OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO PROVIDE FOR RECALL.
HB475
RELATING TO A BASIC BILL OF RIGHTS FOR VICTIMS AND WITNESSES.
HB476
REPEAL OF THE INHERITANCE AND ESTATE TAX.
HB477
RELATING TO TAXATION.
HB558
RELATING TO OVERTIME.
HB569
RELATING TO MEDICAL AMNESTY.
HB751
RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
HB752
RELATING TO CHECK CASHING.
HB753
RELATING TO CONFORMANCE OF STATE PERSONAL EXEMPTION TO FEDERAL PERSONAL EXEMPTION.
HB849
RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
HB1018
RELATING TO KALAELOA AIRPORT.
HB1019
RELATING TO ELECTION CANDIDATES.
HB1057
RELATING TO SENTENCING.
HB1058
RELATING TO AERONAUTICS.
HB1059
RELATING TO ALCOHOL.
HB1120
RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.
HB1121
RELATING TO TUITION INCENTIVES.
HB1123
RELATING TO ENERGY RESOURCES.
HB1133
RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
HB1149
RELATING TO VETERANS.
HB1156 HD1
RELATING TO MARINE NATIONAL MONUMENTS.
HB1160
RELATING TO RELIGIOUS RIGHTS.
HB1163
RELATING TO STUDENT HEALTH.
HB1209
RELATING TO STATE ENTERPRISE ZONES.
HB1211
RELATING TO ELECTIONS.
HB1290
RELATING TO LANDFILLS.
HB1299
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB1300
PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII RELATING TO PUBLIC EDUCATION.
HB1301
RELATING TO TAXATION.
HB1302
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I, SECTION 23, OF THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO RESERVE MARRIAGE TO OPPOSITE-SEX COUPLES.
HB1303
RELATING TO RECORDS.
HB1333
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB1334
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB1335
RELATING TO SOLID WASTE.
HB1336
RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB1337
RELATING TO PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS.
HB1375
MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR A WAR MEMORIAL.
HB1379
RELATING TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.
HB1380
RELATING TO THE AHA MOKU ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
HB1443
RELATING TO KALAELOA AIRPORT.
HB1444
RELATING TO BORN ALIVE INFANTS.
HB1445
RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.
HB1446
RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.
HB1447
RELATING TO POLICE EVASION.
HB1494
RELATING TO THE PHOTOVOLATIC INTERCONNECTION TASK FORCE.
HCR3
STRONGLY OPPOSING THE UNITED STATES ARMY'S PROPOSED FORCE REDUCTION OF SCHOFIELD BARRACKS AND FORT SHAFTER BASES.
HCR13
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO DEFINE WINDSHIELD AND CLARIFY THE MEANING OF AN OBSTRUCTION OF THE DRIVER'S CLEAR VIEW IN THE PERIODIC MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION MANUAL FOR INSPECTORS OF PASSENGER CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS.
HCR32
URGING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE REFUSE COLLECTION SERVICES IN FULL WITHOUT ADDITIONAL CHARGES OR FEES.
HCR38
URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RACE TRACK IN THE EWA DISTRICT ON THE ISLAND OF OAHU.
HCR39
URGING THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENT, CONGRESS, AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT NUMBER OF SOLDIERS AND CIVILIAN WORKERS AT FORT SHAFTER AND SCHOFIELD BARRACKS.
HCR83
URGING THE AIRPORTS DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII TO MAKE CERTAIN CHANGES REGARDING STATE AIRPORT PROPERTIES.
HCR121
REQUESTING KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS TO REFRAIN FROM DEVELOPING THE PARCEL IN HAWAII KAI COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE "GREAT LAWN".
HCR122
URGING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO SUPPORT AN INDEPENDENT FISCAL AUDIT OF THE HANAUMA BAY NATURE PRESERVE FUND.
HCR196
REQUESTING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONVENE A DRONE POLICY TASK FORCE AND RECOMMEND A STATEWIDE POLICY FOR UNMANNED AIRCRAFT THAT PROTECTS PRIVACY AND ALLOWS THE USE OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE APPLICATIONS.
HCR197
REQUESTING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND RESPECTIVE COUNTIES TO WORK TOGETHER FOR STATEWIDE INSTALLATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PEDESTRIAN ACTIVATED SIGNALS FOR CROSSWALKS.
HCR198
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO PRIORITIZE THE DEVELOPMENT OF KAPOLEI INTO A JOB CENTER IN SUPPORT OF THE STATE AND THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU'S POLICIES TO DEVELOP KAPOLEI INTO OAHU'S "SECONDARY URBAN CENTER".
HCR202 HD1
URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO EXPEDITE CONSTRUCTION FOR THE EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE REPLACEMENT WASH-DOWN STATIONS AT MAUNALUA BAY.
HCR228
URGING THE DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH, BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM, AND THE COUNTIES TO EXPLORE PRACTICAL USES OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE ASH.
HR7
REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO DEFINE WINDSHIELD AND CLARIFY THE MEANING OF AN OBSTRUCTION OF THE DRIVER'S CLEAR VIEW IN THE PERIODIC MOTOR VEHICLE INSPECTION MANUAL FOR INSPECTORS OF PASSENGER CARS AND LIGHT TRUCKS.
HR15
URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO PROVIDE LAND FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RACE TRACK IN THE EWA DISTRICT ON THE ISLAND OF OAHU.
HR72
REQUESTING KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS TO REFRAIN FROM DEVELOPING THE PARCEL IN HAWAII KAI COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE "GREAT LAWN".
HR73
URGING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO SUPPORT AN INDEPENDENT FISCAL AUDIT OF THE HANAUMA BAY NATURE PRESERVE FUND.
HR74
HONORING THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE OF OUTSTANDING VIETNAM VETERANS AND COMMEMORATING THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LANDING OF UNITED STATES GROUND TROOPS IN THE VIETNAM WAR.
HR94
REQUESTING THE HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO ASSESS THE HAWAII COMMON CORE STANDARDS AND DEVELOP ALTERNATIVE STATE-BASED EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS.
HR133
REQUESTING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CONVENE A DRONE POLICY TASK FORCE AND RECOMMEND A STATEWIDE POLICY FOR UNMANNED AIRCRAFT THAT PROTECTS PRIVACY AND ALLOWS THE USE OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE APPLICATIONS.
HR134
REQUESTING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND RESPECTIVE COUNTIES TO WORK TOGETHER FOR STATEWIDE INSTALLATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PEDESTRIAN ACTIVATED SIGNALS FOR CROSSWALKS.
HR138 HD1
URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO EXPEDITE CONSTRUCTION FOR THE EXPANSION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE REPLACEMENT WASH-DOWN STATIONS AT MAUNALUA BAY.
HR159
URGING THE DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, HEALTH, BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM, AND THE COUNTIES TO EXPLORE PRACTICAL USES OF MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE ASH.