Legislative Members

30th Legislature, 2019
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The Legislature has adjourned sine die for 2019.

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Senate District 3
Hawaii State Capitol
Room 206
phone: 808-586-9385
fax: 808-586-9391
senkanuha@capitol.hawaii.gov

Member of the following committees:

Housing

Education

Government Operations

Ways and Means

District Information

3rd Senatorial District Map - Kona, Ka‘ū

EDUCATION

• Mokuaikaua Church Preschool
• Kahakai Elementary School
• Kealakehe Intermediate and High School
• University of San Diego - Political Science, B.A., with a Minor in Business Administration

PUBLIC SERVICE EXPERIENCE

• President, HSAC (Hawaii State Association of Counties)
• Member, WIR Board (Western Interstate Region, an affliate of NACo)
• Member, Board of Directors, NACo (National Association of Counties)
• Volunteer Instructor, children's tennis at the Old Kona Airport
• Volunteer, Kealakehe High School Waveriders Against Drugs
• Kona Representative, Hawai‘i Island Burial Council (2010-2011)
• Member, Board of Directors, Kai ‘O Pua Canoe Club
• Founding Member, The Betty Kanuha Fundation, Inc. (formed in 2001 as a tribute to Dru's Grandmother), a non-profit organization supporting literacy and cultural programs
• Vice Chair, 2011 Hawai‘i County Redistricting Commission

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE

• Chair and Presiding Officer of the County Council, 2014-2016 Hawai‘i County Council
• Chair of the Committee on Public Works and Parks and Recreation, 2012-2014 Hawai‘i County Council
• Vice Chair of the Committee on Environmental Management, 2012-2014 Hawai‘i County Council
• Water and Agricultural Resources, Kamehameha Schools-Land Assets Division, Hawai‘i Island (supporting Kamehameha Schools' Strategic Agricultural Plan)
• Legislative Aide, Judiciary and Labor Committee (Senator Clayton Hee, Chair), Hawai‘i State Legislature

Measures Introduced

	Title
SB1 SD2	RELATING TO HOUSING.
SB9 SD1 HD1 CD1	RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY.
SB12 SD1 HD2	RELATING TO TEACHER HOUSING.
SB16 SD1	RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY.
SB114 SD1 HD1	RELATING TO TEACHER HOUSING.
SB115	RELATING TO ELECTIONS.
SB210 SD1	RELATING TO PARENTAL RIGHTS.
SB229	RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.
SB253 SD2	RELATING TO BROADBAND SERVICE.
SB262	RELATING TO PUEO RESEARCH.
SB263	RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.
SB265	RELATING TO ‘ULU.
SB299	RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
SB303 HD1	RELATING TO GARDENS.
SB351 SD1	RELATING TO HOUSING.
SB356	RELATING TO INSURANCE.
SB365 SD2 HD1	RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
SB367 SD1 HD1	RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
SB368	RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
SB369	RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
SB371 SD2	RELATING TO SCHOOLS.
SB375 SD2 HD1 CD1	RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
SB378	RELATING TO LAND USE.
SB379 SD1	RELATING TO LAND EXCHANGE.
SB383 SD2 HD1 CD1	RELATING TO YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION.
SB387 SD2 HD1	RELATING TO TEACHER RENTAL HOUSING.
SB388 SD2 HD2 CD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
SB390 SD2 HD1 CD1	RELATING TO SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INCENTIVES.
SB391 SD2	RELATING TO BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS.
SB392 SD2 HD1	RELATING TO SPECIAL EDUCATION.
SB398 SD1 HD1 CD1	RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.
SB399	RELATING TO NON-GENERAL FUNDS.
SB400	RELATING TO HOUSING.
SB407	MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY FOR HAWAII COUNTY.
SB457 SD1 HD1	RELATING TO THE PUNA DISTANCE LEARNING CENTER.
SB469	RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET.
SB472 SD2	RELATING TO PUNA.
SB516	RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
SB517 SD1	RELATING TO HOUSING.
SB577 SD1	RELATING TO ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY ENTITLEMENTS.
SB591	RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
SB635 SD1	PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLE IX, SECTION 5, OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII.
SB657 SD2	RELATING TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
SB661 SD1 HD1 CD1	RELATING TO FUEL CELL ELECTRIC VEHICLES.
SB666 SD2 HD2	RELATING TO AN AIRPORTS CORPORATION.
SB684 SD1	RELATING TO COMMUNITY MEETINGS.
SB690 SD1	RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.
SB691	RELATING TO SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING.
SB698 SD2	RELATING TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS.
SB867 SD1 HD1	RELATING TO HOUSING.
SB868	RELATING TO THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX.
SB869 SD1	RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
SB870	RELATING TO LOAN REPAYMENT FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.
SB871 SD1 HD1	RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.
SB872	RELATING TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.
SB873	RELATING TO WORKFORCE HOUSING.
SB874 SD2	RELATING TO HOUSING ON HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.
SB875 SD1	MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR STATE LIFEGUARDS.
SB876 SD1	RELATING TO THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM.
SB877	RELATING TO HEALTH.
SB878 SD1	RELATING TO HOUSING.
SB879	MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO THE OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY FOR HAWAII COUNTY.
SB880	RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.
SB881	RELATING TO HEALTH.
SB882	RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.
SB883	RELATING TO HEALTH.
SB884	RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.
SB885 SD1 HD1	RELATING TO THE LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD RENTERS CREDIT.
SB886	RELATING TO THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
SB887 SD2 HD2	RELATING TO TOBACCO TAXES.
SB888	RELATING TO COFFEE LABELING.
SB889	RELATING TO HEALTH.
SB890	RELATING TO RENTAL HOUSING.
SB891 SD1 HD1	RELATING TO HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
SB892	RELATING TO EMERGENCY SERVICES.
SB893 SD1 HD1	RELATING TO RECYCLING.
SB894	RELATING TO COFFEE LABELING.
SB895	RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
SB896	RELATING TO GENERATION OF STATE REVENUES.
SB897	RELATING TO WATER QUALITY MONITORING.
SB901 SD1	RELATING TO ONSITE NON-POTABLE WATER REUSE SYSTEMS.
SB908 SD2 HD1	RELATING TO SUSTAINABILITY.
SB909 SD2	RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
SB910	RELATING TO HEALTH.
SB911 SD1 HD1	RELATING TO HEALTH.
SB921 SD2 HD1	RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
SB927	RELATING TO HUNTING.
SB929	RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE COLLEGE.
SB930	RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE.
SB932	RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
SB933	RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS.
SB938 SD1	RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
SB939 SD1	RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.
SB968	RELATING TO CARGO INSPECTIONS.
SB982	RELATING TO KINDERGARTEN.
SB983 SD2 HD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
SB1023 SD1 HD1	RELATING TO AGING.
SB1026 SD1	RELATING TO THE HEALTHY AGING PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.
SB1028	RELATING TO RETIREMENT SAVINGS.
SB1034 SD1 HD1	RELATING TO INSURANCE.
SB1035 SD1	RELATING TO SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
SB1040 SD1	RELATING TO SEX TRAFFICKING.
SB1042 SD1	RELATING TO CIVIL RIGHTS.
SB1052	RELATING TO TAXATION.
SB1053	RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTIONS.
SB1058 SD2 HD1 CD1	RELATING TO PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
SB1156	RELATING TO HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS.
SB1157	RELATING TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
SB1158 SD2 HD1	RELATING TO SCHOOL SUPPLIES.
SB1159	RELATING TO ELECTRIC GRID RESILIENCY.
SB1296 SD1	RELATING TO THE KAHOOLAWE ISLAND RESERVE COMMISSION.
SB1297 SD2 HD1	RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.
SB1299	RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS.
SB1300	RELATING TO THE KEA‘AU VILLAGE TRANSIT HUB.
SB1302	RELATING TO NATURAL DISASTERS.
SB1363 SD1	RELATING TO INCREASING THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS' PRO RATA SHARE OF PUBLIC LAND TRUST FUNDS.
SB1369	RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.
SB1370 SD2	RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.
SB1388	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
SB1406 SD1 HD2	RELATING TO HEALTH.
SB1407	RELATING TO COUNTIES.
SB1408	RELATING TO DISTRICT HEALTH OFFICERS.
SB1409	RELATING TO TEACHING HOSPITALS.
SB1410 SD2	RELATING TO EMERGENCY SERVICES.
SB1451 SD1 HD1	RELATING TO STATE HOLIDAYS.
SB1489	RELATING TO THE AHA MOKU ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
SB1493	RELATING TO THE FESTIVAL OF THE PACIFIC ARTS.
SB1513	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
SB1516 SD1	RELATING TO TAXATION.
SB1517 SD1	RELATING TO THE KUAKINI HIGHWAY.
SB1518	RELATING TO GENERATION OF STATE REVENUES.
SB1519	RELATING TO COUNTIES.
SB1520	RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE THIRD SENATORIAL DISTRICT.
SB1527 SD1	RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
SB1531	RELATING TO IOLANI PALACE.
SCR25	URGING THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS OF EACH COUNTY TO ADOPT NEW FIREWORKS DETECTION TECHNOLOGIES TO ENFORCE FIREWORKS LAWS.
SCR28	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO MANAGE THE WAI‘ANAE KAI FOREST AND RESTORE WATER FLOW IN WAI‘ANAE STREAMS FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN TRADITIONAL AND CUSTOMARY PRACTICES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WAI‘ANAE KAI WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS PLAN.
SCR54	REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A TRANSPARENT, COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE AND MANAGEMENT AUDIT OF CERTAIN OFFICES AND PROGRAMS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO INCREASE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN GOVERNMENT.
SCR58	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION TO INCLUDE CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION INSTRUCTION AS PART OF THE HEALTH CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS GRADES SIX THROUGH TWELVE.
SCR70	REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS TO CONDUCT AN INDEPENDENT FISCAL AUDIT OF ALL LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATIONS CREATED OR CONTROLLED BY THE OFFICE.
SCR77 SD1	ENCOURAGING THE LEGISLATURE TO FUND THE HAWAII RURAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM.
SCR78 SD1	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO PRIORITIZE FUNDING TO WIDEN KUAKINI HIGHWAY BETWEEN HENRY STREET AND KAMEHAMEHA III ROAD ON HAWAII ISLAND.
SCR79 SD1	URGING STATE ENTITIES TO GIVE CONSIDERATION TO APPLICANTS WHO WORK WITHIN TWENTY-FIVE MILES OF THE HOUSING APPLIED FOR UNDER AFFORDABLE, RESERVED, AND WORKFORCE HOUSING PROGRAMS.
SCR80	URGING THE STATE OF HAWAII TO PLACE AN EMPHASIS ON STATEWIDE DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT PROGRAMS.
SCR81	REQUESTING ALL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY, INTERMEDIATE, AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN THE STATE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 291C-3, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES, FOR KEIKI HEALTH BENEFITS.
SCR82 SD1	ENCOURAGING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE HAWAII HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION, TO STUDY THE IMPACT AND FEASIBILITY OF CREATING A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN WEST HAWAII.
SCR83 SD1	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CLEAN UP ALL LITTER ON THE PARCEL OF STATE LANDS, IDENTIFIED AS TAX MAP KEY (3) 7-4-08: 21, LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF QUEEN KAAHUMANU HIGHWAY AND PALANI ROAD.
SCR84 SD1	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE HAWAII'S HOME VISITING PROGRAM.
SCR85	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PARITY WORKING GROUP TO DETERMINE HOW THE STATE CAN COMPLY WITH AND EXCEED FEDERAL MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PARITY LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
SCR86	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON POTENTIAL INDUSTRIES, OTHER THAN TOURISM, TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTY OF HAWAII.
SCR87	REQUESTING THE BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY TO CREATE A FIVE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM TO ALLOW CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS LICENSED PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 465, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES, TO PRESCRIBE PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS ONLY TO PATIENTS TREATED BY THE PSYCHOLOGIST AT A FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER.
SCR88	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND FINANCE TO EXAMINE PARTICIPATION BY THE STATE IN THE POWERBALL AND MEGA MILLIONS MULTISTATE LOTTERY GAMES AND THE ALLOCATION OF THE INCOME FROM THOSE GAMES TO THE GENERAL FUND.
SCR89 SD1	ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES TO WORK WITH THE CAPITOL MANAGEMENT GROUP, IN CONSULTATION WITH HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICES, TO IDENTIFY ON-SITE ENERGY PRODUCTION AND ENERGY CONSERVATION OPPORTUNITIES AND TRANSITION THE STATE CAPITOL BUILDING INTO AN ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING.
SCR90	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO REQUIRE THAT EACH OF ITS DISTRICT HEALTH OFFICERS BE A PHYSICIAN LICENSED UNDER CHAPTER 453, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES.
SCR91	RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF AN ADDITIONAL AMBULANCE TO SERVE RESIDENTS IN THE MAKALEI AREA, KAILUA-KONA, ISLAND OF HAWAII.
SCR92 SD1	ENCOURAGING THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO PRIORITIZE INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC FACILITIES WITHIN TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT ZONES AND THE KALAELOA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IN ANY OF ITS STATEWIDE PLANNING FUNCTIONS OR INVOLVEMENT THEREIN.
SCR93	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE NEEDS OF THE POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED BY A NEW INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC FACILITY AND DEVELOP A COORDINATED INTERAGENCY ACTION PLAN TO IMPLEMENT NEEDED SERVICES, AND COMMENCE BUILDING A SECURE INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC FACILITY.
SCR94	URGING HAWAII COFFEE GROWERS TO FORM AN ALLIANCE AND INITIATE A VOLUNTARY COFFEE BEAN INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION PILOT PROGRAM TO HELP ENSURE THE GRADE AND ORIGIN OF GREEN COFFEE BEANS AND PREVENT FALSE CLAIMS OF HAWAII-GROWN COFFEE.
SCR95	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX REVENUES THAT WOULD BE ALLOCATED TO EACH COUNTY IF THE ALLOCATION WERE TO BE RECALCULATED BASED UPON POPULATION GROWTH FROM 2010 TO 2017.
SCR96	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF CREATING AN OFFICE OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.
SCR99 SD1	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS THE LACK OF CONSOLIDATED, CONSISTENT HEALTH SCREENING PROGRAMS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR CHILDREN IN THE STATE.
SCR100	REQUESTING THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP RELATING TO PATIENTS REQUIRING AN EMERGENCY MENTAL HEALTH EXAMINATION.
SCR114	URGING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT RULES TO ALLOW HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC SCHOOL EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
SCR142	URGING THE DIVISION OF BOATING AND OCEAN RECREATION AND THE DIVISION OF CONSERVATION AND RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT ON LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO IMPLEMENT AND CONDUCT QUARTERLY COMMUNITY MEETINGS.
SCR143	URGING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO INCLUDE INSTRUCTION IN CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION INTO HEALTH EDUCATION CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE IN ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE STATE.
SCR144	REQUESTING THE LEGISLATURE TO RECALCULATE AND ESTABLISH THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX ALLOCATION OF EACH COUNTY BASED UPON THE POPULATION GROWTH FROM 2010 TO 2017 IN EACH COUNTY.
SCR145 HD1	ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE IN THE COUNTY OF HAWAII TO PRIORITIZE THE CONTROL OF HIGH-THREAT INVASIVE SPECIES.
SCR146	ENCOURAGING ALL COUNTIES TO INCORPORATE INTO THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTY CODES THE SEVENTEEN UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS.
SCR147	ENCOURAGING THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO REEVALUATE THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
SCR148	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CERTIFICATION PROCESS, OVERSIGHT BOARD, AND REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS.
SCR149	ENCOURAGING THE LEGISLATURE TO RE-EVALUATE THE MAXIMUM CLAIMABLE AMOUNT OF THE LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD RENTERS TAX CREDIT PER TAXPAYER IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE OF AFFORDABLE RENTAL UNITS FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.
SCR154	REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII OFFICE OF INTERNAL AUDIT TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF VARIOUS PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII WEST OAHU THAT RECEIVE EXTRAMURAL FUNDING, INCLUDING TITLE III GRANT FUNDING.
SCR165 SD1	REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF PLANNING TO ESTABLISH AN AGRICULTURAL HOUSING TASK FORCE TO STUDY EXISTING COUNTY AND STATE LAWS, RULES, AND PROCESSES TO PLAN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ON-FARM EMPLOYEE HOUSING WITHIN THE STATE AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT.
SCR208	ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN CONSULTATION WITH ANY OTHER STATE AGENCY WITH EXPERTISE IN TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH, TO CONDUCT RESEARCH ON TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN SCAN SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR ANY TYPE OF ILLEGAL FIREWORK BEING IMPORTED INTO THE STATE.
SCR209 SD1	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF BOATING AND OCEAN RECREATION AND COUNTY OF HAWAII TO WORK TOGETHER TO IDENTIFY AND PURSUE THE BEST PLAN OF ACTION TO ADDRESS ISSUES AT KAHALU‘U BEACH PARK ON HAWAII ISLAND.
SR12	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS TO PERFORM AN ACTUARIAL STUDY ON THE SIZE OF THE CURRENT AND PROJECTED FUTURE POPULATIONS OF HAWAIIANS ELIGIBLE TO LEASE HAWAIIAN HOME LANDS.
SR20	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO MANAGE THE WAI‘ANAE KAI FOREST AND RESTORE WATER FLOW IN WAI‘ANAE STREAMS FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN TRADITIONAL AND CUSTOMARY PRACTICES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WAI‘ANAE KAI WILDFIRE PREPAREDNESS PLAN.
SR38	REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A TRANSPARENT, COMPREHENSIVE PERFORMANCE AND MANAGEMENT AUDIT OF CERTAIN OFFICES AND PROGRAMS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO INCREASE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN GOVERNMENT.
SR48	REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS TO CONDUCT AN INDEPENDENT FISCAL AUDIT OF ALL LIMITED LIABILITY CORPORATIONS CREATED OR CONTROLLED BY THE OFFICE.
SR54 SD1	ENCOURAGING THE LEGISLATURE TO FUND THE HAWAII RURAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDER LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM.
SR55 SD1	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO PRIORITIZE FUNDING TO WIDEN KUAKINI HIGHWAY BETWEEN HENRY STREET AND KAMEHAMEHA III ROAD ON HAWAII ISLAND.
SR56 SD1	URGING STATE ENTITIES TO GIVE CONSIDERATION TO APPLICANTS WHO WORK WITHIN TWENTY-FIVE MILES OF THE HOUSING APPLIED FOR UNDER AFFORDABLE, RESERVED, AND WORKFORCE HOUSING PROGRAMS.
SR57	URGING THE STATE OF HAWAII TO PLACE AN EMPHASIS ON STATEWIDE DRUG AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT PROGRAMS.
SR58	REQUESTING ALL PUBLIC ELEMENTARY, INTERMEDIATE, AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS IN THE STATE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 291C-3, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES, FOR KEIKI HEALTH BENEFITS.
SR59 SD1	ENCOURAGING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII JOHN A. BURNS SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE HAWAII HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION, TO STUDY THE IMPACT AND FEASIBILITY OF CREATING A TEACHING HOSPITAL IN WEST HAWAII.
SR60 SD1	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CLEAN UP ALL LITTER ON THE PARCEL OF STATE LANDS, IDENTIFIED AS TAX MAP KEY (3) 7-4-08: 21, LOCATED AT THE INTERSECTION OF QUEEN KAAHUMANU HIGHWAY AND PALANI ROAD.
SR61 SD1	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO EXPAND AND IMPROVE HAWAII'S HOME VISITING PROGRAM.
SR62	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PARITY WORKING GROUP TO DETERMINE HOW THE STATE CAN COMPLY WITH AND EXCEED FEDERAL MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE PARITY LAWS AND REGULATIONS.
SR63	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON POTENTIAL INDUSTRIES, OTHER THAN TOURISM, TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE COUNTY OF HAWAII.
SR64	REQUESTING THE BOARD OF PSYCHOLOGY TO CREATE A FIVE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM TO ALLOW CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS LICENSED PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 465, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES, TO PRESCRIBE PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS ONLY TO PATIENTS TREATED BY THE PSYCHOLOGIST AT A FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER.
SR65	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND FINANCE TO EXAMINE PARTICIPATION BY THE STATE IN THE POWERBALL AND MEGA MILLIONS MULTISTATE LOTTERY GAMES AND THE ALLOCATION OF THE INCOME FROM THOSE GAMES TO THE GENERAL FUND.
SR66 SD1	ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES TO WORK WITH THE CAPITOL MANAGEMENT GROUP, IN CONSULTATION WITH HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICES, TO IDENTIFY ON-SITE ENERGY PRODUCTION AND ENERGY CONSERVATION OPPORTUNITIES AND TRANSITION THE STATE CAPITOL BUILDING INTO AN ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING.
SR67	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO REQUIRE THAT EACH OF ITS DISTRICT HEALTH OFFICERS BE A PHYSICIAN LICENSED UNDER CHAPTER 453, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES.
SR68	RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF AN ADDITIONAL AMBULANCE TO SERVE RESIDENTS IN THE MAKALEI AREA, KAILUA-KONA, ISLAND OF HAWAII.
SR69 SD1	ENCOURAGING THE HAWAII COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO PRIORITIZE INVESTMENT IN PUBLIC FACILITIES WITHIN TRANSIT-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT ZONES AND THE KALAELOA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IN ANY OF ITS STATEWIDE PLANNING FUNCTIONS OR INVOLVEMENT THEREIN.
SR70	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE NEEDS OF THE POPULATIONS TO BE SERVED BY A NEW INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC FACILITY AND DEVELOP A COORDINATED INTERAGENCY ACTION PLAN TO IMPLEMENT NEEDED SERVICES, AND COMMENCE BUILDING A SECURE INPATIENT PSYCHIATRIC FACILITY.
SR71	URGING HAWAII COFFEE GROWERS TO FORM AN ALLIANCE AND INITIATE A VOLUNTARY COFFEE BEAN INSPECTION AND CERTIFICATION PILOT PROGRAM TO HELP ENSURE THE GRADE AND ORIGIN OF GREEN COFFEE BEANS AND PREVENT FALSE CLAIMS OF HAWAII-GROWN COFFEE.
SR72	URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION TO CONDUCT A STUDY TO DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX REVENUES THAT WOULD BE ALLOCATED TO EACH COUNTY IF THE ALLOCATION WERE TO BE RECALCULATED BASED UPON POPULATION GROWTH FROM 2010 TO 2017.
SR74	REQUESTING THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP RELATING TO PATIENTS REQUIRING AN EMERGENCY MENTAL HEALTH EXAMINATION.
SR84	URGING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT RULES TO ALLOW HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN PUBLIC SCHOOL EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES.
SR109	URGING THE DIVISION OF BOATING AND OCEAN RECREATION AND THE DIVISION OF CONSERVATION AND RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT ON LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO IMPLEMENT AND CONDUCT QUARTERLY COMMUNITY MEETINGS.
SR110	URGING THE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO INCLUDE INSTRUCTION IN CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION INTO HEALTH EDUCATION CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES NINE THROUGH TWELVE IN ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE STATE.
SR111	REQUESTING THE LEGISLATURE TO RECALCULATE AND ESTABLISH THE TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX ALLOCATION OF EACH COUNTY BASED UPON THE POPULATION GROWTH FROM 2010 TO 2017 IN EACH COUNTY.
SR112	ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF FORESTRY AND WILDLIFE IN THE COUNTY OF HAWAII TO PRIORITIZE THE CONTROL OF HIGH-THREAT INVASIVE SPECIES.
SR113	ENCOURAGING ALL COUNTIES TO INCORPORATE INTO THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTY CODES THE SEVENTEEN UNITED NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS.
SR114	ENCOURAGING THE HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO REEVALUATE THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
SR115	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CERTIFICATION PROCESS, OVERSIGHT BOARD, AND REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS.
SR116	ENCOURAGING THE LEGISLATURE TO RE-EVALUATE THE MAXIMUM CLAIMABLE AMOUNT OF THE LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLD RENTERS TAX CREDIT PER TAXPAYER IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE SHORTAGE OF AFFORDABLE RENTAL UNITS FOR LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.
SR120	REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII OFFICE OF INTERNAL AUDIT TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF VARIOUS PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII WEST OAHU THAT RECEIVE EXTRAMURAL FUNDING, INCLUDING TITLE III GRANT FUNDING.
SR131 SD1	REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF PLANNING TO ESTABLISH AN AGRICULTURAL HOUSING TASK FORCE TO STUDY EXISTING COUNTY AND STATE LAWS, RULES, AND PROCESSES TO PLAN FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF ON-FARM EMPLOYEE HOUSING WITHIN THE STATE AGRICULTURAL DISTRICT.
SR167	ENCOURAGING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, IN CONSULTATION WITH ANY OTHER STATE AGENCY WITH EXPERTISE IN TECHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH, TO CONDUCT RESEARCH ON TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN SCAN SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR ANY TYPE OF ILLEGAL FIREWORK BEING IMPORTED INTO THE STATE.
SR168 SD1	REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OF BOATING AND OCEAN RECREATION AND COUNTY OF HAWAII TO WORK TOGETHER TO IDENTIFY AND PURSUE THE BEST PLAN OF ACTION TO ADDRESS ISSUES AT KAHALU‘U BEACH PARK ON HAWAII ISLAND.

In 2018, Senator Dru Mamo Kanuha was elected to the Hawai‘i State Senate to represent Kona and Ka‘ū.

Over the course of three decades, Senator Kanuha has served tireless years as a public servant and advocate for The Betty Kanuha Foundation, Kai ‘Ōpua Canoe Club, Kealakehe High School Waveriders Against Drugs, and other numerous community organizations. Later in Senator Kanuha's political career, he served on the National Association of Counties and Hawai‘i State Association of Counties. In 2012, Senator Kanuha was elected to represent Kona on the Hawai‘i County Council and, thereafter, served two re-elected terms. In 2014, Senator Kanuha was elected by his County Council peers as the first-ever Council Chair from Kona.

With deep roots on the Big Island, Senator Kanuha was born in Kealakekua and raised near the shore in the ahupua‘a of Hōlualoa. Senator Kanuha's father, Jerome Kanuha, a well-known carpenter, has lineage that goes back many generations in the Keōpū ahupua‘a. Senator Kanuha's mother, Debbie Mogel, born in Pennsylvania, moved to Rodondo, California, where she spent most of her childhood before moving to Kona more than 40 years ago. Senator Kanuha has only one sibling, his sister, Lelia Kanuha, one brother-in-law Aaron, and two nephews, Kamoa and Kahana.

Senator Kanuha attended Moku‘aikaua Preschool, Kahakai Elementary, and Kealakehe Intermediate and High Schools. He went on to attend the University of San Diego, earning his degree in Political Science and Business Administration.

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Monday, July 8, 2019

July 2019 Newsletter

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Wednesday, July 3, 2019

West Hawai‘i Legislative Talk Story: A Success

Mahalo to everyone who showed up to the West Hawai‘i Civic Center Council Chambers on Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019 to get updates from myself, Representative Nicole Lowen, Councilwoman Rebecca Shute-Villegas, Councilwoman Karen Eoff, and Councilwoman Maile David. We had a great turnout and received a lot of questions and suggestions that my office will be working on this upcoming session. Looking forward to continuing the conversation regarding how to maintain our beautiful West Hawai‘i community. Stay tuned for the next talk story!

Tuesday, July 2, 2019

SB1406 SD1 HD2 becomes law as Act 181

A bill that I introduced this session to help address the State's physician shortage through clarifying the scope of the physician assistant (PA) practice in Hawaii was signed into law by Governor David Ige on Tuesday, July 2nd, 2019.

Act 181 relieves administrative burden on PAs through allowing more flexibility within the medical review process, establishing continuing medical education requirements for the renewal of PA licenses, and clarifying conditions for forfeiture and reinstatement of licenses.

A big mahalo to Senator Rosalyn H. Baker (Chair of the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection and Health) and Representative John M. Mizuno (Chair of the House Committee on Health) for all of your work seeing this bill through this past legislative session. And special shoutout to Christina Starks, President of the Hawai‘i Academy of PA's, who tirelessly pushed for the passage of this bill at the State Capitol with her ‘ohana in tow.