Hawaii State Legislature

RED HILL TANK CORROSION WORSE THAN EXPECTED

To hear that the corrosion of the Red Hill fuel tanks is worse than expected is deeply troubling. I am disappointed that the Navy overestimated the thickness of some of the steel plates, especially since these plates are the only thing separating the fuel from releasing into the environment and into our precious aquifers. This issue cannot be taken lightly. I look forward to being invited and attending the Senate task force meeting on October 3 and intend to work with all respective parties to ensure that our aquifers and residents are not compromised.

http://www.staradvertiser.com/2018/09/26/hawaii-news/red-hill-fuel-tank-corrosion-worse-than-expected/?HSA=560677cc6477ff1b42ccb175ca68b170f2fbfd05

SENATOR DONNA MERCADO KIM INSTALLED AS MEMBER ON NFWL BOARD

Hawai‘i State Senator Donna Mercado Kim was recently re-elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL), the nation's oldest organization addressing the needs of elected women at all levels of government.

"It's an honor to serve on the Board with these distinguished elected women who represent the best of our country's legislators," said Sen. Kim. "What I appreciate the most about working with the NFWL is that we are able to put party politics aside to work together on developing strategies and solutions that benefit our communities."

Kim was re-elected by her peers at the 2017 NFWL Annual Conference in Minneapolis, MN, where over 80 elected women met to identify effective solutions to some of the nation's most timely and pressing issues. Providing a non-partisan environment that encourages dialogue and the sharing of information and experiences, women leaders were able to build coalitions, share the concerns of their constituents, and identify out-of-the-box solutions to the most pressing issues facing their communities today.

"We are so grateful for Senator Kim's service to this organization," stated Jody Thomas, NFWL's Executive Director. "We look forward to continuing to work with her to make 2018 NFWL's best year yet."

Kim continues serving in her position through 2018. NFWL will host its 2018 Annual Conference next November 13-17 in Washington, DC.

Sen. Kim is currently the only state legislator from Hawai‘i to be a member of the NFWL Board and most recently served as an NFWL Southwest Regional State Director. Other elected women leaders from Hawai‘i who are members of NFWL include State Representatives Lynn DeCoite, Beth Fukumoto, Dee Morikawa and Joy San Buenaventura.

STATE SENATORS CALL ON PRESIDENT, CONGRESS TO TAKE ACTION ON STRONGER GUN SAFETY LAWS

Originally published on the Hawai‘i State Senate Majority website; click here to read the article on hawaiisenatemajority.com.

State Senators Donna Mercado Kim, Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Breene Harimoto and Glenn Wakai recently sent a letter to President Trump and Congressional Leaders urging them to take meaningful action to address the country's gun violence epidemic.

Just within the span of 33 days, 85 people have been killed in mass shootings in Las Vegas, Nevada and Sutherland Springs, Texas. "This type of gun violence simply cannot continue," said Sen. Kim. "Recent polls show that the majority of Americans support some type of gun safety so waiting to make changes that can protect the lives of innocent people is not acceptable."

"Senseless deaths at the hands of those who are dangerous or possess guns illegally must be addressed now," said Sen. Dela Cruz. "There are steps that can be taken immediately to make America safer and there is no reason to allow more lives to be taken due to gun violence."

"The occurrence of these mass shootings is far too common today and we hope that Congress will heed the pleas of the majority of Americans who agree something needs to be done to stop gun violence," said Sen. Wakai.

Recognizing this responsibility to take action to protect the public against gun violence, the Hawai‘i State Legislature passed HB459, which keeps the guns out of the hands of dangerous people by alerting law enforcement when those who fail background checks try to purchase weapons. The bill was signed into law on June 29, 2017.

"We're fortunate to live in a state where strict gun laws have helped to keep the incidents of gun violence relatively low. However, it is heartbreaking to hear the growing incidences of gun violence taking the lives of innocent adults and children and we, as leaders, must take action," said Sen. Harimoto.

Similar letters on gun control are being sent by other state legislators from across the country who attended the State Innovation Exchange (SiX) Legislator Conference in Washington, D.C. in October.

Click here to view the signed letter to President Trump and Congress.

Senator Kim Welcomes Kalihi Uka Elementary Students to the Capitol

Senator Kim spent the morning with 3rd grade students from Kalihi Uka Elementary. She gave them a tour of the Senate Chambers and shared her journey of becoming a legislator and growing up in Kalihi.

Senator Kim Celebrates Re-dedication of the Princess Victoria Kamāmalu Building

Senator Kim joined Gov. Ige, government officials, and representatives from the royal societies to celebrate the re-dedication of the Princess Victoria Kamāmalu Building on the 179th anniversary of the princess' birth. The building is being occupied by the departments of health and human services. Three of the four Department of Human Services' division administrative offices are housed in one central location. Additionally, the attached agency, the Office of Youth Services (OYS) also moved to the building.

Princess Victoria Kamāmalu Building Facts:
•  The total cost to rehab the building was $27,203,900.
•  Lease cost savings to the state are approximately $2.2 million per year.
•  The contractor was Ralph Inouye Co. Ltd.
•  The project began in March 2015 and was accepted by the state on Feb. 28, 2017.
•  The building has nine floors, and there are offices in the basement.
•  Three divisions of the department of human services occupy floors 2-7:
    •  Social Services Administrative Offices for Child Welfare Services and Adult Protective and Community Services
    •  Benefit, Employment and Support Services for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program) and related aid to families, Child Care Program, and Homeless Program
    •  Vocational Rehabilitation
    •  Office of Youth Services (an attached agency)
•  The department of health occupies floors 8-9, and the Disability Communication Access Board is in the basement.