Legislative Members

30th Legislature, 2019
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Session convene times for Tuesday, February 18, 2020:
Senate: 11:30 a.m. | House of Representatives: 12:00 p.m.

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House District 19
Hawaii State Capitol
Room 403
phone: 808-586-6310
fax: 808-586-6311
repkobayashi@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Member of the following committees:

Health

Finance

Human Services & Homelessness

19 - Waialae Kahala, Diamond Head, Kaimuki, Kapahulu

SCHOOLS
Kalani High School
Waialae School
Kahala Elementary School
Kaimuki Middle School
Waikiki School
Liholiho School
HCDB School

NEIGHBORHOOD BOARDS
Neighborhood Board 3
Neighborhood Board 4
Neighborhood Board 5

Measures Introduced

	Title
HB17	RELATING TO EMINENT DOMAIN.
HB24	RELATING TO ANIMAL SEXUAL ABUSE.
HB25	RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.
HB26	RELATING TO TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS.
HB27	RELATING TO PRIVATE ROADS.
HB28	RELATING TO EMERGENCY VEHICLES.
HB30	RELATING TO DRIVER'S LICENSES.
HB35 HD1	RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.
HB37	RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.
HB229	RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.
HB233	RELATING TO PROSTITUTION.
HB259 HD1	RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT.
HB260	RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.
HB261 HD1	RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.
HB262 HD1	RELATING TO SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM INCENTIVES.
HB321	RELATING TO FISHING.
HB322	RELATING TO EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS.
HB394 HD1	RELATING TO HIGHWAY BEAUTIFICATION.
HB480	PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE III, SECTION 6, OF THE HAWAII CONSTITUTION TO CHANGE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.
HB549 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
HB550 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.
HB552 HD2	RELATING TO CHAPTER 200, HAWAII REVISED STATUTES.
HB553	RELATING TO LITTER CONTROL.
HB554 HD1	RELATING TO EXPENSES OF NEIGHBOR ISLAND RESIDENT PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSIONERS.
HB555 HD1	RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
HB557 HD1	RELATING TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY.
HB558 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO KEKAHA KAI STATE PARK.
HB559	RELATING TO AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE-READY HAWAII.
HB561 HD1	RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES.
HB562 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION WASTE.
HB563 HD1	RELATING TO A COAL-FREE HAWAII.
HB564	RELATING TO THE STATE SHRIMP.
HB565 HD1	RELATING TO DISCLOSURE OF COASTAL HAZARDS.
HB586 HD1	RELATING TO THE HAWAII HEALTH AUTHORITY.
HB597	RELATING TO ELECTIONS.
HB611	PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION TO LOWER THE QUALIFYING AGE OF VOTERS FOR ANY STATE OR LOCAL ELECTION.
HB612	RELATING TO ABANDONED VEHICLES.
HB613 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.
HB615 HD3 SD2	RELATING TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.
HB616 HD1	RELATING TO TAXATION.
HB660 HD1	RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.
HB661	RELATING TO HEALTH.
HB662	RELATING TO HEALTH.
HB666 HD2	RELATING TO HEALTH.
HB671 HD2	RELATING TO VETERANS SERVICES.
HB781	RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
HB784	RELATING TO THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY.
HB816	RELATING TO SAFETY HELMETS.
HB825	RELATING TO SMOKING.
HB826	RELATING TO THE STATEWIDE TRAFFIC CODE.
HB850 HD1	RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
HB853	RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
HB854 HD2 SD1	RELATING TO FOOD DONATION.
HB873 HD1	RELATING TO TEACHING HOSPITALS.
HB904	RELATING TO MINORS.
HB1154 HD1	RELATING TO THE OWNER-BUILDER EXEMPTION.
HB1155	RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION.
HB1164 HD1	RELATING TO DEFERRED MAINTENANCE.
HB1193 SD1	RELATING TO TAXATION.
HB1201 HD1	RELATING TO HEALTH.
HB1213	RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.
HB1228	RELATING TO PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS.
HB1277 HD1	RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PROMISE PROGRAM.
HB1379	RELATING TO VOTER REGISTRATION.
HB1380 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.
HB1381 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO LOBBYISTS.
HB1415 HD1	RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.
HB1416 HD1 SD1	RELATING TO HEALTH.
HB1418	RELATING TO UNITED STATES SENATOR DANIEL K. INOUYE DAY.
HB1419	RELATING TO UNITED STATES SENATOR DANIEL K. AKAKA DAY.
HB1420 HD2	RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY OPERATING BUDGET.
HB1422 HD2	RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
HB1444	RELATING TO HEALTH.
HB1447 HD1	RELATING TO PALLIATIVE CARE.
HB1448 HD1	RELATING TO HEALTH.
HB1468 HD2 SD1	RELATING TO THE WAIANAE COAST COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CENTER.
HB1611	RELATING TO SHORELINES.
HB1613 HD1	RELATING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
HB1789	RELATING TO ASSOCIATIONS.
HB1843 HD1	RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS PRODUCTS.
HB1846 HD2	RELATING TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY.
HB1851 HD2	RELATING TO GRID-INTERACTIVE WATER HEATER SYSTEMS.
HB1858	RELATING TO CESSPOOLS.
HB1899 HD1	RELATING TO MEDICARE PART B.
HB1907 HD1	RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.
HB1926	RELATING TO STATE FORMS.
HB1927	RELATING TO EMOLUMENTS.
HB1980 HD1	RELATING TO THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.
HB2019	RELATING TO THE PROCUREMENT CODE.
HB2020 HD1	RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.
HB2022 HD1	RELATING TO THE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SPECIAL FUND.
HB2142	RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.
HB2143	RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.
HB2151 HD1	RELATING TO CESSPOOL CONVERSION.
HB2154	RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
HB2157	RELATING TO PENAL LIABILITY FOR BUSINESS ENTITIES.
HB2166	RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY LABORATORY SCHOOL.
HB2187	RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.
HB2228 HD1	RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTIONS.
HB2234 HD1	RELATING TO FOOD DONATION.
HB2235 HD1	RELATING TO TAXATION.
HB2254 HD1	RELATING TO LOAN REPAYMENT FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.
HB2255 HD1	RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII PROMISE PROGRAM.
HB2417 HD1	RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.
HB2418	RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE TESTIMONY.
HB2421 HD2	RELATING TO THE HAWAI'I SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND.
HB2440	RELATING TO HOUSING.
HB2456 HD1	RELATING TO ELECTRONIC SMOKING PRODUCTS.
HB2457 HD2	RELATING TO THE YOUTH VAPING EPIDEMIC.
HB2508 HD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB2509 HD1	RELATING TO SCHOOLS.
HB2511 HD1	RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.
HB2525 HD1	RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.
HB2541	RELATING TO HELPING WORKING FAMILIES.
HB2542	RELATING TO LAND DEVELOPMENT.
HB2543	RELATING TO ACCESS TO LEARNING.
HB2544	RELATING TO A SCHOOL FACILITIES AGENCY.
HB2551 HD1	RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM.
HB2555 HD1	RELATING TO THE NA WAI EHA WATERSHED.
HB2557	RELATING TO COUNTIES.
HB2578 HD1	RELATING TO PUBLIC LANDS.
HB2581	RELATING TO CRIME.
HB2582	RELATING TO TEMPORARY STAFF OF THE LEGISLATURE.
HB2607 HD1	RELATING TO PUBLIC ORDER.
HB2611	RELATING TO FIREWORKS.
HB2631	RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.
HB2632 HD1	RELATING TO FOOD SECURITY.
HB2633 HD2	RELATING TO CANNABIS FOR MEDICAL USE.
HB2696	RELATING TO TEACHER COMPENSATION.
HB2697 HD1	RELATING TO EDUCATION.
HB2698 HD1	RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION WASTE.
HB2700	RELATING TO GAS.
HB2701 HD1	RELATING TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
HB2707 HD2	RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.
HB2708 HD1	RELATING TO TAXATION.
HB2709 HD1	RELATING TO THE UNIFORM PROBATE CODE.
HB2710	RELATING TO PROTECTIVE ORDERS.
HB2718 HD1	RELATING TO CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION.
HB2719	RELATING TO GREEN FEES.
HB2720 HD1	RELATING TO GENDER EQUITY.
HB2739 HD1	RELATING TO THE KA IWI COAST.
HCR19	URGING THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION TO TAKE ACTION REGARDING COMMERCIAL HELICOPTER TOUR OPERATIONS IN HAWAII.
HCR34	REQUESTING THAT THE WALL STREET JOURNAL INCLUDE HAWAIIAN AIRLINES IN THE NEWSPAPER'S FUTURE RANKINGS OF THE BEST AND WORST AIRLINES IN THE UNITED STATES.
HR17	RECOGNIZING JAMES T. FUNAKI, ESQ. FOR HIS EXEMPLARY CAREER AND EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE STATE OF HAWAII.
HR18	REQUESTING THAT THE WALL STREET JOURNAL INCLUDE HAWAIIAN AIRLINES IN THE NEWSPAPER'S FUTURE RANKINGS OF THE BEST AND WORST AIRLINES IN THE UNITED STATES.

Representative Bert Kobayashi's family has deep community roots in Kaimuki, having been a part of the neighborhood since 1915. He served 16 years in the State House and Senate from 1978 to 1994 and was re-elected to the State House in 2012. As an effective legislator, he helped to enact the first "living will" law, Nursing Homes Without Walls (community-based alternative to nursing homes), first HIV confidentiality law, school community-based management (SCBM) law, and others. He also supported the establishment of Kapiolani Community College at Diamond Head, from its initial planning in 1980 to the last major CIP funding in 1993.

Representative Kobayashi graduated from Kaimuki High School and the University of Hawaii at Manoa and holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from Michigan State University. He has been an Assistant Professor of Government at American University in Washington, DC and is a former Administrator for the State of Hawaii Hospital System. He is married to Mary Lou and has a son, David.

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August 9, 2017

HURRICANE SEASON IS FROM JUNE 1 TO NOVEMBER 30, 2017

View full letter

April 27, 2016

Liholiho Elementary School Teacher Alicia Chang Named 2016 Honolulu District Teacher of the Year

Liholiho Elementary School teacher Alicia Chang was named 2016 Honolulu District Teacher of the Year. The Teacher of the Year award is part of a prestigious national program that honors teaching excellence in the United States. Each year the Hawaii State Teacher of the Year is chosen from one of the seven Hawaii Department of Education district teacher winners following a rigorous selection process.

Ms. Chang has collaborated with her colleagues and community organizations to develop a cohesive, enriched curriculum that helps her with student growth. She has introduced and promoted the UH Stomp program, the Honolulu Museum of Arts' Art to Go, Chaminade University's "I am a Scientist," and other noteworthy programs. Chang believes that a teacher's role is finding a starting point to motivate, intrigue, and assist students on their journey of knowledge and discovery.

October 14, 2015

12th Annual Community Clean-Up at Kaimuki High School on Saturday, October 17, 2015 from 9:00am to 1:00pm

View full flyer

October 14, 2015

Open Application Period for Preschool Open Doors Program 2016 Assistance Begins October 1

View press release

October 14, 2015

Hawaii: Next 50 Contest Calls for Bright Ideas on Energy Sustainability

View event flyer

July 31, 2015

Representatives Kobayashi, Nishimoto, and Say honor Roy and Kathy Sakuma on the occasion of the 45th Annual Ukulele Festival

State Representatives Bert Kobayashi, Scott Nishimoto, and Calvin Say presented a certificate on behalf of the Hawaii State House of Representatives congratulating Roy and Kathy Sakuma on the occasion of the 45th Annual Ukulele Festival held at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand on July 19, 2015.

Because of a dream Roy Sakuma had 45 years ago of sharing and showcasing the spirit of the ukulele in a free concert as he worked as a groundskeeper at Kapiolani Park in 1970, the event has grown to become the largest ukulele festival of its kind, replicated in cities, states and countries around the world, making the four-stringed ukulele a phenomenon.

Roy and Kathy Sakuma have devoted their lives to teaching tens of thousands of children and adults how to play and to appreciate the ukulele. In 2004, the Sakumas started Ukulele Festival Hawaii, a non-profit organization dedicated to perpetuating their passion for the ukulele and Roy's vision of offering annual free ukulele concerts and free instruction, college scholarships, and donations of ukuleles to the underprivileged.

July 31, 2015

Kaimuki Middle School Performs at New York's Carnegie Hall

Congratulations to the 70 Kaimuki Middle School students on their performance at one of the most prestigious and iconic venues, Carnegie Hall, on March 10, 2015. The Kaimuki Middle School Symphonic Winds holds the distinction of being the first middle school from Hawaii ever to be formally invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

The Kaimuki Middle School Symphonic Winds were invited to participate in the 13th Annual New York Wind Band Festival held from March 6-10, 2015. Admission into the festival is based on audition only and is limited to six high school groups and two showcase university wind ensembles. Festival activities included group workshops with festival faculty, ensemble rehearsal exchanges, and a dinner/dance cruise along the Hudson River. The Festival culminated with ensemble performances in Carnegie Hall.

Kaimuki Middle School Symphonic Winds Music Director Susan Ochi-Onishi called the student's performance a dream come true. She reported that her students survived the unusually cold weather in New York City at that time and their successful recital culminated in a gold award for their performance. At the completion of the festival, the students had time to tour and enjoy the East Coast before returning home.

December 18, 2014

Waikiki Elementary School Selected as One of 15 Public Schools for High Achievement

The Hawaii Department of Education (DOE) is awarding $230,000 to Waikiki Elementary School as one of 15 schools that demonstrated significant success or improvements in the 2013-14 school year. Waikiki Elementary reached "Recognition" status in the DOE's Strive HI Performance System, meaning their performance placed them among the top five percent of schools in the state.

The Strive HI Performance System was introduced by the DOE in the 2012-13 school year as its school accountability and improvement system. Schools are measured on a variety of performance metrics such as student achievement, growth, chronic absenteeism, and other key success indicators - with a focus on college- and career- readiness. Award funds must support initiatives to sustain success aligned with their school academic plans, such as professional development, investments in technology, musical instruments, science lab equipment and other improvement strategies.

Strive HI Awards Criteria
"Recognition" schools are limited to no more than five percent of all Hawaii public schools.

High-performing school criteria:

* Meet or exceed annual targets for all student groups.
* Graduation rates in the top 10 percent of all high schools.
* Current year achievement gap rate less than 30 percent.

December 18, 2014

Kaimuki Middle School's Frank Fernandes Chosen For National Governing Board

Kaimuki Middle School Principal Frank Fernandes is one of five educators appointed to the National Assessment Governing Board by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. He becomes the first principal from Hawaii to serve on the board, which will help set policy for the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP), also known as The Nation's Report Card. Their terms run from October 1, 2014 to September 30, 2018.

Fernandes, who became head of Kaimuki Middle School in August of 1986, is the longest-serving principal at a single school in the Hawaii State Department of Education (DOE). An accomplished administrator, Fernandes has twice been honored with the MetLife/National Association of Secondary School Principals' Hawaii Principal of the Year award - once in 2000, then again in 2012. He has overseen several initiatives at Kaimuki Middle, including the Hawaii Common Core, a new teacher induction and mentoring program, teacher and administrator evaluation systems, a comprehensive student support system, and full implementation of the middle school concept.

December 18, 2014

Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Found at Diamond Head

One live adult coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) was found near the Diamond Head Lookout on October 16, 2014, by CRB crews checking survey traps. This is the first time that a CRB was found east of the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPH-H) 6-mile zone where the CRB were initially found in December 2013.

CRB is a major pest of palms in India, the Philippines, the Palaus, Fuji, Wallis, Nukunono, American and Western Samoa and Guam. CRB is mainly a pest of coconut and oil palms, but may also attack other palm species. Adult CRB are dark brown in color and very large - measuring 1 1/4 to 2 1/2 inches long. CRB larvae are white in color with a brown head. The beetles damage palms by boring into the center of the crown where they injure young, growing tissue and feed on the sap. As they bore into the crown, they cut through developing leaves, causing damage to the fronds. V-shaped cuts in the fronds and holes through the midrib are visible as leaves mature and unfold.

Suspected CRB should be reported to the state's toll-free PEST HOTLINE - 643-PEST (7378). For updated information on CRB in Hawaii, go to the HDOA website at: View full article

December 18, 2014

Catherine Caine of Waikiki Elementary School Named Hawaii's 2015 State Teacher of the Year

Waikiki Elementary teacher Catherine Caine was named Hawaii's 2015 State Teacher of the Year. Caine, a national board certified educator, received the state's top teaching award during a ceremony held at the State Capitol Auditorium on November 7th. This is the second year in a row that a Waikiki Elementary School teacher has been chosen as Hawaii's State Teacher of the Year.

The honor is presented annually to a classroom teacher selected from more than 11,000 educators within the Hawaii State Department of Education. Caine was among seven District Teachers of the Year. Caine has helped lead implementation of the Hawaii Common Core standards, and made recommendations on the Educator Effectiveness System. She has presented in international conferences on topics such as Philosophy for Children and English language learners.

Caine will represent Hawaii in the National Teacher of the Year Program. Each April, the national winner is announced by the president of the United States.

September 23, 2014

Kapiolani Community College Culinary Arts School Update

The Kapiolani Community College (KCC) Culinary Institute of the Pacific at Diamond Head project will be developed in two phases. Phase I, which was hoped to be in the $10-22 million range, came in at $34 million. As a result, the scope of the project in Phase I has been reduced to include two teaching laboratories, one classroom complex, and one office complex. The other two teaching laboratories and a separate classroom building were eliminated.

Phase II includes the restaurant and auditorium but the administration building was eliminated. The architects have revised the bid documents to meet the reduced scope and these have been submitted to the U.S. Department of Commerce - Economic Development Administration (EDA). The EDA had some comments which required minor changes to the bid documents.

The pre-bid meeting will be held on September 29, 2014 at 1:30 p.m. in the Ohia Building, Rm. 118.

September 23, 2014

H-1 Freeway Lane Striping Demonstration Project

The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) has started lane striping modifications on the H-1 Freeway as a demonstration project in the Kaimuki area. Three left lanes were closed on September 7th and 8th between the 2nd Avenue Pedestrian Bridge and the 6th Avenue Overpass.

The striping modifications will install black lane stripes to increase contrast between the existing white lane striping and the white concrete surface, making the lane dividers more visible. If the demonstration striping proves beneficial, the black lane striping will be installed in both directions between 2nd Avenue and the Waialae Viaduct at a future date. This technique is commonly used in other states to increase land divider visibility.

HDOT advises motorists to drive with caution through the area while familiarizing themselves with the new lane striping.

September 23, 2014

11th Annual Community Clean-Up

The public is invited to bring their recyclables to Kaimuki High School on Saturday, October 18, 2014 between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. for the 11th Annual Community Clean-Up. Funds raised for this event will benefit Kaimuki High School, Kapahulu Center, and the Moiliili Community Center.

Residents of the Kaimuki, Kapahulu, Palolo, and St. Louis Heights neighborhoods are encouraged to bring their recyclables to the parking lot of Kaimuki High School on Saturday, October 18, 2014 between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Acceptable items to recycle include: scrap metal, bicycles, appliances, 3 propane tanks, 3 fire extinguishers, computers, printers, scanners, 1 TV per car, HI-5 beverage containers, used household cooking oil, cell phones, printer cartridges, PDAs, batteries, usable clothing and household items, used eye glasses and hearing aids. They CANNOT ACCEPT: Tires, paint, microwave ovens, motor oil, hazardous fluids, cardboard, paper, plastics, wood, and bulky items.

Thank you for your continued support of recycling in the community. Please call Ed Thompson from my office at 586-6310 if you have any questions. View full article

April 11, 2014

National Take-Back Initiative

On Saturday, April 26, 2014, from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. you can turn in your unused or expired medication for safe, anonymous disposal. Please note that used needles and syringes will not be accepted. Please see the link below for locations to turn in your unused or expired medications:View full article

April 11, 2014

House Approves 2014-15 Supplemental Budget

The House of Representatives approved HB1700 HD1, which appropriates funds for operating and capital improvement costs of the Executive Branch for the supplemental year FY2014-2015, including operating monies of $6.253 billion in general funds and $12.148 billion in all means of financing. The measure now goes to the Senate for its consideration.View full article

October 17, 2013

10th ANNUAL COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP

October 4, 2013

10th Annual Community Clean-Up

The public is invited to bring their recyclables to Kaimuki High School on Saturday, October 19, 2013 between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. for the 10th Annual Community Clean-Up. Funds raised for this event will benefit Kaimuki High School, Kapahulu Center, and the Moiliili Community Center.

Residents of the Kaimuki, Kapahulu, Palolo, St. Louis Heights, Manoa, Makiki, Ala Moana and McCully-Moiliili neighborhoods are encouraged to bring their recyclables to the parking lot of Kaimuki High School on Saturday between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

This would be a great time to clean out clutter while at the same time support the community, promote recycling, and divert trash from our landfills. Help Hawaii "Go Green" and turn trash into cash. Please see the list of acceptable items for recycling on the included flyer.

Thank you for your continued support of recycling in the community. Please call Ed Thompson from my office at 586-6310 if you have any questions.View full article

June 25, 2013

Representative Bertrand Kobayashi hosts Lawmakers Listen Community Meeting at Waialae Elementary Public Charter School

On June 5, 2013, Representative Bertrand Kobayashi hosted a Lawmakers Listen Community Meeting at the Waialae Elementary Public Charter School cafeteria. Attending the community meeting were House Speaker Joe Souki, Vice-Speaker John Mizuno, Majority Leader Scott Saiki, Majority Floor Leader Karen Awana, Finance Committee Chair Sylvia Luke, Finance Committee Vice-Chair Scott Nishimoto, and Health Committee Chair Della Au Belatti. The meeting provided residents an opportunity to engage with Representative Kobayashi and the leadership of the House of Representatives about issues impacting the community and the recently completed legislative session.

Lawmakers Listen is an ongoing series of state-wide community meetings with district Representatives and House Leadership. Please click on the attached link to view the meeting hosted by Representative Kobayashi. View full article

June 17, 2013

KCC Team Wins International Space Mission Competition

KCC Space Mission Competition

May 7, 2013

Legislature Unanimously Passes State Budget

LEGISLATURE UNANIMOUSLY PASSES STATE BUDGET

Honolulu, Hawaii - The Hawaii State Legislature today voted unanimously in both the House and Senate to approve the state budget for the upcoming FY2013-2015 biennium.
HB200 CD1 appropriates funds for operating and capital improvement costs of the Executive Branch for the biennium fiscal years FY2013-2014 and FY2014-2015.
For FY2013-2014, the bill offers $6 billion in general funds and $11.8 billion in all other means of financing. For FY2014-2015, it appropriates $6.1 billion in general funds and $12 billion in all additional financing means. It also provides over $3 billion in funding for capital improvement projects (CIP) and $30 million Grants-In-Aid for non-profit organizations.
House Finance Chair Sylvia Luke (Makiki, Punchbowl, Nuuanu, Dowsett Highlands, Pacific Heights, Pauoa) acknowledged that the fiscal outlook is looking positive but reiterated the importance of financial prudency, "our economy is recovering and while we have the money, it is now time to take a measured approach towards our State's financial plan. This means passing a budget that takes care of our current needs, while also taking care of our financial obligations and reinvests in our future," said Luke. "In this budget, we kept our promise to recapitalize the Hurricane Relief Fund and Rainy Day Funds and we have taken significant steps towards reducing our unfunded liabilities."
The financial plan includes an addition of $160 million into the Hurricane Relief Fund and $50 million into the Rainy Day Fund. Most importantly, it includes appropriations of $217 million in the next biennium to begin payments towards the State's unfunded liability and will continue to allocate funds every year ending in an allocation of $500 million in FY2019.
"We used the projected surplus to strengthen economic drivers to ensure increased revenue returns. To help the construction industry, the budget bill authorizes more than $1.3 billion in general obligation bond authorization for capital improvement projects statewide. Additionally, to support our number one industry our financial plan includes an $11 million increase to the Hawaii Tourism Authority to strengthen the marketing of Hawaii as a visitor destination. We also appropriated $6 million to assist our growing high technology industry in investment start ups and tax credits for research and development," said Luke.

Other funding highlights include:
Agriculture (AGR)
• Added $750,000 in general funds for the New Farmer Loan Program in FY14. This funding will enhance opportunities for new farmers to grow, while also supporting the State in becoming more food self-sufficient.
• Added 10 positions and nearly $1.2 million over the biennium to the Plant, Pest, and Disease Control division to support the Apiary program on Maui, Kauai, and Kona, and various other programs aimed at protecting local agriculture from invasive species, as well as the Hawaii Queen Bee industry.

Consumer Protection and Commerce (CPC)
• Added 2 temporary positions and over $300,000 in special funds each year for the Mortgage Foreclosure Dispute Resolution Program, which handles disputes between owner-occupants and lenders.
• Added $190,000 in special and trust funds over the biennium to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs for public service campaigns aimed at educating consumers on a broad spectrum of consumer issues, including the dangers of hiring unlicensed contractors.

Economic Development and Business (EDB)
• Provided 3.69 temporary positions and $3 million in special funds over the biennium for the Hawaii State Energy Office Strategic Plan Programs to develop alternative energy resource related projects.
• Added $800,000 over the biennium to the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems Program (PISCES). This supports the PISCES center on Hawaii Island to build an aerospace research and development park in cooperation with NASA and other international organizations, to be able to test aerospace robotics on a similar terrain.
• Added $1.5 million in general funds over the biennium for the Hawaii Invasive Species Council in Forestry Resource Management and Development Division of DLNR. This restores funding to support invasive species control, bringing general funding closer to historical levels.

Education (EDN)
• Added $12.9 million in general funds for the Weighted Student Formula. This funding will go directly to classrooms to support educational activities for students, teachers and principals.
• Added $8.2 million in general funds in FY14 for a pilot program relating to Common Core Instructional Materials. This is the DOE's initiative to give every child from grades 3-12 either a tablet or laptop to enhance their educational experience.
• Added $1 million in general funds in FY14 for Common Core Standards Assessment in Hawaiian. This funding creates a Hawaiian language Common Core Standards test for 350 third and fourth grade students enrolled in 14 immersion schools.
• Added $700,000 in FY14 in general funds for library books and materials. Includes funding for both physical books and e-books. Libraries have not received general funding for materials for 4 years.

Energy and Environmental Protection (EEP)
• Added 13 temporary positions to Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) for Watershed Management to continue management of watershed projects.
• Added 8 positions and $1.3 million for quality management and monitoring of environmental resources. These positions support programs for watershed and surface water quality monitoring, water reuse, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution control, federal and state clean water regulations, solid waste permitting and monitoring.

Higher Education (HED)
• Added nearly $1.2 Million over the biennium for The Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence at the John A. Burns School of Medicine.
• Added 10 positions and $3 million in general funds in each year of the biennium to support activities and growth at the University of Hawaii at West Oahu campus.
• Added 9 positions and $3 million in general funds over the biennium for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Initiatives. This program enhances the professional development of middle school teachers in STEM subject matter areas.

Health (HLT)
• Added $1.4 million general funds each year for Aging and Disability Resource Centers.
• Added 1 position and $95,000 in the Children and Youth Services section to re-establish the Violence Prevention Coordinator position, which is responsible for statewide Domestic Violence program planning.

Human Services (HUS)
• Added $3.1 million for various social service programs including those to expand voluntary foster care to 21, increasing the clothing allowance for foster children, and developing Neighborhood drop-in Centers on Kauai.
• Added $750,000 in general funds in FY14 to expand the Housing First program to the Leeward coast of Oahu. This helps transition chronically homeless into affordable housing situations.
• Added 5 Counselors and nearly $875,000 over the biennium for the Office of Veterans Services.

Public Safety (PSD) & Judiciary (JUD)
• Added $327,000 in general funds over the biennium for the Automated Fingerprint Identification system maintenance. The system is used by the Honolulu Police Department and State Sheriffs in the field to check a suspect's criminal history. This also includes facial recognition software which allows field officers to also check a suspect's criminal records through photographs.
• Added 91 positions for the re-opening of the Kulani Facility on Hawaii Island, as part of the Justice Reinvestment Initiative to bring prisoners home.
• Added 10 Positions and $850,000 in general funds over each year of the biennium for additional security at courthouses statewide. These deputy sheriffs would provide additional security to courthouses on Oahu, Hawaii Island, and Maui.

Transportation (TRN)
• Added $161,886,000 in special funds over the biennium to highways division for special repairs and maintenance of roads statewide.
• Added 33 positions and over $2.3 million in special funds over the biennium for additional janitorial support. Positions include: 32 janitors for Honolulu International Airport and 1 janitor supervisor for Kona International Airport, who will be tasked with improving the first and last impressions and overall experience of visitors by improving the quality of services and facilities at State airports.

Also approved today were the budgets for the Judiciary Branch and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
HB197 appropriates funds for operating and capital improvement costs of the Judicial Branch for the next biennium. The bill offers in general funding $145 million for FY2013-FY2014 and $144 million for FY2014-FY2015.
HB222 appropriates $3.1 million in FY2014 and $2.7 million in FY2015 in operating funds for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. View full article

April 30, 2013

Governor Abercrombie Releases CIP Funds for Leahi Hospital

On April 5, 2013, Governor Abercrombie released Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funds to renovate Leahi Hospital. The funds will be used to remodel second floor space previously occupied by Kapiolani Community College for hospital use, replace lobby flooring, renovate the second floor men's restroom for accessibility, repair damaged sewer lines, and reroof the porte cochere roof.

April 30, 2013

Leilehua, Baldwin, & Kalani High Schools Finish FIRST in State Robotics Competition

In only its second year of robotics competition, Leilehua High School spearheaded a public school triumvirate to victory at the FIRST Robotics Competition at the University of Hawaii recently. Baldwin and Kalani High Schools teamed with Leilehua to topple the top-seeded team of Waialua High, Punahou, and Sacred Hearts and earn a spot at the FIRST Robotics Championships in St. Louis, MO., April 25-27.

The FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Competition is a multinational competition that teams students with industry professionals to solve an engineering design problem in an intense, competitive atmosphere. The weekend event, themed the "Ultimate Ascent," challenged teams to build a robot that would fling a Frisbee, and then later, scale a pyramid.

The FIRST Championship is the culmination of the season's FIRST programs, bringing together three separate robotics competitions for the ultimate Sport for the Mind. The event includes the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship, the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship, and the FIRST LEGO League World Festival. Also featured is the Junior FIRST LEGO League World Festival Expo.

April 4, 2013

Representatives Receive Game Balls From Kalani High School Soccer Team

REPRESENTATIVES RECEIVE GAME BALLS FROM KALANI HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER TEAM

Honolulu, Hawaii - Rep. Bertrand Kobayashi (Waialae, Kahala, Diamond Head, Kaimuki, Kapahulu) and Rep. Mark Hashem (Hahaione, Kuliouou, Niu Valley, Aina Haina, Kapahulu) both received game balls signed by all the members of the Kalani High School Soccer Team, the reigning Division I State champion, at the State Legislature.

The entire team, composed of 30 players, head coach Michael Ching, assistant coaches, trainers and managers, were present at the House Chamber to be congratulated on their state championship. Five Kalani players were named to the HHSAA (Hawaii High School Athletic Association) 11 -member All-Tournament Team including Leo Klink (Most Outstanding Player) along with Noa Maxilom, Steven Teshima, Michael Stafford and Kazuto Moribe.

"After last year's heartbreaking loss in the title game, it was exciting to watch the team come back more determined than ever this year and win the championship in an overtime shootout" said Rep. Bert Kobayashi who co-sponsored the resolution presented to the team.

"Although individuals were recognized for their outstanding effort," said Rep. Mark Hashem who co-sponsored the resolution. "it was the combined effort of the whole team that ultimately contributed to their success."
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