Hawaii State Legislature, 2008

From dKosopedia

Contents 1 Members of the 2008 Hawaii State Legislature 2 Related links 3 External links 3.1 Legislators, committee assignments 3.2 GOP chairman's view 3.3 Governor's State of the State 3.4 Democratic legislative package 3.5 Opening of the legislature 3.6 First decking 3.7 Halfway point of legislative session 3.8 Aloha Airlines 3.9 Harbor modernization 3.10 Bottled water fee 3.11 State budget 3.12 Ban altered coffee 3.13 Corporate contributions 3.14 Counties: campaign finance test case 3.15 Expanding DNA law 3.16 Hawai'i Energy Initiative (Gov. Lingle energy initiatives) 3.17 Giving the Honolulu City Ethics Commission some 'teeth' 3.18 Energy efficiency 3.19 EIS exemption 3.20 Farming/Preserving Ag Lands 3.21 Governor 3.22 Haiku Valley cultural park 3.23 Hedge funds 3.24 High-powered rifles 3.25 Kakaako 3.26 Kukui Gardens 3.27 Land conservation 3.28 Land recording 3.29 Malpractice reform 3.30 Medical marijuana farm 3.31 OHA 3.32 Oil industry monitoring/transparency 3.33 Pardons by Governor 3.34 Plastic bag ban 3.35 Pothole bill 3.36 Public financing of elections 3.37 Public school capital improvement projects 3.38 Increasing penalties for assaulting good samaritans 3.39 Shield law for reporters and bloggers 3.40 School bus seat belts 3.41 Small business bill of rights 3.42 Smart growth 3.43 Smoking ban on beaches 3.44 Solar water heating 3.45 Aloha Stadium to UH? 3.46 New stadium? 3.47 Styrofoam ban 3.48 Supreme Court judges' mandatory retirement age raised to 80 3.49 GMO Taro ban 3.50 Transitional shelters for Puahala Homes 3.51 Turtle Bay Resort 3.52 Union organizing 3.53 University of Hawaii 3.54 Absentee voting

Members of the 2008 Hawaii State Legislature

Hawaii State Legislature: Hawaii State Senate (Dem:21 Rep:4)(Wikipedia)

• District 1 (Hamakua, S. Hilo): Lorraine Inouye (D)
• District 2 (S. Hilo, Puna): Russell Kokubun (D)
• District 3 (Kohala, Kona, Ka'u): Paul Whalen (R)
• District 4 (Wailuku, Kahului, Spreckelsville-Paia): Shan Tsutsui (D)
• District 5 (W. Maui, S. Maui): Rosalyn Baker (D)
• District 6 (E. Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i): Kalani English (D)
• District 7 (Kaua'i, Ni'ihau): Gary Hooser (D)
• District 8 (Wai‘alae Iki, Hawai‘i Kai): Sam Slom (R)
• District 9 (Kaimuki, Kapahulu, Palolo, St. Louis Heights, Maunalani Heights): Les Ihara, Jr. (D)
• District 10 (McCully, Moiliili, Manoa, Makiki): Brian Taniguchi (D)
• District 11 (McCully, Tantalus, Makiki, Punchbowl): Carol Fukunaga (D)
• District 12 (Waikiki, Ala Moana, Downtown): Gordon Trimble (R)
• District 13 (Sand Island, Dowsett Highlands, Pauoa, Nuuanu, Puunui, Liliha): Suzanne Chun Oakland (D)
• District 14 (Kalihi, Kapalama, Alewa Heights, Fort Shafter, Halawa Valley): Donna Mercado Kim (D)
• District 15 (Ford Island, Moanalua, Salt Lake, Mapunapuna, Hickam, Pearl Harbor, Foster Village): Norman Sakamoto (D)
• District 16 (Halawa Heights, Aiea Heights, Newtown, Waiau, Pacific Palisades, Waimalu): David Ige (D)
• District 17 (Mililani, Waipi'o): Ron Menor (D)
• District 18 (Pearl City, Waipahu, Manana): Clarence Nishihara (D)
• District 19 (Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa, Waipahu, Waikele): Mike Gabbard (R) => (D) changes party affiliation Aug 2007.
• District 20 (Waipahu, Honouliuli, Ewa): Willie Espero (D)
• District 21 (Nanakuli, Makaha): Colleen Hanabusa (D)
• District 22 (Mililani Mauka, Wahiawa, Schofield Barracks, North Shore): Robert Bunda (D)
• District 23 (Kane'ohe, Kahuku): Clayton Hee (D)
• District 24 (Kaneohe, Kailua): Jill Tokuda (D)
• District 25 (Kailua, Lanikai, Waimanalo, Northwest Hawaiian Islands): Fred Hemmings (R)

During the 2006 election cycle, the following senate seats saw changes:

• District 19 (Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa, Waipahu, Waikele): Brian Kanno (D) Kanno retired. Mike Gabbard wins election for the seat.
• District 24 (Kaneohe, Kailua): Bob Hogue (R). Hogue quit his seat to run for the Hawaii congressional district 2 seat vacated by Ed Case. Jill Tokuda wins election to the 24th district seat.

During 2007 the following senate changes occurred:

• District 19 (Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa, Waipahu, Waikele): Mike Gabbard (R) => (D) changes party affiliation Aug 2007.

Hawaii State Legislature: Hawaii State House of Representatives (Dem:44 Rep:7)(Wikipedia)

• District 1 (Hilo, Hamakua, Waimea):Dwight Takamine (D)
• District 2 (Piihonua, Kaumana):Jerry Chang (D)
• District 3 (Hilo, Kea'au, Mt. View, Glenwood):Clifton Tsuji (D)
• District 4 (Puna):Faye Hanohano (D)
• District 5 (Ka'u, S. Kona):Robert Herkes (D)
• District 6 (Kailua, Keauhou):Josh Green (D)
• District 7 (N. Kona, S. Kohala):Cindy Evans (D)
• District 8 (Wailuku, Waiehu):Joseph Souki (D)
• District 9 (Kahului, Pa'ia):Bob Nakasone (D)
• District 10 (W. Maui): Angus McKelvey (D)
• District 11 (S. Maui):Joe Bertram, III (D)
• District 12 (Upcountry Maui): Kyle Yamashita D)
• District 13 (E. Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i): Mele Carroll (D)
• District 14 (Kapa'a, Hanalei):Hermina Morita (D)
• District 15 (Lihu'e, Koloa):James Kunane Tokioka (D)
• District 16 (Po'ipu, Waimea, Ni'ihau):Roland D. Sagum, III (D)
• District 17 (Hawai'i Kai, Kalama Valley):Gene Ward (R)
• District 18 (Kahala, 'Aina Haina, Kuli'ou'ou):Lyla Berg (D)
• District 19 (Kaimuki, Kahala, Wai'alae Iki):Barbara Marumoto (R)
• District 20 (St. Louis Hts., Palolo, Wilhelmina Rise):Calvin K. Y. Say (D)
• District 21 (Kapahulu, Diamond Head): Scott Nishimoto (D)
• District 22 (McCully, Pawa'a):Scott Saiki (D)
• District 23 (Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kaka'ako): Thomas M. Brower (D)
• District 24 (Manoa):Kirk Caldwell (D)
• District 25 (Makiki, Tantalus):Della Au Belatti (D)
• District 26 (Punchbowl, Pacific Hts., Nu'uanu Valley):Sylvia Luke (D)
• District 27 (Liliha, Pu'unui):Corinne Ching (R)
• District 28 (Iwilei, Downtown, Makiki):Karl Rhoads (D)
• District 29 (Kalihi, Sand Island):Joey Manahan (D)
• District 30 (Moanalua, Kalihi Valley, 'Alewa):John M. Mizuno (D)
• District 31 (Salt Lake, Tripler):Glenn Wakai (D)
• District 32 (Aliamanu, Airport, Mapunapuna):Lynn Finnegan (R)
• District 33 (Halawa, 'Aiea, Pearlridge):Blake Oshiro (D)
• District 34 (Pearl City, Newtown, Royal Summit):Mark Takai (D)
• District 35 (Waipahu, Crestview):Alex Sonson (D)
• District 36 (Pearl City, Palisades):Roy Takumi (D)
• District 37 (Mililani, Waipi'o):Ryan Yamane (D)
• District 38 (Mililani/Mauka):Marilyn Lee (D)
• District 39 (Wahiawa):Marcus Oshiro (D)
• District 40 (Makakilo, Kapolei, Royal Kunia):Sharon E. Har (D)
• District 41 (Waipahu, Village Park, Waikele):Jon Riki Karamatsu (D)
• District 42 (Waipahu, Honouliuli, 'Ewa): Rida Cabanilla Arakawa (D)
• District 43 ('Ewa Beach, West Loch): Kymberly Pine (R)
• District 44 (Nanakuli, Honokai Hale):Karen Awana (R) => (D)
• District 45 (Wai'anae, Makaha):Maile Shimabukuro (D)
• District 46 (Kahuku, N. Shore, Schofield):Michael Magaoay (D)
• District 47 (Ha'iku, Kahalu'u, La'ie):Colleen Meyer (R)
• District 48 (Kane'ohe):Ken Ito (D)
• District 49 (Maunawili, Enchanted Lake, Kane'ohe):Pono Chong (D)
• District 50 (Kailua, Mokapu):Cynthia Thielen (R)
• District 51 (Waimanalo, Lanikai):Tommy Waters (D)

The following representative seats changed during the 2006 election cycle. (Net loss of two seats for the Republicans.):

• District 4 (Puna):Helene Hale (D) Hale retired from the legislature.
• District 10 (W. Maui): Kam Tanaka (D) Tanaka was defeated in the 2006 primary.
• District 11 (S. Maui):Chris Halford (R) Halford retired from the legislature.
• District 15 (Lihu'e, Koloa):Ezra Kanoho (D) Kanoho retired from the legislature.
• District 16 (Po'ipu, Waimea, Ni'ihau):Bertha Kawakami (D) Kawakami retired from the legislature.
• District 17 (Hawai'i Kai, Kalama Valley):Bud Stonebraker (R) Stonebraker retired from the legislature.
• District 23 (Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kaka'ako): Anne V. Stevens (R) was defeated in the 2006 general election.
• District 25 (Makiki, Tantalus):Brian Schatz (D) Schatz quit his seat to run for the Hawaii congressional district 2 seat that was vacated by Ed Case.
• District 28 (Iwilei, Downtown, Makiki):Beverly Wolff Harbin (D) Harbin was defeated in the 2006 primary.
• District 29 (Kalihi, Sand Island):Felipe Abinsay (D) Abinsay retired from the legislature.
• District 30 (Moanalua, Kalihi Valley, 'Alewa):Dennis Arakaki (D) Arakaki retired from the legislature.
• District 40 (Makakilo, Kapolei, Royal Kunia):Mark Moses (R) Moses was defeated in the 2006 general election.
• District 44 (Nanakuli, Honokai Hale):Michael Puamamo Kahikina (D) Kahikina was defeated in the 2006 general election.

During 2007 the following changes occured:

• District 44 (Nanakuli, Honokai Hale):Karen Awana (R) => (D) Awana changes party affiliation, from Republican to Democrat.

Related links

• Hawaii State Legislature
• Hawaii State Legislature, 2007
• Members of the Hawaii State Senate, 2003-2012
• Members of the Hawaii State House, 2003-2012

External links

• Hawaii State Legislature
• Hawaii State Legislature Legislative Reference Bureau
• Reyes, B.J. State budget: Focus is on essentials -- Modest economic growth forecast sets frugal tone Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 3, 2008.

Legislators, committee assignments

• Who’s Who in the 24th Hawaii Legislature Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 20, 2008.

GOP chairman's view

• Lee, Willes. Republican-led Legislature would be better for Hawaii Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 17, 2008.

Governor's State of the State

• Borreca, Richard. State of the State talk astounds Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 23, 2008.

Democratic legislative package

• Niesse, Mark. Legislature’s majority party focuses on ecology, energy Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 21, 2008.

Opening of the legislature

• Reyes, B.J. A challenge to change Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 17, 2008.

First decking

• Advertiser staff. Legislators busy as first decking nears Honolulu Advertiser, February 24, 2008.

Halfway point of legislative session

• Shapiro, Treena. Priority issues at Capitol still alive Honolulu Advertiser, March 3, 2008.
• Compiled by Derrick DePledge and Treena Shapiro. Bills readied for Thursday's crossover Honolulu Advertiser, March 3, 2008.
• Richard Borreca and B.J. Reyes. Legislative crossover tightens focus on bills -- Campaign fund measure moves on amid debate Honolulu Star-Bulletin, March 5, 2008.
• Advertiser staff. Bills that are alive or failing at the Capitol Honolulu Advertiser, March 9, 2008.

Aloha Airlines

• Sudick, Jennifer. Lawmakers step in to help Aloha Honolulu Star-Bulletin", March 29, 2008.
• Daysog, Rick. Lawmakers consider bailing out Aloha Air Honolulu Advertiser", March 29, 2008.
• Borreca, Richard. Lawmakers give no gift to Aloha Honolulu Star-Bulletin", April 1, 2008.
• Consillio, Kristen. Bill would extend health insurance program to Aloha workers’ children--Requirements would be waived for families hit by the shutdown Honolulu Star-Bulletin", April 16, 2008.

Harbor modernization

• Aloha Tower Development Corp. would be able to assist in the state harbors revitalization plan and assist in funding the harbor plan. (SB3227 SD2; HB3406 HD1)

Bottled water fee

• Compiled by Treena Shapiro and Derrick DePledge. Medical pot farm, bottled-water fee on agenda Honolulu Advertiser, February 3, 2008.

State budget

• Reyes, B.J. State budget: Focus is on essentials -- Modest economic growth forecast sets frugal tone Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 3, 2008.
• Borreca, Richard. Legislature seeks shovel to dig out of $290M hole Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 13, 2008.
• Borreca, Richard. On Politics: Spending curbs are no obstacle Honolulu Star-Bulletin, March 9, 2008.
• White, Doug. Don’t like the Council forecast? Ignore it. It’s probably wrong, anyway. Poinography!, March 9, 2008.
• Richard Borreca and B.J. Reyes. Gov pushes tax ideas Honolulu Star-Bulletin", March 10, 2008.
• Advertiser staff. House OKs $10.7B budget, less than Lingle's proposal Honolulu Advertiser", March 11, 2008.
• Reyes, B.J. House OKs smaller budget Honolulu Star-Bulletin", March 11, 2008.

Ban altered coffee

• Attempt to ban altered coffee fails Honolulu Advertiser, March 6, 2008.
• Niesse, Mark. No ban on genetically modified coffee -- Lawmakers instead seek a study into the benefits and risks of such altered crops Honolulu Star-Bulletin", March 26, 2008.

Corporate contributions

• DePledge, Derrick. House kills bill to allow corporate political gifts Honolulu Advertiser, February 29, 2008.
• Compiled by Derrick DePledge and Treena Shapiro. Bills readied for Thursday's crossover Honolulu Advertiser, March 3, 2008.
• Richard Borreca and B.J. Reyes. Legislative crossover tightens focus on bills -- Campaign fund measure moves on amid debate Honolulu Star-Bulletin, March 5, 2008.

Counties: campaign finance test case

• Public financing of Hawaii county council elections. (HB661 HD1)
• Senate should enable voter-owned elections Honolulu Advertiser", March 11, 2008.

Expanding DNA law

• Pair touts benefits of expanding DNA law Honolulu Advertiser, February 24, 2008.

Hawai'i Energy Initiative (Gov. Lingle energy initiatives)

• ENERGY FOR TOMORROW -- 2008 INITIATIVES Fact Sheet
• Offer a tax credit to low-income payers for the installation of renewable energy technology in the home. (HB3064, SB2986)
• Create a new Renewable Energy Division within the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism to focus and heighten importance of achieving greater energy independence.
• Establish a "One-Stop Permit Shop" for renewable energy projects, starting with a permits facilitator. (HB1309, SB1395)
• Expand the successful "pay-as-you-save" solar water heater program, to photovolatic systems that convert sunshine into electricity (HB3063, SB2985)
• Establish an endowed Chair for Power Generation and Distribution Engineering at the University of Hawai`i (HB3071, SB2993)
• Protect funds paid by electricity users to support energy-efficiency and demand-side management programs (Public Benefits Fund) from legislative raids and other State encumbrances. (HB3079, SB3001)
• Expand the definition of "renewable energy producer" to include growers and producers of organic materials for the production of biofuels and related natural fuels, so that these producers can directly lease public lands. (HB3179, SB3101)

Giving the Honolulu City Ethics Commission some 'teeth'

• City ethics panel must have power to enforce Honolulu Advertiser, March 4, 2008. (SB 2397)
• Djou, Charles K. Is ethics reform dead? Honolulu Star-Bulletin, March 6, 2008.

Energy efficiency

• Arakawa, Lynda. Lawmakers may banish inefficient light bulbs Honolulu Advertiser, February 26, 2008.

EIS exemption

• Arakawa, Lynda. EIS exemption bill moves on Honolulu Advertiser", March 9, 2008.

Farming/Preserving Ag Lands

• A bill providing incentives for the designation of important agricultural lands. (SB2646 SD2; HB2357)
• Arakawa, Lynda. Proposal would preserve ag lands Honolulu Advertiser, January 21, 2008.

Governor

• OUR OPINION : Don’t strip governor of emergency powers THE ISSUE: The Legislature is considering a bill to limit the governor's power to declare states of emergency without legislative approval. Honolulu Star-Bulletin", April 12, 2008.

Haiku Valley cultural park

• Aguiar, Eloise. Bills call for Ha'iku Valley cultural park Honolulu Advertiser, February 7, 2008.

Hedge funds

• OUR OPINION: Legislative action needed to nourish Hawaii’s hedge funds THE ISSUE: Hedge funds managed in Hawaii have increased in recent years and are seen as a future focal point for Japanese investors. Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 16, 2008.

High-powered rifles

• DePledge, Derrick. Bill to ban .50-caliber rifles fails in House Honolulu Advertiser, February 29, 2008.
• Compiled by Derrick DePledge and Treena Shapiro. Bills readied for Thursday's crossover Honolulu Advertiser, March 3, 2008.

Kakaako

• Wu, Nina. Bill would toughen Kakaako requirements Honolulu Star-Bulletin", March 26, 2008.

Kukui Gardens

• HB 2515: Appropriates $26 million in general obligation bonds, finalizing the sale of the Kukui Gardens housing project.

Land conservation

• Aguiar, Eloise. Bills to buy, preserve land on Oahu, Kauai advance Honolulu Advertiser, February 13, 2008.

Land recording

• OUR OPINION: A more efficient land bureau? Not this year THE ISSUE: Legislation that would allow online technology for land recording and information has hit a Senate roadblock. Honolulu Star-Bulletin", April 4, 2008.

Malpractice reform

• Kubota, Gary T. Isle doctors lobby for tort reform -- A group blames legal costs for the declining numbers of physicians Honolulu Star-Bulletin, February 5, 2008.
• Schmidt, J.P. Hawaii urgently needs caps on malpractice claims Honolulu Star-Bulletin, February 17, 2008.
• Compiled by Derrick DePledge and Treena Shapiro. Bills readied for Thursday's crossover Honolulu Advertiser, March 3, 2008.
• Reyes, B.J. ‘The death of tort reform’ brings retort from Lingle -- A lawmaker's casual remark on health care is not well received Honolulu Star-Bulletin, March 3, 2008.
• OUR OPINION: Legislators should stop doctors’ exodus THE ISSUE -- It appears the Legislature will take no action on medical malpractice proposals. Honolulu Star-Bulletin", March 10, 2008.
• Miller, Richard S. COMMENTARY: Tort reform not the answer doctors need Honolulu Advertiser", March 10, 2008.
• Wiles, Greg. Medical liability cap proposal survives Honolulu Advertiser", March 12, 2008.

Medical marijuana farm

• Compiled by Treena Shapiro and Derrick DePledge. Medical pot farm, bottled-water fee on agenda Honolulu Advertiser, February 3, 2008.

OHA

• Borreca, Richard. Changed OHA bill prompts scrutiny Honolulu Star-Bulletin, February 29, 2008.
• RELATING TO THE PUBLIC TRUST LANDS SETTLEMENT Hawaii State Legislature.
• Apoliona, Haunani. Gathering Place: Despite legislative setback, OHA will pursue land settlement Honolulu Star-Bulletin", March 23, 2008.
• OUR OPINION: Audits should not be political weapons THE ISSUE: State senators are calling for an accelerated audit of the Office of Hawaii Affairs. Honolulu Star-Bulletin", March 30, 2008.

Oil industry monitoring/transparency

• Dilineates PUC to provide oil industry information in a more clarified way. (SB2630 SD2)

Pardons by Governor

• OUR OPINION: Stop meddling with pardon power THE ISSUE: The state Senate has passed a bill that would include the Judiciary in the process of reviewing applications for pardons. Honolulu Star-Bulletin", March 9, 2008.

Plastic bag ban

• Arakawa, Lynda. State plastic-bag ban considered Honolulu Advertiser, February 5, 2008.
• OUR OPINION: Proposal too weak to cut plastic bag use THE ISSUE: A bill to require bag recycling bins at stores also would bar counties from adopting their own restrictions. Honolulu Star-Bulletin", April 13, 2008.

Pothole bill

• DePledge, Derrick. Professor with pothole peeve takes action Honolulu Advertiser, February 3, 2008.
• DePledge, Derrick. UH prof's pothole bill shelved after hearing Honolulu Advertiser, February 5, 2008.

Public financing of elections

• Compiled by Derrick DePledge and Treena Shapiro. Bills readied for Thursday's crossover Honolulu Advertiser, March 3, 2008.

Public school capital improvement projects

• Advertiser staff. School funding bill advances Honolulu Advertiser, March 6, 2008.

Increasing penalties for assaulting good samaritans

• Samaritan bill would increase penalties Honolulu Advertiser, February 1, 2008.

Shield law for reporters and bloggers

• Associated press. Shield law for journalists: Will it protect bloggers? Honolulu Advertiser, February 1, 2008.
• Compiled by Derrick DePledge and Treena Shapiro. Bills readied for Thursday's crossover Honolulu Advertiser, March 3, 2008.

School bus seat belts

• Da Silva, Alexandre. Seat belts debated--The state has rejected them as too costly to place on school buses Honolulu Star-Bulletin", April 5, 2008.

Small business bill of rights

• A bill to establish a small business bill of rights. (HB2736 HD1)

Smart growth

• Bils requiring government planning agencies to use Smart Growth principles when considering development in the state. (HB 2525, HB 2526, and HB 2527)

Smoking ban on beaches

• Compiled by Treena Shapiro and Derrick DePledge. No bans on beach smoking, Styrofoam Honolulu Advertiser, February 17, 2008.

Solar water heating

• Wu, Nina. Some installers oppose solar water mandate Honolulu Star-Bulletin", April 3, 2008.

Aloha Stadium to UH?

• OUR OPINION: Give stadium to UH and study whether to build a new one THE ISSUE: The state House has approved a bill that would transfer Aloha Stadium from the Stadium Authority to the University of Hawaii. Honolulu Advertiser, March 6, 2008.

New stadium?

• Borreca, Richard. Lawmakers plot study for stadium in West Oahu Honolulu Star-Bulletin", March 29, 2008.

Styrofoam ban

• Plastic-foam container vote is tomorrow Honolulu Advertiser, February 10, 2008.
• Arakawa, Lynda. Bill banning Styrofoam advances Honolulu Advertiser, February 13, 2008.
• Compiled by Treena Shapiro and Derrick DePledge. No bans on beach smoking, Styrofoam Honolulu Advertiser, February 17, 2008.

Supreme Court judges' mandatory retirement age raised to 80

• Proposes an amendment to the state Constitution, subject to voter approval, to raise the mandatory retirement age for judges to 80. (SB3202)
• Age limit on judges needs to be raised Honolulu Advertiser, March 6, 2008.
• Kobayashi, Ken. Replacing top judge is Lingle’s jurisdiction -- Gov. Lingle will pick the next chief justice unless the people alter the Constitution Honolulu Star-Bulletin", March 10, 2008.
• Kobayashi, Ken. Panel can keep judges for subsequent terms -- Lingle cannot replace appointees whom the commission retains Honolulu Star-Bulletin", March 10, 2008.
• OUR OPINION: Senators are deaf to rejection of raising judgeís retirement age THE ISSUE -- The state Senate has approved a constitutional amendment that would raise the mandatory retirement age of judges from 70 years old to 80. Honolulu Star-Bulletin", March 9, 2008.

GMO Taro ban

• Da Silva, Alexandre. Activists renew taro ban effort Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 16, 2008.
• Napier, Alika. Biotechnology moratoriums push an extreme agenda Honolulu Star-Bulletin, January 27, 2008.
• OUR OPINION: Taro bill goes too far in stifling laws on modified plants THE ISSUE: A bill to ban genetic experimentation with Hawaiian taro for five years also would ban other laws on genetically modified plants. Honolulu Star-Bulletin, April 8, 2008.

Transitional shelters for Puahala Homes

• Advertiser staff. Transitional shelters idea opposed Honolulu Advertiser, February 29, 2008.

Turtle Bay Resort

• A bill regarding the acquisition of Turtle Bay Resort. (SB2423 SD2)
• Borreca, Richard. Turtle Bay bill advances -- The measure would let the state buy the land to preserve it Honolulu Star-Bulletin", March 11, 2008.

Union organizing

• Borreca, Richard. Union organization bill heads to Lingle Honolulu Star-Bulletin", March 26, 2008.

University of Hawaii

• HB 2521: Requires 1 percent of general fund revenue during a six-year period to be deposited into a new fund dedicated to repair and maintenance projects at the University of Hawaii. Money from the fund plus general obligation bonds totaling $100 million would be earmarked to the university yearly for the projects.
• Borreca, Richard. On Politics: University’s problems not shocking, just tedious January 13, 2008.
• Richard Borreca and B.J. Reyes. Legislative crossover tightens focus on bills -- Campaign fund measure moves on amid debate Honolulu Star-Bulletin, March 5, 2008.

Absentee voting

• A bill for permanent absentee voting. (SB2562 SD1)