Hawai'i State Legislature— Opening Day

House of Representatives

Representative Jessica Wooley, with whom I hope to work on some projects during the legislative session, hooked me up with a ticket for advanced seating to the open day ceremony. Good thing because the place was packed two to three deep at the top of the seating area. (Perhaps it was the prospect of seeing the Moanalua String Ensemble or Sean Na'auao, both of which were really awesome for the entertainment in between the proceedings.)

Amid the ill-fitting suits and gaudy lei, the who's who of Hawai'i's political scene showed up to witness the festivities. Some of the people I recognized were DJ Mailer, Kamehameha Schools; David Henkin, Earth Justice and Lt. Governor candidate in 2006; Chief Justice Mark Rechtenwald; Gov. Linda Lingle; former Rep. Charles Djou. (Djou and Lingle had a long conversation about who knows what. They're both out of a job so maybe they were asking if either one of them was planning on challenging Sen. Akaka in two years. I couldn't make out if either one of them said the word "Palin.")

After a chant by Kainoa Daines all the reps were introduced. I counted nineteen women and thirty-one men of the fifty (out of fifty-one) reps in attendance— not too bad for diversity. (I'll have to look up how that compares with other states.) Seventeen reps from the Neighbor Islands and thirty-three from O'ahu.

We then sang the national anthem and Hawai'i Pono'i and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. The pule by Kamaki Kanahele was a serious calling out of the Legislature and the gallery: "...our heavenly father, your house is in shambles.."; "that was the saddest Hawai'i Pono'i I have ever heard..." That's what they/we needed to hear. We'll see if it has any effect.

After the Chief Justice administered the oath of office, Governor Abercrombie, Lt. Governor Schatz and the entire Executive Branch made their way into the floor seats. Blake Oshiro then gave his opening remarks for the majority (big time forty-three out of fifty-one). After introducing the four new Democratic members he touched on three themes of being a legislator: 1) politician (such as when they're campaigning), 2) legislator (such as when they're doing their jobs of governing), and finally 3) statesman/woman (looking out for the best interests of the entire state and not just those of the particular constituents or supporters). Rep. Oshiro said the last one is the most important of the three (no surprise there). The main challenge the legislature faces this year is an $800 million dollar budget deficit (as compared to $2.1 billion in 2009 and $1.2 billion in 2010). We hope that we hit rock-bottom and now we're starting to claw our way back to recovery.

Rep. Oshiro pointed out some positive signs: tourism numbers and spending are up. But the main job to focus on is protecting jobs and that means construction needs to ramp up (sustainable? hmmm...). If the private sector cannot generate enough activity to put all those construction workers on a job, then the public sector must step in, so the rail project should be the type of stimulus that will lift us out of this recession for good. (That got gov. Abercombie out of his seat for rousing applause. I know what Panos would have to say about that— the road to serfdom.) He continued with the usual paeans to diversification (high tech? bio-tech? film? etc.) and then made a reference to the Arizona shootings to highlight the need for humility. He finally concluded by addressing "the elephant in the room", civil unions and called for an honest and open debate that "would be just, guided by truth and reason."

Gene Ward made the opening remarks for the eight-representative strong Republicans. "The people's house" will be a "marketplace of ideas" to rehabilitate the economy and seek better educational governance. The core values he espoused are: not to raise taxes, fiscal discipline, promoting local small businesses, open and accountable government, and educational excellence. He talked a lot about green jobs and thanked Gov. Linda Lingle for her leadership in enacting the Hawai'i Clean Energy Initiative. We must Think Big!

Overall I have to say that I walked away from the opening day ceremonies convinced once again that I live in a wonderful place with wonderful people with unique customs and a distinct way of life. The Canadian couple sitting next to me shared their thoughts with me about how different Hawai'i is from the "rest of the states" while still possessing all the good parts of the American system. I didn't need any more convincing but it was still nice to hear. Lucky we live Hawai'i Nei!