eNewsletter
Statement
eNewsletter
Special Session Focuses on Hawai`i's Future
"The short- and long-term effectiveness of state government in Hawai`i will be shaped by actions taken at the Capitol in the upcoming days."
- Governor Lingle
Since Governor Lingle convened a special session of the state Legislature on Wednesday, members of the House and Senate have moved forward on a bill that would allow the Superferry service to operate while the state conducts an environmental impact statement relating to harbor improvements.
Also, confirmations sought by the Governor - including for three department heads, a judge, a health care administrator and 96 board and commission members - have been very favorably received by Senators.
House Passes Superferry Bill
Friday afternoon, the House passed the Superferry bill (HB 1), which will cross over to the Senate. The Senate is scheduled to consider their version of the bill (SB 1 SD 1) in session at 9:00 a.m. Monday. The Administration is pleased by these actions because it brings our state closer to resuming an important and innovative transportation option wanted by the overwhelming majority of Hawai`i residents.
Through a collaborative and cooperative approach taken by the executive and legislative branches on this issue, the service will bring our people closer together, be a boost to local businesses and agriculture, provide a critical resource for emergencies, and connect our island state like never before. This state-of-the-art vessel will be operated with careful consideration for Hawai`i's environment.
State Department Heads Qualified for Positions
The special session is also critical for confirmations to key positions in state government.
"The short- and long-term effectiveness of state government in Hawai`i will be shaped by actions taken at the Capitol in the upcoming days," Governor Lingle said.
Up for confirmation are Laura H. Thielen, Department of Land and Natural Resources; Clayton Frank, Department of Public Safety; and Darwin Ching, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.
An editorial in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin stated, "The governor's candidates to head the departments of labor, land and natural resources and prisons appear to have the necessary qualifications."
Laura Thielen, who's committee confirmation hearing continues Monday at 2:45 p.m., was hailed by supporters in a committee hearing Thursday. Ira Rohter, a professor of political science at the University of Hawai`i-Manoa, wrote in the Star-Bulletin that "Laura Thielen... represents exactly the kind of dynamic new government leadership we desperately need to take Hawai`i into the 21st century." Read more about Laura Thielen's leadership of the department.
Clayton Frank, a 26-year employee of the Department of Public Safety, who most recently was the warden at Halawa Correctional Facility, has been called fair, equitable and committed to the department. His confirmation hearing for Public Safety director is scheduled to continue at 9:00 a.m. Monday.
Darwin Ching's appointment to labor director was "passed out of committee" Friday morning. Also up for confirmation is Judge Randal Lee, to fill a vacancy on the Intermediate Court of Appeals. State Attorney General Mark Bennett offered strong testimony in support of his confirmation.
Also, Ron Terry is nominated to serve as head of the state Health Planning and Development Agency, which is responsible for promoting accessibility to quality, affordable health care services.
During the special session, lawmakers are also addressing Hawai`i's extended sentencing law, which the U.S. Supreme Court and Hawai`i Supreme Court ruled is unconstitutional. The courts ruled that the extended sentencing law violates a person's right to a jury trial because under the current law, judges, not juries, have the responsibility to extend prison sentences for felons with multiple convictions.
Democracy is always at its strongest when the public participates. As the special session continues, please contact your state legislators to express support for the Superferry bill, the extended sentencing law and confirmation of the Governor's 101 nominees.
Special session won't be all Superferry
An editorial by Governor Lingle
The Garden Island, October 24, 2007
Governor Presents Award to Hawai`i International Film Association
At the 27th Annual Hawai`i International Film Festival Awards Ceremony, Governor Lingle outlined her Administration's commitment to the entertainment industry and presented the "Film in Hawai`i Award" to the Hawai`i International Film Association.
"The Hawai`i International Film Festival brings talented people to Hawai`i from around the country and world," the Governor said, adding that it reflects highly on the State of Hawai`i, its people and its place in the world."
The Governor, calling herself a "movie buff," highlighted a film's ability to deliver a powerful message while also providing an escape for members of the audience.
She shared that at the heart of every movie is the creative spirit of a film maker. "Our job in government is to create an environment where creativity can thrive," the Governor said. "Together, we can make certain that Hawai`i is the creative capital of the Pacific," she added.
The "Film in Hawai`i Award" is presented annually to a person or organization who has significantly contributed to the promotion of Hawai`i's film industry. The Hawai`i International Film Association (HIFA) was recognized for its work to represent local production coordinators who work directly with foreign producers in Hawai`i's film/video industry.
HIFA has also worked to foster cooperation and collaboration among federal and state government agencies, local labor unions and other members of the production community.
Special Session
The residents of Hawai`i should know the importance of the special legislative session goes far beyond issues surrounding the Superferry service.
Legislators will also address the state's extended sentencing law, which was ruled unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court; stating judges, not juries, would decide the factors that lead to longer prison sentences.
Senators will consider the confirmation of close to 100 individuals who are willing to serve on our state Boards and Commissions.
Interim directors for three critical state departments are also subject to Senate confirmation. They oversee areas each of us hold dear - our safety, our employment and our cultural and natural resources.
Finally, a confirmation hearing will be held for Judge Randal Lee, who I nominated to fill a vacancy on the Immediate Court of Appeals.
These outstanding public servants deserve a fair and open hearing and I urge you to support them by contacting your legislators today.
Departments of the Week
Taxation
Last week, the Department of Taxation was presented with the best-in-class award from IBM's Global Information On Demand Innovation Awards.
The prestigious Awards Program recognizes organizations that are using IBM-based solutions to significantly improve efficiencies and gain competitive advantage for their organizations.
The Department of Taxation was honored for their implementation of IBM FileNet in IIS (imaging system). Overall, IIS removed the need for paper retention and retrieval and sped returns processing, while simultaneously improving customer service by making tax returns immediately available online to our customer service reps. IIS also eliminated the need to retain millions of paper copies of tax returns freeing up precious office space which is in much demand.
IBM's global Information On Demand Innovation Awards honors best-in-class applications and solutions from among IBM Information Management customers.
Land and Natural Resources
As part of the Lingle-Aiona Administration's continued efforts to conserve the state's natural resources, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for a free workshop titled, "Landowner Assistance: Environmental Conservation and Restoration."
"DLNR believes there is a critical need to engage Hawai`i's private landowners in the conservation and restoration of habitat for our native plant and animals," said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson. "We are working to establish state, federal and private partnerships to more effectively conserve and protect our native ecosystems and watersheds."
"This workshop is a collaborative effort between multiple state and federal agencies to inform private landowners, in one forum, about several programs which can provide funding and technical assistance to landowners who want to do conservation and restoration," Thielen said.
Workshop topics included:
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How to restore land to native forest.
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How to improve native wildlife habitat.
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How to address problems with invasive species.
Due to the overwhelming response of residents interested in attending the workshop, DLNR has scheduled an additional workshop December 6 in Hilo.
Contact DLNR Public Information Officer Deborah Ward at 587-0320 for more information.
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