From the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board Report, April 24, 2012.
The plastic bag fee bills are on life support with two bills passed by the Senate failing in the House. SB 2511 and HB 2260 are currently dead after reaching the House Finance committee with no further action taken. However, HB 2483 is the current vehicle that now contains the fee on plastic bags. The bill will go to conference. I voted “no” on all of these bills.
The State Senate confirmed Ted Yamamura and Jonathan Starr to the Commission on Water Resource Management. Both were met with opposition from several environmental groups. Opposition was the greatest for Mr. Yamamura who still passed with a vote of 19 to 6. Dean Seki was confirmed as the State’s newest Comptroller with a 25 to 0 vote. I voted in favor of all 3 nominees at the April 17 floor session.
Congratulations Senate Sgt. of Arms director Ben Villaflor, a former world Jr. Lightwegiht Champion on his appointment to the Hawaii State Boxing Commission.
The State Department of Transportation (DOT) spent $75,000 on an unmanned drone aircraft that was supposed to be used for security over Honolulu Harbor. The drone has never flown. Reason? Not approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. Honolulu Harbor is in the flight route of Honolulu International Airport.
I will be speaking at the May 8 East Oahu Breakfast Club from 7:00 am to 8:15 am at the Hawaii Kai Retirement Center on Kawaihae Street.
