Hawaii’s Only Republican State Senator – Sam Slom

This video clip was recently shot by the Reason Foundation for Reason TV. Senator Slom talks about a variety of issues and the fact that he is currently the only Republican in the Hawaii State Senate.

Majority Oppose Turning the Great Lawn Into a Shopping Center

By State Senator Sam Slom
As published in the Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board Report #1, March 25, 2013.

The people in Hawaii Kai, myself included, loved Foodland and were disappointed when the store left the Koko Marina Shopping Center in 2011 after nearly 50 years.

We also like open, green spaces, especially the famous community landmark, the “Great Lawn,” situated along Kalanianaole Highway. The land owned by Kamehameha Schools is zoned preservation. Most of the people in the community want to keep the Great Lawn as is despite conflicting surveys taken by KSBE (72% in favor) and State Rep. Gene Ward (80% opposed).

Kamehameha Schools recently announced its intention to develop the property and put in a strip mall anchored by a new Foodland Supermarket. Many community groups and individuals came out to a Town Hall Meeting sponsored by State Rep. Gene Ward to oppose the plan. The Great Lawn is more important than establishing another mall and restoring Foodland. I have said so for more than a year.

More than 400 people were in attendance at last Thursday’s town hall meeting and a great majority voiced their opposition after Kamehameha Schools and Foodland both presented their proposal. I support development in commercial zones, but not at the expense of losing the Great Lawn when other options exist for Foodland’s return.

Video from the meeting is posted below:

HawaiiReporter.com: Residents Express Outrage at Town Hall Meeting

“Fiscal Cliff” Topic of PBS Hawaii’s Insights

State Senator Sam Slom was a guest on PBS Hawaii’s “Insights“ with Dan Boylon on January 31. He appeared with panelists Carl Bonham, Executive Director, of the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization; US Representative Colleen Hanabusa; and Kalbert Young, Director, State Department of Budget and Finance. The topic of discussion was the much talked about “Fiscal Cliff” and its impact on Hawaii. The video runs for about an hour.

On Video: A Better Day with Senator Slom

Senator Sam Slom talks about the upcoming session and some of the issues with minority staff members Noelani Bonafacio and Matt Rapoza on “A Better Day”.

KITV’s Lara Yamada interviews Senator Sam Slom and staff member Julia Allen on the decision made by the Hawaii State Elections Commission regarding ballot shortages and other mistakes that surrounded the 2012 election.