Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

The latest state reapportionment maps allocate a fourth Senate seat to the Big Island, but deny an additional House seat.

The State Reapportionment Commission was put back to work last month when the state Supreme Court tossed out the original maps because they included military personnel, their dependents, out-of-state students and other non-permanent residents.

The commission is set to meet 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15 on Oahu to officially unveil the maps. The maps, however, were posted online Tuesday.

According to the latest version of the Senate map, the districts currently represented by Sen. Carol Fukunaga (Lower Makiki-Punchbowl) and Sen. Brian Taniguchi (Moiliili-Manoa) would be combined and a new seat would be created to represent South Hilo, Puna and Volcano.

On the House side, five pairs of incumbents will face each other in this year’s election, including two Big Island representatives —Mark Nakashima and Jerry Chang.

That means there will be one open House seat on the Big Island.

Public comment will be accepted at two meetings next week before the commission takes a final vote Feb. 23. The first meeting is Feb. 21 in Hilo with video conferencing in Kona (see complete agenda below) and Feb. 22 in Honolulu.

STATE OF HAWAII
2011 REAPPORTIONMENT COMMISSION
ANNOUNCEMENT OF PUBLIC HEARING
TO RECEIVE COMMENTS ON THE
REAPPORTIONMENT PLAN FOR STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS (PROPOSED)
Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Time: 6:00 PM
Place: Hawaii County Council Chambers

I. Opening of the hearing
25 Aupuni St., Hilo
Kona Council Office
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway,
Kailua-Kona

II. Outline of procedures to be followed at the hearing

III. Public testimony – all interested persons are invited to testify on the Commission’s proposed reapportionment plan for the State Senate and House legislative districts. All persons who wish to testify are requested to provide a written copy of their testimony to the Commission prior to or at the hearing.

IV. Closing of the hearing

View the Commission’s proposed plan at the public hearing or online: www.hawaii.gov/elections/reapportionment

Public testimony or comments are also welcome by mail or email (see mailing addresses below). Please note that the Commission is scheduled to vote on the proposed reapportionment plan on February 23, 2012.

State of Hawaii Reapportionment Commission
State Capitol, Room 445
415 South Beretania St., Honolulu 96813

Email: reapportionment@hawaii.gov

Hawaii County Senate Districts

Hawaii County House Districts

State Senate and House Districts 2000