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MEDIA RELEASE Senate Bill 1084, a bill that proposes a constitutional amendment to allow the appropriation of public funds for private early childhood education programs to help the State meet its goal of providing an early learning system, advanced today at the State Capitol as Senate and House conferees agreed to move the bill forward. […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The conference meeting to negotiate differences in the state budget between the House and Senate was held a week earlier than normal to allow more discussion time for conference members and avoid the last minute rush to act on other fiscal bills. In his opening remarks, Senate Ways and Means Chair, David Ige […]

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MEDIA RELEASE House Finance Chair Sylvia Luke and Senate Ways and Means Chair David Ige have announced that the first conference committee meeting on the state budget is set for 9:30 a.m. Thursday, April 11 in room 309 at the State Capitol. The conference committee meetings for the state budget are being held a week […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The Hawaii State Senate has recognized and commemorated the 20th anniversary of the W.M. Keck Observatory, located at the summit of Mauna Kea, during its Session. The telescopes, known as Keck I and Keck II, are located in the twin domes of the W.M. Keck Observatory and have been involved in the 20 […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Advocates for campaign finance reform were pleased last week when the Senate Ways and Means Committee passed House Bill 1481. The bill would create a law that would modernize Hawaii’s outdated partial public funding program for elections. The original public funding program was implemented during the 1978 Constitutional Convention, but has become ineffective […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The Senate Committee on Ways and Means passed House Bill 200 with amendments Wednesday. The Senate’s version of the bill is approximately $141 M less in general funds than Governor Abercrombie’s budget proposal. The bill appropriates funds for the operating and capital improvement budget of the Executive Branch for the fiscal biennium years […]

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MEDIA RELEASE As part of weeklong activities during its annual Education Week at the Legislature, the State House of Representatives honored school leaders for their dedication to their students and profession. Several resolutions and public presentations were sponsored by House Education Committee Chair, Rep. Roy Takumi (D, Pearl City-Manana- Waipio) and Vice Chair Rep. Takashi […]

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MEDIA RELEASE As the 2013 legislative session hits the half way mark, proposed bills affecting the economy and quality of life for Big Island residents have been approved by the House of Representatives and sent to the Senate for further consideration. Rep. Richard H.K. Onishi (Hilo, Keaau, Kurtistown, Volcano, Pahala) has been working to keep […]

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MEDIA RELEASE WHO: House Rep. Cindy Evans (North Kona, North Kohala, South Kohala) WHAT: Forum will include light refreshments, discussion on the status of key legislative issues as the Legislature hits the halfway point, as well as community concerns. WHEN: 12:30-2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 24 WHERE: Waimea Senior Center 65-1158 Mamalahoa Highway, Waimea

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MEDIA RELEASE Four finalists for the Youth of the Year award from the State of Hawaii Boys & Girls Clubs representing the four major islands were honored on the floor of the State House of Representatives earlier this week. At the awards luncheon following the presentation Maui’s Aaren Soriano was selected as the 2013 Youth […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Big Island Candies president and chief executive officer Allan Ikawa has received a Certificate of Recognition from the Hawaii State Senate for recently being awarded the Entrepreneurial Success Award for the State of Hawaii. The award was part of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Small Business Awards 2013. The Entrepreneurial Success Award is […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The Hawaii State Senate is encouraging citizens to continuously get informed, get involved and get connected. There are many resources available on the web that citizens can access right at their fingertips. Social Media Get connected with the Senate and Senate Majority on our various Social Media platforms including: Majority Caucus Blog, Twitter, […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to approve HB200 HD1 which appropriates funds for operating and capital improvement costs of the Executive Branch for the next biennium fiscal years FY2013-2014 and FY2014-2015. For FY2013-2014 the bill appropriates operating money of $5.9 billion in general funds and $11.6 billion in all means of financing. […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The state House has honored the Merrie Monarch on the historic occasion of its 50th anniversary. In the early 1960s the late Helene Hale, along with George Naope and Gene Wilhelm created the Merrie Monarch Festival as a way to attract tourists after a devastating tidal wave and resulting economic downturn. In 1968, […]

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