HONOLULU— Senator Mike Gabbard just returned from the 25th Annual Pacific Educational Conference (PEC) in Pago Pago, American Samoa where he delivered the keynote speech during the opening festivities on July 14th.

Gabbard said, "As a life-long educator and native of American Samoa, it was a great honor to come back and speak at the 25th anniversary of the PEC. My speech focused on Kapolei High School's Career Academies and the Malama Learning Center. Both of these exciting Kapolei-based programs can be tweaked and replicated to help improve education all over the Pacific Islands."

PEC, the largest educational conference in the Western Pacific, brought together close to 1,000 participants during the July 14–17 event. Past hosts for the PEC include Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, Pohnpei, Palau, Marshall Islands, Chuuk, and Rota. The PEC was co-sponsored by the American Samoa Department of Education, American Samoa Community College, and the Pacific Resources for Education and Learning. The theme for this year's PEC was The Pacific Child: A Legacy of Community, Culture, and Art.

Senator Gabbard was born in Leloaloa, American Samoa in 1948 and lived in American Samoa from 1971-1983. During this time, he taught at Faga’itua and Samoana High School, and served at American Samoa Community College as a guidance counselor, Assistant Dean of Instruction, and Dean of Adult and Community Education.

Upon returning to Hawaii, Senator Gabbard commented, "You know, every election year, we hear politicians talk about improving our schools. But it’s time, we start walking the talk and do what needs to be done to help our children be, who and what they want to be. If American education is in crisis, as many people think, then it’s time for us to get serious about making improvements. If we want our children of the Pacific to grow up knowing who they are, and be well-rounded citizens who actively contribute to their communities, why not start with paying teachers a decent wage, so they don’t have to get two part time jobs to make ends meet."

Senator Gabbard represents District 19, which includes Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, and portions of Waipahu and Ko 'Olina. For more information, please contact Senator Gabbard's office at 586-6830.

HONOLULU— Senator Mike Gabbard applauds Governor Linda Lingle's decision to sign a bill he introduced to reduce the prevalence of "ice" in Hawaii communities.

Gabbard said, "This new law will close a loophole in our current legal system and allow law enforcement to better track those criminals who go store to store 'smurfing' – buying products with pseudoephedrine with the intention of making 'ice'."

SB 2373, now Act 184, requires pharmacies and retailers to maintain an electronic logbook for sales of products containing pseudoephedrine and send it to the Department of Public Safety every 30 days. All pharmacies and retailers will have until January 1, 2010 to comply with the law.

Gabbard continued, "Back in March of this year, DEA officers busted 'ice' dealers in my district, Royal Kunia, with 50 pounds of 'ice' with a street value of over $1 million. This is one of the largest drug busts in Hawaii history. And with busts like this, it's obvious we need to have the proper tools in place to prevent an increase in 'ice' labs."

In 2006, Hawaii passed a law to allow people to buy no more than 3.6 grams of pseudoephedrine at one time and only 9 grams per month. However, there was nothing in the law to prevent people from going store to store to buy the products.

Act 184 creates a class C felony penalty for any person who is guilty of knowingly purchasing, possessing, or receiving more than 9 grams of pseudoephedrine without a valid prescription within a 30-day period. It also establishes a misdemeanor and the immediate license suspension for any retailer who intentionally or knowingly fails to transmit information on the electronic log.

Forty states have passed laws regulating pseudoephedrine sales. Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and West Virginia have passed laws similar to Act 184.

For more information on SB 2373 (Act 184), please contact Senator Gabbard's office at 586-6830.

HONOLULU– A bill to give the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) greater enforcement powers to protect Hawaii's public lands and beaches has passed both chambers of the State Legislature and now heads to the Governor's desk for her signature.

Senator Mike Gabbard authored and introduced SB 1891 last year after receiving complaints from people statewide and reading media reports about the problem of ATVs and other vehicles driving on our beaches. These vehicles have created a public safety hazard, cause destruction to our natural ecosystem, and can potentially desecrate sacred burial grounds.

"This bill is about giving DLNR officers the tools they need to better protect people and the environment from ATV and 4 X 4 owners who choose to be reckless and use our beaches for sport," said Gabbard. "Our beaches are beautiful places where families go to rest and relax. They shouldn't have to be constantly looking over their shoulders and worrying about being mowed down by an ATV."

SB 1891 would establish criminal penalties (petty misdemeanor) for violations on public lands. The bill would allow DLNR Enforcement officers to issue criminal citations, arrest violators, and confiscate vehicles. Fines would be $500 for the 1st offense, $1,000 for the 2nd offense, and $2,000 for the 3rd or any additional offenses. This bill would also allow DLNR to address other violations on public lands, such as setting unpermitted fires and illegal dumping.

The Governor has until July 8th to either sign the bill into law, allow the bill to become law without her signature, or to veto.

Senator Gabbard represents District 19, which includes Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, and portions of Waipahu and Ko 'Olina. For more information, please contact Senator Gabbard's office at 586-6830.

HONOLULU– The Hawaii Foodbank was presented with $11,922 and well over 5,000 pounds of food at an event held at the State Capitol today by Senator Mike Gabbard, his colleagues and Senate staffers.

Gabbard said, “We started with the modest goal of raising $5,000 and bringing in 1,500 pounds of food. We were totally blown away by the excitement and outpouring of aloha shown for this very worthy cause.”

The Hawaii State Senate has been active in raising money and collecting food for the Hawaii Foodbank's Annual Food Drive every year since it all began in 1990. This year was record-breaking for both food and monetary donations. The Senate had a friendly competition among the different offices and various incentives along the way to earn points for helping in this year's food drive. The Senate Minority Research office finished first with 15,175 points, Senator Ron Menor’s office placed 2nd with 10,510 points and Senator David Ige’s office came in 3rd with 9,260 points.

Gabbard continued, “I know that the donations to the Hawaii Foodbank this year have been less than what is needed, so I’m hopeful that our efforts help to bridge the gap. Mahalo to everyone who participated in making our fundraising efforts an outstanding success.”

As part of the incentive to motivate the other Senate offices, Senator Gabbard offered prizes to the winners: 2 tickets on board the Star of Honolulu whale watching and luncheon cruise ship, a gift basket of assorted goodies from the Gabbard ohana, and a private gourmet lunch prepared by Senator Gabbard and his wife, Carol.

Senator Gabbard represents District 19, which includes Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, and portions of Waipahu and Ko 'Olina. Please contact his office at 586-6830 for more information.

HONOLULU– Members of a newly formed ad-hoc community group, Hawaii Citizens for Food Choice presented Senator Mike Gabbard with over 4,000 signatures gathered through a statewide petition at a news conference at the State Capitol today.

The petition urges state lawmakers to pass important legislation (SB 3232) which would require all genetically engineered (GE) whole foods sold in Hawaii to be labeled and (SB3233), which would compel biotech companies to identify the location of test plots and production of GE crops.

Gabbard said, "The main thing about this issue is that we live in a democracy where people have the right to know what we put in our bodies. National statistics show that up to 94% of people want GE foods labeled. Even Senators Obama and Clinton have weighed in favoring the labeling of GE foods. And here locally, a recent study done by UH shows that 85% of Hawaii residents think it’s important that GE fruit be labeled.”

“The second bill,” Gabbard said, “is meant to give people more information on what's happening on our lands. It’s actually a “good neighbor” bill because those who are growing GE crops would be required to report their location to the Department of Agriculture (DOA), who would post this information on their website, thus making it readily available to the public.”

Hawaii Citizens for Food Choice was started less than a month ago by Kailua resident, Penelope Perez. Ms. Perez said, "I read an article in the paper about these bills and was motivated to get involved. I'm a single mom and don't have a lot of time on my hands, but I feel strongly that I've got the right to know what I'm eating and what I’m feeding my son. Frankly, I couldn't believe how easy it was to get this many signatures.”

Gabbard thanked the group for getting involved in the process. He said, “The results of these petitions make it even clearer that the people of Hawaii want to be able to choose whether they eat GE foods or not. Labeling is the only way to provide that option. Both of these bills are really about democracy and letting the public know that our elected officials are listening to them.
We’re hopeful and confident that the voices of Hawaii’s people will be heard."

SB 3232 and SB 3233 have been referred to the Senate Agriculture/Hawaiian Affairs and Senate Energy/Environment committees. Both bills must be passed out of the committees by Thursday, February 28th.

Senator Gabbard represents District 19, which includes Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, and portions of Waipahu and Ko 'Olina. For more information about this legislation, contact his office at 586-6830.

HONOLULU – A proposal to create a new state agency that would promote the entertainment and sports industries of Hawaii has been introduced by Senator Mike Gabbard (Dist. 19- Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, Portions of Waipahu and Ko 'Olina).

"With the success of the UH football program and the Lost TV show, it's critical that we take advantage of this opportunity," Gabbard said. "Over 325 states and cities in the U.S. have had success in creating authorities and commissions. We should be positioning ourselves as a center for these important industries in the Pacific region and Asia."

SB 2362 would establish an Entertainment and Sports Authority with the goal of marketing, promoting, developing, and coordinating entertainment and sports-related activities and events in the state.

The Authority would be housed in the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and have a policy-making board similar in structure to the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Funding for the agency would come from the Transient Accommodation Tax, legislative appropriations, gifts and grants, and interests and revenues generated by the Authority.

Gabbard envisions the Entertainment and Sports Authority acting as a clearinghouse to bring together all of Hawaii's entertainment and sports-related businesses, clubs, trade associations, and government agencies to maximize their potential growth and development.

"The Authority would help these industries establish their own voice in promoting our state to the rest of the world," Gabbard continued. "Given that the U.S. sports industry alone is worth over $200 billion, the potential is enormous."

SB 2362 will be heard by the Senate Economic Development and Taxation/Tourism and Government Operations committees on Thursday, February 7th at 1:15pm in Conference Room 229 at the State Capitol. The bill can be accessed by visiting the State Capitol website at this link: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/bills/SB2362_.htm.

For more information, please contact Senator Gabbard's office at 586-6830.

HONOLULU – Food labeling and farm notification bills related to genetically engineered (GE) crops, also known as genetically modified organisms – GMOs, have been introduced in the Hawaii State Legislature by Senator Mike Gabbard (Dist. 19- Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, Portions of Waipahu and Ko 'Olina.)

Senate Bill 3232 would require labeling for all GE whole foods sold in Hawaii (fruits and vegetables in their raw or natural state). Senate Bill 3233 would require companies to reveal the location of test plots and production of GE crops.

“These bills are about consumer choice,” says Gabbard. “People have a right to know what food they put in their bodies and what is happening on our lands, and they should be informed.”

Gabbard said his bills reflect the wishes of almost all Hawaii residents. A local study published last year by a professor at the University of Hawaii at Hilo showed that 85% of the people surveyed felt it was important that genetically modified fruits be labeled. Gabbard says this finding confirms polls conducted on the mainland, which concluded that an overwhelming majority of people favor the labeling of GE foods.

"The bottom line is that people have the right to choose whether they eat a GE papaya or not,” he explains. “And, they have the right to know whether a company is testing GE crops nearby.”

Knowing the location of GE test fields is of particular concern to organic and conventional farmers worried about the potential for GE contamination of their crops. Their concern is understandable, says Gabbard. “With over 4,000 permits having been issued to conduct GE testing in the state, Hawaii is one of the primary biotech research and development centers on the planet.”

For more information about this legislation, contact Senator Gabbard's office at 586-6830.

HONOLULU – Senator Mike Gabbard announced today that the United States Postal Service (USPS) has agreed to extend the hours at Barbers Point Post Office during the Christmas Holidays. From December 1 to 24, post office hours will be 9:00am – 3:45pm, Monday – Friday, and 9am – 12pm on Saturdays.

"It's great news to hear that USPS listened to the community and added hours to their operations", said Gabbard. "During the Christmas Season, the Barbers Point and Kapolei post offices are jam packed with people trying to mail gifts to their loved ones. These extra hours at Barbers Point will be a welcome relief."

Gabbard had launched a petition drive in early 2007 after USPS made their November 6, 2006 decision to scale back weekday hours at Barbers Point Post Office from 9am – 4:00pm to 9:00 – 12:00pm.

Gabbard continued, "I got many calls and emails from concerned Kapolei and Kalaeloa residents who were upset with the decision. We were able to get over 1,000 residents to sign our petition in support of extending the hours and this definitely helped our cause."

In addition to the extended Christmas hours, Post Office Operations Manager, Mr. Greg Wolny, wrote in a November 5, 2007 letter to Senator Gabbard that "effective Saturday, November 10th residents can bring their 'Late Notice' slips to Barbers Point Station rather than drive to Kapolei to pick up their mail." This second change will also be big improvement for area residents and will be permanent.

If you would like more information, please contact Senator Gabbard's office at 586-6830

HONOLULU – Senator Mike Gabbard announced today that Kaleiopuu Elementary School in Village Park has been selected as the only school in the state participating in the 2nd Annual Operation Caring Classroom national school initiative.

Operation Caring Classroom is sponsored by the Armed Forces Foundation and has the goal of remembering and supporting military children during a week long celebration from November 5th to 9th, leading up to Veteran's Day. This year the program was launched by U.S. Secretary of Education, Margaret Spellings, and will involve one school from every state in the country.

"It's great to see the students at Kaleiopuu Elementary supporting their peers who have parents in the military", said Gabbard. "Keiki who have parents deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, or other places around the world have added responsibilities and stress. Operation Caring Classroom is a nice example of the aloha spirit in action."

Each participating school, like Kaleiopuu Elementary, has received a school kit with patriotic items, such as flags, magnets, bookmarks, and activity books for the students. Teachers will engage their classes in writing letters to a military child, coloring patriotic pictures, creating a patriotic display case, and building a strength chain.

If you would like more information about the program, please contact Senator Gabbard's office at 586-6830 or Principal Carolyn Alexander at 675-0266.

HONOLULU—August 30, 2007—Republican State Senator Mike Gabbard, (Waikele to Ko Olina) announced his decision today to join the Democratic Party at the party’s new headquarters in Ward Warehouse.

“I made this decision after a great deal of thought and soul searching,” said Gabbard, “and after many, many discussions with my daughter Tulsi, a former state representative and a card-carrying Democrat who works for U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka. It was also talking story with Senator Akaka, Congressman Abercrombie, and other Democrats in leadership, as well as my constituents—Democrat, Republican, and Independents—that helped me make this decision. In the past few months, I’ve come to know and respect Senator Akaka and I’ve been greatly influenced by the aloha and welcoming attitude that he and others have extended to me.”

Gabbard said, “While working together with my colleagues and constituents, we’ve been able to accomplish many things. However, my experience at the legislature has convinced me that to be even more effective, it would be best if I were a member of the majority Democratic Party.”

“Some people have told me that my move could damage me politically,” Gabbard commented. “But I can’t make my decision based on politics. I have to make my decisions based on my conscience, on how I can best serve the people of Hawaii. I’m not a very partisan person, that’s actually why I have a lot of supporters. I’ve been an independent-minded Republican who always follows the dictates of my conscience, not the party line. And I will be just as independent as a Democrat.”

Here are a couple common questions I've received regarding my switch and the answers:

Q: How can you be a social conservative on issues like same-sex marriage and be a Democrat?

A: I'm perfectly in line with the majority of Democrats on this issue. During the same-sex marriage debate, 70% of Hawaii voters agreed with me and voted to protect traditional marriage. The vast majority of those people were Democrats. And on the grassroots level, I have tons of Democrats thanking me for my role in protecting traditional marriage, much more than Republicans.

Q: How can you switch to the Democratic Party when you don't agree 100% with the Party's Platform?

A: If everybody who didn't believe in the Party Platform left the Democratic Party, the Party would consist of a couple thousand people at most.

Senator Mike Gabbard (Waikele to Ko Olina) will begin offering free beginning junior tennis clinics in September at the Kalaeloa (Barbers Point) tennis courts.

Gabbard said, “Back in the 1970s I was the head tennis pro at the Kuilima Hyatt (now Turtle Bay Resort), and I also coached hundreds of juniors when we lived in American Samoa. My wife Carol and I play almost every day, and I’ve been noticing more and more juniors coming out and banging the ball around. So I figured why not offer some free lessons, so they can learn the game properly.”

The free beginning tennis clinics are open to kids ages 7-12 and will be held on three Saturdays from 4:30 to 6 pm on September 15, 22, and 29th at the Kalaeloa tennis courts at Saratoga and Franklin Avenues. The 3-lesson clinic will include the serve, groundstrokes, volleys and scoring. Registration is limited, first come/first serve, so call Senator Gabbard at 682-0676 or email him at mike@MikeGabbard.com. Kids need to bring a tennis racket.

Senator Mike Gabbard and Representative Sharon Har will co-host a community talk-story at the Kapolei High School cafeteria on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at 9:00am.
Gabbard said, "I'm happy that both Representative Har and I can hold these meetings together. Both of us know the most important thing is helping people and not whether we're Republicans or Democrats. This is what's best for the community."
Har said, "

Shortly after being elected, Senator Gabbard and Representative Har agreed to hold a series of talk stories to coordinate their work in the communities they both represent. Senator Gabbard represents Senate District #19, which stretches from Waikele to Ko Olina and Representative Har serves Representative District #40 -Kapolei, Makakilo, and Royal Kunia.

H ONOLULU-- February 22, 2007 – Senator Mike Gabbard presented Christian Mahuna with an honorary certificate from the Hawaii State Senate on February 21, 2007. Christian is a 6th grade student at Kapolei Middle School and lives in Kalaeloa. He was joined at the Capitol by his mother, Ellena Young, and family friend Marcus Miles.

On Friday, February 2, 2007, Christian was waiting for his school bus at the corner of Roosevelt Avenue and Lexington Street when a reckless driver struck Christian, severely breaking both his legs with compound fractures .

Gabbard said, "Christian and his family have been through a terrible ordeal because of this hit and run driver. It 's my hope that the perpetrator will be brought to justice, that Christian will make a full recovery, and he and his family will regain their emotional well-being and peace of mind."

According to Crime Stoppers and the Honolulu Police Department, there have been no leads in this unsolved case. The driver of the vehicle that hit Christian faces two possible charges: vehicle negligent injury in the 2nd degree – a misdemeanor which caries up to a year in jail and failure to render aid – a class C felony which carries up to 5 years in jail.

If you have any information on this case, please contact Crime Stoppers at 955-8300.

Honolulu, February 21, 2007 – On February 12, 2007, Senator Mike Gabbard presented Rudy Gabrillo with an honorary certificate on behalf of the Hawaii State Senate during a ceremony at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.

Senator Gabbard recognized Mr. Gabrillo for receiving the first civilian George S.B. Walters Shipyard Service Award at the 46th Annual Navy League Sea Services Awards luncheon on December 8, 2006 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

Gabbard said, "It was a privilege to acknowledge the hardwork and dedication of one of Makakilo's finest. Rudy deserves all the accolades that he's received."

The award is given to one outstanding civilian at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard who is characterized by industriousness, enthusiasm and team spirit. Rudy is a Rigger Supervisor and general foreman at the shipyard. His duties include repairing ships underwater and training sailors.

Senator Gabbard was joined at the ceremony by Captain Frank Camelio, Commander - Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Captain James Stone, Deputy Commander - Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Mr. Bob McDermott, Executive Director - Honolulu Navy League, CWO-3 Eric MacDonald, and Mr. Kerry Gershaneck, Congressional & Public Affairs Officer - Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.

Honolulu, February 7, 2007 - Senator Mike Gabbard honored Ms. Joy Lynch and former Kapolei Middle School students Flora Cross, Rebecca Manahan, and Tafia Taimalelagi on the floor of the State Senate on February 5th, 2007.

Gabbard said, "It was a pleasure to honor Ms Lynch, Flora, Rebecca, and Tafia at the Capitol. Ms. Lynch should be commended for all her efforts and dedication in helping these students find success. I'm sure the students have made their families proud and have bright futures ahead of them."

Ms. Joy Lynch, an 8th grade Language Arts teacher at Kapolei Middle School, was honored for her leadership role in the development of the USS Arizona Memorial Scholarship Speech Contest. Ms. Lynch had been moved to action by a visit to the Pearl Harbor Memorial and the peace memorial in Hiroshima, Japan. She wanted Hawaii students to have the opportunity to speak at the Pearl Harbor memorial, so that she could one day pass on to future generations the historical significance of the events of December 7, 1941.

The first USS Arizona Memorial Scholarship Speech Contest speech contest was held on June 16, 2006. Flora Cross who is now a 9th grade student at Kamehameha Schools, won first place. Ninth grade Kapolei High School students Rebecca Manahan and Tafia Taimalelagi won second and third place respectively. As part of their award for winning the speech contest, each student received a $1,000 scholarship and the opportunity to present their speeches at the 65th Pearl Harbor Anniversary Symposium. On December 2nd and 5th, 2006, Flora, Rebecca, and Tafia became the first students in the nation to speak at a USS Arizona Memorial Museum Association event.

Senator Mike Gabbard has introduced SB 1891, which will allow the Department of Natural Resources' (DLNR) Enforcement Division to solve the problem of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and other vehicles driving on our beaches and creating safety and environmental hazards. The legislation will restore criminal penalties to Chapter 171, relating to public lands..Read Release

It is a tradition at the Hawaii State Legislature that after elected officials are sworn in, the Senators and Representatives open the doors of their offices and receive members of the public with refreshments.

Gabbard said, "It was wonderful to share this experience with my family, friends, and so many supporters. Some even flew in from the Neighbor Islands. I'm humbled to have this opportunity to serve the people of Hawaii as a State Senator. I look forward to doing my best to make life better for all of Hawaii's residents."

Gabbard previously served as a Honolulu City Councilman (Ewa, Kapolei, Waianae Coast) from 2003 to 2005. He was born to Benjamin Harrison Gabbard and Agnes Yandall Gabbard of Leloaloa and lived in American Samoa from 1971-1983. During this time, Gabbard taught at Faga’itua and Samoana High School, and served at American Samoa Community College as a guidance counselor, Assistant Dean of Instruction and Dean of Adult and Community Education. His daughter, former Hawaii State Representative Tulsi Gabbard Tamayo is currently at Officer Candidate School for the Hawaii National Guard in Fort Hood, Alabama and is on leave from her position as a legislative aide in Washington D.C. to U.S. Senator Dan Akaka.