Aloha,

I hope you and your family are in good health and doing well. Here are a couple of things I'd like to share with you:

National Conference of State Legislatures' (NCSL) Forum a Great Learning Experience
I attended NCSL's Forum – "Opportunities for Working Families" in Denver from June 10 – 13th. The Hawaii delegation also included Senators Chun Oakland and Hooser and Reps. Awana, Rhodes and Mizuno. The focus of the forum was assets management and financial literacy. Our delegation came up with an action plan to give greater opportunities to low-income working families. I was especially surprised to learn there are approximately 27,000 taxpayers in Hawaii who are currently not taking advantage of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Considering that the average EITC refundable tax credit is $1,672, this translates into roughly $45 million that low-income residents in Hawaii are entitled to, but are not receiving from the federal government each year. We need to do more to make sure this money comes home. Since returning from the forum, we've formed an "Asset Building" Task Force and will be looking at this and other strategies to help working families.

Gabbard Honors Operation About Face!/Community Allstars Grads
I presented the 382 graduates of the Operation About Face! and Community Allstars programs with honorary certificates from the State Senate on June 28th at Kapolei High School. I also had the opportunity to sing a song I co-wrote a few years back with my good friend Leon Siu, entitled E Kupono Me Ke Aloha (Listen here: http://www.mikegabbard.com/173.html). This interactive song’s inspirational theme of working together and standing up for what’s right in your heart was perfect for the occasion. Both the Operation About Face! and Community Allstars programs are sponsored by a unique partnership with the Hawaii National Guard. Students from many Leeward schools participate in the after-school programs, including Kapolei, Campbell, Nanakuli, and Waianae High Schools. Program activities include learning how to fill out a job application, balancing a checkbook, practicing job interviewing, and doing meal planning.

Listen-Story
I'll be hosting a "listen-story" meeting at the Kapolei Starbucks (outside seating, near the Chevron Station) at 9:00am on August 18th. Please come. If you can't make it, please call or email your concerns.

Please contact me if I can help you in any way. My phone number is 586-6830 and email is sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov. Mahalo for the privilege of serving you!