By Senator Mike Gabbard
Aloha. I hope you and your family are well. Here’s an
update from the Capitol.
Honoring Kapolei Middle School Speech Contest
I had the privilege of honoring four special people at the Legislature
on February 5th. Kapolei Middle School teacher, Ms. Joy Lynch,
worked tirelessly and organized the first USS Arizona Memorial
Scholarship Speech Contest at Kapolei Middle School. The speech
contest was held on June 16, 2006. Flora Cross who is now a
9th grader at Kamehameha Schools, won first place. Ninth grade
Kapolei High students Rebecca Manahan and Tafia Taimalelagi
won second and third place respectively. As part of their award
for winning the contest, each student received a $1,000 scholarship
and the opportunity to present their speeches at the 65th Pearl
Harbor Anniversary Symposium.
In early December, Flora, Rebecca, and Tafia became the first
students in the nation to speak at a USS Arizona Memorial Museum
Association event. These students' impressive writing and speech
skills clearly conveyed their understanding and appreciation
for this important event.
ATV Bill Moving in Senate
Senate Bill 1891, a bill I introduced, was passed out of the
Water/Land/ Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs Committee on February
12 by a 4-0 vote. This bill would establish criminal penalties
for driving ATVs and other vehicles on our beaches. SB 1891
would allow the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Enforcement
Division to make arrests, confiscate vehicles, and issue criminal
citations. As you know, ATVs and other vehicles are a safety
hazard for families, desecrate native Hawaiian burial grounds,
and cause environmental damage to our beaches.
Talk Stories
I'll be hosting talk stories in both Kunia and Kapolei in March.
On March 10th, we will meet at the Kunia Wal-Mart (outside seating,
just right of the store's main exit, closest to Kupuohi Street
and Subway) at 9:00am. On March 24th, we will meet at the Kapolei
Starbucks (outside seating, across from Longs Drugs) at 9:00am.
I hope to see you there!
Please contact me if I can help in any way. My phone number
is 586-6830, email is sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov.
Mahalo for the privilege of serving you! |
