2018 Legislative Report

Aloha Friends and Neighbors,

The 2018 legislative session adjourned on Thursday, May 3rd. This session the legislature tackled numerous important issues affecting our community including homelessness, affordable housing, social services, the environment, and education, just to name a few. Click on the link below to view a summary of some significant legislative actions taken this year to create new laws and fund capital improvement projects in Aiea, Halawa, and Pearl City.

Although we accomplished much during the last legislative session there is so much more work to be done to improve the quality of life for our families.

During the interim I will be focusing on preparing for the 2019 session—researching issues and meeting with constituents, organizations, state and city agencies, and others, to discuss issues and concerns that I can assist with and may result in proposed legislation.

I welcome your input and suggestions on proposed legislation. Additionally, if you have any questions or concerns relating to state matters, please do not hesitate to contact my office or email me.

Update on My Health

Dear Friends,

Beginning today I will undergo chemotherapy to treat cancer my doctors recently found in my lung. With God, church, family and friends with me, I fully expect to recover just as I did before.

Despite this latest diagnosis, I have every intention to continue my legislative duties. It will be business as usual and I will be in constant contact with my staff on the days I am unable to be at the Capitol. As always, please feel free to call my office if you require assistance with any legislative issues.

Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

Aloha,

ALOHA,

At Thanksgiving we think about the things that we are thankful for. This year, I continue to be most thankful for my wonderful wife and family, friends, co-workers, doctors, and all the people who have been supporting me and praying for me through my health challenges.

Also, I am especially thankful to be in remission as I celebrate my 2½ year anniversary of being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. With a survival rate of 9%, only 9 out of 100 pancreatic cancer patients survive for 5 years. I recently changed from referring to myself as a pancreatic cancer patient to a pancreatic cancer survivor as I have the greatest hope and faith that I will be one of the 9%.

Every morning when I wake up, I give thanks to God for another day on this earth. I am honored and blessed to serve as your State Senator. Please let me know if I can help you with any state issues.

NOVEMBER COMMUNITY UPDATES

PurpleLight Hawaii 2017

On Sunday, November 19th, Senator Harimoto was a featured speaker at the PurpleLight event sponsored by the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's Hawaii Team. Senator Harimoto is thankful to all those who attended, especially his family (pictured above).

PurpleLight is a gathering of survivors, family, and friends who have felt the impact of pancreatic cancer. Held at the State Capitol rotunda, there was a ceremony to honor and remember survivors and those lost to pancreatic cancer. This event also serves as an inspiration to Wage Hope against the disease. For more information about the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and its Wage Hope initiative, please click here: Wage Hope



We paid tribute to the late Congressman K. Mark Takai. Pictured above is his family at the event.

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Aiea-Pearl City Town Hall Meeting: Disaster Preparedness

On November 16th, area legislators held a town hall meeting for the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) to share a presentation on Disaster Preparedness with the community. Pictured above (L to R): Representative Gregg Takayama, Senator Harimoto, Vern Miyagi (Administrator, HI-EMA), Melvin Kaku (Director, Honolulu Department of Emergency Management), Representative Sam Kong, and Councilmember Brandon Elefante.

"While we should not be alarmists, we should understand the impacts of the remote possibility of nuclear attack in order to be prepared." -Senator Harimoto

For more information about disaster and emergency preparedness, please visit the HI-EMA website, by clicking here: HI Emergency Management Agency

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Congratulations to the Pearl City Thunder Baseball Team!

Senator Harimoto attended the Pearl City Neighborhood Board meeting on Tuesday, October 24th where the Pearl City Thunder baseball team was recognized as the 2017 Babe Ruth 14U World Series Champions. Pictured above is the team and coaches with Pearl City Neighborhood Board Chair Larry Veray.

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Grand Opening of the Cancer Center at Pali Momi Medical Center

Senator Harimoto attended the grand opening of the Cancer Center at Pali Momi Medical Center on Monday, October 30th. Pictured above is Senator Harimoto and Art Gladstone, CEO of Straub Medical Center and Pali Momi Medical Center.

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Re-dedication Ceremony of the Princess Victoria Kamamalu Building

Photo credit: Senate Communications

Senator Harimoto attended the re-dedication ceremony of the Princess Victoria Kamamalu Building on Wednesday, November 1st. This day also marks the 179th Anniversary of the Birth of Her Royal Highness Princess Victoria Kiheahealani Kamamalu. The building is located at 1010 Richards Street.

Aloha Everyone!

This week the Legislature convened a five-day special session to consider the funding of Honolulu's rail transit project.

It is well known that I have long been one of the leading champions of rail because I truly believe that it is the future of Honolulu and I wholeheartedly support its completion to Ala Moana. My NO vote on the bill (SB4) to fund rail was not an indication that I no longer support rail; it was a vote against a bad bill. For a multibillion-dollar deal impacting the largest public works project in the state's history, there should have been ample time for serious discussions to address all concerns of legislators, stakeholders, and the public. I took a strong stand against this bill in hopes of forcing the legislature to address the concerns and problems with this bill. However, this bill passed the Senate by a 19-6 vote and passed the House by a 35-16 vote.

I received a number of phone calls and emails from constituents who believe my NO vote was a vote against rail. I apologize that I was not able to personally get back to everyone in a timely manner as it has been an extremely busy week here at the Capitol.

I wanted to share with you the speech I made on the Senate floor during final reading of SB4. If you have concerns about my NO vote, please read my speech which explains my concerns with this bill. Additionally, I have included a link to the full language of SB4.

As there was not enough time to reach out to the community prior to voting on SB4, I am holding a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, September 21st at 7:00 pm at the Momilani Community Center in Pearl City to give you an opportunity to talk story with me about this issue.

Click here for Senator Harimoto's SB4 3rd Reading Floor Speech
Click to view Senate Bill 4 (SB4)

Aloha Everyone!

The deadline for the Governor to inform the Legislature of his intent to veto was on June 26th. The Governor, after notifying the Legislature of his intent to veto 15 bills, eventually vetoed 13 bills. A list of the bills may be found on the legislative website by clicking here.

On July 10th, Senate President Ronald Kouchi and State House Speaker Scott Saiki announced that the Legislature would not convene a special session to override any of the Governor's vetoes. Therefore, the bills did not become laws.

In addition to gearing up for a special session in August as well as preparing for next session, I have been actively meeting with constituents and organizations to receive updates on the issues our community and State faces. Recently, I met with the Department of Health and United States Environmental Protection Agency to get an update on the Red Hill Navy Fuel Storage Facility and took a tour of the facility last Friday. I also met with the Navy and its consultants on the Pearl Harbor Trail Connector Project that will create a safer travel way for pedestrians and bicyclists near the Admiral's Boat House where the path is currently closed.

Additionally, the Senate President has appointed me to be a member of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board, and the Senate's alternate member on the Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness, Hawaii Interagency Council for Transit-Oriented Development, and Special Action Team on Affordable Rental Housing. I look forward to being an active participant on these organizations.

As always, if you have an idea for possible legislation, or any questions or concerns relating to state matters, please call my office or email me. If I am not able to talk or meet with you, my staff is always available. I look forward to hearing from you.

STUDENT LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE AT UH MANOA

On Friday, June 23rd students from various schools participated in the State Student Leadership Conference, with Highlands Intermediate School having the most students attending. Pictured is Senator Harimoto speaking to the Highlands Intermediate students.

WALK AUDIT IN PEARL CITY

BIKI LAUNCH

K. MARK TAKAI VETERANS MEMORIAL AQUATICS CENTER

RED HILL BULK FUEL FACILITY

JUNE COMMUNITY UPDATES

Aloha Everyone!

With the 2017 legislative session now over, the State Capitol is once again relatively quiet; and what better way to end months of grueling long hours of hearings and meetings than with celebrating with students, parents, and teachers, at various high school graduations, student award ceremonies, and school May Day programs.

Throughout the month of May, I had the honor of attending the Aiea High School and Pearl City High School graduation ceremonies at the Aloha Stadium and I presented awards to students at Highlands Intermediate School, Lehua Elementary School, Waiau Elementary School, and Waimalu Elementary School. Congratulations to all graduates and students recognized for their outstanding accomplishments! I also had fun attending May Day programs at Kanoelani Elementary School, Pearl City Highlands Elementary School, and Waiau Elementary School. Additionally, I attended the Family Fun Fair and awards ceremony at Momilani Elementary School. What a wonderful way to end the legislative session!

A future newsletter will recap the 2017 legislative session. We accomplished much, but as reported in various news accounts, there were some failures. Our legislative process is far from perfect but it is the best system we have. It is up to each legislator to do what is right and what is best for the state and the people of Hawaii, and it is up to each voter to hold us accountable for our words, actions, and decisions.

During the interim, my staff and I are still working at the Capitol taking care of the people's business. We are researching issues for potential bills to introduce next session, meeting with constituents, department staff, and gubernatorial nominees for various positions.

If you have an idea for possible legislation, please call my office or email me. If I am not able to talk or meet with you, my staff is always available. I look forward to hearing from you.

Advisory: OAHU - Effective today, June 1, 2017, the Honolulu Police Department will no longer be messaging over the Nixle platform.

On Wednesday, May 3rd, community members had the opportunity to meet and speak with Governor David Ige. Governor Ige provided updates on State matters and entertained questions from attendees. The Aiea-Pearl City Town Hall meeting was recorded by Olelo and the air dates are forthcoming.

Senator Breene Harimoto, Senator Donna Mercado Kim, Governor David Ige, Councilmember Carol Fukunaga, Representative Gregg Takayama, Councilmember Brandon Elefante

First Lego League Robotics 2016-17 Champion
Pearl City Highlands Elementary School
Peaches Power and Peaches Maroon

Hawaii State Judiciary
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2017

(Left) 2017 Law Day First Place Poster by Pearl City Highlands Elementary 3rd grader Sidney Mendez.
(Right) 2017 Law Day First Place Poster by Le Jardin Academy 5th grader Kelsey Carvill.

Senator Harimoto congratulates all graduates on their educational achievement and extends his best wishes for success in their future endeavors.

Aiea High School Graduation Thursday, May 18th		Pearl City High School Graduation Saturday, May 20th

2017 LEGISLATIVE SESSION: ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE

HONOLULU, Hawaii - The legislative session adjourned sine die last Thursday, May 4th. Of the total 2,918 bills introduced in both the House and Senate, only 230 bills passed the legislature. At this time, of the 230 bills, the governor has already signed 15 bills to be enacted.

The Governor has until June 26th to inform the Legislature of his intent to veto and the Legislature has until July 11th to act on any veto transmitted by the Governor. An end of session legislative update is forthcoming.

For more details regarding any bills or resolutions, please visit the capitol website at capitol.hawaii.gov.

AIEA-PEARL CITY TOWN HALL MEETING: MEET THE GOVERNOR

HONOLULU, Hawaii -On Wednesday, May 3rd, the community had the opportunity to meet and speak with Governor David Ige. Governor Ige provided an update on State matters as well as entertained questions from the community. The Aiea-Pearl City Town Hall meeting was recorded by Olelo and the air dates are forthcoming.

Senator Breene Harimoto, Senator Donna Mercado Kim, Governor David Ige, Councilmember Carol Fukunaga, Representative Gregg Takayama, Councilmember Brandon Elefante

CFADAR MEETING AT STATE CAPITOL

Originally published on the Hawai‘i State Senate Majority website; click here to read the article on hawaiisenatemajority.com.

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i - Citizens For A Fair ADA Ride (CFADAR) held its quarterly meeting at the State Capitol on Tues., August 9, 2016, allowing the community a chance to meet face-to-face with representatives of the city's Department of Transportation Services (DTS) and the O‘ahu Transit Services. State Senator Breene Harimoto (Dist. 16 - Pearl City, Momilani, Pearlridge, ‘Aiea, Royal Summit, ‘Aiea Heights, Newtown, Waimalu, Halawa, Pearl Harbor) was among those who attended the meeting where there was a lively discussion regarding the concerns and issues on the variety of programs available to people with disabilities.

Sen. Harimoto is currently the chair of the Senate Housing Committee, but has had a long vested interest in transportation issues on O‘ahu. During his time as a Councilmember in the City and County of Honolulu, he was chair of the Committee on Transportation where he championed transportation and planning issues such as smart growth, public transportation, and transit-oriented development. Sen. Harimoto was also a member of the O‘ahu Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board and served as its chair for two years.

CFADAR is an advocate group of Para-Transit riders which aims to provide community members an agent to express concerns and opinions regarding para-transportation services on O‘ahu.

The next CFDAR meeting is scheduled for Tues., Nov. 15, 2016, 9:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. at the State Capitol, room 309.

Happy New Year!

The start of the 2016 legislative session is just around the corner, with Opening Day occurring on January 20. This year, as the new Senate Housing Committee chair, I look forward to addressing the State's critical shortage of affordable housing.

I will be providing legislative and community updates on this webpage, so please visit often! I will soon be posting a survey to get your input on important issues affecting our state.

Outside of this webpage, I frequently send out newsletters via email. Please click here to sign up.

Finally, if I can be of any assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Thanksgiving Message from Senator Harimoto

This Thanksgiving has special meaning to me as I am so thankful to be up and around after being in the hospital and at home recuperating for four months. I am thankful for the well-wishes and prayers from so many people that lifted my spirits so much.

Cancer can be devastating but I have complete faith that I will be healed and it has given me a new perspective on life. As you may know, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in June. I felt sick for several weeks and when I finally went to my doctor, I was admitted to the hospital that same day. After many tests over several weeks to confirm the diagnosis, I had an initial surgery to remove a section of my lung and an additional surgery to remove half of my pancreas, a quarter of my stomach, a section of my intestines, bile duct, gall bladder, and some lymph nodes. Doctors believe that they successfully removed all the cancer with the exception of some cancer that remains around an artery. I am thankful for the great doctors, nurses, technicians, and staff who cared for me during my surgeries and three hospital stays.

My digestive system still isn't working well so I continue to get supplemental nutrition through a feeding tube. I am undergoing six months of chemotherapy with radiation and chemo to follow. Aside from getting sick, a major concern is that the chemo is affecting my immune system, making me unable to fight off infections--so I have to stay away from crowds and people who may be sick. I have bad days and get sick a lot, but I know that good days will always follow. I thank God every day that I continue to get better and stronger.

During my ordeal, my wife, family, friends, Senate colleagues and staff, church, and community members have provided so much support. My wife discontinued her part-time job so she could care for me and take me to what was almost daily hospital and doctor visits. The prayers of so many people, many of whom I do not even know, mean so much to me. I wish I could personally thank everyone for their love, support, and prayers.

I returned to work for the special Senate session on November 5th and I am now working on a limited basis. I hope to be working full days by the time the legislative session begins in January. Although I was out for much of the interim, my office staff continued to handle all issues. I am so blessed to have Robert Sato and Linda Nunes as my office staff. Thank you, Robert and Linda.

I have so much to be thankful for. I hope to continue to serve you and our community for many years to come. As always, please feel free to call or email my office any time we can help with anything.

Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

God Bless.