Senator Glenn Wakai Appointed as Palau's Honorary Consul

A local lawmaker is now a diplomat. State Senator Glenn Wakai was recently appointed as Palau's honorary consul to Hawaii by Palau President Tommy Remengesau Jr.

In appointing the State Senator, Remengesau expressed his appreciation for Wakai's contribution and support to Palau and its citizens in Hawaii. As Palau's honorary consul, Wakai will be working with the Republic of Palau to seek ways to strengthen Palau's emergency relief capacity and bolster the nation's relationship with the U.S.

"This appointment is truly an honor, which I accept with happiness and determination. I don't plan to simply attend events and smile at cameras. I recognize our neighbors in the Pacific sometimes have difficulty adjusting to life in Hawaii. I aim to empower the Palauan community in Hawaii," says Senator Glenn Wakai (Kalihi, Salt Lake, Aliamanu, Foster Village). "I have already organized meetings with their local leaders to map out a game plan for more community involvement and creation of individual success stories. This new relationship between Palau and Hawaii will lead to Better Days in the Pacific."

Wakai is serving his second term as a Hawaii State Senator, following eight years in the State House of Representatives. He is the current chair of the Senate's Committee on Technology and the Arts. He has created a non-profit, Reach out Pacific (www.reachoutpacific.org), which takes containers of medical and educational supplies to impoverished islands throughout the Pacific.

Prior to his political career, Wakai spent more than a decade as a television newscaster, first in Guam and Saipan, before returning to Hawaii to work at KHON2 and KHNL.

Wakai is a graduate of Mid-Pacific Institute and the University of Southern California. View the media release.

Governor Enacts Open Data Measure

Governor Neil Abercrombie today signed into law a measure to enhance government transparency and accountability in Hawaii through increasing public awareness and access to open data.

House Bill (HB) 632, relating to open data, requires the State's Executive Branch departments to make electronic data sets available to the public.

"Here is an example of how ONE excellent idea, turned into ONE bill, which resulted in ONE significant policy change," says Senator Glenn Wakai, Chairman of the Technology and Arts Committee, "If we are going to reinvent government, step ONE is Open Data. Having data available to the public will lead to a more responsive and more accountable government."

Open data has been a top initiative of the State's Chief Information Officer (CIO). In August of 2012 the State launched its open data site, data.hawaii.gov, with data sets being voluntarily provided by departments and agencies. The site incorporates data that is readily available in digital format and commonly requested by the public. The intent of this measure is to continue and ensure the open data efforts of the CIO in the multi-year, multi-phased program open data initiative.

The CIO, in consultation with the Office of Information Practices, will develop policies and procedures to implement the open data program initiative. View the media release.

Senator Glenn Wakai, along with fellow Senators, Representatives and Burt Lum, joined Governor Neil Abercrombie for the signing of House Bill 632, relating to open data. Lum played an active role in raising awareness of the importance of open data and drawing community support during the 2013 Legislative Session. (L-R: Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland, Sen. Glenn Wakai, Burt Lum, Gov. Neil Abercrombie, CIO Sonny Bhagowalia, Rep. Angus McKelvey, Rep. Clift Tsuji, Rep. Karl Rhoads, Sen. Michelle Kidani.
Photo Courtesy: Senate Communications.)

Aliamanu/Foster Village Town Hall Meeting

Wednesday, April 10, 2013
6:00-7:30pm
Radford High School Cafeteria

Click here to view the flyer.