Interim 2009, site visits

February 2010

Stories:
Senator Kim on the Hot Seat
Task Force on Reinventing Government
Interim of 2009 - Site Visits
Facts about Hawaii's Current Collective Bargaining Negotiations
Commentary
2009 Award Recipients
Sen. Hydrogen Investigation Final Report
Response to DBEDT Investigation
Photos: Active and Involved

Senate and House Money Chairs conduct Site Visits

Interim work this year included visiting various state facilities on the islands of Kauai, Maui, the Big Island and Oahu. From September through December, the House and Senate Budget Chairs toured facilities statewide. They also held informal discussion sessions to receive public input on the impact of the Governor's proposals and discuss possible solutions to the current fiscal situation. Legislators gained a hands-on understanding of conditions at the different facilities and saw firsthand both public and private sector activities in preparation for the 2010 Session.

Kauai

In September, lawmakers toured various sites on Kauai which included the Kauai Community Correctional Center, Wailua Marina, Grove Farm, construction site of future Hawaii Bioenergy operations, Kawaikini Charter School and observed progress on Kauai Community College's One-Stop Center.

Legislators spoke to Warden Wagatsuma regarding conditions at Kauai Community Correctional Center (KCCC). Despite currently housing an inmate population that is twice the capacity it was built for, the facility has taken innovative approaches to maximize its resources. For example, KCCC's vegetable farm is maintained by inmates with products used by KCCC's food services unit. Excess vegetables are donated to community organizations such as senior centers.

Maui

In October, House and Senate Finance Chairs visited sites on Maui. Their itinerary included the Kahului Airport Agricultural Inspection station, the Maui Memorial Medical Center, the Kahului Harbor and meeting with the Mayor, Maui County Council, Maui Economic Opportunity and other non-profit organizations.

Legislators met with Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) staff and affiliated non-profit organizations. MEO is a private, non-profit Community Action Agency. The agency provides a comprehensive scope of services to those in need across the state of Hawai'i.

Big Island

In November, lawmakers inspected the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority (NELHA), Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Plant, Mealani Research Station, Yukio Okutsu State Veterans Home, Hilo Medical Foundation, Hawaii County Office of Aging, Green Point Nursery, Hawaii Community College, UH-Hilo School of Pharmacy and held an informal forum with the public.

Lawmakers visited the Hawaii County Office of Aging which has a new one-stop facility for services and programs for the elderly. Among the office's many roles, it represents the interests of older persons to public officials and public and private agencies.

Oahu

On Oahu, site visits included the Halawa Correctional Facility, Tesoro Hawaii Refinery, Judiciary Kapolei complex, the Department of Accounting and General Services - Information and Communication Services Division and a DOE District Office.

At the Halawa Correctional Facility on Oahu, legislators toured the prison and discussed several major issues of running a 24/7 operation, including overtime abuse, impacts of ongoing collective bargaining, and considerations of mainland vs. local incarceration.