In the community & in the news

The end of the legislative session does not mean my work in the community is finished. Real solutions to problems in our community are not solved by passing a law or imposing a tax -- but by sitting down with both parties and talking about a solution. This is how we learned to solve problems in Hawaii, not with finger-pointing or accusations.

Below you will find a description of some work I am actively involved with in the community, as well as some links to articles that talk about the work I have done on behalf of the residents of Kapolei and Makakilo.

Current community projects

1) Lower Makakilo dust mitigation: Actively conversing with developers in Lower Makakilo to minimize dust caused by home construction.

2) Kamaaha Avenue pedestrian crosswalks: Crosswalks on Kamaaha Ave. (and Kapolei Pkwy. by Kapolei High School) are poorly marked and create an unsafe pedestrian environment particularly for our keiki who use these intersections daily to walk to school.

3) Small business development: Actively working with island businesses to attract more jobs to Kapolei and Kalaeloa to employ area residents and to alleviate traffic generated by commuting workers.

4) School bus route modifications: Advocating on behalf of area parents and students before the Board of Education to ensure that area students can attend area schools in a safe and timely manner.

5) Traffic solutions: The morning gridlock that residents of West Oahu have to suffer through is horrendous. There is no one solution, and realistically we cannot build our way out of this problem. Real traffic solutions takes creativity and a hard look at a multi-pronged approach. Construction of the H-1 PM Zipper Lane and legislating studies (HB 2684) to extend the AM Zipper Lane to Kapolei are only the start of improving our quality of life.

Education
HNN:K	House Lawmakers ask DOE for Reprieve on Bus Cuts (July 6, 2012)
HSA	Bus cuts publicity botched, BOE says (July 4, 2012)
HNN	Lawmakers upset over school bus cuts (July 3, 2012)
HCB	Hawaii Rescues 29 School Bus Routes From Chopping Block (July 3, 2012)

Ethics & Government Transparency
HSA	House OKs charter school bill despite divisive ethics provision (April 13, 2012)

Public Safety & Crime
HNN	In first year, ignition interlock law called a success (December 30, 2011)
HSA	It's time to fine-tune ignition interlock law (January 24, 2011)
HNN	New DUI ignition interlock law flawed (January 10, 2011)
HSA	DUI convicts under watch (July 26, 2010)
***	Kapolei Judiciary Complex Dedicated (May 28, 2010), courtesy Hawaii State Judiciary
MW:WO	Pros Of Vehicle Ignition Interlock Systems (May 14, 2008)
HNN	MADD Breathes Life into Ignition Interlock Law (January 10, 2008)

In the Community
MW:WO	Kapolei’s Olympic Wrestler Needs $$ For London (June 20, 2012)
MW:WO	Kapolei’s Media Team Lauded By Drug-Free Hawaii (May 30, 2012)
MW:WO	Kapolei’s Velasco Honored For Community Service (May 9, 2012)
MW:WO	Kapolei Student Recognized For Inspiring Success (April 4, 2012)
MW:WO	Makakilo Firefighter Honored For Work In Explorer Posts (March 21, 2012)
VOK	Easter Seals Hawaii opens new location in Kapolei (Sept. 10, 2009)

Personal Profiles
PBN	Forty Under 40 Class of 2007 finalist: Sharon Har (June 24, 2007)
MW	A Pair Of Smart Freshman Dems (March 7, 2007)
HA	Newcomer Har strong challenger in District 40 (October 4, 2006)

Some content may require registration or subscription. Abbreviations are as follows: HCB (Honolulu Civil Beat), HNN (Hawaii News Now), HNN:K (Hawaii News Now: Kapolei), HA (The Honolulu Advertiser), HSA (Honolulu Star-Advertiser), MW (Midweek), MW: WO (Midweek, West Oahu insert), PBN (Pacific Business News) and VOK (Voices of Kapolei).