Senator Brian T. Taniguchi
- Hawaii State Capitol Yearbook 2009
- Representative Isaac Choy
- Representative Henry J.C. Aquino
- Representative Lyla B. Berg
- Governor Linda Lingle
- Representative Cindy Evans
- Senator Les Ihara, Jr.
- Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr.
- Representative Gilbert Keith-Agaran
- Representative Joey Manahan
- Representative Chris Lee
- Representative Barbara C. Marumoto
- Representative Mark M. Nakashima
- Representative John M. Mizuno
- Representative Marcus R. Oshiro
- Senator Brian T. Taniguchi
- Senator J. Kalani English
- Representative Jessica Wooley
- Representative Gene Ward
- Senator Norman Sakamoto
- Representative Cynthia Thielen
- Senator Fred Hemmings
- Representative Karl Rhoads
- Senator Colleen Hanabusa
- Senator Josh Green
- Representative Roy M. Takumi
- Senator Will Espero
Phone 808-586-6460; fax 808-586-6461
sentaniguchi@Capitol.hawaii.gov
1. What was your biggest accomplishment this session?
“My biggest accomplishment this session was to move a civil unions bill closer to passage.
The steps included holding a hearing on HB 444 (that took longer than expected), encouraging Senator Hooser not to make the motion to pull the bill to the floor when he did and then trying at various points to see if we could still pass a bill.”
2. With which piece of 2009 legislation are you most proud to be affiliated and why?
“SB 1350 was a bill that was aimed at increasing affordable housing in Kakaako. As Senate Housing Chair last year, I tried to pass a similar bill but failed. Because of the significant investment made by the State in infrastructure in Kakaako over the years, I felt that landowners in the area should have an obligation to provide more affordable housing. However, I found that it was a very complex issue and I was proud to be able to see a bill passed after 2 years of ‘work’ on it, despite strong opposition from the large landowners, Bishop Estate and General Growth.”
3. What was the biggest disappointment of the session and how might a similar disappointment be prevented in the future?
“My biggest disappointment was being called a coward, a flip-flopper and a liar (and other things) by a small minority of the proponents of HB 444. I cannot prevent it from continuing but I have tried to remain focused on trying to pass a bill.”
4. Debating which issue turned out to be the biggest distraction from your priorities?
“I can’t think of anything.”
5. What’s one thing you wish voters better understood about you or the political process as a whole?
“I wish every voter would work or lobby for a bill here at the Legislative Session before they speak ill of me or the political process.”
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