1. What was your biggest accomplishment this session?
“My greatest accomplishment was introducing SB 1611 SD2 HD2, Relating to Highway Modernization Programs. While SB 1611 ultimately failed, I was glad to save the majority of capital improvement projects in the Bill by including them in HB 200 CD1, Relating to the State Budget. The Bill was an ambitious land transportation program to modernize the State’s deteriorating highway system. The implementation of these projects is critical because further delay will compromise highway users’ safety, extend travel time due to congestion and poor road conditions, cost more as the price of materials increases, and generally erode the quality of life for residents who must spend time dealing with these issues.”

2. With which piece of 2009 legislation are you most proud to be affiliated and why?
“I am proud to have introduced SB585, Relating to Remote Dispensing, which provides persons living in remote areas without pharmacies—such as Lana’i, where people have to travel to Maui or another neighbor island to fill their prescriptions—the ability to obtain their prescriptions through remote dispensing machines technologically linked to a pharmacy. Last year, Act 212 was enacted with the purpose of providing access to medication and pharmacy services by authorizing the operation of remote dispensing technology. Access was limited to only patients enrolled in Quest and Medicaid. Most Lana’i patients can’t participate since 90% of the residents are not enrolled in either program. Therefore, the Bill signed into law by the Governor is critically important because increasing access to prescription medications under secured and monitored conditions is an important step in improving the health of all persons living in Hawaii.”

3. What was the biggest disappointment of the session and how might a similar disappointment be prevented in the future?
“My biggest disappointment was the failure of the “Highways Modernization Bill” to pass out of Conference Committee. Also disappointing was the deferment of SB579 SD2 HD1, Relating to Hawaiian Language, requiring all letterheads, symbols, and emblems of the State and other political subdivisions to include both State languages, English and Hawaiian. I have introduced this Bill for years, and was hopeful that it would pass.”

4. Debating which issue turned out to be the biggest distraction from your priorities?
“Debating HB444, HD1 SD1, Relating to Civil Unions, extending the same rights, benefits, protections and responsibilities to partners in a civil union, was the biggest distraction. Prior to its passage by the House and receipt by the Senate our office received more than 40 calls a day. At times the calls, emails and faxes from Hawai’i and other states continued throughout the day and night, jamming our fax machine more the once. We continue to receive calls and emails because the issue was not resolved by the close of Session on May 8th.”

5. What’s one thing you wish voters better understood about you or the political process as a whole?
“People should understand that they do matter in the political process. Public testimony is the primary measure of the passage of a particular bill or resolution. HB 444 illustrates this point.”