Ka`u News Briefs, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017

STANDING UP FOR THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE is one of Sen. Mazie Hirono's missions. She represents the area of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, the Ala Kahakai National Trail and other Hawai`i parks in Ka`u and beyond as a U.S. Senator.
     Hirono said today: “Since day one of his Presidency, Donald Trump has attacked the National Park Service for telling the truth and silenced objective science about climate change.
     “As Ranking Member of the National Parks Subcommittee, I pledge to stand with the 22,000 National Park Service employees in Hawai`i and across the country who dedicate their careers to promoting science and protecting and preserving America’s national parks and other public lands.”

Interaction of molten lava flowing into cool seawater caused pulsating littoral explosions that threw spatter high into the air. During one large burst, spatter was thrown about twice the height of the sea cliff, creating hazardous conditions at Hawai1i Volcanoe National Park. Photo from USGS

     The National Parks Subcommittee oversees the National Park System; Wild and Scenic Rivers System; National Trails System; national recreation areas; historic sites; military parks and battlefields; Land and Water Conservation Fund; historic preservation; outdoor recreation resources; and preservation of prehistoric ruins and objects of interest on the public domain. There are nine National Parks Service sites in Hawai`i.
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Sen. Josh Green, who represents West Ka`u into Kona, has released his goals and bills for 2017 in the Hawai`i Senate. A physician, he has traditionally supported public health measures, such as smoke free zones and anti-smoking legislation. This year he concentrates on lowering the DUI alcohollevel, advocating for housing for the homeless, legislating living wages and more. Photo from Josh Green

WEST KA`U STATE SENATOR JOSH GREEN today released an outline of this bills and goals for 2017 and the current session of the Hawai`i Legislature. Green, a physician who started his medical career in Hawai`i at Ka`u Hospital, represents Honu`apo to Kona in the Hawai`i Senate. Here are the issues he is tackling at the 2017 Hawai`i Legislature.:
     Homelessness as a Healthcare Condition: Green's Senate Bill 2 classifies chronic homelessness as a medical condition and would allow a doctor to write a homeless patient a prescription for housing. "Chronic homelessness exacerbates pre-existing illnesses, and a recent Hawai`i based study found that health care costs for chronically homeless people dropped 43 percent when they had decent housing for an uninterrupted six-month period. Housing is healthcare, and if we begin to conceptualize homelessness as a health condition, we can treat it effectively and compassionately," said Green.
     A Living Wage: Senate Bill 14 incrementally raises the minimum wage in Hawai`i to $15 an hour by 2023. Hawai`i has the highest cost of living in the nation "and 200,000 of our residents are only two to three missed paychecks away from economic crisis, leaving them
vulnerable to joining the ranks of those who cannot afford housing, food or medicine for their families. A living wage is the right thing to do," said Green.
   Starting Salary for Teachers: SB 176 establishes a minimum starting salary of $55,000 for Hawai`i's teachers. This measure also restricts class size to 18 students per teacher. "Given the teacher shortage in Hawai`i, it is imperative that we recruit high quality, capable teachers to educate our keiki and compensate them fairly for the important work that they do," said Green.
   Decriminalization of Marijuana: SB 16 decriminalizes the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana and creates a civil penalty of no more than $250 for possession of marijuana on school property or open possession in a school zone. "The decriminalization of marijuana will keep numerous non-violent people in possession of marijuana out of jail, and prevent their records from being marred with a criminal drug offense," Green.

Sen. Josh Green advocates lowering the legal blood alcohol limit. Photo from www.hawaiipolice.com

   Environmental Protection: SB 19 requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a mandatory disclosure program for pesticide use.  SB 29 establishes pesticide buffer zones for sensitive areas like schools and playgrounds. "The number of large-scale, outdoor, commercial agricultural operations in Hawaii has been increasing and with that there has been an increase in restricted use pesticides into our environment. The public has a right to know the chemical make-up of these pesticides to better evaluate the effects on the environment and if the risks merit the usage. Additionally, we have an obligation to the most vulnerable among us to keep these potentially harmful chemicals away from sensitive populations," said Green.