Some cast members, production team and network executives were at the State Capitol yesterday (March 31) to receive congratulatory certificates from both the Senate and House recognizing a successful first season for the hit CBS TV show, “Hawaii Five-0″.
Cast members Alex O’Loughlin and Daniel Dae Kim were joined by original series actor Al Harrington as well as an executive from CBS TV on the Senate floor. Members of the production team as well officials from the state and city film offices met with legislators after the floor presentation.
CBS is expected to renew “Hawaii Five-0″ for a second season this coming May.
Al Harrington, Daniel Dae Kim and Alex O’Loughlin seated on the Senate floor.
Niu Valley Middle School Principal Justin Mew was honored in the State Senate today for being named the 2010 MetLife/NASSP Hawaii Middle School Principal of the Year. He has been a principal at Niu Valley since 2006. Miu established Niu Valley as the first school to offer the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, an accelerated curriculum where students learn to be come critical and reflective thinkers.
Capitol Office Move: Senator Slom’s capitol office moved from Room 222 to Room 214. It’s still on the 2nd floor but now on the Diamond Head corner facing Makai toward the State Libary and Archive Building and looking east toward Punchbowl Street. Senator Slom’s capitol phone number remains the same at 808 586-8420 and the capitol fax number is at 586-8426.
Sam Slom Hawaii’s only Republican state senator embraces the title of the Lone Ranger, because that means he’s one of the good guys: Honolulu Star-Advertiser writer Dave Koga writes, “Sam Slom Hawaii’s only Republican state senator embraces the title of the Lone Ranger, because that means he’s one of the good guys.” Read the entire article at this link. A longer version of Dave Koga’s interview also appears on the Star Advertiser’s website: http://www.staradvertiser.com/columnists/nameinthenews/20101126_Sam_Slom_long_transcript.html
Hawaii Kai sewer fees to increase @ StarAdvertiser.com “Hawaii-American Water Co. has notified state regulators that it plans to seek a rate increase early next year for sewer services it provides to about 30,000 homes in Hawaii Kai and part of Kuliouou. The company said it has not yet determined the size of the increase, which will be announced when it formally files a request with the Public Utilities Commission.” MORE
Senator Slom attended outgoing State Senator Colleen Hanabusa’s farewell party on November 23. Details….
The latest edition of Senator Slom’s weekly business column is online at SmartBusinessHawaii.com.
The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee is holding an informational briefing on Thursday, December 2 starting at 9:30 am in Room 229 at the State Capitol. The purpose of this informational briefing is to obtain an update on and information about the recent Interim Decision and Order issued on September 20, 2010, by the Public Utilities Commission in Docket No. 2009-0059, In re Application of Pasha Hawaii Transport Lines LLC for Issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and Approval of its Local Tariff No. 1 for Service Between and Among the Ports of Honolulu, Kahului, Hilo and Nawiliwili. The briefing will cover the potential impacts of the Interim Decision and Order on neighbor island residents and businesses. HEARING NOTICE LINK
Empty boxes stacked in the office ready for the move.
OFFICE MOVE: Senator Sam Slom will be moving to new office space later this week. Currently at Room 222 on the second floor of the State Capitol, legislative offices will move down the hall to Room 214.
SENATE MINORITY ORGANIZATION: As previously announced Senator Slom is now Senate Minority Leader, Senate Minority Floor Leader and Senate Minority Policy Leader since he is the only Republican in the 25-member Senate. Senator Slom’s status as the only minority member has generated some press interest in recent weeks.
From a story by Associated Press’ Mark Niesse: “As the only Republican survivor in Hawaii’s Senate, Sam Slom worries that majority Democrats could ram their proposals into law, sink his legislation or stifle his enthusiastic speeches. While most of the country experienced a Republican tidal wave on Election day, Slom is the last GOP stalwart in the Hawaii senate. There were two Republicans but Sen. Fred Hemmings didn’t seek re-election and a Democrat took his place.” Read the complete story.
Recent story links appear on the right hand column of this article as well as on our newslinks page.
SENATE COMMITTEES: There will be 14 official, regular committees as the 2011 Legislative session begins. As the Senate’s only minority member, Senator Slom has been assigned to all 14. In the past when the Senate Minority consisted of up to 5 Republicans, committee duties were equally split among the minority members. Not anymore.
Among the major committees Senator is on, are Ways & Means, Judiciary & Labor and Commerce and Consumer Protection, all of which meet at the same time daily. Senator will be prioritizing his committee hearing attendance by carefully reviewing each days hearing notices. Many committee hearings occur at the same time, both morning and afternoon. A complete list of all Senate committees and their membership rosters are posted at the State Legislature website.
