Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 1, 1 January 1999 — Heads up Hawaiians! Make your voices heard! [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Heads up Hawaiians! Make your voices heard!

N MID-JANUARY, the 1999 state legislature will convene with mueh fanfare and celebration. Hawaiians famihar with the legislative processes will be surprised to leam that the House of Representatives under the new leadership of Calvin Say has reorganized and eradicated the Hawaiian Affairs Committee in the House. Issues formerly addressed by the House Committee on Hawaiian Afifairs will be referred to the Judiciary Committee whieh, at this writing, Paul Oshiro will chair. In the Senate, the Hawaiian Affairs Committee will be chaired by Colleen Hanabusa from Wai'anae. There will also be other important changes at the Legislature whieh Hawaiians should note. The O'ahu phone num-

ber for the Pubhc Access Room (State Capitol Room 401) will remain 587-0478.

Neighbor Islands should use the following toll-free numbers: Kauai, 2743141; Maui 984-2400; Hawaii 974-4000. Moloka'i and Lana'i residents ean use 1-800-GOV-INHI. To eall the Public Access Room, enter the last five digits of the phone number (7-0478) or the fax number 587-0793. Any state agency on O'ahu ean be called toll free; enter the last five digits of the phone number. The new e-mail address is par@capitol.hawaii.gov. The new website contact is www.capitol.hawaii.gov.

The webpage has been expanded and will now include statutes, hearing notices and biographical information of legislators as well as their fax and phone numbers.

Hawaiians who want to testify on bills do not need to fly to O'ahu or appear per-

sonally at the īegislature. The Public Access staff will receive your testimony either by e-mail or fax, and at your request wUl make the required number of copies and dehver your testimony to the committee clerk. Hawaiian community groups on O'ahu who want to leam more about the Legislature and its process ean contact Kimo Brown of the Pubhe Access staff at 5870478. Brownhas already begun to provide training sessions for several groups. He and his staff nrovide an invaln-

able service to the community through the Public Access program, firee of charge. Those wanting a manual on how the Legislature functions should contact your legis-

lator for a free copy of "A Citizen 's Guide to Participating in the Legislative Process ." The guide is easy to read and will help beginners understand the structme and procedures of the state Legislature. More legislative bills attempting to diminish Hawaiian entitlements and gathering rights are anticipated for this 1999 session. We will need the support of all Hawahans in overcoming these challenges. This is why Hawahans need to be informed and to participate in the legislative process. The time to prepare is now. Last year, there were more than 1,500 bills impacting Hawahan rights, programs, lands and trust entitlements and revenues. OHA and other community groups whl be monitoring these measures and will be testifying on the majority of these bills. Hawahan community groups proposing bills and who want OHA's support should contact Jalna Keala, OHA governmental affahs ofificer, at 594-1946 or fax the proposed bills to her at 594-1865. See you at the legislature! ■

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