Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 1, 1 January 2004 — An exciting new year to look forward to [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

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An exciting new year to look forward to

Aloha mai kākou and Hau'oli Makahiki Hou ! A brand new year is upon us and we have many things to look forward to in 2004. One of those important things to take note of in your ealendar is that in just a eouple of weeks, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2004, to be exact, the 2004 Hawai'i State Legislature will open for business. "Ako 'e ka hale a pa'a, a i ke komo 'ana mai o ka ho'oilo, 'a'ole e kulu i ka ua o Hilinehu. Thatch the house beforehand so when winter comes it will not leak in the shower of Hilinehu. Do not procrastinate; make preparations for the future now." ( 'ŌIelo No'eau, Mary Kawena Pūku'i) I share with you this excerpt from 'ŌIelo No'eau to begin to "talk-story" a little about the legislative process and how it ean make a difference for ourselves, our 'ohana and our communities. I have always believed that in order for Hawaiians to move forward, we as a people have to seek out as many ways as possible to educate ourselves on the issues that impact our

very being. We cannot wait for someone else to tell us what to do and when to do it. If we are prepared and informed we ean succeed at whatever comes before us. I will agree that not everyone wants to take on a leadership role and that some may be more comfortable to support or merely monitor issues, but that does not lessen the need to be prepared and informed. So whether you are a leader or an observer, the legislature ean offer you a great deal of information. Following the Opening Day ceremonies, the legislature's regular sessions are limited to a period of 60 working days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and designated recess days. The State Capitol turns into a 24-hour "drivethru" featuring tons and tons of paperwork being pumped out, meeting agendas distributed/mailed/ emailed, testimonies, bills and resolutions being drafted and reviewed, meetings being conducted and mueh more. Just hearing about all

that goes on at the State Capitol ean easily scare the average individual, but if you seek excitement and enlightenment ... this is the plaee to be! I have found that one of the most useful tools when getting one's foot into the legislative mode is the Hawai'i State Legislature's website, whieh ean be found at www.eapitol.hawaii.gov. This website is full of information whieh includes bill status and documents, legislative information, House and Senate information, archival information and more. Also through this website you ean register to be included on the hearing notices e-mail list and get up-to-date information on when a hearing that appeals to your interest is scheduled. If you don't have a computer available to you at home or at work, the State Capitol's Public Access Room is an option. It's equipped with computer terminals, copies of legislative documents, reference materials, fax machines, typewriters and a copy maehine. The Public

Access Room is located in Room 401 of the State Capitol. All public libraries are alternatives available, complete with computer access. So, eheek it out ... no scared 'um — go gettum! OHA intends to pursue the following legislative "carry over" bills: SB1151 HD1 Relating to the Public Land Trust or the "new" Act 304, SB 1 152 SD1 HD1 Relating to Representation of Boards and Commissions, SB1155 SD1 Relating to the Employee Retirement System and SB1157 Relating to the OHA Administrators' Salary. OHA will continue to take positions on other bills affecting the broader Hawaiian community. Finally, as always, my staff and I invite your advice and counsel on the above or any other concerns within our purview. My OHA access numbers are: phone 5941854, fax 594-0210 and e-mail address - dantec@oha.org. A hui hou, aloha pumehana. ■

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Dante Keala Carpenter Trustee, O'ahu