Senator Kalani English - Post Session Review

The Dispatch - The Newspaper of Moloka'i
July 21, 2005

by Edie Anderson

We were fortunate enough to catch State Senator J. Kalani English on one of his recent visits to Moloka'i. Given he comes here frequently, "on average - once a week," he's a hard man to catch as his time is usually booked given all the demands placed on the legislator whose 4 island district is so spread out. "Travel alone is exhausting," English said as he sympathized with Moloka'i residents trying to get on/off island. For English, whose home is in Hana, it sometimes takes multiple planes to visit his constituents - from Kalaupapa to Lana'i - from topside Moloka'i to up-country Maui - and many points in between. "It is strenuous and the reality is that I am acutely aware of transportation difficulties in my district today."

Nonetheless, we did talk story and get a complete briefing of the past legislative session and his views for the future - with Moloka'i as a reference point.

We began by asking English what he deemed the most important issues facing our island. "My concerns are many and they match what constituents bring to my door." He identified the main issues as being related to water, and "inflation and escalating land taxes that result in life style changes that do away with the middle class and locking all but the very wealthy out of the home ownership market." He is deeply concerned about the life style changes he sees throughout his district, "As more people complete for scarce resources, we must review where we are and where we are going. We need a balance - saturation levels are not acceptable."

In regard to the latter, English is pleased that Moloka'i understands and that their requests for CIP (Capital Improvement Projects) are in line with infrastructure needs. His list of CIP priorities right now include: 1) improvements to the wharf with a "proper terminal for the increasing numbers of people using the ferry"; 2) continued support for MGH (including $1.6 million for "a seamless and cost-effective transition into Phase II expansion - to be matched 50¢-to-the-dollar up to $1 million by OHA), and 3) Money to upgrade, maintain and for personnel for the MIS water system.

One of his immediate goals, a plan that worked wonders last year, "is to bring committee members to Moloka'i. Some have never been here before and just don't grasp what it means to be rural." He stated that when he took Ways & Means Committee members on a site visit not long ago, "it helped immensely - it was a whole new ball game once they 'walked the walk' and saw what unique situations face those who don't live in urban areas." He'd very much like to bring the Water/Land & Agriculture Committee here. For the record, he sits on that committee along with Ways & Means, Arts, Science & Technology, Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, and Energy, Environment & International Affairs - which he chairs.

Sen. English was quick to answer our specific questions regarding problems residents bring to him. First - drugs. "We must be diligent and consistent and not get discouraged," he stressed, saying that he honestly believes we are making progress and "turning the corner." During his travels around his district he sees a "leveling off although the battle is far from over. What I think we must address - the deeper issues - the root causes that lead people to drugs in the first place."

In regard to education, Sen. English said that one reason he spends so much time on Moloka'i is to visit classes and to get involved with students by showing "I care." "I try never to miss a graduation ( Photo: above right - MHS Graduation 2005) and I really enjoy being invited to schools and classes." He is known as a keen supporter of the Immersion Program and can often be found speaking Hawaiian with MIS/MHS students. "I really want kids to know I care about what they are doing and about their future, I am rooting for them. I also want them to stay in touch - to contact me or to stop by my office when they are in Honolulu."

As for the Akaka Bill, Sen. English sees it as a very "complex" matter - "an attempt - a process by the Federal government to fit a multi-racial former nation into the constitutional system." At this point he mentioned "square pegs in round holes" saying that it is a "good interim measure and most certainly doesn't fit the Federal model."

Since he had just flown topside from his monthly 'Ohana meeting at Kalaupapa, we asked him what is first and foremost in the minds of settlement residents. He said that during his overnight stay the subject they discussed included the "Patients Dignity Bill" and a 3-month trial program to allow fully sponsored and authorized keiki to visit there. "Letting young 'ohana visit is a bold step by the Dept. of Health's Dr. Rosen and I commend her for something that is long overdue." Of more immediate interest, Sen. English noted - "this is Barge week and the folks there are really excited - their once a year chance to get all the items on their wish list delivered to them." When we asked if "getting rid of all those recyclable materials also brought them joy," he said, "Kalaupapa is far ahead of the game in terms of recycling - they waste nothing and are a model for the rest of us to follow since everything 'used' is dealt with in an environmentally friendly way - most being shipped to processing facilities on Oahu."

Moving on, we asked the man who hard "off season" as he does when Legislature is in session - "Do you ever discouraged?" He admitted, "Yes, respect to the intolerance I see in our today. I find less compassion - less aloha more plurality. We are not as accepting to be - people don't allow as much different points of view and they are less are more polarized that we once were worries me greatly." Interestingly enough, in terms of his sense that he's loosing touch with academic world he enjoys so much. he'd like to do some teaching again. type of interaction, I miss the intellectual stimulation, I miss history. I'd love back in the classroom again."

On a more positive note, Sen. he's confident about the future - particularly when he sees 'the creativity, ingenuity energy of people today." In all his the Senate (and 4 years on the County Council) he's never seen so people stepping to the plate with new also finds it most encouraging to see the projects he's initiated come to meet their potential. Above all, grateful for "the friendships I've made journey I've undertaken. It confirms belief that people are good." As examples mentioned "the feeling of loving acceptance Lana'i and Kalaupapa. He feels fortunate, regard to our island, "having come remote area (Hana), which is similar gives me insight, and being connected personal way by having lots of family close friends on Moloka'i."

Sen. English encourages people him with the understanding that limitations to what I can do," although tries his best to "do what is humanly possible." He urges people to "handwrite notes office at the Capitol - "We are overwhelmed - inundated with e-mails daily) which he says "counteract efficiency, cause stress when we can't meet sender's high expectations for a response. We really to try to make extra with for penned letters - they show really care and they get our attention." To contact Sen. English by mail: State Capitol, Honolulu, HI 96813.

Return to Sen. English Home Page - KalaniEnglish.com

Home Bills and Resolutions About Senator English Committees Community Profiles Newsletter Archive News Archive Capitol Web Site Media Photos

Connect with Senator English

OUR DISTRICT