Sen. English, Maui delegation expand role at State Senate

The Maui News
Wednesday, November 15, 2006

By EDWIN TANJI, City Editor

HONOLULU – Maui County's three state senators were all named to the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday, with Sen. Roz Baker being named chairwoman and Sen. Shan Tsutsui holding on to the vice chairman's seat.

The reorganization of the Senate leadership by the majority Democrats also replaced longtime Senate President Robert Bunda with Waianae, Oahu, Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, a labor attorney who said the leadership change will result in an inclusive Senate marked by transparency.

"We believe that this new leadership structure will provide the people of Hawaii with the kind of effective, responsive leadership they deserve from their elected officials," Hanabusa said.

She noted that the Neighbor Islands and rural Oahu will be well represented in the new Senate organization.

Maui's delegation established a strong position on the 15-member committee that handles all money matters before the Senate, with Sen. J. Kalani English also taking a seat on Ways and Means while also being named chairman of the Senate Transportation and International Affairs Committee.

"Today's reorganization means that Maui will be very well positioned in the Senate for the 2007 session," Baker said. "We have worked hard to serve the needs of our districts, and we look forward to a productive 2007 session."

Baker's 5th District includes South Maui and West Maui, two districts that have been plagued with complaints over inadequate highways and school facilities.

"I'm excited for Maui because Shan and I are in a really good position to have our issues addressed," Baker said. "I'm assuming that (Maui Rep.) Bob Nakasone will get into a similar position in the House."

She said freshman Rep. Angus McKelvey also has made an impression in the House, representing West Maui, and may win a seat as vice chairman of the House Transportation Committee. McKelvey had campaigned heavily on the West Maui traffic situation in winning his 10th District race.

"You've got to love his enthusiasm," Baker said. "It's time that a lot of the underlying issues of our communities will get a look.

"It is an honor to be entrusted with so many important decisions that affect the future of our state."

English said he expects the Maui delegation will be able to examine issues of major concern to the county as well as the state.

"Ongoing statewide concerns over such matters as the Superferry, the future of Hawaii's airlines, and the condition of our harbors mean that the Transportation and International Affairs Committee will be at the center of some of the most important decisions we will face," he said.

English was chairman of the Energy, Environmental and International Affairs Committee in the past session, while Baker chaired the Health Committee.

In the reorganization, Tsutsui also held on to his position as majority caucus leader and also was named chairman of the Subcommittee on Capital Improvements. Kauai Sen. Gary Hooser succeeded Hanabusa as majority leader.

Baker said the success of the Maui delegation was from working with the various factions within the Democratic majority.

"There were a number of factors involved in deciding that there was a way that we can share power," she said.

Edwin Tanji can be reached at editor@mauinews.com. The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Copyright © 2005 The Maui News.

Original article URL: http://www.mauinews.com/story.aspx?id=25195

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