Budget analyst is new
House sergeant-at-armsKevin Kuroda, veteran budget analyst of the state House Finance Committee, starts today as the new House sergeant-at-arms.
Kuroda, the son of former state legislator Joe Kuroda, will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the 51-member House along with House Clerk Pat Mau-Shimizu.
He replaces Kevin Ebata, who died last year. Frank Arakaki, the assistant sergeant-at-arms who had been filling in after Ebata's death, is scheduled to retire next month.
Fox to lead House GOP
Rep. Galen Fox will remain leader of the Republicans in the House. Fox (R, Waikiki) lost two members of his leadership team when Big Island Republican Paul Whalen was elected to the Senate and Charles Djou won a City Council seat.Rep. Colleen Meyer ( R, Laie, Kahaluu) will be GOP floor leader and Rep. Chris Halford (R, Kihei) will be GOP policy leader.
City workers honored
A paramedic and parks worker were honored this past week by the city.Ian T.T. Santee, a mobile emergency care specialist, was named employee of the year. Santee was also named as the state Health Department's outstanding mobile intensive care technician.
Santee is the Department of Emergency Services Web master and also works long hours training other paramedics at Kapiolani Community College. He is also an instructor in several safety courses.
Gary B. Cabato, who heads the Parks Department's Personnel Services and Management Services Division, is the manager of the year. Cabato is wearing both hats after chiefs in both divisions retired in the past six months. In addition, he continues his responsibilities in inspecting city park facilities weekly, working 16-hour days and showing up on Saturdays and Sundays.
Hanabusa set to run
State Sen. Colleen Hanabusa (D, Waianae) was scheduled to file nomination papers today to run in a Jan. 4 special election for Congress.Hanabusa will join a long list of candidates vying for 2nd Congressional District seat left vacant by the death of the U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink.
Hanabusa, who doesn't have to resign from her state Senate seat to run for federal office, is majority leader and chairwoman of the Judiciary Committee under a Senate organization plan finalized last week.
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