On Politics
BY RICHARD BORRECA
Lawmakers maintain
an organic stateMake no small plans ... think big," Daniel Burnham, the Chicago architect, advised. This may be something for our representatives and senators to ponder as they plow through thousands of bills and resolutions.
While the state's $15 billion two-year budget may be shuddering and heaving, environmentalists fight to protect hundreds of endangered species and questions of how Hawaii will weather an impending war against Iraq remain unanswered, the 76 lawmakers are ranging far afield.
In a series of resolutions introduced during the last week, legislators are carving out whole new areas of concern.
For instance, Sen. Gordon Trimble wants the state to address the problem of tourists not knowing "local driving rules and etiquette."
In a resolution, he speculates that many accidents are caused by "drivers who are unsure of local driving customs," so he asks that the state transportation department develop a driver's education program specifically for visitors.
No mention was made of whether the class would include "Hula-T" turns or driving 40 mph in the left lane of H-1.
Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, who has seen lots of foul situations from her years on the City Council, is turning her attention to the state Capitol ponds, which -- after a variety of treatments, including ozone generators, chlorine and even schools of tilapia -- are still battling an algae invasion rivaling Lake Wilson's salvinia problem.
Kim notes the city spent only $7,500 to maintain the brackish water pools teeming with fish at the Blaisdell Center, which is one-tenth of the state's annual budget for the Capitol ponds.
Kim suggests that the University of Hawaii allow students to use the ponds as a biology or environmental science project to figure out a way to restore them.
The Capitol is also a source of concern for Rep. Dennis Arakaki, who is sponsoring a resolution clamping down on smoking there. Smoke-filled rooms are a thing of the past, but smoking is still allowed on the Capitol's lanais. Arakaki is urging that smoking be prohibited from "all hallways and lanais on the third and fourth floors," the floors occupied by the House. Members of the Senate and the governor could still light up on their floors.
Freshman Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu also is concerned about our tourists, but instead of teaching them how to drive barefoot, he wants them all to have Internet access and e-mail.
In a resolution, Karamatsu speculates that Hawaii would have a better reputation as a place to do business if the hotels offered these amenities.
Failing to offer a wired room "detracts from the overall promotion of a business-friendly environment," he says.
Other ideas popping out include Rep. Blake Oshiro's call for the state to build an "equestrian training facility" on the Leeward coast because it would provide for "at-risk youth and adults in transition."
Perhaps the best resolution is offered up by Sen. Lorraine Inouye, who wants a study to "determine the feasibility of utilizing biosolids as a source of nutrients in agriculture."
"Biosolids are the nutrient-rich organic materials resulting from the treatment of sewage sludge," she explains politely.
Our Legislature, without even realizing it, may be able to link some of these proposals to get the horse farm, the biosolids and the Capitol pond all in the same plan.
Richard Borreca writes on politics every Sunday in the Star-Bulletin.
He can be reached at 525-8630 or by e-mail at rborreca@starbulletin.com.
