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IN AND AROUND THE CAPITOL
Emotions surround
street-naming issueBill would allow limited religious,
By Pat Omandam
cultural fireworks
Star-BulletinNine weeks ago, the city said state law doesn't require street names at Kalaeloa to be changed into Hawaiian words.
Not so fast, the state Legislature is saying.
The Senate within the next week is expected to vote on Senate Bill 3118, which requires the use of Hawaiian names, terms and phrases in the Kalaeloa Community Development District, the old Barbers Point Naval Air Base. If approved, the bill would go to the House.
At a Senate hearing this week, military veterans and Hawaiian advocates clashed over which street names are more appropriate for the 15 roadways now under the control of the state: those already bestowed to honor U.S. Navy ships and U.S. Marine Corps aviation heroes, or those that would honor the ancient use of the land by native Hawaiians.
State Rep. Mark Moses (R, Kapolei) told senators the streets at Kalaeloa are 50 years old and have been duly named by the federal government. Moreover, he said, city lawyers gave an opinion last December these streets don't have to be renamed because the city ordinance requires only new or renamed streets to have Hawaiian names.
"A lot of history is reflected in the naming of the streets at Barbers Point," said Moses, a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer. "Are the sacrifices of our veterans so meaningless, so trivial, so unimportant, that we should discard these historic names and search for new ones?"
Other veterans and veteran groups agreed. James Santos, senior vice commander of the Disabled American Veterans of Hawaii, said these streets have historical significance and must be preserved for aging veterans and future generations so they remember what those names signify.
"This is not an issue of who arrived first, but an obligation to the memory of those who gave so much," Santos said.
Others, however, said there are more appropriate ways to honor and memorialize military history, as have been done elsewhere at the Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri. Ernie K. Wilson, a retired U.S. Army colonel who is native Hawaiian, said renaming the streets would not take away from honoring the military.
"Some say it is an issue of the veterans verses Hawaiians," Wilson said.
"I disagree vehemently as I am a Hawaiian and a veteran. The issue at hand is how to best honor both the place and the veterans."
The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Oahu Council, said it is only "pono" or right that with the return of Kalaeloa, the Hawaiian history and culture associated with that region be restored.
Bill Bass, executive director of the Barbers Point Naval Air Station Redevelopment Commission, said the city last December asked the commission to submit a formal street-name application with either the existing street names or new Hawaiian names.
The matter is urgent because buildings at Kalaeloa are identified only by building numbers and not by street addresses, which does not conform to the county's emergency standards. Bass said police, fire and ambulance officials have told him it would be difficult for personnel to respond to emergency calls without street addresses.
The commission plans to hold a public hearing this month before taking action on the city's request.
But Bass added the panel does not have the money to design and install new street-name signs throughout the area. It already has a $45,154 deficit and can't devote any money to this issue, he said.
Bill would allow limited
By Pat Omandam
religious, cultural fireworks
Star-BulletinSenate conferees today are expected to push a fireworks proposal to House members that allows fireworks only for religious or cultural purposes -- but leaves it up to each county to define what constitutes a religious or cultural event.
While not calling it a total ban on common fireworks, the latest draft to Senate Bill 680, SD1, HD2 -- to be considered by the House-Senate conference committee at 6:30 p.m. today in Room 329 at the state Capitol -- would require a county permit for those events and limit the amount of fireworks for each permit to between 500 and 750 firecrackers.
The proposal, which lawmakers aren't releasing publicly until after today's meeting, also sets up a time period when fireworks can be sold. And it places stricter shipment regulations on aerial fireworks.
Whether the House will support the idea remains to be seen. House Majority Leader Ed Case (D, Manoa) reiterated the majority position that there is no consensus for a total ban on fireworks.
House conferee Eric Hamakawa (D, Hilo) said he expects today's meeting will be short, with both sides exchanging ideas and reporting back to their leadership.
The conference committee is expected to meet again later this week.
Currently, people can set off common fireworks without permits between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. New Year's Eve, Chinese New Year and the Fourth of July. There is a statewide ban on aerial fireworks.
Prior to 1996, individuals had to get a permit from their counties and there was no ban on aerials. Fireworks on Oahu were limited to 500 firecrackers per applicant.
Along with Hamakawa, other House conferees are Bob Nakasone (D, Kahului), Kenny Goodenow (D, Waimanalo), Scott Saiki (D, McCully) and Paul Whalen (R, Kailua-Kona).
Senate conferees are Cal Kawamoto (D, Waipahu), Matt Matsunaga (D, Palolo), Avery Chumbley (D, Kihei), Robert Bunda (D, Wahiawa), Les Ihara Jr. (D, Kaimuki), Brian Taniguchi (D, Manoa) and Sam Slom (R, Kalama Valley).
You can track bills, hearings and other Legislature action via: Get involved
The Legislative Reference Bureau's public access room, state Capitol, room 401. Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Phone: 587-0478; fax, 587-0793; TTY, 538-9670.
Neighbor islanders, call toll-free and enter ext. 70478 after the number:
Big Island, 974-4000; Maui,
984-2400; Kauai, 274-3141;
Molokai and Lanai, 468-4644.
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