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Aiea legislator battles
chronic fatigue illness

STATE Rep. Tom Okamura (D, Aiea) continues his battle with chronic fatigue syndrome and has attended only one session of the House this year.

Office manager Judy Gold said last week Okamura's condition hasn't changed since he was diagnosed with the ailment last year. She said her staff checks in with him daily to see when he'll return to work.

"He's been to session one day so far, and we hope that he'll be returning to session soon," Gold said.

"Sometimes he feels good a certain time of the day. Sometimes it's not the same. It's not consistent," she said.

Okamura represents the 33rd district. He is vice chairman of the House Education committee and a member of the higher education, labor and transportation committees.

MY BILL, PLEASE:

In Washington, D.C., breakfast with a powerful senator can cost a lobbyist thousands of dollars, but here in Hawaii for three dollars not only do you get breakfast but the senator will do the serving.

To raise money for the Hawaii Foodbank, state senators are serving breakfast from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday on the second floor lanai of the Capitol.

The breakfast includes french toast, sausage, oranges and juice or coffee. If you bring in a canned good, the senators will also whip up some scrambled eggs for you.

CATCH BUZZ:

Tomorrow the Legislature meets in a joint session to hear from Buzz Aldrin, the second person to walk on the moon. Aldrin is addressing the Legislature, thanks to an invitation from his friend, state Rep. Bob Herkes.

Aldrin also is expected to meet with local students at the state Capitol Auditorium.

The joint session is expected to start at noon tomorrow and is open to the public.

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WINNERS

Norman Mizuguchi: The veteran legislator may have a tenuous hold on the Senate presidency and may be facing a rough re-election battle, but he wins in becoming a grandfather last week.

Two state administration officials: Mike Wilson, the consumer advocate, and Richard Pollack, the public defender, win new jobs as Circuit Court judges.

Honolulu Star-Bulletin: Threatened with closure, the afternoon newspaper wins another round of endorsements as state House and Senate committees urge the paper be sold -- not closed.

LOSERS

Jeremy Harris: Honolulu mayor loses the official support of thousands of city hall workers as their Hawaii Government Employees Association union endorses mayoral hopeful Mufi Hannemann.

State Information Practices office: Despite hopes to move under the Legislature's budget, it will likely remain under control of the state attorney general.

Kazu Hayashida: State transportation director defends his department against a state audit that describes the highways division as "poorly managed and wasting public money."

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This feature by Richard Borreca runs
Mondays throughout the legislative session.

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