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Like an old Western movie, the 19 House Republicans warned the majority members they have until high noon today to schedule a hearing on an age-of-consent bill or the GOP threatens a showdown on the House floor. GOP demands House
hear bill to raise age
of consentBy Pat Omandam
Star-Bulletin
Such a move would be the first time the minority flexed its legislative muscle since a record 19 Republicans were elected last November to the 51-member House.
With those numbers comes the ability to pull a bill from any House committee and place it on the floor for a roll call vote by each representative.
Republicans say the issue of age of consent is one the public wants to address and the House needs to discuss. State Rep. Colleen Meyers (R, Laie-Waiahole) said they want the House Judiciary to hear any one of six bills introduced this year.
"We're concerned that the Judiciary chair may not hear the bill, any bill, because he was one of three that were opposed to changing the age of consent," Meyers said, referring to House Judiciary Chairman Eric Hamakawa (D, South Hilo-Puna).
"And we feel pretty strongly that the Legislature just cannot ignore the voice of the public anymore."
Hawaii's age-of-consent law was passed in 1974 and the age is the lowest of any state. It allows adults to have sexual relations with a minor who is 14 years of age or older as long as there is consent. Supporters of new legislation say the current law, for example, offers no legal recourse for parents if their 14-year-old daughter decides to have an adult boyfriend.
Rep. Mark Moses (R, Kapolei) said a majority of legislators believe the age of consent should be raised to protect minors from sexual predators and commercial sexual exploitation of children. He said this is a nonpartisan issue that affects everyone.
House Speaker Calvin Say (D, Palolo) responded that there are still three weeks to send House bills to the Senate before the March 8 crossover deadline. He said Hamakawa is considering whether to hear age-of-consent bills before the crossover.
In the Senate, a joint panel heard conflicting testimony yesterday on a Senate proposal that would have made it illegal for anyone to have sex with a person 17 years old or younger. One problem cited was that the measure puts teen-agers at risk of being criminals if they engage in sexual experimentation.
Those who support raising the age of consent say what's needed is a task force study on the issue before proper legislation can be drafted.
Kelly M. Rosati, executive director of Hawaii Family Forum, said a January 2000 survey of Hawaii residents by SMS Researched showed nearly 80 percent of the people surveyed agreed it should be illegal in Hawaii for adult men to engage in sexual activity with 14-and 15-year-old girls.
"Hawaii's low statutory-rape age should be an embarrassment to a state that has been ranked among the best for raising children," Rosati said.
"Raising Hawaii's age of consent will help put us back on the right track for our youth," she said.
The Hawaii Commission on the Status of Women is holding a news conference today to discuss the age of consent, as well as other issues that are part of its legislative package of bills.
Enchanting
Dads were to be celebrated today with free ice cream sundaes at the state Capitol. Lawmakers honor dads
with free ice creamStar-Bulletin staff
"We decided to use that flavor and environment of ice cream and sundaes to support nurturing fatherhood," said Ki'i McMannen, event chairperson and member of the Hawaii Coalition for Dads, which is sponsoring the event.
Dad's Day at the Legislature aims to encourage fathers to actively participate in their children's lives, McMannen said.
It's also meant to bring attention to a bill to be heard here today that would ban gender-specific policies in government, he added.
The event grew out of a policy challenge six years ago by then-President Bill Clinton, who sought to strengthen the roles of fathers through government programs and policies.
Women also will be honored, with free anthuriums donated by Sens. Matsuura, Suzanne Chun Oakland and Lorraine Inouye.
Dad's Day will be at 12:30 p.m. on the lanai of Room 423. Meadow Gold Dairies will be donating 750 cups of ice cream.
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