They may not have been successful in transforming their legislation into law, but two state lawmakers got a pat on the back anyway. 2 lawmakers’ child
safety efforts praisedThe Hawaii Certified Child and Passenger Safety Technicians recently honored Rep. Willie Espero (D, Ewa Beach) and Sen. Cal Kawamoto (D, Waipahu) for their child passenger safety legislation.
Kawamoto, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, was a staunch supporter of a proposal to require children from 4 to 7 years old to be strapped into a child safety seat. Known as the booster seat bill, the proposal made it through the Legislature before being vetoed by Gov. Ben Cayetano.
Espero introduced two measures requiring seat belts on school buses and banning all minors from riding in the back of pickup trucks. The law currently prohibits children 12 and under from riding in the back of pickups.
School visits: About 30 Hawaii lawmakers will return to public schools this week to take part in America's Legislators Back to School Week.
The annual bipartisan event, sponsored by the National Conference of State Legislatures, teaches students about life as an elected official.
House Speaker Calvin Say (D, Palolo) said the national conference and Hawaii lawmakers agree that direct contact with students now can contribute to healing in the aftermath of last week's terrorist attacks and help them better understand how the tragedy might affect our way of life.
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