News, notes and anecdotes
on government and politics
Rep. Ching nearly
misses her surprise
baby shower
Gov. Linda Lingle was among the guests Wednesday at a surprise bipartisan baby shower for state Rep. Corinne Ching at the state Capitol.
"I was so happy, just really overwhelmed," Ching said.
Ching (R, Nuuanu-Liliha) and her husband, Dr. Stuart Lerner, an emergency room physician, are expecting their first child, a daughter, on Jan. 10.
Ching's office manager, Tracy Okubo, planned the party, and it was such a well-kept secret that Ching nearly missed the affair, Ching said. A teacher, Ching made plans to tutor students that day at her former school, Maemae Elementary, where she taught until she was elected last year. Luckily, she said, she decided to drop in on the House Christmas party -- the ruse to get her to the Capitol -- before her tutoring appointment.
The party was held in a third-floor conference room and had a Chinese good-luck theme with red tablecloths, banners and lanterns, Okubo said.
Rep. Sylvia Luke, the House vice speaker, and Sen. Suzanne Chun Oakland were among the Democrats who also attended and who have been passing on advice on motherhood to Ching. "They are very excited for her and supportive of her," Okubo said.
The legislative session begins Jan. 21. Ching said that she will take a few days off after the birth of her daughter. She said she lives five minutes from the Capitol and can be available for votes or other business.
Doorway puzzle is solved
Democrats may have controlled the state for 40 years, but it took a Republican to make it easier to enter the governor's fifth-floor office.The tall, bulky and notoriously tricky wooden doors leading into the office reception area leave visitors baffled at times on which way the doors swing. Staff watched many struggle with trying to open the doors.
No more.
Metal lettering that says "Push" now appears on the exterior of the door, and "Pull" on the interior of the door.
Washington sabbatical
State Rep. Maile Shimabukuro (D, Waianae) went to Washington, D.C., in November to study the impact of foreign policy on women's issues.Shimabukuro attended the fall session of the Center for Women Policy Studies' Policy Institute for State Legislators.
"I accomplished my goal to better understand how our nation's foreign policy affects women and children around the world," Shimabukuro said.
Shimabukuro was among nine legislators from across the country to participate in the institute.
Abercrombie on the Web
U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie now has a way constituents can see more of him.Abercrombie unveiled a new streaming video feature on his U.S. House Web site at www.house.gov/abercrombie.
"Streaming video is one more link connecting citizens of Hawaii with developments that affect our state and the nation," Abercrombie said.
The video shows events on the House floor, including Abercrombie's speeches.
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