Supporters Robles/Laa Ohana

Back row (L-R): Louis Kaauwai, Carl & Kekona Laa, Emma & Ianuali Kaonohiokalanikoholua, Ursula & Kari Robles, Micaila Laa.

Front row (L-R): Richard & Rueben Robles, Nikita Kaahaaina, Carl Laa Jr., Mahi Rodgers, and Crystal Robles.

Supporters Flo Mayes and Philip Fernandez

"Maile organized a fan drive and got power upgrades for air conditioning our schools. We need her continue the good work she has done for the community.
-- Philip Fernandez and Flo Mayes, Wai`anae residents

Free Voting Aid Widgets

From: Paul Brown [mailto:paul.sdc@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2008 7:40 AM
To: Rep. Maile Shimabukuro
Subject: Free Voting Aid Widgets, from StateDemocracy.org

Dear Maile S.L.

We are pleased to announce that several FREE Voter Aids are now available to you as a registered user of www.StateDemocracy.org, the 1-stop civic engagement portal that Delivers Democracy to your Desktop! More citizens than ever are voting in the 2008 elections, and the StateDemocracy Foundation wants to make this democratic privilege as easy as possible. That’s why we’re offering the following free Widgets (for any of the 50 States) to download as voter aids for visitors to your own website, blog or social networking site (like MySpace and FaceBook): Absentee Ballot Application Voter Registration Application Polling Place Locator Please take advantage of this free offer right NOW -- well before the deadlines that states have for voter registration and absentee ballots -- and also forward this invitation to all your online friends and colleagues. Thanks! Paul Brown, Editor www.StateDemocracy.org

Homelessness Grows, Funding Does Not

Homelessness Grows, Funding Does Not
By Tammy Mori
Story Updated: Mar 13, 2008 at 10:23 PM HDT

Homelessness continues to be one of the most significant and challenging social problems in our state. Lawmakers say there are more than 6000 homeless people on any given day. And as the population grows, funding to help does not. Right now there are three emergency shelters on Oahu...and lawmakers say each have long waiting lists. But the lists for affordable housing are even longer.

Most lawmakers know the crisis will only grow worse.

"If you go along Leeward coastline in a boat, there's so many people that are forced to live on the beach," says Representative Maile Shimabukuro, with the House Human Services Committee.

But will they put there money where there mouth is?

Representative Maile Shimabukuro hopes so... "The good news is there is money. The budget just crossed over to senate, on the state side we have about 10 million dollars for homelessness," states Shimabukuro.

Money that may go to the existing homeless service providers and help acquire a new emergency shelter on the Leeward coast. "There's a whole consortium of homeless providers right now and we all need the help we really do," says Connie Mitchell, Executive Director for IHS.

For the complete story and video, click here.

Parking Ticket Controversy in Makaha

Parking ticket controversy in Leeward Oahu
By Duane Shimogawa
Updated: July 11, 2008 07:53 PM

MAKAHA (KHNL) - Some people who live in Makaha on Oahu's Leeward Coast are fuming mad after Honolulu Police issue numerous parking tickets in the neighborhood.

For almost 30 years, Clarence Tabula has lived in Makaha. His family of six has four cars. They're all parked near his home along the street. Parking hasn't been a problem in the past, but now, it's a costly situation. "No chance. they walk up, they writing the ticket already and then they tell you what's going on," Tabula said. Tabula is one of many people who've received tickets for parking illegally.

This has turned neighbors against one another. "I seen just the other day, had one scrap 'cuz of parking, you know, parking in front of somebody's house and that's neighbors for a long time too, but they just fighting over parking," Tabula said.

State representative Maile Shimabukuro is stepping in. "The problem with the law is that it makes parking nearly impossible in neighborhoods where houses are close together, such as in Makaha and in places like Honolulu where parking is always hard to find," she said.

Hawaii parking and street laws say it's illegal for any car not registered to be parked on the street. It's also illegal for any car to be parked within four feet of a driveway, even if it's your own driveway.

Click here to see the complete article and video.

Free Health Ins. for Kids of Aloha Air Employees

Lawmakers Propose Free Health Coverage For Kids of Aloha Air Employees
By Minna Sugimoto
Updated: April 15, 2008 07:20 PM

HONOLULU (KHNL) -- Children of former Aloha Airlines employees, who lost their healthcare benefits when the company shut down, may be getting some help soon.

A group of state lawmakers is proposing a bill that would provide free health insurance for the kids. The measure would expand the new Keiki Care program to include Aloha children who aren't eligible for other private or government insurance, excluding Cobra.

Lawmakers say HMSA would split the premium cost with the state.

"It would be about 800 children from Aloha Airlines that would likely apply for this Keiki Care program," Rep. Maile Shimabukuro, (D) Waianae, Makaha, Makua, said. "And the estimated cost is about $23,000 a month for the state."

The temporary coverage would end December 31st, or when the parent or guardian becomes employed and covered by another healthcare plan.

Rep Shimabukuro in KHON 2 Interview

Young victim spent time in foster care
By Gina Mangieri
Jan 18, 2008

The toddler who died Thursday [Jan 17, 2008] after being dropped onto the H-1 freeway spent time in foster care, and the parents and caregivers have had run-ins with the law.

Some in the community are asking -- did the parents and guardians of the child in some way contribute to the tragedy? What defines neglect, and what can authorities do about it?


"With everything else they have on their plate at CPS, things like this -- it's hard to address when there's not a clear case of abuse before something tragic happens,” said Rep. Maile Shimabukuro, (D) House Human Services Committee.

Lawmakers say they'll be receptive to a proposed bill to broaden CPS authority when neglect or abuse are suspected but not yet confirmed, though issues of manpower and the rights of parents must be weighed.

"You probably always want to err on the side of safety for the child if anything," Shimabukuro said.

For the full story, click here.

Maile Speaks Out for Laid Off Employees

State Rep. Maile Shimabukuro spoke during a press conference at the State Capitol announcing a bill proposing a temporary Keiki Health Care Insurance program for the roughly 800 children of former Aloha Airlines employees.

Bill would extend health insurance program to Aloha workers’ children

Requirements would be waived for families hit by the shutdown

By Kristen Consillio [mailto:kconsillio@starbulletin.com]

(Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 4/16/08)

The children of more than 2,000 Aloha Airlines workers laid off after the airline shut down on March 31 could be eligible for a new medical insurance program being proposed by state lawmakers.
The proposed legislation to provide temporary health insurance through Dec. 31 for children of Aloha employees is intended as a stopgap while their parents look for new jobs, lawmakers said yesterday.
Lawmakers estimate between 800 and 900 children would be eligible.
"It's real limited -- just to try to get them through a crunch time," said Sen. Rosalyn Baker (D-Maui), a member on the Senate Committee on Health.
The latest draft of Senate Bill 69 would provide basic medical and dental coverage for children 31 days to 18 years old. If approved, the program is expected to take effect in mid-May.
The measure specifies "children of workers employed on March 29, 2008, by a Hawaii interisland air carrier that was in bankruptcy proceedings on that date."
The bill, which would modify a three-year Keiki Care pilot project that began April 1, waives a requirement that a child be uninsured for six continuous months in the case of laid-off Aloha employees. It also has no income or asset limits.
"Of course we realize Aloha aren't the only employees out there suffering, but they were the largest mass layoff in the history of our state," said Rep. Maile Shimabukuro, (D-Waianae, Makaha, Makua).
Costs of the proposed program would be split between the Hawaii Medical Service Association Foundation and the state Department of Human Services, which estimates its cost would be $23,000 a month.
While all laid-off workers may obtain temporary continuation of health coverage at group rates under federal law, they must pay the full cost of those premiums, including the portion that their former employer had been paying.
The bill is scheduled to be heard today by the House Finance Committee. If approved, the measure would need to be voted on by the full House before moving on to Gov. Linda Lingle for final approval.

[Note: This Bill was passed into law during the 2008 legislative session.]

Congratulations Dayzina Lawson on Graduating from WHS!

Congrats to Waianae High Class of 2008 graduate Dayzina Lawson! Maile mentored Dayzina in her senior year, and was very impressed by her. Dayzina was interested in politics and law, and accompanied Maile to a community meeting, veteran's ceremony, fundraiser, and thrift store to benefit the homeless. Dayzina also volunteered several hours at the legal aid office where Maile works. The mentorship ended with a dinner and presentations by Dayzina and other mentees regarding their experiences. Dayzina is the grandaughter of Elroy and Emily Choy Foo.

Supporter Pastor Michael Loscalzo

"I have done community work with Maile and I am impressed by her dedication. We should re-elect her."

--Michael Loscalzo

Pastor, The Pentecostals of Wai`anae

Fundraiser at Compadres on July 31, 2008, 5:30-8pm; CHARGE TICKETS BY PHONE!

Please join us for an evening of food, fun and entertainment with Maile Shimabukuro (left) and Jessica Wooley (right).

When: Thursday, July 31, 2008, 5:30-8:00pm

Where: Compadres Bar & Grill, Ward Centre, 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., 591-8307

Live Music by "Soul Treatment" (Simone Cole, Mark Glick, Jeff Mikulina, & Isaac Moriwake)

Silent Auction - please come prepared to purchase fine art, wines, jewelry, and other goodies in various price ranges. Credit cards accepted.

Suggested Donation: $25/person

You can CHARGE BY PHONE, ie, buy tickets with your credit card, by calling 349-3075.

You may also purchase tickets by sending checks to:

Friends of Maile Shimabukuro
P. O. Box 2043
Waianae, HI 96792

You may also purchase tickets at the door. All tickets will be held at will-call, ie, at the reception table.

PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD. MAHALO FOR YOUR ON-GOING SUPPORT!

FYI:
--Jessica is a democratic candidate for State House District 47 (Kaneohe to Laie); for more information, visit http://www.jessicawooley.com/ or call 864-0400.
--Maile is a democratic candidate for State House District 45 (Wai`anae, Makaha, Makua); for more information, visit http://electmaile.blogspot.com/ or call 349-3075.

Paid for by:
--Committee to Elect Jessica Wooley; Creighton Ualani Mattoon, Campaign Chair; P. O. Box 4001, Kaneohe, HI 96744; and
--Friends of Maile Shimabukuro; Mervina Cash-Ka`eo, Campaign Chair; P. O. Box 2043, Wai`anae, HI 96792

Maile With Supporters Mae Chung and Harriet Tojo

Mae Chung and Harriet Tojo visited Maile at the Capitol on Opening Day 2008.

Pictured L-R: Karen Young (Maile's mother), Harriet Tojo, Maile, and Mae Chung.

2008 Platform

I want to keep Wai`anae "Country Forever" as they have coined on the North Shore, while still progressing forward on a community based level.

Some of my platform priorities include: 1) creating legalized campgrounds for the homeless; 2) staggered shifts for government workers; 3) increasing bike/walking paths statewide; 4) facilitate land conservation through the Legacy Lands and County preservation funds; 5) amend building code to allow traditional Hawaiian hale/halau to be used for residential purposes, independent of a Western-style home; 6) provide more air conditioning and fans to public schools; 7) complete funding for turn lanes at Haleakala and Nanakuli Avenues; 8) third party reviews for affordable housing projects; 9) government-funded universal healthcare.

Supporter John Mahoe, Wai`anae Coast Veteran

Maile pictured with supporter and Wai`anae Coast resident John Mahoe of the Green Beret Special Forces. This photo was taken at the recent Memorial Day ceremony at the Herbert K. Pilila`au Recreation Center in Wai`anae.

Mahalo nui loa to the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Green Beret Special Forces, Women's Auxiliary, Wai`anae & Nanakuli High JROTC, Herbert K. Pilila`au Recreation Center staff, and all other volunteers who made the Memorial Day ceremony a beautiful event.

Lawmakers show they care on Memorial Day

Letter to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 6/4/08:

I would like to express my appreciation to some of our legislators and our City Councilman for coming to the Memorial Day celebration that was held at the Herbert K. Pililaau Army Recreation Center (Waianae Army Rest Camp) last Monday. State Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, Rep. Karen Awana, Rep. Maile Shimabukuro and City Councilman Todd Apo have been coming to this celebration for a number of years and always give inspiring speeches.

Although our gatherings are generally small, our legislators come and give speeches that you can tell are well thought out and sincere. I would like to say thank you to those legislators.

Larry Moore
Makaha