HB2 CD1 FB2019-2021 $30,900,124,844 ALL MEANS OF FINANCING

MEDICAID, $5,560,643,518 , 19%

ANNUAL REQUIRED CONTRIBUTION (ARC), $1,657,115,000 , 6%

HEALTH BENEFITS, $638,245,109 , 2%

RETIREMENT BENEFITS, $2,146,593,357 , 7%

DEBT SERVICE, $1,720,105,212 , 6%

EDUCATION, $4,215,659,802 , 14%

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII, $2,446,016,982 , 8%

TRANSPORTATION, $2,328,069,094 , 8%

HEALTH, $2,174,631,271 , 7%

HAWAII HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION, $1,436,704,607 , 5%

HUMAN SERVICES, $1,695,900,103 , 6%

LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS, $948,957,719 , 3%

BUDGET AND FINANCE, $904,025,283 , 3%

PUBLIC SAFETY, $590,381,966 , 2%

BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TOURISM, $556,685,571 , 2%

ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES, $389,793,541 , 1% LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES,

$331,373,952 , 1%

I thoroughly enjoyed spending time on Lāna‘i and participating in so many events like the grand opening of the kupuna health care center and the Special Olympics games on island.

Most of all, I recall the wonderful years in the early 1990's when I taught on Lāna‘i and stayed with the Woolsey family. It was so nice to spend time with them at the blessing.

Lāna‘i is a very special place where aloha has not been lost or forgotten.

Mahalo no kēia hālia aloha e Lāna‘i.

The Senate and the House passed the final version of HB2 HD1 SD1 CD1, the State Budget Bill on March 27. The bill includes funds to operate State government with a priority to make improvements at various State facilities and pay down the debt service.

The House approved the $16 billion budget for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 almost a month earlier than in previous sessions making this an unprecedented budget process. The Bill has been transmitted to the Governor for his approval. To view the Budget Bill go to:

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_ indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2& year=2019

Note - the budget chart below reflects a point in time for the State Budget. The amounts listed may increase as discussions on individual budget items, programs, and other appropriation bills are still being considered.

In This Issue

Message from Kalani

Vol.19 • Issue 6 • pg.1 • April 1, 2019

VOL.19 Issue 6April 1, 2019

► Message From Kalani pg 1

► Legislature Passes State Budget pg 1

► Taiwan President Visits Honolulu pg 2

► Sen. English Welcomes Pacific Leaders To The Asia-Pacific Center For Security Studies pg 2

► Southwest Airlines Visits Hawai‘i State Capitol pg 3

► Queen Lili‘uokalani Statue Refurbished pg 3

► A Day On Lāna‘i pg 3

► Funds Released For Capital Improvements Projects pg 3

► Legislative Highlights pg 4

Legislature Passes State Budget

Sen. English met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen during her visit to Honolulu on March 26 after an eight-day trip to Nauru, the Marshall Islands and Palau. Several hundred community members also at-tended a banquet in her honor at The Kahala Hotel on the 40th-anniversary of the Taiwan Relations Act, which defines the

official relations between the United States and the people of Taiwan.

At the dinner in honor of the President, Sen. English briefed her on a number of different topics and issues including the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture that will be held in Honolulu in June 2020.

“It is always an honor to meet with Presi-dent Tsai Ing-wen while she is here,” said Sen. English. “Hawai‘i has a unique connec-tion to Taiwan both culturally and politi-cally and I believe that it is important for us to recognize and foster these long standing relationships.”

Rear Admiral (Ret.) Pete Gumataotao of the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) invited Sen. English on March 26 to welcome 34 Pacific Island leaders representing 15 Pacific Island countries to the workshop on “National Security Policy Development in the Pacific Islands: Shared Experiences, Lessons and Best Practices.”

The workshop was a cooperative initiative be- tween the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat

and DKI APCSS. The three-day workshop brought together senior government officials with responsibilities relating to national se-curity policy development in Pacific Island Forum Countries. The discussions focused on an exchange of experiences, lessons learned and best practices in national security policy development among Forum Island Countries and presented opportuni-ties for participating nations to further re-fine and chart a way forward enhancing their

national security approaches.

“The DKI APCSS is an excellent place for this type of workshop and provides a great venue for collaboration and learning for these Pacific Island nations as they advance their security initiatives in the region,” said Sen. English. “Director Gumataotao and his staff accomplished a great job in fostering relationships in the Pacific region and I look forward to future collaborative efforts.”

Sen. English and dignitaries pose with President Tsai Ing-wen for a group photo. Honolulu, HI. March 26, 2019.

Sen. English and Sen. Chang at the 40th Anniversary banquet. Honolulu, HI. March 26, 2019.

Vol.19 • Issue 6 • pg.2 • April 1, 2019

Taiwan President Visits Honolulu

Sen. English Welcomes Pacific Leaders To The Asia-Pacific Center For Security Studies

$500,000 was released for roof improve-ments to various buildings at Ha‘ikū Elemen-tary School.

Sen. English joined executives from Southwest Airlines, including President Tom Nealon, Executive Vice-President and Chief Revenue Officer Andrew Watterson, and Senior Vice-President of Government Affairs and Real Estate Jason Van Eaton, for an informal "bento lunch and talk-story session" with members of the State Legisla-ture on March 18.

“I am very glad that Southwest Airlines entered the market here in Hawai‘i be-cause it provides our residents with an alternative for inter-island travel,” said Sen. English. “I look forward to working with Southwest and wish them the best of luck in this exciting endeavor.”

“The Spirit of Lili‘uokalani,” an 8-foot bronze statue of Queen Lili‘uokalani, Mo'i and the last ruling Monarch of Hawai‘i was recently refurbished at its location on the Capitol Mall. The sculpture was created by Mari-anna Pineda and dedicated on April 10, 1982. This statue recognizes the important historic role of the Queen and is regarded as one of the most honored statues in the

State. The Queen is depicted holding three important documents: the draft Constitu-tion of 1893, which was never ratified; the Kumulipo, a Hawaiian creation chant and the musical score of “Aloha ‘Oe” one of the Queen's most famous compositions.

Sen. English traveled to Lāna‘i on March 30 to attend the Grand Opening and blessing of Lāna‘i Kina‘ole Inc. He also attended the fes-tival that followed, which included food and craft booths as well as entertainment. While Sen. English was on the island, he also went to the Special Olympics, Cat Sanctuary and the Blue Ginger Restaurant.

"I always enjoy my visits to Lāna‘i," said Sen. English. "Although much has changed on the island, the people have kept that special aloha that I recall from my first visit there many years ago."

Contractors from the Hawai‘i State Art Museum spent the day refurbishing the Queen Lili‘uokalani statue. Honolulu, HI. March 19, 2019.

Vol.19 • Issue 6 • pg.3 • April 1, 2019

Funds Released For Capital Improvements Project

Southwest Airlines Visits Hawai‘i State Capitol

Queen Lili‘uokalani Statue Refurbished

A Day On Lāna‘i

Above Left: Sen. English and Legislative Clerk Sharon Lum Ho meet with Maui advocates Kehau Filimoeatu and Ian Hodge. Honolulu, HI. March 28, 2019. Above right: Advocates from the Lanakila Meals on Wheels program visit with Sen. English. Honolulu, HI. March 19, 2019. Left: Maui Senators congratulate Chassen Kosi-Kortez on the Senate floor for being named the Boys and Girls Club of Maui Youth of the Year. Honolulu, HI. March 29, 2019.

Leadership from both the Senate and House joined Hawai‘i Island legislators at a press con-ference to discuss the passage of the lava funding relief bill. Honolulu, HI. March 29, 2019.

The Hawai‘i State Senate congratulates Damian Elefante for being re-appointed as the Deputy Director of the Department of Taxation. Honolulu, HI. March 27, 2019.

J. KALANI ENGLISHSenate Majority Leader

COMMITTEES• • •

Vice Chair, Senate Committee on Technology

• • •Member, Senate Committee

on Transportation• • •

Member, Senate Committee on Ways & Means

• • •

Hawai'i State LegislatureBill Status and Documentswww.capitol.hawaii.gov/

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Vol.19 • Issue 6 • pg.4 • April 1, 2019

Legislative Highlights