A recent public discourse surrounding political leadership in Hawai’i has shifted with the surprising announcement of Ron Kouchi’s decision to run for re-election in the state Senate.
This comes after Kouchi, who has held the Senate seat for 15 years and served as Senate president for the last decade, indicated last year that he would retire and support Kaua’i Mayor Derek Kawakami for the District 8 seat.
Kouchi has now stated that he intends to finish several unfinished projects, including initiatives aimed at increasing the share of locally grown food in school lunches and enhancing affordable housing funding.
The 15-year veteran senator expressed gratitude to his family, friends, and supporters for encouraging him to stay involved in public service.
Kawakami, who has been fundraising for the Senate seat for months with Kouchi’s endorsement, declared that he will not oppose his mentor in the upcoming election.
“We’re too tight,” said Kawakami, whose eight-year tenure as Kaua’i mayor is ending next year due to term limits.
Despite aspirations for higher office, such as lieutenant governor or governor, Kawakami indicated that he is currently focused on his responsibilities as mayor and living in the moment.
In economic news, Seth Colby has been appointed as the new chief state economist for the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT).
Colby previously served as the tax research and planning officer for the Department of Taxation, where he oversaw important factors related to the state revenue system, proposed legislation impacts, and macroeconomic forecasting.
He holds a Ph.D. in political economy from Johns Hopkins University and replaces Eugene Tian, who retired after 15 years with DBEDT.
DBEDT aims to serve as a resource center for economic data, business development, energy conservation information, and foreign trade advantages, under the leadership of Jimmy Tokioka.
Turning to a significant issue for many Americans, Hawai’i Senator Mazie Hirono and Representative Jill Tokuda recently reintroduced a bill addressing Social Security contributions.
The proposed legislation aims to eliminate the income cap on contributions, currently set at $176,100, which primarily affects higher-income earners.
With this change, the bill could extend the solvency of Social Security benefits for an additional 11 years, pushing the full benefit payment timeline from 2034 to 2045.
Although high-wage earners may have concerns about this approach, the current maximum monthly Social Security benefit stands at $4,018 for those who reach full retirement age, regardless of their contributions.
In a related matter, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement has rebranded itself as simply Hawaiian Council.
The name change reflects the organization’s growth and dedicated focus on uplifting Hawaiians and strengthening the community.
CEO Kūhiō Lewis emphasized that the new name immediately conveys the purpose and service of their mission.
Since its inception in 2000, the council has evolved into a significant political force in Hawai’i, influencing elections, contributing to state tourism policy, and serving as a critical resource during crises such as the Maui wildfires.
Additionally, the grassroots organization Common Cause Hawaii has organized a “People’s Promise” town hall meeting scheduled for Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Capitol Modern, also known as The Hawai’i State Art Museum.
This nonpartisan event will feature a diverse panel including state Senator Brenton Awa and state Representative Della Au Belatti, led by Common Cause director Camron Hurt.
Attendees can expect engaging discussions on topics such as immigration and government accountability, promising to be both informative and entertaining.
The Blog is eager to attend this event, which highlights crucial conversations in the realm of governance and civic engagement.
image source from：civilbeat
