Sen. Lorraine Inouye to host legislative talk story in Waimea: Legislative bills, funding requests and little fire ants among topics to be addressed

WAIMEA — To weigh in on bills, funding requests, grants in aid and hot issues working their way through the 2018 Legislature, State Senate District 4 residents can attend a town hall meeting with Sen. Lorraine Inouye, 5-6:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at Paniolo Country Inn.

District 4 is the largest in the state, stretching from North Hilo and the Hamakua Coast to Waimea, North Kohala, Waikii, Waikoloa, Puako and North Kona. This is the first of several meetings Sen. Inouye plans to hold during the 2018 session.

“We’re doing what the Legislature’s mandatory recess was intended to accomplish — holding a public meeting back in my district with constituents,” Sen. Inouye said. “It’s even more important to do this for neighbor island districts where the public has a much harder time with feeling their voices are heard … there’s nothing quite like a face-to-face conversation.”

Issues up for discussion will include death with dignity legislation, the creation of an airport authority to expedite facilities’ safety improvements, funding for schools and job training, alternative energy initiatives, banning toxic sunscreens, fighting invasive species, securing $1.6 million to purchase the vacant lot next to Kamuela post office and public schools, and securing $1.5 million to help expand North Hawaii Community Hospital’s emergency room.

Sen. Inouye — who is also a long-time farmer — will also share her concern regarding the spread of little fire ants on Hawaii Island as one of the most serious threats to local agriculture, home gardens and orchards, conservation areas, beaches, public recreational areas and land used by hunters and gatherers. To date, infestations of the fire ants have been confirmed in Puna, the Hamakua Coast, North Kohala and West Hawaii. Carolyn Dillon, founder of the Little Fire Ants Hui, will attend the meeting to brief guests on how to detect and avoid introducing the pests to their property, and what to do if they are discovered. Sen. Inouye will also have little fire ant test kits to give away to meeting attendees.

The event is open to the public and no RSVP is required. If unable to attend or for additional questions, Sen. Inouye can be contacted at the State Capitol toll free from Hawaii Island at 974-4000, extension 67335, or by email at SenInouye@capitol.hawaii.gov.