Dear Editor,
The news that the Hawaii County Band will not be funded should be viewed as a disgrace to the state of Hawaii as well as Hawaii County. It is unfortunate that the decision makers in government do not understand the importance of live music and fine arts.
Many adults and parents complain about the kinds of music children listen too. But by not funding live music groups such as the Hawaii County Band it shows that people really have no reason to complain. By not funding these alternative sources children will listen to what they hear on radio and television.
With the decline in education funding less school music groups will survive. With the budget priorities set by the counties the Hawaii County Band may be no more and questions are raised about the Royal Hawaiian Band. And who knows about the future of the Honolulu Symphony.
John Adams said, “I must study politics and war … My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, … in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain.” In @250 years it is amazing how backwards we have gone.
Egan Kawamoto
Ewa Beach
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Another Letter
Dear Editor,
As one of a group of people who try to take an interest in politics I have recently become disappointed with a few of the legislators. When emailing them some receive an automated reply that they are too busy and unable to respond. Or one representative that will only look at emails from his district. Legislators, especially those who chair committees, should not do this.
At election time many state that they will be open to the input of the public. It seems that many are beginning to use this as election rhetoric.
Egan Kawamoto
Ewa Beach
808-2929-4986
As one of a group of people who try to take an interest in politics I have recently become disappointed with a few of the legislators. When emailing them some receive an automated reply that they are too busy and unable to respond. Or one representative that will only look at emails from his district. Legislators, especially those who chair committees, should not do this.
At election time many state that they will be open to the input of the public. It seems that many are beginning to use this as election rhetoric.
Egan Kawamoto
Ewa Beach
808-2929-4986
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Lobby Day
Rep. Sagum had a crazy idea about education according to Kauai team.
Sen. Kim did not have time to meet with us. In all my years in lobbying I think I met her once. Not very accessible.
Sen. Bunda as always very open. Yet some discussion was disturbing to me. Also some of it was not from him.
Rep. Magaoay was very busy. We were only able to say hi and bye.
Sen. Sakamoto I met informally on the lanai. Like always he impressed me with his knowledge of the problems. While I do not always agree he does have ideas that are debatable. Many just come up with whacko ideas.
Rep. Wakai sent a facebook message to say he supports VEBA.
Sen. Kim did not have time to meet with us. In all my years in lobbying I think I met her once. Not very accessible.
Sen. Bunda as always very open. Yet some discussion was disturbing to me. Also some of it was not from him.
Rep. Magaoay was very busy. We were only able to say hi and bye.
Sen. Sakamoto I met informally on the lanai. Like always he impressed me with his knowledge of the problems. While I do not always agree he does have ideas that are debatable. Many just come up with whacko ideas.
Rep. Wakai sent a facebook message to say he supports VEBA.
VEBA
My sample testimony
Dear Senator,
My name is Egan Kawamoto and I teach at Wheeler Middle School. Please hear bill SB2797. VEBA helps teachers and its sunset should not be based on a flawed report.
The auditor’s report is flawed.
1. The report says that the premiums paid by the state would decrease. History shows that this is not true. The cost to the state did not decrease and the premiums were higher than projected. When moved to the EUTF teachers faced significant increases in their costs as well as a decrease in their benefits.
2. The report states that the administrative costs were duplicated. When in fact those costs are set and will not be a savings but would be transferred to the EUTF.
3. The report fails to report that during those years the Department of Education (DOE) realized lower contribution rates for teachers (from March 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009, the employer contribution savings was $3,145,309.00). In addition, the State of Hawaii General Fund received experience refunds for teachers totaling $3,518,760.00. The DOE and the State of Hawaii realized a total savings of $6,664,069.00 from March 1 2006 through June 30, 2009. For Retirees, the State of Hawaii has essentially been at breakeven between contributions, costs, and refunds as compared to EUTF.
The EUTF is not well run.
1. The trustees have not met in January and February. Though the governor insists that this is due to the unions, I do not care who is responsible. A group responsible for the health plans for government workers should work smoothly.
2. They have misplaced @1500 enrollees. What will happen when there is a need to enroll @13,000 teachers?
3. The public unions are calling for a reorganization of the EUTF. I believe there are bills to that effect.
The EUTF does not operate proactively.
1. The cost of our health benefits will increase hence the cost to the state will also increase. This I feel is caused by the inability to actively negotiate with the providers. It is because of the VEBA trust that HMA/Summerlin is involved and HMSA changed their policy to allow more choice in the EUTF.
2. The cost of maintenance drugs is handled by an out of state entity. This causes a loss of revenue to the state and also does not support local businesses.
3. They should know that there has been no adverse selection since the law requires that all teachers in Bargaining Unit 5 must be enrolled in the VEBA plan as an employee.
While I have usually been swayed by the auditor’s reports this report leaves much to discuss. It basically asks you to make a decision based on a lack of information.
Sincerely,
Egan Kawamoto
Dear Senator,
My name is Egan Kawamoto and I teach at Wheeler Middle School. Please hear bill SB2797. VEBA helps teachers and its sunset should not be based on a flawed report.
The auditor’s report is flawed.
1. The report says that the premiums paid by the state would decrease. History shows that this is not true. The cost to the state did not decrease and the premiums were higher than projected. When moved to the EUTF teachers faced significant increases in their costs as well as a decrease in their benefits.
2. The report states that the administrative costs were duplicated. When in fact those costs are set and will not be a savings but would be transferred to the EUTF.
3. The report fails to report that during those years the Department of Education (DOE) realized lower contribution rates for teachers (from March 1, 2006 through June 30, 2009, the employer contribution savings was $3,145,309.00). In addition, the State of Hawaii General Fund received experience refunds for teachers totaling $3,518,760.00. The DOE and the State of Hawaii realized a total savings of $6,664,069.00 from March 1 2006 through June 30, 2009. For Retirees, the State of Hawaii has essentially been at breakeven between contributions, costs, and refunds as compared to EUTF.
The EUTF is not well run.
1. The trustees have not met in January and February. Though the governor insists that this is due to the unions, I do not care who is responsible. A group responsible for the health plans for government workers should work smoothly.
2. They have misplaced @1500 enrollees. What will happen when there is a need to enroll @13,000 teachers?
3. The public unions are calling for a reorganization of the EUTF. I believe there are bills to that effect.
The EUTF does not operate proactively.
1. The cost of our health benefits will increase hence the cost to the state will also increase. This I feel is caused by the inability to actively negotiate with the providers. It is because of the VEBA trust that HMA/Summerlin is involved and HMSA changed their policy to allow more choice in the EUTF.
2. The cost of maintenance drugs is handled by an out of state entity. This causes a loss of revenue to the state and also does not support local businesses.
3. They should know that there has been no adverse selection since the law requires that all teachers in Bargaining Unit 5 must be enrolled in the VEBA plan as an employee.
While I have usually been swayed by the auditor’s reports this report leaves much to discuss. It basically asks you to make a decision based on a lack of information.
Sincerely,
Egan Kawamoto
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Furloughs
What happens when teachers return under the governor’s plan?
No library services. No access to computer labs. No office staff to handle early leaves and tardies. No health aide to handle sick students. No administrators on campus for discipline problems.
No library services. No access to computer labs. No office staff to handle early leaves and tardies. No health aide to handle sick students. No administrators on campus for discipline problems.
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