< 2022 Candidate Questionnaire
Because of COVID, the Legislature set up a system for testimony at committee hearings via Zoom. For neighbor island residents, this system for live virtual testimony (like what the Alaska Legislature and the Hawaii County Council have had in place for years) allowed Kona residents to give testimony in 2021 and 2022 without the expense or loss of a day resulting from travel to Honolulu. If elected, will you introduce and support a bill to require and make permanent the system for live virtual testimony?
David Tarnas: Hawaii State House District 8
Yes, I have been a long-time advocate for bills and rule changes to require the legislature to allow remote testimony in legislative hearings. Throughout my eight years in the State House, I have introduced legislation to authorize remote legislative testimony and will continue to do so in the future to ensure the legislature will continue to allow remote testimony in all legislative hearings. At this time, the legislative leadership has committed to continuing a hybrid system of testimony at legislative hearings to allow for remote virtual testimony and in-person testimony at the Capitol. I will work hard to make sure we continue to allow remote testimony because I know how it has benefited my constituents and others from the neighbor islands by allowing them to participate in legislative hearings without having to travel to Honolulu.
Nicole Lowen: Hawaii State House District 7
The legislature has already made this system permanent, so a bill is not required, but this is something I have supported since Day 1 in office–it’s a shame that it took a pandemic to make it happen, but now that it has I think it’s evident that this is needed and makes sense given the technology now available to do it. I don’t think there is any intent to take away this option in the future, but if for some reason there was I would fight that tooth and nail.
Jeanné Kapela: Hawaii State House District 5
I would be happy to sponsor legislation to make the State Legislature’s remote testimony system permanent. This system is essential to ensuring that neighbor island residents can participate in our political process, as well as people who can’t take time off from work to testify and individuals who are living with disabilities.
Colehour Bondera: Hawaii County Council District 6
As a County Council Representative, it would be my pleasure to take a lead on the outer island resident testimony policy in both the House and the Senate. Further, I will seek to consult with our legislators and aim to establish this as a policy which does not have to be re-visited as technology changes from one server (such as Zoom) to another one over time. Work would also include requesting that our Mayor consult with the Mayors of the other Counties which are similar to seek a unified voice on this topic.
Dr. Holeka G. Inaba: Hawaii County Council District 8
Yes, I have begun drafting a resolution to be introduced at Council to allow for continued public testimony to be accepted via Zoom at the legislature.