Policy Brief – Supporting our Military
Senator Norman Sakamoto
February 09, 2007
The military is a significant part of our island community. Recognizing the important service and the sacrifices they are making for their country, the Hawaii Legislature passed measures to honor their sacrifices and to support them and their families during their stay in Hawaii. We are proud to have had the opportunity to serve as chair of the Senate Committee on Education and Military Affairs from 2005 to 2006.
Below are highlights of several of the measures that we supported and subsequently became law:
Hawaii Medal of Honor (HCR 329) – The Legislature in 2005 established the Medal of Honor as a way of honoring military service members with Hawaii connections who were killed in action while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. In April 2006, a special joint session was held for a ceremony in which the Legislature honored the families of those who died in action.
Professional License (HB 295) – The bill relaxes license restoration requirements for professional license holders (doctors, dentists, social workers, realtors) who are returning after long out-of-state military deployment.
Driver's License Renewal (HB 1809) – Some service members have not been able to renew their drivers license because of long deployments outside of Hawaii. The law was changed to allow them to renew their driver's license within 90 days of their return to Hawaii.
University of Hawaii – Tuition Assistance (SB 1648) – The bill provides tuition assistance for members of the Hawaii National Guard enrolled at the University of Hawaii.
University of Hawaii – Admission Status (HB115) – Military personnel returning from service will be able retain admission status at the University of Hawaii similar to that prior to their deployment.
Hawaii Veterans' Newsletter (HB1879) – To help veterans be informed about services, benefits, and upcoming events the Legislature appropriated $30,000 for 2005-2006 and $50,000 for 2006-2007 for the publication of the Hawaii veterans' newsletter.
Full Retirement Benefits (HCR 48) – The measure requests the US Congress to allow National Guard members and military reservists with twenty or more years of service to retire with full retirement benefits at age fifty-five.
Access to TRICARE Program (SCR 192) – The measure requests the US Congress to authorize and appropriate funds giving all members of the Armed Forces Reserve Component access to the TRICARE program.
Restoring Budget Cuts (HCR 120) – The Hawaii Legislature requested that the Bush Administration and the US Congress fully restore budget cuts to the equipment and personnel budget of the Army National and Air National Guard.
USS Arizona Memorial, USS Bowfin Museum and Park, and USS Missouri Memorial – In 2005, $500,000 was appropriated for the replacement of the present museum and visitor center at the USS Arizona Memorial. In 2006, the Legislature requested the US Navy to provide rent relief to the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park, and the USS Missouri Memorial.
Pearl Harbor Signage – For a long time, many people wanting to visit the Arizona Memorial ended up at the entrance to Pearl Harbor Naval Base by mistake. Senator Sakamoto, together with Rep. K. Mark Takai and Rep. Lynn Finnegan, worked for highway and road signs modifications to correct this problem.
Pacific Aviation Museum – The Legislature appropriated $500,000 in 2006 for the construction of the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island. This world-class aviation museum will honor the patriotism, valor, and sacrifice made by aviators and their ground support personnel from World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam conflict, as well as current American air technology.
A Military Appreciation Package has been introduced for the 2007 session. Please check the Legislative website for information about the bills. We encourage your active participation in the 2007 session.
HB = House Bill
HCR = House Concurrent Resolution
SB = Senate Bill
SCR = Senate Concurrent Resolution