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Harry Kim <br />Mai or <br />February 4, 2019 <br />County of Hawaii <br />Office of the Mayor <br />25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 . (808) 961-8211 . Fax (808) 961-6553 <br />KONA 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 <br />(808) 323-4444 . Fax (808) 323-4440 <br />Rep. Ty J.K. Cullen, Chair <br />COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATIVE MANAGEMENT <br />Hawai'i State Legislature <br />Dear Chair Cullen and Committee Members: <br />RE: H131153, RELATING TO REMOTE TESTIMONY IN LEGISLATIVE <br />HEARINGS <br />Wit Okabe <br />Alanaging Director <br />Barbara J. Kossow <br />Depnlr Managing Director <br />Article I, Section 1, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii provides that "All political power of <br />this State is inherent in the people and the responsibility for the exercise thereof rests with the <br />people." In that spirit, and over the course of its history, the Hawaii State Legislature has been <br />dedicated to assuring citizen participation in its activities, and has often been at the forefront of <br />innovations that enhance that participation and make it more effective. <br />Technology has now reached the point where persons with disabilities, residents of rural Oahu <br />and even more so, neighbor island residents, can be enabled to more fully participate in the <br />legislative process without experiencing inconvenient, expensive and/or time-consuming travel to the <br />Capitol. Exactly how that should be done, without jeopardizing the need for an expeditious legislative <br />process, may require further thought and deliberations, and that is exactly what HB 1153 would allow. <br />HB 1153 does not presuppose a method, but neither is it just another "study." Truly action oriented, it <br />mandates the outcome that remote testimony shall be allowed, and then leaves it to each house to <br />figure out the details. That is the kind of balance that this Legislature is known for and can be proud <br />Of. <br />An earlier generation of Hawaii leaders recognized that all residents of the State deserved <br />equal educational opportunities, regardless where they lived. Now this generation of leaders is better <br />assuring that all have equal access to their government. Thank you for taking this next step. <br />I hope you will approve HB 1153. <br />Iarry <br />erel Ki <br />Mayor <br />County of Hawari is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer <br />