HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-21 Letter to Sylvia Luke re HB 478 a�tti" f k
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�_ �• Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J.Kossow
?T a N} *`�. Deputy Managing Director
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February 21, 2017
Representative Sylvia Luke
Finance Committee
Hawaii State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813.
Dear Chair Luke and members:
RE: HB 478
Thank you for this opportunity to support an agricultural program at the Kulani
Correctional Facility, HB 478.
Although Corrections is the kuleana of the State, I have long believed that the
County should take an active interest in the treatment of, and opportunities afforded to,
individuals who have been incarcerated. For that reason, in my first term as Mayor, I
recruited State and community partners and established the Going Home program,
which continues to operate informally today.
It is in everyone's interest that inmates return to their communities, after serving
their time, as well prepared as possible to be productive members of society. The kind
of training that a robust agricultural program could provide at Kulani would seem to be a
perfect fit.
I encourage passage of HB 478 with adequate funding to give the program a
chance to prove its value.
Res+ectfu ly submitted,
Harry Kim
Mayor
County or Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.