Logo that reads: Friends for Michael Magaoay

46th District Events

Environmental and Agricultural Issue:

Most pressing issue facing my district is protecting our environment, by providing and converting the R2 (non-potable) water from Lake Wilson to R1 (potable) water that flows to the North Shore to help our diversified agricultural industries, due to the many fertile lands left barren to the demise of the sugar industry. This would enable the community as a whole to be better steward of the land by planting all the open fields to prevent land erosion to eventually flow to the ocean to damage our fragile marine life; provide natural fire barriers, and to help our watershed areas. This would directly create more job opportunities and impact the surrounding areas e.g. North Shore Farmers Market. This North Shore Farmers Market to be situated by the Dole Visitor Center & ORI to be a gateway to the many diversified farmers on the North Shore with different crops and live stocks for the whole world to see, touch, buy, & partake: coffee, asparagus, herbs, varieties of flowers, fruit trees, cacao, corn, mango, papaya, etc and cattle, etc.

I will continue to work with all the major landowners to best utilize the land, whether through legislation or community input, regarding our pristine North Shore.

Aloha ke Akua,

Rep. Michael Magaoay

We have a very serious problem of agricultural theft products, that’s causing and costing millions of dollars in losses to producers each year. In the remote and rural location of farming operations often makes theft detection and apprehension difficult. Producers are taking steps to protect their property from theft and county police and prosecutor's office may not be aware of the severity of the on-going agricultural theft problem statewide. There appears to be a lack of communication and understanding between agricultural producers, and the county law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys, which results in situations where thieves are not pursued, investigations are not conducted, and prosecution is not initiated. The agricultural industry needs to coordinate efforts with the county law enforcement agencies and prosecuting attorneys to resolve the agricultural theft problem. In this upcoming session, existing agricultural theft laws need to be examined to for any adjustments necessary in curbing this serious problem. The theft of agricultural commodities increases each year at an alarming rate, leading to huge losses for farmers. With these losses, the sustainability of many agricultural ventures is in jeopardy. In 2001, the Senate agriculture committee conducted statewide hearings on the issue of agricultural theft and as one of its findings, determined that a coordinated effort among all affected parties would be needed in order to deter agriculturally related thefts. The Senate committee also found that in California, an interagency task force was established, consisting of representatives from the state and county law enforcement agencies, and the farming community, to develop and implement nonstatutory solutions such as educational seminars and other means by which to deter the loss of agricultural commodities and equipment. The formation of such a task force would provide an ongoing forum in which strategies to deter agriculture theft may be disseminated throughout the State.

In addition to the existing agricultural theft laws, there are enforcement issues that need to be addressed to enable more aggressive efforts in apprehending and prosecuting agricultural thieves. Adding another dimensions to agriculture theft, and is most dangerous when those caught trespassing are carrying firearms that threaten the lives of farmers and ranchers. Because of this life-threatening situation, farmers and ranchers are forced to arm themselves for protection. Also, those caught trespassing with a firearm often intend to illegally kill commercial livestock or to steal agricultural products. However, if agriculture thieves not caught in the act are only charged with a petty misdemeanor, which is not a deterrent to all. Furthermore, it is difficult for a rancher to go through the legal system if the defendant is only being charges with a minor offense.

In order to provide more enforcement for the respective area, especially the North Shore area, we need to add more policemen. Presently, we have only four policemen from Wahiawa to Sunset Beach and four policemen from Kahuku to Kaneohe. One possible solution is to introduce a bill in the upcoming 2005 Legislative session to give to the counties the traffic fines collected that now goes to the State general fund, hopefully this can become law to financially boost our local police force within our district.

In 2004, the Legislature passed H.B. No. 2004, enacted as Act 40, Session Laws of Hawaii 2004 (became an Act without the Governor's signature) in an attempt to strengthen the ability of the government and communities to fight the ice epidemic in Hawaii. This Act is a major piece of legislation in the prevention of substance abuse, critical to ensure that the ice epidemic does not spread. The Task Force which I was proud and humble to have been part of spent nearly 80 hours collecting information and listening to over 400 persons. In addition, members of the Task Force attended community and town hall meetings sponsored by groups organized to find solutions on the ice problems within their communities. Based on the findings and recommendations made by the Task Force, Act 40 appropriated $14.7 million dollars as follows:

Act 40 appropriated $14.7 million dollars as follows:

To date, approximately $10.5 million of the $14.7 million allocated for Ice abatement and treatment programs has been released by the Governor.

Approximately $3,172,419 has been released to the Judiciary as follows:

According to an article in the September 29, 2004, edition of the Honolulu Advertiser, $7.3 million has been released for drug control and prevention programs as follows:

In the August 28, 2004, edition of the Honolulu Star Bulletin, the Governor's press secretary Russell Pang is quoted as saying, "The items in Act 40 (the bill) are all going through the budget review process to assure that each of the programs will produce measurable results."

In closing, I urge every registered voter to go out and vote this upcoming November 2 -General Election. Should there be any other concerns in our community, please do not hesitate to call my office at 586-6380 or e-mail at repmagaoay@capitol.hawaii.gov or visit my website at www.michaelfornorthshore.com. Aloha ke Akua.