Maui County Democrats County Convention May 7, 2016 Maui Waena Intermediate School Kahului (intentionally left blank) Convention Agenda Maui Waena Intermediate School, Kahului May 7, 2016 I. Call to Order II. Pledge of Allegiance, Former County Party Chair Jonathan Starr III. Appointment of Temporary Convention Chair IV. Approval of Minutes from 2015 County Convention V. Approval of Treasurers Report VI. Credentials Committee Report VII. Address by Governor David Ige VIII. Address by United State Senator Brian Schatz IX. Election Permanent Convention Chair X. Appointment of Convention Secretary, Parliamentarian, Sargent of Arms XI. Maui County Party Chairman’s Report XII. Remarks by State Party Chair XIII. Committee Reports a. Resolutions i. 2016-1: Support to Ban Conversion Therapy ii. 2016-2: Declaring June 26 as Equality Day iii. 2016-3: Protecting Public Employees, Inclusive Non-Discrimination Policies iv. 2016-4: Promote Family Savings b. Rule Amendments i. 2016-1A: State bylaws amendment relating to the Presidential Preference Polls c. Affirmative Action Plan d. Platform i. 2016-AA: Relating to Agriculture Home Rule – Maui ii. 2016-BB: Relating to Agirculture Home Rule - State XIV. Election of State Central Committee, At Large, Female and Male XV. Legislative Updates XVI. Special messages from U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard XVII. Remarks by State Party Chair candidates XVIII. Announce Newly Elected State Central Committee XIX. Open Mic to Democrats: Candidates and Democratic Party Elected Officials XX. Adjournment (intentionally left blank) MINUTES 2015 MAUI COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY CONVENTION STRONG AND UNITED 2015 I. Convention was called to order by Maui County Democratic Chair Troy Hashimoto at 2:05 pm. II. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Jim Crowe Tasha Kama did the invocation. III. Troy Hashimoto welcomed everyone and did the Introduction of special guests. Troy introduced himself, Speaker of the House Joe Souki, Senator RozBaker, Senator Gil Keith-Agaran, House of Representative Lynn DeCoite, Councilmember Gladys Baisa and Councilmember Michael Victorino represented by Joycelyn Victorino, Councilmember, Budget Committee Chair Riki Hokama and State Democratic Chairwoman Stephanie Ohigashi Stephanie applauded our Legislators and said she was proud of their work in securing financial assistance for the hospital. Special Messages: Steph read Governor David Ige's message Helen Neilsen was called up to speak on behalf of U.S. Senator Brian Schatz Helen read Senator Schatz's message Message covered the Equality Marriage Act, Equity in the workplace, education system from preschool to post secondary schooling. Top of the agenda is to bring down the cost of college education. Schatz said we need to get Democrats in to the Presidential position. Democrats need to fight for what is right for the working men Yuki Sugimura was called up to speak on behalf of U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono. Yuki read Senator Hirono's message. Senator Hirono said the Democrats need to rally around core principles. We are all one Democratic ohana. We can achieve more together rather than on our own. We need to work hard to take back the Senate. Elect more women to the U.S. Senate maybe we may even have a Democratic President. Kari Kapoi was introduced to read U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard's message. Kari read Senator Hirono's message: U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard in her message thanked everyone for their hard work. She said she is working hard herself at trying to increase civic engagement. She is the Co chair of the college Democrats and has been busy working on getting candidates who can run so we can take back the Democratic Party. She looks forward to working with the State Democratic group. Mark Takai, our other U.S. House of Representative sent a message which anyone is welcome to read . Alex Wheeler, our State Democratic party Executive Director was introduced. Troy went over the highlights of the Democratic party. He said the party raised $ 5,000 and helped to elect our first female party chair. We elected a democratic Governor and re-elected Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui. It's been a great 2 years. We may not always agree on all issues but we agree to support. IV. Troy introduced the Democratic leadership committee members including the appointment of Temporary Convention Chairman, Anthony Edington. Troy called Tony up to the mike. Tony asked that the 2014 meeting minutes be bypassed and to go on to the reports. He also asked that we move on to the Affirmative Action survey. It was explained that the survey is in everyone's packet which you received at registration. Committee Reports Treasurers Report given by Linda Puppolo Linda reported 82 Democrats were registered. Over 100 Democrats were in attendance at today's convention. Treasury has approximately $ 13,346.00. It was motioned to accept treasurer’s report by Stephen Castro, Sr, seconded by Jerrybeth DeMello VI. Presentation of Credentials, Credentials Committee, Gene Awakuni. Gene announced we had quorum. It was motioned by Dane Kane and seconded by Mary Wagner. VII. It was motioned to elect a permanent chair to the convention. Roz Baker was nominated. Motion was seconded by Donna Domingo. It was moved to close nomination by Jason Medeiros. It was seconded by Donna Domingo. Roz Baker was escorted to the stage by Sergeant of Arms Jason Medeiros and Sherman Baisa, Jr. 2 Roz welcomed everyone and thanked Jason and Sherman. VIII. Roz introduced this year’s Parliamentarian Kallie Keith. IX. Tasha Kama made a motion to nominate Joycelyn Victorino to be the recording secretary at the convention. Motion was seconded by Donna Domingo. X. Roz introduced Representative Lynn DeCoite. She expressed how honored she is to serve. She sent her aloha and honor to Mele Carroll. Lynn thanked Mele for instilling in her the value and understanding, that one person can make the difference. She acknowledged Mele's birthday. Lynn said Mele had such an influence on her life. Lynn acknowledged that she is from Molokai and that she was taught by her Father the value of respect. Respect others and to have a passion. Respect allows us to work together. Respect each other when we do not agree. My family values have guided me. I have learned the most in 3 months what I have learned in the last 10 years. I learned protocol. When to speak, not speak, listen, etc. I had to learn to dress properly. I learned that there are time lines that we operate under. We must comply with time lines to be effective. I learned don't be afraid to ask a question. Being able to sit on the Agriculture Committee is a great experience as Ag is my passion. Being a farmer is my passion. Providing food for the people is my satisfaction. I am also honored to work on the Finance Committee. Funding for invasive species. Providing money for education. Supporting bills that will support agriculture. Making sure our CIP projects are funded. The finance committee is making sure we can support the Maui Memorial Hospital. Medical services are very important. I am not anti-union or anti workers. I voted for the Healthcare Act. Health related issues are very important. I am committed to do my best for the district and for the State. I remind myself to be true to my commitment, to Agriculture. Roz said, although we lost a wonderful woman representative, we gained another wonderful woman who stepped right in and filled Mele’s seat. XI. Roz called Lynn back to the stage to speak about Mele Carroll. Lynn expressed how Mele worked so hard for all of us. Lynn described how she received a call from Mele asking her to serve in her position. Lynn was shocked but accepted Mele's request. There was a moment of silence offered to Mele. Roz explained, the committee Mele served was helping people who can barely afford it. XII. Roz called upon Alan Fukuyama to speak on behalf of former Board of Education Mary Cochran. Alan explained Mary was 1 of 13 children. Mary always expressed herself in very colorful words. She was a feisty woman. Education was her passion. She pushed hard for education. She had a crusted exterior but had such a soft heart. Alan introduced Mary's husband. A moment of silence offered for Mele and Mary. XIII. Roz introduced the Honorable Gil Keith-Agaran, Hawaii State Senate Chair, Committee on Judiciary and Labor. Gil came to the podium and changed his topic from what he had planned to speak about. Gil said that the Iao School students had visited them at the Legislature. He spoke about House Bill regarding the marijuana dispensary bill. He also spoke about HB 134 – The Rail tax extension. Gil credited Speaker Joe Souki for advancing the bills. Gil said we have a very good friend in the Decmocratic party Democrats believe in these values Liberty, Social Justice and ongoing dialogue. Gill thanked Speaker Joe Souki again for all that he does to advance bills that help our Kupunas. He introduced a Bill dealing with domestic violence. He introduced a Bill which creates more transparency. He pushed for funding of a new building in Lahaina and Waihee Schools. He also allocated money to the Portuguese/Puerto Rican Heritage Hall. Passed SB504 and HB830 Passed the ukulele is the State instrument Passed the pa'u HB 444 – allows Hotel tax money to be used for beach restoration Called upon Speaker Joe Soukli to give the run down on what the Legislature did this session. Mr. Souki congratulated Gil for his wonderful presentation. He acknowledged Roz Baker for being in the Senate for ages and for doing such a wonderful job.