Hawaii House Speaker Scott Saiki s High-Profile Agenda Is Raising Questions - Honolulu Civil Beat
Hawaii House Speaker Scott Saiki’s High-Profile Agenda Is Raising Questions
Saiki has empowered the House to be a much-needed political player this year. But concerns about his methods and his ultimate goal are growing. Reading time: 13 minutes.
House Speaker Scott Saiki offered a taste of his intentions on the House floor last July as the Legislature dramatically shut down at the height of the pandemic.
“We know that this is the most challenging time that Hawaii has faced since statehood,” said Saiki, standing at the speaker’s rostrum. “It will not be easy to reopen Hawaii incrementally while still assuring public health and safety, but this is when we need to lead.”
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Realities of the digital divide
Credit Ilihia Gionson / Hiehie Communications
Even as more of our everyday lives take place online, roughly 10% of Hawaii residents do not have internet in their homes. High rates of unemployment over the course of the pandemic have forced many families to cut back and prioritize groceries and rent over home internet subscriptions. Families in low-income communities have also reported that low credit scores make them ineligible for free connectivity programs through telecom companies. Brad Bennett of the Kuauli Digital Opportunities Initiative discusses his organization s work in expanding access to computers in Hawaii s rural communities.
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Hawaii House Speaker Launches Probe Of State Auditor - Honolulu Civil Beat
Hawaii House Speaker Launches Probe Of State Auditor
House Speaker Scott Saiki said late and unfinished reports could be cause for lawmakers to remove state Auditor Les Kondo. Reading time: 4 minutes.
Launching what he calls “basically an audit of the Auditor’s Office,” Hawaii House Speaker Scott Saiki has convened a panel to evaluate the State Auditor’s office amid concerns about missed deadlines and “unnecessary litigation.”
The working group will consist of former U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and former state Office of Budget and Finance Director Wes Machida and will be chaired by former Honolulu City Auditor Edwin Young. Saiki has asked them to submit their report on or before April 1.
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