Hanabusa for Hawaii's Page

There are two important things to remember about Senate Bill 79, which would prohibit owning or selling specific breeds of dog.

First, Senator Hanabusa introduced the bill “by request.” That means that a member of the public asked her to introduce the bill for consideration by the Senate. Because Hawaii state law does not allow for any kind of initiative or referendum, many lawmakers—including Senator Hanabusa—feel it is important to introduce bills when requested by constituents; it gives the… Continue

Now on the Hot Seat: Senate President Colleen Hanabusa takes your questions
January 22nd, 2009 by Jeanne Mariani-Belding

The economy is at the top of the list this legislative session, as lawmakers look for ways to cope with the economic downturn, staggering unemployment, foreclosures and more. Add to the mix the need to fix our ailing healthcare system and tackling some painful cuts on the education front, and the landscape looks bleak at best. And the senator, too, has floated a plan, as toda… Continue

Yesterday we witnessed a shining moment in American history, and a historic day for Hawai'i as well.

Barack Obama, our nation's first African-American president, is also the first President born, raised, and educated here in Hawai'i.

Throughout his long campaign, he challenged us to ask who we are, what we stand for, and what our nation can truly be.

And as he ascended to lead the greatest nation on Earth — as one chapter ended and another chapter began — our nation and the world saw that thi… Continue

1/15/09
Sen. Colleen Hanabusa wrote this commentary for The Honolulu Advertiser.


Recently there has been considerable attention paid to legislators' pay, including a call from the governor for the Legislature to forgo its first pay raise of the current cycle, which took effect Jan. 1.

Whether her comment grew from not knowing recent history or a willful disregard of the true facts, Gov. Lingle did not mention a vital concern: While she received two pay raises since 2007, the le… Continue