Representative Bertha C. Kawakami

Vision for our desired Hawaii in 20 years

My Hawaii in twenty years will embrace and strike a balance among our island culture, unique environment, and a thriving, robust, diversified economy.

(1) Our senior citizens will find affordable, well-maintained and equipped retirement communities that promote a healthy lifestyle.

(2) The Hawaii Department of Education will implement an effective, early education program for children three to four years of age; moreover, test scores across the State will have risen to the top 25% or better, in the nation.

(3) Homelessness in our State is a thing of the past, as we have developed effective welfare reform and comprehensive job training programs.

(4) The ice epidemic has been halted and subdued through aggressive educational awareness and allocation of appropriate rehabilitation resources.

My vision of Hawaii is not utopian; however, our State is a place that progressively seeks solutions to our most pressing problems. Our Hawaii, in the Twenty-first century is a State that serves as an example for all others to follow.