Representative Richard Onishi
House District 3 – South Hilo, Waiakea Uka, Panaewa Farmlots, Kea`au, Orchidland Estates, Hawaiian Acres, Fern Acres, Eden Roc, Fern Forest, Kurtistown, Mt. View, Glenwood, Volcano, Pahala, Punalu`u, Honu`apo
House Committees: Labor & Tourism (Chair); Consumer Protection & Commerce; Economic Development
PRIORITIES
- ALICE families. Working on an omnibus bill with Speaker Scott Saiki on how to address Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) families. Multiple issues will be covered in the omnibus bill, such as minimum wage, food and excise tax credit, expanding tax credits for dependent care
- Tourism. He supports a study to look at tourism industry governance. Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) is working on destination management plans for each county, but it does not have the authority to implement such plans. Tourism is about 40% of our GDP, the highest of any sector. He doesn’t see much change in the foreseeable future; Hawaii will always be a destination.
- Workforce development. How do we prepare for what the future will be in Hawaii? How do we develop a comprehensive plan to address worker shortages and worker skill shortages? How do we align public education, the university system and workforce development?
December 14, 2021, 9:30 AM via ZOOM