Senator Schatz secures over $1M in federal earmarks for YWCA O‘ahu

Schatz Secures More Than Half A Billion Dollars In New Earmark Funding For Hawai‘i Non-Profits, Local Projects

At More Than $530 Million, Schatz More Than Doubles Last Year’s Earmark Funding For Hawai‘i

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, secured $530 million in new congressional directed spending, also known as earmarks, in this year’s government funding bill. At $530 million, Schatz’s earmark total this year more than doubles last fiscal year’s amount.

“We are bringing home more than a half a billion dollars in new earmark funding,” said Senator Schatz. “These earmarks will give local non-profits and projects more resources to serve communities across Hawai‘i.”

As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Schatz worked with congressional leaders to ensure Hawai‘i received its fair share of federal earmark funding.

YWCA O‘ahu – $500,000

Funding will support historic preservation of the YWCA’s Laniākea building.

YWCA O‘ahu – $915,000

Funding will support improvements to the Atherton Hall and Kitchen for use as a training kitchen and food business incubator.

Original Press Release Containing All Earmarks

2023 Women's Legislative Caucus Breakfast and Bill Presentation

Photo Courtesy of House Majority Communications

Women's Legislative Caucus backs bills for working mothers and survivors of abuse

News Article Originally Posted by HPR

The Hawaiʻi Women’s Legislative Caucus introduced their bill package Wednesday morning, which includes efforts to combat human trafficking, domestic violence and instill better lactation services across the islands.

Caucuses are limited to support five bills per legislative session. WLC member Rep. Della Au Belatti of Oʻahu said limiting the number of bills that the bicameral and bipartisan caucus can support is a challenge.

"This represents our consensus as a group, as a diverse group," said Au Belatti.

"We don’t have the same ideas on all of the different issues. And so I think it’s really important that when we see these things rise to the level in this package it means there’s consensus in the committee — that we want funding for these things, that we want action for these matters and that we want to see something happen," Au Belatti added.

This year, the WLC will support the following measures:

SB235/HB579 - Relating to human trafficking.
Establishes a statewide prevention program overseen by the Department of the Attorney General to provide services and assistance to commercially sexually exploited children and to victims of human trafficking. Requires reports to the legislature.

SB236/HB580 - Relating to domestic violence victim-counselor privilege.
Expand victim-counselor privilege to confidential advocates at the University of Hawaiʻi. Increases the minimum number of hours of training a domestic violence victims' counselor must complete to be considered a 'victim counselor.'

SB237/HB581 - Requirements for child custody evaluators.
Requires child custody evaluators to complete a training course on the dynamics of domestic violence every three years. Their letter or certificate of completion must be submitted to family court.

SB238/HB582 - Statues of limitations on childhood sex abuse reporting.
Increases the time period a childhood sexual abuse survivor can file a civil suit against their abuser. Victims currently have eight years after their 18th birthday to take action. The proposal would extend that to their 50th birthday. Plaintiff may require legal entities to take training on trauma-informed response.

SB239/HB583 - Child care accreditation program.
Establish an accreditation program within the state Department of Human Services. Child care providers will obtain accreditation from a national early learning accrediting organization. Funds could also be used to train licensed early learning childcare professionals.

HCR7/HR6 - Relating to lactation consultant services.
Expand access to lactation consultants to low-income mothers. Services from a provider with a lactation consultant certification are covered under some insurance programs. But they are currently not covered by the state’s Medicaid program — also known as QUEST.

Photos Courtesy of House Majority Communications

Everything You Need To Know About Midterm Voting

The voting process can be bewildering, particularly if you're a first-time voter in your area. With midterm voting day fast approaching, it's a good idea to make a plan for how, when, and where to vote in order to be able to prepare appropriately. Here, we've put together a voting checklist guide with everything you need to know about how to vote in midterms.

What Are Midterm Elections?

Midterm elections are general elections that are held in the middle of a president's four-year term. Depending on which state you live in, midterm elections may include elections for Representatives, Senators, governors, or other local officials (such as mayors). In the 2022 midterms, all 50 states will participate in elections for Representatives, 34 states will participate in Senate elections, and 36 states will elect governors.

When Are Midterm Elections Held?

This year, midterm elections will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

How Do I Become Eligible to Vote?

In order to vote, you must first register to vote.

Before registering to vote in Hawaii, make sure you meet the following requirements:

• you are a US citizen

• you are a resident of Hawai'i

• you are at least 18 years old

• Voter registration can be completed in several different ways, including:

• printing the voter registration application, completing it, and returning it to the County Elections Division

• using Hawaii's online voter registration system (requires a Hawaii driver's license or state ID card, and your social security number)

• completing the same-day registration process at voter service centers

Where Do I Vote?

In Hawaii, you have the option to vote either in-person or by mail.

All registered voters will receive a ballot at the address associated with their voter registration. To vote by mail, follow the instructions on the ballot you receive in the mail, then put it in the mail or drop it off at a designated ballot deposit place. Keep in mind that ballots must be received by 7pm on Election Day to be counted, so if you intend to mail your ballot in, make sure you adequately account for postage time.

To vote in person, you must go to a designated voter service center. It's wise to bring a copy of your ID and voter registration card, just in case.

You can find a list of ballot drop boxes and voter service centers here.

Which Elections or Candidates Can I Vote For?

To see which races you'll be voting in and view candidates ahead of time, you can use the Office of Elections website.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates!

YWCA O'ahu is on a mission to empower women, promote peace, and eliminate racism. As one of over 300 nationwide communities, YWCA O'ahu is committed to creating opportunities for women and girls. Programs such as Dress for Success and our community-based furlough program are designed to give women the resources, expertise, and support they need to be able to thrive and make a difference. If you or someone you know could benefit from our services, contact us today or consider stopping by our Monthly Benefit Clothing Sale to support our work!

Hawai‘i Governor and Lt. Governor Candidate Forums

On July 7 and 13, 2022, YWCA O‘ahu had the opportunity to hear the perspectives of the candidates for Lieutenant Governor and Governor, respectively, on issues facing the women of Hawai‘i. Candidates responded to a variety of questions on subjects ranging from reproductive rights to substance abuse.

Mahalo to our partners AAUW Honolulu, the Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women, and the Women's Fund of Hawai‘i for making this event possible!

To hear their answers and proposed solutions click on the videos below.

Virtual Panel-Reversal of Roe v. Wade: How it Impacts Hawai‘i

On Monday, August 29, 2022, YWCA of Hawai‘i Island, YWCA of Kaua‘i, and YWCA O‘ahu will be hosting a virtual webinar discussing if and how the Supreme Court’s recent rulings will impact abortion access in Hawai‘i. Journalist Yunji de Nies moderated this event and the panel included women from a wide variety of sectors. These panelists include:

• Corianne W, Lau, Parter at Denton’s US LLP

• Dr. Reni Soon, M.D. at the Women’s Option Center

• Khara Jabola-Carolus, Executive Director of the Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women

• Representative Della Belatti, Hawai‘i House Majority Leader

These panelists explored abortion legality and access in Hawai‘i as well as what next steps need to be taken to protect women’s reproductive healthcare in Hawai‘i.

“We felt like it was important for all three YWCA organizations across the state to come together to provide a space to talk about the Supreme Court’s recent decision on abortion rights and how that decision impacts us here in Hawai‘i. We’ve already seen an alarming flurry of legislative activity calling to restrict or simply strip away women’s reproductive healthcare rights on the mainland, leaving many in Hawai‘i concerned that those actions may eventually spill over to our state. This event is an opportunity to open up the community conversation and provide information about how abortion is safe and legal in Hawai‘i as well as what we need to do going forward to ensure it stays that way.”  Jen Wilbur, Director of Advocacy at YWCA O‘ahu  

Resources:

On August 31, 2022, the Hawai‘i Abortion Collective published the first official guide to abortion rights and resources for all islands.
Click HERE to read the guide