Hawaii Family Forum Legislative Week in Review

Hawai'i Free Press

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Hawaii Family Forum Legislative Week in Review
By Hawaii Family Forum @ 2:51 PM :: 6648 Views :: Education K-12, Family, First Amendment

From Hawaii Family Forum and Hawaii Family Advocates, April 8, 2016

Our nation, including Hawai’i, is changing and it is not for the better.

With the legalization of same-sex marriage here and across the country, we have seen:

Increased persecution of Christians, including significant civil fines for bakers, florists, photographers, wedding facilities owners;
Forced indoctrination of keiki as young as 5 years old about same-sex relationships and gender identity issues, leading keiki to confusion and a lack of moral foundation;
Transgender children using bathrooms and shower facilities based on gender identity (and not birth);
And the list goes on.

In Hawai’i we, together with our allies, we stood against a ban on reparative therapy (forbidding children who have unwanted same sex attraction from getting treatment).

Do you want to know what we are doing about it and how you can help? Click here.

Planned Parenthood Receives Overwhelming Support by Hawaii's Senators

The Senate Judiciary, and then the full Senate, voted to pass the concurrent resolution SCR85 SD1 in "support of planned parenthood, recognizing its vital role in providing health care, and denouncing violence towards abortion providers and their patients." On April 4, 2016 the vote in the Senate Judiciary was as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keith-Agaran, Shimabukuro, L. Thielen; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Kim ; 0 No(es): none; and 3 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard, K.Kahele, Slom. On April 7, 2016, the report and Resolution were Adopted as amended (SD 1). Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Gabbard, Kim, Riviere. Noes, 0 (none). The resolution was transmitted to House.

For more information on why Planned Parenthood should be investigated and not celebrated, read Alliance Defending Freedom’s Annual Report on Publicly Available Audits of Planned Parenthood Affiliates and State Family Planning Programs. This report outlines Alliance Defending Freedom’s research in identifying waste, abuse, and potential fraud by Planned Parenthood affiliates and other abortion providers, particularly with respect to federal and state Title XIX‐Medicaid reimbursements.

Budget Bill Amended to Help Wahiawa General Hospital

The Hawaii Family Advocates and Hawaii Family Forum submitted testimony on April 5, 2016 relating to the State Budget (HB1700 HD1 SD1) with a laser focus on the issue of the potential closure of Wahiawa General. We were concerned about the impact on families and our aging kupuna if the hospital should close. The potential of 600 people losing their jobs and patients who utilize Medicare and Medicaid (a.k.a elderly and low income) losing essential medical services got our attention. We are pleased that the committee added a line item entry which would "[c]reate a solution to help keep Wahiawa General Hospital open." The committee report states that "[b]y providing $5,000,000 to purchase two parking lot parcels owned by Wahiawa Hospital Association with the option of leasing the parcels back to the Hospital at a nominal rate, your Committee is providing financial assistance to the Hospital while the Wahiawa Hospital Association works on creating a sustainable financial plan for the future."

Among many other inclusions in that state budge, the committee reported that "[a]ffordable housing continues to be an issue in Hawaii. Along with a shortage of affordable housing, there has been an increase in the number of homeless individuals and families. These issues are prevalent statewide, on all of our islands. Many families have fallen into homelessness, and programs such as rapid re-housing provide the short-term subsidies they need. As homelessness is a complex issue, the response required must be equally multifaceted. This budget provides an array of funding and services to meet a range of needs regarding homelessness and affordable housing. Your Committee believes this budget tackles these issues methodically and compassionately, while providing resources and support across the spectrum."

Citizenlink Changes Name

Family Policy Alliance is a Public Policy Partner of Focus on the Family

Hawaii Family Forum is Proud to be an Allied Member!

From Citizenlink: For the last 12 years, CitizenLink and our network of state-based family policy councils have been working to restore our nation to one where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive and life is cherished. But to achieve that vision, we realize we need our brand to reflect what we truly are — an alliance working in unity to unleash biblical citizenship and protect the family and Christian values in the public square.

So, we’re changing our name to reflect that -- Family Policy Alliance. It’s a new name, but we still have the same heart. We’re still a public policy partner of Focus on the Family. And we’re still located here in the Focus headquarters building in Colorado Springs. We’re an alliance of families: Millions of pro-family Americans just like you, who are connected through our state-based family policy allies (like Hawaii Family Forum). We want to help you unleash your citizenship.

We’ll continue to offer you expert analysis and insightful commentary, we’ll alert you to pro-family issues around the country and in your state, and we’ll provide you with opportunities to share your opinion with your elected officials.

We encourage you to take a look around our new website. And make sure you change your bookmarks to reflect the new address: www.familypolicyalliance.com

Thank you for your continued support of Family Policy Alliance! | Visit our new site

UPCOMING EVENTS

PEACE, Hawaii: Guiding Through Sex Ed Confusion

Free Webinar for Parents | Click for more information and to register

April 12, April 19, April 26, May 3