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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, January 5, 2003

AFTER DEADLINE
Staff gears up for legislative session

By Anner Harpham

Every January, along with the beginning of a new year, the Legislature convenes in Hawai'i.

The session often begins with much promise, sometimes with a sense of concern but almost always with a hope that our elected representatives can tackle tough problems and make decisions that will bring improvement and change.

Thousands of bills will be debated and voted on, issues will rise and fall, and most of our lives will be affected, directly or more subtly.

Covering the business of government is one of the most important things we do. Each year, we try to determine our game plan based on what we hear from readers, and from the people and institutions we are writing about, as well as what the politicians are saying. We rely heavily upon the knowledge and experience of our Capitol Bureau.

It's a balancing act, trying to cover issues that are the most important, pique the interest of the community or affect the most people.

Every session brings a new synergy. Some readers find some issues we focus on of little interest. Others can't get enough coverage of certain issues. And most years, there is some issue, controversy or bill that surprises us all and rises to public attention midsession.

This year is particularly intriguing. Hawai'i has elected its first Republican governor in 40 years, but the Legislature remains dominated by Democrats. Districts have been redrawn and there are new faces in the Legislature. There are newcomers to politics and those with years of experience. All state department heads are new.

Those elected and appointed officials face serious challenges. In addition, Gov. Linda Lingle was elected on her promise to bring about change in governance and how the public's business is conducted.

It's a recipe for a busy session.

Editors and Capitol Bureau reporters already have met to discuss issues and map out a plan for covering and tracking bills and issues.

Lynda Arakawa and Gordon Pang will lead our legislative coverage. Arakawa, a University of Hawai'i graduate who has worked at The Advertiser for five years, has developed expertise in covering state agencies and social-services issues. She will focus on the state Senate and state administration.

Pang joined the Advertiser in November after eight years at the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, where he covered City Hall. Before that, Pang worked three years at the Hawaii Tribune Herald in Hilo and four years at West Hawaii Today. Pang has previous Advertiser experience as a summer intern in 1987. He will focus on the state House and also on the administration.

The Legislature coverage will be guided by deputy city editor Ken Kobayashi, who has worked at The Advertiser for more than 25 years. For much of that time, Kobayashi was The Advertiser's highly regarded court reporter.

Kobayashi says stories will focus on key issues and get beyond the process of votes and rhetoric. Analysis will be a key component of our coverage plan.

Two other reporters who make up the Capitol Bureau team do not cover the Legislature regularly but bring years of experience to the job. Johnny Brannon, who joined The Advertiser two years ago, specializes on reporting about public money and how it is spent. He has worked as a reporter in San Francisco and in the Philippines.

Treena Shapiro covers City Hall and joined The Advertiser in September. A 1999 University of Hawai'i graduate, she previously worked as a Star-Bulletin reporter.

For a number of years, our legislative coverage has begun with our survey of all 76 members of the Legislature on key issues facing the session. This year, we have asked their views on about 20 topics. We will publish their answers before the session opens on Jan. 15.

Senior editor Anne Harpham is The Advertiser's reader representative. Reach her at aharpham@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8033.