House GOP opposes Hamamoto's legislative address

Advertiser Staff

State schools superintendent Pat Hamamoto will be giving a "state of the schools" address to a joint session of the Legislature next week, an unprecedented move that is coming under fire from Republicans in the House of Representatives.

The state Senate on Wednesday approved having Hamamoto speak to the session by a majority voice vote.

"What this does is sets up a precedent for an appointed person to address the body jointly," said House Minority Leader Galen Fox, R-23rd (Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kaka'ako).

Breene Harimoto, chairman of the elected Board of Education, would have been a more appropriate person to invite, he said.

Rep. Cynthia Thielen, R-50th (Kailua, Mokapu), said the precedent would mean that all other department heads seeking an audience with all 76 lawmakers should be afforded the same opportunity.

Republican Sen. Sam Slom voiced objection to Hamamoto's proposal to give the address, although it was not reflected in the Senate record. Sen. Paul Whalen, also a Republican, was not present during the vote.

Hamamoto has opposed many of Republican Gov. Linda Lingle's proposed educational reforms and has tended to favor legislation introduced by Democrats.

House Speaker Calvin Say, D-20th (St. Louis Hts., Palolo, Wilhelmina Rise), said Hamamoto asked to speak to the joint houses and that nothing prevents any other department head from making such a request.

Traditionally, the governor addresses the two houses in the opening days of session.

Correction: Information about the approval of Hamamoto's speaking to the joint session was incorrect in a previous version of this story.