Page 6 - MidWeek West - March 15, 2023

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MARCH 15, 2023
We are halfway through the 2023 legislative session and I have seam- lessly transitioned into my new role as state Repre- sentative for District 43 in Kapolei and Makakilo. It is the privilege of a life- time to represent my fellow community members in the Hawai‘i State House of Representatives, many of whom have been neighbors and extended ‘ohana over the years.
years and have watched our community grow from the ground up over the past three decades. Our commu- nity is vibrant and diverse with working families, kūpuna and keiki.
“We need small businesses in our communities to cultivate optimism, spark growth and stimulate our local economy.”
es pop up throughout West O‘ahu — whether brick-and- mortar storefronts or online businesses — is inspiring, as it takes grit and passion for these small-business owners to start their ideas and bring them to fruition.
es in Kapolei and across O‘ahu experienced “smash- and-grabs” over the past year, which led to damaged property and interruptions in business operations.
legislative process.
The bill will amend crim-
My family and I have lived in the Villages of Kapolei for more than 30
Seeing small business-
Over the past few months, I have visited many of these
I am committed to helping our small businesses thrive. Hence, it was disheartening when several local business-
Contact state Rep. Kanani Souza (D-43 — Kapolei and Makakilo) at 808-586- 8465 and repsouza@capitol. hawaii.gov.
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STATE REP. KANANI SOUZA
The Importance Of Protecting Small Businesses
When I first moved to Kapolei as a 5-year-old in the early '90s, the only shopping option that ex- isted was the Handy Pan- try store in Makakilo. The growth of West Oʻahu has since been tremendous, and Kapolei has become a self-sustaining hub for our community members.
In an effort to combat this issue, I introduced House Bill 1231 – Relating to Crim- inal Property Damage. This bill is meant to deter crime and protect businesses.
inal property damage in the third degree, which is a mis- demeanor offense, to include intentionally or knowingly damaging the property of another that is used in a busi- ness operation.
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businesses and am excited for their continued success. We need small businesses in our communities to cultivate optimism, spark growth and stimulate our local economy.
I am pleased that HB 1231 has recently passed with amendments out of the House Committee on Judi- ciary and Hawaiian Affairs, and I am hopeful that it will continue to progress in the
Protecting business own- ers and their livelihoods will help our communities con- tinue to flourish.
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