Disappeared News: Superferry "speed dating" hearings on each island

Friday, October 19, 2007

Superferry "speed dating" hearings on each island

by Larry Geller

It looks like hearings are going to be held over the next couple of days, but testifiers only get two minutes and then they move on to the next person. Chances of really connecting with them in two minutes is really slim, I think, just like speed dating, but one can always hope for a good impression.

The schedule has been circulating via email lists so you may already have it. Just in case you don't, here it is, along with the hearing notice for each place:

Sunday, October 21 2pm in Lihue:
King Kaumualii elementary School Cafeteria
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/splsession2007b/hearingnotices/JDL-TIA-ENE_10-21-07_.htm

Monday, October 22 3pm in Wailuku:
Henry Perrine Baldwin High School Auditorium
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/splsession2007b/hearingnotices/JDL-TIA-ENE_10-22-07_.htm

Tuesday, October 23 3pm in Kailua-Kona:
Kealakehe High School Cafeteria
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/splsession2007b/hearingnotices/JDL-TIA-ENE_10-23-07_.htm

Wednesday, October 24 10:30am on Oahu:
State Capitol Auditorium
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/splsession2007b/hearingnotices/JDL-TIA-ENE_10-24-07_.htm

What will you be testifying on? Here's the link to the draft legislation: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/splsession2007b/bills/HB_Superferry_Proposed.pdf

Now, you may ask if your two minutes of testimony will even count. Who knows. It's possible that legislators have already made up their minds and so everyone will be wasting their time. But who knows.

I'll have some suggested guidelines for presentation tomorrow. In the meantime, prepare some written testimony also. Make sure the written testimony has the committee names from the meeting notice, place, date and time, and your own name and address. The written testimony can be any length. Sock it to 'em.

Will they read written testimony? Who knows. (I keep saying that). But if they don't have it, they can't read it if they wanted to, so consider writing something up.

Fact-based testimony is always better than emotional. If nothing else, you can state your own reasons for something.