Journalism

A walkthrough the capital building of Honolulu reveals an interesting aspect of lawmaking -- the role of journalism. From the reporters who work the government beat, to the former TV news reporter turned lawmaker, journalists play an integral role in the legislative process.

Treena Shapiro, who is the daughter of "The Honolulu Advertiser" columnist David Shapiro, recently began working the capital beat and revealed some of the ways she gains information for stories or potential stories. She says information on bills up for legislation is available online and in the public access room, but that knowing your lawmakers gives one an advantage when searching for leads. And if the lawmakers are unavailable, then those around them can be helpful. "Get to know their staff," Shapiro said. "You've got to be out and about and get to know people."

Shapiro says the big issues in the legislator facing increased attention are tax-relief, public education, University of Hawaii at Manoa reconstruction efforts, and affordable housing. Her role is to inform the public of any progress on these, and any other issues, and how they might be affected.

Glen Wakai has taken a different step in public service. Rather than informing the public on legislative policies, he decided he would rather help implement policy. A former television news reporter with 11-years experience in Guam and Saipan, and another seven-years in Hawaii, Wakai decided he wanted to "take the issue to the people." He says it is always important to tell the story "through the eyes of the people," and because of this, journalists have a good foundation for law. Wakai is in his fourth year in the state legislator, and has learned from first account experience the difficulties of passing laws. He says about 3,000 bills are introduced annually, and only about 200 to 250 of them become law. But Wakai feels the low number of bills passed is positive rather than negative. "It's good that government doesn't move too quickly," he says. Implying that bizarre laws might otherwise be pushed through without proper review.

Despite the joys he feels as a lawmaker, Wakai says the $34,000 per legislative session is not enough to live off of, so he also does freelance public-relations work. His abilities as a politician and public relations expert become apparent when he's asked his opinion of Congressman Ed Case's