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The first confirmed report of a Zika virus case in Hawaii this year, reported on Thursday, demonstrated the need for a heightened response to mosquito-borne illnesses — and the prescience of the governor’s February emergency proclamation to attack the problem.
The declaration, made in response to the spread of dengue fever on Hawaii island, will help direct more resources and staff to vector control. It will be necessary; illnesses like dengue, Zika and chikungunya are easily spread and can be debilitating.
But government can only do so much. Learn more about the diseases and how to report them at the state Health Department’s website, health.hawaii.gov/docd/dib.
Legislators in office don’t care for term limits
In laid-back Hawaii, it’s unlikely that any anti-incumbent movement would be more than a blip. Plus, Democrats control all things political, so going beyond the status quo can be a slow process, if it ever happens.
Thus, it’s lamentable that discussion on term limits for state lawmakers has been cut short, despite some three dozen people testifying in support of Senate Bill 2753. The bill, deferred by Sen. Gilbert Keith-Agaran, proposed a state constitutional amendment to limit state legislators to 12 consecutive years in office. With incumbents winning much more often than not — coupled with Hawaii’s low voter turnout — it’s unfortunate this bill wasn’t allowed fuller discussion.
