b'2019 Post WPMAEXPO HAWAII Petroleum Marketers Association State ReportNew Legislators Abound as HIto subdued fanfare in mid-January as lawmakersmany of themHPMAHawaii AlohaHawaii Legislature Gets UnderwayThe 30 thHawaii Legislature openednew to their rolesrolled up their sleeves to address the Peoples work. There are 51 seats in the state House of Representatives and 25 in the state Senate. Ten new House members and four new Senate members graced the floor of the Capitol on opening dayan 18 percent turnover from the November 2018 election.While each new legislator has much to offer in his/her own right, it was freshman Senator Kurt Favella who captured the publics attention. Favella became the lone Republican to serve in the state Senate since Sam Slom was defeated in the 2016 election. The Hawaii state Senate is no longer the only legislative chamber inJim Yates the country with a single party holding all seats. HPMA President Par Hawaii Inc Hawaii Legislation old Winston Churchill saying: Never,HonoluluSea level rise due to climate change, minimum wage increases,never, never give in. Labeled as inef-banning the sale of tobacco products, and increases in fuel taxesfective and indecisive by several of his head the list of issues confronting HPMA and other businessesoutspoken former colleagues in the Hawaii this session. Legislatureincluding his own lieutenant governor who left office before his term Lawmakers are attempting to rewrite statutes governing thewas upIge stood his ground and conducted a well-engineered development, sale and upkeep of properties that are situated inre-election campaign rivaled only by his first-term primary elec-sea-level inundation zones. These actions are being driven bytion win over then-incumbent Governor Neil Abercrombie. recommendations put forth by Hawaiis Climate Change Mitiga- In last years Democratic primary, Ige won a narrow but decisive tion and Adaptation Commission. victory over Colleen Hanabusa, who had stepped down from her Having introduced no less than 23 measures on the minimumCongressional seat to challenge him on the Democratic ticket. wage, legislators are bent on passing a higher minimum wageIge went on to win in the general election by a wide margin over that would also serve as a living wage, a nexus that the businessGOP challenger and state Representative Andria Tupola. State community opposes. Senator Josh Green, an emergency room physician from the Bills banning flavored tobacco products, increasing the mini- island of Hawaii, joined Ige as his running mate and, eventually, mum age for being able to purchase tobacco products, andas lieutenant governor.prohibiting the sale of tobacco products if the retailer is situatedChanging of the Guard at within 750 feet of a school, pre-school or playground are being tested now in legislative hearings.Aloha PetroleumFinally, lawmakers are seeking increases in the state fuel tax, the tax that is assessed on each barrel of petroleum product (barrelAloha Petroleum President and CEO Richard Parry tax), motor vehicle weight fees and registration feesa type ofretiredat the end of 2018 after leading the Hawaii gas station paradox that is intended to offset decreases in tax revenue due toand convenience store operations for over a decade.mandates that transition Hawaii away from fossil-fuel use. Replacing Parry is Tom Grimes, who most recently served as Voters Return Ed Case to Washington DC Aloha Petroleums vice president and chief financial officer. It isnt often that we see a change in Hawaiis CongressionalAccording to a news article, under Parrys leadership, Alohadelegation. Ed Case, cousin to former America Online chair- Petroleum expanded its Aloha Island Mart convenience store man and CEO Steve Case, is back in Washington, DC, this time representing the people of Hawaiis 1 stCongressional District.brand from 30 to 54 locations; purchased Shells HawaiiCase won handily in both the primary and general elections toassets; acquired Menehune Food Marts retail assets on Kauai; replace U.S. Representative Colleen Hanabusa, who vacated theadded 500 new employ-seat to run for Hawaii governor but lost to incumbent David Ige.ees and won the exclu-Case previously served in Congress representing Hawaiis 2 nd sive franchise rights for District from 2002 to 2007. He is often referred to as a Blue DogDunkin Donuts in the Democrat, given his relatively conservative voting record onstate of Hawaii. Capitol Hill during his first tenure. Best wishes to Richard Governor Ige Gains Second Term in Office on his well-deserved By winning his second term in office against overwhelmingretirement, and good luck odds, incumbent Governor David Ige gave credence to the to Tom on his newRichard Parry Tom Grimesresponsibilities.continued on page 28WPMA News / Spring 201925WN19 Spring 17-48.indd 25 3/27/19 10:41 AM'