Public Health and Safety on National Agenda
In Washington, D.C., Lt. Governor Aiona participated in recent discussions to address public health and safety challenges, such as improving mental health services, promoting proper controls on exports of sensitive products and improving prisoner re-entry into the community.
Lt. Governor discusses export controls during a Capitol Hill hearing.
As co-chairman of mental health organization’s National Advisory Council, the Lt. Governor recently helped secure an $8.2 million federal grant that will improve and expand Hawai‘i’s recovery support services such as drug-free housing, job training and parenting classes.
After the SAMHSA meeting in Maryland, the Lt. Governor traveled to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., where he participated in the Aerospace States Association’s hearing on U.S. export control policies to help address proper controls of sensitive products.
The Capitol Hill hearing is designed to enhance the competitiveness of the U.S. aerospace industry, and Lt. Governor Aiona has been an active member of the Aerospace States Association, a scientific and educational organization whose members are predominantly lieutenant governors. In July 2007, Lt. Governor Aiona helped officially open Hawai‘i’s Office of Aerospace Development, which is working closely with NASA to further space exploration through research and projects in Hawai‘i.
Lt. Governor and SAMHSA Lt. Governor (under U.S. flag) and
Administrator Dr. Terry Cline. ASA members participate in a
Capitol Hill hearing.
The Lt. Governor this week is also attending the National Lieutenant Governors Association Conference in Washington, D.C.
Among the highlights is his participation in a panel discussion on the impact of incarceration and offender re-entry on states. The discussion will focus on ways lieutenant governors may help improve collection of child support, victim restitution and fines from offenders while increasing the success rate for re-entry.
