Update...
Senator Ihara Responds To Knife RightsSenator Ihara emailed the following response to our concerns about SB 126:
From: "Sen. Les Ihara, Jr." < [email]senihara@Capitol.hawaii.govThis[/email] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it >
To: Doug Ritter < [email]dritter@KnifeRights.orgThis[/email] e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it >
Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2009 01:23:12 -1000
Subject: RE: SB 126
Doug: I am opposed to SB 126 and would vote against it if I ever voted on it. Because the Hawaii constitution allows only legislators to introduce bills, my policy has been to introduce bills on behalf of my constituents whenever requested. But if I cannot support a constituent bill, I sign it "by request" which signals to other senators that I am not requesting a public hearing for it. I believe this is a common view of many in the legislature, except for the senate president who introduce all Executive and Judiciary Branch bills "by request" though she may support some of them.
In my 22 years in the Hawaii Legislature, I have signed many constituent bills "by request", but I may now reconsider this policy and possibly refuse to introduce a constituent's bill in extreme situations (such as SB 126). Thank you for your inquiry and for helping to inspire the several hundred emails I received opposing SB 126. I am encouraged for our democracy by seeing so many people interested in public policy issues.
Aloha,
LES IHARA, JR.
Hawaii State Senator, 9th District
Senate Majority Policy Leader
KHON2 - Bill Proposed to Ban Pocket Knives By Ron Mizutani
Story Created: Feb 10, 2009 at 5:47 PM HST
Story Updated: Feb 10, 2009 at 6:04 PM HST
A bill aimed at prohibiting manufacturing, selling or possessing a pocket knife is drawing criticism across the country.
The public's reaction has also forced a Hawaii lawmaker to re-evalute a policy he's maintained for 22 years.
Ken Onion of Kaneohe is a master of his trade.
"I've personally designed thousands of knives," says Onion.
Onion is one of the most sought after custom knife makers in the world. His custom work commands big money.
"500 bucks and go up to 25-thousand," says Onion. "The knife is the most valid invention in mankind history -- without we would have instinct a long time ago."
It's one reason he and many are puzzled by a bill introduced by Senator Les Ihara that would make it illegal to possess, sell or manufacture a pocket knife.
"I think it's the first proposed legislation of its kind in the United States -- it shocked me," says Onion. "My wife carries a little Swiss army knife in her purse -- she can be convicted of a misdemeanor and put in jail for up to a year I mean it's insane."
Ihara has been bombed by emails.
"I think they think I support it and I've made clear in the magazines and publications that have written to me that I oppose the bill and if it ever came up to a vote which I don't believe it would I would vote against it," says Sen. Les Ihara, (D) Palolo-Kaimuki.
So why introduce it?
"In 22 years I've introduced many many bills by request," says Ihara. "By request in the capitol essentially signals that we don't agree with the content."
"Are they obligated to do that? So why would take the time to propose something like this knowing that it's not a very good idea," says Onion.
Ihara says it's been his policy to provide a voice for his constituents and did so again.
"I may for the first time in my 22 years reconsider this policy," says Ihara.
"I think he should," says Onion.
The chair of the Judicial Government and Operations Committee , Sen. Brian Taniguchi, understands Ihara but...
"No I'm not planning to hear that bill," says Taniguchi. "I think it's impractical."
The irony of it all Senator Ihara owns a pocket knife.
"It's one of the Swiss knives," says Ihara.
"I think it's a total waste of time -- we got much more important things to deal with -- I mean economy is one of them," says Onion. "How many people have been injured in car accidents in the last five years in Hawaii -- what are we going to do outlaw cars -- I don't think so."
