Will Espero for Lt. Governor, State of Hawaii
- Over 26 years of State & County Government Experience
- 98 Bills Passed by the Legislature as of 2018 Legislature
- Previous Senate Majority Floor Leader
- Previous Senate Vice-President
- 19 Years in Hawaii Legislature
A VOCAL LEADER
A COURAGEOUS SENATOR
A CHAMPION OF THE PEOPLE!
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--- As the chairman of the Senate Housing Committee during the 2018 legislative session, Senator Espero helped fund a record $570 million to build affordable rentals statewide. His bill also created safe zones with an appropriation of $30 million for construction, programs and services for the homeless. A total of $50 million was appropriated this year for homelessness solutions. This is the largest appropriation for housing and homelessness the Hawaii legislature has made.
--- In 2017, Senator Espero introduced the first bill to ban the sale of oxybenzone in sunscreen since it harms coral reefs. In 2018, the Hawaii legislature passed historic landmark legislation being the first state in the nation to pass a bill of this magnitude. It will take affect on January 1, 2021. Many states and nations had been watching to see Hawaii's action in passing this important measure.
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AP Photo
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Senator Will Espero was invited to meet with President Barack Obama and White House staff in 2015 to discuss the president's domestic agenda. Senator Espero has been instrumental in passing justice reform measures in Hawaii which President Obama is also advocating for at the federal level. |
The Civil Air Patrol of Hawaii honored Senator Espero for his support and advocacy of this important emergency preparedness & response program.
The United States Humane Society through Inga Gibson honored Senator Espero for his work to protect pets and animals. He was a strong supporter to ban the sale of ivory in Hawaii.
Eye of the Pacific Guide Dog Foundation honored Senator Espero for his distinguished service helping the blind and visually impaired
Representative Ken Ito and Senator Espero were honored by the Japanese Consulate for their work with the Ehime-Hawaii Youth Baseball Tournament and other Japan-related issues.
At the age of 26, Will Espero was the youngest person to head Oahu's Neighborhood Board system under the legendary Mayor Frank Fasi
In 2015, Senator Espero introduced SB555 which provided $37 million in tax food credits for Hawaii low and middle income residents for 2 years. The legislature passed his bill. In 2017, it became permanent.
Senator Espero co-sponsored legislation to develop Hemp as a viable agricultural crop for Hawaii.
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In his 19 years in the legislature, Senator Espero has had 95 of his bills pass. He is making a difference.
Senator Espero was the principal co-founder of Hawaii Fashion Month in 2013 along with Melissa White and Toby Portner.
The Civil Air Patrol thanked Senator Espero for his continued support of their program for teens.
Senator Espero and Senator Baker were recognized by the organization of state and city first responders for their work with 911 emergency response legislation.
Senator Espero has successfully introduced and passed measures to improve transparency in police misconduct reports and to improve civilian oversight of law enforcement-involved shootings.
In 2013, Senator Espero introduced SB680 which created the state Office of Homeland Security under the Department of Defense.
The Henry Giugni Moving Image Archive of Hawaii was established at the UH West Oahu campus due to SB2110 introduced by Senator Espero.
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Senator Espero was the vice-president of the Hawaii Senate here with Senate President Ron Kouchi. He currently is the majority floor leader and senate Housing chairman.
Senator Espero is recognized for his work with military family members and veterans.
Danny Casler and his colleagues in the tattoo industry recognized Senator Espero for his support of the arts and the tattoo industry.
Senator Espero is known for his advocacy of prison reform. Criminals must be held accountable for their actions & be incarcerated in some instances, however, rehabilitation is also important to build broken lives.
An award from the National Federation of Filipino American Associations to our senator
The WWII Honouliuli Internment and POW Camp received state funding to help with preservation efforts by the JCCH thanks to SB1228, introduced by Senator Espero.
The Chinatown Business and Community Association recognized Senator Espero for his work with police reform and greater civilian oversight of police.
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Many successful bills supporting an aerospace industry in Hawaii have been introduced by Senator Espero. His legislation created the Office of Aerospace Development, established the Aerospace Advisory Committee, placed PISCES program in HRS, funded space tourism efforts, supported dark skies and light pollution initiatives, created the unmanned aerial systems test site advisory board, and supported NASA'S first soon-to-be-built laser communication system on Maui. He also had a resolution passed promoting robotics education in our schools.
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OVER A BILLION DOLLARS HAS BEEN INVESTED IN EWA BEACH AND THE WEST OAHU REGION FOR NEW PUBLIC SCHOOLS, A NEW UNIVERSITY, NEW ROADS AND OTHER GOVERNMENT FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE PAST 17 YEARS.
Over the years, Senator Will Espero has advocated for and secured hundreds of millions of dollars for Ewa Beach and West Oahu projects. Some of these projects included funds for a new UH West Oahu campus ($180 million), new Ewa Makai Middle School ($75 million), new Keoneula Elementary School ($37 million), Saber Hall at JCHS ($12 million), Ft. Weaver Road widening & beautification ($60 million), Hu'alakahi Blvd (aka North-South Road - $155 million), Judiciary Building for Family Court ($95 million), new football field for Campbell HS, new air-conditioned classroom building for Ewa Elementary, air-conditioning for Pohakea Elementary School, and H1 west lane widening ($90 million).
He also expects the Leeward Bikeway to go out to bid by 2018. This bikeway will eventually connect Pearl Harbor to Nanakuli.
In an unprecedented move during the last 2016 session, the Legislature approved $100 million for air-conditioning in classrooms. Many Ewa schools are in the top ten list for relief, and work has been completed in some schools.
In the 2017 legislative session, $27 million was appropriated for James Campbell High School for a new air-conditioned class-room building. The governor recently release $32 million for the new building.
Kalaeloa Airport and Kalaeloa Harbor have also benefited from millions in capitol improvement funding.
Senator Espero was a member of the Law Enforcement Memorial Task Force. The Law Enforcement Memorial was completed on the Capitol district for the public in 2016.
Persons in photos do not constitute an endorsement. Photos show Espero's active involvement on issues.
