Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

SHE went from being a nurse to a politician.

Fil-Am Rida Cabanilla (D-HI) knows firsthand how to take care of people. As the Hawaii State Representative District 42 (overseeing Waipahu, Honouliuli and Ewa Beach), Cabanilla is also a registered nurse (critical care) and a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve.

Most recently, Cabanilla made headlines when she proposed a bill to move Hawaii’s homeless to the mainland.

"It’s bad enough that we have our own homeless people, so we encourage those who have ties elsewhere who want to go home," said Rep. Rida Cabanilla to a Hawaii newstation. "We’re going to encourage those, but not force, there’s a big difference there."

The bill may be a bit controversial but Cabanilla is just offering an alternative solution to Hawaii’s homeless problem.

Born in the Philippines, Cabanilla has been part of the Hawaii State Legislators the past five years.

She won the seat with no prior political background in 1994 against incumbent Trevor Koch, a Republican.

"Timing is everything when you enter a race," Cabanilla said to the Philippine news in an article. "I believed I could beat the incumbent. What you need most is passion and sincerity."

And it is her passion that has made her an important part of the legislator’s office.

Since winning the seat, Cabanilla has been part of many of Hawaii’s important legislation.

She co-sponsored the Act 100 bill, which provides up to $2,000 for the burial expenses of Filipino World War II veterans.

She also sponsored a caregiver tax credit initiative but the bill not pass the state legislature. The bill aimed to help families and individuals caring for elderly family members with out-of-pocket expenses in the form of tax credits.

In 2007, the Hawaii Dental Association awarded Cabanilla as the 2006 Legislator of the Year. She had opposed HB 3141, a measure that would have allowed dentists in Hawaii to practice in other states without a formal examination.

"I honestly did not agree with the bill," said Cabanilla to the Philippine news. "And I was honored by the very people whose bill I was trying to kill."

Cabanilla has also been recognized as one of the "100 Most Influential Filipina Women in the United States" by the Filipina Women’s Network.

Currently, Cabanilla is Chair of Hawaii’s Housing committee, and a member of the Consumer Protection & Commerce, Energy & Environmental Protection, Judiciary committee, and Water, Land, & Ocean Resources.

She said her goal is "To provide leadership for Ewa and Waipahu towards resolution of local issues such as traffic, crowded schools, and elderly care. I stand for responsible planned development of the Ewa plains."

( www.asianjournal.com )

( Published on February 18, 2009 in Asian Journal Los Angeles p. B2 )