The Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i (FLH) has awarded Representative Scott Nishimoto the Mahalo Award as the FLH 2019 Legislator of the Year. He represents House District 21 – McCully, Mō‘ili‘ili, Kapahulu. The award was presented at the FLH Legislative Breakfast held January 29th at Hawai‘i State Library.
State Librarian, Stacey Aldrich, welcomed invited guests from the Hawai’i State Legislature, Hawai’i State Public Library System, the First Lady, and Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i Affiliates and volunteers. FLH President Lynnae Lee, State Librarian Stacey Aldrich, and Representative Nishimoto were the featured speakers, sharing successful library initiatives for 2019 and looking toward a bright future for library services in 2020.
Representative Nishimoto was first elected to the Hawai‘i State House in 2002. He is currently the chair of the House Judiciary Committee and a member of the Finance, Intrastate Commerce, and Public Safety, Veterans, & Military Affairs committees.
Representative Nishimoto understands the value that public libraries bring to our communities and has been a strong supporter for increases in the 51-branch library system budget as well as supporting the Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i with their FY2020 grant-in-aid request.
The Mahalo Award is presented annually to a State legislator who has demonstrated exemplary support of Hawai‘i’s public libraries.