Every legislative session state lawmakers have 60 days to do the people's business - a tight schedule with not much wiggle room. That’s why some legislators like freshman Representative Della Au Belatti feel it’s so important to attend every floor session, hearing or informational briefing.

"I think we need to be here every day,” said Belatti, “and not just be present but engage in the process, listening to our constituents, reading the bills, researching and crafting better policy as we move through.”

Sen. Sam Slom echoes Belatti’s sentiments. The veteran lawmaker has missed only one day in his 12 years at the state Capitol. “I never for a moment forget the taxpayers are paying for all of us,” said Slom. “They expect that not only we show up but that we work hard (and) that we take our job seriously.”

According to legislative records, six senators were absent five or more days during the recently completed session which ended May 1. Of those Ron Menor, Donna Mercado Kim and Kalani English missed 10 or more floor sessions.

On the House side Rep. Bob Nakasone was excused for 41 floor sessions, however the Maui lawmaker is battling a medical condition which forced him to miss so many days. Representatives Rida Cabanilla and Mark Takai had the next highest number of absences with ten each.

Rep. Belatti says lawmakers could not conduct official business during some committee hearings because of absenteeism. “A quorum could not be made and in affect a bill might've been killed,” she said.

Although the majority of state lawmakers hold other jobs, Sen. Slom doesn’t believe it’s a good enough reason to be chronically absent.

That’s why Slom and some of his colleagues were especially troubled when eight lawmakers, four in the House and four in the Senate, flew to the Philippines for free in mid April just as the conference committee phase of the legislative session was getting underway. “You understand that from the third Wednesday in January till the first week in May that's what your responsibility is,” said Slom.

Senators English, Kim, Menor and Will Espero as well as representatives Cabanilla, Tom Brower, Joey Manahan and Glenn Wakai took advantage of the free trip offered by Hawaiian Airlines, the carrier’s first to Manila.

Senate President Colleen Hanabusa warned the four Senate lawmakers they would not be appointed or would be removed from conference committee chairmanships if they flew to the Philippines. “So they go at their own peril,” said Hanabusa, “because I will not have conference or the business of the Senate anyway interrupted.”

Hanabusa says any senator who is going to be absent during a floor session must notify her first and most lawmakers follow the proper protocol. Lawmakers do not face any sanctions for being absent no matter how many days they miss.

“Attendance is up each member,” said Hanabusa. “Their boss is their constituents who voted them in because they're the ones who determine whether or not they come back.”

The salary for House and Senate lawmakers is $35,900. The Senate president and the House speaker are paid $43,400.

Andrew may be reached at apereira@khon2.com or ph. 591-4263.

Correction: The original story on May 9 was incorrect in saying that Rep. Mark Takai traveled to the Philippines on the Hawaiian Airlines flight. He did not.