Author: ariverworthriding

  • Celebrate Earth Day with the Environmental Caucus…

    Our Caucus would love you to spend Earth Day with us by taking part in
    An Educational Field Trip

    A Day in the Life of Hawaii’s Agricultural Inspectors

    * View the Hawaiian invasive species problem first hand.
    * Learn exactly how our critical tax dollars are spent to keep Hawai’i free from the invasive pests threatening our local environment and economy.
    * See how our current inspection system operates, and uncover ways that it can be refunded and improved.

    Saturday, April 23, 2011
    9:00 am to 2:00 pm

    Field Trip Start Location:
    HDOA Plant Quarantine
    Conference Room
    1849 Auiki Street, Honolulu, HI 96819
    Click here for map and directions

    Field Trip Itinerary:

    * Meet and greet over coffee and donuts
    * Introductory talk by Glenn Sakamoto: Training and Education Specialist from the Department of Agriculture
    * Live Animal Showing
    * Plant Quarantine Facility Tour
    * Special Guest Discussion Panel
    * Finally, join our Caucus for a plastics and Styrofoam free potluck picnic on Magic Island followed by a whirlwind trash clean up.

    This field trip is free to everyone but space is limited,
    so please send your RSVP to greencaucus@gmail.com

  • News release from DLNR – NOMINATIONS FOR COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACCEPTED UNTIL APRIL 6, 2011

    Aloha members,

    I thought you might find the following News Release informative…

    From: DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

    WILLIAM J. AILA, JR.
    CHAIRPERSON

    For immediate release: March 24, 2011

    NOMINATIONS FOR COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACCEPTED UNTIL APRIL 6, 2011

    HONOLULU — The Commission on Water Resource Management is extending its nomination period until Wednesday, April 6, 2011. The original application period (October 17 – November 22, 2010) ended before Governor Neil Abercrombie took office.

    After being sworn in, Governor Abercrombie actively encouraged members of the public to come forward and serve on public boards and commissions. Subsequently, the Governor’s office received a number of recommendations for the Commission.

    To provide the broadest range of potential candidates in the Abercrombie Administration, the Commission is extending the time to receive nominations.

    The Governor’s selection will be subject to confirmation by the Hawaii State Senate. Commissioners will serve a four-year term from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2015.

    Nomination application forms are available on the Commission website:
    http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/cwrm/aboutus_commission.htm#apply For more information call (808) 587-0216.

    Please submit completed application forms by April 6 to:
    Commission on Water Resource Management,
    1151 Punchbowl St., Rm. 227
    Honolulu, Hawaii. 96813
    Ph (808) 587-0214
    Fax (808) 587-0219
    email: dlnr.cwrm@hawaii.gov
    Attn: Susan Danbara

  • Video: Public Private Partnerships for Forest Stewardship in Hawaii

    Check it out….

    [vimeo 19318728 w=400 h=265]

    State and Private Forestry from Bill Sager on Vimeo.

  • Undersea Power Cable – Lanai/Molokai to Oahu

    The following information has been distributed by Friends of Lanai:

    Hawaiian Electric’s (HECO) premature and cost-shifting legislation (HB1176 and SB367) has now “crossed-over” to the other legislative body (HB1176 is now being reviewed in the Senate, and SB367 is now in the House.)  As you remember, this legislation shifts ALL COSTS for the undersea cable to the ratepayers of Hawaii — you and me.  The testimony submitted for these bills was overwhelmingly in opposition — almost 50 comments were received, and only HECO submitted testimony in favor of the bill.

    In part due to the testimonies received from Lana’i residents, thirteen (13) Senators and four (4) Representatives voted “with reservations.”  That means that it is possible to stop — or at least defer — this bill.

    The first of two hearings comes this Thursday, at 11:00 AM.  Your testimony must be received by 11:00 AM on Wednesday.   We know that doesn’t give you much time, but at the least, send something like this:

    “I oppose SB 367 S.D. 3. It is premature and not in the best interests of Hawai`i’s ratepayers or the people of Lana`i or Moloka`i.  Please defer this Bill.”

    Below is how you submit whatever you want to say.  We know most of you submitted something the first time this came up last month; now we need to speak up again.

    To submit testimony do the following:

    1) go to this site:
    http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/emailtestimony

    2) Type in “SB 367” in the space at #1, the click on “get hearing”

    3) The date, time, etc. will appear in green

    4) Then under #3, enter your personal information

    5) Then scroll down to the “additional comments” box, add your testimony into the box

    6) Then click the little “I agree to terms” box at the bottom, and hit “SUBMIT”

    Mahalo.

    —
    Friends of Lanai
    P.O. Box 631739
    Lanai City, HI 96763
    friendsoflanai@gmail.com
    www.friendsoflanai.org

  • Leg update 3/9/11- Natural Resources subcommittee

    The Natural Resources Subcommitte identified three priorities.  A few bills relating to these priorities are still alive.

    HB1385 Big Island Stateland Coastal Setback is dead.  Debbie Hecht is working to build more Big Island support.  It will be back next session.
    SB120 terminating all special funds has been amended.  SD1 is much more selective and left most special funds alone.

    Invasive Species
    SB169 provides for dogs to check containers for explosives. Crossed over to Senate.
    SB170 provides container inspection for alien spp.  Dead

    HB865 Inspection fee for container inspection Crossed over tho the senate

    Plastic Bags
    SB1059 crossed over to House.  It will ban the use of plastic bags by large stores.

    We need someone to track and coordinate testimony on HB 865 this bill establishes an inspection fee which will find container inspections which Identify invasive alien species.

    SB 1059 will ban the  distribution of plastic bags by larger stores. We need someone to track this bill and coordinate testimony.

    There was strong support for a plastic bag ban and for container inspection at the caucus meeting where we voted on our priorities. If container inspection or banning plastic shopping bags is an important issue step forward and track these issues and make sure these few remaining bills move forward to final approval

  • ACTION ALERT: SB1155, relating to Caucus Priority on State Ag leases

    Aloha members,

    Our Food and farm Sustainability Subcommittee Chair Juanita Kawamoto has been working tirelessly to ensure that our priority bills pass into law, and we have reached a point in the process when she could really use your testimony and help.

    SB1155, relating to AG Leases, has crossed over; moreover, it may be scheduled for a hearing as soon as next Monday. We can’t afford to wait for testimony to be presented through the Capitol’s website because such testimony might miss the deadline.

    We are asking you to e-mail us directly with your testimony this weekend, so we can present it at the hearing bright and early on Monday.

    PLEASE take a moment to read over my own testimony, which I have pasted below. Feel free to copy, paste, edit, and write your own testimony using my talking points.

    We really could use your written support on this one. Send your testimony to either lynn@navigatinglife.org, or to farmfreshhawaii@yahoo.com, so we can be sure your voice gets heard on Monday.

    Below you will find s a copy of my own testimony for your reference, and please take a moment to forward this important legislation information to your friends.

    Mahalo to you all,

    Lynn

    *************************

    March 9, 2011

    Testimony in Support of Senate Bill 1155

    My name is Lynn Marie Sager, and I am currently the President of my local democratic precinct, as well as the Vice Chair of the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i.

    I wish to testify in support of Senate Bill 1155 – Relating to Long Term Agricultural Leases with the State of Hawaii and the Food Farms they currently affect.

    Currently, many local farmers are expected to run their businesses under short-term Ag leases, and I ask you to consider the difficulty of running a food farm on a monthly lease.

    As a local farmer, you would have no incentive to invest in long-term products, and you would have no means of developing collateral for long-term investments. Our current State lease practices make it nearly impossible for our local small food farmers to compete with large agri-businesses, or to secure outside investments in their farms. Unless this process is changes, Hawai’i will continue to be dependent on importing our food essentials from other locations, thereby increasing our State’s vulnerability, our State’s carbon footprint, and the money we currently send out of State daily to simply feed ourselves.

    We live on some of the most fertile lands on the planet, and yet our laws have made it nearly impossible for our local farmers to feed us.

    Senate Bill 1155 will create a task force focused on the process at which State Ag leases are currently handled, and come up with a solution to address amendments or structure policies that represent the need for better conditions for state agricultural leases focused on food farms in the State of Hawaii.

    Hawai’i’s local food farms are an integral component for providing our islands with sustainable food products.

    Many community plans and organizations currently advocate for local food sustainability:

    • Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i
    • Hawaii Farmer’s Union
    • Hawaii Farm Bureau
    • Hawaii Cooperative of Organic Farmers
    • Hawaii Fruit Growers Association
    • Waimanalo Neighborhood Board
    • Kahaluu Neighborhood Board
    • Hawaii North Kona Coffee growers Association
    • Kamilonui Farmer Alliance – Hawaii Kai
    • And many more….

    Food sustainability:

    • Provides our local residents with inexpensive, fresher food
    • Improves our resident’s health
    • Supports and increases local jobs
    • Reduces our States Carbon footprint
    • Keeps our much needed food and tax money within the State

    Please support SB1155. This bill will support an extensive discussion with food farms through out the State of Hawaii via various agricultural organizations, with the goal of improving the State Ag lease agreements to promote long-term leases for responsible local farmers.

    Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony.

  • Location for our Upcoming Special Membership Meeting

    Aloha Members of the Environmental Caucus of Hawai’i,

    We look forward to seeing you all at our upcoming Special General Membership Meeting.

    We will be electing our State Central Committee Representatives, so this is a particularly important meeting. Do try your best to attend.

    Date: March 23, 2011
    Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
    Location: Gov. Abercrombie’s Old Campaign Office in Ward Warehouse
    1050 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste. 2150, Honolulu, HI 96814

    Neighbor Island members should contact me directly at lynn@navigatinglife.org, so I can send you the teleconferencing information personally.
    Sincerely,

    Lynn Marie Sager
    Vice Chair
    Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i

  • Impotant Notice Regarding SCC Nominations

    Aloha Members of the Environmental Caucus of Hawai’i,

    As many of you know, we have a vote on March 23, 2011, during which we must select our Caucus Representatives for the Democratic State Central Committee.

    If you are interested in running for Our SCC Representative, please read the following notice fully and don’t skim.

    Nominee Requirements:
    A person seeking election as a representative of the Environmental Caucus to the State Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawai`i shall file, with the Secretary of the Environmental Caucus nomination papers, which shall include:1. Ten dollar ($10) filing fee payable to the “Democratic Party of Hawai`i”;

    2. Signatures from five members of the Environmental Caucus;

    3. Written statement showing:

    • A. A demonstrated involvement and active participation with the Environmental Caucus meetings and/or Environmental Caucus activities; and
    • B. Commitment to attend the State Central Committee and Environmental Caucus meetings.

    As time is pressing we recommend that anyone interest in running for SCC Representative also plan on attending our upcomming Steering Committee meeting during which time we will assist them in understanding the nomination process and completeing any nomination paperwork.

    • Steering Committee Meeting
    • Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2011
    • Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
    • Location: Environmental Caucus Main Office
      State Headquarters of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i
      1050 Ala Moana Blvd, D26
      Honolulu, HI 96814
      (808) 596-2980
    • Neighbor Island members may join the meeting by calling into the Democratic Office Teleconference call in number: 1-877-366-0711 (Passcode 44796198#)

    Caucus Secretary Mike DeWeert has been great in creating our paper work. Please contact Lynn directly at lynn@navigatinglife.org if you would like her to send you a PDF copy of the nomination forms.
    Sincerely,

    Lynn Marie Sager
    Vice Chair
    Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i

  • Support Gary Hooser for Director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control

    Aloha members,

    What follows is a personal request from your Vice Chair. Gary does not know that I am posting it, but I hope that you will agree that is is worth posting.

    How fortunate we are to have another great appointment by Governor Abercrombie, this time for Gary Hooser as Director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control. GM 524 (for a term to expire 6/30/11) and GM 526 (for a term to expire 6/30/15) will be heard by the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment this Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 2:45 pm in Conference Room 225. Please submit written testimony in support of Gary Hooser as Director of the OEQC, and testify in person if can.

    Hearing Notice

    http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2011/hearingnotices/HEARING_ENE_03-03-11_.HTM

    Submitting Testimony

    Persons wishing to testify should submit testimony in one of the following ways by 4:00 p.m. the day prior to the hearing:

    · By Email: Testimony may be emailed if less than 5 pages in length, to the Committee at ENETestimony@Capitol.hawaii.gov . Please indicate the measure, date and time of the hearing. Email sent to individual offices or any other Senate office will not be accepted.
    · By Web: Testimony may be submitted online if less than 4MB in size, at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/emailtestimony.
    · In person: 1 copy of their testimony to the committee clerk, Room 201, State Capitol.
    · By fax: Testimony may be faxed if less than 5 pages in length, to the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 586-6659 or 1-800-586-6659 (toll free for neighbor islands), at least 24 hours prior to the hearing. When faxing, please indicate to which committee the testimony is being submitted and the date and time of the hearing.

    Please note: If you submit your written testimony after 4:00 p.m. the day prior to the hearing, please sign-in at the staff table to testify orally. A copy of your testimony may not be available during the hearing but will be posted online for the public after the hearing.

    Why I Support Gary Hooser as Director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control

    * I support the appointment of Gary Hooser as Director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control because he has the experience, skills, and proven dedication to environmental protection and the public to be an effective director of this important office.
    * I have known Senator Hooser for around 10 years. He is honest, fair, respectful, intelligent, and hard-working. His record on environmental protection is clear, strong, and consistent.
    * Senator Hooser served in the State Legislature for 8 years representing Kaua’i and Ni’ihau. He served on the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment the entire time, and as Majority Leader for 4 of those 8 years. He introduced, analyzed, and supported legislation affecting the environment on full-time basis.
    * Senator Hooser worked on Hawai’i Revised Statutes Chapter 343 – the state law governing environmental assessments and impact statements, and he is more than familiar with the responsibilities of the OEQC and the Environmental Council. His experience in the Legislature will serve him well at OEQC.
    * Senator Hooser also passed legislation to establish impressive renewable energy portfolio standards, increase the use of solar water heaters for new single-family dwellings, protect critically endangered species such as the Hawaiian monk seal, and protect our right to save energy and use clotheslines among countless other environmental protection initiatives.
    * Prior to serving in the State Legislature, Senator Hooser served on the Kaua’i County Council for 4 years and as a member of the Council’s committees on energy and environment the entire time.
    * Senator Hooser was also in business for 20 years, and he possesses the skills, knowledge, and perspective that come from that experience as well.
    * Senator Hooser is accessible, and he is a good listener. His is an open-door policy. He is able to bring people with diverse interests together around common purposes, and he gets things done. The OEQC needs a leader, such as Senator Hooser.
    * I am confident that Senator Hooser will approach the responsibility of being Director of the OEQC with 100% commitment to do the absolute best job possible. I look forward to working with him and the OEQC. Please support GM 524 and GM 526 and Senator Hooser.

    Mahalo nui loa.

    Lynn

  • Short Video about Hawai’i’s Food to School Future

    Growing the Future: Farm to School in Hawai’i
    Produced by a UH Manoa graduate student of urban planning, this inspiring film encourages viewers to get involved in Farm to School programs in their communities.  It provides an overview of what Farm to School programs are, why they are important, and explores some of the obstacles faced in broader implementation.

    [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRXuOve-nCs&w=640&h=390]