Author: koolaupoko

  • HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL DEATHS

    HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL DEATHS

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    APRIL 26, 2012

    COMMUNITY COALITION PLEAS FOR EDUCATION AND DIALOGUE
    IN THE WAKE OF RECENT HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL DEATHS

    Honolulu, Hawai`i – In response to the series of “suspicious” Hawaiian monk seal deaths in Hawai`i, a group of concerned citizens and organizations have stepped up efforts to educate the public about the plight of the critically endangered marine mammal.  The group, identified as the Aloha Kanaloa Coalition (www.alohakanaloacoalition.org <http://www.alohakanaloacoalition.org> ) recently released a public service announcement video aimed at raising awareness about the critical status of the monk seal.

    “The purpose of the PSA was to remind people that our Hawaiian kupuna K?`ulakai taught us the importance of sharing,” said Walter Ritte, Hawaiian community activist and coalition member.  “We need to share our ocean resources with the seals.  What happens to them happens to us.”

    UH Professor and coalition member Jon Osorio agrees.  “These are truly senseless killings. Kanaka who are pono do not kill for nothing. The pressures of a global market and local economic difficulties are making people behave in inexcusable ways and we must return to a more restrained and responsible lifestyle.”

    While only recently formed, the group sees its recent success in the production of its PSA as a sign of its potential.  “The public service announcement is a demonstration of how powerful and effective community can be when it comes together,” said Koa Kaulukukui, coalition member and PSA coordinator.  “We hope to use the momentum of the PSA video to develop more opportunities to educate people about the value and importance of our Hawaiian monk seals.”

    The Aloha Kanaloa Coalition currently consists of over a dozen individuals and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).  The group anticipates that with the latest act of violence, more individuals and organizations are likely to come forward to join the effort to support Hawaiian monk seal education and recovery.

    Individuals or organizations interested in joining the coalition are encouraged to visit the coalition’s website: www.alohakanaloacoalition.org <http://www.alohakanaloacoalition.org>  or contact the coalition at info@nameahulu.org.  The PSA is also available for viewing on the website.  It can also be downloaded for viewing and distribution at the following link: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1480545329/237b06c29bbfb17cb34251ce07360aa2

    The Aloha Kanaloa Coalition currently includes KAHEA: The Hawaiian – Environmental Alliance, the Conservation Council for Hawai`i, the Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, the Marine Conservation Institute, the National Wildlife Federation, the Humane Society of the United States, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Moloka`i Community Service Council, Hawai`i Interfaith Power and Light, and other organizations and individuals.

    #  #  #

    Media inquiries:
    Koa Kaulukukui (808) 226-0370 or kaulu100@hotmail.com

  • re-commit Resolution 12-57 for Hawaii GMO Labeling

    City Council Hearing: re-commit Resolution 12-57 for Hawaii GMO Labeling. Wed 5/9, 10am, at the Pali Golf Course. This is the HPU/Golf Course cross walk on Kamehameha Hwy just before the Castle Junction traffic light. Tell your councilpersons to support GMO Labeling.

    You can submit email testimony at http://www1.honolulu.gov/council/emailph.htm. There is a glitch in the email forum. In the cc  email addresses are separated by a “;” Change the semi-colon to a comma.
    If you want to submit oral testimony, you need to register separately. Go here http://www4.honolulu.gov/docushare/dsweb/View/Collection-1672 and select the first line “online speaker registration.” Fill out the forum and press submit.  You will be told you successfully registered, but you will get an email pop up.  You will have to send the email to actually register.  Again you will have to change ; to ,s. If your registration was successful, you will get a confirming email.

    If you feel strongly about GMO, please testify.  This is my testimony:

    By this testimony, I ask you to recommit resolution 1257 which would require GMO foods to be labeled.

    I’m a supporter growth GMO research. However, I realize that the effects of GMO manipulations are not well researched. Frankly, we do not know the impacts of introducing a gene from another species to a plant.

    For instance, when we place a gene from wheat into Kalo do we then make Kalo dangerous to people who must remain gluten-free?

    For this reason, I asked you require GMO foods be labeled.

    I recognize that you may believe that this is a state or even national issue. Yet, you are the representatives of the people of the City and County of Honolulu. The citizens of our County have a right to know if a food has been GMO modified. They have a right to choose what foods they eat.

  • Reminder – Food Security Form 6pm today at Olelo Mapunapuna

    You are all invited to participate in a Food Security Forum this evening at 6pm at Mapunapuna Olelo, 1122 Mapunapuna Street, Honolulu, HI (808) 834-0007

    Come listen to experts discuss what needs to be done to shift Hawaiiʻs agriculture from big farms, plantation style to diversified ag that grows food for Hawaii.

    this can make the difference between eating and starving when our supply lines are disrupted by natural disaster, terrorism or transportation strikes.

  • Electricity Rates High?

    Just wait till you are paying for a billion dollar plus high power electrical transmission cable to Maui.  Civil Beat looks at the numbers.  There are alternative.  We can produce the power we need right here on Oahu.

  • The Environment Caucus steering committee has had several very interesting conversations about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and frankly they have changed my mind on the unknown dangers of GMOs.

    This is a great article on GMOs and a very interesting blog. Read it and learn.

     

  • SB755 exempting government projects from environmental review

    Urgent action request from the Environmental Caucus. This is not a position of the Democratic Party. 

    Our only chance to stop this legislation is to influence the floor votes.  Email our legislators at sen@capitol.hawaii.gov and rep@capitol.hawaii.gov and tell them to vote NO on SB755.

    SB 755 (the “gut and replace bill”) seemed dead because no conference conferees were selected by either the House or the Senate. But wait! There’s a maneuver that legislators can use to pass a bill. The House can agree with the Senate’s version during the floor vote on Tuesday 5/1 and then vote on it.

    In the 4/26/12 Civil Beat article, “Is Calvin Say Holding the Budget Hostage?”(emphasis added throughout), reporter Chad Blair writes: ” … it will be the seventh time in 10 days that conferees have met on the budget … The hold up, sources tell Civil Beat, is the insistence of House Speaker Calvin Say that the Senate accept Senate Bill 755, a measure granting temporary exemption to environmental law in order to expedite state and county construction projects. There are controversial bills every session, obviously, but SB 755 arguably wins the prize this year. … two lawmakers and a third source well-known in legislative circles say that Say has made passage of SB 755 his No. 1 priority and is playing hardball.”

    For whatever nefarious reason(s), Speaker Say really wants this onerous legislation passed and we must do everthing in our power to defeat this SB755.

  • HB468 corrects a conflict of interest

    HB468 is not an environmental bill and it hasnʻt even been discussed by the Environmental Caucus.  It is not a position of the Democratic Party.  However, it is a concern for everyone who wants open, honest and ethical government.

    HB468 corrects a glaring conflict of interest in the way County Ethics Commissioners are selected.   Hb 468 was to be voted on the house floor this morning for final reading today, Wednesday April 25. However, it was deferred for one day.  We understand some legislators are lobbying to kill the bill.

    It’s very important to contact the house Reps by email and phone call and encourage them to them support for HB468. Tell them you want clean, ethical and transparent government and this conflict of interest must be corrected.

    These are the key legislators to contact:

    Souki (586-9444) e-mail: repsouki@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Kawakami (586- 8435) repkawkami@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Tokioka  (586- 6270) reptokioka@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Do this as soon as possible. HB468 will go to floor vote tomorrow morning.

    As u may know, hb 468 means to Increase government accountability and transparency and eliminate the existing conflict of interest for our mayors and their selected County Ethics Commissioners.

    As of now, the commissioners are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council – the very same individuals over whom the commissioners have to enforce ethics laws.

    Simply put, There has to be a better process. More importantly, there has to be a better government.

    There needs to be a high standard of integrity and morality in our government service.

    For obvious reasons, those who have to gain will oppose this bill…

    it would eliminate impartiality. In other words, It may serve those individuals political objectives.

    • The current selection of county ethics commissioners violates Article XIV (14) of the Hawaii State Constitution, which specifically states

    “ethics commissioners shall be selected in a manner which assures their independence and impartiality”.

    • Again, HB468  sets forth an improved process for selecting commissioners, it has nothing to do with home rule.
    • In fact, the process which is suggested by this measure would reflect how the State Ethics Commission and the State campaign spending commissions are currently selected.

     

     

  • HB1666 Passes out of Conference Committee

    HB1666 the Vulnerable Users bill passed out of Conference Committee today.  Now on to a final floor vote and then to the Governor for his signature.  It looks good.  Donʻt celebrate till the Gov puts his pen to paper, but this has been a tremendous accomplishment.

    It looked dicey a couple of times.  A committee wasnʻt scheduleing a hearing.  Your out powering of testimony on the morning of the last day to schedule bills made the difference.  Your strong support made this success possible.

    Thank you all.  Remember, it takes strong public support to pass legislation.  You do make a difference and the best place to be involved is right here at the Environmental Caucus.  Whether you just write an email when needed or you take a bill in hand as our treasurer Tony Austin did with this bill we need your participation.

  • Earth Day 2012 – Are we up to the challenge?

    “Act or die.” A pretty grave message from the very  first Earth Day in 1970…  Read more

  • One last try to kill the worst bill in legislative history

    This is posted for Hawaii Thousand Friends.  It is supported by the Environmental Caucus but is not a position of the Democratic Party.

    Dirty Dozen Update & Action Alert, hopefully for the last time…

    SB 2927 & SB 2398 HD2 SD1

    SB 2927 is being heard in conference tomorrow; Tuesday 4/24. Also see SB 2398 below the following:

    Members on Conference Committees are usually members of committees that have heard a bill — but some how, mysteriously, Speaker Calvin Say appointed members of two totally-unrelated committees – McKelvey & Pine (from Economic Revitalization and Business Committee) and Joe Souiki (Chair Transportation Committee)! In short, this move adds two more proponents of the offending bill to the Conference Committee.

    Phone and email as can, the following House & Senate conferees and tell them “Do not pass any form of SB 2927.” For more specific information, see our 4/19 em blast HERE.

    SB 2927 Senate Conferees; Dela Cruz (chair) who introduced the bill; Solomon, Ige (co-chairs); Fukunaga, and Kouchi.

    Donovan Dela Cruz
    Senate District 22 – Kunia Village, Mililani Mauka, Wahiawa. Whitmore, Hale`iwa, Mokule`ia, Waialua, Sunset Beach.
    Phone 808-586-6090
    Fax 808-586-6091
    sendelacruz@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Malama Solomon
    Senate District 1 – Waimea, Hamakua, North Hilo, Rural South Hilo, Hilo.
    Phone 808-586-7335
    Fax 808-586-7339
    E-Mail: sensolomon@capitol.hawaii.gov

    David Ige
    Senator District 16 – Pacific Palisades, Pearl City, Waimalu, Upper ‘Aiea, ‘Aiea Heights.
    Phone 808-586-6230
    Fax 808-586-6231
    sendige@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Carol Fukunaga
    Senator District 11 – Makiki/Punchbowl, Ala Moana, McCully.
    Phone 808-586-6890
    Fax 808-586-6899
    senfukunaga@capitol.hawaii.gov

    NOTE: Les Ihara has been replaced by:
    Kouchi, Ronald (D) – Majority Caucus Leader
    Senate District 7 – Kaua’i, Ni’ihau.
    Phone 808-586-6030 Fax 808-586-6031
    senkouchi@capitol.hawaii.gov

    SB 2927 House conferees: Chang, Cabanilla, McKelvey, Souki, Har Co-Chairs; Pine.

    Chang, Jerry
    House District 2 – South Hilo, Waiakea Kai, Kaumana, Keaukaha.
    Phone 808-586-6120
    Fax 808-586-6121
    E-Mail: repchang@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Cabanilla, Rida
    House District 42 – Waipahu, Honouliuli, West Loch, Ewa.
    Phone 808-586-6080
    Fax 808-586-6081
    E-Mail: repcabanilla@capitol.hawaii.gov

    McKelvey, Angus
    House District 10 – Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kapalua, Maalaea, Kihei.
    Phone 808-586-6160
    Fax 808-586-6161
    E-Mail: repmckelvey@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Souki, Joseph
    House District 8 – Wailuku, Waihee, Waiehu, Puuohala, Waikapu.
    Phone 808-586-9444
    Fax 808-586-9499
    E-Mail: repsouki@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Har, Sharon
    House District 40 – Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa.
    Phone 808-586-8500
    Fax 808-586-8504
    E-Mail: rephar@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Pine, kimberly
    House District 43 – Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point, Puuloa.
    Phone 808-586-9730
    Fax 808-586-9738
    E-Mail: reppine@capitol.hawaii.gov

    ~

    HB 2398 HD2 SD1 (Coffman, Evans)
    This terrible bill would transfer development rights of certain lands under the division of boating and ocean recreation and land division to the Public Land Development Corporation, Act 55, the law that “put in the basic wiring” for the The Dirty Dozen. Despite out best efforts, it passed and was signed into law by Governor Abercrombie last year. See Act 55 HERE. Read HB 2398 HD2 SD1 HERE.

    Here, it seems that the legislature is playing poker with the public interest. Inside information tells us that SB 2398 (and other bills) are being held hostage by either the House or the Senate in order to get certain preferred bills passed. SB 2398 appears to be one of those bills. You will note that there are no Senate conferees. That is because the House conferees will meet with themselves to see if they can agree with the Senate amendments; i.e. the current bad language in the bill.

    Maybe the House can agree with the Senate version — but we cannot because the exemptions are glaring. Nothing can be done to “fix” this bill and it should be shelved.

    Call and/or email the following House conferees and all Senate members and ask them to kill this bill because, suffice to say here — it severely shuts out the public, thwarts due process, disfranchises citizens, corrupts public policies and generally undermines democracy.

    House conferees: Chang, C. Lee, Har Co-Chairs; Coffman, Riviere.

    Chang, Jerry
    House District 2 – South Hilo, Waiakea Kai, Kaumana, Keaukaha
    Phone 808-586-6120
    Fax 808-586-6121
    E-Mail: repchang@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Coffman, Denny
    House District 6 – North Kona, Keauhou, Kailua-Kona, Honokohau
    Phone 808-586-9605
    Fax 808-586-9608
    E-Mail: repcoffman@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Har, Sharon
    House District 40 – Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa
    Phone 808-586-8500
    Fax 808-586-8504
    E-Mail: rephar@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Lee, Chris
    House District 51 – Kailua, Waimanalo
    Phone 808-586-9450
    Fax 808-586-9456
    E-Mail: repclee@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Riviere, Gil
    House District 46 – Kaena Point, Schofield, Mokuleia, Waialua, Haleiwa, Waimea, Pupukea, Sunset, Kahuku, Kunia Camp, Poamoho, Wheeler, Laie
    Phone 808-586-6380
    Fax 808-586-6381
    E-Mail: repriviere@capitol.hawaii.gov

    All Senators contact information HERE.

    -###-

    Again, it would be very helpful if you contacted Governor Abercrombie’s office and tell him you are against any version of SB 2927 and SB 2398:

    CONTACT:
    The Honorable Neil Abercrombie
    Phone: 808-586-0034
    Fax: 808-586-0006
    Email HERE

    P.S. Please forward this em to your interested friends and associates,  Mahalo!