Category: Action Alert

  • 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.

  • Bill Status 2/20/2011

    Agriculture

    HB 1545 HDI Bread labels – What could be better than fresh bread? Fresh bread that really is fresh! This bill ensures bread cannot be frozen and later sold as “fresh” by requiring the producers to add “Previously Frozen” to their labels. Hearing on WEDNESDAY in Room 325 @ 2:05PM.


    SB1295     (cross w/ HB1068) – This bill would remove the requirement for the Department of Health to adopt rules by the end of 2011 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Hawaii. The argument goes: “the EPA will do this so we don’t need to. Let’s wait and see.” But the EPA hasn’t adopted rules in decades. Meanwhile greenhouse gases are causing oceans to rise and destroy our beaches. Why not let’s act first and set an example? The committee(s) on ENE/HTH has scheduled a public hearing on 02-22-11 2:45PM in conference room 225. You can submit testimony by emailing and referencing the bill number, your name, address, and the date/time of the hearing

    OpalaHB 1364 – Please make sure this important bill is heard by the Finance Committee. This bill would remove the exemption for dietary supplements from the deposit beverage container program, thereby encouraging the recycling of popularly consumed drinks such as Red Bull and Monster. Currently the manufacturers are using a loophole to avoid being part of this successful beverage container recycling program. Email Representative Marcus Oshiro or call (808) 586-6200 asking him to schedule a hearing by FIN for HB 1364.SB 1059 – This week, the Big Island moved a plastic bag ban bill forward in the Hawaii County Council. This illustrates that a statewide ban is not only within reach, but at the forefront of Hawaii’s sustainability movement. State legislation is needed for consistency across the islands, a decision that would be supported by businesses, especially chains. Help Hawaii become the first to have a statewide plastic bag policy! SB 1059 will have its 2nd and final committee hearing on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 10:15 am in Conference Room 016. Please submit email testimony to JDLTestimony@Capitol.hawaii.gov and indicate the measure ID, date, and time of the hearing, or at here. To avoid a late status, please submit by 11 am the day prior (Monday) to the hearing.

    HB 422 – Please help this bill get a hearing by the Finance Committee as well. This bill would apply the solid waste disposal surcharge to waste that is deposited in landfills, incinerators, or waste-to-energy facilities, whether the waste is disposed of in-state or transferred out-of-state. We support this bill, and feel that surcharge should be increased to fund statewide recycling efforts. Email Representative Marcus Oshiro or call (808) 586-6200 and ask him to make sure FIN hears HB 422.

    Resilient Habitats & Healthy Communities

    HB 379 Relating to Invasive Species – If passed, this bill would require the Invasive Species Council to periodically update an invasive species list. It would also impose additional penalties for harboring, importing or transporting invasive species with the intent to proliferate, sell or release invasive species in the state. Invasive species can endanger native species. This bill hasn’t been scheduled for a hearing yet. If you want it to stand a chance you need to contact the Chairs of the House Agriculture, Water, Land & Ocean Resources and Judiciary committees.SB 80 SD 1 Relating to the Climate Change Task Force – The purpose of this bill is to extend the existence of the climate task force until 06/30/2013. It ensures the task force will receive funds to continue its work tracking the impact of climate change on the visitor industry, intra- and interstate air and sea transport, existing buildings, health of the people and native plants, animals and ecosystems. Submit testimony in support of this bill here.



    HB1385 Big Island Stateland Coastal Setback is dead.
    SB120 terminating all special funds has been deferred by WAM

    Clean Energy
    SB1197 requiring alternate energy provisions be designed in new schools and major school renovations referred to WAM 2/14.

    Invasive Species
    SB169 provides for dogs to check containers for explosives. Referred to WAM 2/10
    SB170 provides container inspection for alien spp.  Dead
    SB1367 Repeal designation of feral animals and deregulate hunting.  single referral to WLH
    HB865 Inspection fee for container inspection referred to FIN

    Agriculture
    HB221 Related to deep ocean mariculture.
    SB1156 Committee to study need for farm coops – Dead

    Plastic Bags
    SB1059 Referred to JDL hearing scheduled for 2/22
    HB988 Referred to FIN on 2/18
    SB1316 Referred to WAM on 218

    For more information on any of these bills go to http://capitol.hawaii.gov.  Click on Bill Status & Documents and do a search on the bill number.

     

  • HB1385 – What now?

    HB1385  was the bill which would’ve protected the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail on the Big Island. It provided for a 2000 foot shoreline setback on state land on the big Island. It didn’t get a hearing and is dead for this session.

    When it was first submitted to the environmental Caucus it was a proposal to provide a shoreline set back on state lands from Ulupo point to South point and around to Volcano national Park. That’s what the caucus voted on to support. The bill as submitted included all state lands on the Big Island.

    The purpose, which the caucus supported was to protect Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, protect public access to the coast and provide an opportunity to build a trail parallel to the historic Trail which would provide biking and hiking opportunities.

    The objectives are worthy of our continued support.

    Rep. Chang held the bill in committee because he wanted a resolution from the County indicating their support. It also appears we may have stepped on some toes at the Hawaii County Caucus. We should definitely have had their participation and support, but being new and inexperienced, we were not aware of many of the institutions on the Big Island whose support we should have solicited.

    Personally, I think this proposal is very complex and we  approached it without sufficient research. I think our legislators will want to have a plot by plot analysis detailing information about each piece of state land. I think they want to know things like:

    1. The geology of each plot and how subject the coast is to erosion and other impacts of sea level rise.

    2. Where the Ala Kahakai trail is in relation to the coastline.

    3. What species are present on the plot.

    4. What potential impacts might this proposal have on potential future developments.

    5. What maintenance costs are foreseen. For instance, will fountain grass need to be controlled in order to maintain access.

    With this kind of information are legislators will be better able to evaluate the projects impacts and benefits.

    In pursuing this project in the future we need to touch bases with as many organizations as possible. We need to know who our opposition is and the breadth and depth of our support.

    I do not think volunteers can gathered the detailed information the legislators will require.  Gathering this information will require funding.  I suspect that if the state was to contract this study the consultant would charge over $100,000. With todays economy that will be difficult to sell.

    A resolution asking UH Hilo Environmental Students to take on the study with a stipend for expenses, and perhaps a tuition scholarship would be a practical way to provide the needed information.

     

  • Oppose SB120

    SB120 is huge and has many aspects, but basically it wants to repeal certain special funds and transfer balances to the state general fund.


    In its wisdom, the State Legislature recognized that certain long range activities such as invasive species control, irrigation water projects, State Park maintenance, Natural protection and management and many others programs need a core base of funding.

    A good example is the work of the Invasive Species Committee on each island.  They are the emergency response team that controls incipient infestations of potentially catastrophic critters: harmful insects like the coffee weevil recently introduce in Kona, nuisances like the coqui, the little frog with a load voice that keeps locals and tourists alike awake at night and miconia, the invasive tree that can destroy our watersheds if not controlled.

    In the instance of Miconia, The adult trees have been eliminated, but follow up will be required for years to control the keikis.  It takes 3 years for Miconia seedling to start producing seed.  If those seedlings are not remove before they seed a decade of work is wasted.  This scenario plays out over and over for many different projects.

    We urge you to not use a broad brush, but look carefully at the purpose and value of each of the special funds you are proposing to eliminate. Will the projects eliminated by these cuts result in wasting decades of effort and hundreds of thousands of dollars already expended?  Will termination of a special fund  make it impossible for technologies which are just reaching fruition to get the capital funding they need to implement innovative technologies?  Will cutting programs put more families in tents exacerbating our serious homeless problem?

    Please look at the value of projects funded by special funds. Evaluate what will be lost if a project is terminated.  Understand the impacts on fledgling industries with the potential to make Hawaii the world leader in alternate energy, aquaculture, mariculture and software development.  Recognize that when state support is removed from a project the economic uncertainty caused by that action makes securing venture capital more difficult and in many cases impossible.

    Yes, close special funds if after careful consideration you decide there mission is no longer valuable, but do not destroy years of effort and allow the devastation that will result from terminating programs that protect which are necessary to protect our islands and our people and don’t cut the foundation from under promising technology that has the potential to make Hawaii the world leader in new technologies.
     

    SB120 will effectively shut down many DOFAW programs and make it impossible for the state to match Federal funds. Gov Abercrombie has stated that he wants to aggressively go after matching federal funding.  Many of these special fund projects where set up so that matching funds would be available to fund matching grants.

    SB120 goes way too far. It would eliminate most of the special funds that support the state’s environmental programs, like the Natural Area Reserve fund (funding all of the state’s conservation work), the Energy Security special fund (funding the state’s renewable energy efforts) and the Food Security fund (money from the barrel tax designed to encourage local food production)

    A short list of important special funds that would be cut include:

    • Hawaii historic preservation special fund,
    • Aquaculture development special fund,
    • Agricultural park special fund,
    • Irrigation water development special fund,
    • Beach restoration special fund,
    • State parks special fund,
    • Natural area reserve fund,
    • Forest stewardship fund,
    • Energy security special fund,
    • Public utilities commission special fund,
    • Energy systems development special fund,
    • Sanitation and environmental health special fund,
    • Clean air special fund

    In particular, the State’s Natural Area Reserve Fund, which is the funding stream that provides monies to numerous Division of Forestry & Wildlife Programs & operations such as:  Forest Stewardship, Natural Area Reserves, Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, Watershed Partnerships, Youth Conservation Corps, Invasive Species Committees and many more.  This would certainly impact Federal programs such as Forest Legacy, Urban & Community Forestry, Forest Health, Invasive Plant Management, and numerous Department of Interior Fish & Wildlife programs.
    In summary, special funds were set up to fund programs that must have a stable source of funding in order to be a variable program.  Do not kill programs that are vital to the future of Hawaii. Do not waste years of effort by canceling programs prematurely. Support technology that is import to the future of our state.

  • Action Alert: Food and Farm Sustainability

     Subcommittee Update

    At our December General Membership Meeting, our Caucus voted to support legislation regarding the expansion of long term Agricultural leases and the study of a Agribusiness Cooperative Program, both designed to encourage local small family farmers to invest in Hawaii’s future food sustainability.

     Subcommittee Chair Juanita Kawamoto has been working hard to move legislation on these important issues forward, and she has asked me to post this personal note and action alert update.

     Personal note from Juanita Kawamoto:

    Please support our Small Family Farms in Hawaii

     Small Family Farms make up a large portion of food farms in the State of Hawaii. For centuries, they have provided food for our communities. Large corporate plantations and organized corporate conglomerates may provide our State tax revenues, but they give little back to the people of Hawaii. 

     Small family farms in Hawaii provide:

     1.      Fresh healthy produce, livestock, and value added locally produced products.

     2.      Knowledge and experience regarding local land management. They help address issues like Hawaiian food sustainability, environmental protection, and community cooperation.

     3.      Job opportunities for future farmers who wish to keep farming an honored Hawaiian profession. These farms will also be great educational tools for Hawaii’s future farmers.

     Hawaii’s small farms currently are facing the worst economic times since the great depression, yet small family farms keep 100% of their revenues in the State of Hawaii, supporting Hawaii’s economy, schools, hospitals, roads, housing.

     We must tell our legislators to support subsidies, cooperatives, local feed mills, and the expansion of long-term leases for small food farms on current agricultural State land.

     Please send testimony supporting the following bills, so we can continue to help keep small farms growing in Hawaii:

     SB 1155 – Long Term Ag lease task force – currently being reviewed by the Ag committee. Will move on to WAM upon approval. Please contact members of both committees to show your support.

     SB 1156 – Relating to the establishment of an agribusiness cooperative program.

    Waiting for hearing to be scheduled on Education. Please ask Senator Jill Tokuda to hear this Bill. We are hoping Dr. Sabry Shehata can help us move this to hearing.

     HB1496 – Agribusiness Cooperative Program: UH Task force—HED Chair Scott Nishimoto has agreed to hear the bill this Thursday, February 10th at 2pm in room 309. Please submit testimony in support at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/emailtestimony/?measure=HB1496

     HB 920– Agricultural Leases: Task Force Appropriation–We are working with AGR chair Rep. Clift Tsuji to set up hearing for this bill. Please send in support testimony to hear this bill to reptsuji@capitol.hawaii.gov.

     Finally, please forward this e-mail to your friends and ask them to do the same.

     Mahalo

     You can learn more about Caucus at http://environmentalcaucusofthedemocraticpartyofhawaii.com

  • Action Alert: Help Save 100 Miles of Big Island Shoreline for Furtue Generations

    We just heard from Debbie Hecht on the Big island that Chairman Jerry Chang, the Big Island representative from South Hilo, has said he does not intend to give  HB1385 a hearing. This bill, regarding the shoreline set back on the Big Island of Hawai’i, is a priority  of our Caucus.

    Please write to him today and ask him why he won’t even give this bill a hearing.

    Here as a complete copy of Debbie’s original action alert:

    **********

    Email members of the Water Land and Ocean Resources Committee and ask them to PUT ON THE AGENDA

    Bill 1385- Relating to Coastline Preservation to preserve almost  100 MILES OF HAWAII ISLAND SHORELINE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

    TALKING POINTS: Bill 1385 will protect almost 100 miles of coastline on Hawaii Island by preserving ocean access, protect the reefs from sedimentation and protecting habitat for ocean species, protect the Ala Kahakai Trail, protect over 35 cultural sites along the Trail, link the 4 National Parks, provide room to build a parallel trail for hiking and biking for residents and visitors, that could be the foundation of an eco-tourism industry and provide jobs for people of our island.

    IN YOUR EMAIL at the subject line- write BILL 1385-COASTLINE PRESERVATION- SUPPORT

    ASK THE COMMITTEE TO PUT THIS ON THEIR AGENDA FOR 2011.

    To Read the text of Bill 1385 and to see a map of the almost 100 miles of shoreline to be preserved go to www.dhecht.com

    Bill 1385 is a top priority for the Democratic Party’s Environmental Caucus and the Surfrider Foundation. We are asking groups for letters of support.

    These are the committee members of the WATER, LANDS AND OCEAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE.

    Cut and paste the following email addresses to send an email TODAY:

    repchang@Capitol.hawaii.gov, rephar@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repcabanilla@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repcarroll@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repchong@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repcoffman@capitol.hawaii.gov,repherkes@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repito@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repmorita@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repnakashima@capitol.hawaii.gov, repriviere@capitol.hawaii.gov, repthielen@Capitol.hawaii.gov

    We are very lucky to have 4 Big island reps on committee, If these representatives are from your district please make sure you stress that you are a voter in that district.

    1. Chair Chang from South Hilo, Waiakea Kai, Kaumana, Keaukaha and
    2. Nakashima from Kohala and Hamakua and Hilo,
    3. Herkes from South Kona and Ka’u,
    4. Coffman from Kona.

    HOW YOU CAN HELP:

    1. Do you have a group that we can meet with to get a letter or support?
    2. Hand out the attached information sheet.
    3. Read the text of the Bill at www.dhecht.com and download the map.
    4. Can we put your name on the Angels List to be kept informed?
    5. WCould you be a key person to keep other people in your email contacts informed?
    Mahalo-

    Debbie Hecht
    Kailua Kona, HI
    www.dhecht.com