2011 Silent Invasion Update
Presentation by the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species
If you’re on Oahu on Tuesday January 25, 2011, please join a free public update about hot-topic invasive species issues. Learn about the impacts of the proposed Guam build-up on Hawaii, the future of biocontrol, and what we need to do to better protect Hawaii from invasive species.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
State Capitol Auditorium
Did we mention this presentation was free?
Discover the Public’s Power in the Legislative Process.
The Public Access Room (the “PAR”) conducts free workshops entitled, “We the Powerful!” This 1 hour meeting is designed to demystify the State lawmaking process and will demonstrate ways that people can speak out at the legislature. All are welcome. No prior experience is required.
PAR’s workshop is designed to be useful to both newcomers and veterans of the legislative process. Covered topics include delivering effective testimony, making sense of deadlines, and using the latest innovations on the Legislature’s website. Renewed inspiration to be part of the solution is the overriding theme.
Schedule of workshops
Held in room 401, State Capitol
(415 N. Beretania St. at corner of Punchbowl St.):
January through March, 2011 (starting 1/11/11)
To make sure they have enough materials on hand, they ask that you please let them know you’re coming — call 587-0478 or email them at par@capitol.hawaii.gov.
Live on a neighbor Island and unable to attend? Check out the handy links below – you can walk yourself through the core of the workshop. Just call or email PAR if you have questions!
Workshop Material
Download excerpts from, A Participant’s Guide to Hawaii State Legislative Process:
We encourage all of our Caucus members to attend one of these workshops, either in person or by reading through the links above.
Mahalo
Aloha all,
Tony Austin, our Caucus treasurer, has asked that we post the following information sent to him by Peopleforbikes.org. Since this important information goes right along with our own 2011 platform to make bike and pedestrian travel an integral transportation mode in the islands, we thought we might oblige.
Peopleforbikes.org is asking people to sign a pledge in support of safer and better bicycling.
They would also like people to send a short email to their U.S. Representatives, affirming the need for safe and convenient bicycling, and asking their members of Congress to support ongoing funding for bike projects and crucial programs such as Safe Routes to School.
The organization reports that some members of Congress, particularly in the House of Representatives, want to dramatically (and disproportionally) cut the cost-effective federal investment in bicycling projects and programs, like bike paths, bike lanes, trails, and more. They simply don’t know (or overlook) these facts:
* Bicycling and walking are essential to our communities.
* Federal transportation investments that support these activities boost our economy, help individuals and government agencies save money, and directly address key societal challenges such as obesity and road congestion.
* Biking and walking currently total 12% of the trips that Americans make but cost just 1.5% of our transportation spending. That’s the type of cost effectiveness we need now!
You can find statistics and case studies backing up these key points on their website. You can also locate your representative’s e-mail, review a suggested text for you to customize, and send your note directly from their site. Click here for the link to their website.
Finally, if you have action alerts that you feel the Caucus should post, contact lynn@navigatinglife.org with details.
Mahalo
HONOLULU—Gov. Neil Abercrombie yesterday named his policy team to oversee policy initiatives and legislative issues.
Wendy Clerinx will serve as policy director, Tammi Oyadomari-Chun and Michael Ng as policy analysts, and Debbie Shimizu as the legislative liaison.
Click here for original story and background on the new appointees.
Aloha Members of the Environmental Caucus of the DPH,
The December 4, 2010, Capitol Watch Symposium “Forces for Good” was a wonderful educational event. Sadly, only a few of our members were able to attend. However, you have a second chance because Mike Hinchey taped most of the conference and has posted it on YouTube, simply click here and you can experience the next best thing to being there.
And if you have not yet visited the Capitol Watch website, you might want to take a moment now. Click here for the link.
Lynn
Aloha members of the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i
Bill Sager and Debbie Hecht have both posted two excellent comments on the Natural Resources subcommittee page. I recommend that everyone takes a look at both before our next General Caucus meeting on December 1.
Here is the link: https://ectph.ejnet.org/subcommittees/natural-resource-management/
Scroll down the page to view both comments.
Mahalo, and we look forward to meeting with you all on the first of December.
Lynn
Aloha Caucus Members,
Steering Committee member Lance Holter and Subcommittee chair Lisa Rey have both asked me to pass on some extremely informative information regarding our local Palm Oil controversy. Here are two of the links:
Leave a comment if you would like to join in our discussion.
Advocacy 101
Promoting a Greener Hawaii
If you’re interested in rolling up your sleeves and actually passing laws that promote a more sustainable and green future for Hawaii, please read on.
On December 4th, the Sierra Club’s Capitol Watch is hosting a “Forces for Good” Symposium, a fast-paced and exciting half-day workshop focused on environmental issues important to Hawaii.
The symposium will address agriculture and ways to increase our self-sufficiency, the move towards clean energy, ways to reduce our growing waste problem, and advocacy tips – how do we actually get good legislation passed?
Confirmed speakers include, among others, Rick Barboza (Hui Ku Maoli Ola), Stuart Coleman (Surfrider Foundation), Representative Cynthia Thielen (District 50), former Senator Gary Hooser, and more.
Who: Folks interested in advancing Hawaii’s Green Future.
What: Forces for Good Symposium
Where: Hawaii State Capitol, Third Floor
When: December 4th, 8:30 – 1:00 pm (lunch provided)
Cost: $5.00
Click here to RSVP or call 808.538.6616 for more information
This Symposium is tailored for you if you’ve ever said “there should be a law that . . . . ” Please join a lively discussion about Hawaii’s future and become a force for good!