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Agriculture / Food Captain: Amy Brinker Captain: Ashley Lukens |
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Energy Captain: Andre Bisquera Captain: Steve Mazur |
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Good Governance Captain – Nikki Love |
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Opala (Waste) Captain: Leilei Shih |
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Healthy Communities Captain: Nina Bermudez Captain: Diana Kucmerowski |
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Smart Growth/Transport Captain: Nicole Lowen Captain: Scott Glenn |
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Administrative Captain: Anthony Aalto Captain: Robert Harris |
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What is Capitol Watch?
Marine / Coastal
Hawaii's marine and coastal areas continue to face historic threats from both land and ocean activities. Climate change introduces a new set of challenges for promoting the resiliency of ecosystems and human communities, including coastal erosion due to rising sea levels, coral bleaching due to increased sea temperatures, and acidification of the ocean as increasing levels of carbon dioxide are absorbed. In selecting which legislation to track, we will apply the Hawaiian ahupua‘a concept, which views the lands and waters from the highest mountains to the coral reefs as an interrelated whole. For example, we will urge strong support for the watershed initiative, as it promises to reduce polluted runoff into coastal waters if properly funded and implemented.
HB 903 is a dramatic improvement to the state’s polluted runoff law. It will give the Department of Health the authority and resources to reduce soil and chemical runoff that pollutes our streams, bays, shorelines and reef ecosystems.
The agriculture lobby, however, has been trying to kill this bill. A number of amendments have already been made to reduce the impact of this bill on farmers, but it seems like the big landowners are refusing to accept any regulations.
Please send an email to all Senators asking them to stop polluted runoff to Hawaii's fragile marine resources. You can send the email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Talking points:
- This bill is important because it would enable DOH to address the largest source of water pollution in Hawaii--storm runoff
- Runoff pollutes streams, groundwater, the ocean and and coral reefs
- Farms are a principal source of runoff pollution (soil, fertilizer, and pesticides)
- In Hawaii, sewage from cesspools is also a source of pollution
- The bill would not apply to small farmers (under ten acres), who make up 64% of farms in Hawaii
- Larger farm owners, who control 98% of the farm land in Hawaii, oppose the bill as burdensome
- DOH would focus on working with those in areas with impaired waters causing the most sediment runoff
- Most farms would not be affected.
SB894 SD2 helps preserve undeveloped land at Turtle Bay
Written by Doug Fetterly | Published in Marine / CoastalUndeveloped land comes under intense scrutiny by developers, and Turtle Bay is a prime target. Please email your YES vote today to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for SB894 SD2 to help prevent sprawl in our coastal areas.
SB1162 SD1 helps keep our shoreline and public access open and clear
Written by Doug Fetterly | Published in Marine / CoastalPlease This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it your YES vote today for SB1162. Mahalo!
HB17 HD1 helps to maintain shoreline and beach access
Written by Doug Fetterly | Published in Marine / CoastalPlease send in a YES vote for HB17. Your This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it does not have to be lengthy. If we think a bill is a done deal simply because it has made it as far as the final vote, we must remember that those who oppose the Sierra Club, and the public, want us to soften our resolve in those final moments. Mahalo!
SB1027 bypasses Coastal Zone Management permitting
Written by Doug Fetterly | Published in Marine / CoastalSB1027 wreaks of the PLDC as it allows the state to issue its own Coastal Zone Management permits without having to adhere to environmental review or public scrutiny. We must flood WAM, recommending that this bill not pass, as it is an affront to the people.
Please This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it today.