Recently, Hawai'i State Senator Mike Gabbard attended the Hawai'i Conservation Conference, hosted by the Hawai'i Conservation Alliance (HCA). It’s no surprise that Sen. Gabbard would be interested in this important meeting; he is recognized as a dedicated environmentalist.
For 18 years the HCA has hosted the largest annual conservation gathering in Hawai‘i. The Hawai‘i Conservation Conference engages scientists and managers, educators and students, political leaders and community members in an ongoing dialogue about Hawai‘i’s conservation challenges and their solutions.
The 2010 Hawai‘i Conservation Conference, which was focused on the theme Pacific Ecosystem Management and Restoration: Applying Traditional and Western Knowledge Systems, was honored to host Governor Tulafono as a Keynote Speaker. For many years The Honorable Togiola T.A. Tulafono, 52nd Governor of American Samoa, has demonstrated strong leadership on critical conservation issues. Governor Tulafono continues to be a key participant on the United States Coral Reef Task Force, was instrumental in the designation of Rose Atoll as a National Marine Monument, and has shown true leadership in addressing global climate change impacts on Pacific Island communities.
Sen. Gabbard presented an honorary certificate on behalf of the Hawai'i State Senate to HCA and the Honorable Togiola T.A. Tulafono upon the opening of the 2010 Hawai'i Conservation Conference. He stated, "Mahalo nui loa for joining together to consider our diverse knowledge systems and approaches in order to best care for our ‘āina and its people, now and into the future."
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Re-Elect Senator Gabbard
Mike Gabbard has officially kicked-off his campaign for re-election to Senate District #19 (Honokai Hale, Kapolei, Kalaeloa, Makakilo, Kunia, Village Park, Waikele, and portions of Ko Olina and Waipahu).
He has accomplished a lot of exciting things for the district, for his constituents, and for people across the state. His district, the fastest growing on Oahu, has so many projects happening that will provide important quality of life opportunities for residents; including UH West Oahu, new housing developments that are energy efficient and use renewable energy, and the Kapolei Courthouse, to mention just a few.
As Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee, Mike is in a great position to continue pushing our state forward with more renewable energy projects. With all of the new development happening in his district, it is an ideal situation to have him championing for efficient energy infrastructure from the beginning planning stages.
Sen. Gabbard really listens to his constituents and takes into account their ideas and points of view. With him, you can be assured that your concerns, comments, and complaints make a difference. His door is always open to everyone.
Let's re-elect Senator Mike Gabbard!
Primary Election- Sept. 18th
General Election- Nov. 2nd
He has accomplished a lot of exciting things for the district, for his constituents, and for people across the state. His district, the fastest growing on Oahu, has so many projects happening that will provide important quality of life opportunities for residents; including UH West Oahu, new housing developments that are energy efficient and use renewable energy, and the Kapolei Courthouse, to mention just a few.
As Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee, Mike is in a great position to continue pushing our state forward with more renewable energy projects. With all of the new development happening in his district, it is an ideal situation to have him championing for efficient energy infrastructure from the beginning planning stages.
Sen. Gabbard really listens to his constituents and takes into account their ideas and points of view. With him, you can be assured that your concerns, comments, and complaints make a difference. His door is always open to everyone.
Let's re-elect Senator Mike Gabbard!
Primary Election- Sept. 18th
General Election- Nov. 2nd
Monday, April 5, 2010
Gabbard's 2010 Legislation
A new addition on Mike's website is the 2010 legislation that he introduced at the Hawai'i State Capitol. Its a long list covering an assortment of different issues. There are many bills that he introduced that could further Hawai'i's goal for cleaner energy production and use. Several bills make it easier and more cost effective for people to invest in their own energy producing technologies for their homes.
You can also see that Senator Gabbard introduced some legislation that was requested by constituents in his district as well as elsewhere in the state. Mike is always letting people know that his door is open so anyone can come to him with concerns or ideas for legislation that may improve the quality of life for people in Hawai'i. I encourage everyone to approach Senator Gabbard with suggestions about new laws because he truly is eager to listen. He is friendly and helpful, providing access for all residents to the legislative process.
You can also see that Senator Gabbard introduced some legislation that was requested by constituents in his district as well as elsewhere in the state. Mike is always letting people know that his door is open so anyone can come to him with concerns or ideas for legislation that may improve the quality of life for people in Hawai'i. I encourage everyone to approach Senator Gabbard with suggestions about new laws because he truly is eager to listen. He is friendly and helpful, providing access for all residents to the legislative process.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
New Videos
Here are a few new videos of Senator Mike Gabbard at some recent community events. He's got a great sense of humor and he seems to be everywhere! Thanks for your hard work, Senator.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Environmental Working Group To Be Honored by Sen. Gabbard
In 2008 the University of Hawai‘i (UH) conducted a study of the state's environmental review system in order to submit a proposal to the Legislature for improvement. The UH Study Team spent more than a year interviewing various stakeholders in order to develop their recommendations.
Senate Bill 2818 was the result of the UH Study Team's recommendations. However, at the joint hearing before the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment and the Senate Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs, there was a surprising amount of opposition from all sides.
As a result, State Senator Mike Gabbard convened a 12-member working group to seek middle ground in the spirit of compromise in order to develop further amendments. The members of the working group consisted of a wide range of professionals with expertise in development, transportation, environmental conservation, and much more. It created a unique opportunity for people who may have never sat down at the same table to openly and respectfully discuss issues that are crucially important to all of them, as well as to the future of the 'aina and the people of Hawai'i.
With Senator Gabbard's support and facilitation, the members of the working group invested an incredible amount of time and thought into this collaborative effort. They met nine times from February 16th through March 22nd, 2010, and also met as sub-groups to try to resolve particularly thorny issues and report back to the whole working group.
Sentator Gabbard will be commending the members of the Environmental Working Group with an honorary certificate presentation on the floor of the State Senate. He will be thanking them for their commitment, perseverance, and collaboration which was invaluable to the success of the group.
Senate Bill 2818 was the result of the UH Study Team's recommendations. However, at the joint hearing before the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment and the Senate Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs, there was a surprising amount of opposition from all sides.
As a result, State Senator Mike Gabbard convened a 12-member working group to seek middle ground in the spirit of compromise in order to develop further amendments. The members of the working group consisted of a wide range of professionals with expertise in development, transportation, environmental conservation, and much more. It created a unique opportunity for people who may have never sat down at the same table to openly and respectfully discuss issues that are crucially important to all of them, as well as to the future of the 'aina and the people of Hawai'i.
With Senator Gabbard's support and facilitation, the members of the working group invested an incredible amount of time and thought into this collaborative effort. They met nine times from February 16th through March 22nd, 2010, and also met as sub-groups to try to resolve particularly thorny issues and report back to the whole working group.
Sentator Gabbard will be commending the members of the Environmental Working Group with an honorary certificate presentation on the floor of the State Senate. He will be thanking them for their commitment, perseverance, and collaboration which was invaluable to the success of the group.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Senator Gabbard Joins Other Advocates to Protest Clean Energy Moratorium
Recently the Hawaiian Electric Co. (HECO) proposed a moratorium in an ongoing case before the state Public Utilities Commission on “feed-in tariffs”, an innovative program that would allow homes and businesses to get paid for power fed into the grid. The action by HECO, if successful, would bar homes and businesses that buy their electricity from installing renewable energy systems like solar panels on the islands of Hawai‘i, Maui, Lana‘i, and Moloka‘i. The proposal would halt ongoing progress towards reducing dependence on imported oil and curbing greenhouse gas pollution. It could cause devastating harm to Hawai‘i’s growing indigenous solar industry.
Sen. Mike Gabbard joined with state and national clean energy organizations, including Blue Planet Foundation, Sierra Club, Hawai‘i Chapter, and Earthjustice, and others involved in Hawai‘i’s renewable energy industry in protesting HECO's proposal. Gabbard said, "Today's solar and other types of renewable energy systems being installed directly on homes and businesses are a glimpse into a future that is not far off. These efforts by thousands of individuals committing to a clean energy future are a crucial part of the solution to Hawai'i's energy problems and should not be discouraged by our utilities."
He also said, "Hawai'i's energy security situation is dire--we are incredibly vulnerable to oil price spikes and supply disruptions that are charged to utility customers, who must simply pay their bill no matter how high it rises...Meanwhile, in these challenging economic times when Hawai'i needs jobs more than ever, the solar industry is creating green jobs for working families."
Sen. Gabbard concluded by saying, "The Hawaiian Electric companies must begin living up to their responsibilities as public utilities and stop acting in opposition to the interests of the citizens of our state."
This is an awesome statement and I hope that HECO won't be successful in their efforts to "black-out" our clean energy efforts.
Sen. Mike Gabbard joined with state and national clean energy organizations, including Blue Planet Foundation, Sierra Club, Hawai‘i Chapter, and Earthjustice, and others involved in Hawai‘i’s renewable energy industry in protesting HECO's proposal. Gabbard said, "Today's solar and other types of renewable energy systems being installed directly on homes and businesses are a glimpse into a future that is not far off. These efforts by thousands of individuals committing to a clean energy future are a crucial part of the solution to Hawai'i's energy problems and should not be discouraged by our utilities."
He also said, "Hawai'i's energy security situation is dire--we are incredibly vulnerable to oil price spikes and supply disruptions that are charged to utility customers, who must simply pay their bill no matter how high it rises...Meanwhile, in these challenging economic times when Hawai'i needs jobs more than ever, the solar industry is creating green jobs for working families."
Sen. Gabbard concluded by saying, "The Hawaiian Electric companies must begin living up to their responsibilities as public utilities and stop acting in opposition to the interests of the citizens of our state."
This is an awesome statement and I hope that HECO won't be successful in their efforts to "black-out" our clean energy efforts.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Gabbard's Great Green Initiatives
With the 2010 legislative session well underway, there are thousands of bills being discussed, voted on, and amended at the Capitol right now. Sen. Gabbard has introduced some exciting legislation as Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee to bring Hawai'i closer to getting a majority of our energy through alternative sources while becoming more energy efficient.
Mike introduced a bill to require developers to incorporate design elements and do some equipment installation to make all new single-family homes photovoltaic-ready by 2012. If this passes it will mean a lot more people will be able to get their energy from the abundant sunshine we are blessed with here, instead of from the grid.
There is also a bill to require all new single-family homes to be net zero energy capable by 2015. By this initiative, Sen. Gabbard intends for homes to be built in a way to make it practical for the homeowner to be able to produce as much energy as he/she consumes, thus making his/her electricity bill zero.
Another great bill to support is one that establishes a property assessed clean energy bond financing program in the state. This would allow the state to issue bonds to help homeowners and businesses finance efficiency improvements and small renewable energy systems. The loans would then be repaid over a prescribed time period through their property tax bill.
You can keep updated on the status of these bills and Mike Gabbard's other bills on his Capitol website- http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/Site1/Senate/members/Sen19.asp
Mike introduced a bill to require developers to incorporate design elements and do some equipment installation to make all new single-family homes photovoltaic-ready by 2012. If this passes it will mean a lot more people will be able to get their energy from the abundant sunshine we are blessed with here, instead of from the grid.
There is also a bill to require all new single-family homes to be net zero energy capable by 2015. By this initiative, Sen. Gabbard intends for homes to be built in a way to make it practical for the homeowner to be able to produce as much energy as he/she consumes, thus making his/her electricity bill zero.
Another great bill to support is one that establishes a property assessed clean energy bond financing program in the state. This would allow the state to issue bonds to help homeowners and businesses finance efficiency improvements and small renewable energy systems. The loans would then be repaid over a prescribed time period through their property tax bill.
You can keep updated on the status of these bills and Mike Gabbard's other bills on his Capitol website- http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/Site1/Senate/members/Sen19.asp
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