This legislative session, Senator Mike Gabbard has once again proven himself to be a strong supporter and activist for Hawai'i's shift to renewable, clean energy. He is the Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee and has introduced some impressive bills to improve our energy efficiency and environmental protection.
One such bill is SB 181 which will require that all new homes being built are photovoltaic-ready, to make it easier for homeowners to make the switch to using solar energy. SB 201 will create an opt-out registry for people who are tired of receiving so many phone books that are a waste of paper and other resources. SB 209 would prohibit state funds from being used to purchase single-serving water bottles. To keep up with the status of these bills, submit testimony to support their passage, or find out about other important bills that Senator Gabbard is working on, visit the searchable database here- Hawai'i State Capitol
Senator Gabbard was also recently asked to give the closing speech at the Hawai'i Energy Policy Forum's Legislative Briefing. He eloquently stated, "Each Btu of fossil fuel that we import is a mortgage that we must pay for by sending our precious dollars to the tune of $4-6 billion out of the state every year. But each Btu or watt that we generate from renewable sources within the state is a down payment on the future of our keiki o ka aina by creating jobs and protecting the environment."
Let's do all we can to support Sen. Gabbard and these important bills.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Gabbard Is Off & Running!
Senator Mike Gabbard hasn't missed a beat between running for re-election, winning his bid, and jumping into the 2011 legislative session. He has recently been spotted all over the island at events such as the launch of hydrogen power stations for clean running cars, informational briefings on environmental & community health issues, as well as his popular "Listen Story" meetings.
Senator Gabbard also found time to take a goodwill trip to Taiwan with other senators. The visit was paid for by the Taiwanese government and provided an opportunity for Mike to make important connections and get ideas for ways we can improve life here at home.
I encourage everyone to get involved in the legislative process this year by regularly checking Mike's website and reading his newsletters. Let him hear from you when you agree or disagree with legislation. You'll be impressed with how responsive Senator Gabbard is to any and all of your concerns.
Senator Gabbard also found time to take a goodwill trip to Taiwan with other senators. The visit was paid for by the Taiwanese government and provided an opportunity for Mike to make important connections and get ideas for ways we can improve life here at home.
I encourage everyone to get involved in the legislative process this year by regularly checking Mike's website and reading his newsletters. Let him hear from you when you agree or disagree with legislation. You'll be impressed with how responsive Senator Gabbard is to any and all of your concerns.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Impressive Results for Senator Gabbard
Well, election season 2010 has finally come to an end. We are thrilled that 76% of the vote in the Primary Election and 74% in the General Election was for Senator Mike Gabbard.
Senator Gabbard worked hard going door-to-door throughout the campaign to talk to people and find out about their concerns and ideas. He has accomplished a lot since he was elected in 2006 but as he says, "there’s still much more work to be done in our growing community".
Mike will also be able to continue on as the Chair of the Senate’s Energy and Environment Committee. Living and representing the fastest growing area of the state which is also blessed with many hot, sunny days makes Senator Gabbard a perfect match for the Energy and Environment Committee.
Recently Senator Gabbard was on-hand for the Ground Breaking for the Kalaeloa Solar One project in Kalaeloa. This will be a 5 MW Concentrating Solar Power project. There are also plans to put in an additional 20-30 MW of solar farms in Kalaeloa over the next few years.
Additionally, in Kunia and Mililani there will be a 20 MW solar farm headed up by Castle & Cooke. Many families in this area are getting solar water heaters and photovoltaic panels put on their homes every week to save on their electricity costs and at the same time do good for our environment.
Thanks to all of the people who placed their votes of confidence on Senator Mike Gabbard. The best is yet to come!
Senator Gabbard worked hard going door-to-door throughout the campaign to talk to people and find out about their concerns and ideas. He has accomplished a lot since he was elected in 2006 but as he says, "there’s still much more work to be done in our growing community".
Mike will also be able to continue on as the Chair of the Senate’s Energy and Environment Committee. Living and representing the fastest growing area of the state which is also blessed with many hot, sunny days makes Senator Gabbard a perfect match for the Energy and Environment Committee.
Recently Senator Gabbard was on-hand for the Ground Breaking for the Kalaeloa Solar One project in Kalaeloa. This will be a 5 MW Concentrating Solar Power project. There are also plans to put in an additional 20-30 MW of solar farms in Kalaeloa over the next few years.
Additionally, in Kunia and Mililani there will be a 20 MW solar farm headed up by Castle & Cooke. Many families in this area are getting solar water heaters and photovoltaic panels put on their homes every week to save on their electricity costs and at the same time do good for our environment.
Thanks to all of the people who placed their votes of confidence on Senator Mike Gabbard. The best is yet to come!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Congratulations, Senator Gabbard!
Senator Mike Gabbard was able to defeat his democratic opponent in the September 18th Primary Election. He received an impressive 76% of the vote! Mike is respected and loved in his district because of his hard work and dedication to helping all of his constituents.
Senator Gabbard faces a General Election opponent on November 2nd. Good luck, Mike!
Senator Gabbard faces a General Election opponent on November 2nd. Good luck, Mike!
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Why Senator Gabbard Deserves Your Vote
The time has finally arrived to place our votes for the candidates that we believe will do the most for us, represent our interests well, fight for important issues, lead our communities in a positive direction, as well as listening and responding to us.
I know its been a long and confusing campaign season full of promises and attacks. Most of us are ready for it to be over! But before placing your votes, I'd like to let you know why State Senator Mike Gabbard deserves to be re-elected.
He started out seeking to become the Senator for District 19 on the leeward side of Oahu four years ago by going door-to-door--actually knocking on every door--and asking people for their votes. He faced more than a few unfriendly people, even more unfriendly dogs, and heard the thoughts of everyone he could reach. Armed with this first-hand knowledge of how the ordinary residents feel about our community, along with his experience representing much of the same area as a City Councilman, he set about to make some changes after winning the State Senate seat.
He has brought about positive change in securing much needed funding for projects that will improve our community. As the Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee, he has been in a perfect situation to ensure that the development that is occurring in our area is utilizing alternative energy sources as much as possible. Senator Gabbard is leading us towards a more sustainable community, that provides a higher quality of life.
Perhaps Mike's most important asset, though, is that his door is always open. As I have talked to his constituents from District 19, as well as people outside his district, I have heard over and over again that they are impressed with how accessible and responsive he is. Senator Gabbard has won the support of many constituents purely by the hard work that he does to respond to their questions, suggestions, and problems.
I spoke to a man recently who told me that he doesn't agree with Senator Gabbard on most of the social issues, but he is voting for Mike and asking his friends and family to do the same because Senator Gabbard has time and time again bent over backwards to help him when no one else in government would.
Another constituent was blown away that Senator Gabbard called her from his cell phone while on the mainland 30 minutes after receiving her email inquiry. That kind of service to the community is unprecedented!
For a Senator who will listen, quickly respond, and take effective action for any and all constituents, Senator Mike Gabbard is the only choice.
www.mikegabbard.com
I know its been a long and confusing campaign season full of promises and attacks. Most of us are ready for it to be over! But before placing your votes, I'd like to let you know why State Senator Mike Gabbard deserves to be re-elected.
He started out seeking to become the Senator for District 19 on the leeward side of Oahu four years ago by going door-to-door--actually knocking on every door--and asking people for their votes. He faced more than a few unfriendly people, even more unfriendly dogs, and heard the thoughts of everyone he could reach. Armed with this first-hand knowledge of how the ordinary residents feel about our community, along with his experience representing much of the same area as a City Councilman, he set about to make some changes after winning the State Senate seat.
He has brought about positive change in securing much needed funding for projects that will improve our community. As the Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee, he has been in a perfect situation to ensure that the development that is occurring in our area is utilizing alternative energy sources as much as possible. Senator Gabbard is leading us towards a more sustainable community, that provides a higher quality of life.
Perhaps Mike's most important asset, though, is that his door is always open. As I have talked to his constituents from District 19, as well as people outside his district, I have heard over and over again that they are impressed with how accessible and responsive he is. Senator Gabbard has won the support of many constituents purely by the hard work that he does to respond to their questions, suggestions, and problems.
I spoke to a man recently who told me that he doesn't agree with Senator Gabbard on most of the social issues, but he is voting for Mike and asking his friends and family to do the same because Senator Gabbard has time and time again bent over backwards to help him when no one else in government would.
Another constituent was blown away that Senator Gabbard called her from his cell phone while on the mainland 30 minutes after receiving her email inquiry. That kind of service to the community is unprecedented!
For a Senator who will listen, quickly respond, and take effective action for any and all constituents, Senator Mike Gabbard is the only choice.
www.mikegabbard.com
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Sen. Gabbard Recognizes the Importance of the Hawai'i Conservation Conference
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."
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."
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
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