"Don't Miss" TV

I had a chance to preview Rep. Marilyn Lee's upcoming Kukui Connection shows - the first with Bishop Museum's public affairs director, Donalyn Dela Cruz, and the second with Rep. Hermina Morita, on the top energy and environmental protection bills passed in 2009.

Both shows are really interesting, and I hope you'll get a chance to watch them.  Here are some highlights:

Donalyn Dela Cruz, Bishop Museum (airs Sunday, June 7, 4:00 p.m., Olelo - Channel 54)

*The history of Bishop Museum begins with the love story of Charles Reed Bishop and Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop.

*The museum houses over 24 million catalogued objects.

*Hawaiian Hall, which is being renovated, will re-open in August 2009.

*Learn about the new exhibits.

*The museum is a non-profit organization, not a state agency, and needs on-going support from the local community.

*The museum has many volunteer opportunities, and, in fact, depends on volunteers in order to operate.

*Website: www.bishopmuseum.org

Rep. Hermina Morita (airs Sunday, May 31 and June 14, 4:00 p.m., Olelo - Channel 54)

*The top energy bills passed this year: HB1271 - Food/Energy Security, SB1202 - Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, and HB1464 - State's Energy Policy.

*HB1271 provides for our long-term food and energy sustainability by increasing the tax on a barrel of oil by $1, and using the resources for energy and agriculture programs.  The impact to the consumer is only about 2 cents a gallon but can easily be made up through energy efficiency and changing our consumption habits.

*Hawaii is one of the first states to implement such an initiative utilizing a type of carbon tax.

*SB1202 provides incentives to build infrastructure for electric vehicle usage.  Great analogy between the infrastructure for cell phone technology and electric vehicle technology.

*HB1464 essentially establishes the state's renewable energy policy.  This includes an ambitious renewable energy portfolio standard, with the goal of 40% renewables by 2030.

*Also discussed - clothesline bill and update on the redemption rates for the bottle bill.