Governor Abercrombie Signs Unemployment Insurance Bill Into Law

Today, Governor Neil Abercrombie signed House Bill 2096, which extends the mitigation of the Unemployment Insurance tax increase through calendar year 2012, into law.

This is the sixth measure the Governor has enacted into law this legislative session and comes at a pivotal time as the state's economy continues its slow recovery. The legislation allows local businesses to save hundreds of dollars per employee annually in Unemployment Insurance tax contributions. These savings may make the difference between staying in business or not, allowing companies to hire additional employees, and preventing businesses from laying off current employees.

The bill also continues the Maximum Weekly Benefit Amount at 75 percent of the Average Weekly Wage rather than return to the normal 70 percent. The legislation also permits the Unemployment Insurance Fund to accept loans from the state general fund and the federal government, if necessary.

Governor Abercrombie signing House Bill 2096 into law.

Jordan's Journal with Rep. Angus McKelvey

On the next episode of Jordan’s Journal, Rep. Jo Jordan sits down with Representative Angus McKelvey, the chairman of the House Committee on Economic Revitalization and Business.

They talk about aerospace, broadband, film and digital media, and how the state must take advantage of the unique opportunities we have here in Hawaii to stimulate these areas and revitalize our economy.

Rep. McKelvey mentions his work on measures that will restructure the film tax credit so that it becomes tied into more local jobs and use of local vendors. He says that we have the talent here that the film industry can use in all processes of making a movie. His idea is to require film companies to hire local people at all levels of production.

Watch the show now!

Episode 13 - Rep Angus McKelvey from Jo Jordan on Vimeo.

The show will also air on Monday, March 12, 2012 at 1 p.m. on Olelo Channel 54

For a face-to-face with these lawmakers, you can attend a Lawmakers Listen for an opportunity to talk with Reps Jordan and McKelvey, and other members of House leadership about the measures making their way through the legislative process, especially the ones that affect the Wai'anae Coast community. The meeting is on Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 7 p.m. in the multi-purpose room at the Wai'anae District Park.

Rep. Jordan will be joined by Vice Speaker Joey Manahan, Vice Chair Sharon Har (Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources), Chair Angus McKelvey (Committee on Economic Revitalization & Business), and Chair Marcus Oshiro (Finance Committee).

Agriculture Update 2/8/12

Today, the Committee on Agriculture adopted several measures aimed at easing the burden on small farmers and bolstering the agriculture industry statewide.

The issue of funding for plant quarantine inspectors and support staff is critical to the agriculture industry as a whole; inadequate inspection leads to grave consequences, especially for neighbor islands. Rep. McKelvey (Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kapalua, Maalaea, Kihei) pointed out that a lack of funding may close Maui's airport inspection facility, crippling the local economy. The Committee unanimously passed HB1940, which would provide $2.4 million to fund 38 inspectors and 3 support staff positions statewide.

For decades, farmers have been struggling with the building permit process. Two bills intending to address the problem, HB1949 and HB2424, were heard by the Committee today. The bills were nearly identical and would allow farmers to build structures without requiring a county permit. HB2424 ended up being adopted and advances to be heard by the Committee on Water, Land, & Ocean Resources.

The state grades agricultural land from “A” very good to “E” not suitable. The land's grade is a key factor in determining what purpose it may be used for. During the hearing, Rep. McKelvey asked the DoA when the last time the Department graded Agricultural land in the state was. The answer: 1972. A lot can happen over the course of four decades. Rep. McKelvey went on to cite several properties that are still classified as grade "A" agricultural land, despite no longer having any water supply or infrastructure. You can expect to hear more regarding a reevaluation of land grades in the near future.

HB1948 was heard last Friday, but decision making was deferred until today. The bill, which received overwhelming support from the community, as well as state agencies, will strengthen existing laws regarding agricultural theft. The Committee unanimously adopted the measure and it will advance to the Committee on Judiciary.

Chair Tsuji announced that there is new language proposed for HB1947, so the bill will be heard again on Friday, February 10th. HB1947 proposed HD1 requires the Department of Agriculture to establish an agricultural safety and security program. Testimony should be based on the Proposed HD1. Friday's hearing announcement can be viewed here.

Robotics at APEC makes national news

Rep. Angus McKelvey shared the following good news on the Robotics event at the Hawaii Convention Center, held during APEC week. Rep. McKelvey was involved with Speaker Calvin Say in establishing the event as a tie-in with the APEC activities.

NASA worked with Hawaii's UH Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) to set up a real-time demonstration of NASA rovers at a Lunar/Mars site on the Big Island. The rovers were driven remotely by elementary students from the Big Island. Even some of the APEC delegates got to drive the rovers by remote at the end of the day.

The full story can be read on NASA's website.

Here are some pictures of the demonstration at the convention center, and some of the VIP guests that dropped by:

Photos courtesy of Rep. Mark Nakashima

Robotics Organizing Committee - Hawaii

Governor Abercrombie learning how to drive VEX robots

Rep. Mark Nakashima visiting ROC exhibit

Henk Rogers speaking with students

Hawaii film industry, take two

Mark Dacascos, the actor who plays the fictional villain Wo Fat on Hawaii Five-0, was spotted today at the Hawaii State Capitol with friend Chris Lee, film producer and founder of the University of Hawaii's Academy for Creative Media. Lee was part of a panel of experts discussing the film industry in Hawaii at a House informational briefing.

As Hawaii Five-0, The River, and other big productions begin filming on the islands, House lawmakers  continue to hold informational briefings to learn about what is being done to grow and nurture the industry as well as what needs to be improved and what kinds of legislation will be proposed during the upcoming legislative session. Today's meeting was the second in a series of briefings during the interim.

If you're unfamiliar with Act 88, the current law giving incentives and tax credits to production companies who film in the state, here's the basics. It is a refundable tax credit for qualified film, television, commercial, or digital media projects. The credit equals 15% of qualified production costs incurred on Oahu, and 20% on the neighbor islands. There is a $200, 000 minimum expenditure requirement and a maximum cap of $8 million in rebates.

It looks like the Creative Industries Division in the State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism will be proposing legislation to raise the tax credit for workforce development and seek capital improvement project funds for a studio. It was also mentioned that the law should not exclude internet-based productions from the tax credit.

Rep. Angus McKelvey suggested tailoring the tax credit to require post-production to be done in Hawaii.

Chris Lee reiterated several times how Hawaii needs more infrastructure: a larger industry workforce and buildings/ studios for the production companies.

The meeting ended with a discussion about connecting youth performing arts programs to college programs and local projects.

Cultural Gems

Submitted by the Office of Rep. Tom Brower:

During the interim, Rep. Brower has been keeping busy with site visits to learn about our cultural gems across the island, which he often views from the perspective of Tourism Chair.

A. APEC Sites

Today, he joined the House International Affairs committee to visit the Honolulu International Airport, East-West Center and the Hawaii Convention Center and assess their "APEC readiness.

Of particular importance were the airport upgrades with moving walkways, healthier food and beverage concessions, and 1800-stall parking structure, part of the $2.3 billion modernization program approved in 2006 to improve passenger service and increase security and operational efficiencies.

(From Left): SMG General Manager Joe Davis with Reps. Evans, Brower, Awana and McKelvey. The Hawai‘i Convention Center has received its 13th consecutive Prime Site Award from Facilities & Destinations magazine.

B. Legacy Lands

This interim, Rep. Brower has joined Senate Vice-Chair of Hawaiian Affairs, Pohai Ryan, to visit Fong Plantation (Kaneohe), Sunset Ranch, Turtle Bay, and Hawaii Agricultural Research Station (Waipahu).

The Dept. of Land and Natural Resources "Legacy Land Conservation Program" (LLCP) provides grants to local organizations and agencies seeking to purchase and protect lands having these unique and rare valuable resources.

The 700-acre Fong Plantation, which is filled with tropical fruit, palms, ferns, and fragrant flowers, originally belonged to King Lunalilo. Former Senator Hiram L. Fong, who purchased it in 1950, is well-known for being the first Asian American presidential candidate (1964).

(From Left): Reps. Hashem and Brower, Hiram Fong Jr., Sen. Ryan and guest at the Plantation.

Class of 2006

Left to right: Representatives Joey Manahan, Angus McKelvey, Karen Awana, Karl Rhoads, Sharon Har, James Kunane Tokioka, John Mizuno. (courtesy Rep. Mizuno)

Star Power

Left to right: Cuba Gooding, Jr, Rep. Angus McKelvey, Bradley Cooper, Zach Braff, Rep. Tom Brower and Adrien Brody. The Hollywood stars were in town to support legislation on motion picture tax credits.

West Maui Community Meeting

WHAT: Rep. Angus McKelvey (Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kapalua, Maalaea, Kihei, North Kihei) and Sen. Roz Baker (South and West Maui, Kapalua, Kaanapali, Lahaina, Maalaea, Kihei, Wailea, Makena) will co-host a community meeting to discuss priorities and ideas in advance of the 2011 legislative session. There will also be updates on projects in the West Maui and Maalaea areas.

WHEN: Thursday, December 2, 2010, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: West Maui Kaunoa Senior Center

House bills support veterans and military servicemen and women

Photo Attached: From Left to Right, Rep. Cindy Evans, Rep. Angus McKelvey, Rep. K. Mark Takai, Dennis Egge, Rep. Barbara Marumoto

House lawmakers today presented a package of military appreciation bills that have been introduced this 2010 legislative session in the House of Representatives.

Rep. Angus McKelvey, chairman of the House Committee on Economic Revitalization, Business and Military Affairs (EBM), was joined by committee member Rep. Cindy Evans and Dennis Egge, chairman of the Oahu Veterans Council's Legislative Committee.

The package includes 14 bills and one resolution that propose to help as well as recognize veterans and military men and women currently serving their country. One bill would prevent courts from using a parent's extended absence due to military service or other public duties to alter or affect awards of child custody and visitation. Another would require that the National League of Families' prisoner of war/missing in action flag to be flown with the United States and Hawaiian flags to honor American prisoners of war and military personnel who are missing in action.

"These bills will help to strengthen the relationship that the state of Hawaii has with the military and help to stimulate more federal investment to Hawaii through the defense spending the military has committed to Hawaii," Rep. McKelvey said, noting that President Obama's proposed budget being sent to Congress has about $708 billion marked for defense spending, which will have important implications for Hawaii.

"These bills introduced on the House side bring attention to issues affecting our military, which are servicemen and their families, "said Rep. Cindy Evans. “With over 55,000 troops in Hawaii, we embrace the military as part of our ‘ohana.”

"All the bills that we are supporting benefit veterans and military personnel who live and work in our great state, and the Oahu Veterans Council sincerely thanks the legislature for offering them," said Dennis Egge.

"The spectrum of benefits from supporting the bills runs from the flying of the POW flag to the proper burial of indigent veterans,” added Egge. “One bill that I feel very strongly about is the bill that will assure voting rights for our veterans and deployed service personnel."

HB437, Relating to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund
Extends the maximum age for EUTF health benefits coverage for dependent beneficiaries who are unmarried full-time students and are called to active duty in federal service with the National Guard or military reserves.

HB1899, Relating to Military and Overseas Civilian Absentee Voters
Implements voting provisions for uniformed services and overseas absentee voters, as recommended by Federal Voting Assistance Program.

HB1900, Relating to Military Personnel
Recognizes the designations of prisoner of war and missing in action as valid descriptions of casualty status and category classification for military personnel.

HB1942, Relating to Veterans Court
Establishes a temporary Hawaii Veterans Court within the Judiciary to help address prison overcrowding.

HB1943, Relating to Veterans
Requires the director of the office of veterans' services to act on behalf of deceased veterans found to be indigent at the time of death and without surviving immediate family members to ensure the burial of the veteran's remains in a state veterans cemetery.

HB1945, Relating to License Plates
Requires applicants for special member plates for military service to submit proof of honorable discharge from the military.

HB2061, Relating to Children
Provides that in child custody proceedings, courts shall not give undue weight to a parent's absence away from the child, when such absence is due to service in the military. Requires courts to make a reasonable effort to expedite proceedings or use electronic communication systems to facilitate a parent's participation in a proceeding when an affected parent is a substantial distance away from the court.

HB2273, Relating to Civil Service
Specifies which veterans qualify for civil service hiring preference.

HB2348, Relating to a Veterans' Memorial
Provides for the development of veterans' memorials to honor the veterans of the Persian Gulf War, Operation Desert Storm, Afghanistan-Iraq War, as well as for women veterans of World War II.

HB2351, Relating to Veterans
Requires an applicant for a veteran's license plate to include a copy of the applicant's most recent discharge paper or separation document that indicates an honorable discharge or general (under honorable conditions) discharge from active duty.

HB2383, Relating to Flags
Recognizes and requires the prisoner of war/missing in action flag to be flown with the U.S. and Hawaiian flags.

HB2662, Relating to Commercial Driver's License
Extends the exemption from requirement to obtain a commercial driver's license to certain former military personnel no longer on active duty who previously operated commercial motor vehicles for military purposes, provided that they met relevant minimum federal requirements that meet or exceed state requirements to operate those vehicles.

HB2930, Relating to Special Number Plates
Provides that veterans of operation enduring freedom or operation Iraqi freedom may apply for special number plates.

HB2931, Relating to Special Number Plates
Provides that applicants for special number plates for military service may pay an optional fundraising fee for a military service veterans group. Makes appropriation to counties as State's share of cost of mandated program.

HCR3, Awarding the Hawaii Medal of Honor to United States Military Service Members, with Hawaii Connections, Killed in Action While Serving in Dangerous, Volatile, and Unstable Areas of the World, Including Iraq and Afghanistan.

Rep Angus McKelvey wants your feedback

Representative Angus McKelvey, D-10 (West Maui, north Kihei) created an online survey to get feedback from his constituents on the current issues the state is facing, the Maui News reports.

The survey is short and won't take more than two minutes. It includes questions about the budget, infrastructure improvements, and a few that gauge how you feel about certain issues and proposals.

One question asks "According to estimates, the state budget will have a deficit of upwards of $1 billion by the end of 2011. How should we meet this challenge?" You can choose from "provide fewer government services," "raise taxes/fees to fund government services," "a combination of both fewer services and raise taxes/fees" or "other" (with an empty box for your suggestions).

Maui lawmakers weigh in on DOE furloughs

The Maui News today printed an article previewing the types of legislation state lawmakers may propose this session to end state teacher furloughs and get students back in the classroom. The 2010 Legislative Session opens tomorrow, and lawmakers have until Wednesday, January 27, 2010 to introduce bills.

You can read the entire article here.

Or read excerpts of what some members of Maui's delegation had to say:

• "State Rep. Gil Keith-Agaran has joined his seven freshman colleagues in the House in proposing that the state Department of Education be mandated to offer 190 instructional days per school year."

• "State Rep. Joe Souki, a Democrat who serves Central Maui residents, said the mandate of 190 instructional days is 'fine, but where are you going to find the money for that? . . . You can't mandate something if you don't have the money for it.'

Souki is seeking support for a proposal to raise the general excise tax by 1 percentage point for five years and dropping the personal income tax rate to 8 percent."

• "'It's a collective-bargaining issue, so it's difficult for us to step in,' (Rep. Kyle) Yamashita said. 'Sure, we would all like to be involved in these negotiations, but it is governed by law that we can't. If we step in, we could open ourselves up to lawsuits, and I think that's where the Legislature needs to be careful.'"

• "State Rep. Angus McKelvey, a Democrat serving West Maui residents, said he was reviewing proposals, including one to dedicate $1 of the state's oil tax to restoring instructional days. His proposal would be an alternative to other measures, such as raising the general excise tax."

New Report on Impact of DBEDT layoffs

The legislature’s economic development committee chairs, Representative Angus McKelvey, and Senator Carol Fukunaga announced today that a new report on the potential impact of the state layoffs at the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) is now available on the capitol website for public viewing. The report can be found here.

The House Committee on Economic Development, Business and Military Affairs , and the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Technology, held public informational briefings during the interim to discuss the rationale of the layoffs, the impact to Hawaii’s economy, Hawaii’s business community, and the general public.

The new report covers layoffs within and impacts to the following programs: Small Business Advocate, Land Use Division, Coastal Zone Management, and the DBEDT Library.

In their concluding recommendations, the committee report states that the layoffs within these programs will cause irreparable harm to the economy and its businesses, and it urges the legislature to reject the abolishment of key positions during the 2010 legislative session.

The committees strongly disagreed with the decisions made by the Department, state that the Department has lost its credibility with regard to all economic policies, and that the current DBEDT Director will have to assume responsibility for the deficiencies that will result from these actions.


Contact:
Senator Carol Fukunaga – 808-586-6890
Representative Angus McKelvey – 808-586-6160

Lawmakers and Twitter: A match made in Twitterville?

Representative Della Au Belatti posted a question on Twitter yesterday asking her followers what they thought of a Yahoo! article criticizing tweeting politicians who use 140-character tweets to communicate with the public.

The article references Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's unintelligible tweets, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's TwitVids (Twitter videos) – specifically, the one of him wielding a large knife, and other national lawmakers who write about ballet, golf and other commonplace occurrences.

Rep. Belatti proposed this discussion topic:

DAuBelatti: Thoughts on politicians & twitter - do you agree w/Yahoo article? http://tiny.cc/A71tB DAB: I admit to tweeting about daily activities.

I was able to find responses from four of her followers. Here is what they had to say:

Susan Jaworowski, an assistant professor and program director of the Legal Education Department at Kapiolani Community College, opined on the ways lawmakers should tweet, sans faux pas.

lavasusan: To @DAuBelatti Ways to do it right: make decisions transparent to public, keep them informed. Even human touches good if not the majority.

lavasusan: To @georgettedeemer @DAuBelatti: legislators can be as stupid or wise on Twitter as any other medium. Tweetcongress.org mostly gets it right.

Gene Park, a former Star-Bulletin reporter, complimented Rep. Belatti on her 140-character tweeting skills and gave her the green light on tweeting personal commentary – as long as knife-wielding isn't part of the package.

genepark: @DAuBelatti I think you do a fine mix of personal and work related tweets. Mundane tweets humanizes the personality.

genepark: @DAuBelatti And tweeting on the job is not much of a timesink. The Arnold knifeholding thing is pretty weird though. Don't do that. :-)

The voice behind Makiki Talks, an on-line gathering place for everything Makiki, tweeted views that are shared amongst many social media critics. He/she suggests that elected officials are too careless when using new media.

MakikiTalks: @DAuBelatti I don't understand y elected officials who use trad [traditional] media so carefully, so strategically forget themselves in SoMe-social media.

MakikiTalks: @DAuBelatti People still scrutinize DECISION MAKING, & ultimately PERSON making decision. Don't want to see lack of judgment or inattention

MakikiTalks: @DAuBelatti ..to the big decisions the people trust & give responsibility to make. Twitter is still earning credibility as a com tool.

A handful of Hawaii's elected officials, including Reps. Della Au Belatti, Jon Riki Karamatsu, Angus McKelvey, Cindy Evans and other capitol tweeps, are posting their thoughts and activities on the social-networking phenomenon that has recently found its way into the mainstream.

What are your thoughts on the Twitter etiquette of elected officials? Should they tweet about the mundane? Should they be tweeting at all? Is Twitter the appropriate medium to respond and discuss serious issues?

Temporary visas for WWII Fil-Am Veterans

Photo: Rep. Angus McKelvey with WWII Fil-Am Veterans and their wives.

Members of the WWII Filipino-American Veterans - Hawaii Chapter (FAV) yesterday testified in support of a HCR 298/HR 270, which urges the adoption of a proposed federal law that would allow family members of the Filipino American Veterans to obtain temporary visas in order to visit and be with their family members in Hawaii.

Representative Angus McKelvey, chair of the Economic Revitalization, Business & Military Affairs Committee, passed the resolution out of committee noting that "given that these honorable men and women sacrificed so much for our country, to allow them to have their family members with them as they pass is a very small token that the federal government can do for all they sacrificed."

In Photo: Members of the Economic Revitalization, Business & Military Affairs Committee with Filipino-American WWII veterans who testified on HCR 298/HR 270.

SBA Award Winners honored by lawmakers

Today on the House floor, Representatives Angus McKelvey and Isaac Choy introduced their colleagues to eleven local business men and women who won U.S. Small Business Administration Awards for the State of Hawaii. A house resolution was introduced to recognize and honor the U.S. Small Business Administration's dedication to the small business community.

Awardees:

Young Entrepreneur of the Year - Mr. Michael Fairall, owner and principal of Mokulua Woodworking, Ltd.

Small Exporter of the Year - Mr. Richard Xie, president of Hawaiian Sealife Inc.

Family-Owned Small Business of the Year - Jayne Kim and June Arakawa, owners of Eki Cyclery.

Small Business Journalist of the Year - Naomi Hazelton Giambrone, founder of Pacific Edge Magazine.

Veteran's Business Champion of the Year - Judy Arayanado, a Work & Family Life coordinator for the Pearl Harbor Fleet & Family Support Center for 15 years.

Entrepreneurial Success of the Year - Timothy Moore, Michael Moore, and Robert Aguiar, Old Lahaiana Luau & Aloha Mixed Plate.

Women in Business Champion of the Year - Melissa Pavlicek, founder and president of the Hawaii Public Policy Advocates.

Financial Services Champion of the Year - Jean Jeremiah, administrator with the SCORE Association (counselors to America's Small Business).

Minority Small Business Champion of the Year - Barbara Haliniak, founder of Business Depot, Inc. and chair of the Molokai Chamber of Commerce.

Home-Based Business Champion of the Year - Agnes Reyes, president of Case Management Professionals, Inc.

Small Business Person of the Year - Vaughn Vasconcellos, president and chief executive officer of Akimeka LLC

In Photo: Reps. McKelvey and Choy with the winners of the SBA Hawaii awards.

On the eve of digital television

Last week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Hawaii DTV Transition Project presented state lawmakers with their “Countdown to January 15, 2009”, the date when Hawaii becomes the first state in the nation to make the switch to an all digital transmission for television signals. That's tomorrow! The national transition date is February 17, 2009.

As Hawaii is the first state, all eyes will be on the transition experience in the islands. As such, no other market is getting such a high level of FCC attention and support. According to the FCC, here is what they are focusing on during the final nine days prior to the transition:

· In-home technical support begins. Continued training of assistance teams.
· Call center expansion as of yesterday. Ten phone lines active.
· Movement of people/attention to Maui, Molokai, and Big Island.
· Multiple consumer assistance clinics daily.
· Blast media messages aggressively.

Mr. Lyle Ishida, FCC Hawaii DTV Transition Manager said today that the FCC has conducted over 200 events, visits and training sessions in Hawaii. They have established a call center, issued 50,206 coupons for converter boxes (12,205 have been redeemed), awarded four microgrant contracts (with four to go), and have established partnerships with all broadcast television stations in the state.

The FCC emphasized that there will be some signal pattern changes due to the fact that some broadcast towers have been moved on Maui and Oahu. This will affect mostly Eastern Molokai, north Hawaii and Hamakua coast, and central Oahu. The signal testing on Oahu is completed. Testing will begin soon on Maui, Molokai, Lanai and the Big Island. The signal pattern changes are part of a strategic effort to push consumers through the transition early.

The pre-and-post transit consumer clinics are scheduled and designed to maintain thorough communication with Hawaii residents. For more information, Mr. Ishida outlined several additional resources for Hawaii consumers:

Web: http://www.dtv.gov/hawaii
Web. http://www.hawaiigoesdigital.com
Email: hawaiidtvtransition@fcc.gov
Telephone: 541-2388

Regarding the availability of coupons, the federal government offers up to two coupons per household for discounts on the purchase of converter boxes (between $48-70) that will be required for television sets receiving TV over the air. Coupons and further information may be obtained by calling 1-888-DTV-2009 or online at www.dtv2009.gov.

In addition, especially on the neighbor islands, the FCC Transition Team is asking clubs, organizations, teams etc. to go out into the community and help with setting up TVs for anyone that needs the assistance. They will need to attend a training class. Call 541-2388 for more info. Testing on the neighbor islands began on Jan 9th.

"I'd like the Governor to declare a state of emergency."

That is what David H. Murdoch, a Hawaii businessman who controls, through Dole Food Co., Lanai and other companies like Castle & Cooke, said about Hawaii's dependency on fossil fuels after the signing into law of four renewable energy house bills today in the Governors office.

Today, the amount of renewable energy used in Hawaii compared to fossil fuels is only 10 percent.

The following bills are just the first step in weeding Hawaii off its oil dependency and making it easier for renewable energy facilities to do business here:

House Bill 2505 RELATING TO ENERGY. This bill establishes a full-time energy facilitator and an energy security special fund within the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. The legislature recognizes the complexity of permitting for energy facilities development, and the facilitator is tasked with streamlining the permitting process. The bill is part of the Joint House/Senate Majority Package and was introduced by Rep. Hermina Morita, Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection.

House Bill 2863 RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY. This bill expedites the state and county permitting process for the development and construction of renewable energy facilities that will generate at least 200 megawatts of energy. The bill was introduced by Rep. Calvin Say, Speaker of the House.

House Bill 2261 RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LOANS. This bill recognizes the importance of a sustainability policy for Hawaii. It includes and makes eligible farm sustainability projects within existing agricultural loan programs and aquaculture sustainability projects within aquacultural loan programs. The bill was introduced by Rep. Clift Tsuji, Chair of the House Agriculture Committee.

House Bill 3179 RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY PRODUCER. This bill amends the definition of "renewable energy producer" to include growers of plants used in biofuels or other renewable energy fuels. This will enable them to lease public land for renewable energy purposes. The bill was introduced by Rep. Calvin Say, Speaker of the House, by request of the state administration.

Maui Reps speak out on veto targets

Maui News ran a story today on lawmakers urging the Governor not to veto certain bills, and rallying supporters to contact her as well.

As presented in the post below, Rep. Angus McKelvey (District 10 - Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kapalua, Maalaea, Kihei, North Kihei) is most appalled by the possible veto of his bill to develop an emergency access plan for West Maui, particularly when Honoapiilani Highway (the only ingress and egress) is shut down by natural disaster.

"McKelvey said he included the provision to exempt a contract from the procurement code because traffic management consultant, Jim Charlier, of Charlier Associates Inc. of Boulder, Colo., is willing to do the work for $50,000. Other outside consultants would charge four times that amount. If Charlier, who has worked on West Maui transportation issues in the past, doesn't pan out, McKelvey said some local transportation consultants said they would come in and take a pay cut to do the job."

Rep. Joe Bertram (District 11 - Makena, Wailea, Kihei), said he wasn't surprised that his Medical Marijuana task force bill, HB2675, was on the list.

"When Bertram introduced his marijuana-related bills this spring, Lingle announced at a Maui public event that she would do whatever is within her power to make sure those bills do not become law. Lingle also chastised the media for devoting coverage to Bertram's bills."

Rep. Joe Souki (District 8 - Wailuku, Waihee, Waiehu, Puuohala, Waikapu), as Transportation Chair, is most concerned about HB2250, a bill to establish a commission to implement regulation of inter-island airline carriers.

"Lingle argued that the bill reduces incentives for the airlines to behave efficiently and discourages healthy competition. It also runs against the federal Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, Lingle said."

However, Speaker Emeritus Souki believes that Hawaii is so dependent on interisland airlines that regulation is needed to make the airlines more accountable and to stabilize ticket prices. Besides, the law would not take effect unless there was federal legislation enacted to allow the implementation.

Community Action Alert: West Maui Needs Transportation Access Plan

Rep. McKelvey of Maui urges the Governor not to veto a bill that would provide residents with an alternative highway transportation access plan in the event of a disaster on the only road in and out of West Maui. In a letter to constituents, he alerts them on the fact that HB2531 is on the intent-to-veto list the administration recently released.

Aloha all,

Thanks to the hard work of members of the community like you, the West Maui Transportation Access Plan bill, HB2531, passed the state legislature this past session.

This bill was borne out of the experience that we, as West Maui residents, endured last year when the Honoapiilani Highway was closed because of the Olowalu fire. Even though it lasted only two days, the chaos that ensued and the stories of people camped along the road like refugees and abandoned cars snarling up the road showed how an event like this has devastating impacts upon our community.

Officials have told me that had the wind not switched, the road could have been closed for a much longer time.This bill, HB2531, would bring together the state and county entities with community groups and private companies to develop a West Maui Transportation Access Plan to provide for alternate ways in and out of West Maui and also provide a framework to try and secure funds these contingency services next session.

We must not allow this bill to vetoed because, as the fire plainly showed last year, time is not a luxury that we in West Maui have when it comes to ensuring that the health and well being our families and friends are protected through pro-active planning.

This bill is critical to ensuring that we are not left stranded when the only highway in and out of West Maui is closed, like what happened last year during the Olowalu brush fire. The bill will only cost the state $50,000, which is pennies compared to the economic and personal harm that will be suffered by the community when the road is closed without a plan to get people in and out of the area.

Sincerely Yours,
State Representative Angus McKelvey, District 10 (West Maui, Maalaea and N. Kihei)

Photo from starbulletin.com : Residents park their cars on Honoapiilani Highway while waiting out a fire that burned on the east side of the West Maui Mountains.