Taro Task Force Briefs Lawmakers

The House Committee on Agriculture held an informational briefing to discuss issues of public concern regarding the current and future availability of taro and the protection and availability of taro producing lands. Representatives from the Taro Task Force briefed the Committee on the current state and possible future of taro in Hawaii then fielded questions.

The Task Force was established in 2008 and is composed of 18 members representing all of the major stakeholders regarding taro. Their recommendations included improving access to water in taro growing communities, increased apple snail containment and control, identifying and controlling invasive kalo varieties, and furthering the “board and stone in every home” movement.

Committee on Agriculture Chair Rep. Jessica Wooley scheduled the briefing to better inform committee members of the state of taro in Hawaii, so they will have as much information as possible when considering current legislation relating to Hawaii’s most culturally significant crop.

Mana Ai Daniel Anthony provided lawmakers with a taste of what's at stake

Decision making on HB484and HB734, both dealing with the protection of taro, will take place tomorrow at 8:00 am in Conference Room 325 of the State Capitol.

GMOs an Early Theme in Agriculture

World renowned food security, food sovereignty, and sustainable agriculture advocate Dr. Vandana Singh was scheduled to speak at the Capitol this morning, but her arrival on island was delayed causing her to miss the engagement. Instead, a roundtable discussion on agriculture, specifically Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) took place. The panel was composed of Reps Jessica Wooley and Lauren Cheape, national and local experts in the field, and a special guest from Molokai who has experienced, first-hand, the impact GMOs can have on surrounding communities. The standing-room-only crowd included former Governor John Waihee, several Senators, community organizations, and private citizens.

Rep. Jessica Wooley hosted the panel

Lawmakers told the public to expect a number of pieces of legislation regarding GMOs and sustainable agriculture to be introduced this session. The centerpiece of the legislative package is a bill proposing to require the labeling of GMO fruits and vegetables grown in Hawaii for consumption on the islands. The narrow focus of the bill has proponents optimistic that Hawaii may become the first state in the nation to require some form of GMO labeling.

Paul Achitoff (left) attorney for Earth Justice and  Andrew Kimbrell co-author of California's Proposition 37

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.

Telling Stories and Growing Industries

Ty Sanga in orange on the set of "Stones." - Photo from Honolulu Weekly online

The panelists in today’s informational briefing on creative industries in Hawaii shared one underlying position: for the creative industry sector to be successful and sustainable in Hawaii, we must mentor, train and educate our youth, but that can’t be done if “the arts” are not included as required core education at local schools.

Ramsay Taum, of Pacific Islanders in Communications, said it best. He noted that the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Program should have been the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Program.

Beth Kammerer, director of Kahuku High School’s award-winning choir “Vocal Motion,” added that kids need enrichment programs. Our students absorb information in their math and science classes all day, she said, and in their music, film and art classes, they get to let things out, their feelings, their knowledge, and their stories.

Taum explained how Pacific Island cultures would tell their stories through song and dance, but today stories are and can be told through contemporary tools. We need to assist islanders to tell our cultural stories the way we tell our stories, he said, ultimately changing past interpretations of Hawaiian culture in the creative media industries.

An exciting addition to the discussion was Ty Sanga, a local boy from Kalihi and graduate of Saint Louis School whose short film “Stones,” which was filmed in Hawaii and adapted from a Hawaiian legend, was selected to be shown at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. The film was completed in 2008 as part of his thesis project at a mainland university. Sanga recounted to lawmakers how he had to persuade university advisers to allow him and his crew to film on location in Hawaii. They told me that I could just film it in California, I didn’t need to go all the way to Hawaii, he said. He wanted to film a story about Hawaii in Hawaii.

Hawaii’s creative industries has grown 10 percent since 2002, and today has a total workforce of 44,000 employees, said panelist Georgia Skinner, head of the Creative Industries Division at the State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. She said since the division’s establishment in 2003 there has been 10 feature films, four television series, and several national commercials shot in Hawaii. The companies provide internships to local students and contribute in various ways to the communities in which they are filming. Hawaii Five-O takes on five interns per season.

Skinner also talked about the need for more integration of digital arts into the classroom, using digital media in biology and math courses at elementary, intermediate and high school levels to engage students in both the arts and sciences. She noted that given the economy and lack of funding for classroom courses, DBEDT is working on connecting creative industry communities and creating strategic public and private partnerships. DBEDT will be taking a survey of Hawaii creative industry sectors to see what they need. Results of that survey should be out by the end of the year, before the start of the 2012 Legislative Session.

This was the first of several meetings held by the House Committee on Culture and the Arts. The next one is tentatively scheduled for September 7, 2011. The committee is lead by Representative Jessica Wooley.

What's on your wall, Rep. Jessica Wooley?

Rep. Jessica Wooley, chair of the House Committee on Culture and the Arts, talks about a couple of her favorite art pieces displayed in her office. The first one is "Blue Surfer," a pastel on black Arches paper, by Vicki Vierra. The second is a masterpiece by her 7-year-old son!

The public will be able to view this piece and other works of art on April 1, 2011 at the 3rd Annual Art at the Capitol from 5 - 7 p.m. This year's theme is "State of the Art" and will feature Doug Young, the local artist who designed Kapolei Court Complex's five multistory stained glass windows inspired by area ocean wave patterns, and is currently working on a glass floor project for the Hawaii State Art Museum.

Works of art are placed in public areas of the State Capitol as part of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts' "Art in Public Places" program, which seeks to enhance the environmental quality of state public buildings and spaces for the enjoyment and enrichment of the public; cultivate the public's awareness, understanding and appreciation of visual arts; contribute toward the development and recognition of a professional artistic community; and acquire, preserve, and display works of art expressive of the character of the Hawaiian Islands, the multicultural heritage of its people, and the various creative interests of its artists. The program was established in 1967, and was the first program of its kind in the nation.

School Closures

KA'A'AWA Elementary

Rep. Jessica Wooley meets tomorrow, Wednesday, June 2,2010 with the community to discuss the Task Force report on the possible closure of Ka'a'awa Elementary. The meeing will be held at the Ka'a'awa School cafeteria at 6:30 p.m.

In January 2009, the Department of Education created a task force to study the possible closure of Ka'a'awa Elementary. If closed, students would go to Waiahole Elementary or Hau'ula Elementary. The task force report was published on April 30, 2010. A copy of the report can be found here.

KOHALA Elementary

Rep. Mark Nakashima met with the community this past Monday evening on the possible closure of Kohala Elementary. A story in West Hawaii Today is here. According to the article, the consolidation task force report indicated that the closure was unwarranted and didn't make financial or academic sense. However, the Department of Education appears to be going forward with the closure despite the report. The report summary can be found here.

Hau'ula Town Meeting to Focus on Drug Abuse

Rep. Jessica Wooley (District 47 – La’ie, Hau’ula, Punalu’u, Kahana, Ka’a’awa, Waikane, Kahalu’u, Ahuimanu, Kane’ohe) announced that there will be a Hau’ula Town Hall Meeting on Thursday evening to address the issue of illegal drugs and drug abuse in the community.

What: Hau’ula Town Hall meeting
Where: Hau’ula Civic Center (Revised 5/26 - not Hau'ula Elementary)
When: Thursday, May 27, 2010
Time: 6:00 p.m.

Agenda:

6:00 pm to 7:00 pm: The Hawaii Meth Project and Hina Mauka will provide information on problems, prevention, and treatment options.

7:30 pm to 8:15 pm: The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) and interested residents will discuss crime prevention and how we can form and organize the Hau‘ula Neighborhood Security Watch (NSW) group.

“Drug use and abuse are hurting many people in this district, and there is a lack of drug prevention programs and counselors in Hau’ula,” said Rep. Jessica Wooley. “I invited the Hawaii Meth Project and Hina Mauka so that we can see what our options are and start to take action.”

Mochi Mochi

Representative Jessica Wooley, D-47 (Kahaluu, Kaneohe, Haula, Laie), got down to business mpounding mochi rice for the New Year on Sat., Jan. 16, 2010. She joined Kahalu'u Cubs, Kahalu'u Boy Scouts, a local Girl Scout troop, and parents to prepare mochi at Kahalu'u United Methodist Church. The church is the sponsor for both the Cub Pack 117 and Scout Troop 117.

In photo above, Representative Jessica Wooley and Kai Ellis of Troop 117 keep a steady rhythm while pounding the mochi in the usu (mortar) with a kine (wooden mallet).

Photo from Elwin Spray.

Ahuimanu Elementary Clean Up

Ahuimanu Elementary Principal Randy Scoville sent a note of thanks to Rep. Jessica Wooley for her help on the beautification project, held November 28, 2009. He included the photo above of Rep. Wooley working hard on the clean up.

Freshman Jessica Wooley represents District 47 - an large area of Oahu that includes Laie, Hauula, Punaluu, Kahana, Kaaawa, Waikane, Kahaluu, Ahuimanu and Kaneohe.

Two truck loads of green waste were hauled away after volunteers cleaned up the fence line by the school's basketball courts. According to Soville, the project satisfies an MS4 Storm Drain Waste Water Management requirement.

Ahuimanu Elementary was invited to enter into a partnership with the Hawaii Air National Guard as part of the Joint Venture Education Forum, initiated by Sen. Dan Inouye, which provides support to military impacted schools. Every third year some schools, such as Ahuimanu, that do not have large numbers of military children are invited to participate in the program. Members of the Hawaii Air National Guard participated in the cleanup and will be assisting with future school activities and projects.

Town Hall Meeting at 'Ahuimanu Elementary School

Come to a town hall meeting with Rep. Jessica Wooley at 'Ahuimanu Elementary School tomorrow, November 4, 2009, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Rep. Wooley is holding this meeting to hear community concerns and give residents an opportunity to bring ideas for legislation to the table for the 2010 Legislative Session and opine on important state and community issues facing Hawaii residents. Light refreshments will be served.

Work to begin on Windward Oahu bridge

Representative Jessica Wooley yesterday attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the South Punaluu Stream bridge-replacement project. The current bridge is 83 years old and must be replaced to meet vehicular load, safety and seismic standards. The $15.3 million project will be totally funded with federal dollars under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Work on the bridge is expected to start next month and be completed by September 2011.

Reps in the News

Rep. Joe Souki sounds the alarm for Maui agriculture and the island's vulnerability to alien species should state inspectors be laid off. Maui news story here.

Rep. Jessica Wooley was interviewed by KHON2 over the weekend on how Windward Oahu is bracing for Felicia. Story by Olena Heu here.

Rep. Marcus Oshiro is featured in a story on prohibiting employers' use of credit history checks for hiring/firing decisions. Hawaii is one of two states to adopt the policy - more states may follow. Story here.

Rep. Kyle Yamashita donated money to help the Maui Interscholastic League so that they can continue playing school football games at night. This allows more of the players' families, friends and supporters to attend the games. Story here.

Town Hall Meeting at WCC - Aug. 13

Windward Oahu lawmakers will be holding a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, August 13, 2009 from 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Windward Community College in Hale 'Akoakoa 105.

Come and share your concerns on state issues with Representatives Pono Chong, Ken Ito, Chris Lee and Jessica Wooley and Senators Jill Tokuda and Clayton Hee. Legislators will also discuss the outcome of the 2009 Legislative Session.

Your state leaders are gearing up for the 2010 Legislative Session. Windward residents with ideas for possible legislation should plan to attend the meeting. Let's set the agenda for the next legislative session. Tell your lawmakers what you want to be priority.

Recycle your junk at Windward Mall

Representative Jessica Wooley, Pono Chong and Ken Ito invite residents of the windward side to help turn trash into cash to support the Ko'olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club on Aloha 'Āina Earth Day #39.

The recycling community clean-up and fundraiser will be held at Windward Mall tomorrow, Saturday, August 1, 2009, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those who would like to get rid of junk piling up in their home should go to the Alaloa Street parking lot.

What will be accepted?

• scrap metal, bicycles, appliance (no TVs/microwaves ovens)
• Newspaper, cardboard
• beverage containers
• cooking oil
  
• cellular phones
• printer cartridges
• tires (passenger tires/limit 4 per car)
• green waste
• plastic bags, plastic hangers
• athletic shoes (no metal cleats)
• used eye glasses, hearing aids
• all kind of batteries
• telephone books
• magazines
• one desk top computer per household/car
• usable clothing/household items
• unwanted cars - free towing by appointment only

*Please DON'T bring:

• Paints, hazardous fluids, microwave ovens, televisions, gas tank.
  

Fate of Kahana Valley residents decided tomorrow

Governor Linda Lingle's deadline to veto bills is tomorrow, Wednesday, July 15, 2009. She has yet to veto a bill that would prevent the eviction of families living on state land in Kahana Valley. Dozens joined Rep. Jessica Wooley and Sen. Clayton Hee at the capitol on July 8, 2009 to rally in support of the passage of House Bill 1552.

Here are some links to media coverage of the rally:
Kahana residents ask Lingle not veto bill, SB
Time ticking on Kahana Valley bill, KHON2
Kahana Valley residents protest threatened veto, KGMB9

Lingle has said that she could not sign the bill the way it's written because she says "no one could be evicted even if they're breaking the law." She added that if corrected she may sign it or let go without signature.

The following are comments from Rep. Wooley, the lawmaker who introduced the legislation:

"If the Governor signs this bill, I will work toward eliminating language that the Governor is concerned about during the next session. However, I think it's unnecessary because there is nothing in the current bill that would prevent any resident of Kahana Valley from being arrested and prosecuted if they break the law. In addition, the bill does not trump any federal law that allows the government to seize property.

If the Governor wants innocent families to be evicted and their homes bulldozed because someone, somewhere in the park, at some unknown time in the future might violate the law, I simply can't support that."

Supporters of Kahana Valley ohana to rally at Capitol

A demonstration will be held at the Hawaii State Capitol Wednesday, July 8 at 11 a.m. to support a bill that implements the recommendations made by a study conducted by the Legislative Reference Bureau in 2001 regarding the living park concept at Kahana Valley. The bill would allow the state to negotiate new leases for residents of state parks and keep six families from eviction.

House Bill 1552 authorizes the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to issue long-term leases to Kahana Valley residents; establishes a planning council to develop a state living park Master Plan; and establishes a 2-year moratorium on evictions of Kahana Valley residents. The bill was introduced by Rep. Jessica Wooley.

The six families were given notice of eviction by DLNR in June 2008 and had until the end of October 2008 to vacate the valley. An opinion made in March 2008 by the state Attorney General Mark Bennett said that the state no longer had the right to issue new leases as of 1993.

Because of support from the community and state lawmakers, DLNR Chairperson Laura H. Thielen announced in November 2008 that the state would not take action to evict the residents in order to allow the Legislature to consider revisions to Hawaii law to address these issues.

However, Governor Linda Lingle placed HB 1552 on her list of potential vetoes. The veto explanation states "special interest legislation that establishes a moratorium against the eviction of Kahana Valley residents, even when there are illegal activities occurring on the premises or these tenants fail to pay their rents and fulfill certain legal obligations to live in the valley."

Trisha Kehaulani Watson has a great post with the video "Keep da Mana in Kahana" on her Honolulu Advertiser blog "He Hawaii Au".

85th Anniversary of the Ko'olauloa Hawaiian Civic Club

Representative Jessica Wooley and Senator Clayton Hee attended the Ko'olauloa Hawaiian Civic Club's 85th Anniversary brunch on Sunday, June 14 at Turtle Bay. The Laie lawmaker presented a certificate on behalf of the House of Representatives in commemoration of the group's service to the community and dedication to preserving the Hawaiian culture and heritage. Members take pride in improving the economic, social and governing status of Native Hawaiians. The group was founded by William Isaac Kanakanui on June 14, 1924. Check out some of the pictures from the event.

(L-R) Emmalani Keau George, member; Gladys Pualoa-Ahuna, honoree and member; Junior Primacio, member; Rep. Jessica Wooley; and Ululani Beirne-Keawe, President of Ko'olauloa Hawaiian Civic Club.

(L-R) Rep. Jessica Wooley and Junior Primacio

Senator Clayton Hee and Representative Jessica Wooley

Hazard Mitigation Bill Passes Conference

House and Senate conferees approved a measure that would allow the State to enter on the property of an unresponsive landowner and mitigate hazardous situations after giving the landowner official notice and reasonable opportunity to take care of the problem.

Representative Jessica Wooley (47 – Laie, Hauula, Punaluu, Kahana, Kaaawa, Waikane, Kahaluu, Ahuimanu, Kaneohe) introduced the measure, House Bill 1713, on behalf of community members who were concerned about the health and safety of their neighbors and families. Kaneohe residents spearheaded the effort after receiving no response from property owner Genshiro Kawamoto in regards to overhanging trees on his adjacent properties that posed a threat to their family's safety and their homes.

"This measure is a victory for the community I represent," Rep. Wooley said. "They're the reason why it is still alive today and we should get it through the legislative process the first time around."

According to the conference draft of House Bill 1713, the State can take action at the discretion of the governor to remove dangerous trees or branches that pose a threat to property, stabilize or remove unstable rock and soil hazards, and clear streams and waterways to prevent flooding. All costs and expenses incurred by the State will be billed to the landowner, and if not paid, the State may put a lien on the landowner's property.

The measure essentially acts as a hammer to encourage property owners to mitigate hazardous situation before the State intervenes. Written notice must be sent to the property owner to allow them to mitigate the hazardous conditions before any action can be taken. If the owner refuses, the governor would need to get a court order to enter the private property.

"The bottom line is landowners should not allow their land to deteriorate so badly that it puts the lives of their neighbors at risk," Rep. Wooley added. "This bill helps to encourage unresponsive landowners to contact their neighbors and take care of dangerous conditions in order to keep our families safe."

The bill will go to the House and Senate for full floor vote and then to the governor for signature.

The Ledge: H20

Volunteers needed to assist with stream cleanups

Streams in Waianae-Makaha, Haleiwa and Laie will be the target of cleanup activities on Friday and Saturday to expunge debris that caused flooding and substantial damage to homes and businesses, but volunteers are needed to help see the project through.

Operation Lauwai is a coordinated effort by Hawaii State Civil Defense, Hawaii National Guard, other city and state agencies and state lawmakers to clean up streams clogged with foliage to prevent future flooding. The cleanup group will be in Waianae-Makaha and Haleiwa on Friday, February 6, 2009 from 7:30 a.m. to noon, and in Waianae-Makaha, Haleiwa and Laie on Saturday, February 7, 2009 from 7:30 a.m. to noon.

Target areas include Eku Stream and Mailiili-Puuhulu Stream on the Waianae Coast; Helemano-Opaeula Stream in Haleiwa; and Kahawaiuui Stream in Laie.

"Lauwai is another Hawaiian word for stream. We like to think that for this collaborative effort, Lauwai may be interpreted liberally from the words 'laulima' for cooperation and helping hands, and 'wai' for water," said Ed Teixeira, vice director of Hawaii State Civil Defense.

All volunteers should meet at the following locations. A site coordinator will be at each rally point to give brief volunteers and provide further directions:

Makaha: Makaha Marketplace – 84-1170 Farrington Highway
Waianae: Waianae Samoan Church – 86-130 Puhawai Road
Laie: (Saturday Only) Cane Haul Road next to the Cackle Fresh Outlet Store at 55-730 Kamehameha Highway. A State Civil Defense representative will be at the intersection of Cane Haul Road and Kamehameha Highway to direct volunteers
Haleiwa: Waialua Community Association (Historic Haleiwa Gym) - 66-434 Kamehameha Highway.

Volunteers should be 18 and over; wear protective footwear and clothing, hard hats (if possible), gloves, and sun protection; bring water, trash bags, chainsaws, and other tools to clear debris, if possible. If you can donate use of heavy equipment, please call Civil Defense to coordinate (733-4300).

Because many of our National Guard members have been deployed to the Middle East, Hawaii State Civil Defense will have a limited amount of guardsmen on location to help complete the project. State Representatives from the districts marked for cleanup are calling on community members, organizations and private businesses to come out, get their hands dirty, and help mitigate the threat of additional flooding in the respective communities. Several community groups and private companies have already signed on.

"The more hands and bodies available to help clear trash and debris, the more work that can be accomplished," said Representative Maile Shimabukuro, D-45 (Waianae, Makaha, Makua). "Anyone who has time to lend a hand or even donate refreshments or equipment should call Civil Defense for more information."

"Operation Lauwai is an excellent community volunteer effort bringing together state agencies, private business and our community members to help prevent future catastrophes," said Rep. Jessica Wooley, D-47 (Laie, Hauula, Punaluu, Kahana, Kaaawa, Waikane, Kahaluu, Ahuimanu, Kaneohe). "All residents should call Hawaii State Civil Defense as soon as possible if there is a stream that needs to be cleared of debris or vegetation."

"It's great to see private companies jumping on board to help our communities. I hope to see this coordinated effort repeat itself throughout the year. Let's get the storm-related debris out now, but continue community cleanups to thwart any future disasters," said Rep. Michael Magaoay, D-46 (Kaena Point, Schofield, Mokuleia, Waialua, Haleiwa, Waimea, Pupukea, Sunset, Kahuku, Kunia Camp, Poamoho, Wheeler, Laie)

Call or email Civil Defense at lahcook@scd.hawaii.gov and 733-4300 for location information, meeting places and other questions.

Hawaii State Civil Defense Plan for Storm-Related Debris and Removal from Streams