Upcoming Steering Committee Meeting – Tuesday, June 19th 6:00pm-7:30pm

Aloha ECDPH Members!

We are holding our first Steering Committee Meeting since the 2018 DPH State Convention. This meeting will be largely introductory and logistics related. Our Steering Committee meetings have been and will continue to be open to others to join and listen in. This meeting will be limited in scope to the business of the Steering Committee outlined in the agenda below.

We will begin with a brief introduction to the Zoom Video Conferencing App. It has consistently been rated the best app for remote meetings with features that conveniently allow for orderly and efficient communication. Once everyone on the call has a cursory understanding of the app, we will move into the rest of the agenda. We will be using this technology for General Membership meetings as well in order to further our goal to be as inclusive as possible, while still making progress on our goals for the term.

We all live within the Environment and it should and could be everyone’s main concern. I look forward to welcoming all voices and to many productive meetings  over the next two years.

Please email us at ecodemhi@gmail.com with any questions.

See you there!

Lana Olson
Chair, ECDPH
808.639.8488
ecodemhi@gmail.com
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Agenda: 
* Introduction to Zoom and General Meeting Logistics
* Introductions To Each Other
* Set Dates For Future Meetings & General Membership Meetings
* Update on SCC Elections & Bylaws
* Process for submitting Legislation
* Process for submitting testimony
* Process for determining Caucus priorities
* Recap of any action items
* Items for discussion in next meeting

Environmental Caucus DPH is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/161542974

Or iPhone one-tap :
US: +16699006833,,161542974# or +19294362866,,161542974#
Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 669 900 6833 or +1 929 436 2866
Meeting ID: 161 542 974
International numbers available: https://zoom.us/u/d3xCszwgU

Don’t Drown SB 1240

Must read in today’s Civil Beat Editorial Column- ( Editorial Column ).

Today’s article is a fair summary of the issue. This imperfect bill, because it’s a compromise, should still become law.  We need legislation to hold the State and DLNR accountable for allowing the aquarium trade to flourish unencumbered.  They must devise a plan that is sustainable.  Unlimited collection of our reef marine life is certainly not sustainable!!

Please email Brandon Asuka at the Governors Office: Brandon.T.Asuka@hawaii.gov Let him know how you feel about SB1240.

#OurReefsNotForSale  #OurReefsNoForSale

Protect Reef Wildlife

The potential veto of SB1240, a bill to protect Hawai`i reef wildlife, comes at a perfectly ironic time, as the Hokuleʻa basks in accomplishment, bringing it’s message of hope and Mālama Honua home. Meanwhile, the current Director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Suzanne Case, claims that it is “premature to consider a ban before more studies are done.” Why should anyone listen to the very agency that has failed for decades to evaluate the environmental effects, neglected to collect data or use precaution when allowing commercial aquarium trade and trafficking of reef wildlife in Hawaiʻi.

Now is not the time to wait and see but the time to leap to action in the hopes of protecting local Reefs from further degradation. Many Senators and Representatives have evaluated this measure and decided that it is sound. Many passionate organizations and individuals have labored to ensure that this becomes law now. We all need to stand together and let our Governor know that we support this law so he can say no to the forces that are asking for a VETO. Contact Governor Ige today!! Go to the website: governor.hawaii.gov (select the contact tab & select comment on legislation SB1240) Or call : (808) 586-0034.

Lisa Hinano Rey

Roundup may be the most dangerous herbicide on the Planet

This post is for information and doesnʻt reflect a policy of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

Peer review study by independent scientists shows Monsantoʻs claim that Roundup is is as safe as aspiring is a lie.  Impacts on health are broad.

Read more.

PLDC important update

For those of you who are not yet aware the Public Land Development Corporation is an agency mandated to maximize economic development projects on State Land.  Their projects are exempt from any permitting or zoning regulations.  This is among the worst legislation ever passed by the State.

Senator Thielen just announced that SB707 will be amended to make it a clean repeal bill.  We need to support this legislation provided promises are kept.

To see Senator Thielenʻs announcement click here

This is a powerful change in Senate attitude from blocking repeal to supporting it.  Thank you Senator Thielen for you hard work and negotiating skills.

The Environment Caucus steering committee has had several very interesting conversations about Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and frankly they have changed my mind on the unknown dangers of GMOs.

This is a great article on GMOs and a very interesting blog. Read it and learn.

 

Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party – In the news

The Solar Industry vs. HECO – Not So Hostile
Flickr: US Army Environmental Command

It wasn’t a boxing match. But representatives from Hawaiian Electric Co. and the solar industry presented opposing visions of Hawaii’s clean energy future Monday at a meeting sponsored by the Environmental Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii.

News release from DLNR – NOMINATIONS FOR COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACCEPTED UNTIL APRIL 6, 2011

Aloha members,

I thought you might find the following News Release informative…

From: DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES

WILLIAM J. AILA, JR.
CHAIRPERSON

For immediate release: March 24, 2011

NOMINATIONS FOR COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACCEPTED UNTIL APRIL 6, 2011

HONOLULU — The Commission on Water Resource Management is extending its nomination period until Wednesday, April 6, 2011. The original application period (October 17 – November 22, 2010) ended before Governor Neil Abercrombie took office.

After being sworn in, Governor Abercrombie actively encouraged members of the public to come forward and serve on public boards and commissions. Subsequently, the Governor’s office received a number of recommendations for the Commission.

To provide the broadest range of potential candidates in the Abercrombie Administration, the Commission is extending the time to receive nominations.

The Governor’s selection will be subject to confirmation by the Hawaii State Senate. Commissioners will serve a four-year term from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2015.

Nomination application forms are available on the Commission website:
http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/cwrm/aboutus_commission.htm#apply For more information call (808) 587-0216.

Please submit completed application forms by April 6 to:
Commission on Water Resource Management,
1151 Punchbowl St., Rm. 227
Honolulu, Hawaii. 96813
Ph (808) 587-0214
Fax (808) 587-0219
email: dlnr.cwrm@hawaii.gov
Attn: Susan Danbara

Video: Public Private Partnerships for Forest Stewardship in Hawaii

Check it out….

State and Private Forestry from Bill Sager on Vimeo.

Short Video about Hawai’i’s Food to School Future

Growing the Future: Farm to School in Hawai’i
Produced by a UH Manoa graduate student of urban planning, this inspiring film encourages viewers to get involved in Farm to School programs in their communities.  It provides an overview of what Farm to School programs are, why they are important, and explores some of the obstacles faced in broader implementation.