Legislative Wrapup 2013

Thanks to Donna Wong of Hawaii Thousand Friends here is a legislative wrap for bills she was tracking.  Caucus member please do a wrap for those bills you were tracking.  It is important for us all to know how are legislators voted on important bills. Click here

Last Day to Comment – Turtle Bay Resort Expansion

Today, Fri Jan 18th deadline ! to make comments about massive developments planned Turtle Bay !
Testimony link > http://www.KeeptheNorthShoreCountry.org

and/or send individual email to each of the following:

drew@replayresorts.com, leesichter@gmail.com, emartin@honolulu.gov, anderson@honolulu.gov and be sure to include a cc to: ccComments@honolulu.gov

*Even just emailing in two lines is helpful. Use the following or even better add you own words:
“I oppose any expansion at Turtle Bay.
“My family is very concerned about:

1. Traffic and the inevitable widening of Kamehameha Hwy from Kahaluu to Kahuku,
2. Hawaiian Iwi and traditional Hawaiian rights,
3. Fishing & effects of overpopulation on our Ocean,
4. Overcrowding on our beaches and the loss of beach access for our local families,
5. Endangered Species including the loss of turtle nesting area, beaches where monk sear haul out to rest. and rare coastal plants,
6. Quality of Life in Oahu, the rural character of Windward Oahu and the North Shore will forever be changed,
7. Damage to our Film Industry & high-paying film jobs-because Turtle Bay is the #1 resort for Filming,
8. Damage to our Tourist Industry with overcrowding in a key scenic area,
9. The added infrastructure expense for sewer disposal plant and highway improvement that we the public will have to pay for,
10. This massive tourist destination expansion outside of the planned south shore tourist destination areas will set a president for “secondary tourist development” throughout Oahu.

also Save Turtle Bay Endangered Species Petition
http://www.change.org/petitions/no-turtle-bay-resort-expansion-beyond-the-current-footprint

Mahalo for  SHARing with friends & family: facebook, email, twitter

Reference links:
http://honoluluweekly.com/cover/2012/12/country’s-time/
http://www.civilbeat.com/articles/2012/12/10/17839-report-more-traffic-will-clog-north-shore-if-turtle-bay-expands/
Keep it Country, Grow Film Jobs ! my Op-Ed>
http://www.staradvertiser.com/editorials/20100722_Keeping_country_country_is_good_for_isle_film_industry.html?id=98994499 <

Action Alert regarding Caucus Priority–House Bill 1385, relating to Shoreline Setback

Aloha Members,

At our last General Caucus meeting, we selected this item as one of our nine priority items. We will be advocating on its behalf, but you can do more by helping to spread the word, and writing your representatives to express your individual support for this bill.  I have copied an e-mail from Debbie Hecht on the Big Island, with contact information and talking points.

Let’s get the word out that we support this bill. You will find details below.

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Please write to the members of the Water Land and Ocean Resources Committee and ask them to support

Bill 1385- Relating to Coastline Preservation.

IF PASSED THIS MEASURE WOULD PRESERVE ALMOST 100 MILES OF HAWAII ISLAND SHORELINE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

TALKING POINTS: Bill 1385 will protect almost 100 miles of coastline on Hawaii Island by preserving ocean access, protect the reefs from sedimentation and protecting habitat for ocean species, protect the Ala Kahakai Trail, protect over 35 cultural sites along the Trail, link the 4 National Parks, provide room to build a parallel trail for hiking and biking for residents and visitors, that could be the foundation of an eco-tourism industry and provide jobs for people of our island.

IN YOUR EMAIL at the subject line- write BILL 1385-COASTLINE PRESERVATION- SUPPORT

ASK THE COMMITTEE TO PUT THIS ON THEIR AGENDA FOR 2011.

To Read the text of Bill 1385 and to see a map of the almost 100 miles of shoreline to be preserved go to www.dhecht.com

Bill 1385 is a top priority for the Democratic Party’s Environmental Caucus and the Surfrider Foundation. We are asking groups for letters of support.

These are the committee members of the WATER, LANDS AND OCEAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE.

Cut and paste the following email addresses to send an email TODAY:

repchang@Capitol.hawaii.gov, rephar@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repcabanilla@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repcarroll@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repchong@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repcoffman@capitol.hawaii.gov,repherkes@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repito@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repmorita@Capitol.hawaii.gov, repnakashima@capitol.hawaii.gov, repriviere@capitol.hawaii.gov, repthielen@Capitol.hawaii.gov

We are very lucky to have 4 Big island reps on committee, If these representatives are from your district please make sure you stress that you are a voter in that district.

1. Chair Chang from South Hilo, Waiakea Kai, Kaumana, Keaukaha and
2. Nakashima from Kohala and Hamakua and Hilo,
3. Herkes from South Kona and Ka’u,
4. Coffman from Kona.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. Do you have a group that we can meet with to get a letter or support?
2. Hand out the attached information sheet.
3. Read the text of the Bill at www.dhecht.com and download the map.
4. Can we put your name on the Angels List to be kept informed?
5. Could you be a key person to keep other people in your email contacts informed?