Senate Majority Caucus

Article by Sen. Mike Gabbard, originally published in MidWeek on Feb. 20, 2008

Aloha! I hope you and your family are well.

You may have noticed that more and more of our supermarkets are carrying organic foods. My family and I have been eating organic foods for many years. We appreciate the benefit of eating healthy foods that are free of toxic substances like conventional pesticides. We also like the idea of supporting organic farmers whose agricultural methods promote sustainability, enhance soil health and preserve our natural environment.

What you may be surprised to learn is that over the past decade, sales of organic products have shown an annual increase of at least 20 percent, making organics the fastest-growing sector of agriculture in the United States. For example, in 2005 retail sales of organic foods and beverages totalled $12.8 billion.

You also may not be aware that all organic foods on supermarket shelves bearing the organic label have to meet USDA certification standards first established in 2002. In Hawai`i, the principal certifier for organic farms is the Hawai`i Organic Farmers Association (HOFA). (more…)

Sen. Mike Gabbard is sponsoring an 11-week competition between senators’ offices to raise a goal of $5,000 and 1,500 pounds of food for Hawai`i Foodbank. Gabbard raised $510 today in just one hour by hosting a salad bar fundraiser in his office.

Senators and their staff paid $5 for the fundraiser plates, which were quickly bought out. At left is Sen. Clayton Hee.

Sen. Mike Gabbard (D-Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, Portions of Waipahu and Ko `Olina) introduced two bills this session that would better-inform Hawai`i’s produce consumers.

Senate Bill 3232 prohibits the sale or distribution of any genetically-engineered whole food intended for human consumption that does not have a label conspicuously affixed identifying it as genetically-engineered. The bill contains definitions for “genetically-engineered crop,” “modern biotechnology” and “genetically-engineered whole food.”

Companion bill no. 3233 requires the Department of Agriculture to notify the public of the location of field tests and the production of genetically-engineered plants.

Nina Wu of Honolulu Star-Bulletin recently wrote about the bills.

“These bills are about consumer choice. … People have a right to know what food they put in their bodies and what is happening on our lands and they should be informed,” Gabbard told Star-Bulletin.

Maxamina Catian helps a child in the Keiki Steps early education demonstration to build with blocks.

Senators stressed the need for early childhood education this morning with visits to the annual Champions for Children event and a press conference discussing bills related to children and education. Organizations like Child & Family Service, YMCA and Head Start hosted educational booths at the Capitol, and the Keiki Steps program provided an example of a play-and-learn preschool group.

Among the bills introduced this session is Senate Bill 2878, which establishes a similar Keiki First Steps Program to educate children from ages 0 to 5. The legislation, introduced by Sen. Norman Sakamoto (D- Kalihi, Moanalua Gardens, Salt Lake, Aliamanu, Foster Village, Hickam, Pearl Harbor, Pearl Ridge,`Aiea), says that early learning systems will produce long-term benefits for children that include school success, reduced crime, reduced dropout rates and increased workforce productivity.

Sen. Will Espero visits with a representative from the PATCH child care agency at the Champions for Children event.

According to the bill, Hawai`i’s children need support and guidance starting at birth to reach their full potential as citizens. A comprehensive early learning system provides quality opportunities for young children. (more…)

By Hawaii State Senator Mike Gabbard

Aloha! I hope you and your family are doing well.

During World War II the Honouliuli Internment Camp was one of five internment sites in Hawaii. It opened on March 1, 1943 and was located on 160 acres of land. The camp was built to hold up to 3,000 people, but never reached more than 320. Most of the internees were males of Japanese ancestry, but there were also a few Germans, Italians and prisoners of war. They lived in wooden barracks and tents, which were surrounded by barbed wire fences (more…)

By Hawaii State Senator Mike Gabbard

Attention seniors, retirees, or independently wealthy folks with time on your hands! If you’re bored playing golf every day, or if your “honey-do” list keeps getting longer and longer and you want to get out of the house, then there’s an opportunity knocking at the door that you may not want to pass up.

How about helping our community by signing up for the new Volunteer Special Enforcement Officers Program? (more…)

By Hawaii State Senator Mike Gabbard

PICTURE this scenario: After an exhausting day at the office, it’s 11 p.m., you’ve tucked the kids in bed, and you and your wife turn out the lights to go to sleep. In the middle of the night, a burglar breaks into your bedroom intent on stealing your valuables. You catch him in the act, tackle him, he falls down the stairs and breaks his arm and suffers a concussion. The police haul him away, and the courts put him in jail for a long time because of his many prior arrests. Then one day, you’re handed legal papers and find out that the guy who broke into your house is suing you for using excessive force. (more…)

The state senator gets the required paperwork in order as friends and family stand by his side

By Honolulu Star Bulletin Writer Laurie Au

Saying that he has always been a politician who followed his conscience, Sen. Mike Gabbard switched to the Democratic Party yesterday, disappointing Republicans and further weakening their presence in the state Senate.  Continue Reading