Mar

28

Ask Your Senator 2012: Thanks for Asking…

Education

Students from Central Middle School’s Student Government Association (SGA) emailed several questions to their State Senators as part of this year’s “Ask Your Senator” project. One of their inquiries pertain to the continued concern over renewable energy resources was shared with the Chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment, Senator Mike Gabbard. The SGA asked:

“How many renewable energy resources do we have? How is the government improving their use?” — Central Middle School SGA.

After reading the email, Senator Gabbard, provided a video response to answer the group’s question.

As part of his response Senator Gabbard said, “We’ve got so much natural resources built into Hawaii. Starting off we have geothermal, we have world class wind, world class sun, we have ocean thermal, we have wave energy, we have biofuels, we have hydroelectric. Everything is built in here, so what we’re trying to do is tap into all of these natural resources and keep some of that 5 billion dollars that we’re spending importing all of that oil here in Hawaii.”

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Feb

09

Senator Gabbard Participates in Press Conference on Plastic Bag Bill

Articles / Energy & Environment

On February 9, 2012, the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment Chair Mike Gabbard participated in a press conference on Senate Bill 2511, relating to environmental protection. The purpose of the measure is to reduce the adverse impact of single-use checkout bag waste on Hawaii’s precious and unique natural environment by requiring businesses in the State to collect a fee for single-use checkout bags provided to customers. The bags require crude oil, a polluting fossil fuel, for their manufacture; pose serious health risks to protected sea turtles and marine mammals; contribute to unsightly litter; burden overcrowded landfills; are recycled minimally; contribute to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions; and are manufactured using large quantities of water and non-renewable energy. Money collected from the single-use bag fee will go towards funding programs to mitigate against damaging effects of single-use checkout bags.

To view video click here.

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Feb

01

Senator Mike Gabbard Introduces Bill to Reserve Domain Names for Hawai‘i

Press Releases

HONOLULU – February 1, 2012 – Senator Mike Gabbard (West Oahu) has introduced Senate Bill 2985 to direct the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), in cooperation with the state chief information officer, to apply with the Internet Corporation of Assigned  Names and Numbers (ICANN) for the generic top-level domain names (gTLD) “.hawaii”, “.hi” and “.aloha”.

It’s very important for us to apply for these top-level domain names to prevent someone from misappropriating them and possibly tarnishing the name, acronym and nickname of our state,” Senator Gabbard said.

ICANN has jurisdiction over gTLDs, such as “.com”, “.gov” and “.org”. ICANN is drastically expanding the realm of gTLDs. The application period began on January 12, 2012, and ends on April 12, 2012. The application fee is $185,000 per gTLD. In addition, state Chief Information Officer Sanjeev “Sonny” Bhagowalia has informed Senator Gabbard’s office that the ongoing costs would be $165,000 annually per gTLD.

Because the application period ends on April 12, 2012, this would require an emergency appropriation from the 2011-2012 budget. DBEDT would then develop licensing procedures for approved vendors to use those gTLDs after paying a licensing fee to the state.

Senator Gabbard continued: “This could be a much-needed revenue generating measure allowing us to license the appropriate use of those top-level domain names and also help with marketing the state both on the mainland and internationally. In the near future, we could end up seeing domain names like ‘weddings.hawaii’, ‘hotels.hi’ or ‘honeymoons.aloha’.”

The text of SB 2985 can be found at this link: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2012/bills/SB2985_.htm.

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Oct

17

Hawai‘i: The State of Clean Energy

Articles

HONOLULU — The Hawai‘i Energy Policy Forum and local TV station Hawaii News Now are partnering to produce and broadcast “Hawai‘i: The State of Clean Energy.” The six-show series aims to inform and engage the public on energy issues, challenges and actions to advance Hawaii’s clean energy future.

Hawaii: The State of Clean Energy focuses on key energy issues including: 1) Hawaii’s Clean Energy Future, 2) Clean Transportation, 3) Clean Jobs, 4) Energy Efficiency, 5) Advances in Hawai’i's Energy Technology, and 6) Food and Fuel. The first show aired in February.

“The series explore the development of Hawaii’s clean energy and its future, said Senator Mike Gabbard, who appeared on an earlier episode. He is the chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment.

“I recommend everyone to watch it and hopefully get excited about renewable energy,” he added.

“There are many opportunities in the agriculture industry to help move Hawaii toward clean energy that people don’t know about. This show explores some of those ways,” said Senator Clarence Nishihara, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture.

The upcoming episode on Hawai’i: The State of Clean Energy is titled, “Made in Hawai’i” Part 1: Food and Fuel for Hawai’i. Here’s a description: What are bioenergy alternatives and biofuels? See the benefits, challenges, and opportunities that agriculture and energy can provide us in Hawai’i.

The show airs on:

• October 19 (KGMB), 6:30pm – 7:00pm

• October 20 (KHNL), 6:30pm – 7:00pm

• October 23 (KHNL), 6:30pm – 7:00pm (rebroadcast)

• October 30 (KGMB), 4:30pm – 5:00 pm (rebroadcast)

• November 13 (KHNL), 8:30 pm – 9:00pm (rebroadcast)

The University of Hawai‘i at Manoa Hawaii Energy Forum is a unique experiment in collaborative energy planning and policy making. It includes representatives from business, government, and the community. The intent is to incorporate many different perspectives and the broadest possible experience into the design of a flexible, forward-looking energy strategy.

 

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Oct

17

Geothermal Summit Held in Waimanalo

Articles / Energy & Environment


HONOLULU –About 120 people attended a Geothermal Summit held on October 15, 2011 at the Hawaii National Guard Training Center Auditorium and Dining Center, located in Bellows Air Force Station.

Three geothermal companies participated in the Summit: Innovations Development Group, Ku‘oko‘a and Puna Geothermal Venture.

The event was coordinated and hosted by Sen. Pohai Ryan, who represents District 25, encompassing Hawaii Kai, Waimanalo, Keolu Hills, Lanikai and Kailua.

“The decision to organize the summit was prompted by my constituents who wanted to learn more about geothermal energy and its role in Hawaii’s future,” said Senator Ryan. “It’s time we start looking into sources of renewable energy, such as geothermal.”

Along with the geothermal companies presenting, Scott Seu, Vice President of Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO), talked about HECO’s energy initiatives; Richard Ha, a Big Island farmer/businessman and Ku‘oko‘a board chairman did the opening remarks and Sen. Mike Gabbard, Senate Committee on Energy and Environment Chair provided the closing remarks.

Informational exhibits by the presenting geothermal companies were available for the public to view.

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Aug

12

Back-to-School Supplies

Articles / In the Community


Kapolei- Senator Michelle Kidani and Senator Mike Gabbard were among dozens of chaperones who volunteered to shop with students in need during Target’s second annual “Back to School Shopping Spree” on Tuesday, August 9, 2011.   Other chaperones included Chief of Police Louis Kealoha and Miss Hawaii Lauren Cheape.

The chaperones were paired with a child as they shopped for essentials such as school supplies, clothes and shoes with a $80 gift card from the Target store in Kapolei

Fifty- one students from Kapolei Elementary and Kapolei Middle schools were given the opportunity to shop for back to school essentials on the first day of the two day event. Event partners, Target and The Salvation Army KROC Center, coordinated the volunteers.

Senator Kidani also volunteered to chaperone the second day of the event, which saw a total of 49 keiki.

Target’s “Back to School Shopping Spree” is a national event, with 492 stores participating.   The program provides more than 11,700 students in need with school supplies. Target began the event in Hawaii last year with each Oahu store (Salt Lake and Kapolei) hosting 50 children. This year ,each store hosted 100 students.

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Jul

29

First Electric Vehicle Charger Unveiled at State Capitol

Articles / Energy & Environment

On Wednesday, July 27, 2011, State officials unveiled the first electric vehicle charger at the State Capitol. The State Capitol charge station is part of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s (DBEDT) Electric Vehicle (EV) Ready Program initiative.

The charging station at the Capitol is the first of five charging stations planned for installation at State owned buildings in the downtown area. By making charging stations more available, the State program aims to make Hawaii’s transportation sector less dependent on petroleum.

“The launching of the electrical vehicle charger at the Capitol is an important step in our state continuing to be a leader in renewable energy. I got my all-electric Nissan Leaf in April and it’s awesome not having to fill up for gas. This is saving us about $250 each month in my commute from Kapolei. While I’ve got plenty of juice to get me to and from town every day, the charger will help alleviate some ‘range anxiety’ when I want to visit friends on the Windward side,” said Mike Gabbard, chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment.

Owners of electric vehicles can use the charger at the Capitol for $2 an hour for a maximum of four hours. The Capitol station is located in the State Capitol underground parking garage, which is open during operating hours: Monday-Friday from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Saturdays from 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. It is closed on Sundays.

To read more about the EV Ready Program click here.

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Jul

06

Geothermal Informational Briefing to be Held at Hawaii State Capitol

Articles / Energy & Environment / Hearing Schedule Archive

HONOLULU — The Hawaii State Legislature will conduct a joint informational briefing on Thursday, July 7, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in Conference Room 325 at the State Capitol regarding a proposed Native-to-Native business model for the development of geothermal energy as a statewide resource for electrical production.  Members of the community are invited to attend the hearing, but no public testimony will be accepted.

 Sponsoring Committees for the forum include the Senate’s Committee’s on Energy and Environment; Water, Land and Housing; and Hawaiian Affairs.  House of Representative Committees participating will be Energy and Environmental Protection; Water, Land and Ocean Resources; and Hawaiian Affairs. Senator Mike Gabbard, chair of the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment, and Representative Denny Coffman, chair of the House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, will lead the discussion.

 Individuals and Organizations that will be making presentations at the session include the Innovations Development Group, Mililani Trask of the Indigenous Consultants and the chairs of the Hawaii Geothermal Working Group.

The purpose of this briefing is to hear about a proposed Native-to-Native business model that recognizes indigenous stewardship of sustainable projects, such as geothermal power.

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