Summary of Hearing Notices as of 1/31/08

WHL/AGR 2/1 8:30 rm325

Several bills defining "important ag lands"

North Kohala coastline in Hawaii rezoned conservaiton

Allows rezoning certain ag lands as Rural

Addressing Fake Farms

indemnifies the owner of an irrigation system, dam, or reservoir
for tort liability under certain conditions.

Amends the state water code to support making sufficient water
available for agricultural activity on important agricultural
lands. Moritorium on drilling wells in ag land.

WLH/AGR DATE: Friday, February 1, 2008,TIME: 9:00a.m.PLACE:
Conference Room 325

Programs to help taro farmers

WLH DATE: Monday, February 4, 2008, TIME: 8:30 a.m., PLACE:
Conference Room 312

Establishes limitations on liability for damages for owners of
dams and reservoirs.

Increases the maximum penalty for violations within the
Conservation District

WTL DATE: Monday, February 4, 2008, TIME: 2:45 p.m.PLACE:
Conference Room 414

Provides the board and the department of land and natural
resources with the power to make rule changes and decisions
regarding hunting without going through the rulemaking process.

Enhanced tax credit for owners who dedicate their land to
non-development purposes

EEP DATE: Tuesday, February 5, 2008 TIME: 10:00 am PLACE:
Conference Room 312

Permits small wind energy systems in all land use districts
where structures of any sort are allowed except for the
conservation district unless permitted by the department of land
and natural resources.

Bottle recycling and redemtion

Electric vehicles

AHW/ENE DATE: Tuesday, February 5, 2008 TIME: 2:00 PM PLACE:
Conference Room 414

Related to endangered spp Prohibits the sale of plants
designated as restricted plants or noxious weeds.

Loan program for the development of sustainable energy by
farmers and aquaculturists.

appropriates funds for the department of agriculture's
biosecurity program

JUD DATE: Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 TIME: 2:00pm PLACE:
Conference Room 325

HB2455 Takes the cap of corporate campaign contributions.

HB2602 Doubles the amount a candidate can transfer from campaign
or surplus funds to a community or charitable organization. This
allows candidates to contribute to organizations that support
the candidate and opens the door to "swift boat" type
organizations.

Environmental Legislative Network Meeting

the Environmental Legislative Network meets every Friday at noon during the session at the Sierra Club office Room 306 Richards Street YWCA to talk bills and
network.

SB2466 DOFAW declare hazardous fire areas

SB2466, DOFAW declare hazardous fire areas during fire danger periods PSM on Thursday, 01-31-08 at 8:30 am

HB2005 tax credit to include solar electric energy systems

HB2005, Expands the renewable energy technologies tax credit to include solar electric energy systems. Passed out of EEP and referral to FIN

HB2356 Fake Farms

HB2356 Agriculture; Farm Dwelling max size house & lot; WLH/AGR on Friday, 02-01-08 at 8:30 am This is an effort to control fake farm lots

Sustainable Hawaii 2050

Two bills deal with implimenting the recommendations of the Sustainable Hawaii 2050 Plan. HB2590 and SB2833

These bills are important to anyone concerned with the future of Hawaii.

Ka Iwi Coast - East Oahu

Four bills have been submitted to prevent development on the Ka Iwi Coast of East Oahu. HB2984, SB2248, HB2470, HB 3267

You can track these bills by going to http://capitol.hawaii.gov In the right column look for Search, go down one line to Bills and click then put the bill number in the first blank. When you have a particular bill you want to track click the tiny orange box at the top of the status screen and subscribe to an RSS feed. You will get an email telling you of any change in the status of the bill.

Haiku Valley - Oahu

Friends--

For your information and as a sample, I have attached a very good letter that has been sent to various legislators from three men who were sailors stationed at the Naval Radio Station--Haiku in the 40s and 50s. Attached also is a letter I have sent to my representative and senator, and a list of all senators and representatives, to save you the necessity of looking them up.

The attachments are all .pdf files. If you wish to have a .doc file, or if you wish for me to simply add the text to an e-mail, please respond. It is important for the legislators to understand that there is broad support for this proposal.

Remember that the House bill is HB2704 and the Senate bill is SB2727

You can look them up and check their status at

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/docs.asp

Aloha pumehana,

John Flanigan

Note from Moderator: If anyone wants copies of the attachments contact me at
bsager42@gmail.com and I'll send you the attachments. I'll post them to this blog iff I can figure out a practical way to do it.

Electric Cars

Israel said last week it will support a large-scale project to put electric cars on the road as early as next year. An Israeli-American entrepreneur, Shai Agassi, is working with Renault/Nissan to test such a car (and supporting infrastructure) in the tiny country, where gasoline costs more than $6 a gallon. He sees small European countries like Denmark, where gas taxes are high, as ideal places to market the cars. Small is good, because these cars can run some distance on electricity alone, before they need recharging or a gasoline engine to kick in.

The Israeli cars will be able to go 124 miles on a charge. Usually the batteries will be recharged at home at night, when electricity is cheapest. But service stations will be able to recharge or change out the batteries. The cars – from Renault and Nissan – will be subsidized, with a monthly fee for service. Operating costs are expected to be half that of a gasoline-powered car.

Electricity from Ocean Waves

Australia-based Oceanlinx Ltd. plans to generate 2.7 megawatts of power using offshore hydrokinetic technology. State lawmakers are considering allowing the company to sell up to $20 million in tax-free bonds. The company also is in negotiations with Maui Electric Co., which would purchase the wave-generated energy.

Climate Change

Demonstrations are planned for this week in conjunction with the Major Economies global warming conferance at the East/West Center. This Advertiser article points out both the problems and some of the things going on.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080128/NEWS01/801280350/1001/

Climate Change Events

Aloha kakou,
Are you interested in the near future? Do you feel as if shift happens? Well, Hawai`i is uniquely situated to be effected by shifts in climate. These changes are already affecting our economy, our ecology and our communities in new and quite different ways.

On 30-31 January, this week, our state will host the Major Economies
Meeting (MEM). Never heard of it? Well, neither had I. Then last
week, a rush of information and people came together and coordinated
a series of community outreach activities to provide some FOCUS to
our community conversation. These will take place during the week of
28 January to 2 February.

Please review the attached info and see if your schedule can accommodate any of the activities. The flyer summarizes the local activities planned during that week. Pass it along to your friends and encourage them to as well.

By-the-way, MEM is a gathering of international delegates as a follow-on to the Bali conference you've probably heard about in the News.

Believe me your future will be effected by this information. The sooner you understand what is happening, the sooner your `ohana can adapt.

See you there,

Mahalo,

Chuck


Please distribute to others on your email lists.

News Advisory
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 26th, 2008
CONTACT: Jeff Mikulina 226-4987

Events urge climate action
Series of community events on January 30 in conjunction with Major Economies Meeting being held at the East West Center aim to pressure United States to agree to significant cuts in greenhouse gas

HONOLULU – Students literally drawing a line on climate change, University experts speaking about global warming impacts and solutions, concerned individuals taking to the streets—all are planned on January 30th in conjunction with a White House meeting of 16 countries at the East West Center to discuss climate change. The goal of the events is to urge the United States to join the rest of the world through the United Nations process to agree to dramatic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Please see links to flyers for further details of specific events, or visit www.lifeofthelandhawaii.org/MEM/Hawaii_Events.html

EVENT 1: Public “United Front” demonstration

9am – 11am
Outside Kennedy Theater on UH campus (across East West Center). News conference to follow at 11am.

EVENT 2: Blue Line Project

3::30pm – 6pm
Old Stadium Park off King St.
Students will be “drawing a line on climate change,” using chalk to demarcate the extent of flooding from a 1 meter sea level rise through the McCully-Moiliili area.
News conference at 4:00 pm at the Old Stadium Park pavilion. Maps and other visual displays will be provided at the event.
See Blue Line Project flyer online.


EVENT 3: Law School Climate Change “Teach In”

7pm – 9:30pm
UH Richardson Law School
University experts, elected officials, community leaders, and others will discuss climate change science, impacts, and solutions in this fast-paced, interactive event.
See Teach in flyer online.

All events are free and open to the public.
--
Jeffrey Mikulina
Director, Sierra Club, Hawai'i Chapter
tel: 808.538.6616
www.hi.sierraclub.org
mikulina@lava.net

Establishes the Ha'iku Valley cultural preserve commission

Establishes the Ha'iku Valley cultural preserve commission to have policy and management oversight of the Ha'iku Valley cultural preserve.

The bills have not yet been scheduled for hearings (house, senate), but have been referred. The committees may need some encouragement for the bills to be heard.

Important positives are the Valley's value in Hawaiian culture and history, wartime (WWII) military history, preservation of natural assets, need for access to more open spaces on Oahu, especially on Windward side, previous history of access.

Anyone prepping testimony or letters of support should address them to:

HB2704 (referred to House WLH (Water, Land, & Hawaiian Affairs), and Finance)
Rep. Ken Ito, Chair
House Committee on Water, Land & Hawaiian Affairs

SB2727 (referred jointly to committees on Water & Land/Ag & Hawaiian Affairs/Judiciary & Labor, and finally to Ways & Means)
Sen. Jill Tokuda, Chair; Kalani English, vice-chair
Senate Committee on Agriculture & Hawaiian Affairs

Sen. Brian Taniguchi, chair; Clayton Hee, vice-chair
Senate Committee on Judiciary & Labor

Sen. Clayton Hee, chair; Russ Kokubun, vice-chair
Senate Committee on Water & Land

And because Senate President Colleen Hanabusa sponsored the bill, perhaps she should be added to the list, saying that Ko`olaupoko area needs to have set-aside parklands like this one would be.

JMF

Clean Elections

Hi Good Gov and Enviro friends,

We've learned that Sen Hanabusa has written a bill (SB 3141) that will
lift the $1,000 cap on corporate contributions, creating a situation
in which corporations can give unlimited amounts of money.

She tried to do a similar thing three years ago, and with a broad
coalition, we were able to stop her.

Our plan to counter her effort is below, and we're asking anyone who
is willing to sign on to the effort.

We will be issuing a press release on Monday with as many
organizations signed on as possible. Many of you were involved in the
last effort, and we hope you can continue your support.

IF YOU WANT TO CONSIDER JOINING THE EFFORT TO STOP THIS
BILL, E-MAIL ME AT kory.payne@gmail.com AND WE'LL KEEP YOU IN THE
LOOP.


Actions and Timeline:

1. Craft Press Release this weekend

2. Send out press release on Monday morning.

3. Meet Monday evening to plan Press Conference for
Thursday morning ( Jan 31st )


Thanks for all of the great work you're all doing.

If you have questions about the bill or this issue, just call or email
me

Mainly, we're looking to have as many groups as possible sign on
to the press release to create better odds of stopping Hanabusa from
underming this very solid law (the $1000 cap).

Aloha

Kory Payne 457-8622

Voter Owned Hawaii

--
Kory Payne
Voter Owned Hawaii
Community Organizer
cell: 808-457-8622
http://voterownedhawaii.org/

Bills Scheduled

HB2330 Electric Vehicles; Incentives 01-29-08 at 10:00 am in conference room 312.

HB2005 Renewable Energy Technologies; Solar Electric Energy 01-29-08 at 10:00 am in conference room 312

HB2292 Provides for purchase and lease of Galbraith lands in Central Oahu 01-30-08 at 8:30 am in House conference room 325

Internship Program

INTERESTED IN CONNECTING LOCAL STUDENTS WITH YOUR PROJECTS?
UH-HIP IS NOW RECRUITING UH-HIP HOST AGENCIES FOR SUMMER 2008!!!


The University of Hawai'i Hawaiian Internship Program (UH-HIP) is recruiting host agencies and mentors for its 2008 summer program. This summer internship program focuses on giving kama'aina undergraduates, especially those of Native Hawaiian ancestry, the opportunity to gain valuable, paid internship experiences in conservation and resource management fields. The program recruits both interns and the host agencies to mentor them and facilitates that relationship throughout the summer. We hope this program, in combination with other efforts, will encourage more of our local students to pursue courses of study and careers related to our natural resources. This program has provided many research and management projects across the state the opportunity to link with local students and over its 11 years of existence has linked almost 140 interns with over 40 host agencies. Over 60% of our interns now have built on their experience by working in Hawaii’s conservation and science efforts after graduation or by going on to graduate school. Look next to you: there might be a former UH-HIPer!

If you are interested in hosting an intern, please complete the attached Request Packet (this is also available on the web at < www.uhh.hawaii.edu/uhintern>, follow link to Host Mentors and UH-HIP.) The packet includes an information sheet, which explains the process and details of becoming a host for UH-HIP for 2007, and a request form, which you need to fill out and return to us via email or fax.

Encourage use of hybrid vehicles

The committee(s) on TIA/ENE has scheduled a public hearing on 01-30-08 at 2:45 pm in conference room 224. SB2549, SB2365

Rep Chang in conflict of interest

A Big Island state lawmaker ran afoul of the state ethics
code when he offered to exchange land in which he had an
ownership interest to help with a new motorsports complex at
Kalaeloa, the state Ethics Commission has found.

The commission, in an informal advisory opinion, found
that state Rep. Jerry Chang, D-2nd (S. Hilo), should not have
represented the company that owned the land before the state
Legislature because he was a company director and had a 25
percent ownership interest. Chang also should not have
represented the company on an issue that he worked on as a
lawmaker.

The commission found that Chang's actions were "beyond
dispute" but chose to resolve the charge through the informal
advisory opinion to help educate other lawmakers rather than
proceed to a formal, contested-case hearing.

For full article see:

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Jan/23/ln/hawaii801230375.html

Super Ferry

One more example of the terrible planning associated with the Super Ferry project. What more surprises are coming?

The state Department of Transportation said 10 weeks of daily tugboat service — at a cost of $350,000 — is needed at Kahului Harbor to support Hawaii Superferry operations.

The tug service is necessary to keep a state-owned barge snug against the end of Pier 2C during ocean surges and to provide safe loading and unloading of passengers and vehicles, according to a request filed Friday to exempt the contract from state procurement rules.

No one but surfers thought about the power of north shore waves to destroy loading facilities.

Bicycle Safety Resolution

Having ridden bicycles as a primary mode of transportation for at least 10 years, having been forced of the road many times and nearly killed twice this is a subject that is important to me. I suggest you get as many people as possible to send a version modified for your local situation to your local legislators. There is still time to for your legislators to submit resolutions.

Bicycle Safety Resolution
Kaneohe Neighborhood Board No. 30
WHEREAS, the voters passed City Charter Amendment 8 by approximately 77% in the 2006 general election asking the city to make Honolulu a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly city, and
WHEREAS, there are a large number of bicyclists that ride through the Kaneohe neighborhood and surrounding area, and
WHEREAS, many of the roads used by bicyclists and residents are poorly maintained, and
WHEREAS, it is the duty of the state and county to ensure that the roads and paths that are marked as bike routes are safe and well maintained, and
WHEREAS, there has been an increase in area traffic in the Kaneohe neighborhood and the surrounding communities bringing a greater chance of accidents with bicyclists occurring, and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City and County of Honolulu and State of Hawaii to encourage people to exercise, especially children, and
WHEREAS, the year-round good weather makes it possible to commute to work and school by bicycle, thus decreasing the number of cars on the road, and
WHEREAS, the Koolaupoko Sustainable Communities Plan states that one of the planning principles is to “encourage . . . bicycle travel, particularly to reach neighborhood destinations such as schools, parks, and convenience stores,” therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board asks the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu and its relevant Departments and the State of Hawaii’s Department of Transportation to improve conditions for bicyclists by:

1. Developing new bike paths, routes or bikeways in all communities.
2. Maintaining and improving all existing bike lanes, routes and paths.
3. Placing bike racks in all city, county and state parks.
4. Implementing procedures for the safe placement of residential garbage receptacles and temporary construction signs and equipment so as not to intrude in bike lanes.
5. Enforcing existing parking regulations.
6. Restriping, painting and cleaning the existing bike lanes and routes on all major streets and roads.
7. Regularly trimming trees, bushes and grass and clearing sand and gravel that encroach on bike lanes and shoulders along all major streets and roads.
8. Including input from the bicycling community on ways to improve safety for bicyclists during construction projects and the final design.
9. Maintaining and not paving over traffic sensor loops at intersections in order to allow bicyclists to easily trigger a change in signal lights.
10. Including additional bicycle safety questions in the state driver’s license exam.
11. Continuing funding for the Hawaii Bicycling League’s BikeEd program, which has been educating fourth grade students how to ride bicycles safely since 1988.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that copies of this Bicycle Safety Resolution be transmitted to: the Governor of the State of Hawaii, State of Hawaii Department of Transportation, Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, City Council members, the City Department of Transportation Services, Department of Planning and Permitting, Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of Facilities Maintenance, all Neighborhood Boards, Hawaii Bicycling League, Senators Hee and Tokuda, and Representatives Chong and Ito.

Preserving Ag Land

State Sen. Robert Bunda, D-22nd (North Shore, Wahiawa), is
proposing a bill that would enable lawmakers to designate
certain agricultural lands with historical, cultural and
visual value as "historic agricultural landmarks."

The measure would designate Galbraith Trust's 2,100 acres
of former pineapple land in Central O'ahu as a historic
agricultural landmark. The use of such areas would be
restricted to agriculture.

Rep. Marcus Oshiro, D-39th (Wahiawa), is proposing
legislation that would enable the state to acquire the
Galbraith lands and said he's seeking partnerships with public
and private agencies to help with such a purchase.

Keana Point

Nothing is ever simple. Fisherman access to Kaena Point is the downside of trying to protect the area from off road vehicles that have been tearing up the area for years. What is at stake? Both Hawaiian graves and endangered plants and birds are being run over and distrode by irresponsible off roading.

Off road vehicles have been largely ignore, but recently DOCARE has been issueing tickets to trespassers both off road vehicles and fisherman vehicles.

Carol Cox has a detailed and fairly balanced article at:

http://www.envirowatch.org/KaenaPT.htm

What he didn't cover and what has ulua fishermen even more upset than vehicle access is that if they set up a bed for the kids with a mosquito net over it they are being sited for camping and removed from the beach. Seems like an unreasonable interpretation of the camping regulations, but what's new in a buracracy?

The proposal to fence the extreme end of Kaena Point to protect birds and endangered plants from preditors will exclude fishermen's vehicles. They are going to have to pack their gear in if they want to fish.

Kaena point represents some of Hawaii's most fragile ecosystems. In the controversy between fishermen access and protecting the birds, I side with the birds but expect strong opposition to the fencing project.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PARADE "VIP" HONOREES ANNOUNCED

2008 MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PARADE "VIP" HONOREES ANNOUNCED
Mayor Mufi Hannemann
Environmental Advocates Senator Gary Hoosier and Carroll Cox,
President of EnviroWatch

State Senator Gary Hoosier (Kauai) was selected for his dedication to
protecting Hawaii’s environment. Hoosier has actively advocated both
as a citizen and as an elected official to protect our state’s
delicate environment and to promote solar energy and other critical
sustainability issues.

Carroll Cox, President of EnviroWatch is being honored for his many
years of bold advocacy for Hawaii’s environment and issues related to
animal protection. Cox' willingness to stand up and "speak truth to
power" has made him one of the most-respected environmental advocates
in Hawai`i.

Ka Iwi Ridge

For Opponents of Development on East Oahu's Ka Iwi Ridge,
There Isn't Much Good News By Rep. Gene Ward, 1/19/2008
4:03:46 PM

Due to the confusion created by missed communications
between the developer's attorney William McCorriston and the
Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board members and a 60-day rule, the
Hawaii Kai Neighborhood Board was forced to call an emergency
meeting on Jan. 8, 2008, instead of the normal meeting
scheduled for January 29th to hear about the cabins proposals
on the Ka Iwi Coast.

The meeting started off with a briefing and a sour note by
Mr. McCorriston, lawyer and spokesman for QRM LLC, who said
upfront, "The cabins are not located on Ka Iwi, if so, Aina
Haina is also on the coast."

While his definition was quickly disputed his ensuing
comments cut to the chase: "QRM does not intend to go away,"
suggesting this was going to be a long and protracted affair.
The options? "You either buy out my client, or let him build
the cabins, or we'll sue you and keep this in court," is the
best summary and paraphrase of the gist of the entire meeting.

For the entire article see:

http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?32057de2-c7fe-444c-aadc-3d6f2ae54781

Then tell us what you think

Mite could cost farmers million

A honey bee mite threatens to wipe out bees in Hawaii.

Without bees to polinate their crops farmers face huge losses.

This Advertiser Article discusses the problem:

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080120/BUSINESS11/801200328/1071/

This is another example of the careless introduction of alien species to our state costing us millions of dollars.

The article doesn't mention the potential effect on native species nor does it point out that the Super Ferry could easily move the mite contamination to other islands.

Changes to EIS trigger

Interpretation of the recently passed legislation to permit Super Ferry operation without an EIS requires an project that fronts on a state or county road to do an EIS.

It is causing a major burden on small projects. On the other hand, patching the EIS law with a band aide may also have unintended consequences.

This article in the Advertiser outlines the problem pretty well and interview people on both sides of the issue.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080120/NEWS02/801200357/1001/

I cannot post it because of copyright issues so take a look at it and let us know what you think. It is a complicated and potentially damaging issue. I'm always leary when an administration want to push through a "fix" without adequate discussion.

Governor Lingle has created a major mess when she circumvented EIS requirements for the super ferry. Also, she refused 2 years ago to release funds for a study of the EIS requirement. Neocons in the Bush administration have done all they can to gut the federal EIS law. Looks like Lingle is in step with the national.

No one intended that an EIS be triggered simply because a project fronts on a publick road, but what are the consequences of a quick fix?

Feral Pig Control

HB2121 Generated on 1/19/2008 9:11:45 PM

Measure Title: RELATING TO FERAL PIGS.

Report Title: Invasive Species; Feral Pig Control; DLNR

Description: Directs the department of land and natural
resources to establish, implement, and maintain a pilot program
to identify and reduce problem feral pig populations. Program
terminates on June 30, 2010.

Package: Kupuna Companion: Introducer(s): MIZUNO, BELATTI,
CHING, MARUMOTO, MEYER, SONSON Current Referral: WLH, FIN

SB631 prohibits snaring pigs

SB631 Generated on 1/19/2008 8:58:02 PM

Measure Title: RELATING TO HUNTING. Report Title: Body Grip
Traps; Hunting; Ban; Penalties Description: Prohibits the use of
body grip traps while hunting. Establishes penalties.

This bill will prohibits snaring pigs.

Snaring is an important tool for managing pig populations in
remote native forest where it is difficult for hunters
effectively control pig populations.

Snaring has been critisized because traps may not be
access often enough to prevent unreasonable sufffering by the
animal.

It comes down to which is more important. Preventing an
animal from suffering in a trap for days or preventing the
destruction of native forest.

Certainly, where more humane methods such as hunting are
effective, snares should not be used. But in areas where hunting
can not control pig population and native ecosystem destruction
is out of control snaring is a vital tool to control pig
populations.

EEP Hearing 1/24/08 8:30AM

EEP Hearing 1/24/08 8:30AM
HB2330 Incentives for electric vehicles
HB2005 Tax credit to include solar energy systems

Organizing Hawaii Conservation Voters

Lots of people ask why an effective conservation voters’ organization needs three separate branches. It doesn’t sound very efficient, and it adds overhead. However, the IRS, as well as the laws relating to political activities, dictate the limits on what each organization can do. Thus, three separate organizations are required:

1. A political action committee (PAC) can advocate for individual candidates. No other organization can do that. Contributions to a PAC are not deductible.

2. A 501(c)3 is a nonprofit organization limited politically to organizational and educational activities. A 501(c)3 can advocate for issues with up to 20% of its budget, but it cannot advocate for candidates.

3. A 501(c)4, on the other hand, can advocate for issues as well as lobby legislators with only one restriction; a 501(c)4 cannot recommend a specific candidate. Specific candidate recommendations must be done by a PAC. Also, contributions to the (c)4 are not tax deductable.

The Hawaii Conservation Voters is our 501(c)4. We are forming a political action committee called the Hawaii League of Conservation Voters. The name is well branded and recognized by people and the press. It should be well received in new releases and advertising.

We need to organize a 501(c)3, so we will be able to accommodate contributors who need a tax deduction. We have not yet determined the name of our (c)3 and suggestions are welcome.

Okay -- so that explains how the Hawaii Conservation Voters is organized and why the organization needs to be so complex. Now we need you to participate;

VOTE intelligently;
Share what you know with us and with your friends.

Your donations of time and money will help us pay the expenses of volunteers, pay legislative monitors when necessary, publish a legislative score card, and buy advertising for the coming elections.

If we are going to make our grassroots concerns heard over the shouting of big money lobbyists, we are going to need all the support you can give. The National League of Conservation Voters has agreed to provide a matching grant of $10,000 if we raise the matching amount from individual donations. Please help us to meet this goal.

Hawaii needs informed and concerned voters who know what their candidates for office have done regarding environmental issues in the past. It’s not what candidates say that is important, it is what they do and have done.

HCV knows their records and positions; we want everyone else to know as well.

National League of Conservation Voters - Presidential Voter Guide is availabe on line at: http://www.lcv.org/voterguide

Bill Sager

Welcome to Hawaii Conservation Voters

Our mission is to inform voters concerning environmental issues in Hawaii and to elect candidates to office who support a conservation ethic.

Come here when you want to know about environmental issues and candidates. We will do our best to keep you informed. You are welcome to share your ideas, concerns and knowledge. To do so, you will have to set up a gmail account and be invited to participate. Once you are logged in you will be able to comment on posts and make your own posts on any appropriate subject.

We are non-partican. We encourage a broad range of views and hope your participation here will help you make informed voting decisions.

Tell your friends about this site and encourage them to become environmentally informed voters.

We need all the help we can get, both of your time and expertise and of your money. If you can contribute financially that is great. But, the most important thing you can give us your time and knowlege.

We need to spread the word. We need to develop a rapid response communications net work using phone trees and e-mail. We need a phone bank of people who will contact voters and find out if they are concerned about the future of Hawaii and want to stay informed. On election day, we need to man a phone bank to make sure that everyone we talked to who does care about Hawaii gets out to vote. We need people who can monitor legislation and provide testimony on important issues before the legislature. And, we need fund raiser.

Hawaii Conservation Voters is a C-4. The League of Conservation Voters is our PAC and next summer we plan on setting up a C-3 which can accept tax deductable funds. Contributions to the C-4 or to the PAC are not tax deductable.

If you have questions or have trouble logging in to this blog, contact Bill Sager at 375-1114 or at bsager@hawaii.rr.com