2011 Legislative Accomplishments

Agriculture

Food Safety and Food Security are top priorities.  Since the end of the plantation era, there has been a delay in transitioning our prime agricultural lands to future farmers.  In addition, access to quality water has limited the growth of farms.  We must continue to advocate for agriculture and provide opportunities to grow in-state produce.   

 

  • Act 154     Dams & Reservoirs- Requires BLNR to consider dams and reservoirs as important water resources for the State and acknowledge the need to maintain and operate them in a safe and feasible manner.
  • Act 155:    Agricultural Development and Food Security Special Fund- Expands the authorized uses of the agricultural development and food security special fund to include the improvement of dams and reservoirs, and water quality testing and improvement.

 

In addition, multiple Food Safety regulations are burdensome to Hawaii’s small business farmers.  These regulations increase cost to both infrastructure and consumer.  That is why I will be introducing this upcoming session a standard Food Safety Program and an Agriculture Loan Guarantee Program to assist our farmers in achieving a sustainable in-state food supply. 

 

Budget

Raising taxes is not the solution for filling budget gaps.  The working families and small business are facing difficult times.  Walking throughout my district, I witness these daily struggles.  Below are efforts I have pushed to assist and facilitate job creation, workforce housing, and redeveloping our rural main streets.

 

Economy

At a time of budget shortfalls and department cutbacks in staff, our natural resources face threatening conditions and our facilities are lacking much needed maintenance and repairs.  In addition, our economy is experiencing the highest level of unemployment since the Great Depression.  We need to plan accordingly.  Before we consider raising taxes, we need to create and encourage a small business environment.  Since being elected to serve I have supported the following to steer our economy back on track:

 

  • Act 055     Public Land Development Corporation; DLNR- Establishes the public land development corporation to administer an appropriate and culturally-sensitive public land development program. Allows the HCDA to provide assistance to the public land development corporation. Appropriates funds for the corporation and three staff positions.

 

Environment & Energy

 

  • Act 203     Biofuel; Feasibility Study; Energy Resources Coordinator- Requires the energy resources coordinator to conduct a study and issue a preliminary and final report on the conditions and policies necessary to expand biofuel production in the State to displace a significant amount of petroleum-based liquid fuel. Report to 2012 and 2013 legislature.

 

  • Act 022     Roadway Materials; Recycled Glass Content Requirement- Clarifies that state agencies may purchase roadway materials with a minimum recycled glass content. Allows use of minimum glass of ten per cent crushed glass aggregate in all basecourse and subbase.

 

Jobs and Housing

Hawaii’s population is increasing rapidly.  We need to provide today for what Hawaii will be tomorrow and that is opportunities to live and work. I am glad to support opportunities that will provide affordable workforce housing and small business entrepreneurship.  

 

  • Act 090     Hawaii Public Housing Authority; Development; Mixed Use- Authorizes the Hawaii Public Housing Authority to enter into contracts with developers to develop public housing projects in exchange for commercial space in the project.