TAKE ACTION

FIRST TIME TESTIYING?
CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW

TESTIFY! TESTIFY! TESTIFY!
It makes a difference in great numbers.

URGENT ACTION: Call and email
decision-makers to ensure real campaign finance reform

Right now, our legislators are making final decisions on HB370, a bill that could strengthen Hawaiʻi’s public financing program and reduce the influence of big private donors in our local politics. But right now the bill would be a reform in name only, because in order to receive public financing support, candidates would still have to agree to spend less money than it takes to win a race.

Luckily, there is a simple fix that negotiators in the final stages of the legislative session can make right now in order to ensure this reform is real.

Take Action: Call and email conference committee chairs Senator Rhoads and Representative Tarnas right now and ask them to keep the 20% expenditure limit increase that is included in HB370 SD1.

Senator RhoadsPhone: 808-586-6130 senrhoads@capitol.hawaii.gov
Representative TarnasPhone: 808-586-8510 reptarnas@capitol.hawaii.gov

Sample Script

Aloha, my name is [Your Name], and I’m calling to urge you to support the Senate version of HB370 — specifically, the provision that raises the expenditure limit for publicly funded campaigns by 20%.

Without raising that limit, candidates who take public funds are forced to run on far less than what it takes to win, making the program ineffective. If we want a viable public financing system that allows more everyday people to run for office, we must raise the spending cap.

Please hold the line on this critical reform. Mahalo for your time and your leadership.

Why this matters:

In the historic 1978 Hawai‘i Constitutional Convention, the public financing of elections was established as a key part of Hawai'i's constitution, stating that a public campaign fund could dilute “the effective influence of money and large contributors” and “ equalize opportunity for all to participate meaningfully in the political process.”

In the years that followed, public funding of elections played a meaningful role in major races up and down the ballot in Hawai'i’s local elections. But in recent decades, with rising costs, and the flood of unlimited political spending unleashed by the US Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision in 2009, our public financing programs have not kept up with the reality of modern political campaigns. In fact, we have not made adjustments to our public campaign finance system since 1995 — before most people were using personal computers or cell phones.

The result of this is that we have seen a big increase in big money in politics, and a declining use of our public financing system. Why? Primarily because the campaign spending cap you must abide by when you opt in to taking public funds is too low to run and win an average campaign.

For example, the current average expenditure limit for the upcoming 2026 election for a State House race is $23,632, for the primary or the general election. That means if you want to receive public funds, you have to agree to spend less than $23,632 on your election.

However, the median amount spent by State House primary winners in 2024 was $31,311.60, and the average amount spent in winning primary races was $37,473.95. That means currently, if you are a State House candidate who wants to do the right thing by opting into our public financing system, you have to agree to run on far less than what it takes on average to win a race.

Raising this expenditure limit is the key reform to make our partial public financing system work again. Without it, this "reform" is more symbolic than real.

We can’t let this opportunity for real reform slip away.

Call or email Senator Rhoads and Representative Tarnas and ask them to support the spending limits included in the Senate version of HB370 (SD1) and hold the line on raising the candidate expenditure limit.

Once you've done that, you can also contact legislative leadership:
House Speaker Nakamura Phone: 808-586-6100 repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov

Senate President Kouchi Phone: Phone: 808-586-6030 senkouchi@capitol.hawaii.gov

Pūhakuloa Training Area
Final Environmental Statement

Comments are due by
Monday, May 19, 2025

The U.S. Army has published its Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed retention of military land leases in Hawai‘i, including nearly 23,000 acres at Pōhakuloa Training Area (PTA) on Hawai‘i Island. The Final EIS is available online at:

https://home.army.mil/hawaii/ptaeis/documents

The Army is now accepting public comments during a 30-day waiting period, which will inform their final decision—called a Record of Decision (ROD)—about whether and how to retain these lands. This is a critical time to make your voice heard.

Comments are due by Monday, May 19, 2025.
Submit your comments by email to:
usarmy.hawaii.nepa@army.mil
(808) 656-6821

If you’re not sure what to say, feel free to personalize or copy the letter below:

Sample Comment Letter

Subject: Public Comment on Final EIS – Pōhakuloa Training Area

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the U.S. Army’s proposed retention of leased lands at Pōhakuloa Training Area.

Pōhakuloa is not just a piece of land—it is a wahi pana, a sacred and storied place, home to irreplaceable Native Hawaiian cultural sites and some of Hawai‘i’s most endangered species. The Army has not demonstrated the capacity or will to serve as a proper steward of this land.

For example, the Army’s actions have already resulted in the burning of nearly 20,000 acres, including designated critical habitat for native flora and fauna. This is unacceptable. Additionally, the ongoing use of live-fire and bombing in the impact area raises serious concerns about environmental contamination, safety, and long-term degradation of both the land and water.

Military training activities of this scale are simply not compatible with conservation, cultural integrity, or aloha ‘āina. Enough is enough.

I urge the Army to respect the land, the culture, and the people of Hawai‘i by not renewing the leases at Pōhakuloa. It’s time to return these lands and begin a real process of healing and restoration.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Optional: Your Town or Island]


Please share this with your networks, and make sure to submit your comment by Monday, May 19, 2025. Mahalo for standing for the land, for justice, and for future generations.

PAST ACTIONS

Aloha ʻĀina Warriors,

We need you once more … 

Hawai‘i’s natural and cultural resources are under attack from proposed legislation to bend the Hawai‘i Environmental Policy Act (“HEPA”) to the will of the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (“DLNR”) and give the agency a free pass to avoid doing its job. It is common knowledge that SB1074 was introduced this session to allow a specific activity (commercial boating) to continue in a specific location (Kā‘anapali, Maui) while the HEPA process is being completed. This exact issue is already being addressed in an ongoing lawsuit. On March 21, the court ruled that commercial boating in Kā‘anapali can continue until September, giving DLNR time to comply with HEPA. And on April 16, the court will hear the West Maui community plaintiffs’ motion to, again, allow commercial boating to continue subject to common sense conditions to protect public safety and the environment, after DLNR repeatedly refused to negotiate the issue. Although this bill is no longer necessary in light of these recent lawsuit developments, DLNR continues to insist on a legislative bailout, pitting West Maui and other affected communities against one another.

Although recent amendments narrowed the scope of SB1074, the bill sets a dangerous precedent for bailing out agencies from ongoing lawsuits, circumventing the time-honored judicial process for applying Hawai‘i’s bedrock environmental review law, which has been on the books for over 40 years. It also could have unintended consequences beyond West Maui in places like Kāne‘ohe Bay, where commercial activities have run amok at the expense of community-based fishing and resource management, cultural practices, and the environment. 

We need your help in ending DLNR’s mischief and gameplaying by convincing the Legislature to kill this bill. 

Call to Action:

Message & Talking Points

Subject: Do NOT Send SB1074 (DLNR Bailout Bill) To Conference

 

Dear Senators and Representatives,

My name is [ ] and I live in [ ] on the island of [ ].

I strongly oppose SB1074, a DLNR bailout bill that would hand the agency a free pass to avoid doing its job to apply HEPA, one of our bedrock environmental laws. This bill is intended to allow a specific activity (commercial boating) to continue in a specific location (Kā‘anapali, Maui) while the HEPA process is being completed. This bill is completely unnecessary and an affront to the time-honored judicial process for applying Hawai‘i’s bedrock environmental review law, which has been on the books for over 40 years.

  • This bill is no longer necessary in light of recent developments in the Kā‘anapali boating lawsuit!! 

    • On March 21, the court ruled that commercial boating in Kā‘anapali can continue until September, giving DLNR time to comply with HEPA. 

    • On April 16, the court will hear the West Maui community plaintiffs’ motion to, again, allow commercial boating to continue subject to common sense conditions to protect public safety and the environment, after DLNR repeatedly refused to negotiate the issue. Passing this bill would set a dangerous precedent for bailing agencies out of ongoing lawsuits.

  • A legislative “fix” would allow commercial boating to continue in Kā‘anapali without any interim measures to address public safety and the environment, yanking the rug out from under the West Maui community plaintiffs whose lives and livelihoods have been threatened by unregulated tourist catamarans that land on Kā‘anapali Beach. And it would remove the court’s ability to take appropriate action and apply HEPA to the complex facts at hand. This is exactly what the courts are equipped to do. The Legislature should not intervene in the judicial process.

  • The bill could have unintended spillover effects on other areas affected by commercial boating activities, such as Kāne‘ohe Bay, where communities have fought for decades for tighter restrictions on commercial thrill crafts that have run amok at the expense of community-based fishing and resource management, cultural practices, and the environment. This bill is a dangerous step in the opposite direction.

 I strongly urge you to, not convene a conference committee on SB1074, SD2 HD2.

Mahalo,

[YOUR NAME]
[ISLAND, TOWN]

Senate Contact Information

Karl Rhoads, Chair, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Member, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment

Senate District 13

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 228

Phone: 808-586-6130

senrhoads@capitol.hawaii.gov

Lorraine Inouye, Chair, Senate Committee on Water and Land

Senate District 1

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 210
Phone: 808-586-7335
seninouye@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Mike Gabbard, Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment, Vice Chair, Senate Committee on Judiciary

Vice Chair
Senate District 21
Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 201
Phone: 808-586-6830
sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Brandon J.C. Elefante, Vice-Chair, Senate Committee on Water and Land

Senate District 16

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 217
Phone: 808-586-6230
senelefante@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Herbert M. “Tim” Richards, III, Vice Chair, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment

Senate District 4

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 202

Phone: 808-586-6760
senrichards@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Stanley Chang, Member, Senate Committee on Judiciary; Member, Senate Committee on Water and Land

Senate District 9

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 226

Phone: 808-586-8420

senchang@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Joy A. San Buenaventura, Member, Senate Committee on Judiciary

Senate District 2

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 213

Phone: 808-586-6890

sensanbuenaventura@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Brenton Awa, Member, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Member, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment

Senate District 23

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 203

Phone: 808-586-7330

senawa@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Stanley Chang, Member, Senate Committee on Water and Land

Senate District 9

Hawai‘i State Capitol Room 226
Phone: 808-586-8420
senchang@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Angus L.K. McKelvey, Member, Senate Committee on Water and Land

Senate District 6

Hawai‘i State Capitol Room 221

Phone: 808-586-6070

senmckelvey@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Samatha Decorte, Member, Senate Committee on Water and Land

Senate District 22

Hawai‘i State Capitol Room 223

Phone: 808-586-7793
sendecorte@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Lynn DeCoite, Member, Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment

Senate District 7

Hawai‘i State Capitol Room 230

Phone: 808-587-7225
sendecoite@capitol.hawaii.gov       

 

House Contact Information

David A. Tarnas, Chair, House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs

House District 8

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 442

Phone: 808-586-8510

reptarnas@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Nicole E. Lowen, Chair, House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection

House District 7

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 436

Phone: 808-586-8400
replowen@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Mark J. Hashem, Chair, House Committee on Water & Land,  Member, House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs

House District 19

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 424

Phone: 808-586-6510

rephashem@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Mahina Poepoe, Vice Chair, House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, Member, House Committee on Water & Land

House District 13

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 331

Phone: 808-586-6790

reppoepoe@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Amy A. Perruso, Vice Chair, House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection, Member, House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs

House District 46

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 444

Phone: 808-586-6700
repperruso@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Rachele F. Lamasao, Vice Chair, House Committee on Water & Land,  Member, House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs

House District 36

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 316

Phone: 808-586-6520
replamosao@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Della Au Belatti, Member, House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, Member, House Committee on Water & Land

House District 26

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 420

Phone: 808-586-9425

repbelatti@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Elle Cochran, Member, House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs

House District 14

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 315

Phone: 808-586-6160

repcochran@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Kirstin Kahaloa, Member, House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, Member, House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection

House District 6

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 403

Phone: 808-586-8530

repkahaloa@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Amy A. Perruso, Member, House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs

House District 46

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 444

Phone: 808-586-6700
repperruso@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Gregg Takayama, Member, House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs

House District 34

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 404

Phone: 808-586-6340
reptakayama@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Chris Todd, Member, House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs

House District 3

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 433

Phone: 808-586-8480
reptodd@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Diamond Garcia, Member, House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs

House District 42

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 303

Phone: 808-586-8500
repgarcia@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Garner M. Shimizu, Member, House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, Member, House Committee on Water & Land

House District 32

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 305

Phone: 808-586-9470
repshimizu@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Matthias Kusch, Member, House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection

House District 1

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 311

Phone: 808-586-6680
repkusch@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Sean Quinlan, Member, House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection

House District 47

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 439

Phone: 808-586-6380
repquinlan@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Gene Ward, Member, House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection

House District 18

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 319

Phone: 808-586-6420
repward@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Kim Coco Iwamoto, Member, House Committee on Water & Land

House District 25

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 327

Phone: 808-586-8485
repiwamoto@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Linda Ichiyama, Member, House Committee on Water & Land

House District 31

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 432

Phone: 808-586-6220
repichiyama@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Dee Morikawa, Member, House Committee on Water & Land

House District 17

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 434

Phone: 808-586-6280
repmorikawa@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Justin Woodson, Member, House Committee on Water & Land

House District 9

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 405

Phone: 808-586-6210
repwoodson@capitol.hawaii.gov

 

Kanani Souza, Member, House Committee on Water & Land

House District 43

Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 330

Phone: 808-586-8465
repsouza@capitol.hawaii.gov

VOTE IN Midwifery Amendments! 

 

Aloha,
Thanks to your zealous advocacy, lawmakers made critical amendments to increase reproductive freedom and access to midwifery care under HB1194.  The new draft includes an apprenticeship pathway to midwifery licensure recognized by the North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) and an exemption that allows a person invited to attend a birth outside of a birth facility without the fear of criminalization for not having a midwifery license.  

 

HB1194 is scheduled for the LAST joint decision-making hearing next Tuesday, April 1, at 9:30 AM before the Commerce and Consumer Protection and Judiciary Committees.   

 

Together, we have an opportunity to improve this bill, by submitting comments and requesting two important amendments:

Add clarifying language to fully protect traditional and customary Native Hawaiian practices under the Hawai’i Constitution, including practices relating to pregnancy, birthing, and infancy, and add the birth attendant exemption which includes consumer protection requirements.

Please submit written testimony with comments to HB1194, and aim to submit by Sunday, March 30, at 9:30 AM.  Written testimony will be accepted until the hearing time on Tuesday.

 

Here is sample testimony for you to customize with your personal story: 

 

Aloha Chairs Keohokalole and Rhoads, Vice Chairs Fukunaga and Gabbard, and Committee Members, 

 

My name is [NAME], and I am a resident of [TOWN].  I am submitting comments on HB1194, Relating to Midwifery. 

 

The Hawaiʻi State Constitution guarantees the fundamental right to reproductive autonomy, including where and with whom to experience pregnancy and birth care. Please add the following amendments to HB1194 to strengthen protections for reproductive freedom and Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices relating to pregnancy, birth, and infant care, and end the criminalization of maternal support and care without a midwifery license: 

  • Amendment to protect birth attendants from criminalization by adding a clear statutory exemption with consumer protections in place.  Reinstate the birth attendant exemption that existed under the current midwifery law that expired in 2023, AND

  • Amendment to fully protect Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices.  Replace the current exemption language under HRS 457J-6 with the following language: This chapter shall not apply to a person who is: (4) Practicing Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices, including but not limited to practices related to pregnancy, birth, or infancy, as protected under article XII, section 7 of the Hawaii State Constitution; 

Pregnant persons should be able to make informed decisions about their own bodies and reproductive health care.  Some persons view pregnancy and birth as a natural process and choose midwives and traditional practitioners to provide support for their social, psychological, physical, emotional, spiritual, and cultural needs.  Others view pregnancy and birth as primarily a medical event and choose to give birth in a hospital with access to physicians and nurses.  

 

We need more choices, not less, when it comes to accessing care during pregnancy and birth—whether at home, at birthing centers, or in hospitals. 

 

Please add these amendments to HB1194 to safeguard reproductive autonomy, fully protect Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices, and expand access to midwifery care in our communities.

  

Mahalo, 

[NAME]” 

 

How to submit testimony: 

Click on the bill here (HB1194) Click on the orange "Submit testimony" rectangle Sign in (or create a login if you don’t have one already) Type in the bill number (HB1194) in the box on the left and “Continue” Select “Comment” and select the option for Written testimony only. (Note: This is a decision-making meeting, only written testimony is accepted). Write testimony, hit submit, and confirm by hitting “Okay” Congratulations! You did it.  

If you have any questions or feedback or need support to submit your testimony, please reply and a Policy Team member will get back to you as soon as possible. 

 

We will continue to fight for reproductive justice, and we hope you will join us!

 

Carrie Ann Shirota & the Policy Team 
ACLU Hawai’i

Aloha Arts 'Ohana,

We need your voice now to protect the future of arts and culture in Hawai'i.

HB1378-HD2-SD1 is scheduled to be heard this Thursday, April 3, at 10 a.m. TESTIMONY DUE WEDNESDAY 4/2/25! This bill threatens the very infrastructure that supports public art and arts education in our state. HB1378-HD2-SD1 proposes major changes to the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA)—including restrictions on the use of the Works of Art Special Fund (WOASF)—that could severely limit the Foundation’s ability to sustain key programs like Artists-in-the-Schools and Art in Public Places.

Take Action Today:

  1. Submit written testimony NOW to OPPOSE HB1378-HD2-SD1. In-person and online testimony via Zoom will not be permitted.

  1. Use your voice! Share why arts and culture matter to you and your community. 

  2. Forward this alert to your networks—we need as many voices as possible to speak up.
     

Sample Message:

“I’m writing to respectfully oppose HB1378-HD2-SD1. This bill introduces major concerns—especially the restriction of the Works of Art Special Fund and the lack of clarity around governance and funding. Please protect the integrity of the SFCA and vote NO on HB1378-HD2-SD1.”
 

What’s at Stake:

  • Limits on WOASF could eliminate essential staff support for public art programs.

  • The bill creates a new special fund for performing arts—but offers no clear plan for how it will be managed or funded.

  • The proposed changes are unclear, underdeveloped, and potentially harmful to Hawaii's creative sector.

We support expanding the SFCA’s focus to include the performing arts—but not at the expense of its existing programs or financial integrity.

Mahalo!
Gaye Humphrey
Executive Director
Hawai‘i Arts Alliance

Right now, all of the following bills are waiting on a hearing in their respective financial committees (either House FIN or Senate WAM). Many of them shouldn’t have even been referred there — which raises real concerns about transparency and accountability in the legislative process.

Here’s where things stand:
HEARING is Tuesday (submit written testimony) HB371 – closes the contractor loophole in campaign contributions
Originally referred to only JHA In the House, passed JDC, waiting on WAM

SB345 – HEARING SCHEDULED TUESDAY APRIL 3rd. SEND IN WRITTEN TESTIMONIES!!!
the Campaign Spending Commission Partial Public Financing bill
In the House, and will be heard in FIN

HB370 – Senator Rhoads version of Partial Public Financing bill
In the Senate, waiting on WAM

ICYMI - SB345 is now the original HB370, and HB370 includes the original language from SB345 thanks to Rep. Tarnas making maneuvers that closely resemble a gut-and replace, and Sen. Rhoads responding accordingly.

 

SB1032 – limits foreign influence on Hawaiʻi elections
Originally referred to TCA and JDC, now passed JHA, waiting on FIN

 

SB311 – a proposed constitutional amendment to clarify that spending money isn’t protected "speech" in elections
Originally referred to JDC and WAM, then just JDC – it passed JHA, now waiting on FIN

 

All of these bills need to be heard soon, or they risk dying in committee — not because of public opposition but because of legislative bottlenecks.

If you want to dig into the procedural weeds, we highly recommend reading Gary Hooser’s recent blog post on what happened with HB776, a bill that was effectively killed by misuse of committee referrals.

 

What you can do:
Contact House Finance Chair Kyle Yamashita and Senate Ways & Means Chair Donovan Dela Cruz and ask them to hear these bills. Your voice matters — and it helps cut through the backroom politics that often stall good legislation.


Contact Finance Committee Chairs

House Finance Committee

Chair of House Committee on Finance: Representative Kyle Yamashita

Email: repyamashita@capitol.hawaii.gov

Phone: 808-586-6200

 

Sample Email/Call

Aloha Chair Yamashita,

My name is _____, from ________. Mahalo for passing HB370 out of the Finance Committee. I am also reaching out to request that you schedule and support the senate version, SB345 along with SB311 and SB1032. This is our last chance to take a meaningful step in campaign finance reform  Please consider scheduling this bill. Mahalo!

 

Senate Ways and Means Committee

Chair of Senate Ways and Means; Senator Donovan Dela Cruz

Email: sendelacruz@capitol.hawaii.gov

Phone: 808-586-6090

 

Sample Email/ Call

Aloha Chair Dela Cruz,

My name is _____, from ________ and I am reaching out to request that you schedule and support  HB370 and HB371. These bills are critical in improving our partial public funding program and closing the contractor campaign donation loophole. Please consider scheduling these bills. Mahalo!"

SAVE KA’ULA ISLAND

BREAKING NEWS: click here

Kauai News HERE
Sierra Club of Hawai’i - HERE

The draft environmental assessment, which is more than 200 pages long, focuses on the effects on the land where heightened activity is proposed. This includes 7,659 acres at the missile range facility and 113 acres at Ka’ula Island.
The National Environmental Policy Act, a 1970 federal law, mandates that federal agencies assess the impacts of their environmental actions before making decisions.

Other impacts on Hawai’i Islands
Kaho’olawe
Pūhakoloa
Ka’ula
Red Hill
Waikoloa - Recognize Retreat Report

By Uʻilani Naipo
June 1, 2024

Lauʻīpala (yellow tang) is one of the species of Hawaiian reef fish highly coveted by aquarium fish collectors who will pay up to $250 for a single fish. Over the past four decades, millions of fish have been taken from West Hawaiʻi waters by the aquarium pet trade industry and, according to environmental law firm Earthjustice, fewer than 1% survive beyond one year.

- Photo: Kaikea Nakachi

The hearing date is Friday, August 23rd @ 9AM
(Your 2-minute oral testimony makes a difference)

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvFwARB6RhS5CLnaALNif3w



PŌHAKULOA

DUE June 7th @ 11:59PM HST

SUBMIT TESTIMONY
HERE

Environmental Impact Assessment

Public comments are needed!

The US Army seeks to retain control of nearly 23,000 acres of State-owned land, which are currently leased to the Army and expire in 2029. Part of this process involves submitting an environmental impact statement (EIS) that assesses military impacts within the State lands. Public testimony on the EIS is being accepted until June 7th. The EIS and a link to public comments can be found here:
https://home.army.mil/hawaii/ptaeis/documents

Sample Testimony by Avalon P. here

SUBMIT TESTIMONY
HERE

WE OPPOSED SB3202

Review HULI PAC’s testimony here

Click on image to read Gary Hooser's blog on SB3202

SB3202 is still alive, we can continue to make a difference IF we receive enough testimonies quickly.

NO MENTION OF AFFORDABLE OR DISINCENTIVIZING INVESTORS AND OUTSIDE BUYERS FROM OUTBIDDING LOCAL FAMILIES!!!!

Spread the word and reach out to ALL LEGISLATORS by TOMORROW
9:00am, Wednesday, May 1

Please take action now!
(sample testimony within the auto-populated email link)

  • Email and/or call all Senators and Representatives by clicking here


    Despite the evidence, including the local expert opinion below, that SB3203 does not create affordable housing, most of our elected leaders, including Hawai'i Island's Planning Director Zendo Kern, have consistently voted in favor of SB3202 and its companion HB1630. ‘A’OLE!

    The last public video here
    Zendo Kern’s oral support at     17:15 and 1:48 clarified going behind the County to pass the State level that will override home rule and our people’s voice.

Our efforts have greatly impacted the latest draft of SB3202 CD1. The subdivision of land to 1200 and 2000 square feet is gone from the bill! However, the bill still allows for at least 3 homes per lot, overriding the county's ability to control issues plaguing our dense working-class neighborhoods...more concrete, flooding, cars, and parking problems.

Despite evidence that this approach does not create affordable housing;

There's no denying that we all want affordable housing. But we need common-sense planning and action. Most importantly, we need community input rather than just special interest groups. Community input is valuable and necessary, which is why our development and sustainable community plans should matter. Zoning/density decisions should remain at the county level to address different needs and incorporate residents' concerns and ideas.

Governor Green signed and passed this into law!
THEY PASSED THIS BILL - NOT GOOD

THIS REMOVES HOME RULE AND OUR ABILITY TO ASSES THE IMPACT ON HOW OUR ISLAND GETS DEVELOPED….

UNDERSTAND HOW OUR HAWAI’I ISLAND LEADER THINK AND HAVE VOTED ON LAND USE THAT IMPACTS OUR COUNTY

Representatives Chris Todd (Hawaii Island) and Richard Onishi (Hawai’i Island), Poepoe, and Hashem are questioning Zendo Kern (Hawai’i County Planning Director) about circumventing the county council on 2/29/24

House Chamber Session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy80Pu8EIYs
◦1:34:07 - Rep. Todd's comments regarding HB1630 (companion to SB3202), "I think largely community development plans, which are community-driven, are a mistake and have been a mistake. The reason being that no community is gonna willingly opt-in to have further development in a way that the state as a whole may need.”

•4/1/24 House Committee Hearing - HSG/WAL/JHA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-z97VV_Mng
◦1:49:10 - Rep Onishi asks Zendo what has stopped Hawai'i County from allowing for more 'ohana units and if he needs this bill passed at the state level because he can’t get it passed at the county level.

◦1:59:35 - Rep Poepoe asks Zendo if he is trying to circumvent county council processes and the different public processes.

◦2:03:45 - Rep Hashem asks Zendo "If you have so much support, why don’t you just go out and do it?” Zendo Kern replies, “It’s not as easy to get it done at the county level.”

•5/1/24 House Chamber Session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bnRYEKIiYw
◦5:34:54 - Rep Onishi states that he is offended that Zendo is using SB3202 to circumvent the county council process.

WE OPPOSED
SB3202

Each county of Hawaiʻi should retain its home rule rights when it comes to zoning and density. We each have different needs, communities and infrastructure. However, under the guise of "affordable housing," the State Legislature is trying to take away that right with SB3202. It's a one-size-fits-all approach to eliminate single-family zoning in our urban state land use district, which basically covers most residential neighborhoods statewide. Most importantly, it's a way to circumvent and undermine community input and existing community development plans. 

Supporters of the bill have asserted that "affordable housing" will be built if we allow for lots to be subdivided to 2,000 sq. ft. with 3 or more homes allowed on each lot. But, there is no language in the bill to ensure affordability and to disincentivize investors and out-of-state buyers from outbidding local families. Do we just hope that developers do the right thing? 

There's no denying we need affordable housing. But we need common sense planning and action that should take place at the county level. Developer Peter Savio agrees that this bill will create UNAFFORDABLE housing - link to his oral testimony at 1:03:31, 4/1 committee mtg HSG/WAL/JHA.

Since oral or written testimony is no longer being accepted, please email and/or call your county Representatives, Senators, and Conference Committee Chairs to OPPOSE SB3202. 

FIND YOUR LEGISLATORS

Conference Committee Chairs

repevslin@capitol.hawaii.gov

reptarnas@capitol.hawaii.gov

repichiyama@capitol.hawaii.gov

Please make your voices heard loud and clear! Let them know what island you reside on.

SAMPLE TESTIMONY:

I strongly oppose SB3202, all versions. Our state counties should retain their home rule rights since each county has different needs. We first need guardrails in place to disincentive investors and out-of-state buyers, along with sound affordable housing policy, before we increase density in our residential neighborhoods statewide. If not, we will further attract investors and out-of-state buyers, drive property value up, and price local families out.

IMPORTANT: 

The currently approved draft seems harmless: SB3202 SD2 HD1. However, the bill goes to conference committee where there is a strong push to add back language from previous versions to subdivide property to 2,000 sq. ft. with a minimum of 3 homes per lot. And again, there is no language, or intention, to address affordable housing or to disincentivize investors and out-of-state buyers. 

Here are the previous draft highlights:

  • SB3202 and SB3202 SD1

    • allow for a minimum of 4 homes per lot

    • allow for subdivision of parcels with a minimum lot size of 1,200 sq. ft.

    • no affordability language

  • SB3202 SD2

    • allow for at least 2 additional dwelling units (3 or more)

    • allow for subdivision of parcels with a minimum lot size of 2,000 sq. ft. (pg. 11, lines 3-6)

    • no affordability language

MORE INFO:

THEY DID NOT PASS

CLEAN ELECTIONS!

SAVE CLEAN ELECTION

Click SAVE CLEAN ELECTIONS! &

RSVP here, to join the rally
in Honolulu (2/22/24 @ 9AM).

* View Clean Election’s public stance here

Please submit testimony blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov

Click to access Agenda-240412.pdf

Testimony should reference the below agenda item:

D. LAND DIVISION

2. Informational Briefing Update on the United States Army Training Land Retention Efforts for the Pōhakuloa Training Area on the Island of Hawaiʻi and for Kahuku, Kawailoa-Poamoho, and Mākua Training Lands on the Island of Oʻahu;

And

Authorize the Chairperson to Negotiate, Approve and Execute a Contract for Appraisal Services to Determine the Fair Market Value Currently Leased by the United States Army, Tax Map Keys (1) 5-8-002:002, 5-9-006:026; 7-2-001:006; 8-1- 001:007 (por.), 008 and 012 (por.), 8-2-001:001, 022, 024, & 025; and (3) 4-4- 015:008, 4-4-016:005. 7-1-004:007.

Save Reef Fish from Aquarium Trade in West Hawaiʻi!
DEADLINE
Thursday, April 11th @ 9 AM

TESTIFY / SPREAD THE WORD!

Please submit testimony by clicking on the blue email link in strong OPPOSITION to DAR’s plan to reopen our reefs to the destructive aquarium trade.

Email:   BLNR.TESTIMONY@HAWAII.GOV  (AUTO POPULATED TESTIMONY)

One person killed this Resolution for Ceasefire.

House Rep. David Tarnas
Watch here

But do not despair. We still have the (stronger) Senate version, SCR13, which has crossed over to the House and is awaiting a referral to a committee. Given our recent experience with JHA, and given new information about the mood in the House, we have determined that routing SCR13 through the CAI (Culture, Arts, and International Affairs) committee gives us the best chance of getting the senate version passed in the House. 

That means it's time to ask Speaker Saiki to quickly refer SCR13 to the CAI committee ONLY. This is called a "single-referral." It's critical that we insist on a single-referral and that we start sending emails and making calls today. We've updated our legislator contact tool to send a pre-loaded email  message to Speaker Saiki (which you can edit how you see fit) and to patch you through to his office phone (a simple script is included).

Please take action right away using the button above.

OPPOSE Construction of TMT on Maunakea!

KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance - Tell the National Science Foundation Board not to fund construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea! Sign the petition and share with 10 others!

ACTION 1 - Sign the Petition: https://bit.ly/protectmaunakeanow

1) SAVE CLEAN ELECTION
Click SAVE CLEAN ELECTIONS! &

RSVP here, to join the rally
in Honolulu (2/22/24 @ 9AM).

* View Clean Election’s public stance here

2) SAVE OUR REEF FISH IN WEST HAWAI’I!

DEADLINE Thursday, April 11th @ 9 AM
PLEASE TESTIFY AND SPREAD THE WORD!
Agenda here

If DARs efforts on behalf of the aquarium trade are not defeated next Friday, DAR plans to ask the Board (in May or June) to issue AQ permits for West Hawaiʻi. Testify to save our reef!


ACTION 1 – Send in your testimony TODAY!

Email: BLNR.TESTIMONY@HAWAII.GOV   
We auto-populated it by clicking the email link.


Oral Testify:

ZOOM LINK: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84400606532
Meeting ID: 844 0060 6532

VIEW LIVE STREAM: https://youtube.com/live/GeBFcLpUrxE


ACTION 2 - Spread the word!

To learn more, read this message from FOR THE FISHIES: click here

3) WE ALL SAVED Culture & Arts - MAHALO!

This bill would have eradicated all State Foundation for Culture and the Arts funding around culture/arts programming, DOE teacher training, organizations, theaters, galleries, and public art collections, marginalize outer islands even more, and impact 124 public/charter schools (over 10K children) on every island.
Over 1,195 written testimonies were received opposing HB1807 HD2. We packed the room, spilled over outside, and had many Zoom testifiers. By sheer numbers, we killed this bill!
They will try again, so vote for better leaders that reflect Hawaiian values!

- HB1807 HD2 - OPPOSE

SAMPLE TESTIMONY CLICK HERE

4) Protect our Uhu to help save our reefs!
Recommended by ʻOhana Miloliʻi CBSFA in support of Fish Pono (fishpono.org)

- HB1689 - SUPPORT
SAMPLE TESTIMONY CLICK HERE



5) SUNSHINE LAWS
BILLS BLOCKED BY House Rep. Tarnas
Transparency!
No more closed-door dealings!
- HB2021 - SUPPORT
- HB2635 - SUPPORT
- SB2281 - SUPPORT
SAMPLE TESTIMONY CLICK HERE

5) Deep Sea Mining
Protect Hawai’i waters from seabed mining
- SB2575 - SUPPORT
SAMPLE TESTIMONY CLICK HERE



6) Demand REUSE LAWS to pass first
before inviting more plastic bottles to HI!
(Recycle Hawai’i)
HB1688 - OPPOSE
SB2368 - OPPOSE
SAMPLE TESTIMONY CLICK HERE



7) Biosecurity - say NO to invasive species

HB2758 - SUPPORT
SB3237 - SUPPORT
SAMPLE TESTIMONY CLICK HERE

Testify to get Big Money Out of Politics!

Let's organize our neighbors to get Big Money Out

SIGN UP HERE TO BE A COMMUNITY CAPTAIN

OPPOSE THESE BILLS!

SB2764 / HB2565
Description: It would transfer the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Revoking and dismantling the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Commission. Requires the Governor, a non-expert in this field, to select the Executive Director of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, with the advice and consent of the Senate.  ALL NON-EXPERTS in the field of culture and the arts. This is dangerous and reflects the darker history of humanity.

  • Dismantling the SFCA Commission, allowing

  • According to the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA), the State of Hawaii may not be eligible to receive funding from the National Endowment for the Arts without a community-represented board, council, or commission.

  • Also, from NASAA statistics, state arts agencies whose placement changed had an average budget decrease of 76%.

  • Losing the neighbor island representation of a commission defeats the SFCA's community-based decision-making and eliminates transparency and community-based decision-making, which is core to the Foundation. 

  • This bill places Native Hawaiian culture in the economic and tourism perspective. Having an independent culture and arts organization allows for the perpetuation of authentic traditions by Native Hawaiians. Losing the Federally funded folk and traditional programs has greatly impacted Hawaiian traditions. This cannot be assured by attaching the SFCA as a branch of an existing department. The independent agency perspective must be maintained to ensure authentic traditions.

    Introducers SB2764: WAKAI, KIDANI, Hashimoto, Moriwaki
    SAMPLE TESTIMONY CLICK HERE

    Introducers HB2565: HOLT, KAHALOA, LAMOSAO
    SAMPLE TESTIMONY CLICK HERE

HB1807
Description:  Repeals capital improvement appropriations for renovations of state buildings as a source of funds for the works of art special fund. It intends to eliminate the word “renovation” from the law. Consequently, most of the Art in Public Places Program support would end.  This bill would end support for 13 art centers and 8 organizations that offer Native Hawaiian/Arts based programs that impact 124 public and charter schools on all major islands, along with outreach programs, to name a few impacts.
Introducer: YAMASHITA
SAMPLE TESTIMONY CLICK HERE

Here is the impact report from the
State Foundation for Culture and the Arts:

  • Support for Native Hawaiian and local artists, galleries, and organizations

Hawaii Island

Donkey Mill Arts Center

East Hawaii Culture Center

Kahilu Theatre

Wailoa Center         

Maui

Hui Noe’au

Lahaina Plein Air Painters Association

Maui Arts and Culture Center

Viewpoints Gallery

Kauai

Kauai Society of Artists 
                  

Oahu

Downtown Art Center

 Arts and Letters

Fishcake

University of Hawaii Galleries

                       

ORGANIZATIONS
Pu’uhonua Society

Hawaii Contemporary

Hawaii Watercolor Society

Honolulu Printmakers

Honolulu Theatre for Youth

Hawaii Handweavers Hui

Hula Preservation Society

NOTAE

 

  • Artists in the Schools arts education program serving 124 public and charter schools statewide.

  • Professional Development for DOE Teachers

  • The Hawaii State Art Museum exhibitions and programming

  • Scholastic Art Exhibition

  • Young Artists of Hawaii

  • Hawaii Arts Alliance

Outreach programs:

Kahauiki Village

Institute for Human Services

RYSE Residential Youth Services and Empowerment

Family Friendly Programming for LGBTQ populations

LGBTQ Legacy Foundation

Hawaii Health and Harm Reduction Center

We need protection for our Uhu
so they can help save our reefs!
Recommended by ʻOhana Miloliʻi CBSFA in support of Fish Pono (fishpono.org)

HB1689 - SUPPORT

SAMPLE TESTIMONY CLICK HERE

Aloha!

Mahalo nui to the many of us that put in effort to work the Herbivore Rules Package in 2023.  It fell short of the adequate protection for our blue uhu that we wanted, but we have a bill here - HB1689

Amends conservation and resources law to prohibit: (1) Commercial sales of parrotfish that have been caught by spearing; and (2) The spearing of parrotfish in state waters after sunset or before sunrise.

The (2) prohibitions of this bill were derived after consulting with DOCARE (Oʻahu) related to the catch and sale trends of the blue uhu. 

For more information and a testimony sample letter, see fishpono.org

“Ethic reforms are finally being discussed in the Legislature following a series of scandals in the last few years. These include the notorious envelopes of cash that sent two state legislators to prison and other corruption scandals at the state and county levels.”

”Hawaii’s sunshine laws, which require most public business to be conducted in public view, currently apply to the county councils, boards, and commissions, but curiously, not to the Legislature itself.”

~ Civil Beat, article By Russell Ruderman
March 28, 2023 · 5 min read

Sunshine Bills need to be heard.
They want this DEAD ON ARRIVAL!

- HB2021 - SUPPORT
- HB2635 - SUPPORT
- SB2281 - SUPPORT

SAMPLE TESTIMONY CLICK HERE

ACTION: Call & Email
Click here to email everyone
Demand these Bills be Heard!

CALL

Government Operations

McKelvey, Angus L.K.
Chair
Phone: 808-586-6070
senmckelvey@capitol.hawaii.gov

Gabbard, Mike
Vice Chair
Phone: 808-586-6830
sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov

Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Tarnas, David A.

Chair
Phone: 808-586-8510

reptarnas@capitol.hawaii.gov

Takayama, Gregg

Vice Chair

Phone: 808-586-6340

reptakayama@capitol.hawaii.gov

UPDATE
THE PETITION WAS ACCEPTED!!!

Watch the historical moment:
BLNR meeting: 4:52:48 / 10:19:42

Aloha, 12/10/23
We’ll take the Board’s unanimous vote to approve our petition prohibiting commercial AQ as a win!

We’ll also hold the Board and DAR to its commitment to the community to initiate the rulemaking process consistent with our petition and the overwhelming testimony in support of ending the aquarium trade!

Rene Umberger
Executive Director
https://forthefishes.org/



DEADLINE
Wednesday, December 6TH, 9:00 AM

TWO TESTIMONIES NEEDED
TO SAVE
OUR REEF FISH!

Join Rene Umberger, Kaikea Nakachi, Inga Gibson,
Kalanihale Miloli’i, For the Fishes, & HULI PAC

USE OUR SAMPLE TESTIMONY & PERSONALIZE IT

Agenda Items:

1) Agenda Item F-3: BAN AQUARIUM COLLECTION FOR GOOD HERE

For F-5, the testimony template was created by several community pono practitioners (from West Hawaiʻi) who came together in (2) meetings to summarize feedback

2) Agenda Item F-5: SET PONO RULES FOR HERBIVORES (REEF FISH) HERE

December 8th, the State of Hawaiʻi is considering new fishing rules to replenish our herbivore populations. Unfortunately, the rules have been weakened repeatedly since they were first proposed a year ago. Why? The forces of the status quo who do not want exploitation restricted have overwhelmed the voices of conservation. Please join Fish Pono—Save Our Reefs in submitting testimony in favor of saving our coral reef saviors.

Support the petitioners

Kalanihale

KUPA Friends of Ho‘okena Beach Park

Moana ‘Ohana

Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club

For the Fishes 

DLNR - DOCARE Officers were present during this photo shoot in 2017.
BLNR/DLNR also admits the mass degradation of our herbivore species on our reef is at alarming numbers, so they support CBSFA programs. Yet commercial is allowed to take these fish for visual pleasure and food with looser limits if any.

At what cost do we allow jobs to dictate the collapse of our coral which supports 70% of our earth’s oxygen…