Originally written by Malia Zimmerman and published by Hawai‘i Free Press; click here to read the article on HawaiiFreePress.com.
WAIKIKI - Godzilla is stomping through the streets of Waikiki, Hawaii's prime tourist hub, as Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. put the final touches on the American-made reboot of the classic daikaiju eiga, set to be released in May 2014.
The oversized, fire-breathing "King of the monsters" may be a little less cranky when he learns that Hawaii lawmakers passed legislation, approved by Gov. Neil Abercrombie, which ups the percentage of tax credits motion picture productions can claim when filming here.
As of July 1, Hawaii has a new, expanded production tax credit, which grants motion pictures, digital media and film productions, an income tax credit of 20-25 percent.
Productions that qualify can claim tax credits equal to 20 percent of production costs from the island of Oahu, and 25 percent on neighbor islands including Hawaii Island, Kauai, Lanai, Maui and Molokai. That is an increase over last year of 5 percent for each category.
Act 88 and Act 89 also boost the credit cap from $8 million to $15 million per production and qualify productions with Internet-only distribution. In addition, state and county location and facilities fees are now qualified expenditures.
Hollywood producers have been aggressively lobbying lawmakers for the increase to the film tax credits for at least the past four years. The industry brought $400 million into the economy in 2012, with $245 million in direct spending and creating 2,500 jobs, state film office officials say.
The economic impact is likely to increase with the television production of Hawaii 5-0 in its fourth season, and films like Jurassic Park 4, Deep Tiki, Pirates of the Caribbean (part 5) and Angelina Jolie's film, Unbroken, being filmed here.
Donovan Dela Cruz, chairman of the Hawaii State Senate's Economic Development Committee, said he isn't a fan of giving away "free money", but agreed to the legislation because he said he wants to see the industry develop and not "move backward."
Dela Cruz said Hawaii needs a long-term strategy to develop the industry by syncing the education system at the high school and college level with the industry base.
He said he'd like to see the students go through the award-winning Sea Rider Film Production program at Waianae High School be able to attend a film production program at the University of Hawaii and secure a job in the film industry here.
But, he has another idea. He said he would like to see a public-private partnership where the state invests in building a film school at the university's West Oahu campus and a larger film studio for the industry on Oahu, as well as housing for the workforce - all within a 1-mile radius.
The privately-owned Maui Film Studios LLC in Kahului, Maui, already opened its 21,000-square-foot facility in March. Hawaii Island also will open Lokahi Studios, a sound stage and production house that includes a 30,000-square-foot center, concert hall and cinema. Oahu's Diamond Head facility is too cramped, Dela Cruz said.
Dela Cruz is critical of the Hawaii Film Office, a state agency charged with helping film and television productions get the permits and locations they need to film in the state.
The film office also should be developing a long-term plan that helps diversify Hawaii's economy, reverse the brain-drain and create jobs, Dela Cruz said.
The Democrat said like to see Hawaii be the "Hollywood of the Pacific."
However, if there isn't a long-term plan put in place soon, Dela Cruz said the film credit should be revoked until one can be developed with the industry. The credits will sunset in 2018 unless lawmakers renew them at that time.
State Rep. Tom Brower, D-Waikiki, hasn't seen Godzilla in his district yet, even though the monster is filming nearby, and some would say, hard to miss.
But he said he is in favor of the monster stomping through his district and getting tax credits to boot.
Brower, who serves on the House Tourism and Economic Development committees, said people in the film industry have told him that while Hawaii now has a movie or two and a television show filming here at any given time, the state could become much busier with the new tax credit incentives.
The credit will make Hawaii more competitive with other states, he said, and help build the industry.
Brower said his only disappointment in the legislation is that it offered productions that film on neighbor islands a 5 percent higher tax credit than on Oahu. He said he would have like to see the credit evenly distributed at 20 percent.
He'd also like to see a better way to track the benefits that the credit brings to the state.
Lawmakers wowed by celebrity, critic says
While House Speaker Joe Souki touts the film credit legislation as a top accomplishment during the 2013 legislative session, not everyone says the film tax credits are good for Hawaii or the taxpayers.
Lowell Kalapa, president of the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, has been an outspoken critic of the tax credit, and said he's watched lawmakers be wooed by Hollywood celebrities into giving taxpayer money away.
"Lawmakers fail to mention that in order to give away these goodies, Hawaii remains in the top 10 percent of states with the heaviest per-capita tax burden, with one of the most onerous sales tax among those states that impose a sales tax, albeit at a misleading low rate of 4 percent," Kalapa said.
"Hawaii also has the distinct honor of having one of the highest personal income tax rates, surpassed only by California," Kalapa said.
Because Hawaii is such a small state highly reliant on capital from the outside through tourism and federal defense dollars, Kalapa said the state's heavy tax burden makes it difficult for families to survive and for new business activity to develop.
"The advocates of those tax incentives argue that is the goal that they are trying to achieve - creating jobs. But then again, one has to ask, at what price?" Kalapa said.
"There is no doubt that lawmakers need to take a close look at how they are using their constituents' hard-earned tax dollars," he said. "And they are using those tax dollars when they hand out tax credits to favored groups as tax credits are just another way of spending tax dollars."
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Lieutenant Governor Signs Bills to Help Build State's Innovation Economy
Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui signed into law today two measures aimed at supporting the development of Hawaii's innovation economy and growing our State's research industry.
House Bill 858, relating to the HI Growth Initiative, appropriates $6,000,000 to the Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation to implement the HI Growth Initiative. The initiative is an investment program to develop and promote the creation of competitive high-growth companies in Hawaii.
"In order for Hawaii to thrive in today's economic landscape it is imperative that we make strategic investments now, so that we can build an innovative economy capable of carrying us well into the future," said Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, who chairs the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing. "This initiative provides the tools necessary to support high-growth entrepreneurial companies in State, helping us to create more high-wage jobs and remain globally competitive."
Senate Bill 1349, relating to economic development, reenacts the tax credit for qualified high technology research activities for six years. The measure also establishes new reporting requirements. Additionally, it requires DBEDT to conduct studies to measure the effectiveness of the tax credit and submit reports to the legislature.
"Hawaii's lack of career opportunities in STEM related fields has led to an exodus of many of our Island's talented youth, who are faced with too few career prospects here home," said Dela Cruz, who introduced the measure. "By reestablishing the qualified research activities tax credit this measure allows Hawaii's research and development companies to remain competitive with mainland businesses and generate and sustain lucrative high technology jobs for our children."
Senator Dela Cruz also expressed when implementing such programs involving appropriations or tax credits that they need to center around location specific economic development, targeting where the funding will be focused on to spur economic activity, so that our local people can see the progress and positive impacts within their communities.
Governor Enacts Measure to Promote Hawaii's Clean Energy Goals
Governor Neil Abercrombie signed into law today a measure aimed at helping the State of Hawaii achieve its clean energy goals by establishing a green infrastructure financing program.
Senate Bill 1087 provides a lower cost financing alternative for Hawaii businesses and residents to utilize green infrastructure equipment and technology to reduce electricity consumption by leveraging clean energy technology.
"Building Hawaii's clean energy infrastructure at a rate which is affordable for consumers is an essential component in advancing the State's clean energy initiatives," said Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, who chairs the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing. "We needed to find ways for all of Hawaii's consumers to benefit from affordable and clean energy options to gain relief from high monthly electric bills. This program establishes an alternative financing method that will ultimately pass savings onto the consumer by providing low-cost financing to enable the installation of green infrastructure equipment. It brings accessible and affordable energy options to all of Hawaii's individuals, working families, and small businesses. This is about reducing the cost of living and improving quality of life right here at home."
The innovative financing method created in this measure will provide a secure financing structure to allow the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to issue revenue bonds at very competitive rates, which these savings can be passed on to the consumers in the form of lower borrowing costs.
Tax credit small but 'better than a poke in the eye,' lawmaker says
Originally published by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser; click here to read the article on StarAdvertiser.com.
Burned by high-technology tax incentives that many tax policy experts thought were too generous and ripe for abuse, state lawmakers have chosen to resurrect a pared-down research and development credit to reward scientific experimentation.
The 20 percent income tax credit would apply to research spending from 2013 through 2019 and would cost the state about $3.2 million a year. Companies would have to claim a similar federal tax credit to qualify and would have to increase research spending over time to enjoy the full amount.
Companies that take advantage of the tax credit would also have to file detailed annual surveys with the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism so the state can track the effects on job creation, new patents or intellectual property and commercial applications.
High-tech tax incentives, which included a research and development credit, cost the state $1 billion through the past decade and were criticized by the state auditor and tax policy experts as deficient. The auditor concluded in a report last year that the state was unable to measure or ensure the effectiveness of the credits, which ran from 1999 through 2010.
Patrick Sullivan, founder and chairman of Oceanit, a science and engineering firm, said the revived research and development tax credit would be so limited that it is largely a symbolic gesture. But he and others believe it is worth starting with something smaller in scope, given how the last high-tech tax incentives were perceived.
"What we're really trying to do is restart a conversation in the state on why the tech industry and R&D is important for the state long term," Sullivan said.
Lawmakers still believe tax credits, even smaller ones, can be catalysts for innovation and economic diversity that might help the state's economy grow and reverse the "brain drain" of science, technology, engineering and mathematics talent to the mainland. Gov. Neil Abercrombie is likely to allow the credit in Senate Bill 1349 to become law.
Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz (D, Wheeler-Wahiawa-Schofield), the bill's sponsor, said he is not necessarily a huge fan of tax credits and would prefer a more comprehensive plan for economic diversification. But he believes the incentive is consistent with the "live, work, play" theme the state wants to nurture.
"Whatever we can do to try to make Hawaii an attractive place to do business for research and development," he said.
Rep. Isaac Choy D, Manoa-Punahou-Moiliili), an accountant and a former chairman of the Tax Review Commission who has become a resource for other lawmakers on tax policy, said the state's previous research and development tax credit was too generous.
Choy said the intent behind the federal tax credit is to provide an incentive for companies to increase research spending, not to award tax breaks for base amounts of research spending from previous years, as the old state tax credit did. He acknowledged that aligning the state's tax credit to the federal tax code will significantly limit the potential tax break.
"It's better than a poke in the eye," he said.
Lowell Kalapa, president of the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, questions whether Hawaii has sufficient talent in the academic and high-tech sectors to take advantage of such tax incentives. "Before you put the cart and fill it up with gold, make sure you've got a horse to pull it," he said.
Kalapa has told lawmakers that using tax credits as incentives for targeted economic growth is often poor policy, mostly because the effectiveness of such incentives has been difficult to document.
The two tax credits that survived last session were the expansion of film production tax credits - which he attributes to Hollywood allure - and the research and development tax credit, "which basically nobody really understands."
But many investors, entrepreneurs and executives in the state's burgeoning high-tech industry have defended tax credits during the past decade as important seeds of economic diversification.
Without new incentives, many argue, a high-tech industry may never fully bloom.
"It allows us the ability to bring in talent and a strong labor pool back to the state. It makes us more competitive," said Martin Kao, president of Navatek Ltd., a research and development company for military and commercial operations.
Kao had wanted lawmakers to apply the research and development credit annually to all qualified research expenses - and not just the increases in spending over the base amounts from previous years - warning that many companies may not be able to qualify.
But Kao appreciates that a credit might be revived. "It troubled me personally where we didn't have a state that kind of acknowledged the notion that what we're trying to do is bring jobs back to Hawaii," he said.
James Karins, president of Puko‘a Scientific, which develops image-processing software, said other states are making stronger pushes to attract research and development. He said a limited tax credit in Hawaii could be toughest on smaller companies that can take years to develop resources to finance research.
"Certainly anything is better than nothing," he said.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Help Send Mahealani to the Miss Jr High School America 2013 finals
My name is Mahealani and I am Miss Hawai‘i Jr High School America 2013. I am entering 8th grade at American Renaissance Academy, and will be representing Hawai‘i in Orlando, Florida this July. We are a month away from the National Pageant and we are all very excited.
I completed my 7th grade year at ARA on the Honor Roll and Dean's List with a 3.95 GPA. I have been working with such great organizations as The Children's Miracle Network, Make A Wish Foundation, American Red Cross, American Heart Association, Pinwheels for Prevention and the Teddy Bear Drive just to name a few. I have also continued my work with the homeless shelter and Hawaii Literacy Foundation.
Recently, I have just finished writing and illustrating my first children's book called "It's Okay to Be Different" which is being published by Watermark Publishing and soon to be released!
I am also continuing to bring awareness to the bullying problem with my pageant's platform, The Crown C.A.R.E.S, and even had the honor of meeting with Governor Neil Abercrombie and sharing with him the importance of bringing awareness to Hawai‘i's youth regarding the bullying problem.
I was also so very honored to have been asked to sing Hawai‘i Pono‘i on the steps of Iolani Palace and at the Friends for the Natatorium 25th year celebration and to be a part of the King Kamehameha Day Parade.
On June 13, 2013 I was presented with the Gold Level President's Volunteer Service Award by Lieutenant Governor Shan S. Tsutsui and was also given an award of recognition by the Senate by Senator Donovan Dela Cruz.
On June 14, 2013 I was also given an award of recognition by Mayor Kirk Caldwell for going to different schools and libraries and other locations bringing awareness to the pageant's platform "The Crown C.A.R.E.S."
I am so humbled by the support I have been receiving from all over Hawai‘i and the mainland and I am so excited be representing Hawai‘i in Orlando, Florida this July.
I would love to honor Hawai‘i by becoming the next Miss Jr High School America and share my message with the nation. I am always so grateful and appreciative of all the continued support from sponsors or donations to help me to achieve this dream.
Thank you again from the bottom of my heart for supporting me on this journey. I promise to do my very best to represent Hawai‘i!
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Former owner of Lanai offers $1.1B for Dole Food Company
Originally published by KHON2 News; click here to read the article on KHON2.com.
He made millions when he sold the island of Lanai. Now, David Murdock has plans to spend it and much more.
The owner of Castle & Cooke has put in a bid to buy Dole Food Company. It's a deal that would give him ownership of the world's largest fruit and vegetable producer.
The $1 billion takeover bid would include farm land in Wahiawa.
The prime real estate has a lot of potential, but residents are making it clear what they want to see done with it.
Wahiawa was once the Pineapple capital of the world. Now under Dole Food Company, Hawaii operations total about 25,000 acres and include not only pineapple, but coffee and cacao.
It all could soon be in the hands of Murdock.
"I'm surprised that he would want to get back into this, going from Lanai to selling off all that, and now coming to the central part of Oahu," Wahiawa Neighborhood Board Vice Chair Dean Harvest said.
Murdock sold the island of Lanai last year in a mega-million-dollar deal to billionaire Larry Ellison. Now, Murdock - who is chairman and CEO of Dole Food Company - is offering to buy the business by scooping up the 60 percent of the company he does not already own, with a bid valued at $1.1 billion.
"My understanding is he owns Castle & Cooke outright, and Castle & Cooke is major shareholder of Dole, so now this would put it all under one umbrella," said Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz (D) Wahiawa, Whitmore.
Sen. Dela Cruz sees lots of potential in that for future farmers.
"I see it as a positive because Castle & Cooke has already been supportive of the state's effort of recreating an ag industry in Wahiawa with ADC," Sen. Dela Cruz said.
"Has he given his intent? Will it remain ag? Is he going to redevelop it? Rezoning? What's his intent? That's what I'd like to see," Harvest said.
Harvest has his concerns over what Murdock could do with the land.
"I can see putting up homes for those who work the land in the immediate area, but just to put up homes and sell? You've seen Wahiawa - one bridge in, one bridge out, you know," Harvest said.
Dole's board will meet in the next few days to review its options.
Murdock gave a deal deadline of July 31.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Aloha!
The 2013 session has come to an end and I am happy to say that among the various measures passed, there were several in support of agriculture. My committee passed several bills that promote economic development such as extending the tax credit for the film industry till 2013; establishing the Hawaii Growth Initiative to encourage and assist entrepreneurs; and improving the efficiency of the Energy Industry Information Reporting Act. We also passed bills on government operations to ensure effective management of the University of Hawaii's facilities and resources; revised the public procurement code; and directed the Comptroller to establish a task force to study the state procurement code. In the area of housing, the Hula Mae Single Family Mortgage Loan Program was updated to allow a broader participation by potential homeowners. We continue to work during the interim planning for next session.
A Hui Hou!
PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING NOTICE MILILANI INTERCHANGE TRAFFIC STUDY
The State Department of Transportation, Highways Division (HDOT) is conducting a traffic study to investigate the existing traffic conditions of the Mililani Mauka area, specifically the traffic at the H-2 interchange. A component of the traffic study is to evaluate potential alternatives to help improve traffic in this area. As part of the assessment process we will be holding an informational meeting with the local community to describe the study and possible future traffic alternatives. HDOT representatives will be there to address the community's concerns and questions.
HDOT invites you to attend the following:
DATE: Wednesday, May 22, 2013
PLACE: Mililani Mauka Elementary School, 95-1111 Makaikai Street
TIME: 6:30 pm
AGENDA: Presentation to discuss existing conditions and potential alternatives to help improve traffic at the H-2 interchange.
To request language interpretation, an auxiliary aid or service (sign language interpreter, accessible parking, or materials in a different format), contact Reid Tokuhara by phone at 692-7691 or email at reid.tokuhara@hawaii.gov seven (7) days prior to the meeting. TTY users may use TRS to contact the DOT office.
For more information contact the HDOT Public Affairs Office at 587-2160.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
NHCSL Names New Chairs of Health Care Business & Economic Development Task Forces
The National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL) is proud to announce that Representative Louis Ruiz (KS) has been named Chair of the Health Care Task Force and Senator Donovan Dela Cruz (HI) was named Chair of the Business & Economic Development Task Force. "I am confident Representative Ruiz (KS) and Senator Dela Cruz (HI) will be valuable additions to our organizations Task Forces", said Representative Minnie Gonzalez (CT), NHCSL President. "They have both made great strides in the areas of health and economic development and with their expertise in these areas, NHCSL will continue to be leaders in developing policy platforms that will advance the quality of life and economic stability of all Hispanics".
Representative Louis Ruiz (KS) serves on the Joint Committee on Health Policy Oversight in Kansas and has also formed a Mental Health Caucus within the Kansas House in 2011. His dedication to improving the well-being of Hispanics will be an asset to the Health Care Task Force as it continues on the path to eliminating restrictions and barriers to healthcare access; fighting against health disparities; and promoting education and training in schools.
Senator Donovan Dela Cruz (HI) currently serves as the Chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Housing in Hawaii. Members of the Business & Economic Development Task Force encourage job growth and the investment of Hispanics in the work force while also promoting financial literacy, home ownership, and access to capital/credit. The economic stability and financial security of Hispanics is a major policy focus for NHCSL. With Senator Dela Cruz's (HI) experience, NHCSL will continue its commitment to advocating for the economic vitality of the Hispanic community.
Originally published by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser; click here to read the article on StarAdvertiser.com.
State House and Senate negotiators Thursday reached consensus on an innovative bill that could help middle- and lower-income consumers afford solar.
Consumers may soon be able to obtain low-cost loans to install solar and other alternative energy systems and then repay the loans through the savings on their electrical bills.
State House and Senate negotiators Thursday reached consensus on an innovative bill that could help middle- and lower-income consumers afford solar. The loans, which would enable consumers to overcome the high upfront costs of installing photovoltaic power systems, would come from a pool of money generated by the same type of bond financing used by utilities to upgrade power plants and respond to storm damage.
The state would issue revenue bonds - backed by fees paid by electricity customers - based on financing orders from the Public Utilities Commission. A new Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority would use the money from the bond sales to make loans to consumers.
The green infrastructure loan program could appeal to middle- and lower-income consumers who do not have the money to take advantage of the solar tax credits the state now offers as an incentive for alternative energy.
Rep. Chris Lee (D, Kailua-Lanikai-Waimanalo), the lead House negotiator on Senate Bill 1087, called it "a big step forward for renewable energy in Hawaii."
Richard Lim, director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, described the bill, which is up for final votes next week, as "the democratization of clean energy."
Utilities have used the bond-financing tool, known as securitization, for more than a decade to pay for environmental improvements to power plants, respond to transmission-line damage from storms and recover the so-called "stranded costs" at power plants when markets are opened to greater competition.
The bonds are secured by the ability of utilities to charge customers to satisfy the bond debt.
Hawaii could be among the first to use the bond-financing tool to help underwrite solar.
"It's a game-changer, that's the best way to put it," said Richard Wallsgrove, program director at the Blue Planet Foundation, a conservation group.
"It's innovation because we're taking all of these pieces that people have figured out - rich guys in suits in New York who have figured out how bonds work to finance big projects - and rather than financing coal plants and nuclear power plants, now we're going to finance rooftop solar, energy efficiency in homes - so, things that are directly going to drive down people's bills. And anybody can sign up for it. There's no limit to the impact it could have on our energy infrastructure."
Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz (D, Wheeler-Wahiawa-Schofield), the lead Senate negotiator on the bill, has urged the state to consider incentives for energy other than solar, such as natural gas, because of capacity issues at Hawaiian Electric Co. HECO requires customers, mainly businesses with larger solar projects, to pay for interconnection studies before allowing new installations in regions where solar has reached a 15 percent threshold on the circuit.
"Hopefully, this is a tool that will help us reach penetration goals sooner rather than later," Dela Cruz said of the loan program. "However, once we reach those penetration goals, we need to make sure that there are going to be technologies available so that working families, senior citizens and other local residents will still have access to clean energy but affordable energy as well."
Friday, April 26, 2013
Lawmakers OK $6M for growth initiative
Originally published by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser; click here to read the article on StarAdvertiser.com.
The Hawaii Growth Initiative, which would encourage entrepreneurs who might help diversify the state's economy, received a $6 million vote of confidence Thursday.
State House and Senate negotiators agreed to provide financing next fiscal year for the Hawaii Strategic Development Corp. to start the initiative. The Abercrombie administration had originally asked for $10 million in fiscal year 2014 and $10 million in fiscal year 2015.
The state money would be used to help mentor entrepreneurs so they can take business ideas to scale while also attracting private-sector investment capital.
"We obviously had a different plan based on a different amount of money, and we'll have to take a look,"said Karl Fooks, president of the Hawaii Strategic Development Corp. "But we're very grateful for the support shown for technology and economic development here in the state, and we'll work hard to justify the confidence."
Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz (D, Wheeler-Wahiawa-Schofield), the lead Senate negotiator on the bill, said he hopes that the state directs some of the entrepreneurial activity into Kapolei, Oahu's planned second city.
"I think it's a step in the right direction in helping us to diversify the economy and reverse the brain drain, but we really do need to put more of an effort in creating jobs out there in Kapo¬lei," he said.
While lawmakers agreed on House Bill 858 on Thursday, House negotiators mistakenly took a vote without a quorum, so another vote is expected today. Final votes are next week.
"Sometimes you think about $6 million versus $10 million versus $1 million, but you have to come to some kind of happy equation," said Rep. Clift Tsuji (D, Hilo-Waiakea-Keaukaha).
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Collaboration Leads to the Conclusion of Budget Meetings Ahead of Deadline
I am very pleased to see that both the lead Senate and House negotiators on the State Budget bill closed negotiations three days ahead of an internal deadline. Discussions between the Senate and House on finalizing the budget started well ahead of schedule this year, marking a paradigm shift in the approach taken to complete the work of the legislative session.
Finishing work on the budget early also creates a better environment for Senate and House negotiators working on other measures. Rational decisions can now be made without the immense pressure of looming deadlines. The conference committee meetings for the State Budget began nearly a week earlier than normal to avoid the last minute rush to get conference bills out for final vote.
One of the items that the two sides were able to come to agreement upon was a Revenue Bond of $175 million to purchase almost 20,000 acres of prime agricultural lands from Dole Foods Inc. By the State purchasing these lands, it will increase the inventory of the already purchased Galbraith Lands under the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC). Another key component to this purchase is the passage of HB747 which is scheduled to reconvene this afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at the Hawaii State Capitol in conference room 224.
The purchase of these lands from Dole Foods Inc., alongside the Galbraith Estate lands under the ADC will assist with providing farmers long-term leases, increasing prime agricultural land inventory, and much needed infrastructure, water, and facilities to grow their businesses, create jobs, and reduce our dependency on imported foods. This vision and plan is laid out in the Whitmore Village Agricultural Redevelopment Plan. To review the plan, please click HERE.
As we near the end of the session with a couple of weeks to go till Sine Die, the Senate is currently in conference committees with the House to resolve differences in bills each hopes to get passed. Some good legislation may have to be introduced again next year as passage this year seems dim as differences could not be resolved while others were passed with changes agreed on by both chambers. I was happy to be chairing a new committee this session, the Committee on Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing as it gives me the opportunity to promote my agenda for economic revitalization for my district through the revival of agriculture as a dominant industry. I also want to see more affordable and workforce housing and have government operate more efficiently. Through my committee we will continue to work to accomplish this.
Lemonade Stand Contest for Hawaii Kids Grades K-12
Aloha:
There is an upcoming event called Lemonade Alley which is also a fun way for students to learn entrepreneurship & charitable giving. It is open to for all youngsters in three divisions - elementary, middle and high school aged students. Teams are made up of 2 to 5 students and the first 40 teams to sign up will be chosen on a first come, first served basis.
For the competition, the students build their own booths, create a business plan, develop their own recipe for lemonade and pitch their product to see who can sell the most lemonade for charity. They will be judged on their business plan, recipe, booth design, one-minute pitch, and sales performance.
The Lemonade Alley competition will be held on Saturday, April 27, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Hyatt Regency Waikiki Atrium Mall, 2424 Kalakaua Avenue. For more information, please go to the LemonadeAlley website at www.LemonadeAlley.com where application forms are available.
Free workshops on recipe concocting, booth design and pitch coaching are being held every Saturday beginning April 6 at Capital One 360 Café, 1958 Kalakaua Avenue, from 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon.
If you know of any students who may be interested in entering this event, please encourage them to sign up at the above website. I think this is a great opportunity for them to learn entrepreneurship and what it takes to conduct a successful operation.
Originally published by Honolulu Weekly; click here to read the article on HonoluluWeekly.com.
Four resolutions attempting to curb development of rural areas were heard in the Legislature last week.
SR 121/SCR 164, introduced by Sen. Clayton Hee, passed unanimously and unamended out of the committees for Water and Land and Judiciary and Labor April 2.
The resolution asks that the governor establish a working group to develop conservation alternatives for undeveloped lands around Turtle Bay Hotel and Resort.
Among 250 pages of written testimony as well as in-person statements, there was no opposition. A representative of the developer did, however, recommend a "smaller, more nimble" working group.
Esther Kia‘aina, deputy director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), appeared in person, saying that the DLNR is in "strong support," and that "our entire department is committed to moving this process forward in a positive fashion."
Lea Hong of the Trust for Public Land commented only that she was available to answer any questions the committee members might have, and that she, too, would do everything she could to move the process along.
Members of groups such as the North Shore Community Land Trust and Defend Oahu Coalition also attended, though their representatives chose to stand on written testimony rather than make additional comments.
One day earlier, hearings were also scheduled for HR 56/HCR 72 and SR 134/SCR 178.
The former, introduced by Rep. Rida Cabanilla, urges the conservation of Hoopili lands for agricultural use.
Much of the individual public testimony submitted was in support (citing general concerns over a lack of agricultural land), but the Department of Agriculture submitted written testimony noting that the Hoopili site has long been slated for development, and said conservation efforts should instead focus on areas that have been labeled for agriculture in the Ewa Development Plan and Central Oahu Sustainable Communities Plan.
The chair, Jessica Wooley, recommended that the Hoopili resolution be adopted with amendments, but it failed, with five votes for and five against.
SR 134/SCR 178, introduced by Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, suggested that the State enter into a land exchange deal with Castle & Cooke, the owner of Koa Ridge. But both state agencies and the developer indicated that these negotiations had no basis, and the resolution was deferred.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
UH repair backlog needs fixing
Originally published by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser; click here to read the article on StarAdvertiser.com.
Although maintenance has lagged for many years, especially on the Manoa campus, the more recent development is the dollar figure attached to UH system's backlog of work. It's a stunner: $461 million.
How did UH get nearly a half-billion dollars behind in its needed upkeep?
Going forward, the university must get control of its maintenance function; judging on complaints last week from the person directing facilities management, it would seem that the operation has been severely understaffed, and that situation will need to be corrected.
However, the bottom line is that UH needs to focus on clearing that backlog, so it's helpful that the Legislature is turning up the heat by creating a special initiative to get the work done.
Today the state Senate Ways and Means Committee is due to make its call on House Bill 115, which should be advanced to a vote on the Senate floor and then to conference committee, where differences in the House and Senate versions could be ironed out.
The bill creates a "major repair and replacement special fund" as well as a panel to oversee the catch-up campaign.
On a separate track, Ways and Means has approved an amended House Bill 114, which essentially would strip UH of its procurement responsibilities, at least temporarily, over new projects begun after the bill takes effect.
Most of the duties would be transferred to the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS), the agency that handles much of the state's contracting work.
Although it would be sensible to bring DAGS into the oversight loop while UH is whittling away at the backlog and improving construction management overall, this bill goes too far.
For starters, it also would create an independent audit committee within the university's Board of Regents. As noted in testimony by Glenn Shizumura, who directs the UH Office of Internal Audit, the board has already established an audit committee.
Lawmakers have had reason to look askance at UH for its various missteps over the past year, but the regents are still the primary overseeing authorities and should be given the opportunity to ferret out the problems through its own audit mechanism.
The regents, then, will need to be less passive in demanding progress and accountability than they have been in recent months.
Under the bill, where procurement is concerned, DAGS would build capacity of UH to handle its own duties down the road, said state Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, who chairs the Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing Committee.
It would be a similar transition to the one that led the state Department of Education to take over its procurement from DAGS, he added.
The difference here, however, is that UH is already several years into its semi-autonomy and, the staffing shortages notwithstanding, has its procurement operation in place.
It makes more sense to leave procurement within UH for now, but requiring that the state Procurement Office, which is administratively attached to DAGS, provide oversight.
On the whole, HB 115 has a better approach when it comes to accelerating the construction program at UH to tackle repairs.
Among its components:
• The new special fund would be created initially using 10 percent of the balances of all UH special funds for the next two fiscal years.
• The fund also would include 5 percent of all gross revenues UH receives, and revenue from general obligation bonds.
• A new campus planning facility board would prioritize the projects and direct the schedule, giving the Legislature an annual status report.
There's still time to massage these bills in conference committee to get the balance right.
The bottom line is that UH needs to get a clear signal that taxpayers expect a new direction in its repair and maintenance program, and lawmakers could do so more effectively without allowing too many cooks in the kitchen.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
UH closer to losing its power to secure contracts
(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) - A bill that would strip the University of Hawaii of procurement responsibilities for new construction was passed by the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Monday, signaling continuing legislative concern over the way the school has handled millions of dollars in projects.
Under the amended version of House Bill 114 advanced by the Senate panel, the Department of Accounting and General Services would take over procurement functions, including the awarding of contracts, for new construction at UH, while the state procurement office would assume oversight responsibility.
Abercrombie Releases $26 Million for Hawaii School Facilities
Originally published by Honolulu Civil Beat; click here to read the article on CivilBeat.com.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced that he'll be releasing more than $26.2 million for capital improvement projects that will improve Hawaii's public school facilities.
Here's the list, from a press release:
$6,000,000 (to match more than $26 million in federal funds) - Hale Kula Elementary, Oahu - Design, construction and equipment to upgrade and expand the school; project will provide five new facilities (classroom building, administration space, library/student support center, dining pavilion, and covered playcourt) and renovations to existing facilities
$5,000,000 - Lump Sum CIP for Science Facility Upgrades at Various High Schools, statewide - Design and construction for science facility upgrades at various high schools across the state; of highest priority are Race to the Top - Zones of School Innovation campuses on Hawaii Island, followed by schools that were prioritized as having the most safety needs and program requirements such as work stations and storage
$5,000,000 - Lump Sum CIP to Relocate/Construct Temporary Facilities for Various Schools, statewide - Design, construction and equipment for temporary facility buildings for various schools across the state, including Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School on Hawaii Island (one general classroom, one special education), Hanalei Elementary on Kauai (one general), Ewa Beach Elementary on Oahu (one general, one special education), Mililani Mauka Elementary on Oahu (two general), Koloa Elementary on Kauai (one general), and Iliahi Elementary on Oahu (one general); these schools have been identified as having classroom shortfalls due to increased enrollments, or other needs for additional program space.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz Introduces Senate Resolution 133 Urging the State to Purchase Land from Dole Food Company
Originally published by Hawaii Reporter; click here to read the article on HawaiiReporter.com.
Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz introduced Senate Resolution 133 which urges the State to purchase the 123 parcels of land in Central Oahu that Dole Food Co. has put up for sale. These parcels will add approximately 22,500 acres of land to the 1,700 acres of Galbraith Estate agricultural land in Central Oahu that the State recently acquired. The Agribusiness Development Corporation has received the transfer of 1,200 acres of the Galbraith land.
Senator Dela Cruz is champion of the Whitmore Village Agricultural Development Plan that is intended to return agriculture to the prominence it once had in Central Oahu. He is urging the State to acquire the Dole land to protect this land from urban sprawl and preserve it for agriculture. Further, those lands suitable for conservation or preservation may be transferred to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
"As we increase the State's inventory of agricultural land, we provide the opportunity for farmers to expand their business or encourage new farmers into the industry. We also enable the increase of diversified agriculture and allow for self-sufficiency," said Senator Dela Cruz. "We want to demonstrate that farming is an attractive profession, agriculture is revenue generating, and that there is a career in agriculture. We hope to see a new generation of farmers."
Senator Dela Cruz acknowledged that today's farmers face many challenges with the biggest drawback being the lack of long-term leases which makes it difficult for them to plan and budget. In addition they are also faced with escalating costs of equipment and supplies, transporting and shipping, and liability and insurance. They have to adhere to food safety certification and have to contend with agricultural theft and vandalism. Adding to their problems is the lack of workforce housing.
The state currently imports 85-90 percent of its food. By helping farmers with long term leases, it will allow them to make investments in their business to increase production and encourage them to try raising new crops to determine their viability. The intent is to create synergy and scale resulting in reduced costs of farming and ensuring supporting systems and activities become efficient.
The re-immergence of agriculture in Central Oahu will also create various levels of jobs in the industry and enhance economic development in a disadvantaged area. The Whitmore Village Plan toward this end is a comprehensive, economically sustainable plan for agriculture that includes farms, packing and processing facilities, distribution systems, infrastructure and water, agri-tourism opportunities, public-private partnerships and long-term investments.
The resolution sets forth the purchase of the Dole lands through floating general obligation bonds and revenue bonds that do not exceed its annual debt service limitations. The bonds are to be paid back from the tenants with current leases and including revenues from the Waiahole Ditch.
Originally published by KHON2 News; click here to read the article on KHON2.com.
The Olympics games are held all over the world.
So what do you think would you want to have it here in Hawaii?
Senator Donovan Dela Cruz thinks it's a great idea.
He introduced a resolution to create an olympic committee to look at the feasibility of hosting the Olympic games in Hawaii.
"The Olympics is hopefully another tool that we can use, like other cities have used in designing their city and helping their city becoming more globally competitive," explained Dela Cruz. "I would hope that as we consider the opportunity, that we can look at events on every island, where it makes sense. A lot of the facilities that are built for the Olympics are also used for the private sector and housing after the initial use, so you're looking at a lot of post Olympic benefit."
"I think short-term it would be good for the island, but i think long-term it would end up doing more damage than it would do to produce or build up the economy in the island itself," said Manoa resident Ethan Edwards.
"It would leave us with facilities that we never had in our lifetime, and we would never see without the Olympics," said Kalihi resident Robert Nitta.
"The resolution actually right now calls for 2024, we could even look for 2028," shared Dela Cruz.
There will be a public hearing on this resolution Monday at the State Capitol starting at 3:30 p.m..
I am encouraged that the State Department of Transportation (DOT) is considering an additional lane into Wahiawa town to relieve the traffic back up onto the freeway. (See further information on this in the newsletter; click below to read more.) There is a lot of traffic giong through Wahiawa as we found out with the temporary closure of the Karston Thot Bridge when a great many people were inconvenienced and distressed by the closure. With the additional lane and measures to improve traffic flow through the town, we should see an improved flow of traffic and as a result, decrease the backup onto the freeway. Also, I am pleased to be informed that the access road for Mililani Mauka is in DOT's 2014 Overall Work Program for a secondary access from H-2. We can look forward to some road improvements that we have been waiting for.
Hawaii Senate advances bill to create development authority
Originally written by Derrick DePledge and published by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser; click here to read the article on StarAdvertiser.com.
State senators advanced a bill today that would create a Public-Private Partnership Authority that would promote development projects, but were cautious about giving the new authority any powers that resemble the beleaguered Public Land Development Corp.
The new authority would collaborate with state agencies and private-sector developers on projects that could generate revenue for the state. The authority would not have exemptions from state land use regulations -- like the PLDC -- but counties, by ordinance or memorandum of agreement, could waive zoning, land use, and permitting requirements on any project prior to construction.
To test the concept, the new authority would work on three pilot projects: a film production studio on Maui; a main street redevelopment project in Wahiawa; and a project initiated by one of the counties.
As an additional precaution, senators agreed to establish the new authority for only five years, through June 2018.
While several state agencies have development authority, "there is a big vacuum in public-private partnership, there is nothing that focusses across-the-board in helping agencies do it," said Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz (D, Wheeler-Wahiawa-Schofield), the chairman of the Senate Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing Committee, who is behind the new authority and the PLDC.
A few senators said they are concerned that the new authority is too similar to the PLDC, which they plan to repeal.
Senate Vice President Ronald Kouchi (D, Kauai-Niihau) said the legislation took into account the tremendous amount of testimony lawmakers received critical of the PLDC. He said it was the counties who asked for the potential waiver from county land use regulations, which would be subject to public review at the county level.
"This has been trying to take into account all of the testimony that we have received in the past year on the PLDC, and how do we work towards meeting the expectations and desires of the community while still trying to reach some of the economic development goals that we have set as the Legislature?" Kouchi said.
Sen. Gilbert Kahele (D, Hilo) said the legislation addresses the concerns raised about the PLDC. "Action speaks louder than words," he said, adding that if the pilot projects are successful, "I think the public will be more trusting."
Senate Bill 215 was approved by the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Education Committee Friday and now goes to the full Senate.
Friday, March 1, 2013
State ready to put estate lands to work
(The Garden Island) The state of Hawaii is ready to put the Galbraith Estate lands to work.
Hawaii News Now says the state is ready to turn the area into an agricultural hub by inviting Hawaii farmers to come work the land.
The state acquired more than 1,700 acres of estate lands in December 2012 in a move that keeps the land from being developed. Farmers who invest in the land will get access to packing and processing facilities and a stable water source in nearby Lake Wilson. The thousands of workers who would be hired will live at Whitmore Village.
Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz says Wahiawa used to be a thriving agricultural community. He says he hopes the seeds planted there will lead to economic growth in Wahiawa.
State plan aims to turn Wahiawa into agricultural hub
Originally written by Mark Carpenter and published by Hawaii News Now; click here to read the article on HawaiiNewsNow.com.
WAHIAWA, OAHU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Three months after buying the vast, 1,723-acre Galbraith Estate lands in central Oahu, the state is ready to turn the area into an agricultural hub by inviting Hawaii farmers to come work the land.
"Wahiawa was a thriving ag community," said Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz (D - Wahiawa, Haleiwa, North Shore), one of the chief proposers of the Whitmore Village Agricultural Development Plan. "Whitmore Village employed thousands of jobs at the Dole facility and nothing really took its place. We have a lot of fallow ag land. Thousands of acres between Wahiawa and the north shore and we really haven't gotten a comprehensive plan."
The prices are yet to be worked out, but any farmers who invest in the land would get access to packing and processing facilities and a stable water source in nearby Lake Wilson.
Also, the thousands of workers who would be hired would live at Whitmore Village.
Neil Ho of the north shore's Ho Farms says the plan provides long-term land stability and works out logistically.
"Our head operation is in Kahuku and basically you just need a road closure and the guy has to drive up on the other side," Ho said. "At least on this side, there's multiple routes and it's closer to town for us."
The state did a similar thing two years ago with ag-land in Kunia. More than 180 acres of it, leased to small farmers, are now thriving.
Dela Cruz hopes the seeds planted here will lead to economic growth in Wahiawa town.
"This is a little different in the sense that what we are really talking about the revitalization of a community as well," Dela Cruz said. "So many people have to work in Waikiki or in town or on military bases, we hope with this you can still live work and play in the area."
Some longtime Wahiawa residents who remember the town in its agricultural prime are also looking forward to what the proposal can bring to the community.
"I think it is going to be a hub for different crops where the farmers can start their businesses here," said Jaime Ubongen who used to live in Wahiawa . "I think this will be a great venue for farmers."
Dela Cruz says the state would use the funds generated from the plan to acquire more land. Organizers hope to have the proposal up and running in about 18 months.
Monday, February 25, 2013
Whitmore Village Agricultural Development Plan
Aloha!
Today marked yet another milestone for the agricultural lands known as the Galbraith Estate. Over the past few months, activity to clear and prep the lands has moved the Agribusiness Development Corporation closer to getting farmers on there. A groundbreaking ceremony was held which included a traditional Hawaiian blessing and tour of the Galbraith Estate lands.
For some of those who may be unfamiliar with the transaction, the Trust for Public Land (TPL), working alongside with the State of Hawaii and the U.S. Army, closed the deal this past December to purchase 1,700 acres of fallow agricultural land. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) received 500 acres and the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) received 1,200 acres. For more more information on the transaction, please see the article published by the Wall Street Journal.
Please join us this Thursday at the Wahiawa Public Library for a presentation on the future and potential plans for these Galbraith Estate lands. You may also view the presentation online by visiting the Whitmore Village Agricultural Development Plan.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
UH asks for investigation of contract allegations
(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) The University of Hawaii has asked the attorney general's office to assist in an investigation of allegations that a top UH official wasted potentially millions of dollars in state money through the mismanagement of construction projects, including steering contracts to friends.
Dennis Mitsunaga, a prominent Honolulu engineer whose company does business with UH, made the allegations in written testimony he submitted last week to a Senate committee considering a UH procurement bill.
UH to Conduct Investigation Into Contract Dealings
University of Hawaii officials have announced they'll investigate allegations that a university administrator wasted what could add up to millions of taxpayer dollars.
The allegations are from local engineer Dennis Mitsunaga, who last Thursday testified in strong support of a bill, SB1383. The measure, which would give the Department of Accounting and General Services procurement oversight of UH construction contracts, just passed through the Senate Higher Education committee.
Mitsunaga argued that Brian Minaai, associate vice president for capital improvements, should be investigated for "blatant mismanagement." One allegation suggests that Minaai only gives contracts to friends he selects from a "pool of hundreds of qualified architects and engineers in Honolulu."
State Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz - Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing committee chair - last Thursday wrote to university officials requesting an investigation.
"I am concerned when issues such as this arise as state institutions need to have the confidence of the public that their taxpayer money is being expended according to all applicable procedure and laws," Dela Cruz wrote.
The university in its response said it would conduct an investigation. Today, university spokeswoman Lynne Waters disseminated a press release announcing that UH president M.R.C. Greenwood and other leadership would discuss the investigation at the Board of Regents' meeting this Thursday.
(Dela Cruz's letter and the university's response can be found here.)
Friday, February 15, 2013
USDA Rural Development is seeking applications for the Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program
RBEG grants are available to eligible public bodies, and private nonprofit corporations to finance and facilitate development of small and emerging private business enterprises in any city or adjoining area that has a population less than 50,000.
RBEG funds may be used for technical assistance (providing assistance for marketing studies, feasibility studies, business plans, training, etc.) to small and emerging businesses.
Funds can also be used to purchase machinery and equipment to lease to a small and emerging business. Other ways to use the grant funding include constructing a building for a business incubator for a small and emerging business.
Applications for Hawaii / Western Pacific state RBEG funding for fiscal year 2013 are due by close of business on May 1, 2013.
Central Oahu Sustainable Communities Plan Workshop
The Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) will hold a community workshop to review and gather comments on the Central Oahu Sustainable Communities Plan (SCP).
The workshop is set for Thursday, January 31, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in the Mililani Mauka Elementary School Cafeteria, 95-1111 Makaikai Street.
The department is updating the Central Oahu SCP and this workshop will give residents an opportunity to discuss their concerns and issues that relate to long-range planning for the region. Residents can also offer suggestions on how the implementation of the Central Oahu SCP can be improved.
The Central Oahu SCP is one of eight community-oriented plans intended to help guide public policy, investment, and decision-making for the City and County of Honolulu.
Information on the Central Oahu SCP is available at the DPP website. For more information, contact Bob Stanfield at (808)768-8051.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
USDA offers loans to farmers who grow for locals
(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) - With interest in locally grown food soaring, the federal government said today it has created a small loan program to help community farmers who might not be able to borrow money from banks.
Call it seed money.
The low-interest "microloans" of up to $35,000 are designed to aid startup costs, bolster existing family-run farms and help minority growers and military veterans who want to farm. Over the last three years, there has been a 60 percent increase in local growers who sell directly to consumers or farmers markets, Agriculture Department Secretary Tom Vilsack said.
Kay Jensen, an organic farmer who grows broccoli, strawberries and tomatoes in Sun Prairie, Wis., saw two immediate benefits from the program — paperwork would go from about 30 pages to seven, and it would be easier to borrow a manageable sum. She said she might consider a loan for $3,000 to $10,000 to expand her irrigation systems.
"A lot times what we need is just small amounts of money, but a lot of times the only funding available is large amounts of money," she said. "This whole concept of a microloan, where you're looking at smaller, reasonable amounts of money, this really fits an incredible niche."
The loan can cover the costs of renting land, buying seed and equipment, and other expenses. One goal is to create more opportunities for entrepreneurship and employment in the farming industry, Vilsack said. Another goal is to provide beginners a chance to build credit, so that they can eventually qualify for higher-value loans and expand.
For more information on the USDA FSA Farm Loan Program, please click here.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Happy New Year!
Following the reapportionment, 2012 elections, and other events that happened, the Senate has undergone some changes with new senators and a new President. There are also some committee changes. My new committee, now the Committee on Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing, will allow me to promote my agenda for economic development, especially for rural Oahu, and my desire to see more workforce and affordable housing. I also want to explore economic development opportunities for small businesses and agriculture. My dedication continues to be focused on working to improve our economy, creating job opportunities, increasing the supply of affordable housing and have government operate more efficiently. We want to give every resident an opportunity to be self-sufficient, gainfully employed and with a place to call home. To achieve this, we need to maximize government services. We may not be able to resolve all the problems, but whatever we are able to accomplish will certainly pave the way. My best wishes for a great new year.
(Honolulu Weekly) - The Trust for Public Land (TPL) has purchased 1,700 acres of land near Wahiawa from the Galbraith Estate, Governor Abercrombie announced at a press conference on Dec. 11. These "prime agricultural lands . . . really some of the best in the state," had "seemed destined for the next large development," said Department of Agriculture Chairperson Russell Kokubun. Now they will be protected for farming.
"[This purchase] will allow us to reduce our reliance on food imports and increase our food security, a priority of this administration," the governor said.
The $25 million purchase price was met by a state general revenue bond ($13 million), the U.S. Army ($4.5 million), the city's Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund ($4 million) and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs ($3 million). The remaining $500,000 was donated by D.R. Horton/Schuler, which plans to develop housing on Hoopili farmland.
TPL has transferred 1,200 of the acres to the Agribusiness Development Corporation, a public agency that will be responsible for preparing and managing the land. Licenses will be available to farmers from neighbor islands as well as Oahu. The governor said that a development plan and timeline would be presented to the legislature as soon as it is in session.
The remaining 500 acres, which surround Kukaniloko (the sacred royal birthing site), were transferred to OHA, whose Chairperson Colette Machado and CEO Kamanaopono Crabbe praised both the furthering of agriculture and the protection of native Hawaiian culture.
Nearly every speaker applauded TPL Hawaiian Islands State Director Lea Hong (though she declined to speak, herself) as having been instrumental to the deal's success.
As we take the time to reflect on the year that is ending, we count our blessings and
are thankful for the support of friends that enables us to continue our work. As we
feel a sense of pride in our accomplishments, a sense of satisfaction in overcoming
some of the challenges that faced us, and gratitude for a successful campaign, we look
forward to the new year with anticipation of what we hope to accomplish for the people
of this state.
As a former City Councilmember, I was proud to support the City's funding for this, and I am working now in my current role in the Legislature with the Governor, Representative Marcus Oshiro, and other partners to revitalize agriculture in central O‘ahu, creating jobs and economic opportunity. The agriculture industry has been hampered with land availability, long-term lease options, and access to infrastructure which led us to plan and develop the Whitmore Village Agricultural Development Plan. The Galbraith lands are critical to the plan as it will provide hundreds of acres for local farmers to increase their production, option to enter into long-term leases, and access to critical infrastructure.
(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) - Some 1,200 acres of the land near Wahiawa will go to the state for agricultural purposes
The state and a nonprofit organization have finalized the $25 million purchase of one of Oahu's largest tracts of undeveloped land in a move expected to significantly expand food production and make Hawaii more self-sufficient.
The deal for 1,743 acres of George Galbraith Estate land was completed with a number of parties and the nonprofit Trust for Public Land, which raised funds for the acquisition, according to an announcement Monday by Bishop Street Commercial, a brokerage firm hired by estate trustee Bank of Hawaii. The estate has roughly 600 beneficiaries.
The former pineapple plantation lands near Wahiawa, zoned for agricultural use, will be made available for lease to local farmers, said Matt Bittick, president and chief executive of Bishop Street Commercial. Bittick and Skip Schuman of Bishop Street Commercial were the agents representing the seller.
The Trust for Public Land, a national nonprofit devoted to land conservation, says on its website that Hawaii imports 85 to 90 percent of its food, largely due to substantial agricultural land being rezoned for development.
"A disruption in the islands' transportation corridors, whether by hurricane or other natural disaster, would leave the vulnerable state with just two weeks' worth of food supplies," the trust said. "The (Galbraith) property could be a game-changer for the future of agriculture in Hawaii."
(Hawai‘i Free Press) - A partnership of public agencies and private non-profit organizations today announced that they have purchased more than 1,700 acres of land from the Estate of George Galbraith in Central O‘ahu, and the land will be used for farming.
The land, near the town of Wahiawa in an area traditionally known as Lihu‘e, has been fallow since 2004, when Del Monte ceased growing pineapple.
The Trust for Public Land, a non-profit land conservation organization, bought the 1,732 acres from the Galbraith Estate and then transferred the land to two Hawai‘i public agencies. More than 1,200 acres went to the state Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC). The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) received the remaining over 500 acres which surround Kukaniloko, the royal birthing site that is one of the most significant cultural sites on O'ahu. The properties can only be used for agriculture.
State Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, said, "As a former City Councilmember, I was proud to support the City's funding for this, and I am working now in my current role in the Legislature with the Governor, Representative Marcus Oshiro, and other partners to revitalize agriculture in central O'ahu, creating jobs and economic opportunity. The agriculture industry has been hampered with land availability, long-term lease options, and access to infrastructure which led us to plan and develop the Whitmore Village Agricultural Development Plan. The Galbraith lands are critical to the plan as it will provide hundreds of acres for local farmers to increase their production, option to enter into long-term leases, and access to critical infrastructure."
In recent weeks, my office has been receiving calls regarding the homeless problem in Wahiawa and concerns relating to security and sanitation problems. Residents, businesses and others who work in the area have expressed various concerns regarding the hostility of some of the homeless people and the lack of concern relating to health issues.
My office has been in contact with the Hawaii Interagency Council on Homelessness (HICH) and the state Department of Human Services to seek solutions to the situation in Wahiawa. According to HICH, social service providers, along with state agencies routinely conduct sweeps and outreach in the communities to get individuals the help they need. The intent of the sweeps is to encourage the homeless to get off the streets. While these cleanups are effective, it is costly and uses money and resources that would otherwise be used for road maintenance and other public services.
Although various agencies have been trying to help the homeless population on Oahu, homelessness is a problem because of our high cost of living and a lack of jobs and affordable housing for which many of the homeless could qualify.
The Institute for Human Services was recently granted a contract with the City to do scattered site housing in the North Shore and Central Oahu areas. Scattered Site Housing grants enable local governments to address the most critical housing needs of very low-income families (incomes at or below 50 percent of the area median income).
Homelessness is not a single-solution problem. Many factors contribute to it, and we need to address both short-term and long-term solutions. The short term would be to encourage the homeless to seek assistance from organizations that could help them and provide shelter. The long term would be to create jobs and provide work force and affordable housing.
For Public Areas, as for Redevelopment, a Shift to Tactical Approaches
(from Big City Sparkplug) - Over time there have been substantial changes to America's strategy for urban redevelopment. After World War II, and with the rise of modernism, it came primarily from the top down by cities that used eminent domain to demolish neighborhoods, in favor of subsidized complexes planned by lone developers. And while projects like this are still built - see Brooklyn's Atlantic Yards, or the convention centers gambled on by struggling municipalities - they've become increasingly detested due to their unprofitability and formulaic designs. What's arising in their place is an approach that emphasizes growth incrementally and from the bottom up, using smaller-scaled and more diverse architecture, and many small businesses rather than a few large ones. This has been used primarily in urban neighborhoods like historic warehouse districts, where development already exists, but where more is needed, to add vitality and foot traffic piece by piece.
This same "organic" approach has also been applied to public spaces, which is not to say that the benefits of larger ones are yet being overlooked. There are, for example, still expansive waterfront parks and cultural centers underway in cities like New York and Miami. But now they are being built alongside smaller beautification measures that, if not publicly subsidized, are at least becoming less taboo. These range from food-cart parks, to murals painted on buildings or crosswalks, to unused lots that are converted into "guerrilla" gardens. While these measures are often advocated by nearby residents, they are increasingly becoming associated with a larger design movement called "tactical urbanism".
Governor Releases $44 Million for CIPs Projects Statewide
Governor Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of more than $44 million for various capital improvement projects (CIPs) statewide, including public schools, health facilities, transportation infrastructure and more.
"Since the start of 2012, my administration has released more than $885.8 million for CIPs, including these newly released funds, as a part of an economic strategy to address priority work while stimulating the economy and generating job opportunities for residents," said Governor Abercrombie. "We've made significant progress. Our local economy is back on track. Credit rating agencies have taken notice. And, the state's unemployment rate has continued to improve, falling in October to a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.5 percent - a pre-recession level."
Allotment of funds for the following priority projects, identified by members of the state Legislature, has been approved by the Governor:
$2,500,000 - Aikahi and Wahiawa Elementary Schools, Oahu: Improvements to drainage at Aikahi Elementary, and creation of student drop off area and additional parking at Wahiawa Elementary School
Hawaii Set to Spend Millions of Dollars to Boost Local Farming
(Honolulu Civil Beat) - The state is poised to spend $13 million on 1,750 acres of agricultural land in a plan to boost farm production and food security. But obstacles remain to making the farming experiment on central Oahu lands owned by the George Galbraith Estate a success.
"To acquire the land by itself doesn't assure successful ag," said Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, who represents the district where the former pineapple fields have laid fallow since 2006. He's helping craft plans for cultivating the land near Wahiawa in a way that will not only lead to increased food production, but job creation and redevelopment of the region.
The sale of the land, owned by 600 heirs of the Galbraith Estate, to the state has been in the works for years. The final closing date is scheduled for December 10, according to Jimmy Nakatani, executive director of Hawaii's Agribusiness Development Corporation, which will be in charge of about 1,200 acres.
The Office of Hawaiian Affairs will oversee the other 500 acres, which includes sacred Native Hawaiian birthing stones. The total sales price is $25 million, with additional funding coming from sources including the U.S. Army, the city and OHA. The Trust for Public Land, a San Francisco-based nonprofit, is brokering the deal.
The land purchase is being applauded as a big step toward Hawaii's goals of food sustainability at a time when increasing amounts of farmland are being turned over to development. In the past year, state regulators have reclassified about 2,000 acres of prime agricultural lands for the major Oahu housing developments of Hoopili and Koa Ridge.
Hawaii Senate: Leadership Plays A Game Of Political Musical Chairs
(Honolulu Civil Beat) - For the first time in nearly two decades, a Republican holds a leadership position in the Hawaii Legislature.
On Friday Sen. Sam Slom was appointed vice chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Housing, which will be chaired by Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz.
"Senator Slom is a small businessman, and sometimes we need to look beyond the partisanship and get to the skill sets," explained Senate Majority Leader Brickwood Galuteria. "That's the primary reason he will serve as vice chair, and why we are crossing the aisle."
As the lone Republican, Slom already has a seat on all committees, which now number 16, up from 14 during the 2011 and 2012 sessions. Whether Slom will have any real power is unclear, however. Leaders in the Democratic majority will still call the shots on which bills are heard or not.
State gets closer to purchasing Galbraith land in Central Oahu
(KHON2) - It's been years in the works and the state is now closer to purchasing the Galbraith land through a public - private partnership.
Plans for the area were presented to the Wahiawa - Whitmore neighborhood board tonight.
Senator Donovan Dela Cruz says the plan includes a section for packing and processing, separate from the farming that would happen on the Galbraith land.
"So that way we can really leave those 1700 acres open space that's doing productive ag, and packing and processing could be in Whitmore Village," said Senator Donovan Dela Cruz. "So what that allows us is a workforce right across the street, it helps us to revitalize the area. That's our history."
Dela Cruz says this is not a done deal yet. OHA still needs to agree to the sale and if they don't get the money into escrow within the next several weeks they may have to start all over again.
(The Wall Street Journal) - The trustee for hundreds of heirs to a large tract here on Oahu island has agreed to sell their inheritance to the state for preservation as farmland, reversing a dacadeslong trend of most such open land being developed.
The 1,750-acre tract, one of the islands largest undeveloped plots, was the estate of George Galbraith, an Irish immigrant who acquired the land in the 19th century. Ownership of the one-time pineapple farm passed through generations to roughly 600 heirs today.
Good news for commuters who use Karsten Thot Bridge. The state Department of Transportation (DOT) informed us that as of Oct. 19, the bridge will open to traffic going both directions. Everyone is asked, however, to heed the speed limit of 15 miles per hour on the bridge from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily as work continues under the bridge.
It was possible to open the bridge because the structural repairs were completed and inspected. Sometime next year, the top of the bridge will be repainted to prevent corrosion, and it is anticipated that the work will be done during evenings and/or weekends.
Many questions were raised as to why the bridge had to be closed while work was going on. DOT attempted to restrict traffic to passenger vehicles and emergency vehicles in keeping within the 10-ton limit for safety, but this was not being complied with and was difficult to enforce. Therefore, the bridge had to be closed for the safety of crews working beneath it.
KARSTEN THOT BRIDGE TO OPEN NORTHBOUND FOR WEEKDAY AFTERNOON RUSH-HOUR TRAFFIC ON MONDAY
HONOLULU - The state Department of Transportation (DOT) advises Oahu motorists of a change in the traffic detour for the Karsten Thot Bridge repair work in Wahiawa. Starting Monday, October 15, the northbound (Haleiwa-bound) lane of traffic across the bridge will be opened for passenger vehicle traffic-only from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. daily, on Mondays through Fridays. The southbound (Honolulu-bound) lane will remain open for morning commuters from 5 a.m. until 9 a.m. on weekdays for the duration of the project. The DOT urges motorists to use caution and proceed slowly over the bridge. The morning and afternoon lanes are open to passenger vehicles, emergency vehicles and school buses only. No city or tour buses or heavy commercial vehicles will be allowed. Pedestrians will continue to be able to use the bridge. The afternoon northbound single lane opening is possible because much of the major critical structural work underneath the bridge is nearly complete. However, structural work on other members continues and further work involving sandblasting and painting below the bridge still needs to be done. Due to the closure, work has progressed well. Estimates for the project completion date are still within the six-week initial projection. If work continues as scheduled, DOT anticipates completion by the end of October. Within the next year, additional work to repaint the top of the bridge structure will be put out to bid. This work is anticipated to take place during off-peak traffic times, such as at night or on weekends. While not considered part of this emergency work, the painting is important to reduce and prevent rust and corrosion. The 80-year-old steel bridge has been closed to vehicular traffic for critical emergency structural repairs that include replacing rivets and repairing and/or replacing steel beams.
During an inspection this past July, it was determined that the bridge needed immediate repairs. Since that time, a work platform was built underneath the bridge. Crews performed preliminary work and further inspections. The DOT made the difficult decision to close the bridge completely for safety reasons on Monday, September 17. Voluntary compliance with the passenger vehicle-only restriction and 10-ton limit was not being consistently followed and presented a danger. Since closing the bridge, DOT engineers have been monitoring and evaluating the traffic situation, listening to community concerns and complaints, and working with the Honolulu Police Department and the area military installations to mitigate the traffic issues. The DOT appreciates the public's patience as we continue work to make the Karsten Thot Bridge safe for all drivers as quickly as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
LIBRARY CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY
Waialua Public Library (Oahu) celebrated its 85th Anniversary on September 15 at the Waialua Bandstand in the Park, across the street from the Library. Governor Neil Abercrombie, Senator Donovan Dela Cruz and other state and City officials, State Librarian Richard Burns, and more than 400 people attended the free event. Click here to read more.(Photo and text courtesy Hawaii State Public Library System.)
Monday, October 8, 2012
CITY SEEKING ART PROPOSALS FOR WAHIAWA TRANSIT CENTER
The City and County of Honolulu Commission on Culture and the Arts will select two works of art for the Wahiawa Transit Center and is seeking proposals from artists or artist teams. The budget for each project is $100,000.00. The application deadline is January 11, 2013.
The Wahiawa Transit Center, at 956 California Avenue, is a two-story, 46,000 square foot structure with exterior historic-themed decorative elements. It functions as the main community bus station. The anticipated goal is for artworks that highlight the history and culture of Wahiawa with emphasis on the transportation history of the area.
The artworks are for the interior driveway walls. The West Project location is the west bus driveway and the East Project location is the east bus driveway. The art work may use one or both walls of each driveway for works such as a mural, frieze, fresco, sculpture, or other wall-mounted works of art that are permanently installed. The work of art may be installed on a substrate to be attached to the existing wall.
The selected artist or artist team must comply with Federal Transit Administration contractor requirements due to U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration funding of the commission.
Applications must be received by 4 p.m. on January 11, 2013 at:
Mayor's Office of Culture and the Arts
Attention: Art for Wahiawa Transit Center
550 South King Street, Room 203
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.
For application requirements, project details, and other information please visit www1.honolulu.gov/moca/news.htm or contact Registrar E. Tory Laitila at (808)768-4105, or email him at tlaitila@honolulu.gov.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Karsten Thot Bridge Closure Traffic Update
Since the closure of Karsten Thot Bridge on Sept. 17 for emergency repairs, the state Dept. of Transportation (DOT) continues to work with the Honolulu Police Dept. (HPD), US Army Garrison Hawaii and the 25th Infantry Division to make traffic pattern and scheduling adjustments to minimize traffic congestion. Below is an update on traffic measures currently in effect. DOT thanks motorists for their continued patience during this necessary bridge repair work.
• The Karsten Thot Bridge southbound lane is open from 5 - 9 a.m. on weekdays, excluding holidays. Pedestrian traffic is allowed over the bridge at all hours using the designated walkway.
• HPD special and regular duty officers are providing rush-hour traffic control through major intersections in the mornings and afternoons on weekdays, excluding holidays.
• Schofield traffic exiting McNair Gate is limited to right turns only, turning south onto Wilikina Dr., from 5 - 7:30 a.m. and 4 - 6:30 p.m. Left turns into McNair Gate from Wilikina Dr. will not be allowed during these hours.
• Schofield traffic exiting Macomb Gate is limited to left turns only, turning north onto Wilikina Dr., from 4 - 6:30 p.m. Left turns into Macomb Gate from Wilikina Dr. are allowed during these hours.
• Modified traffic patterns at Schofield Barracks' Lyman Gate and Wheeler Army Airfields Kawamura Gate will continue, accommodating a higher volume of traffic during peak hours.
Information is subject to change and adjustments are continually being made to improve traffic flow. Motorists are advised anticipate delays and allow for extra travel time.
Hawaii Ranks Near Bottom for Doing Business - But Does It Matter?
(Honolulu Civil Beat) - Earlier this year, Hawaii gained the dubious distinction of having the worst traffic in the nation and some of the worst roads.
Now, the state can add another poor rating to the mix: a CNBC special report named Hawaii the second-to-worst state in the nation for business in 2012.
State officials weren't surprised by the news.
"We always rank at the bottom. It's not something new," said Eugene Tian, the economic research administrator at the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. Last year, Hawaii only did marginally better in the rankings - 48 out of 50.
Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz said that despite its predictability, the low score should still be cause for concern.
"It's not enough just to agree we're anti-business," he said. "We have to change it."
Dela Cruz said that because the state ranked at the bottom in almost every category, the study can't be ignored.
"If the rest of the world is looking at the rankings and they're seeing that we're anti-business, how are we going to attract investment?" Dela Cruz said.
(Honolulu Civil Beat) - Editor's Note: This is the second of two columns by Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz discussing why Hawaii is not doing as much as it could to boost the economy and how it can be better.
In 2007, Forbes conducted a study ranking American cities with the best- and worst-paying jobs. Honolulu
received top recognition with above average salaries for busboys, bartenders, and lifeguards. Albeit these are
much needed services, Honolulu needs to push the envelope in reversing the brain drain and keep our local
people here. We need jobs in business, diplomacy, education, technology and science, energy, and film. First
we need to create the environment and the culture to attract investment to achieve synergy and scale to make
those jobs real.
This idea of creating a globally competitive Hawaii also provides possible answers to dealing with budget deficits,
developing public private partnerships and investment opportunities, reversing the brain drain, focusing growth in
the urban core and stopping urban sprawl in its tracks to protect agricultural land. This can only be done by truly
envisioning and achieving regional centers of industry along the rail line:
Technology (Silicon Valley)
Film (Hollywood)
Finance (Wall Street)
Diplomacy (Geneva)
Medicine and health
The possibilities are endless due to location, weather, climate, and culture but leadership, coordination and vision
in government are required.
A Real Plan for Supporting Hawaii Farmers and Creating Jobs
(Honolulu Civil Beat) - The Whitmore Village Agricultural Development Plan is an effort to help revitalize the economy and agricultural production in Central Oahu, once a region that led the industry with pineapple and other crops. The main objectives are to:
• demonstrate that farming is an attractive profession, agriculture is revenue generating, and a career in agriculture will allow a new generation of farmers the ability to live and work in Hawaii;
• create synergy and scale resulting in reduced costs of farming and ensuring supporting systems and activities become efficient; and
• develop a comprehensive, economically sustainable plan for agriculture that includes farms, packing and processing facilities, distribution systems, infrastructure and water, agri-tourism opportunities, public-private partnerships and long-term investments.
This plan includes the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC), Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), private sector partners and small, medium and large local farms.
Editor's Note: This is the first of two columns by Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz discussing why Hawaii is not doing as much as it could to boost the economy and how it can be better.
In 1999, the Honolulu Star Bulletin published an article by Lavonne Leong, "Isles Lose Many of the Best and Brightest." When University of Hawaii graduates in finance were asked, "What advice would you offer current and soon-to-be graduating students in your major?" almost twenty-five percent responded, "Move to the mainland."
Let's fast forward to 2012. Is the advice the same?
We have heard the catch phrases of "diversify our economy" and "reverse the brain-drain" time and time again for more than 30 years. We have even heard the terms "gateway" and "where east meets west." And what progress have we made?
The world is rapidly changing and we are discussing the same challenges and reliving the same debates. Same approaches to same problems have given us "what should have been obvious" same results.
Simply put, we must have a common goal to make Hawaii the most globally competitive state and Honolulu the most globally competitive city starting yesterday. We all need to feel the sense of urgency.
Cities encouraging redevelopment and mixed-use are more competitive offering graduates more money, more opportunities and prestige. Simply put, Hawaii is not globally competitive enough to keep students born and raised in Hawaii at home or offer them a lateral profession to draw them back home. Census reports show that in 1997 and 1998, almost 17,000 more people moved from Hawaii to the mainland than vice-versa. Hawaii continues to lose its best and brightest.
This problem stems from a shortage of affordable housing, low-paying salaries, and a lack of opportunities. Yet, in other globally competitive cities high home prices and the high cost of living are offset by higher paying careers.
Over the years we have heard time and again about the diversification of the agricultural industry, food substantiability and security, and the importance of preserving agricultural land.
Unfortunately, a lack of vision, planning, coordination and not making the proper investments have left the industry limping along. We have not restructured government to appropriately respond to the globally competitive situation that places Hawaii farmers at a severe disadvantage. Because of evolving federal regulations and an increasing number of low-priced imports, some local farmers have abandoned their efforts, and younger generations feel the situation is too overwhelming and difficult to pursue.
Now is the time for us to show and execute leadership to create a successful revenue-generating model for agriculture that we can later template all across our state. Continue reading on Midweek.com.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Democrats Consider Expelling Senator Dela Cruz over TOD Bill
(Hawaii Free Press News Read) - SA: State Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz has asked Oahu Democrats to dismiss a complaint that alleges he violated the party's environmental platform by sponsoring a bill that would have encouraged development around Honolulu rail stations.
The complaint, filed by Lynn Sager, chairwoman of the party's environmental caucus, alleges that the bill was in direct opposition to the party's platform goal of sustaining the environment. Sager and the other activists who signed the complaint want the party to determine whether Dela Cruz should be reprimanded, censured or expelled.
Dela Cruz said his bill was intended to help guide residential, commercial and mixed-use development around Honolulu rail stations and promote transit ridership. The bill died on the last day of the legislative session in May after critics, including many in the environmental community, claimed it could shut the public out of the planning process.
Dela Cruz denies allegation that bill shuns Dems' goals
(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) - State Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz has asked Oahu Democrats to dismiss a complaint that alleges he violated the party's environmental platform by sponsoring a bill that would have encouraged development around Honolulu rail stations.
The complaint, filed by Lynn Sager, chairwoman of the party's environmental caucus, alleges that the bill was in direct opposition to the party's platform goal of sustaining the environment. Sager and the other activists who signed the complaint want the party to determine whether Dela Cruz should be reprimanded, censured or expelled. Read more on StarAdvertiser.com.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Dela Cruz allowed to raise debatable ideas, isn't he?
(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) - In our nation's quest to form a more perfect union, was there ever thought given to just making people be quiet?
What if the problem we face is not that the issues are too complex, the solutions too costly or the options too limited? Read more on StarAdvertiser.com.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Hawaii Senators to Ask Gov to Halt Lanai Sale
(Honolulu Civil Beat) - This Lanai business is heating up.
Word is that some of Hawaii's state senators don't want the pending sale of the island to go through.
Senate President Shan Tsutsui is said to be sending a letter to Gov. Neil Abercrombie asking him to halt the sale.
They're sick of Lanai being in a constant state of upheaval - and they want to state to condemn the land, or buy it.
"I would hate see Lanai sold and in a constant state of upheaval and transition," said Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz.
Civil Beat reported back in December that Castle & Cooke had put Lanai up for sale. What's new is that Maui's mayor and the governor have been notified that a potential buyer identified. Read more in the Honolulu Civil Beat.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Senator Dela Cruz's Bill Becomes Law
Bill allowing agriculturally based businesses on farmland is signed (Honolulu Star-Advertiser) - Agriculturally based businesses would be allowed in agriculture districts under a measure signed into law today by Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
Permissible commercial activity includes the preparation and sale of certain food grown by the owner or operator of a retail food establishment and the sale of logo items related to a producer's agricultural operation.
"The ability to be able to take what you grow and turn it into products and to be able to sell it is really what this is all about - to get people used to not just the brand names but the fact that they're able to support agriculture as a result," Abercrombie said. Read more on StarAdvertiser.com.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Bill expands permitted farm activities
(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) - Agriculturally related businesses would be allowed on farm land under a measure signed into law Friday by Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
Permissible commercial activity includes the preparation and sale of certain food grown by the owner or operator of a retail food establishment and the sale of logo items related to a producer's agricultural operation.
"The ability to be able to take what you grow and turn it into products and to be able to sell it is really what this is all about - to get people used to not just the brand names but the fact that they're able to support agriculture as a result," Abercrombie said.
The proposal, Senate Bill 2375, was introduced by Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz (D, Kaena-Wahiawa-Pupukea).
"Farmers are being forced to diversify their products in order to make ends meet while continuing to provide local food for the community," he said. "This bill allows for additional opportunities for them to create revenue." Read more on StarAdvertiser.com.
Monday, June 18, 2012
New laws support local farmers
(Hawaii 24/7) - Gov. Neil Abercrombie has signed a number of measures into law including two bills that are aimed to benefit local farmers who want to sell their products and/or establish agricultural-based commercial operations.
Senate Bill 2375 authorizes agricultural-based commercial operations in agricultural districts that will increase farmers' ability to sell their products and promote food sustainability for the islands.
Senate Bill 2646 is intended to promote and support diversified agriculture by exempting certain nonresidential agricultural buildings that are on commercial farms from county building permit requirements.
"To truly support our local farmers we must empower them," Abercrombie said. "These measures not only provide for that to take place but it also promotes diversified agriculture. I want to thank the Legislature for recognizing the importance of helping our farmers."
Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, who introduced SB 2375 stated, "Farmers are being forced to diversify their products in order to make ends meet while continuing to provide local food for the community. This bill allows for additional opportunities for them to create revenue."
My long-term goal is to transform the area into a modern agriculture processing and distribution hub to reduce the dependence on imported produce.
Farmers are forced to make a substantial investment to meet food safety standards, thus escalating the cost for Hawaii's local producers. Those who eventually will farm on the Galbraith lands must invest in constructing food safety-certified facilities and/or transport their produce elsewhere, which would add to their overhead costs.
The state made a solid commitment to secure portions of Galbraith Estate to promote farm ownership and diversified agriculture. I believe that the acquisition of this land with the facilities in Whitmore will provide opportunities for farming and related agricultural industries. Read more on Midweek.com.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
TOD developers say legislative help is needed
(Pacific Business News) - The state Legislature's failure to pass laws designed to spur transit-oriented development along the 20-mile rail-transit line being built between Kapolei and Ala Moana Center could derail such projects before they even get started, developers said.
Senate Bill 2927, which was introduced by Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, D-Kunia Village-Mililani Mauka-Wahiawa, would have waived development fees and eased some requirements for transit oriented development, or TOD, near the rail's 21 stations.
"What transit serves as is not only as a way to move passengers, it is also an economic engine," said Michael Dieden, president of Los Angeles-based Creative Housing Associates.
"It's definitely a short-sighted economic blow to the Honolulu economy," he said about S.B. 2927's failure.
Private-public partnerships for TOD that have incentives from the government are essential for encouraging development around transit, and it's done all over the world, he added. Dieden's company has done work extensively in Southern California and in the Bay Area. Read more in Pacific Business News.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Bills would allow state to make money from private developers
(HawaiiNewsNow) - Queen Liliuokalani School in Kaimuki ceased to be a school this past year, when the Board of Education decided to close it. Education officials said the campus and its buildings would be used for a teacher resource center and storage. But it's not generating any revenue for the state. A measure in the legislature would allow that to happen through public-private partnerships.
Under the bill, the state could identify what lawmakers call "underutilized assets. The former Liliuokalani School campus would be one example. Read more on HawaiiNewsNow.com
Monday, April 23, 2012
Transit Oriented Or Main Street Redevelopment Program
(Honolulu Star-Advertiser) For almost a decade, a push to draw more Korean visitors to Hawaii has spurred the growth of the Korean business district in urban Honolulu.
A Korean "superblock," anchored by Palama Super Market, sits at the corner of Kalakaua Avenue and Makaloa Street. It's one of several strip malls that cater to Korean customers.
Read more on StarAdvertiser.com
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
If Oahu is going to have rail, lawmakers should pass SB 2927
(Pacific Business News) Rarely do developers in Hawaii get any kind of break when it comes to fees and other requirements. And, while we often wish that local and state governments were easier to do business with, we do not have problems with reasonable laws designed to ensure the thoughtful use of our natural resources.
At the same time, we think the state would not be violating this approach even if it were, on occasion, to give developers some motivation for growth that helps achieve a well-planned and highly desired outcome.
(Pacific Business News) The state is trying to entice potential transit-oriented developers to build along the planned 20-mile route of Honolulu's elevated rail-transit system by passing a law that would waive development fees and ease some other requirements. The legislation also would help fast-track the development process near the rail stations.
Senate Bill 2927, introduced by Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, D-Kunia Village, Mililani Mauka and Wahiawa, has passed the Senate and is currently in the state House.
State and City and County of Honolulu officials said they are hopeful the bill will help encourage development along the rail line from Kapolei to Ala Moana...Read more in Pacific Business News
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz Introduces Stricter Legislation for Dog Breeders
Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz has introduced Senate Bill 2274, a measure that would require county animal control officers to establish a process for permitting and inspecting the premises of dog breeders. In February 2011, the Hawaiian Humane Society rescued 153 dogs from Bradley International, a commercial breeding operation in Waimanalo. The Waimanalo business has brought media attention and discussion about the industry.
Moved by the news of the animal rescue, Senator Dela Cruz agreed to be a foster parent to two French bulldogs, that he named Ola and Liko, that were part of the group animals forfeited by the owner of Bradley International. He has since been able to adopt the two dogs. Touched by the ordeal his pets went through, Senator Dela Cruz said, "It is incredible to observe how providing nurture and love to dogs can foster changes in their personality, from dogs that were once fearful to dogs that are now happy and fun loving."
(KHON2)"It's disturbing to see the animals used in that fashion." said Dela Cruz.
That's why he introduced Senate Bill 2274.
"It will establish and identify animal control officers in each county and they would develop a process for permitting. That way dog breeders or anyone associated with dog breeding will have to follow that process," said Dela Cruz.
It would also establish a process for inspecting the dog breeding facilities.
Caylee's Law Requires Parents To Report Child's Disappearance Within 48 Hours
(Associated Press) Parents and guardians who fail to report missing children could face felony charges under a bill before the Hawaii Senate.
Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz introduced a bill he called "Caylee's Law," which refers to a widely-publicized missing child case in Florida.
The bill is named for Caylee Anthony, whose mother Casey Anthony didn't report Caylee's disappearance for about a month.
Dela Cruz said his bill places greater responsibility on parents and guardians by holding them accountable for reporting missing children in a timely manner. The bill would make it a felony if a parent or guardian fails to report the disappearance of a child under 12 within 48 hours.
Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz Introduces "Caylee's Law"
In reaction to the death of 2-year-old Caylee Anthony, Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz has introduced a measure that would make it a felony for a parent or guardian who fails to report a missing child 12 years old or younger within 48 hours to a law enforcement agency. The bill, Senate Bill 2275, is being referred to as "Caylee's Law."
The disappearance of Florida girl Caylee Anthony sparked public debate and outrage across the country. Casey Anthony, the mother of Caylee, did not report the child's disappearance for about a month after her disappearance.
"This bill focuses on protecting Hawaii's keiki by ensuring that greater accountability and responsibility be placed on parents and guardians to report a missing child in a timely manner," said Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, who represents District 22, which encompasses the areas of Mililani Mauka, Wahiawa, Whitmore, Hale‘iwa, Mokule‘ia, Waialua, Sunset Beach, Pupukea. "My office received a large of number emails requesting that something be done to prevent such future instances."
The bill would also impose a duty on parents and guardians to report the death of a child or the location of a child's corpse to law enforcement agency within 2 hours of discovery. Failure to do so would result in a felony. View the media release
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Auto Safety Advocacy Group: Police Cars 'Death traps'
(from KITV.com) Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz is introducing a measure that would require a driver to take certain safety precautions when approaching an emergency vehicle that is stopped ahead of a driver while performing official duties.
Senate Bill 2663 requires approaching drivers to slow down and make a lane change to an adjacent lane away from the stopped emergency vehicle.
If the bill becomes law, a driver would face a misdemeanor if convicted. If the violation results in fatality, the driver could face up to a charge of negligent homicide in the first degree.
"We have lost two Honolulu Police officers while in the line of duty over the past four months. We must enact laws that further protects and ensures the safety of our emergency responders," said Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz, who represents District 22, which encompasses the areas of Mililani Mauka, Wahiawa, Whitmore, Hale‘iwa, Mokule‘ia, Waialua, Sunset Beach, Pupukea. "Our community mourns the loss of the Honolulu Police officer who was stationed in Wahiawa." Read more at KITV.com
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz Introduces "Move Over" Bill
In the wake of a recent tragic traffic fatality involving a Honolulu Police officer, Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz is introducing a measure that would require a driver to take certain safety precautions when approaching an emergency vehicle that is stopped ahead of a driver while performing official duties.
Senate Bill 2663 requires approaching drivers to slow down and make a lane change to an adjacent lane away from the stopped emergency vehicle. If the bill becomes law, a driver would face a misdemeanor if convicted. If the violation results in fatality, the driver could face up to a charge of negligent homicide in the first degree.
"We have lost two Honolulu Police officers while in the line of duty over the past four months. We must enact laws that further protects and ensures the safety of our emergency responders," said Sen. Donovan M. Dela Cruz, who represents District 22, which encompasses the areas of Mililani Mauka, Wahiawa, Whitmore, Hale'iwa, Mokule'ia, Waialua, Sunset Beach, Pupukea. "Our community mourns the loss of the Honolulu Police officer who was stationed in Wahiawa." View the media release
Monday, January 23, 2012
Governor's focus will turn to stability
(from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser) "We need to hear a strategy on how we're going to move the economy forward," said state Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz (D,Kaena- Wahiawa-Pupukea). "The governor has talked about quick fixes in regards to CIP (capital improvement projects) and construction, so we need to make sure that there is a process to achieve that. And I think the Senate has already put forward a position that we're going to support a lot of money and projects. There is already a number of Senate vehicles looking at how we can expedite streamlining so we can get those projects on line."
Dela Cruz said Hawaii has to position itself to become more economically competitive in the Pacific and more globally relevant so the state is not as vulnerable to short-term swings in the economy. "We really need to be at the point where we're not reacting to things," he said, "that we're going to be positioning the state for the future." Read more in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
DLNR Listening Session to Be Held on Oʻahu's North Shore
HONOLULU -- Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, chair of the Senate Committee on Water, Land and Housing (WLH), is hosting the Department of Land and Natural Resources' (DLNR) North Shore Listening Session on Tuesday, January 31. The DLNR Administration team, including Chairperson William J. Aila, Jr., First Deputy Guy H. Kaulukukui, and Water Deputy Bill M. Tam, will attend to hear community comments, questions, and concerns regarding topics under the Department's jurisdiction. This final meeting on O'ahu concludes a series of listening sessions being held statewide over the past several months.
Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz (D22-Mililani Mauka, Wahiawa, Whitmore, Hale'iwa, Mokule'ia, Waialua, Sunset Beach, Pupukea), has been coordinating and attending these talk story sessions. "The meetings and site visits DLNR has been conducting is unprecedented and have been very successful. I applaud Director Aila and Deputy Kaulukukui for attending these sessions to help Senators address community concerns and needs," he said.
"I encourage everyone to attend the listening session, especially if they have any concerns or comments on any function, activity or project under DLNR's jurisdiction," Senator Dela Cruz added.
"These listening sessions are purely for the Department to visit with communities and receive feedback on the communities' ideas and concerns relating to Department responsibilities," said William J. Aila, Jr., Chairperson of DLNR. "Community participation is essential to caring for our land and natural resources in Hawaiʻi."
The DLNR is responsible for managing 1.3 million acres of state land, 3 million acres of state ocean waters, 2 million acres of conservation district lands, our drinking water supply, our fisheries, coral reefs, indigenous and endangered flora and fauna, and all of Hawaiʻi’s historic and cultural sites. DLNR's management responsibilities are vast and complex, from the mountaintops to three miles seaward of our beautiful coasts. The health of Hawaiʻi's environment is integral and directly related to its economy and quality of life.
If you are unable to attend but would like to send your comments, questions, and concerns to the DLNR please e-mail: DLNR2011ListeningSessions@hawaii.gov .
Oʻahu's North Shore Public Listening Session:
Waialua High & Intermediate School Cafeteria
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
7 pm - 9 pm
67-160 Farrington Highway
Waialua, HI 96791
Individuals requiring special assistance or accommodations are asked to contact Senator Dela Cruz's office at (808) 586-6090 at least four days in advance of the meeting. View the media release Tuesday, January 3, 2012
We Must Protect Our Native Forest
(From L to R: Senator Donovan Dela Cruz; First Deputy Guy Kaulukukui, Dept. of Land & Natural Resources; and Marigold Zoll, Division of Forestry & Wildlife, at the summit of Mt. Kaala discussing watershed protection.)
The Natural Area Reserves System (NARS) was established to preserve and manage Hawaii's natural resources. The system presently consists of 20 reserves on five islands, encompassing 123,431 acres of the State's most unique ecosystems, many of which occur nowhere else in the world. On Oahu's Mt. Kaala, rare native plants and animals, like the critically endangered Oahu Tree Snail, or kahuli, cling to existence in an ancient Hawaiian forest near the misty summit.
Currently, these fragile ecosystems are under attack. Invasive pests wreak havoc on our native forest which has dire consequences if left unchecked. Due to extensive budget cuts to the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), NARS must rely on the Federal government and an extensive volunteer group to assist in management projects that include the removal of feral ungulates and non-native weeds.
Senator Dela Cruz believes that the State must make a solid commitment to ensure that our native forests will be around for now and in the future. Understanding the important role that native forests play in our State's water resources and economy, Senator Dela Cruz has dedicated his efforts to seek stable funding for the preservation of special places like Mt. Kaala for future generations.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Senate Committee on Water, Land, and Housing Hosts DLNR Listening Session
HONOLULU -- The Senate Committee on Water, Land and Housing (WLH) Chair Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz is hosting the Department of Land and Natural Resources' (DLNR) O‘ahu Listening Session on Monday, January 9. The DLNR Administration team, including Chairperson William J. Aila, Jr., First Deputy Guy H. Kaulukukui, and Water Deputy Bill M. Tam, will attend to hear community comments, questions, and concerns regarding topics under the Department's jurisdiction. DLNR has been attending listening sessions statewide over the past several months.
Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz (D-Mililani Mauka, Wahiawa, Whitmore, Hale‘iwa, Mokule‘ia, Waialua, Sunset Beach, Pupukea), has been coordinating and attending these talk story sessions. "The meetings and site visits DLNR is conducting are very successful and have never been done before. Director Aila and Deputy Kaulukukui are being proactive in conducting these sessions to help Senators address community concerns and needs," he said.
"These listening sessions are purely for the Department to visit with communities and receive feedback on the communities' ideas and concerns relating to Department responsibilities," said William J. Aila, Jr., Chairperson of DLNR, "community participation is essential to caring for our land and natural resources in Hawai‘i."
The DLNR is responsible for managing 1.3 million acres of state land, 3 million acres of state ocean waters, 2 million acres of conservation district lands, our drinking water supply, our fisheries, coral reefs, indigenous and endangered flora and fauna, and all of Hawai‘i's historic and cultural sites. DLNR's management responsibilities are vast and complex, from the mountaintops to three miles seaward of our beautiful coasts. The health of Hawai‘i's environment is integral and directly related to its economy and quality of life.
If you are unable to attend but would like to send your comments, questions, and concerns to the DLNR please e-mail: DLNR2011ListeningSessions@hawaii.gov.
Oahu Public Listening Session:
State Capitol
Monday, January 9, 2012
5pm - 7pm
State Capitol Room 325
415 S. Beretania Street
Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813
A listening session is being planned for O‘ahu's North Shore for a later date.
Individuals requiring special assistance or accommodations are asked to contact Senator Dela Cruz's office at (808) 586-6090 at least four days in advance of the meeting. View the media release Monday, November 7, 2011
2011 APEC Summit a Rare Opportunity for Hawaii
"This is the chance for Honolulu to position itself as globally competitive. This is a rare opportunity. We need to showcase ourselves as world leaders in cultural relations, environmental management, education, technology, agriculture, tourism, and economic development"
Today, many farmers are struggling to make ends meet. While meeting and speaking with them, we begin to notice a trend with concerns in areas such as food safety, agriculture theft and vandalism, rising land cost, and the availability of financing. Our plan is to introduce a legislative package in the upcoming session that will assist local farmers to overcome some of these challenges.
Across the State farmers are constantly falling victim to ag theft and vandalism whether it is bananas being stolen from a farm in Windward Oahu or the butchering of papaya trees on Hawaii Island. These types of crimes and senseless acts drastically affect a farmer's livelihood. We plan to create tougher penalties against agriculture crimes. The legislation that we are proposing would increase the penalty from a citation to a criminal offense. The intent is to impose harsher penalties to prevent such crimes from occurring. Further, we are proposing to appropriate funds to the Department of Agriculture for stricter enforcement to curb agriculture related crimes.
The biggest challenge, which many farmers can attest to is financing. In order to build a food safety certified facility or install security cameras on a property, farmers would need a large amount of working capital. While various grants and loans are available for farmers to obtain such capital, we are proposing to amend the law to increase the eligibility and permitted use for our State's loan guarantee. The current loan program requires a project to be located on important agricultural lands (IAL). Under our proposal, we would like to include, but not be limited to, all agricultural lands. By doing so, we can encourage more farmers to make critical improvements at a reasonable cost. In addition to the amendment, the creation of a business plan program facilitated by a non-profit will be included to provide the technical assistance for farmers to draft a sound business proposal.
Food safety issue continues to be a challenge for local farmers because of evolving multiple standards imposed on them by private companies with which they do business. Some of these standards were designed for large corporate farms while the vast majority of farms in Hawaii are much smaller in scale and family owned. Rather than waiting for the Federal Government to develop standards that will apply to all farmers, we are introducing legislation to allow the Department of Agriculture to develop a State uniform food safety standard that supersedes all others. It is practical and reasonable to have one set of standards to which everyone adheres. It would eliminate confusion as to which or whose set of standards take precedent. The State can then also assist those farmers who need help meeting food safety requirements.
Our goal is to achieve sustainability but without help, our agriculture industry cannot survive.
Pictured (L-R) Dr. Stuart Nakamoto, Sen. Dela Cruz, Dr. Jari Sagano
Monday, September 19, 2011
Issues Loom at Lahaina Harbor Following Tsunami
"Several mariners are seeking help to address issues with the depth of the channel at Lahaina Harbor, attributing the problem of sand deposits to the surge from the March 11, 2011 tsunami and subsequent swells."
DC808 caught up with state Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz in downtown Washington on Friday.
Dela Cruz participated in the Leadership for Healthy Communities summit on obesity prevention.
For more information please visit Civil Beat for an article and video.
Thurday, September 1, 2011
Caylee's Law
The Caylee Anthony case has attracted widespread attention worldwide. With the acquittal of Casey Anthony of her daughter, Caylee's, disappearance and subsequent death, there has been much anger with thousands of Facebook postings and a "I Hate Casey Anthony" Facebook page, resulting in death threats as reported by CNN. Many people feel the justice was not served.
In the days following the verdict, I received many emails from all over the island proposing that we need laws to make it a felony if parents, guardians, and caretakers do not report the disappearance of a child in a timely matter.
I do agree that unless there is timely reporting of a child's disappearance, it becomes much more difficult for authorities to find the child and find the child safe before a tragic occurrence happens.
Therefore, my office is working on drafting pertinent legislation to address this kind of situation if no such law exists. I am proposing that the disappearance of a child needs to be reported within 24 hours and failure to do so, will be a felony. We need to protect our innocent children and prevent a similar situation from ever happening again. I plan to introduce the bill at the next legislative session in January.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Senators discuss the future of Mauna Kea with the University of Hawai‘i, the Office of Mauna Kea Management, and concerned members of the community
Thurday, March 31, 2011
Senators discuss the future of Mauna Kea with the University of Hawai‘i, the Office of Mauna Kea Management, and concerned members of the community
On March 24, the Senate Committees on Water, Land, and Housing, and Hawaiian Affairs met with representatives from the Office of Mauna Kea Management, the University of Hawai‘i, and concerned agencies and community members to discuss the plan to integrate the Hawaiian culture into the management and operations of Big Island's Mauna Kea Lands. They explored possible solutions to sustain the ecological, cultural, and financial viability of Mauna Kea.
View the video on ‘Olelo or scroll down to the Videos section.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
State legislators tour Big Island agriculture institutions
State legislators took a tour of the Big Island to inspire out-of-the-box-thinking to address important issues such as green job creation, food and energy self sufficiency, agricultural diversity, and the challenges faced by agricultural businesses. They visited a number of sites such as Green Point Nursery, Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Puna Geothermal Venture's power plant, the proposed 30-meter telescope on the summit of Mauna Kea, Kamuela Vacuum Cooling Plant, and Hamakua Springs Country Farm.
Participating legislators included members from Senate Committees on Water, Land, and Housing, and Agriculture; and the House Committees on Water and Land, and Agriculture; and Cabinet members from the Departments of Agriculture and Land and Natural Resources.
The Kaua‘i County Farm Bureau put together last fall a Commodity Committee, which prepared a list of issues to present the senators.
Wayne Katayama, from Kaua‘i Coffee and the Hawai‘i Coffee Growers Association, said ever since the Kaloko Dam broke in March 2006 there has been a large focus on administrative and safety standards for all reservoirs in the state.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources on Nov. 22 approved a new set of administrative rules for inspection and maintenance of dams and reservoirs, Katayama said. With those rules, the DLNR also set a schedule for the impoundment of water and implementation of construction and improvement fees.
State Senators get acquainted with Hanapepe salt pan salt presented to them by Ku‘ulei Santos during a visit to the salt pans. One of the concerns Santos expressed was the closure of half of the Burns Field (Port Allen Airport) air strip in the background to create parking for parking for visitors to the area. Ku‘ulei Santos talked about issues impacting the operation there, and how the traditional, 2,000-year-old history of salt-making in that area is among other things the only place in the world salt is made via an evaporation technique this close to the ocean. "We are meeting with leaders in the farming community to discuss their direct concerns and also to take a firsthand look to better understand their needs," said Dela Cruz.
The 2013 session has come to an end and I am happy to say that among the various measures passed, there were several in support of agriculture. My committee passed several bills that promote economic development such as extending the tax credit for the film industry till 2013; establishing the Hawaii Growth Initiative to encourage and assist entrepreneurs; and improving the efficiency of the Energy Industry Information Reporting Act. We also passed bills on government operations to ensure effective management of the University of Hawaii's facilities and resources; revised the public procurement code; and directed the Comptroller to establish a task force to study the state procurement code. In the area of housing, the Hula Mae Single Family Mortgage Loan Program was updated to allow a broader participation by potential homeowners. We continue to work during the interim planning for next session.
A Hui Hou!
