Rob Weltman

How to submit testimony to the Hawai’i legislature

CREATE AN ACCOUNT (one time thing) First you have to make an account.  Go to http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/login/register.aspx Fill in the form, check the box agreeing to terms and click Create User You will see a message that they have sent you an email to confirm your account. It might be entitled: “Please Confirm Subscription to Receive Hearing Notices” and it will be from mailinglist@capitol.hawaii.gov. Follow the instructions (click on the confirmation link) After you click the link you’ll … Read more

Trans Pacific Partnership Treaty – How you can help stop it

There is a very strong possibility that fast-track legislation will emerge this month or early next month. That means we are entering an all-hands-on-deck moment. Making sure your member of Congress is planning to oppose fast track is critical, as history has taught us; from a recent NYT article: “In 2002, the last time Congress approved such authority, the House passed it by a bare majority, 215 to 212.” That is to say, every member … Read more

Sierra Club + over 20 other organizations oppose DLNR nominee

HONOLULU, HAWAI’I (January 26, 2015) — Over a dozen environmental groups are asking the Governor to withdraw his nomination of Castle & Cooke lobbyist Carleton Ching to head the Department of Land and Natural Resources and to drop any plans to weaken or eliminate the Land Use Commission. In a joint statement, the groups said: We are extremely disappointed in Governor Ige’s openness to eliminating the State Land Use Commission. The Land Use Commission serves an essential role in … Read more

Panel on Hawaiian Bees

Join the Friends of Haleakala National Park on Thursday, January 29th to hear the latest buzz about Hylaeus, native Hawaiian bee species. Panelists Karl Magnacca and Raina Kaholoa’a will discuss the significance of Haleakala as a refuge for our endemic pollinators and the challenges posed by new invasive species. About the speakers: Karl Magnacca received his Ph.D. in insect systematics in 2005 from Cornell University, based on his study of the evolution of the Hawaiian … Read more

Sierra Club Annual Meeting

Sunday, February 8 Maui Group Annual Meeting – Kaunoa Center (Spreckelsville) Food, fellowship, short inspirational talks and Environmental Heroes Awards. FREE. 11 am to 3 pm. Kaunoa Senior Center. Main dish provided. Please bring side dishes for a great picnic lunch. Theme: “Maui Rising”- a dialogue about the great issues affecting Maui’s future. For email reminder about our annual meeting, go to www.mauisierraclub.org and click on “Join Our Email List” in left column of our … Read more

Dr. Vandana Shiva Talk on Maui

Tickets are available online for $16.82 up until Jan 20. Description of the event from Center for Food Safety: Dr. Vandana Shiva and Center for Food Safety Executive Director Andrew Kimbrell will join community leaders from across Hawaii on Oahu and Maui to share stories from the frontlines of the global movement to empower community food systems. From Hawaii to India, these stories capture the importance of home rule in the future of food. #VandanaHITour JAN … Read more

GMO Initiative – read the law

A BILL PLACING A MORATORIUM ON THE CULTIVATION OF GENETICALLY ENGINEERED ORGANISMS Chapter 20.39 of the Maui County Code 19__ (20__ Edition, as amended) is amended by adding a new article to be appropriately designated and to read as follows: Article __ Moratorium on the Cultivation of Genetically Engineered Organisms.” SECTION 1: Summary Statement The Hawaii Constitution states that the Public Trust Resources (including but not limited to the land, water, and air) shall be … Read more