State of Hawaii Archives: on Environment

Andria Tupola: People must understand what environmental protections do

Andria Tupola: If we take care of the land it will take care of our needs

Governor Ige pointed to the state's farm to school program as an initiative implemented under his watch to support local growers by buying their produce to serve in public schools. Concerning the tension between development and the environment, Ige said, "I really think it's about balance."

"What we should do is invest in agriculture," she says. "It's a no-brainer." Tupola acknowledges that building Hawaii's agriculture industry "won't happen overnight." The state has to invest money for infrastructure, like irrigation, and identify crops that can be lucrative enough to support an industry over the long term.

Andria Tupola: Tension between development & environment is about balance

As an example, Ige points to a mediated settlement approved by the Hawaii Water Commission, which restores water rights to Hawaiian homestead lands on Kauai. The 2017 Waimea Watershed Agreement was praised not only for providing water for farming on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands properties, but also for paving the way for a renewable energy venture involving DHHL and the Kauai Island Utility Cooperative, which supplies electricity to the island.

Andria Tupola: Protect environment by partnering with local orgs

Benjamin Cayetano: Balance growth against environmental protection

Benjamin Cayetano: $22M to improve state parks

Bob McDermott: Shut down Navy fuel site that has contaminated local water

Brian Schatz: Received perfect score from League of Conservation Voters

"Hawaii has a special relationship with nature and our climate," the voiceover in the television ad says. "Climate change threatens our way of life. It's why Brian Schatz is holding corporate polluters that cause it accountable, taking strong action to reduce carbon pollution."

LCV is spending about $380,000 on the campaign. LCV's senior vice president said that Schatz is "tirelessly leading the fight to halt the climate change that will devastate Hawaii and is fighting to and hold corporate polluters accountable by requiring them to slash their emissions."

Brian Schatz: Genetically modified foods aren't unhealthy

"You cannot have potentially four different sets of legislation or statutes to govern what can be grown by our farmers," she said. "That would, in and of itself, I believe, kill agriculture, because how can they survive if they have one set of rules in one area, and another. And as someone who wants to be the United States senator, or is the United States senator, look at it in terms of the United States Constitution--supremacy clause and commerce clause."

Hanabusa, however, said the states, and not the federal government, should determine whether marijuana should be legalized.

Charles Djou: Advocated for recycling and trash services on City Council

Colleen Hanabusa: Genetically modified foods aren't unhealthy

"You cannot have potentially four different sets of legislation or statutes to govern what can be grown by our farmers," she said. "That would, in and of itself, I believe, kill agriculture, because how can they survive if they have one set of rules in one area, and another. And as someone who wants to be the United States senator, or is the United States senator, look at it in terms of the United States Constitution--supremacy clause and commerce clause."

Hanabusa, however, said the states, and not the federal government, should determine whether marijuana should be legalized.

David Ige: Push Congress to spend more on Hawaii tourism

Tourism Action Plan:
• Increase commercial airline flights.
• Work with our Congressional team to make it easier for international travelers to visit our islands by improving the visa issuance process in China, and through customs and immigration pre-clearance for visitors from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Korea to any of the Hawaiian Islands.
• Increase the hotel capacity and provide needed infrastructure improvements in all our counties. I will hold state departments accountable for expenditures of funds and completion of improvements.
• Work with the Hawai'i Convention Center to increase its use by more aggressively seeking corporate conferences and conventions.

David Ige: Increase funding for watersheds & against invasive species

Environment Action Plan:
• Direct the newly-created Pacific-Asia Institute for Resilience and Sustainability, which I helped enact, to mitigate risks from natural and man-made hazards, as well as to develop solutions for sustainable economic growth and adaptive plans for climate change.
• Move for implementation of Department of Health rules that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Hawai'i can and must be a role model for environmental stewardship and clean energy.
• Increase funding to control the damage by invasive species through prevention, control, and outreach activities. An immediate action will be to step up the inspection of baggage and cargo for invasive species.
• Provide funding to protect Hawai'i's watersheds to ensure a continuous supply of clean drinking water for all.

David Ige: Right to know what is in our food, via federal labeling

A: I support the right to know what is in our food, but labeling should be addressed at the federal, not the state level, so that Hawaii's farmers, retailers and consumers are not subject to additional costs. I will urge our congressional members to support federal legislation in this area. There are no valid scientific studies that show any difference between genetically modified and naturally grown food. State enforcement is needed to properly enforce regulations on pesticide use.

David Ige: Protect Hawaii's fragile resources for future generations

A: Our state has not done enough to protect Hawaii's fragile natural and cultural resources for future generations. We can have both responsible economic growth and a healthy environment by comprehensively planning for competing land use needs. I'll continue to protect Hawaii from invasive species and irresponsible development. My goal is to find a balance between creating new housing and job opportunities while preserving our environment.

David Ige: Strong guidelines for environmental protection

We have established strong guidelines to:
• Protect our watershed forests,
• Better manage our oceans,
• Strengthen invasive species prevention through our bio-security plan,
• Double our local food production, and
• Achieve 100 percent renewable energy by 2045.

Duke Aiona: Make Hawai'i the greenest place on Earth

A: Yes.

Aiona adds, "I'm committed to the long-term vision of making Hawai'i the greenest place on Earth and doing it in a way that's affordable for all of our citizens.

Ed Case: Diversify tourism to include educational & eco-tourism

Case said he would diversify tourism because Hawaii is not just about Waikiki and beaches." People want constant change, they want some things about Hawaii but they want agricultural tourism, they want eco tourism, they want scientific tourism, educational tourism and these can all occur throughout this state," said Case.

John Carroll: Eliminate air and water pollution in every state

JC: Every effort to eliminate air and water pollution should be made the highest priority in every state. During the 10 years that I was a state legislator, I was responsible for introducing all of the current environmental laws in effect today.

Josh Green: Press Navy to drain fuel tanks, shut facility for good

Kirk Caldwell: Banned single-use plastic items; reduced landfill waste

Mazie Hirono: Visit the USA Bill: attract 300,000 Chinese by easier visas

Opponent Ed Case agreed it's a good idea but claims he's better suited to get it passed. He criticized Hirono for taking so long to introduce it and getting relatively few in congress to support it. Hirono responded saying there is a lot going on. "Right now there is an election that we need to get through but it's going to have bipartisan support," said Hirono.

Neil Abercrombie: New Day Work Projects: transit-oriented development

Neil Abercrombie: Food labeling good, but not at expense of small businesses

ABERCROMBIE: It's about balance. I fully support consumers' right to know what's in their food. However, we must be sure that this effort meets legal and constitutional requirements and does not come at the expense of small businesses. Small retailers, distributors, and food manufacturers should not be penalized by food labeling requirements. That's why I'm working with my good friend Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin to learn from his state's experience of having passed one of the first laws in the country on this issue. I'm also looking to the federal government for guidance and leadership on this issue.

IGE: I support the right to know what is in our food, but labeling should be addressed at the federal, not the state level, so that Hawaii's farmers, retailers and consumers are not subject to additional costs.

Ron Curtis: Protect environment with common sense daily routine changes