Friday, December 18, 2020
This Kauai Nonprofit Is Trying To Change How People Buy Their Food (Honolulu Civil Beat)
Read the article on civilbeat.org.
Monday, July 13, 2020
Legislature passes bill to legalize industrial hemp
Senator Mike Gabbard, Chair of the Agriculture and Environment Committee, applauded the final passage of a bill in the House of Representatives today to legalize the growing, processing, and sale of industrial hemp in Hawai‘i.
It passed the Senate on Wednesday unanimously, with Senators Les Ihara, Clarence K. Nishihara, and Laura H. Thielen expressing reservations.
The bill now goes to Governor David Ige to sign into law.
"This commercial hemp program will help grow a new industry in our state, which is especially needed now due to the impacts of COVID-19," said Senator Gabbard. "This bill will provide an opportunity for economic development and the diversification of our economy. Hemp is an incredible plant that produces over 25,000 products and we're very close to making the Hawaiian Hemp brand a reality, not only in the U.S. but globally as well."
The bill (HB1819 HD2 SD3), was championed by Senators Gabbard, Donovan Dela Cruz, Rosalyn H. Baker, Karl Rhoads, and Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi, and Representatives Mark M. Nakashima, Sylvia J. Luke, Nadine K. Nakamura, Kyle T. Yamashita, Richard P. Creagan, Chris Lee, and House Speaker Scott K. Saiki.
Another hemp bill, Senate Bill 1353, was vetoed by Governor Ige last year, after he expressed concerns that it was unenforceable. This year's version was worked on directly with the Governor's administration to ensure its enactment.
"Instead of using state funds to set up a hemp agency, this bill was amended to save half-a-million dollars by allowing local hemp farmers to apply directly to the USDA to get their licenses," said Senator Gabbard. An older version of the bill would have appropriated $522,000 for five positions for the State-run hemp program and data tracking/administrative costs.
The bill was also amended to change the size of buffer zones after committees received testimony about the impacts buffer zones would have on existing hemp farmers, and concerns related to noise, smells, and excessive lighting from neighbors of an existing hemp farm in Kula.
"We balanced these concerns by exempting the 50 Hawai‘i hemp farmers who have licenses under the existing pilot program, and instituted 500-foot buffer zones for any new hemp farms around residences, playgrounds, childcare facilities, and schools," said Senator Gabbard.
View the press release
Monday, April 13, 2020
Column: Hawaii needs robust plan to feed residents (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
Read the column on staradvertiser.com.
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Victory (Lanakila) Gardens: A Way To Thrive During A Crisis (Honolulu Civil Beat)
Read the article on civilbeat.org.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
New Rules Would Protect Farm Animals Transported by Sea in Hawaii (Animal Welfare Institute)
Read the press release on awionline.org.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Red Hill fuel storage deadline in doubt (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
Read the article on staradvertiser.com.