Monday, January 14, 2019
State lawmaker to reintroduce bill to ban plastic straws, Styrofoam containers
Hawaii tried to ban plastic straws and Styrofoam containers, but failed, last year. Senator Mike Gabbard, who introduced the 2018 bill, plans to reintroduce the idea when the Legislature convenes this session. If it passes, the law could cost you, every day.
Originally published by KITV; click here to read the article on kitv.com.
Thursday, January 10th 2019, 5:47 PM HST by Diane Ako
It's estimated some 500 million single-use plastic straws are used in this country every day. Activists say it's bad for the environment, often threatening marine life and adding to the nation's growing landfills.
Hawaii tried to ban plastic straws and Styrofoam containers, but failed, last year. Senator Mike Gabbard, who introduced the 2018 bill, plans to reintroduce the idea when the Legislature convenes this session. If it passes, the law could cost you, every day.
You can get you same cup of joe — now with a side of sustainability — at this Kakaako cafe. Peter Anderson, owner of Morning Brew Coffee & Bistro in Kakaako and Kailua, says of his decision to go 'ocean-friendly' as he calls it, eight months ago, "I think it's critical. We have to do it in this day and age with what's going on globally: climate change, global warming."
Everything from its to-go cups to the containers are compostable, plant based material. Anderson says he's working now to switch over the utensils from plastic to biodegradable PLA (polylactic acid).
It's more expensive. Anderson estimates, "Cup to cup, it's about a ten to 12 cent difference. With take-out containers, which are larger, maybe a little more than that."
Customers we talked to say they are willing to pay the price to help the environment. "I'm willing to, if it's going to help the environment," says patron Anthony Mayorga, while sipping a coffee. "I think most people are willing."
That's what one lawmaker wants to hear. Sen. Mike Gabbard (D-20 Kapolei, Makakilo, Portions of Ewa, Kalaeloa and Waipahu) will introduce a bill to ban single-use plastic straws and Styrofoam containers. "We know what that does to our beaches, our marine life and everything," he says.
Gabbard tried last session, but the bill didn't pass. If it fails again, he wants to raise awareness for alternatives. "For straws, here it is," as he brings one of his briefcase. "Stainless steel straws, get one of these."
The Hawaii Restaurant Association says it currently has no comment on the proposed bill. Last year, the HRA, along with the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the Retail Merchants Association, and the American Chemistry Council all testified in hearings against the bill. One suggestion from opponents was have an "opt-in" plan, making diners ask for a straw.
Anderson says he's under the impression his fellow restaurateurs have a positive reaction. "Most restaurants are emotionally 100% on board. Practically, they're maybe 80% on board."
Anderson and other restaurant owners say smaller operations, mom and pop owned shops, will have to spend more green to stay green — and it could prove to be a last straw for their livelihood.
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Mike Gabbard joins other lawmakers from coastal states to oppose offshore drilling
Originally published by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser; click here to read the article on staradvertiser.com.
Associated Press | January 8, 2019 Updated January 8, 2019 2:16pm
A group of nine Democratic state lawmakers from different coastal states, including Hawaii, announced today that they are going to use their coming legislative sessions to try to block attempts at offshore drilling.
The lawmakers' announcement came as new and re-elected legislators were entering office around the country after an election that saw high turnover in some states, and the group said it wants to take advantage of new political dynamics that could favor environmental bills. The announcement also came about a year after Trump's administration announced plans to expand drilling.
"It's time to transition away from dirty fossil fuels to renewable energy," said Hawaii state Sen. Mike Gabbard, who said he would introduce a bill to ban oil drilling off Hawaii when the session starts next week.
The state lawmakers, who are affiliated with nonprofit advocacy group National Caucus of Environmental Legislators, said their bills will seek to limit the possibility of drilling off their coasts. State legislatures are limited in what they can do to stop drilling beyond state waters, but the lawmakers said they're showing a united stand against the practice.
"We need to pass permanent legislation in our states so that this ban would be in place for the future," New Hampshire Sen. Martha Fuller Clark said. "We can't afford to rely on Washington to protect us."
Others lawmakers involved in the effort represent Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island. Some of the lawmakers said they would seek outright bans on drilling, while others said they would look to pass bills that restrict it or do more to hold companies liable for spills.
The proposals will likely encounter resistance from the oil and gas industry. The American Petroleum Institute, an industry group, released a statement in response that said: "Closing the door on offshore development could hurt local economies, as well as America's energy security, and is a step in the wrong direction."
The practical impact of some of the bills could be that they make it more difficult for companies that seek to drill to access offshore sites via state waters, members of the group said.
Several states have already taken action to ban offshore drilling in state waters. New Jersey passed one of the strongest laws on the subject last year. Lawmakers in coastal states are acting on the subject because of potential harms to critical industries such as tourism and commercial fishing, said Oregon Sen. Arnie Roblan.
They lawmakers also said their respective states must do more to encourage renewable energy rather than fossil fuel extraction. Rep. Park Cannon of Georgia said she expected a fight against defenders of "archaic energy practices" in her state.
Thursday, January 10, 2019
State Biosecurity Plan Update
Originally published by Hawai‘i Public Radio; click here to read the article on hpr2.org.
By Wayne Yoshioka | Jan 7, 2019
The State Department of Agriculture briefed members of the Senate today on some of its budget priorities.
Biosecurity: keeping out invasive species like the Brown Tree Snake from Guam is one of the top priorities for Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee Chair, Mike Gabbard, who reviewed the State Department of Agriculture Budget request.
"You know I was looking at your report and it mentioned that 90 percent of all the vessels coming from Guam had been inspected and Brown Tree Snake — BTS — if they ever come here it's gonna be a $2B impact on our economy."
Board of Agriculture Chair and department director, Scott Enright, says his 16 million dollar state general fund request includes four new Plant Quarantine positions.
"An Entomologist, a Plant Pathologist, a Botanist and an IT expert. Those 4 will be doing risk analysis assessments from out E-manifesting platform. So, in real time, we are going to know what's in the air and what's on the water, then we know what we have to look at. We look at every strawberry that comes into the state; we don't look at any of the mushrooms."
Those positions are part of the state's Comprehensive Interagency Biosecurity Plan with 147 individual action items. Rabies, however, is not that big of a concern these days and Enright says the Department of Agriculture will be vacating its animal quarantine station in Halawa Valley.
"Over the course of the last twenty years, we've gone from 2,700 animals kept every day at those facilities down to 2-3 hundred. We release 89 percent of all the animals at the airport now that come into the state. We've done some rule changes that will take us up to more than 95 percent that get released at the airport."
The department will continue to screen for rabies and focus more on animals from Central America and Asia. Wayne Yoshioka, HPR News.
Monday, January 7, 2019
Hawaii cannabis advocates hope to work with state to set rules for hemp
While the federal government did pass the Farm Bill on December 20 making hemp and its products legal, there's still some confusion over how the state should set rules for this crop.
Originally published by KITV; click here to read the article on kitv.com.
Thursday, January 3rd 2019, 2:48 PM HST by Diane Ako
How should the state regulate industrial hemp? The federal law making hemp legal is now in effect, but there are no federal guidelines for how to make or sell it, particularly the very popular CBD oils and products.
Is industrial hemp Hawaii's next cash crop? "Hemp is debatably the most valuable natural resource we have. it can be used for biofuels, textiles, like the clothing I'm wearing today," says Grant Overton. The company he co-founded, Vespucci Collective, makes and sells hemp clothing. Its farm is about to start growing hemp on a farm in Haleiwa.
Overton's part of a rapidly growing market. He says $700 million worth of hemp products sold in the US in 2018.
Hemp advocates say there are about 60,000 products that can be made with hemp, like clothing or cannabis-derived CBD products.
It's not just businesses who are interested; lawmakers are too, like US Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), who said after the Farm Bill passed, "We want diversified agriculture, but also need something to take up the acreage when HC&S shut down, and Maui Land and Pine plantation shut down. We need a big ag product and hemp has plenty of potential."
Here's the catch. While the federal government did pass the Farm Bill on December 20 making hemp and its products legal, there's still some confusion over how the state should set rules for this crop.
That's because the FDA still regulates hemp products like the popular CBD oils (made from a cannabis compound), food, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and drugs. It considers those illegal to sell as "interstate commerce."
"Ingestability and manufacturing of those substances have to be clarified," Overton says. KITV4 asked, "So, people aren't breaking the law if they're buying CBD oils?" "As of now, no," Overton, who is also a board member of the newly formed Hawaii Hemp Farmers Association, clarified.
The feds have 120 days to come up with rules. In the meantime, at least one state lawmaker is helping set state guidelines.
Senator Mike Gabbard (D-20 Kapolei, Makakilo, parts of Ewa, Kalaeloa, Waipahu) says he's working with the state Department of Agriculture now, so that "as these things are rolled out at the federal level, bam. We can just say, 'Here we go.'"
The state Department of Health says, "DOH will work with the Department of Agriculture and Legislature to determine where best to establish CBD statutory and regulatory authority regardless of its (CBD) source (hemp or cannabis)."
Sen. Gabbard is a huge proponent of the crop. When asked about the rules regarding CBD, he smiles and says, "I think it's going to be fine.
Sen. Gabbard says he is "working with the state Department of Agriculture on a hemp bill for 2019 and has a meeting set up with them next Wednesday to work out some details."
Farmers like Overton hope the Senator's right. Overton estimates by 2025, the market for CBD sales alone, is expected to grow to $22 billion in US sales. He says he'd like Hawaii to share in that economic boom.
That's where the Grant Overton, who himself is a hemp licensee, says it's working with the state to craft regulations for the industry. He's hoping to work out the kinks sooner than later, because he says hemp is a hugely profitable business that would benefit the state's economy.
Overton says in 2018, there were $700 million worth of hemp products sold in the US, and estimates by 2025, the cash crop will be worth $600 million to $22 billion in US sales. He says he'd like Hawaii to share in that market growth.
Monday, January 7, 2019
Spark Up Your Cannabis Knowledge: The second annual Maui Cannabis Conference brings cannabis education to the masses
Originally published by MauiTime; click here to read the article on mauitime.com.
January 2, 2019 by Alex Mitchell
The Maui Cannabis Conference returns to the Royal Lahaina Resort this weekend for a weekend of cannabis-related education, entertainment, and networking. The goal of the two-day event is to build awareness and bridge education for the various health and economical benefits of cannabis for legal medical use, and industrial hemp. The conference will be a gathering of cannabis experts, educators, industry leaders, and local politicians. Without a doubt, there will be many opportunities to learn, network, and create discussion.
On both days, the public is invited to attend a variety of 15-minute to hour-long conference sessions. The conference is open to all ages, and attendees do not need a 329 Medical (Marijuana) Card to attend.
Day 1 - The "Cannabis Business Summit" will begin with an opening keynote speech by State Senator Mike Gabbard (D-Dist. 20). It will continue with a video broadcasted speech by Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-Dist. 2), and it will be followed by a myriad of speeches, updates, and talk story sessions. Day 1 topics include Hawai‘i Medical Marijuana legislative updates, legal brand protection and trademark law in regards to cannabis products, cannabis and tourism, a hemp talk story session with Kelly King, book signings, and marketing, branding, and investment panels.
Also on Day 1 is the Elevated After Party (6-10pm). Hosted by Shaka Hemp Company, the Maui Cannabis Conference celebration will continue into the evening with a fashion show featuring hemp and eco fashion, and local Maui bikini designers. There'll also be live DJs, giveaways, and fire dance performances.
Day 2 - The "Community Education Day" will begin with a keynote speech by Will Espero. Espero served as a Hawai‘i State Senator for the 19th District, West O‘ahu (Ewa Beach, Iroquois Pt, Ocean Pointe), from 2002-2018. The remainder of the day will offer a multitude of opportunities for the community to gain valuable cannabis education with authors talks, book signings, educator panels, industry farmers, nurses, and doctors. Day 2 topics include: CBD 101, How Cannabis is Used in Pain Management, How Cannabis Can Be Used to Treat PTSD, How Seniors Can Benefit from Medical Marijuana, Edibles, How Hemp Can Save the Bees, and more.
Mary Bailey is the CEO at Alpha Agency and is the executive producer for the Maui Cannabis Conference. We asked her a few questions about cannabis education, and what the Maui community can expect for this year's event.
MauiTime Weekly: What do you feel is the biggest myth in regards to cannabis education?
Mary Bailey: I feel that the biggest myth about cannabis users is that cannabis users are lazy or stupid. Some of the most organized, intelligent, detail-oriented, and self-motivated people that I know are cannabis users. These people are scientists, attorneys, doctors, teachers, and all around amazing community members.
MTW: Do you feel support from Maui County in regards to this event? Who have been your biggest supporters in terms of local politicians, advocates, scientists, professionals, nonprofits, media, etc., on Maui?
MB: Tommy Russo and Samantha Campos from MauiTime Weekly have both been huge supporters over the last two years of this event. Maui Cannabis Guild has been a very helpful and supportive sponsor. Maui Grown Therapies (dispensary) has been supportive by sponsoring Michael Backes, author of Cannabis Pharmacy, as a speaker at the conference. Former Senator Will Espero (he served 16 years as a state senator) has been a long time cannabis advocate and keynote speaker. This year, I am also excited to welcome Senator Mike Gabbard and his daughter Tulsi Gabbard as keynote speakers. (Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard will be recording a video statement and will not be present in person.)
MTW: Since last year's event, do you feel like any major milestones were achieved in terms of cannabis education on Maui?
MB: Maui dispensaries are working hard to bring more education to Maui County regarding cannabis and its various uses for medical reasons. Maui Grown Therapies has hosted many talks by Michael Backes (author of Cannabis Pharmacy), and Pono Life Dispensary will be opening an educational center very soon.
Maui Cannabis Conference
Royal Lahaina Resort
2780 Keka‘a Dr.
Sat-Sun., Jan. 5-6 (schedule online)
$20-$99 (pre-sale online)
Mauicannabisconference.com