To further stimulate economic development, the Office of Economic Development (OED), under the direction of Economic Development Coordinator Teena Rasmussen, is spreading the word about its Enterprise Zones (EZ) program, a joint state-county effort intended to stimulate-via tax and other incentives-certain types of business activity, job preservation, and job creation in areas where they are […]
Maui Lani Burials
From Hawai’i Public Radio •Clare Apana has gone to court in an effort to protect ancient burials in the last open space between Kahului and Wailuku. Despite the concerns, the Maui Planning Commission yesterday approved Maui Lani Center. For The Maui News, Ron Youngblood reports.download mp3 •Former professional basketball coach Don Nelson only laughed when […]
Require New Construction to be Photovoltaic-Ready
SB 181 SD1 – Requires all new buildings to contain design components for the later installation of a photovoltaic system Submit Testimony This bill would add an insignificant cost to construction (experts say as little as $100 per building), but it would greatly assist future residents if they decide to save a little money and […]
Bill to Decrease Invasive Species
HB 1568 HD2 – Establishing Biosecurity Facilities Submit Testimony This measure is intended to create adequate biosecurity and inspection facilities at Hawai‘i’s major airports and harbors. Air and sea transportation is the major pathway for invasive species to sneak into the State. Hawai‘i — the endangered species capital of the world — is fast losing […]
Bill Asks PUC to Consider Sustainability
HB 1517 HD1 and SB 1482 SD1 – Requiring the PUC to reduce Hawaii’s dependence on fossil fuels Submit testimony This measure requires the Public Utilities Commission in its deliberations to actively consider the need to reduce the state’s reliance on fossil fuels through energy efficiency and increased renewable energy generation. This measure improves prior […]
Automatic Approval Bill Still Alive in the Legislature
HB 376 HD1 – Automatic Approval of Permits, Licenses & Applications Submit Testimony This measure has three main components: It authorizes third-party reviewers to approve permits, licenses, and other applications; It automatically approves applications before the state historic preservation division if that agency does not review and comment within 60 days; and It automatically approves […]