ARCHIVES

SPEECHES AND STATEMENTS

CALIFORNIA HYDROGEN BUSNIESS COUNCIL - OCTOBER 13, 2000

This is a very untechnical, simple presentation - just my thoughts, experiences and observations. Keep in mind you are listening to someone who one year ago, had not a clue as to how electricity was generated or what it cost.

HANALEI ROTARY LUNCHEON SPEECH - SEPTEMBER 13, 2001

The September 11 events have made it appallingly clear that we are living in troubled times. As each new day approaches, closer to the dismantling of the Taliban regime, we reflect what the future will hold. First, I want to touch on some political realities and trends. Then, I would like to paint a picture of what the future could hold for Hawaii as we develop our renewable energy potential.

WOMEN IN BUSINESS SEMINAR - NOVEMBER, 2001

Before we discuss strategies to improve our chances to survive this economic downturn, I want to give you an overall picture of the status and trends of Hawaii women prior to the horrific tragedies of September 11 so we have an idea for benchmarking progress and give ourselves a reality check for issues that were really crisis before the crisis.

HYDROGEN PARTNERING MEETING - AUGUST 28, 2002

The renewable energy, hydrogen and fuel cell technology expertise in this room is overwhelming. I am honored to be here and included; however, I couldn’t help but notice that I am the only politician on the participant list. I don't know if that’s a good thing or a bad thing. I do not presume to have the academic, technological or business expertise to contribute anything significant and I have spent the past week trying to figure out how I can best participate.

EDITORIALS

ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE (ANWR)

Several months ago full-page advertisements appeared in Hawaii's newspapers thanking U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka for his support of the Native Alaskan Inupiat and their right to self-determination with regard to their desire to drill for oil within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

BEVERAGE PROFITS ON THE BACKS OF HAWAII'S RESIDENTS

I had hoped that the bottle bill would provide for an intelligent discussion on how to solve a growing solid waste problem. However, with the recent publication of an ad by Hawaii Citizens for Comprehensive Recycling, a group comprised of Pepsi-Cola, Coca-Cola, Anheuser Busch, Inc. and other members of the Hawaii Food Industry Association, the debate, unfortunately, will be reduced to combating that group's half truths in a highly politicized arena.

DISTRIBUTIVE ENERGY RESOURCES

Was Thomas Edison a man one hundred years ahead of his time? In 1882, his first heat and electricity plant near Wall Street was what he thought would best meet his customer's needs -- networks of nimble, decentralized power plants in or near homes and offices. Edison's concept lost out to George Westinghouse and the Westinghouse Electric Company's model of large centralized generating and miles of transmission systems. But, now, over one hundred years later, was Edison really on the right path after all?

NEWS AND MAGAZINE ARTICLES

LEGISLATOR DOESN'T LIKE P-WORD (STAR BULLETIN - OCTOBER 28, 1996)

Pol-i-ti-cian: n. a person holding or seeking office; frequently used in a derogatory sense, with implications of seeking personal or partisan gain, scheming, etc.

HANALEI, Kauai - When Mina Morita looked up the word "politician" in the dictionary, she was dismayed by the negative definition of her new occupation.

SURROUNDED BY ALOHA (KAUAI MAGAZINE - WINTER 2000)

The focus of Representative Mina Morita’s life, quite understandably, is politics. “I know I represent the most beautiful and spectacular district in the nation. It is an awesome responsibility to balance the natural beauty and rich culture of this paradise to the needs of our communities and visitors.” Mina confided.

SIERRA CLUB UNVEILS LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD
GROUP RANKS STATE LEGISLATORS ON ENVIRONTMENTAL ACTIONS (PRESS RELEASE)

HONOLULU - The Sierra Club, Hawai`i Chapter unveiled its legislative scorecard today that ranks Hawaii's lawmakers on how they voted for-and against-the environment during the 2001 -2002 legislative sessions.

MINA MORITA THRILLED ABOUT HAVING ONE-ISLAND DISTRICT (GARDEN ISLAND NEWS - SEPTEMBER 02, 2002)

State Rep. Mina Morita, a Democrat, is relieved that her district no longer includes portions of the North Shore of Kaua'i and east Maui.

For the past six years, she has represented citizens on two islands, requiring extensive travel to campaign and represent the district's distinct constituents.

HYDROGEN. CAN IT FUEL HAWAII'S FUTURE? (HAWAII BUSINESS - SEPTEMBER, 2002)

Energy costs affect the bottom line of almost any business. The big buzzword on Hawaii’s energy front these days is hydrogen. “It’s a major energy trend and it’s real disruptive technology,” says local hydrogen champion state Rep. Hermina Morita. “Businesses just have to be aware of it. I think it would have the same kind of impact, or more so, than computers and wireless communications in that it could change everybody’s life.”

District 14, East & North Kauai

IN THIS SECTION

Speeches and Statements
Editorials
News and Magazine Articles