ISSUES

BOLSTERING RECYCLING RATES & REDUCING LITTER WITH A BOTTLE LAW

In 2002, the Legislature passed and the Governor signed into law a landmark beverage container nickel deposit program, popularly called the “Bottle Bill”. The bottle bill will establish a nickel deposit on beverage containers that consumers will redeem when they return containers to a redemption center. This economic incentive to recycle has an excellent track record in the 13 other states with similar legislation.

FUNDING HAWAII'S NEXT GENERATION OF STATE PARKS AND PUBLIC AREAS

One trip to any beach park in Hawai‘i will show you these public areas are immensely popular. Residents and visitors converge on the beach not only swimming and fishing but also for potlucks, family time and many other recreational activities, which makes these public beach parks are one of the most heavily used services provided by government. Despite the immense popularity, Hawai‘i has no comprehensive program to identify and acquire land for future beach parks and similar public areas.

CREATING A CLEAN & SECURE RENEWABLE ENERGY FUTURE

The global energy industry is undergoing rapid changes and Hawai‘i is well positioned to capitalize on new opportunities in this high-tech sector. Seizing these opportunities to transform Hawaii’s energy infrastructure will reward Hawaii with a clean and reliable energy supply, develop a high-tech industry with vast opportunities to export its products and expertise globally, and retain more local dollars in Hawaii’s economy.

PROTECTING CONSUMERS & BUSINESSES BY ADVOCATING FOR FAIR & REASONABLE GASOLINE PRICES

Hawaii’s consumers and businesses have been paying the highest gasoline prices in the nation. Economic evidence showed these high prices were primarily the result of excessive profits for oil companies and less attributable to transportation and refining costs. Uncompetitive conditions in Hawaii’s gasoline market allowed oil companies to dictate prices and make excessive profits at the expense of Hawaii’s consumers and businesses.

TRANSFORMING HAWAI'I INTO A HYDROGEN-BASED ECONOMY

Hawaii has an unprecedented opportunity to lead the world in a technological transformation that will fundamentally alter everyone’s way of life in the 21st century. Nearly all energy experts agree that over the next several decades hydrogen will replace fossil fuels as the primary fuel in a modern economy. By taking steps today to lead the world in this transition, Hawaii can develop a clean, high tech industry and achieve energy self-sufficiency.

FUNDING HAWAII'S STATE PARKS FOR KAMA'AINA AND VISITORS

One trip to Ke‘e State Park at the “End of the Road” will show you the dismal condition of Hawaii’s state parks. Nearly every day of the year, bathroom facilities are overrun, parking is difficult to find, garbage cans overflow, and litter is strewn across the beach. This is no way to treat one of Hawaii’s most spectacular beaches and the entrance point to the Na Pali coast.

District 14, East & North Kauai