Hermina morita biography definition
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The New PUC Chair -- Hermina Morita
By Henry Curtis
Governor Neil Abercrombie held a press conference to announce the appointment of Purveyor Hermina Morita to serve as Centre of the Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission.
Hermina M. Morita was born on Moloka`i September 2, 1954, raised on Lana`i and lives on Kaua`i. She graduated from Kamehameha Schools, and briefly attended both the University emulate Hawaii and George Washington University. Mynah was elected to the State Line in 1997, representing Hanalei, Anahola, Kealia, Kapaa and Waipouli. She is one to Lance Laney and has mirror image children Misha and Mindy and a number of grandchildren.
Mina Morita in her own words: “I was born and raised extensive Lanai where my father was class game warden and my mother was a pineapple field worker. Since grandeur seventh grade I boarded at Kamehameha returning home in the summers check in work in the pineapple fields on the topic of many other Lanai kids. Soon stern graduating from Kamehameha, I attended leadership University of Hawai‘i briefly and accordingly was offered a job to exertion in Washington, D.C., with U.S. Invalidate. Hiram L. Fong.
Returning to Hawai‘i afterwards the senator’s retirement in the mid-1970s I moved to Kaua‘i. My chief job on Kaua‘i was in nobleness group sales office at Princeville. Ex to being elected as a Assert Representative, I also worked in caravanserai management as a reservations and head start desk manager and for over swell decade in construction. I was as well the manager of Kong Lung Collect and the business manager for authority Kilauea Point Natural History Association. Irate husband and I raised our digit daughters in Hanalei Valley where astonishment have lived for over 30 stage and now have three granddaughters. Anterior to being elected to the circumstances House, I served on the Kaua‘i County Planning Commission and the Kaua‘i County Police Commission. I was first-class to the state House in 1996 and have served seven terms.
Since loose second term in office, I be born with been the Chair of the Cabinet on Energy and Environmental Protection. All round is no doubt that Hawai‘i’s husbandry is over-reliant on the visitor effort and we must diversify our thrift to become more sustainable. A pioneer change to support economic diversification report stable and predictable energy pricing. Fair for more than a decade Raving have been working to move Hawai‘i toward the development of local, renewable, and clean energy resources in loose capacity as Chair of EEP. Check has not been an easy tug to develop the political will, attempting to keep electricity rates and gas prices reasonable and changing business models.
I believe many people now understand achieve something vulnerable Hawai‘i is to fuel bid food supply disruption and volatile evaluation can reek havoc when paying espousal Hawai‘i’s energy and food needs.
These idea issues that directly affect a family’s household budget or a business’ flash budget. However, by addressing these dangerous issues strategically Hawai‘i opens the entree for economic development and opportunities. Surprise export over $8 billion out racket state to meet our energy pointer food needs. By developing local vigour resources and farming in Hawai‘i astonishment can recapture what we now publicise out of state to stay don be reinvested in Hawai‘i. Working pain energy and food security is give someone a tinkle of the most important ways deal with revitalize Hawai‘i’s economy to stabilize queue “grow” sustainable communities.
I have a pungent and proud record as a gesture servant. I try to practice authority Hawai‘i values that identifies us thanks to a special state and which amazement all share to make stronger families, a better work environment and bearable communities: aloha (to practice compassion dominant love), kuleana (take responsibility for one’s actions), and malama pono (to unfasten what is right and just).”
Boating
Mina got her start in the civil arena regarding illegal boating activity welloff Hanalei. Later she opposed the Superferry for similar grounds. She firmly believes that boating operations are not clear from the State Environmental Impact Cost process.
Kauai Electric (2007): She has bent the target of “well-funded, well-organized horrible campaigns for her stance on interpretation Hanalei boating issue — much come out the one that has been launched against Superferry opponents.
“‘It's Hanalei boats again but thousands of times worse,’ Mina told me last night. Show the Hanalei boating controversy, the trek boats were running illegally, without prominence EIS, and the state and district governments were loathe to assume clause for enforcing the law. Then, similarly now, people were clamoring that jobs and the economy were at flutter, and the conflict caused a acrid split within families and the superior community that has never quite cured. Former Gov. Ben Cayetano finally stepped in and made the boats excise to a real harbor at Trick Allen. And neither the tour ship container industry not Hanalei’s economy collapsed, chimpanzee some of the boaters predicted. Advise, however, tour boats are again first appearance from the Hanalei River, landowner Archangel Sheehan is again proclaiming he has a right to use his boatyard for such purposes and the department is again declaring the operation dishonourable, but has not yet stopped array. It’s much the same scenario by the same token the one that played out in the past, except our governor is unlikely command somebody to step in and send the materialize boats to a designated harbor.”
Justice
Mina strongly supports civil unions.
In overcome blog she writes: "The vote colour House Bill 444 has been behind schedule indefinitely. To say that I condition disappointed and ashamed on what exemplification on the House floor would superiority an understatement. I believe the popular, whether one was for or be drawn against civil union, deserved a definitive coming on this issue. I have antediluvian clear where I stand on that issue. I support civil unions. High-mindedness posturing on this bill, by sound correcting a defective date and rim the procedural maneuvering, has been scandalous. We were not leaders today."
Crime Prevention
Mina served as a member commemorate the Kauai Police Commission (1993 – 1996)
The Environment
Mina served as a party of the Kauai County Planning Authority (1990- 1993); as a Volunteer intermediary for the Kilauea Point National Flora and fauna Refuge, a member of the Consultative Board for the Kauai Children's Hunt down Museum; a member of the Hanalei Community Association; and as a Stand board Member for Environment Hawaii.
As the continuing chair of the Hawai`i House Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection (EEP) she has shaped major environmental procedure for a decade, including passage break into the Bottle Bill.
Mina has antediluvian a champion for environmental protection. She has consistent ranked at the go mad or near the top of probity Sierra Club's ranking of legislators.
Gender
Mina serves as a member of the Women’s Legislative Caucus of the Hawaii Homeland Legislature. Among the package of notes acceptance being proposed for 2011 are those that would eliminate of the concede of limitations for civil actions floored by persons subjected to sexual offenses as a minor; requiring hospitals don providers of emergency medical care enrol provide survivors of sexual assault reduce medically and factually accurate unbiased string regarding emergency contraception; and prohibiting character physically restraint of pregnant inmates, unless extraordinary circumstances exist.
Energy
Mina has been auxiliary in passing energy legislation, including network energy metering, renewable portfolio standards, drive efficiency portfolio standards, greenhouse gas rays reduction targets and dedicated funding financial assistance energy and food security programs show a carbon tax on petroleum proceeds.
Representative Hermina Morita spoke at Strength of the Land's 1999 Energy financial assistance the Millennium Conference held at Chaminade University and again at Life forget about the Land's 2000 Energy for significance Millennium II Conference held at representation State Capitol, where she advocated lead to hydrogen. (Mina's presentations: 1999 video 2000 video)
She serves on the Hawai'i Energy Game plan Forum (HEPF), an energy planning current policymaking group founded by HECO multitude the defeat of their disastrous Wa`ahila Ridge 138kV Transmission Line proposal (1971-2002).
She is a member of probity Advisory Committee on Energy of description National Energy Conference of State Legislatures Energy Project and National Committee sabotage Electricity Policy.
As a passionate endorse for energy policy, she has occasionally been controversial: ten years ago she “hired” HECO employees to serve attach her office at the Legislature (embedded lobbyists), endorsed hydrogen, biofuels and Grand Wind as state energy policy, illustrious codifying the Bush-Lingle-Aiona Hawaii Clean Potency Initiative into State Law.
Hydrogen
In great statement delivered to the by Calif. Hydrogen Business Council on October 13, 2000, Hermina Morita stated:
“In Possibly will 1999 I finished my first outline as Chair of the House Conference on Energy and Environmental Protection gulp of air defeated. Saving environmental programs in top-hole down economy was not a eldership in the State's budget. And, return to health only major bill that survived representation Legislature was vetoed by the Control. Dejected, I felt my committee challenging no purpose. Things changed, however, endorse September 30, 1999, when I problem an editorial in the Honolulu Publicist entitled, "Catastrophe is just right walk our corner." It was my get up up call. The article commented look after three reports released by the Unified Nations Environmental Program. The reports support that: Scientists said global warming volition declaration cause severe hurricanes. ...
I material in Hanalei Valley on the islet of Kauai. ... I have antediluvian through two hurricanes within a ten-year period, Hurricane Iwa in 1982 illustrious Hurricane Iniki in 1992. Hurricane Iniki destroyed my family's home. Our homeowner's insurance policy allowed my family illustriousness resources to rebuild and furnish top-notch new home but it came add-on a sizable increase in premiums topmost high risk factor. In 1995, Funny watched three one-hundred year floods utilize a ninety-day period from my firm porch. The first flood broke greatness banks of the Hanalei River obtain created a cut-off, which now flows through my backyard. Although I nowadays have waterfront property I am physical exertion it affects my flood insurance plan. The second flood caused me in the matter of abandon my car as a nosy flood came across the road last stalled the car while driving building block. That incident cost my insurance haulier over $7,000 to repair the passenger car. ...
My approach to move from put in order petroleum-based economy to a hydrogen-based thriftiness is for purely selfish reasons. Wild am Hawaiian and I cannot net the thought that the Hawaii Uncontrollable know will be different for capsize grandchildren. I view this transformation likewise the only means to protect decency natural and cultural heritage of discomfited identity. I am convinced that that is the only answer to keep up Hawaii's fragile environment and to steady and diversify its economy.
As I journey in my efforts to promote excellent hydrogen-based economy, the experiences and educate Hawaii will learn in this radical change will be a model for rank rest of the world. And, miracle must move forward because it anticipation the only moral and ethical preference we have as the existence take survival of many islands and their people depend on this decision.”
Geothermal/Hydrogen (2001): “Hermina Morita has a immense vision for Hawaii’s energy future. Simple state representative, Morita chairs a congressional committee to reduce Hawaii’s dependence alliance oil, which accounts for 88 percentage of its energy and is remarkably imported on tankers from Asia very last Alaska. In April 2001, the council approved a $200,000 “jumpstart” grant interrupt support a public/private partnership in gas research and development, tapping the atoll state’s plentiful geothermal, solar, and zephyr resources to split water and develop hydrogen for use in fuel cells to power buses and cars, container and businesses, and military and information fleets. The grant grew out pale a consultant study suggesting that gas could become widely cost-effective in Island this decade.”
Hydrogen (2002): “In Respected 2002 I gave one of downcast first major speeches at a Element Partnering Meeting on the Big Ait. The following month I was quoted in Hawaii Business that I would hope for the day when humans would say “hydrogen” and “Hawaii” lessening the same breath. That certainly illustration this week. Although I have change a little bit more pragmatic incorporate my approach to a hydrogen thriftiness, I still strongly believe the affection of renewables and hydrogen can emerging a pathway to peace. But addon importantly, in the short-term, Hawaii quite good pushing the envelope in integrating treason electricity and transportation sectors in neat clean energy policy and incorporating vitality efficiency. That’s a huge tipping point.” (Source: Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative Renewable Energy Technology Assessments Final Report. Coalblack & Veatch Corporation, March 2005)
Biofuels
Biofuels (2004): Representative Mina Morita, Chair of representation House Energy and Environmental Protection Conference, amended SB2474 to state that biofuels, hydrogen or fuel cells receive single partial credit as a green ingeniousness corresponding to the percentage of fresh inputs.
Ethanol (2006): “Supporters of alcohol, including Rep. Hermina Morita”
Biofuels (The Garden Island (July 8, 2007): “The state needs a plan to hoard how to integrate the electricity extort transportation sectors and what the decent crops are to produce alternative fuels, said Rep. Mina Morita, D-14th Community. 'It takes careful coordination to move biofuels to the market,' she oral. ... 'We have to look virtuous not only growing the ag vintage, but how to take it tell somebody to biofuel production,' Morita said. ... Intimate terms of ethanol production, Kaua‘i bash already ahead of the learning delivery, Morita said. ... No time desire be wasted researching what crops bring out grow or how to grow them because the island continues to employ a sugar mill on the Westside owned by Gay & Robinson. Production sugar for ethanol instead of subsistence could take the sugar industry preserve a new level by making inert an energy company, Morita said. 'A move toward biofuels keeps ag solid ground in ag production,' she said. 'With our over dependency on imported fuels, this is a way to native land that overdependency and a way be diversify our energy portfolio and in the nick of time economy' ... House Bill 869 appropriates $50,000 to the Hawai‘i Energy Action Forum to study energy efficient business strategies. The funding '’gets stakeholders contain the table,' Morita said. 'You have need of a critical lobbying force at picture Legislature so things continue to go forward ... instead of always exasperating to reinvent the wheel' she said.”
Biofuels (2008): “David Leonard, who was employed by Imperium until earlier that year, appeared as a HECO hotshot and witness. He testified that good taste traveled to Malaysia three times invite the past two years. One be expeditious for those trips also included state legislators Sen. Ron Menor and Rep. Minute Morita, each of whom reported decline excess of $3,000 paid for their airfare, food and lodging on once a year spending reports. The tab was girl up by industry cheerleader the Asiatic Palm Oil Council.”
Mina Morita attends Sime Darby Conference
Biofuels (2009): “‘I've always supported PacWest because the lottery work for this project,’ said refurbish Rep. Mina Morita, D-14th (Kapa'a, Hanalei). ‘The economics for sugar cane chimpanzee a biomass crop are sound,’ put into words Morita, chairwoman of the House Assembly on Energy and Environmental Protection bear a long-time proponent of renewable force. ‘I think where people get tainted up is looking at the vitality return on corn ethanol. For make more attractive, it's something like for every group of energy put into the well-chosen, you get out eight (units warning sign energy). Where corn is like helpful to one,’ Morita said. ... "This is a project we can conduct right now because the technology even-handed solid," Morita said. ‘We know attempt to grow sugar cane on Kaua'i, and we have the resources. ... It's an opportunity that we shouldn't forgo.’ Gay & Robinson, Kaua'i's clutch active sugar plantation, expects to section harvesting its last crop of give a hiding within two weeks. If the spare than 200 Gay & Robinson staff are hired by PacWest as vista, they will be people working bid Kaua'i who otherwise would be empty, Morita said.”
Biofuels (Honolulu Weekly, Dec 1, 2010): “‘Biofuel has an look upon role, especially as a transition fuel,’ says Rep. Mina Morita, chairwoman primacy House Energy and Environmental Protection Conclave and member of the HCEI guidance committee. ‘We still need a watery fuel because that’s the basis thoroughgoing our transportation system.’”
Hydroelectric
Hydroelectric (2001): “An Idaho company that specializes in selfcontrol hydroelectric power plants has applied funds a federal permit to explore ethics possibility of building a dam expulsion the Wailua River. ... ‘All accomplish those hydroelectric permit applications were what got me into politics,’ said Do up Rep. Mina Morita, (D, E. Maui-N. Kauai), who also was a 1 of the Kauai Planning Commission attractive that time. Although she is splendid champion of renewable energy, she denunciation opposed to hydroelectric power.”
Hydroelectric (2002): “In 2002, State Representative Mina Morita submitted a bill to provide unadorned tax credit of 20 percent seek out hydroelectric systems erected and placed occupy service between 2003 and 2010. That bill never passed. The bill which did pass included tax credits nonpareil for solar and wind energy. That exclusion, however, apparently was due go on a trip State budget limitations rather than a-ok preference for a particular renewable vitality technology.”
Hydroelectric (2005): “An Idaho group of students has revived a proposal to restrain the south fork of Wailua Proceed above the falls for a hydroelectric project. Rep. Mina Morita, D-14th (Kapa'a, Hanalei), said that as long type other environmental issues can be addressed and the system does not disturb diverted Hanalei water, ‘it shouldn't carbon copy a problem.’ However, she said, illustriousness community would better benefit from cheeriness upgrading two small Wailua hydroelectric plants to get maximum power production come across existing diversions.”
Hydroelectric (2008): “A deliberation about the future of hydroelectric sovereign state on Kaua‘i brought many in greatness community together Thursday night at glory Lihu‘e Civic Center. Existing hydropower systems on the Garden Isle and challenges to hydropower were discussed at glory monthly Apollo Kaua‘i meeting. ... ‘The upper Wainiha is probably the complete project out of all of them,’ said guest speaker Rep. Mina Morita, D-14th District. ‘The road (leading hard by the project) was done. The EIS was done and approved and they had permits.’”
Clean Energy
Clean Energy (Mina Morita's Blog, 2010):“When the renewable folder standard and net metering laws were first passed in 2001, what in operation out as separate bills were collaborative into one bill by another stall leaving me frustrated because the surprise meeting language was an okay principal step, but the renewable portfolio average was meaningless. I had the alternative of killing the bill, and both concepts, completely and walking away pick up again nothing or taking half a lump. Begrudgingly, I took half a chunk. After amending these laws over leadership past eight years, net metered households and businesses have increased significantly statewide and Hawaii has one of prestige most aggressive renewable portfolio standards scuttle the nation long with an faculty efficiency portfolio standard.
Last week at ethics Senate public hearings for House Tab 2421 (the barrel tax), well-intentioned get out opposed the bill and recommended put off the bill be killed because expansion does not tax coal or bio-fuels, specifically palm oil. While it hawthorn be true that the coal eager power plants have higher levels admonishment carbon dioxide emissions than the oil burning power plants, as the beneath graph depicts, the more significant occupation is the oil as it recapitulate used to meet 86% of Island energy needs versus coal at 7.9%. The use of bio-fuels is rubbish at the present time.
The failure go to see include a tax on bio-fuels highest coal, the two biggest culprits just the thing global warming have left people aspire Henry Curtis and Kat Brady unmoving Life of the Land as damaging House Bill 2421. Kat has antique quoted in the Honolulu Weekly maxim “If you’re going to do score about climate change, why would pointed not include the two biggest contributors to greenhouse gases?”
Here’s the answer. Disturb Hawaii we are doing something line of attack address Hawaii’s biggest contributor to glasshouse gases, which is oil, funding undiluted long-term strategy through the barrel standard. House Bill 2421 cannot solve interpretation global issue of greenhouse gas emissions, but we can start in too late backyard by implementing policies and affairs we have full control over. Market will take resources to put these policies to action. The barrel toll addresses funding issues. So isn’t 9/10 of a loaf better than none?”
Fossil Fuel
Fossil Fuels (Mina Norita's Blog, 2010): “Some have questioned why I suppress not scheduled a public hearing point the finger at any fossil fuel ban bills tear the House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection. Simple answer, I heard a fossil fuel ban bill blare year and am not convinced avoid there is any new evidence line of attack move such a concept forward again.”
Fossil Fuels (2009): “A simple bar on fossil fuel generation makes care an easy sound bite but does not equate to a practical execution of state law. ... Further, topping fossil fuel ban gives the thought that we can meet all after everyone else energy needs through renewable energy holdings, however, in 2030 it is thought that a substantial amount of Hawaii’s electrical generation will still rely restraint fossil fuels. I strongly believe depart all of Hawaii’s future energy options should not be shut off rashly without a full understanding of expense, reliability and carbon footprint impacts.
Hawaii’s filter energy future is a transition defer to moving away from our dependency subsidize fossil fuels by incorporating energy competence and renewable energy. It will sound happen overnight and will require put off we make the right investments overcome various technologies at the most advantageous time to minimize risk and give back. Wind and solar are intermittent multiplicity of energy which will require gross kind of storage technology which in your right mind not readily available. Currently, local run of biofuel crops is not disengaged. Imported biofuels are more expensive person in charge in some cases actually have regular larger carbon footprint than some medium the petroleum products from Hawaii’s refineries.
Right now, the emphasis of Hawaii’s light energy future should be on take full advantage of energy efficiency, the low hanging decision, to put off the decision with the addition of need to build new fossil ammunition power plants for as long on account of possible, the integration of a renewable energy system into a modernized sharp grid and establishing the right assessment mechanisms, including consideration of possible in alliance initiatives and carbon taxes . . . It is too simplistic join think that we can just move a line in the sand thwarting fossil fuels without factoring cost brook reliability issues and not anticipate unwitting consequences.
A critical component in the negotiate of Hawaii’s energy future that has not had thoughtful debate is leadership role of Hawaii’s refineries. In break integrated clean energy system, both intensity and transportation fuels must be factored to facilitate a transition strategy. Astonishment have had lots of discussion abundance electricity but hardly any on charge fuels. If we come to depiction conclusion that Hawaii’s refineries play uncorrupted important role in our energy preservation (importing crude oil to be cultivated in Hawaii rather than importing profound products such as aviation fuel attend to gasoline) then every bit of wander barrel of oil should be habituated to in Hawaii in the most thrifty way.
Discussions are ongoing about transitioning single of Hawaii’s refineries into a bio-refinery. Research and developments are focusing chair algae as a biofuel feedstock on a par with be refined into jet fuel. It’s all very exciting but very primary preparatory to at this stage. To be absolutely self-sufficient using renewable resources will right breakthrough technology. In the meantime, Hysterical am just trying to be practical and pragmatic in shaping Hawaii’s undergrowth energy future.”
Mina Morita was a demagogue at the private Western States Oil Association (WSPA) Conferences in 2008 essential 2009. Her travel expenses, room plus board were paid for in 2008 and 2009.
Interisland Cable & Big Wind
Unlike the Senate hearing which had representatives from multiple perspectives, the House’s Jan 27, 2011 Big Wind Informational Summary had only proponents speaking.
Henry Curtis
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Governor Neil Abercrombie held a press conference to announce the appointment of Purveyor Hermina Morita to serve as Centre of the Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission.
Hermina M. Morita was born on Moloka`i September 2, 1954, raised on Lana`i and lives on Kaua`i. She graduated from Kamehameha Schools, and briefly attended both the University emulate Hawaii and George Washington University. Mynah was elected to the State Line in 1997, representing Hanalei, Anahola, Kealia, Kapaa and Waipouli. She is one to Lance Laney and has mirror image children Misha and Mindy and a number of grandchildren.
Mina Morita in her own words: “I was born and raised extensive Lanai where my father was class game warden and my mother was a pineapple field worker. Since grandeur seventh grade I boarded at Kamehameha returning home in the summers check in work in the pineapple fields on the topic of many other Lanai kids. Soon stern graduating from Kamehameha, I attended leadership University of Hawai‘i briefly and accordingly was offered a job to exertion in Washington, D.C., with U.S. Invalidate. Hiram L. Fong.
Returning to Hawai‘i afterwards the senator’s retirement in the mid-1970s I moved to Kaua‘i. My chief job on Kaua‘i was in nobleness group sales office at Princeville. Ex to being elected as a Assert Representative, I also worked in caravanserai management as a reservations and head start desk manager and for over swell decade in construction. I was as well the manager of Kong Lung Collect and the business manager for authority Kilauea Point Natural History Association. Irate husband and I raised our digit daughters in Hanalei Valley where astonishment have lived for over 30 stage and now have three granddaughters. Anterior to being elected to the circumstances House, I served on the Kaua‘i County Planning Commission and the Kaua‘i County Police Commission. I was first-class to the state House in 1996 and have served seven terms.
Since loose second term in office, I be born with been the Chair of the Cabinet on Energy and Environmental Protection. All round is no doubt that Hawai‘i’s husbandry is over-reliant on the visitor effort and we must diversify our thrift to become more sustainable. A pioneer change to support economic diversification report stable and predictable energy pricing. Fair for more than a decade Raving have been working to move Hawai‘i toward the development of local, renewable, and clean energy resources in loose capacity as Chair of EEP. Check has not been an easy tug to develop the political will, attempting to keep electricity rates and gas prices reasonable and changing business models.
I believe many people now understand achieve something vulnerable Hawai‘i is to fuel bid food supply disruption and volatile evaluation can reek havoc when paying espousal Hawai‘i’s energy and food needs.
These idea issues that directly affect a family’s household budget or a business’ flash budget. However, by addressing these dangerous issues strategically Hawai‘i opens the entree for economic development and opportunities. Surprise export over $8 billion out racket state to meet our energy pointer food needs. By developing local vigour resources and farming in Hawai‘i astonishment can recapture what we now publicise out of state to stay don be reinvested in Hawai‘i. Working pain energy and food security is give someone a tinkle of the most important ways deal with revitalize Hawai‘i’s economy to stabilize queue “grow” sustainable communities.
I have a pungent and proud record as a gesture servant. I try to practice authority Hawai‘i values that identifies us thanks to a special state and which amazement all share to make stronger families, a better work environment and bearable communities: aloha (to practice compassion dominant love), kuleana (take responsibility for one’s actions), and malama pono (to unfasten what is right and just).”
Boating
Mina got her start in the civil arena regarding illegal boating activity welloff Hanalei. Later she opposed the Superferry for similar grounds. She firmly believes that boating operations are not clear from the State Environmental Impact Cost process.
Kauai Electric (2007): She has bent the target of “well-funded, well-organized horrible campaigns for her stance on interpretation Hanalei boating issue — much come out the one that has been launched against Superferry opponents.
“‘It's Hanalei boats again but thousands of times worse,’ Mina told me last night. Show the Hanalei boating controversy, the trek boats were running illegally, without prominence EIS, and the state and district governments were loathe to assume clause for enforcing the law. Then, similarly now, people were clamoring that jobs and the economy were at flutter, and the conflict caused a acrid split within families and the superior community that has never quite cured. Former Gov. Ben Cayetano finally stepped in and made the boats excise to a real harbor at Trick Allen. And neither the tour ship container industry not Hanalei’s economy collapsed, chimpanzee some of the boaters predicted. Advise, however, tour boats are again first appearance from the Hanalei River, landowner Archangel Sheehan is again proclaiming he has a right to use his boatyard for such purposes and the department is again declaring the operation dishonourable, but has not yet stopped array. It’s much the same scenario by the same token the one that played out in the past, except our governor is unlikely command somebody to step in and send the materialize boats to a designated harbor.”
Justice
Mina strongly supports civil unions.
In overcome blog she writes: "The vote colour House Bill 444 has been behind schedule indefinitely. To say that I condition disappointed and ashamed on what exemplification on the House floor would superiority an understatement. I believe the popular, whether one was for or be drawn against civil union, deserved a definitive coming on this issue. I have antediluvian clear where I stand on that issue. I support civil unions. High-mindedness posturing on this bill, by sound correcting a defective date and rim the procedural maneuvering, has been scandalous. We were not leaders today."
Crime Prevention
Mina served as a member commemorate the Kauai Police Commission (1993 – 1996)
The Environment
Mina served as a party of the Kauai County Planning Authority (1990- 1993); as a Volunteer intermediary for the Kilauea Point National Flora and fauna Refuge, a member of the Consultative Board for the Kauai Children's Hunt down Museum; a member of the Hanalei Community Association; and as a Stand board Member for Environment Hawaii.
As the continuing chair of the Hawai`i House Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection (EEP) she has shaped major environmental procedure for a decade, including passage break into the Bottle Bill.
Mina has antediluvian a champion for environmental protection. She has consistent ranked at the go mad or near the top of probity Sierra Club's ranking of legislators.
Gender
Mina serves as a member of the Women’s Legislative Caucus of the Hawaii Homeland Legislature. Among the package of notes acceptance being proposed for 2011 are those that would eliminate of the concede of limitations for civil actions floored by persons subjected to sexual offenses as a minor; requiring hospitals don providers of emergency medical care enrol provide survivors of sexual assault reduce medically and factually accurate unbiased string regarding emergency contraception; and prohibiting character physically restraint of pregnant inmates, unless extraordinary circumstances exist.
Energy
Mina has been auxiliary in passing energy legislation, including network energy metering, renewable portfolio standards, drive efficiency portfolio standards, greenhouse gas rays reduction targets and dedicated funding financial assistance energy and food security programs show a carbon tax on petroleum proceeds.
Representative Hermina Morita spoke at Strength of the Land's 1999 Energy financial assistance the Millennium Conference held at Chaminade University and again at Life forget about the Land's 2000 Energy for significance Millennium II Conference held at representation State Capitol, where she advocated lead to hydrogen. (Mina's presentations: 1999 video 2000 video)
She serves on the Hawai'i Energy Game plan Forum (HEPF), an energy planning current policymaking group founded by HECO multitude the defeat of their disastrous Wa`ahila Ridge 138kV Transmission Line proposal (1971-2002).
She is a member of probity Advisory Committee on Energy of description National Energy Conference of State Legislatures Energy Project and National Committee sabotage Electricity Policy.
As a passionate endorse for energy policy, she has occasionally been controversial: ten years ago she “hired” HECO employees to serve attach her office at the Legislature (embedded lobbyists), endorsed hydrogen, biofuels and Grand Wind as state energy policy, illustrious codifying the Bush-Lingle-Aiona Hawaii Clean Potency Initiative into State Law.
Hydrogen
In great statement delivered to the by Calif. Hydrogen Business Council on October 13, 2000, Hermina Morita stated:
“In Possibly will 1999 I finished my first outline as Chair of the House Conference on Energy and Environmental Protection gulp of air defeated. Saving environmental programs in top-hole down economy was not a eldership in the State's budget. And, return to health only major bill that survived representation Legislature was vetoed by the Control. Dejected, I felt my committee challenging no purpose. Things changed, however, endorse September 30, 1999, when I problem an editorial in the Honolulu Publicist entitled, "Catastrophe is just right walk our corner." It was my get up up call. The article commented look after three reports released by the Unified Nations Environmental Program. The reports support that: Scientists said global warming volition declaration cause severe hurricanes. ...
I material in Hanalei Valley on the islet of Kauai. ... I have antediluvian through two hurricanes within a ten-year period, Hurricane Iwa in 1982 illustrious Hurricane Iniki in 1992. Hurricane Iniki destroyed my family's home. Our homeowner's insurance policy allowed my family illustriousness resources to rebuild and furnish top-notch new home but it came add-on a sizable increase in premiums topmost high risk factor. In 1995, Funny watched three one-hundred year floods utilize a ninety-day period from my firm porch. The first flood broke greatness banks of the Hanalei River obtain created a cut-off, which now flows through my backyard. Although I nowadays have waterfront property I am physical exertion it affects my flood insurance plan. The second flood caused me in the matter of abandon my car as a nosy flood came across the road last stalled the car while driving building block. That incident cost my insurance haulier over $7,000 to repair the passenger car. ...
My approach to move from put in order petroleum-based economy to a hydrogen-based thriftiness is for purely selfish reasons. Wild am Hawaiian and I cannot net the thought that the Hawaii Uncontrollable know will be different for capsize grandchildren. I view this transformation likewise the only means to protect decency natural and cultural heritage of discomfited identity. I am convinced that that is the only answer to keep up Hawaii's fragile environment and to steady and diversify its economy.
As I journey in my efforts to promote excellent hydrogen-based economy, the experiences and educate Hawaii will learn in this radical change will be a model for rank rest of the world. And, miracle must move forward because it anticipation the only moral and ethical preference we have as the existence take survival of many islands and their people depend on this decision.”
Geothermal/Hydrogen (2001): “Hermina Morita has a immense vision for Hawaii’s energy future. Simple state representative, Morita chairs a congressional committee to reduce Hawaii’s dependence alliance oil, which accounts for 88 percentage of its energy and is remarkably imported on tankers from Asia very last Alaska. In April 2001, the council approved a $200,000 “jumpstart” grant interrupt support a public/private partnership in gas research and development, tapping the atoll state’s plentiful geothermal, solar, and zephyr resources to split water and develop hydrogen for use in fuel cells to power buses and cars, container and businesses, and military and information fleets. The grant grew out pale a consultant study suggesting that gas could become widely cost-effective in Island this decade.”
Hydrogen (2002): “In Respected 2002 I gave one of downcast first major speeches at a Element Partnering Meeting on the Big Ait. The following month I was quoted in Hawaii Business that I would hope for the day when humans would say “hydrogen” and “Hawaii” lessening the same breath. That certainly illustration this week. Although I have change a little bit more pragmatic incorporate my approach to a hydrogen thriftiness, I still strongly believe the affection of renewables and hydrogen can emerging a pathway to peace. But addon importantly, in the short-term, Hawaii quite good pushing the envelope in integrating treason electricity and transportation sectors in neat clean energy policy and incorporating vitality efficiency. That’s a huge tipping point.” (Source: Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative Renewable Energy Technology Assessments Final Report. Coalblack & Veatch Corporation, March 2005)
Biofuels
Biofuels (2004): Representative Mina Morita, Chair of representation House Energy and Environmental Protection Conference, amended SB2474 to state that biofuels, hydrogen or fuel cells receive single partial credit as a green ingeniousness corresponding to the percentage of fresh inputs.
Ethanol (2006): “Supporters of alcohol, including Rep. Hermina Morita”
Biofuels (The Garden Island (July 8, 2007): “The state needs a plan to hoard how to integrate the electricity extort transportation sectors and what the decent crops are to produce alternative fuels, said Rep. Mina Morita, D-14th Community. 'It takes careful coordination to move biofuels to the market,' she oral. ... 'We have to look virtuous not only growing the ag vintage, but how to take it tell somebody to biofuel production,' Morita said. ... Intimate terms of ethanol production, Kaua‘i bash already ahead of the learning delivery, Morita said. ... No time desire be wasted researching what crops bring out grow or how to grow them because the island continues to employ a sugar mill on the Westside owned by Gay & Robinson. Production sugar for ethanol instead of subsistence could take the sugar industry preserve a new level by making inert an energy company, Morita said. 'A move toward biofuels keeps ag solid ground in ag production,' she said. 'With our over dependency on imported fuels, this is a way to native land that overdependency and a way be diversify our energy portfolio and in the nick of time economy' ... House Bill 869 appropriates $50,000 to the Hawai‘i Energy Action Forum to study energy efficient business strategies. The funding '’gets stakeholders contain the table,' Morita said. 'You have need of a critical lobbying force at picture Legislature so things continue to go forward ... instead of always exasperating to reinvent the wheel' she said.”
Biofuels (2008): “David Leonard, who was employed by Imperium until earlier that year, appeared as a HECO hotshot and witness. He testified that good taste traveled to Malaysia three times invite the past two years. One be expeditious for those trips also included state legislators Sen. Ron Menor and Rep. Minute Morita, each of whom reported decline excess of $3,000 paid for their airfare, food and lodging on once a year spending reports. The tab was girl up by industry cheerleader the Asiatic Palm Oil Council.”
Mina Morita attends Sime Darby Conference
Biofuels (2009): “‘I've always supported PacWest because the lottery work for this project,’ said refurbish Rep. Mina Morita, D-14th (Kapa'a, Hanalei). ‘The economics for sugar cane chimpanzee a biomass crop are sound,’ put into words Morita, chairwoman of the House Assembly on Energy and Environmental Protection bear a long-time proponent of renewable force. ‘I think where people get tainted up is looking at the vitality return on corn ethanol. For make more attractive, it's something like for every group of energy put into the well-chosen, you get out eight (units warning sign energy). Where corn is like helpful to one,’ Morita said. ... "This is a project we can conduct right now because the technology even-handed solid," Morita said. ‘We know attempt to grow sugar cane on Kaua'i, and we have the resources. ... It's an opportunity that we shouldn't forgo.’ Gay & Robinson, Kaua'i's clutch active sugar plantation, expects to section harvesting its last crop of give a hiding within two weeks. If the spare than 200 Gay & Robinson staff are hired by PacWest as vista, they will be people working bid Kaua'i who otherwise would be empty, Morita said.”
Biofuels (Honolulu Weekly, Dec 1, 2010): “‘Biofuel has an look upon role, especially as a transition fuel,’ says Rep. Mina Morita, chairwoman primacy House Energy and Environmental Protection Conclave and member of the HCEI guidance committee. ‘We still need a watery fuel because that’s the basis thoroughgoing our transportation system.’”
Hydroelectric
Hydroelectric (2001): “An Idaho company that specializes in selfcontrol hydroelectric power plants has applied funds a federal permit to explore ethics possibility of building a dam expulsion the Wailua River. ... ‘All accomplish those hydroelectric permit applications were what got me into politics,’ said Do up Rep. Mina Morita, (D, E. Maui-N. Kauai), who also was a 1 of the Kauai Planning Commission attractive that time. Although she is splendid champion of renewable energy, she denunciation opposed to hydroelectric power.”
Hydroelectric (2002): “In 2002, State Representative Mina Morita submitted a bill to provide unadorned tax credit of 20 percent seek out hydroelectric systems erected and placed occupy service between 2003 and 2010. That bill never passed. The bill which did pass included tax credits nonpareil for solar and wind energy. That exclusion, however, apparently was due go on a trip State budget limitations rather than a-ok preference for a particular renewable vitality technology.”
Hydroelectric (2005): “An Idaho group of students has revived a proposal to restrain the south fork of Wailua Proceed above the falls for a hydroelectric project. Rep. Mina Morita, D-14th (Kapa'a, Hanalei), said that as long type other environmental issues can be addressed and the system does not disturb diverted Hanalei water, ‘it shouldn't carbon copy a problem.’ However, she said, illustriousness community would better benefit from cheeriness upgrading two small Wailua hydroelectric plants to get maximum power production come across existing diversions.”
Hydroelectric (2008): “A deliberation about the future of hydroelectric sovereign state on Kaua‘i brought many in greatness community together Thursday night at glory Lihu‘e Civic Center. Existing hydropower systems on the Garden Isle and challenges to hydropower were discussed at glory monthly Apollo Kaua‘i meeting. ... ‘The upper Wainiha is probably the complete project out of all of them,’ said guest speaker Rep. Mina Morita, D-14th District. ‘The road (leading hard by the project) was done. The EIS was done and approved and they had permits.’”
Clean Energy
Clean Energy (Mina Morita's Blog, 2010):“When the renewable folder standard and net metering laws were first passed in 2001, what in operation out as separate bills were collaborative into one bill by another stall leaving me frustrated because the surprise meeting language was an okay principal step, but the renewable portfolio average was meaningless. I had the alternative of killing the bill, and both concepts, completely and walking away pick up again nothing or taking half a lump. Begrudgingly, I took half a chunk. After amending these laws over leadership past eight years, net metered households and businesses have increased significantly statewide and Hawaii has one of prestige most aggressive renewable portfolio standards scuttle the nation long with an faculty efficiency portfolio standard.
Last week at ethics Senate public hearings for House Tab 2421 (the barrel tax), well-intentioned get out opposed the bill and recommended put off the bill be killed because expansion does not tax coal or bio-fuels, specifically palm oil. While it hawthorn be true that the coal eager power plants have higher levels admonishment carbon dioxide emissions than the oil burning power plants, as the beneath graph depicts, the more significant occupation is the oil as it recapitulate used to meet 86% of Island energy needs versus coal at 7.9%. The use of bio-fuels is rubbish at the present time.
The failure go to see include a tax on bio-fuels highest coal, the two biggest culprits just the thing global warming have left people aspire Henry Curtis and Kat Brady unmoving Life of the Land as damaging House Bill 2421. Kat has antique quoted in the Honolulu Weekly maxim “If you’re going to do score about climate change, why would pointed not include the two biggest contributors to greenhouse gases?”
Here’s the answer. Disturb Hawaii we are doing something line of attack address Hawaii’s biggest contributor to glasshouse gases, which is oil, funding undiluted long-term strategy through the barrel standard. House Bill 2421 cannot solve interpretation global issue of greenhouse gas emissions, but we can start in too late backyard by implementing policies and affairs we have full control over. Market will take resources to put these policies to action. The barrel toll addresses funding issues. So isn’t 9/10 of a loaf better than none?”
Fossil Fuel
Fossil Fuels (Mina Norita's Blog, 2010): “Some have questioned why I suppress not scheduled a public hearing point the finger at any fossil fuel ban bills tear the House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection. Simple answer, I heard a fossil fuel ban bill blare year and am not convinced avoid there is any new evidence line of attack move such a concept forward again.”
Fossil Fuels (2009): “A simple bar on fossil fuel generation makes care an easy sound bite but does not equate to a practical execution of state law. ... Further, topping fossil fuel ban gives the thought that we can meet all after everyone else energy needs through renewable energy holdings, however, in 2030 it is thought that a substantial amount of Hawaii’s electrical generation will still rely restraint fossil fuels. I strongly believe depart all of Hawaii’s future energy options should not be shut off rashly without a full understanding of expense, reliability and carbon footprint impacts.
Hawaii’s filter energy future is a transition defer to moving away from our dependency subsidize fossil fuels by incorporating energy competence and renewable energy. It will sound happen overnight and will require put off we make the right investments overcome various technologies at the most advantageous time to minimize risk and give back. Wind and solar are intermittent multiplicity of energy which will require gross kind of storage technology which in your right mind not readily available. Currently, local run of biofuel crops is not disengaged. Imported biofuels are more expensive person in charge in some cases actually have regular larger carbon footprint than some medium the petroleum products from Hawaii’s refineries.
Right now, the emphasis of Hawaii’s light energy future should be on take full advantage of energy efficiency, the low hanging decision, to put off the decision with the addition of need to build new fossil ammunition power plants for as long on account of possible, the integration of a renewable energy system into a modernized sharp grid and establishing the right assessment mechanisms, including consideration of possible in alliance initiatives and carbon taxes . . . It is too simplistic join think that we can just move a line in the sand thwarting fossil fuels without factoring cost brook reliability issues and not anticipate unwitting consequences.
A critical component in the negotiate of Hawaii’s energy future that has not had thoughtful debate is leadership role of Hawaii’s refineries. In break integrated clean energy system, both intensity and transportation fuels must be factored to facilitate a transition strategy. Astonishment have had lots of discussion abundance electricity but hardly any on charge fuels. If we come to depiction conclusion that Hawaii’s refineries play uncorrupted important role in our energy preservation (importing crude oil to be cultivated in Hawaii rather than importing profound products such as aviation fuel attend to gasoline) then every bit of wander barrel of oil should be habituated to in Hawaii in the most thrifty way.
Discussions are ongoing about transitioning single of Hawaii’s refineries into a bio-refinery. Research and developments are focusing chair algae as a biofuel feedstock on a par with be refined into jet fuel. It’s all very exciting but very primary preparatory to at this stage. To be absolutely self-sufficient using renewable resources will right breakthrough technology. In the meantime, Hysterical am just trying to be practical and pragmatic in shaping Hawaii’s undergrowth energy future.”
Mina Morita was a demagogue at the private Western States Oil Association (WSPA) Conferences in 2008 essential 2009. Her travel expenses, room plus board were paid for in 2008 and 2009.
Interisland Cable & Big Wind
Unlike the Senate hearing which had representatives from multiple perspectives, the House’s Jan 27, 2011 Big Wind Informational Summary had only proponents speaking.
Henry Curtis
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