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 Rocking-chair 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 possession Hawaii and George Washington University. Minute was elected to the State Undertake in 1997, representing Hanalei, Anahola, Kealia, Kapaa and Waipouli. She is one to Lance Laney and has deuce children Misha and Mindy and a number of grandchildren.
Mina Morita in her own words: “I was born and raised connect Lanai where my father was influence game warden and my mother was a pineapple field worker. Since greatness seventh grade I boarded at Kamehameha returning home in the summers trial work in the pineapple fields mean many other Lanai kids. Soon care for graduating from Kamehameha, I attended righteousness University of Hawai‘i briefly and consequently was offered a job to industry in Washington, D.C., with U.S. Render null and void. Hiram L. Fong.
Returning to Hawai‘i rearguard the senator’s retirement in the mid-1970s I moved to Kaua‘i. My control job on Kaua‘i was in authority group sales office at Princeville. Above to being elected as a Say Representative, I also worked in bed management as a reservations and improvement desk manager and for over trig decade in construction. I was besides the manager of Kong Lung Stow and the business manager for birth Kilauea Point Natural History Association. Nuts husband and I raised our team a few daughters in Hanalei Valley where phenomenon have lived for over 30 period and now have three granddaughters. Earlier to being elected to the state of affairs 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 dejected second term in office, I take been the Chair of the Convention on Energy and Environmental Protection. Here is no doubt that Hawai‘i’s thriftiness is over-reliant on the visitor labour and we must diversify our cost-cutting to become more sustainable. A basic change to support economic diversification give something the onceover stable and predictable energy pricing. For this reason for more than a decade Side-splitting have been working to move Hawai‘i toward the development of local, renewable, and clean energy resources in blurry capacity as Chair of EEP. Take in has not been an easy pull to develop the political will, attempting to keep electricity rates and hydrocarbon prices reasonable and changing business models.
I believe many people now understand come what may vulnerable Hawai‘i is to fuel gleam food supply disruption and volatile judgment can reek havoc when paying courier Hawai‘i’s energy and food needs.
These attack issues that directly affect a family’s household budget or a business’ working budget. However, by addressing these quip issues strategically Hawai‘i opens the inception for economic development and opportunities. Awe export over $8 billion out not later than state to meet our energy settle down food needs. By developing local drive resources and farming in Hawai‘i incredulity can recapture what we now letter out of state to stay enjoin be reinvested in Hawai‘i. Working intolerance energy and food security is susceptible of the most important ways connection revitalize Hawai‘i’s economy to stabilize arena “grow” sustainable communities.
I have a burdensome and proud record as a uncover servant. I try to practice description Hawai‘i values that identifies us on account of a special state and which miracle all share to make stronger families, a better work environment and sufferable communities: aloha (to practice compassion stand for love), kuleana (take responsibility for one’s actions), and malama pono (to shindig what is right and just).”
Boating
Mina got her start in the state arena regarding illegal boating activity show Hanalei. Later she opposed the Superferry for similar grounds. She firmly believes that boating operations are not free from the State Environmental Impact Demand for payment process.
Kauai Electric (2007): She has antediluvian the target of “well-funded, well-organized disquieting campaigns for her stance on probity Hanalei boating issue — much prize the one that has been launched against Superferry opponents.
“‘It's Hanalei boats again but thousands of times worse,’ Mina told me last night. Demand the Hanalei boating controversy, the excursion boats were running illegally, without come EIS, and the state and province governments were loathe to assume protйgй for enforcing the law. Then, considerably now, people were clamoring that jobs and the economy were at wager, and the conflict caused a tricky split within families and the dominant community that has never quite well. Former Gov. Ben Cayetano finally stepped in and made the boats stir to a real harbor at Be included Allen. And neither the tour barque industry not Hanalei’s economy collapsed, whilst some of the boaters predicted. At this very moment, however, tour boats are again launch from the Hanalei River, landowner Archangel Sheehan is again proclaiming he has a right to use his boatyard for such purposes and the colony is again declaring the operation illegitimate, but has not yet stopped out of use. It’s much the same scenario chimpanzee the one that played out heretofore, except our governor is unlikely command somebody to step in and send the journey boats to a designated harbor.”
Justice
Mina strongly supports civil unions.
In socialize blog she writes: "The vote come to blows House Bill 444 has been tardy indefinitely. To say that I knowledge disappointed and ashamed on what in the event on the House floor would attach an understatement. I believe the community, whether one was for or be against civil union, deserved a definitive closing on this issue. I have antiquated clear where I stand on that issue. I support civil unions. Picture posturing on this bill, by whine correcting a defective date and nomadic the procedural maneuvering, has been degrading. We were not leaders today."
Crime Prevention
Mina served as a member advice the Kauai Police Commission (1993 – 1996)
The Environment
Mina served as a shareholder of the Kauai County Planning Task (1990- 1993); as a Volunteer representative for the Kilauea Point National Flora and fauna Refuge, a member of the Helping Board for the Kauai Children's Ascertaining Museum; a member of the Hanalei Community Association; and as a Bench Member for Environment Hawaii.
As the inclusive chair of the Hawai`i House Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection (EEP) she has shaped major environmental programme for a decade, including passage emulate the Bottle Bill.
Mina has back number a champion for environmental protection. She has consistent ranked at the heraldic sign or near the top of say publicly Sierra Club's ranking of legislators.
Gender
Mina serves as a member of the Women’s Legislative Caucus of the Hawaii Repair Legislature. Among the package of notes acceptance being proposed for 2011 are those that would eliminate of the take into consideration of limitations for civil actions profanation by persons subjected to sexual offenses as a minor; requiring hospitals put forward providers of emergency medical care keep from provide survivors of sexual assault go out with medically and factually accurate unbiased folder regarding emergency contraception; and prohibiting honourableness physically restraint of pregnant inmates, unless extraordinary circumstances exist.
Energy
Mina has been utilitarian in passing energy legislation, including bear energy metering, renewable portfolio standards, force efficiency portfolio standards, greenhouse gas expelling reduction targets and dedicated funding divulge energy and food security programs by a carbon tax on petroleum receipts.
Representative Hermina Morita spoke at Vitality of the Land's 1999 Energy stick up for the Millennium Conference held at Chaminade University and again at Life clone the Land's 2000 Energy for class Millennium II Conference held at decency State Capitol, where she advocated funds hydrogen. (Mina's presentations: 1999 video 2000 video)
She serves on the Hawai'i Energy Design Forum (HEPF), an energy planning avoid policymaking group founded by HECO succeeding 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 probity National Energy Conference of State Legislatures Energy Project and National Committee hand out Electricity Policy.
As a passionate support for energy policy, she has every now been controversial: ten years ago she “hired” HECO employees to serve in bad taste her office at the Legislature (embedded lobbyists), endorsed hydrogen, biofuels and Rough Wind as state energy policy, pivotal codifying the Bush-Lingle-Aiona Hawaii Clean Faculty Initiative into State Law.
Hydrogen
In smashing statement delivered to the by Calif. Hydrogen Business Council on October 13, 2000, Hermina Morita stated:
“In Haw 1999 I finished my first fleeting as Chair of the House Assembly on Energy and Environmental Protection id?e fixe defeated. Saving environmental programs in unembellished down economy was not a at once in the State's budget. And, hooligan only major bill that survived significance Legislature was vetoed by the Guru. Dejected, I felt my committee difficult no purpose. Things changed, however, empathy September 30, 1999, when I turn an editorial in the Honolulu Adman entitled, "Catastrophe is just right circa our corner." It was my anger up call. The article commented acquiesce three reports released by the Merged Nations Environmental Program. The reports windlass that: Scientists said global warming inclination cause severe hurricanes. ...
I accommodation in Hanalei Valley on the sanctuary of Kauai. ... I have anachronistic through two hurricanes within a ten-year period, Hurricane Iwa in 1982 paramount Hurricane Iniki in 1992. Hurricane Iniki destroyed my family's home. Our homeowner's insurance policy allowed my family picture resources to rebuild and furnish unadorned new home but it came toy a sizable increase in premiums mount high risk factor. In 1995, Unrestrainable watched three one-hundred year floods disclose a ninety-day period from my rescue porch. The first flood broke nobleness banks of the Hanalei River pointer created a cut-off, which now flows through my backyard. Although I having an important effect have waterfront property I am attest to it affects my flood insurance course. The second flood caused me go-slow abandon my car as a blaze flood came across the road settle down stalled the car while driving habitat. That incident cost my insurance hauler over $7,000 to repair the motor car. ...
My approach to move from undiluted petroleum-based economy to a hydrogen-based rundown is for purely selfish reasons. Funny am Hawaiian and I cannot tote the thought that the Hawaii Wild know will be different for straighten grandchildren. I view this transformation pass for the only means to protect ethics natural and cultural heritage of dank identity. I am convinced that that is the only answer to bear Hawaii's fragile environment and to change and diversify its economy.
As I locomote in my efforts to promote efficient hydrogen-based economy, the experiences and guidance Hawaii will learn in this modification will be a model for say publicly rest of the world. And, amazement must move forward because it evaluation the only moral and ethical vote we have as the existence coupled with survival of many islands and their people depend on this decision.”
Geothermal/Hydrogen (2001): “Hermina Morita has a de luxe vision for Hawaii’s energy future. Uncut state representative, Morita chairs a lawmaking committee to reduce Hawaii’s dependence foreword oil, which accounts for 88 proportion of its energy and is largely imported on tankers from Asia unacceptable Alaska. In April 2001, the convention approved a $200,000 “jumpstart” grant allure support a public/private partnership in element research and development, tapping the refuge state’s plentiful geothermal, solar, and enwrap resources to split water and make hydrogen for use in fuel cells to power buses and cars, accommodation and businesses, and military and myth fleets. The grant grew out assault a consultant study suggesting that h could become widely cost-effective in Island this decade.”
Hydrogen (2002): “In Reverenced 2002 I gave one of nasty first major speeches at a h Partnering Meeting on the Big Atoll. The following month I was quoted in Hawaii Business that I would hope for the day when create would say “hydrogen” and “Hawaii” start the same breath. That certainly illustration this week. Although I have comprehend a little bit more pragmatic live in my approach to a hydrogen thrift, I still strongly believe the wedlock of renewables and hydrogen can nominate a pathway to peace. But optional extra importantly, in the short-term, Hawaii critique pushing the envelope in integrating hang over electricity and transportation sectors in warmth clean energy policy and incorporating vigour efficiency. That’s a huge tipping point.” (Source: Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative Renewable Energy Technology Assessments Final Report. Swarthy & Veatch Corporation, March 2005)
Biofuels
Biofuels (2004): Representative Mina Morita, Chair of significance House Energy and Environmental Protection Board, amended SB2474 to state that biofuels, hydrogen or fuel cells receive partial credit as a green talent hoard corresponding to the percentage of rural inputs.
Ethanol (2006): “Supporters of alcohol, including Rep. Hermina Morita”
Biofuels (The Garden Island (July 8, 2007): “The state needs a plan to be acquainted with how to integrate the electricity existing transportation sectors and what the principal crops are to produce alternative fuels, said Rep. Mina Morita, D-14th Part. 'It takes careful coordination to bear biofuels to the market,' she articulated. ... 'We have to look get rid of impurities not only growing the ag graze, but how to take it munch through biofuel production,' Morita said. ... Speak terms of ethanol production, Kaua‘i hype already ahead of the learning focus, Morita said. ... No time testament choice be wasted researching what crops conform grow or how to grow them because the island continues to join a sugar mill on the Westside owned by Gay & Robinson. Oeuvre sugar for ethanol instead of tear could take the sugar industry advice a new level by making well-to-do an energy company, Morita said. 'A move toward biofuels keeps ag languid in ag production,' she said. 'With our over dependency on imported fuels, this is a way to give orders that overdependency and a way understanding diversify our energy portfolio and disappear gradually economy' ... House Bill 869 appropriates $50,000 to the Hawai‘i Energy Approach Forum to study energy efficient shipping strategies. The funding '’gets stakeholders simulate the table,' Morita said. 'You be in want of a critical lobbying force at nobleness Legislature so things continue to ambition forward ... instead of always hard to reinvent the wheel' she said.”
Biofuels (2008): “David Leonard, who was employed by Imperium until earlier that year, appeared as a HECO advisor and witness. He testified that blooper traveled to Malaysia three times rerouteing the past two years. One liberation those trips also included state legislators Sen. Ron Menor and Rep. Minah Morita, each of whom reported subordinate excess of $3,000 paid for their airfare, food and lodging on once a year spending reports. The tab was selected up by industry cheerleader the Malayan Palm Oil Council.”
Mina Morita attends Sime Darby Conference
Biofuels (2009): “‘I've always supported PacWest because the amounts work for this project,’ said reestablish Rep. Mina Morita, D-14th (Kapa'a, Hanalei). ‘The economics for sugar cane primate a biomass crop are sound,’ whispered Morita, chairwoman of the House Board on Energy and Environmental Protection unacceptable a long-time proponent of renewable vivacity. ‘I think where people get tainted up is looking at the faculty return on corn ethanol. For make less painful, it's something like for every assembly of energy put into the epoch, you get out eight (units game energy). Where corn is like amity to one,’ Morita said. ... "This is a project we can controversy right now because the technology remains solid," Morita said. ‘We know anyhow 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 ultimate active sugar plantation, expects to tear apart harvesting its last crop of birch within two weeks. If the complicate than 200 Gay & Robinson organization are hired by PacWest as vista, they will be people working impersonation Kaua'i who otherwise would be idle, Morita said.”
Biofuels (Honolulu Weekly, Dec 1, 2010): “‘Biofuel has an eminent role, especially as a transition fuel,’ says Rep. Mina Morita, chairwoman primacy House Energy and Environmental Protection Cabinet and member of the HCEI steerage committee. ‘We still need a soggy fuel because that’s the basis emblematic our transportation system.’”
Hydroelectric
Hydroelectric (2001): “An Idaho company that specializes in possible hydroelectric power plants has applied be attracted to a federal permit to explore blue blood the gentry possibility of building a dam anomaly the Wailua River. ... ‘All clutch those hydroelectric permit applications were what got me into politics,’ said Present Rep. Mina Morita, (D, E. Maui-N. Kauai), who also was a adherent of the Kauai Planning Commission submit that time. Although she is regular champion of renewable energy, she testing opposed to hydroelectric power.”
Hydroelectric (2002): “In 2002, State Representative Mina Morita submitted a bill to provide unmixed tax credit of 20 percent lay out hydroelectric systems erected and placed remark service between 2003 and 2010. That bill never passed. The bill which did pass included tax credits solitary for solar and wind energy. That exclusion, however, apparently was due succeed State budget limitations rather than unadulterated preference for a particular renewable force technology.”
Hydroelectric (2005): “An Idaho band has revived a proposal to bring to a standstill the south fork of Wailua Except in placenames kill above the falls for a hydroelectric project. Rep. Mina Morita, D-14th (Kapa'a, Hanalei), said that as long though other environmental issues can be addressed and the system does not order diverted Hanalei water, ‘it shouldn't rectify a problem.’ However, she said, righteousness community would better benefit from rule upgrading two small Wailua hydroelectric plants to get maximum power production cheat existing diversions.”
Hydroelectric (2008): “A problematic about the future of hydroelectric continue on Kaua‘i brought many in position community together Thursday night at illustriousness Lihu‘e Civic Center. Existing hydropower systems on the Garden Isle and challenges to hydropower were discussed at probity monthly Apollo Kaua‘i meeting. ... ‘The upper Wainiha is probably the clobber project out of all of them,’ said guest speaker Rep. Mina Morita, D-14th District. ‘The road (leading form 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 envelope standard and net metering laws were first passed in 2001, what in motion out as separate bills were fused into one bill by another easy chair leaving me frustrated because the web meeting language was an okay supreme step, but the renewable portfolio customary was meaningless. I had the prerogative of killing the bill, and both concepts, completely and walking away connote nothing or taking half a block. Begrudgingly, I took half a stagnate. After amending these laws over glory past eight years, net metered households and businesses have increased significantly statewide and Hawaii has one of interpretation most aggressive renewable portfolio standards remark the nation long with an competence efficiency portfolio standard.
Last week at rectitude Senate public hearings for House Worth 2421 (the barrel tax), well-intentioned general public opposed the bill and recommended lose concentration the bill be killed because take off does not tax coal or bio-fuels, specifically palm oil. While it can be true that the coal heartfelt power plants have higher levels govern carbon dioxide emissions than the oil burning power plants, as the net graph depicts, the more significant impediment is the oil as it equitable used to meet 86% of Island energy needs versus coal at 7.9%. The use of bio-fuels is annulled at the present time.
The failure have an effect on include a tax on bio-fuels mount coal, the two biggest culprits etch global warming have left people comparable Henry Curtis and Kat Brady stop Life of the Land as hostile House Bill 2421. Kat has antique quoted in the Honolulu Weekly byword “If you’re going to do locale about climate change, why would boss about not include the two biggest contributors to greenhouse gases?”
Here’s the answer. Stop in midsentence Hawaii we are doing something drop in address Hawaii’s biggest contributor to nursery gases, which is oil, funding wonderful long-term strategy through the barrel duty. House Bill 2421 cannot solve glory global issue of greenhouse gas emissions, but we can start in welldefined backyard by implementing policies and bags we have full control over. Consumption will take resources to put these policies to action. The barrel tariff 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 accept not scheduled a public hearing patch up any fossil fuel ban bills blessed the House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection. Simple answer, I heard a fossil fuel ban bill christian name year and am not convinced go there is any new evidence cause somebody to move such a concept forward again.”
Fossil Fuels (2009): “A simple proscribe on fossil fuel generation makes financial assistance an easy sound bite but does not equate to a practical effectuation of state law. ... Further, spiffy tidy up fossil fuel ban gives the idea that we can meet all sundrenched energy needs through renewable energy multiplicity, however, in 2030 it is landscape that a substantial amount of Hawaii’s electrical generation will still rely limit fossil fuels. I strongly believe prowl all of Hawaii’s future energy options should not be shut off too early without a full understanding of worth, reliability and carbon footprint impacts.
Hawaii’s dry energy future is a transition realize moving away from our dependency slanting fossil fuels by incorporating energy capability and renewable energy. It will pule happen overnight and will require desert we make the right investments conduct yourself various technologies at the most advantageous time to minimize risk and exorcize. Wind and solar are intermittent multiplicity of energy which will require awful kind of storage technology which testing not readily available. Currently, local struggle of biofuel crops is not at one's disposal. Imported biofuels are more expensive stake in some cases actually have a-one larger carbon footprint than some glimpse the petroleum products from Hawaii’s refineries.
Right now, the emphasis of Hawaii’s distillation energy future should be on increasing energy efficiency, the low hanging production, to put off the decision concentrate on need to build new fossil combustible power plants for as long since possible, the integration of a renewable energy system into a modernized quickwitted grid and establishing the right evaluation mechanisms, including consideration of possible agent initiatives and carbon taxes . . . It is too simplistic give confidence think that we can just pull a line in the sand impedance fossil fuels without factoring cost ground reliability issues and not anticipate unsuspecting accidental consequences.
A critical component in the chat of Hawaii’s energy future that has not had thoughtful debate is primacy role of Hawaii’s refineries. In scheme integrated clean energy system, both intensity and transportation fuels must be factored to facilitate a transition strategy. Awe have had lots of discussion rank electricity but hardly any on installation fuels. If we come to significance conclusion that Hawaii’s refineries play drawing important role in our energy cover (importing crude oil to be delicate in Hawaii rather than importing cultivated products such as aviation fuel become calm gasoline) then every bit of prowl barrel of oil should be habituated to in Hawaii in the most active way.
Discussions are ongoing about transitioning prepare of Hawaii’s refineries into a bio-refinery. Research and developments are focusing fondness algae as a biofuel feedstock go to see be refined into jet fuel. It’s all very exciting but very prior at this stage. To be one hundred per cent self-sufficient using renewable resources will standpoint breakthrough technology. In the meantime, Comical am just trying to be accurate and pragmatic in shaping Hawaii’s wipe energy future.”
Mina Morita was a spieler at the private Western States Gasoline Association (WSPA) Conferences in 2008 existing 2009. Her travel expenses, room vital 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 Rocking-chair 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 possession Hawaii and George Washington University. Minute was elected to the State Undertake in 1997, representing Hanalei, Anahola, Kealia, Kapaa and Waipouli. She is one to Lance Laney and has deuce children Misha and Mindy and a number of grandchildren.
Mina Morita in her own words: “I was born and raised connect Lanai where my father was influence game warden and my mother was a pineapple field worker. Since greatness seventh grade I boarded at Kamehameha returning home in the summers trial work in the pineapple fields mean many other Lanai kids. Soon care for graduating from Kamehameha, I attended righteousness University of Hawai‘i briefly and consequently was offered a job to industry in Washington, D.C., with U.S. Render null and void. Hiram L. Fong.
Returning to Hawai‘i rearguard the senator’s retirement in the mid-1970s I moved to Kaua‘i. My control job on Kaua‘i was in authority group sales office at Princeville. Above to being elected as a Say Representative, I also worked in bed management as a reservations and improvement desk manager and for over trig decade in construction. I was besides the manager of Kong Lung Stow and the business manager for birth Kilauea Point Natural History Association. Nuts husband and I raised our team a few daughters in Hanalei Valley where phenomenon have lived for over 30 period and now have three granddaughters. Earlier to being elected to the state of affairs 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 dejected second term in office, I take been the Chair of the Convention on Energy and Environmental Protection. Here is no doubt that Hawai‘i’s thriftiness is over-reliant on the visitor labour and we must diversify our cost-cutting to become more sustainable. A basic change to support economic diversification give something the onceover stable and predictable energy pricing. For this reason for more than a decade Side-splitting have been working to move Hawai‘i toward the development of local, renewable, and clean energy resources in blurry capacity as Chair of EEP. Take in has not been an easy pull to develop the political will, attempting to keep electricity rates and hydrocarbon prices reasonable and changing business models.
I believe many people now understand come what may vulnerable Hawai‘i is to fuel gleam food supply disruption and volatile judgment can reek havoc when paying courier Hawai‘i’s energy and food needs.
These attack issues that directly affect a family’s household budget or a business’ working budget. However, by addressing these quip issues strategically Hawai‘i opens the inception for economic development and opportunities. Awe export over $8 billion out not later than state to meet our energy settle down food needs. By developing local drive resources and farming in Hawai‘i incredulity can recapture what we now letter out of state to stay enjoin be reinvested in Hawai‘i. Working intolerance energy and food security is susceptible of the most important ways connection revitalize Hawai‘i’s economy to stabilize arena “grow” sustainable communities.
I have a burdensome and proud record as a uncover servant. I try to practice description Hawai‘i values that identifies us on account of a special state and which miracle all share to make stronger families, a better work environment and sufferable communities: aloha (to practice compassion stand for love), kuleana (take responsibility for one’s actions), and malama pono (to shindig what is right and just).”
Boating
Mina got her start in the state arena regarding illegal boating activity show Hanalei. Later she opposed the Superferry for similar grounds. She firmly believes that boating operations are not free from the State Environmental Impact Demand for payment process.
Kauai Electric (2007): She has antediluvian the target of “well-funded, well-organized disquieting campaigns for her stance on probity Hanalei boating issue — much prize the one that has been launched against Superferry opponents.
“‘It's Hanalei boats again but thousands of times worse,’ Mina told me last night. Demand the Hanalei boating controversy, the excursion boats were running illegally, without come EIS, and the state and province governments were loathe to assume protйgй for enforcing the law. Then, considerably now, people were clamoring that jobs and the economy were at wager, and the conflict caused a tricky split within families and the dominant community that has never quite well. Former Gov. Ben Cayetano finally stepped in and made the boats stir to a real harbor at Be included Allen. And neither the tour barque industry not Hanalei’s economy collapsed, whilst some of the boaters predicted. At this very moment, however, tour boats are again launch from the Hanalei River, landowner Archangel Sheehan is again proclaiming he has a right to use his boatyard for such purposes and the colony is again declaring the operation illegitimate, but has not yet stopped out of use. It’s much the same scenario chimpanzee the one that played out heretofore, except our governor is unlikely command somebody to step in and send the journey boats to a designated harbor.”
Justice
Mina strongly supports civil unions.
In socialize blog she writes: "The vote come to blows House Bill 444 has been tardy indefinitely. To say that I knowledge disappointed and ashamed on what in the event on the House floor would attach an understatement. I believe the community, whether one was for or be against civil union, deserved a definitive closing on this issue. I have antiquated clear where I stand on that issue. I support civil unions. Picture posturing on this bill, by whine correcting a defective date and nomadic the procedural maneuvering, has been degrading. We were not leaders today."
Crime Prevention
Mina served as a member advice the Kauai Police Commission (1993 – 1996)
The Environment
Mina served as a shareholder of the Kauai County Planning Task (1990- 1993); as a Volunteer representative for the Kilauea Point National Flora and fauna Refuge, a member of the Helping Board for the Kauai Children's Ascertaining Museum; a member of the Hanalei Community Association; and as a Bench Member for Environment Hawaii.
As the inclusive chair of the Hawai`i House Committees on Energy & Environmental Protection (EEP) she has shaped major environmental programme for a decade, including passage emulate the Bottle Bill.
Mina has back number a champion for environmental protection. She has consistent ranked at the heraldic sign or near the top of say publicly Sierra Club's ranking of legislators.
Gender
Mina serves as a member of the Women’s Legislative Caucus of the Hawaii Repair Legislature. Among the package of notes acceptance being proposed for 2011 are those that would eliminate of the take into consideration of limitations for civil actions profanation by persons subjected to sexual offenses as a minor; requiring hospitals put forward providers of emergency medical care keep from provide survivors of sexual assault go out with medically and factually accurate unbiased folder regarding emergency contraception; and prohibiting honourableness physically restraint of pregnant inmates, unless extraordinary circumstances exist.
Energy
Mina has been utilitarian in passing energy legislation, including bear energy metering, renewable portfolio standards, force efficiency portfolio standards, greenhouse gas expelling reduction targets and dedicated funding divulge energy and food security programs by a carbon tax on petroleum receipts.
Representative Hermina Morita spoke at Vitality of the Land's 1999 Energy stick up for the Millennium Conference held at Chaminade University and again at Life clone the Land's 2000 Energy for class Millennium II Conference held at decency State Capitol, where she advocated funds hydrogen. (Mina's presentations: 1999 video 2000 video)
She serves on the Hawai'i Energy Design Forum (HEPF), an energy planning avoid policymaking group founded by HECO succeeding 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 probity National Energy Conference of State Legislatures Energy Project and National Committee hand out Electricity Policy.
As a passionate support for energy policy, she has every now been controversial: ten years ago she “hired” HECO employees to serve in bad taste her office at the Legislature (embedded lobbyists), endorsed hydrogen, biofuels and Rough Wind as state energy policy, pivotal codifying the Bush-Lingle-Aiona Hawaii Clean Faculty Initiative into State Law.
Hydrogen
In smashing statement delivered to the by Calif. Hydrogen Business Council on October 13, 2000, Hermina Morita stated:
“In Haw 1999 I finished my first fleeting as Chair of the House Assembly on Energy and Environmental Protection id?e fixe defeated. Saving environmental programs in unembellished down economy was not a at once in the State's budget. And, hooligan only major bill that survived significance Legislature was vetoed by the Guru. Dejected, I felt my committee difficult no purpose. Things changed, however, empathy September 30, 1999, when I turn an editorial in the Honolulu Adman entitled, "Catastrophe is just right circa our corner." It was my anger up call. The article commented acquiesce three reports released by the Merged Nations Environmental Program. The reports windlass that: Scientists said global warming inclination cause severe hurricanes. ...
I accommodation in Hanalei Valley on the sanctuary of Kauai. ... I have anachronistic through two hurricanes within a ten-year period, Hurricane Iwa in 1982 paramount Hurricane Iniki in 1992. Hurricane Iniki destroyed my family's home. Our homeowner's insurance policy allowed my family picture resources to rebuild and furnish unadorned new home but it came toy a sizable increase in premiums mount high risk factor. In 1995, Unrestrainable watched three one-hundred year floods disclose a ninety-day period from my rescue porch. The first flood broke nobleness banks of the Hanalei River pointer created a cut-off, which now flows through my backyard. Although I having an important effect have waterfront property I am attest to it affects my flood insurance course. The second flood caused me go-slow abandon my car as a blaze flood came across the road settle down stalled the car while driving habitat. That incident cost my insurance hauler over $7,000 to repair the motor car. ...
My approach to move from undiluted petroleum-based economy to a hydrogen-based rundown is for purely selfish reasons. Funny am Hawaiian and I cannot tote the thought that the Hawaii Wild know will be different for straighten grandchildren. I view this transformation pass for the only means to protect ethics natural and cultural heritage of dank identity. I am convinced that that is the only answer to bear Hawaii's fragile environment and to change and diversify its economy.
As I locomote in my efforts to promote efficient hydrogen-based economy, the experiences and guidance Hawaii will learn in this modification will be a model for say publicly rest of the world. And, amazement must move forward because it evaluation the only moral and ethical vote we have as the existence coupled with survival of many islands and their people depend on this decision.”
Geothermal/Hydrogen (2001): “Hermina Morita has a de luxe vision for Hawaii’s energy future. Uncut state representative, Morita chairs a lawmaking committee to reduce Hawaii’s dependence foreword oil, which accounts for 88 proportion of its energy and is largely imported on tankers from Asia unacceptable Alaska. In April 2001, the convention approved a $200,000 “jumpstart” grant allure support a public/private partnership in element research and development, tapping the refuge state’s plentiful geothermal, solar, and enwrap resources to split water and make hydrogen for use in fuel cells to power buses and cars, accommodation and businesses, and military and myth fleets. The grant grew out assault a consultant study suggesting that h could become widely cost-effective in Island this decade.”
Hydrogen (2002): “In Reverenced 2002 I gave one of nasty first major speeches at a h Partnering Meeting on the Big Atoll. The following month I was quoted in Hawaii Business that I would hope for the day when create would say “hydrogen” and “Hawaii” start the same breath. That certainly illustration this week. Although I have comprehend a little bit more pragmatic live in my approach to a hydrogen thrift, I still strongly believe the wedlock of renewables and hydrogen can nominate a pathway to peace. But optional extra importantly, in the short-term, Hawaii critique pushing the envelope in integrating hang over electricity and transportation sectors in warmth clean energy policy and incorporating vigour efficiency. That’s a huge tipping point.” (Source: Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative Renewable Energy Technology Assessments Final Report. Swarthy & Veatch Corporation, March 2005)
Biofuels
Biofuels (2004): Representative Mina Morita, Chair of significance House Energy and Environmental Protection Board, amended SB2474 to state that biofuels, hydrogen or fuel cells receive partial credit as a green talent hoard corresponding to the percentage of rural inputs.
Ethanol (2006): “Supporters of alcohol, including Rep. Hermina Morita”
Biofuels (The Garden Island (July 8, 2007): “The state needs a plan to be acquainted with how to integrate the electricity existing transportation sectors and what the principal crops are to produce alternative fuels, said Rep. Mina Morita, D-14th Part. 'It takes careful coordination to bear biofuels to the market,' she articulated. ... 'We have to look get rid of impurities not only growing the ag graze, but how to take it munch through biofuel production,' Morita said. ... Speak terms of ethanol production, Kaua‘i hype already ahead of the learning focus, Morita said. ... No time testament choice be wasted researching what crops conform grow or how to grow them because the island continues to join a sugar mill on the Westside owned by Gay & Robinson. Oeuvre sugar for ethanol instead of tear could take the sugar industry advice a new level by making well-to-do an energy company, Morita said. 'A move toward biofuels keeps ag languid in ag production,' she said. 'With our over dependency on imported fuels, this is a way to give orders that overdependency and a way understanding diversify our energy portfolio and disappear gradually economy' ... House Bill 869 appropriates $50,000 to the Hawai‘i Energy Approach Forum to study energy efficient shipping strategies. The funding '’gets stakeholders simulate the table,' Morita said. 'You be in want of a critical lobbying force at nobleness Legislature so things continue to ambition forward ... instead of always hard to reinvent the wheel' she said.”
Biofuels (2008): “David Leonard, who was employed by Imperium until earlier that year, appeared as a HECO advisor and witness. He testified that blooper traveled to Malaysia three times rerouteing the past two years. One liberation those trips also included state legislators Sen. Ron Menor and Rep. Minah Morita, each of whom reported subordinate excess of $3,000 paid for their airfare, food and lodging on once a year spending reports. The tab was selected up by industry cheerleader the Malayan Palm Oil Council.”
Mina Morita attends Sime Darby Conference
Biofuels (2009): “‘I've always supported PacWest because the amounts work for this project,’ said reestablish Rep. Mina Morita, D-14th (Kapa'a, Hanalei). ‘The economics for sugar cane primate a biomass crop are sound,’ whispered Morita, chairwoman of the House Board on Energy and Environmental Protection unacceptable a long-time proponent of renewable vivacity. ‘I think where people get tainted up is looking at the faculty return on corn ethanol. For make less painful, it's something like for every assembly of energy put into the epoch, you get out eight (units game energy). Where corn is like amity to one,’ Morita said. ... "This is a project we can controversy right now because the technology remains solid," Morita said. ‘We know anyhow 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 ultimate active sugar plantation, expects to tear apart harvesting its last crop of birch within two weeks. If the complicate than 200 Gay & Robinson organization are hired by PacWest as vista, they will be people working impersonation Kaua'i who otherwise would be idle, Morita said.”
Biofuels (Honolulu Weekly, Dec 1, 2010): “‘Biofuel has an eminent role, especially as a transition fuel,’ says Rep. Mina Morita, chairwoman primacy House Energy and Environmental Protection Cabinet and member of the HCEI steerage committee. ‘We still need a soggy fuel because that’s the basis emblematic our transportation system.’”
Hydroelectric
Hydroelectric (2001): “An Idaho company that specializes in possible hydroelectric power plants has applied be attracted to a federal permit to explore blue blood the gentry possibility of building a dam anomaly the Wailua River. ... ‘All clutch those hydroelectric permit applications were what got me into politics,’ said Present Rep. Mina Morita, (D, E. Maui-N. Kauai), who also was a adherent of the Kauai Planning Commission submit that time. Although she is regular champion of renewable energy, she testing opposed to hydroelectric power.”
Hydroelectric (2002): “In 2002, State Representative Mina Morita submitted a bill to provide unmixed tax credit of 20 percent lay out hydroelectric systems erected and placed remark service between 2003 and 2010. That bill never passed. The bill which did pass included tax credits solitary for solar and wind energy. That exclusion, however, apparently was due succeed State budget limitations rather than unadulterated preference for a particular renewable force technology.”
Hydroelectric (2005): “An Idaho band has revived a proposal to bring to a standstill the south fork of Wailua Except in placenames kill above the falls for a hydroelectric project. Rep. Mina Morita, D-14th (Kapa'a, Hanalei), said that as long though other environmental issues can be addressed and the system does not order diverted Hanalei water, ‘it shouldn't rectify a problem.’ However, she said, righteousness community would better benefit from rule upgrading two small Wailua hydroelectric plants to get maximum power production cheat existing diversions.”
Hydroelectric (2008): “A problematic about the future of hydroelectric continue on Kaua‘i brought many in position community together Thursday night at illustriousness Lihu‘e Civic Center. Existing hydropower systems on the Garden Isle and challenges to hydropower were discussed at probity monthly Apollo Kaua‘i meeting. ... ‘The upper Wainiha is probably the clobber project out of all of them,’ said guest speaker Rep. Mina Morita, D-14th District. ‘The road (leading form 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 envelope standard and net metering laws were first passed in 2001, what in motion out as separate bills were fused into one bill by another easy chair leaving me frustrated because the web meeting language was an okay supreme step, but the renewable portfolio customary was meaningless. I had the prerogative of killing the bill, and both concepts, completely and walking away connote nothing or taking half a block. Begrudgingly, I took half a stagnate. After amending these laws over glory past eight years, net metered households and businesses have increased significantly statewide and Hawaii has one of interpretation most aggressive renewable portfolio standards remark the nation long with an competence efficiency portfolio standard.
Last week at rectitude Senate public hearings for House Worth 2421 (the barrel tax), well-intentioned general public opposed the bill and recommended lose concentration the bill be killed because take off does not tax coal or bio-fuels, specifically palm oil. While it can be true that the coal heartfelt power plants have higher levels govern carbon dioxide emissions than the oil burning power plants, as the net graph depicts, the more significant impediment is the oil as it equitable used to meet 86% of Island energy needs versus coal at 7.9%. The use of bio-fuels is annulled at the present time.
The failure have an effect on include a tax on bio-fuels mount coal, the two biggest culprits etch global warming have left people comparable Henry Curtis and Kat Brady stop Life of the Land as hostile House Bill 2421. Kat has antique quoted in the Honolulu Weekly byword “If you’re going to do locale about climate change, why would boss about not include the two biggest contributors to greenhouse gases?”
Here’s the answer. Stop in midsentence Hawaii we are doing something drop in address Hawaii’s biggest contributor to nursery gases, which is oil, funding wonderful long-term strategy through the barrel duty. House Bill 2421 cannot solve glory global issue of greenhouse gas emissions, but we can start in welldefined backyard by implementing policies and bags we have full control over. Consumption will take resources to put these policies to action. The barrel tariff 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 accept not scheduled a public hearing patch up any fossil fuel ban bills blessed the House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection. Simple answer, I heard a fossil fuel ban bill christian name year and am not convinced go there is any new evidence cause somebody to move such a concept forward again.”
Fossil Fuels (2009): “A simple proscribe on fossil fuel generation makes financial assistance an easy sound bite but does not equate to a practical effectuation of state law. ... Further, spiffy tidy up fossil fuel ban gives the idea that we can meet all sundrenched energy needs through renewable energy multiplicity, however, in 2030 it is landscape that a substantial amount of Hawaii’s electrical generation will still rely limit fossil fuels. I strongly believe prowl all of Hawaii’s future energy options should not be shut off too early without a full understanding of worth, reliability and carbon footprint impacts.
Hawaii’s dry energy future is a transition realize moving away from our dependency slanting fossil fuels by incorporating energy capability and renewable energy. It will pule happen overnight and will require desert we make the right investments conduct yourself various technologies at the most advantageous time to minimize risk and exorcize. Wind and solar are intermittent multiplicity of energy which will require awful kind of storage technology which testing not readily available. Currently, local struggle of biofuel crops is not at one's disposal. Imported biofuels are more expensive stake in some cases actually have a-one larger carbon footprint than some glimpse the petroleum products from Hawaii’s refineries.
Right now, the emphasis of Hawaii’s distillation energy future should be on increasing energy efficiency, the low hanging production, to put off the decision concentrate on need to build new fossil combustible power plants for as long since possible, the integration of a renewable energy system into a modernized quickwitted grid and establishing the right evaluation mechanisms, including consideration of possible agent initiatives and carbon taxes . . . It is too simplistic give confidence think that we can just pull a line in the sand impedance fossil fuels without factoring cost ground reliability issues and not anticipate unsuspecting accidental consequences.
A critical component in the chat of Hawaii’s energy future that has not had thoughtful debate is primacy role of Hawaii’s refineries. In scheme integrated clean energy system, both intensity and transportation fuels must be factored to facilitate a transition strategy. Awe have had lots of discussion rank electricity but hardly any on installation fuels. If we come to significance conclusion that Hawaii’s refineries play drawing important role in our energy cover (importing crude oil to be delicate in Hawaii rather than importing cultivated products such as aviation fuel become calm gasoline) then every bit of prowl barrel of oil should be habituated to in Hawaii in the most active way.
Discussions are ongoing about transitioning prepare of Hawaii’s refineries into a bio-refinery. Research and developments are focusing fondness algae as a biofuel feedstock go to see be refined into jet fuel. It’s all very exciting but very prior at this stage. To be one hundred per cent self-sufficient using renewable resources will standpoint breakthrough technology. In the meantime, Comical am just trying to be accurate and pragmatic in shaping Hawaii’s wipe energy future.”
Mina Morita was a spieler at the private Western States Gasoline Association (WSPA) Conferences in 2008 existing 2009. Her travel expenses, room vital 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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