Action Alert + Updates! Protect our Pollinators + Status of Bills
Good news! Many of our food systems bills are moving. We have a couple more action alerts and a report back on the status of bills we’ve been working on this session. Mahalo to all of you taking action!
Action Alert: Protect Pollinators
A bill to classify neonicotinoid pesticides (systemic insecticides which pose severe threats to pollinators and environmental health) as Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) has been scheduled for a hearing Monday, Feb. 12th at 1:31pm in the Senate Committee on Agriculture & Environment Please submit testimony in support!
Written Testimony due Sunday, February 11th
Support SB2366: Pollinator Protections
What Does This Bill Do?
SB 2366 would classify neonicotinoid insecticides as Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs) according to overwhelming research that shows that neonicotinoid pesticides have destructive impacts on pollinator populations, killing bees, butterflies, and birds, and pose a serious threat to food systems, ecosystems, and public health.
Why Is This Important? Sample Testimony:
Aloha Chair Gabbard, Vice Chair Richards and Honorable Committee Members,
I am testifying in strong support of SB 2366, which would amend the definition of a “Restricted Use Pesticide” to include neonicotinoid pesticides.
Neonics pose significant risk to humans, pollinators and environmental health. Recently they were linked to sudden nosebleeds, constant coughing, and passing out while exercising in Mead, Nebraska. In addition to the human toll, the community saw livestock health problems and deaths, as well as “bee kills” (sudden colony collapse).
Neonics have the ability to kill bees with extraordinarily low levels of exposure. Impacts to our pollinators endanger our local food production. The USDA estimates that 1 in 3 bites of food rely upon pollinators.
Neonics pose significant effects on insects, soil and water. Neonicotinoids often exceed existing regulatory guidelines in surface waters and represent a significant risk to water quality and diverse aquatic and terrestrial fauna that these ecosystems support.
There is currently no reporting of neonic use in Hawaiʻi because it is not classified as an RUP. SB 2366 would reclassify neonics as RUPs would therefore allow for better oversight and reporting.
Efforts to reduce the harm posed to communities, pollinators, and our environment from neonic use in Hawaiʻi starts with inclusion of them as RUPs.
Please support SB 2366.
Thank you for your consideration,
Your Name, Town
(You will need a Capitol website account)
Action Alert: Support Clean Elections
Support SB2381: Publicly Funded Elections
Although food justice is HAPA’s core program area, we support many other bills related to our other program areas.
Core to HAPA’s mission are efforts to ensure our local government prioritizes the wellbeing of communities and environment over corporate profits. Getting corporate money and influence out of politics is vital to a more just Hawaiʻi. HAPA is a proud member of the Clean Elections Coalition! As such we are supporting bills to provide public funding for our local elections.
SB2381 SD1 is schedule for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means on Tuesday, Feb. 13th at 10:05 am in Conference Room 211
Written Testimony due Monday, February 12th
(Oral Testimony not Accepted)
What Does This Bill Do?
Establishes a comprehensive system of public financing for all candidates seeking election to state and county public offices in the State of Hawaiʻi
Why Is This Important? Sample Testimony:
Aloha Chair Dela Cruz, Vice Chair Committee Members,
Money has dominated Hawaii's political system for too long, leading to bad policies being passed and good ones being killed. SB2381 can break the link between private money and winning elections by freeing candidates from the need to fundraise from wealthy donors and special interests. This can lead to a more ethical and representative government that prioritizes the needs of constituents. Connecticut, Maine, and Hawaii County Council have proven that full publicly financed elections can be successful and cost-effective. These examples haven’t resulted in incumbents losing at higher rates or the majority parties losing seats, but it has resulted in shifts in how the sitting legislators are influenced. We can easily afford this program's low cost of less than $10 million per year. If we are serious about ending corruption and creating a system that works for all residents and not just the wealthy few, we need to pass SB2381 now.
Mahalo for your consideration,
Your name, Town
(You will need a Capitol website account)
2024 Legislative Session Updates!
Saturday, Feb. 10th
Good news! Our food systems bills are moving. Here is a report back on the status of bills we’ve been working on this session. Mahalo to all of you taking action!
Fair & Sustainable Food Systems Policy Agenda
Food Equity
SB2479: Farm To Food Bank Program - passed AEN, needs a hearing in WAM
SB2421- Fund DA BUX - passed AEN/HHS, needs a hearing in WAM
Pesticide Protections
SB3315: RUP Buffer Zones - AEN decision-making deferred until Monday, 2/12
SB3316: Improved RUP Disclosure - AEN decision-making deferred until Monday, 2/12
Support for Food Producers & Regenerative Farming Practices
SB2423: Healthy Soils Program - passed AEN, needs a hearing in WAM
SB 3247: Interisland Shipping Tax Credit for Ag Goods - AEN decision-making Monday, 2/12
SB 3302: Farmer & Producer Tax Credit - AEN decision-making deferred until Monday, 2/12
Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge
HB2626: Streamlining Fishpond Restoration - passed WAL, needs a hearing in JHA
SB3327: Free the Water Commission - passed WTL/PSM, needs a hearing in WAM/JDC
Food System Planning
SB2414: State Food Systems Planning Bill - passed AEN, needs a hearing in WAM
Farm to School
HB2083: Farm to School - passed AGR, needs a hearing in EDN
HB2138: Agriculture Education Coordinator Position - passed AGR, needs a hearing in HET
View HAPA’s 2024 Fair & Sustainable Food Systems Policy Agenda
Join us this session in supporting a broad array of bills designed to support local farmers, food producers, increase local food production, address inequities in our food system such as food insecurity, and support regenerative and indigenous farming/food production practices.
See more information below about HAPA’s 2024 FSFS policy agenda below and take action in support of these Fair & Sustainable Food System policy priorities!
New to Legislative Engagement? Learn more about how to engage in the Legislative Session!
Make sure you have set up your account on the Hawaii State Legislature website. If you are new to the process, see this helpful page on legislative engagement 101 from the Public Access Room including a link on how to submit testimony!
About Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action
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The Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action (HAPA) is deeply committed to championing social, economic, and environmental justice throughout Hawaiʻi. Recognizing the interconnected nature of food systems, we underscore that the challenges plaguing these systems are not isolated from broader social, economic, and environmental concerns. We believe in an integrated approach that addresses these interdependencies to create a just, equitable, and sustainable future for Hawaiʻi.
Contact: info@hapahi.org | (808) 212-9616
