Governor Message - August 2018
August 02, 2018
Aloha!
We wrapped up our bill signing period last month, with 220 bills signed, after reviewing 228 bills that were passed during the 2018 legislative session. My administration and I considered the legal and policy implications of each bill, as well as public input. I take it all into account and ask if each measure is the right thing to do, if it is done the right way, and if it benefits the people of Hawai‘i. I take this responsibility very seriously.
One bill that received a lot of international, national and local attention was SB 2571. Hawai‘i became the first in the world to ban the sale of sunscreens that contain the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate without a prescription from a licensed health care provider. Studies have documented the negative impact of these chemicals on corals and other marine life. Our natural environment is fragile, and our own interaction with the earth can have lasting impacts. This new law is just one step toward protecting the health and resiliency of Hawai‘i’s reefs.
Thanks to our legislators, Friends of Hanauma Bay, Surfrider Foundation, The Kohala Center of Hawai‘i Island and others who supported this historic bill.
The new law takes effect on Jan. 1, 2021.
Other bills that I signed into law this year include:
LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION:
Did you know that only 15 percent of the food consumed in Hawai‘i is produced here in the islands? That is why one of my administration’s primary goals is to double local food production by 2020.
We are working to move island agriculture from the plantation era into the 21st century. That means combining sustainable practices with new technology to help small farmers while also attracting a new generation of growers.
We’ve taken action on several fronts to transition to diversified agriculture, including:
We will double the state’s food production with the right combination of available land and water, public-private investment, more support for current and future farmers, and new technology such as high-tech, climate-controlled greenhouses on a scale that can make a difference for diversified ag.
We wrapped up our bill signing period last month, with 220 bills signed, after reviewing 228 bills that were passed during the 2018 legislative session. My administration and I considered the legal and policy implications of each bill, as well as public input. I take it all into account and ask if each measure is the right thing to do, if it is done the right way, and if it benefits the people of Hawai‘i. I take this responsibility very seriously.
One bill that received a lot of international, national and local attention was SB 2571. Hawai‘i became the first in the world to ban the sale of sunscreens that contain the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate without a prescription from a licensed health care provider. Studies have documented the negative impact of these chemicals on corals and other marine life. Our natural environment is fragile, and our own interaction with the earth can have lasting impacts. This new law is just one step toward protecting the health and resiliency of Hawai‘i’s reefs.
Thanks to our legislators, Friends of Hanauma Bay, Surfrider Foundation, The Kohala Center of Hawai‘i Island and others who supported this historic bill.
The new law takes effect on Jan. 1, 2021.
Other bills that I signed into law this year include:
- Eight measures from the Women’s Legislative Caucus, including a paid family leave report (SB 2990), preserving Affordable Care Act benefits (SB 2340) and the creation of a Sexual Assault and Training Program (HB 2131).
- SB 2046 (Act 157) prohibits bump stocks and multi-burst devices, such as the ones used in the deadly Las Vegas shooting. HPD Chief Susan Ballard also announced a 30-day amnesty program to turn in bump stocks at any police station or to call 9-1-1 for officers to pick it up.
- SB 2790 (Act 105) expands the basic rights of children in foster care.
- HB 2605 (Act 51) requires all public high schools in the state to offer at least one computer science course by 2021.
- SB 2087 (Act 145) amends the Good Samaritan Law to provide civil liability exemptions for saving someone with a rescue tube.
- SB 3058 (Act 149) establishes a pilot project to revitalize the Hilo Community Economic District.
- SB 2293 (Act 150) Maui Front Street Apartments – appropriates rental housing revolving funds to expedite affordable housing.
- Comprehensive bill package for the Hawai‘i Opioid Initiative, including warning labels and preventing the over-prescription of drugs.
LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION:
Did you know that only 15 percent of the food consumed in Hawai‘i is produced here in the islands? That is why one of my administration’s primary goals is to double local food production by 2020.
We are working to move island agriculture from the plantation era into the 21st century. That means combining sustainable practices with new technology to help small farmers while also attracting a new generation of growers.
We’ve taken action on several fronts to transition to diversified agriculture, including:
- Preserving thousands of acres of prime agricultural land across the state for food production and coordinating water-related policies
- Providing farmers and aquaculture operators with $8.1 million in loans and long-term leases with the state
- Developing public-private partnerships for greater capital investment
- Encouraging new farmers through business incubators and ag tech to help them become more productive
- Building community awareness through farm-to-table movements and the ‘Aina Pono, farm-to-school program
- Revitalizing dairy, egg and livestock production as well as employing new greenhouse technology and sustainable practices
We will double the state’s food production with the right combination of available land and water, public-private investment, more support for current and future farmers, and new technology such as high-tech, climate-controlled greenhouses on a scale that can make a difference for diversified ag.