Senator Mike Gabbard

November Newsletter

Vol. 18 Issue 11

Agriculture and Environment Committee, Chair

Judiciary Committee, Vice Chair

Government Operations Committee, Vice Chair

Aloha e friends,

I hope you and your ‘ohana are well. My staff and I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Hard to believe the holidays are upon us! Each month seems busier than the one before. If you missed my October Listen Story Community meeting last month, please visit my YouTube channel where you can watch guest speakers Chris Flaherty – co-founder and principal of ʻIkenākea and Daniel Simonich – Vice President of Development at The Michaels Organization, talk about the new affordable housing development being planned for Kapolei, (Leiwili Kapolei, a.k.a. Kapolei Northeast Corner) followed by Q & A, and additional community updates.  

Listen Story

Between January and October, I usually have an in-person / virtual meeting each month. We record the Zoom meetings and put the videos on my YouTube channel. So, please visit when you get a chance.  

As always, you can contact me at (808) 586-6830 or sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov if I can help you or your family in any way. I invite you to follow me on social media: Instagram @GabbardAloha, Facebook, YouTube, and X @SENMIKEGABBARD. Also, if you’d like to be added to my mailing list, please send me an email with “mailing list” in the subject line. 

Capitol Modern (Hawaiʻi State Art Museum)

After years of discussions, meetings, legislation, and commentary (It’s Time To Fix The Hawaii State Capitol Reflecting Pools) on what to do about the smelly, expensive, and labor intensive Capitol reflecting pools, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) Board approved Native Hawaiian artist and illustrator Solomon Enos to develop a design for a waterless pool. The State Capitol Pools Art Advisory Committee, formed in 2023, made the recommendation after reviewing numerous artists submissions. The project will be built in phases with a target completion date of Fall 2026.   

On Oct. 4, my staff and I, along with others in the State Senate, were invited to “make our mark” in a special event at the Capitol Modern featuring a mural that will serve as the design for the glass installation. After numerous proposals over the years... it’s nice to see a solution finally becoming a reality! Mahalo nui to all involved and to Soloman Enos for his awesome work and collaboration with the community.   

Sen. Mike Gabbard, along with Senators Michelle Kidani and Joy San Buenaventura make their mark on the new Capitol Reflecting Pool design, with artist Soloman Enos, on October 19, 2024.

Climate Hawai'i's Inaugural Climate Leadership Awards 

On October 9, I had the honor of attending the inaugural Climate Hawaiʻi Leadership Awards at Washington Place. As the first state in the nation to set a 100% clean energy goal (by 2045), Hawaiʻi is striving to lead by example. The evening celebrated individuals and organizations who are leading this charge, while recognizing their innovative work in renewable energy and climate policies. The Climate Leadership Award Recipients were selected from 21 nominees by a panel of five judges. 

The Governor’s newly established Climate Advisory Team (CAT), announced this past July, was convened to develop community-informed policy recommendations for the 2025 legislative session, with a focus on reducing the impacts of climate disasters, like the Lahaina Wildfire. As Chair of The Agriculture and Environment Committee (AEN) since 2016, I’ll continue to work on climate related legislation that aligns with these goals.  

Sen. Mike Gabbard, Sen. Sharon Moriwaki, Bob and Kelly King, Gov. Josh Green, Oct. 9, 2024.

Sen. Mike Gabbard, Gov. Josh Green, Oct. 9, 2024.

Getting Our Hands Dirty to Keep O‘ahu Clean? 

On Nov. 15, I was invited to tour H-POWER facility in Kapolei. As AEN Chair of the Agriculture and Environment Committee and Senator of District 21, I joined Sens. Glenn Wakai of District 15 and Angus McKelvey of District 6 for a private tour of the waste-to-energy plant. While I had visited several years before, I wanted to see what, if anything, had changed. The City and Reworld’s presentation included a video tour of the nearby Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill, which works in tandem with H-POWER. 

Operated by Reworld (formerly Covanta) in partnership with the City and County of Honolulu, H-POWER processes 700,000 tons of waste annually, converting it into enough electricity to power about 50,000 homes, or about 10% of O'ahu’s electricity. Burning the trash-in addition to keeping it out of landfills-avoids burning fossil fuels, which is a good thing. Unfortunately, burning trash also produces carbon dioxide and ash, which has to go into a landfill. This is the downside to municipal waste combustion facilities. They typically emit tons of pollutants into the air. Also, current technology used to monitor these facilities for pollutants is outdated. Advancements in monitoring technology have enabled more effective methods to gather extensive data to determine the effects of pollutants on public health. Experiences of other states may prove helpful in determining the optimal method for Hawai‘i, which is definitely worth pursuing.   

H-POWER site visit, from L: Senators Angus McKelvey, Glenn Wakai, and Mike Gabbard.

Hawai‘i Youth Summit: Inspiring Action for a Sustainable Future 

Sen. Gabbard, Meg Turner - Office Manager, and Melanie June - Community Liaison, Nov. 16, 2024.

Sen. Gabbard and Doorae Shin, environmental supporter, at the Youth Climate Summit, Nov. 16, 2024.

Sen. Gabbard addresses the Youth Climate Summit Nov. 16, 2024.

Sen. Gabbard, Meg Turner, Office Manager, at the Youth Climate Forum, Nov. 16, 2024.

My staff and I were pleased to attend the Hawai‘i Youth Climate Forum and Summit on Saturday, Nov. 16. As a co-sponsor of the event, along with my colleagues in the House, Rep. Amy Perruso and Rep. Nicole Lowen, and led by the Hawai‘i Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission (CCMAC), this event served as a dynamic gathering for young leaders passionate about creating a sustainable future for the islands. Hosted annually, the summit brings together students, activists, and community organizers to address critical issues such as climate change, environmental conservation, and social justice. 

Through workshops, panel discussions, and collaborative activities, attendees gain valuable insights and practical tools to drive positive change in their communities. The summit emphasizes local solutions to global challenges, encouraging youth to take action through advocacy, innovation, and community engagement. 



A highlight of the event was the opportunity to meet and talk story with the youth and learn what their concerns and priorities are for the upcoming session. By empowering young voices, the Hawai‘i Youth Summit fosters a new generation of leaders committed to preserving Hawai‘i’s natural and cultural heritage for generations to come. Many mahalos to Paul Bernstein (Carbon Cashback Task Force), Debbie Milliken (Punahou Sustainability Coordinator), Bill Unruh, Outreach Coordinator for the CCMAC, and especially all the youth who participated, without whom this event wouldn’t have been possible. 

Kent Dumlao, Specialist; Jessica Miura, Specialist; Shelby Ching, Inspector HDOA Plant Quarantine Branch at the Hawai'i Ag Leadership Conference Nov 7-8.

Hawai‘i Farm Bureau Hosts 77th Annual Convention 

The Hawai‘i Farm Bureau (HFB) celebrated its 77th Annual Convention Oct. 28-30, bringing together farmers, ranchers, policymakers, and community leaders to discuss the future of agriculture in Hawai‘i. The event focused on addressing challenges faced by the agricultural industry, including sustainability, food security, and climate change.

The convention featured expert panels, breakout sessions, and keynote speakers who shared insights on innovative farming practices, policy developments, and the importance of supporting local agriculture. Topics ranged from regenerative farming and water resource management to youth engagement and workforce development in the agricultural sector.

This milestone event also served as a platform to honor the dedication and achievements of Hawai‘i’s farming community. By fostering dialogue and collaboration, the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau continues to strengthen the foundation for a resilient and thriving agricultural future in the islands. 

Hawai‘i Farmers Union 14th Annual Convention  

For the first time, the Hawai‘i Farmers Union (HFU) offered free public access to its 14th Annual Convention, held October 4-6 at the University of Hawai‘i Maui College. Sponsored by the County of Maui and private funders like Farm Lovers Farmers Markets, the event celebrates Hawai‘i’s agricultural heritage and future, community resilience and food system sustainability.

This year’s theme, “I ka wā ma mua, ka wā ma hope” (“We look to the past as a guide to the future”), integrated traditional Hawaiian agricultural knowledge with modern climate-smart techniques. In collaboration with Hawai‘i Tropical Fruit Growers and the Maui Food Innovation Center, attendees enjoyed workshops, panels, and demonstrations focusing on food security and sustainability. Key highlights included:

• Keynote Speakers & Demos from experts: Paula Daniels and Dana Shapiro.
• Friday Night Market & Activities: Traditional Makahiki games, live music by Homestead, a screening of Common Ground, and a vibrant local market.
• Farm-to-Table Gala: A gourmet dinner by Chef Hui, live entertainment by Tavana, and a live auction hosted by local comedians.
• The event concluded with the election of HFU’s new state president and a tour of GoFarm Hawai‘i’s newest site in Central Maui.

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