Aloha La'akea Friends and Supporters,

I am writing to solicit your support for SB2274  Sustainable Living Research; Permit. This is one of the most progressive and ecofriendly sustainable community and living laws that is being proposed anywhere in the USA!  This could change life for many people in Puna!

This bill was authored by HSCA (www.hawaiisustainablecommunity.org) and introduced by Sen. Russell Ruderman.  It has successfully passed the Senate.  Testimony so far has been all positive except for  'concerns' by three Govt. agencies that we are successfully addressing.  We have the backing of the Senate Majority Leader and the Sierra Club.

At 4.55 pm on Friday March 7, 2014 we received notice that the House Committee on Water and Land will hear SB2274!  

Sorry for the short notice but we need TESTIMONY to be sent by this weekend because the hearing is on Monday, March 10th 8.45am! 

So please write in your support statements over the weekend! 

This MAJOR bill will have a significant impact on our freedoms and lifestyle here.

Your support will better our chances of getting this passed.

How to submit your testimony:

• Go to http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/submittestimony.aspx

• You will see a field on left stating "Enter a measure to retrieve the corresponding hearing notice."

• Enter SB2274 and press Submit. This will take you to a form where you can submit testimony for this bill. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DEFAULT POSITION IS SET TO "COMMENT ONLY." You will need to select the "Support" button.

• It is a quick and simple process. You will receive a confirmation on your email.

Testimony Format and Tips:

• Keep it positive    
• Keep it relatively short

If you want to send an email rather than go to the testimony web site, edit the sample letter and send to:          WALtestimony@capitol.hawaii.gov

Sample Testimony Letter Template:

House Water and Land Committee

Meeting: March 10, 2014 @10:30am

RE:  SB 2274

Aloha Chair Representative Cindy Evans, Vice Chair Representative Nicole Lowen and Members of the Committee,

I support SB 2274 for these reasons:

Sustainable living research will:

1.      Provide essential data for implementation of the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan, Act 8, 2005

2.      Improve our state disaster preparedness by researching and developing best practices to alleviate impacts due to a state of long emergency

3.      Promote the development of think tanks focusing on sustainable research and development

4.      Alleviate landfill problems by increasing- reduce, reuse, recycle, refuse, and re-educate

5.      Increase employment in small sustainable business enterprises

6.      Promote the growth of small locally-owned farms that educate and employ a new breed of young farmers

7.      Increase real 'affordable' and sustainable green housing

8.      Achieve multiple community goals through economic activity.

9.      Implement programs in sustainable development to resolve problems of public transportation, recycling, energy conservation, natural hazard mitigation, and other social issues.

10.     Reduce dependence on imports of food and energy by promoting locally sustainable alternatives

11.     Promote the development of think tanks focusing on sustainable research and development

12.     Bring current zoning and land use codes into compliance with local community values

I also fully support amending this Bill to include all lots greater than one acre.

Mahalo for your support of this important bill,

(Signed)

THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP! Hawaii is a small state. Every voice counts. You will be playing an important role in passing this law.

PLEASE POST THIS ACTION ALERT ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND/OR ANY OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA.

 Hawaii Sustainable Community Alliance (HSCA)

Tracy Matfin

tracy@permaculture-hawaii.com
La’akea Community, LLC

808-443-4076

Pahoa, Hawaii 96778