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The House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection today passed House Bill 600, introduced by Representative Nicole Lowen (District 6, Kailua-Kona, Holualoa), which would prohibit the sale of sunscreens containing the chemical oxybenzone.

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MEDIA RELEASE 2016 Hawaii Legislative Outlook 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19 West Hawaii Civic Center – County Council Chambers Doors open at 5:30 pm. This program is free and open to the public. Join us and hear the priorities your state representatives have set for the upcoming 2016 legislative session. The West Hawaii Forum is […]

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Energy Independence, Hawai’i Style – Jobs, Money & Politics Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015 6 – 8 p.m. West Hawaii Civic Center – County Council Chambers In the second part of the West Hawaii Forum series on Energy hear from experts and professionals who are making a difference in Hawaii’s transition to clean and homegrown energy […]

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MEDIA RELEASE As the Thursday crossover deadline approaches, the House passed bills: modifying the state’s excise tax surcharge for rail, authorizing the creation of medical marijuana dispensaries in Hawaii, requiring health insurers with greater than 20 percent of the state’s small group insurance market to offer qualified health plans under the Hawaii Health Connector, and […]

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The House Committee on Legislative Management passed HB1054 last Wednesday, which would establish a pilot program to enable the House to receive live oral testimony from the County of Hawaii through audio or audiovisual technology. The trial program would run through June 30, 2017.

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MEDIA RELEASE For three first-term Big Island representatives, this year’s budget building process showed them how precarious the journey can be, especially when based on expectations that literally become moving targets. On the House Finance Committee are Big Island Reps. Nicole Lowen (Kailua-Kona, Holualoa, Kalaoa, Honokohau) and Richard Onishi (Hilo, Keaau, Kurtistown, Volcano). Rep. Richard […]

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House Bill 1514, introduced by Representative Nicole Lowen (District 6-Kailua Kona, Holualoa), cleared a major hurdle last night as it was unanimously passed out of the House Committee on Finance. The bill creates and funds a subsidy program in the Department of Agriculture (DOA) and appropriates funds for education and outreach to farmers through the […]

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MEDIA RELEASE U.S. Sen. Mazie K. Hirono has announced the 2014 Farm Bill expected to be passed by Congress this week includes a measure to fight the coffee berry borer that has been ravaging Hawaii Island coffee farms for almost three years. Hirono had worked with Senate and House agriculture committees to include language that […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Rep. Nicole Lowen and Sen. Russell Ruderman, at the urging of the Kona Coffee Farmers Association, have introduced companion bills in the Hawaii Legislature’s 2014 Session to reduce consumer fraud and deception caused by current state coffee labeling laws. Lowen’s bill is HB1515 “Relating to Agriculture” and Ruderman’s bill is SB2354 “Relating to […]

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MEDIA RELEASE WHO: Rep. Denny Coffman, Rep. Cindy Evans, Rep. Nicole Lowen, Rep. Della Au Belatti, Chair of Health Committee WHAT: West Hawaii Community Healthcare Forum WHEN: 5:30-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15 WHERE: Makaeo Pavilion (Old Airport Park) Community Enterprises, a community group dedicated to holding informative, educational and interactive forums for Kona area residents, […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Alahou Clean & Sober, the only long-term housing facility on the Big Island for individuals with a dual diagnosis of addiction combined with mental illness, was honored in Kona for its work with at-risk individuals. Also, the program received a $30,000 grant-in-aid from the state Legislature. Half the Board of Directors is comprised […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Fact Finding Mission to Focus on Infrastructure, Education, Human Services and Economic Development WHO: Finance Committee, State House of Representatives WHAT: Hawaii Island Site Visits WHEN: Aug. 7 – 9, 2013 WHERE: Kona, Waimea, Hilo Members of the House Finance Committee, chaired by Rep. Sylvia Luke will, tour various sites on Hawaii Island […]

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Department agrees to spend $1M immediately to set up operation to battle invasive species

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MEDIA RELEASE The state House of Representatives on Monday unanimously passed HB1133, SD2 that repeals the Public Land Development Corporation (PLDC). The bill now heads to the governor for his consideration. The PLDC was created in 2011 to develop state lands through public-private partnerships and generate revenues for the Department of Land and Natural Resources. […]

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