Except for Rep. Mele Carroll who always stands up for Maui, our state House representatives have a disappointing record on the environment.
Rep. Kyle Yamashita got a C-minus for playing politics with the solar roof bill in order to force the infamous ag urbanization bill over Senate objections. Additionally he opposed recycling bills, development oversight and the Akaku protection bills. He is no friend to Upcountry residents. Summer Starr, born and raised Upcountry, is running against Kyle. Summer is smart and will stand up to the Oahu interests who appear to be pulling Kyle's strings.
Rep. Joe Souki did even worse with a D for killing the Superferry EIS bill which would have prevented the court case and bailout bill, and incidentally would have saved us $40 million for the worthless barges, for voting against funding legacy lands and for voting against recycling and invasive species laws. Tasha Kama is running against Souki so we have a chance to vote for Tasha, someone really good, instead of just voting against Joe.
Rep. Bob Nakasone got a D-plus on his Sierra Club environmental scorecard, voting in favor of ag urbanization and against recycling or just absenting himself from five out of 11 crucial votes. I don't know much about his opponent, Henry Kahula, other than he testifies on the side of Maui residents on water and harbor issues. You might want to check out his Web site at HenryKahula.com.
It is important to vote in the Sept. 20th primary since both Tasha Kama and Summer Starr need your support then in order to go on to the General Election.
Karen Chun
Paia
