Two West Hawaii legislators have been assigned to chair committees in the state House of Representatives.
Nicole Lowen, D-North Kona, will head the Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection while David Tarnas, D-North Kona/South and North Kohala, will be the chairman of the Committee on Water and Land.
“I plan to focus on legislation to implement the recommendations of the Hawaii Ocean Resources Management Plan and the 2020 Hawaii Climate Change annual report, especially regarding sea level rise,” Tarnas said. “To create a resilient and sustainable economy in Hawaii, we need a vibrant ocean economy. That means protecting our beaches from sea level rise, sustaining our marine resources and ecosystems, and improving nearshore water quality. The State also needs to develop a legal framework around sea level rise issues, support Community Resilience Building planning, prioritize nature-based solutions, and require any state investments, permits and policies to consider future climate change impacts. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make progress on these important matters.”
Lowen, a long-time leader in supporting environmental issues, said she will work to ensure the state’s future is “more sustainable, resilient, and protects our natural resources.”
“My committee will continue to facilitate Hawaii’s transition to renewable energy, clean transportation, and to focus on reducing Hawaii’s contribution to global climate change,” she said.
Two East Hawaii reps were also assigned to chair committees: Mark Nakashima, D-Hamakua/Hilo, will head the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs and Richard Onishi, D-Hilo, will chair the Committee on Labor and Tourism.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge of meeting expectations of the Hawaiian community in fulfilling Native Hawaiian Trust issues that have been festering for over 60 years and adjusting the bureaucracy to more effectively meet Native Hawaiian concerns,” said Representative Nakashima. “I hope to review a number of pressing issues such as lessons learned from Hawaii’s first all-mail election and issues arising from sunshine requirements during the pandemic.”
House Speaker Scott Saiki announced the chair assignments on Thursday as well as House leadership assignments with John Mizuno serving as vice speaker, Della Au Belatti serving as majority leader and Dee Morikawa serving as majority floor leader.
The 2021 legislative session convenes Jan. 20, 2021. Committee vice chairs and committee members will be announced before the start of the session.