Gov. David Ige signed three bills Monday morning at Point Panic in Kakaako, symbolizing the state’s commitment to combating climate change in the Hawaiian Isles.
“Hawaii has been a leader in the country and the world in our battle against climate change and sea level rise,” said Ige as surfers and boaters enjoyed the surf behind him, “and the measures that we are signing today really keep Hawaii at the forefront of the battle against climate change and sea level rise.”
Ige signed House Bill 2182 Opens in a new tab, which makes Hawaii carbon-neutral by 2045 and establishes the Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force. HB 2182, authored by state Rep. Chris Lee (D, Kailua-Lanikai-Waimanalo), becomes Act 15 and takes effect July 1.
A year ago Ige said Hawaii became the first state to adopt a law aligning with the Paris Agreement to combat climate change. Pledging to be carbon-neutral by 2045, the same year it expects to reach its goal of generating 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, he said, was the next step.
He also signed House Bill 1986 Opens in a new tab, which creates a framework for a carbon offset program that allows for carbon credits through global carbon sequestration protocols. HB 1986 becomes Act 16 and takes effect July 1.
The bill noted that California and many other states have established these types of credits for purchase by polluters to offset their carbon emissions, and that the Golden State raised billions of dollars. The state Legislature passed the bill unanimously this session.
Ige also signed House Bill 2106 Opens in a new tab, which requires a sea level rise analysis in all environmental assessments and environmental impact statements before building projects. HB 2106 becomes Act 17 and takes effect upon approval.
Ige said with sea level rise already having an impact on Hawaii’s beaches, roadways and homes, requiring an analysis of sea level rise before construction is “just plain common sense.”
Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. was present for the signing, along with Will Okabe, Hawaii County’s managing director, state Board of Land and Natural Resources Chairwoman Suzanne Case and many key stakeholders, including Henk Rogers, founder of the Blue Planet Foundation Opens in a new tab.
“It’s definitely landmark,” Rogers said. “There’s no other state that has had this level of commitment to a clean-energy future, and it’s absolutely what we need to do everywhere to save the world. We have to save the environment for our children. If you care about the children, do something about the environment.”
Christine Donnelly is off. Kokua Line returns June 12.
