HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0755.037 2022-2024 P/5. jncil
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INITIATIVE'
Email: communications@ulupono.com
COUNTY OF HAWAII COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday, May 30, 2024— 9:00 A.M.
Ulupono Initiative supports Bill 136 Draft 3, Relating to the Operating Budget for the
County of Hawaii for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2024,to June 30, 2025.
Dear Chair Kimball and Members of the Council:. rzro
My name is Micah Munekata, and I am the Director of Government Affairs at Ulupono
Initiative. We are a Hawaii-focused impact investment firm that strives to improve the: - s '
quality of life throughout the islands by helping our communities become more resilient 1-71
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and self-sufficient through locally produced food,renewable energy and clean ="
transportation choices,and better management of freshwater resources.
Ulupono supports Bill 136 Draft 3,which establishes the operating budget for the County
of Hawaii for FY 24-25.
Ulupono supports the proposed budget of the Office of Sustainability, Climate, Equity, and
Resilience (OSCER), dedicating resources toward a climate equity specialist to seek out
grant funding, establish an equity framework, and support the implementation of the
Climate Action Plan. This budget will directly support much needed climate action
coordination efforts across county departments, critical technical support and assistance,
and integral community and stakeholder outreach. OSCER will be well situated to address
the most pressing climate issues facing both the County and the entire State. Notably,the
Hawai'i State Energy Office recently published its Hawai'i Pathways to Decarbonization
Report,which identifies, among other things,the crucial roles that local governments will
play in implementing measures such as energy efficiency, developing new renewable
generation, reducing vehicle miles traveled, and converting to electric transport.1 Ulupono
is confident that OSCER will be pivotal in exploring climate ready actions that will have
impacts in the near and long term for the County of Hawaii.
Ulupono also supports the budget for the County's Research and Development Department
(R&D), supporting local farmers and ranchers with opportunities to scale operations and
manage invasive species. Dedicated county resources to support our local food system will
be paramount as the State of Hawaii looks to double its local food production.
1 Hawai`i Pathways to Decarbonization Act 238,Session Laws of Hawaii 2022,Report to the 2024 Hawaii
State Legislature December 2023.https://energy.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Act-
238 HSEO Decarbonization Report.pdf Comm. N . 14S, 34-
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ulupon,oe
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Respectfully,
Micah Munekata
Director of Government Affairs