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07-14-2010 - Paint the Vote!

WHO: Estria, Katch One, Rival, and other local artists.
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WHAT: Paint the Vote!, an event is organized by the Abercrombie for Governor campaign but open to everyone. Let's bring awareness of the upcoming elections to the local community and help people register to vote.

We will be giving away t-shirts custom painted by the artists. Attendees are also encouraged to bring items that they would like to have custom painted by artists at the event. Items should be something you can carry or put on a table. (Good ideas: shoes, shirts, jewelry boxes. Bad ideas: cars, refrigerators.)

Painting is free! This is a rare opportunity to get something by some of Hawaii’s hottest urban artists.

WHEN: Sunday, 7/18, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: Good to Grill, on the patio, 888 Kapahulu Ave. (Safeway Kapahulu Shopping Center)

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07-13-2010 - The Road to Energy Independence

Neil wrote the following commentary after the Star-Advertiser oversimplified his position on offshore drilling in a story titled, "Gubernatorial hopefuls differ on oil drilling." This story was written after Neil's opponents attempted to distort his record in online postings, including on an anonymous vicious attack website run by a city senior adviser.

Neil has long supported efforts to move the U.S. toward alternative energy and is the only gubernatorial candidate with a comprehensive energy plan for Hawaii.
    The Road to Energy Independence

    By Neil Abercrombie

    In 2008, as gas prices in Hawaii and across the nation passed $4 a gallon, I was in Congress seeking ways to move our country toward energy independence. My work to form a bipartisan agreement in Congress is now being distorted by Mufi Hannemann’s campaign in a desperate attempt to tie my Congressional efforts to the BP oil spill (“Gubernatorial hopefuls differ on oil drilling,” July 1). I’m not surprised by the clumsy attack on my record, but I do think it is important to know the facts.

    In September 2008, a 40-year-old federal ban on offshore drilling was set to expire and then-President Bush had promised to veto any attempt to renew the ban. I believed we needed strict offshore drilling regulations to protect the environment within our policy to develop our own energy resources and use the revenues to make significant investments in alternative energy. This was reflected in an energy plan I put forward with a bipartisan group of House members. The plan included specific environmental protections and would have only allowed drilling beyond 25 to 50 miles offshore.

    The goal for that plan was to wean the U.S. off of foreign oil and raise money to fund the transition to clean energy for our country. Parts of the plan became part of the energy bill that passed the House of Representatives.

    In 1977, State Sen. T.C. Yim introduced a plan for Hawaii to be energy independent by 2010. Now here we are, and the annual cost of our oil imports has gone from $500 million to over $5 billion. We have always had good intentions and made some good progress. But now is the time for bold action.

    In June, I unveiled my energy plan as part of my commitment to building a sustainable economy for Hawaii.

    The plan includes several key initiatives:

    • Converting the State Energy Office into an independent Hawaii Energy Authority to drive energy policy and speed up government processes

    • Implementing a system that allows independent power producers to sell directly to end users

    • Providing incentives and access, such as passing Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) bond financing, for everyday people to make their homes more energy efficient

    • Aligning the electric utility’s financial success with Hawaii’s clean energy goals

    • Increasing the Public Benefits Fund for more aggressive efficiency programs for residents and businesses

    • Making government green with a Clean Energy Stimulus program

    • Expanding workforce development for good, green jobs

    • Researching, expanding and deploying projects in wind, solar, geothermal, ocean, waste-to-energy and biofuels with clear community benefits

    • Reducing our independence on fossil fuels for transportation

    The way to get to energy independence is by expanding economic activity, entrepreneurship and full participation by everyone. We need appropriate oversight, but it cannot come at the expense of innovation and action. We must make this goal our collective mission, pass and implement innovative policies, enhance our unique island grids, have open dialogues with communities, and train our workforce to build and operate a clean energy economy. The benefits could not be greater. Clean energy will be the cornerstone of Hawaii’s economy for generations.

    When we are successful, we will create good “green” jobs and grow local businesses. We will retain a major portion of the billions of dollars that we now spend on imported oil so we can reinvest it here at home. We will turn Hawaii into a global model for clean energy that will attract people to experience our success. We will become more resilient in confronting outside economic forces. Most importantly, we will restore confidence in ourselves.



07-09-2010 - Neil Talks Civil Unions and Gubernatorial Campaign on KITV

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KITV: Abercrombie Talks Civil Unions and Gubernatorial Campaign

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