On December 4th, a packed room of volunteers gathered to hear experts discuss a multitude of legislative topics, such as Hawaii's clean energy future and ways to protect native Hawaiian plants. The Forces for Good Symposium was the start of the Sierra Club's efforts to empower folks to ensure strong green laws are passed in Hawaii.

Thanks to Representative Cynthia Thielen and Representative Jessica Wooley for their opening and closing remarks. Capitol Watch would like to extend a Big Mahalo to the legislators who participated or led tours of the Capitol (Representatives Karen Awana, Chris Lee, Barbara Marumoto, Mark Nakashima, Calvin Say, Cynthia Thielen, and Jessica Wooley, and Senators Ronald Kouchi and Clarence Nishihara).

Missed the session? Mike Hinchey graciously recorded a number of the panels and posted them on Youtube. Click the titles below for specific presentations:

Welcome - Former Senator Gary Hooser and Anthony Aalto, Co-Chair Capitol Watch

Opening Remarks - Representative Cynthia Thielen

Energy Panel
Presentation by Jeff Mikulina (Executive Director Blue Planet Foundation)
Panel Discussion and Q and A featuring: Food Self-Sufficiency/Agriculture Panel Native Plants Concurrent Session Apologies, the Opala Concurrent Session was unfortunately not recorded but listed below are the speakers: Advocacy Panel Also, mahalo to our fellow organizations who came out in support.