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Hawaii State Representative Hermina Morita’s (Flemming Fellow `97) dedication to Hawaii and the environment has earned her the Chair of the Energy and Environmental Protection Committee in the state of Hawaii. Tackling how to make Hawaii more energy self-sufficient is her biggest task in the upcoming legislative session. Presently Hawaii imports more than 92% of its fuel needs which leaves it extremely vulnerable in any type of oil "spike" or crisis. Being isolated in the middle of the Pacific, more than two thousand miles from the nearest energy resources, further compounds the problems.
In addition to environmental issues, Morita is a staunch believer in progress and increased
opportunities for women. She shares the House Chair for the Women’s Legislative Caucus (WLC) with Representative Marilyn Lee (Flemming Fellow `99) and Representative Cynthia Thielen. They are working together as they continue to push a women-led agenda, which they began last year.
According to Morita, Hawaii’s economic situation has been slow to improve, many key programs that help women, families, and communities have been cut or eliminated. "It is times like now that the need for a values-based budget is critical. Unfortunately, that concept is foreign to most of our legislators and we have been driven by our financial fears," Morita says. They plan to continue working with the Hawaii Women’s Coalition on issues such as pay equity, long-term care, domestic violence, welfare, Earned Income Tax Credit, healthcare decisions, and elder abuse.
"I use the Flemming ideals," says Morita. "When we focus on values we find common ground that helps proponents and opponents work more effectively on the disagreement on how to get the end results." Morita has found her Flemming training helpful in the transition from activist to moderator and facilitator, especially in her role as Committee Chair. She is an active member of CPA’s Advisory Committee for the Western Policy Leaders Forum.
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