Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022

    "In Hawai'i, we understand the sense of urgency in addressing climate change as we continue to experience its devastating impacts. Reducing carbon pollution from power plants is critical to curbing the climate crisis," said Hirono.
    The brief supports EPA's authority under the Clean Air Act to protect the public from harmful pollution, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and address the climate crisis. It also rejects arguments that challenge the EPA's authority to address climate pollution. The brief contends that enacting the Clean Air Act gave the EPA broad authority to regulate air pollution like carbon dioxide and flexibility to address pollution problems that developed since the measure was passed over 50 years ago.
    The brief notes that Congress has taken an all-hands-on-deck approach to a problem as complex as climate change. Any argument that new bills addressing the climate crisis somehow limit the authority of the EPA or repeal its existing authority "do not hold water." The brief states: "Congress is creating as many avenues as possible to deal with the climate crisis. The Court should tread carefully in curtailing any specific tool, including the Clean Air Act."
    The Clean Air Act and its precursors were signed by Pres. Lyndon Johnson, Pres. Richard Nixon and Pres. George H.W. Bush. The EPA was organized under Nixon.

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U.S. JUSTICE STEPHEN BREYER'S RETIREMENT PLANS DREW SEN. MAZIE HIRONO TO COMMENT on Wednesday. Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after reports that Breyer plans to announce his retirement from the U.S. Supreme Court:
    "Throughout his 27 years of service on the Supreme Court, Justice Stephen Breyer has been a steadfast champion of reproductive rights, voting rights, health care and so many other rights and freedoms we hold dear.

Sen. Mazie Hirono praised Justice StephenBreyer as he plans o retire from the U.S. Supreme Court. She will be involved  in the confirmation process of the next Justice as a member  of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Photo from Politico

    "Despite the Supreme Court's rightward shift during his time on the bench, Justice Breyer never compromised his values or his dedication to the rule of law. Thanks to his work and sound decisions, we have hugely consequential opinions like Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt and June Medical Services v. Russo, in which Justice Breyer protected a woman's constitutional right to an abortion. And just last summer, Justice Breyer wrote the majority opinion in a decision that ensured the Affordable Care Act remained in effect, protecting health care for millions of Americans. I join a grateful nation in thanking Justice Breyer for his decades of service to our country.
    "I am confident that President Biden will soon nominate a Black woman who both shares Justice Breyer's fidelity to the rule of law and will add to the diversity of the court. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I will carry out my constitutional duty to advise and consent on the President's nominee."

    As a member of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, Hirono will interview and question Pres. Joe Biden's nominee for Breyer's replacement. The nomination requires a Senate confirmation for the next U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

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BROAD SUPPORT FOR CONGRESSMAN KAI KAHELE'S TEN STEPS FOR COVID RECOVERY is the announcement from his office on Wednesday. See his plan at
http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022_01_19_archive.html where Kahele outlined details to help Hawaiʻi navigate its way through the coronavirus pandemic that has taken the lives of 1,146 people in these islands. Those supporting the plan that Kahale gave to the Hawai'i Legislature and state administration include:
    Dr. Kealoha Fox, PHD, MA, Senior Manager, Social Health Integration, AlohaCare, who said:
"I support Congressman Kahele's aim and scope of vision. Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have suffered greatly from the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus. Many of us stand ready to contribute
to the details of what could make-up a statewide strategic plan – a solid, cohesive plan that unifies us to take the necessary steps for our emergence from COVID-19 and to prepare us for future pandemics with a whole community approach that is equitable and pono."
    Richard Sato, Executive Director, Maui Facilities and Engineering Leadership Council, who said:
    "We support Congressman Kahele's leadership and vision. We are encouraged by his initiative to have open, constructive and transparent discussions with our State leaders on this most critical issue. It's clear to our Council, establishing a thoughtful, well defined, path forward which is easily understood and broadly communicated, is needed to guide Hawaiʻi and its people through and beyond Covid."
    Dr. Larry Brilliant, MD, MPH, CEO, Pandefense Advisory, who said: "Beautiful Hawai'i is the only state in the United States that is completely surrounded by water thus having the unique advantage of being able to have safe practices in place which can exclude the virus or any virus from the island. We had that in place in the early days of the pandemic when Hawaiʻi was one of the safest destinations imaginable. I hope that political leaders are wise enough to seriously consider Congressman Kahele's plan and return to what worked."

    Patty Olinger, JM, RBP, Executive Director, Global Biorisk Advisory Council, who said:"The current pandemic has pointed out that it is critically important to ensure that our communities and our people are protected, ready for the next stages of the pandemic and the future. Hawai'i, of all the states in the United States, is uniquely positioned to put in place and support programs that provide the protection and resilience needed.            "Over the last two years, my team has worked with thousands of facilities and communities in over 80 countries as they start to reopen and establish programs that helps them stay open. We stress a layered approach to prepare, respond and to become resilient. Congressman Kahele has eloquently laid out a plan that puts in place the necessary elements to do just that."
    Dr. Robert M Wachter, MD, Professor and Chair, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, who said: "I want to thank Congressman Kahele for his robust and thoughtful plan to address the COVID-19 pandemic in Hawai'i. Preparation of this kind is smart. Even if we experience a long-lasting hiatus of the virus, the recent past has taught us that we must have the capacity to take appropriate action at the first hint of another surge. Congratulations Congressman on articulating a vigorous and clear approach."
    See the plan at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022_01_19_archive.html.

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