Legislator Spotlight: Representative Amy Perruso, Hawai'i

What motivated you to get involved with environmental issues?

I’ve been involved with environmental issues since my undergraduate days at USC back in the 1980s, where I became involved with Red (left) Greens who were challenging the environmentalism racism involved in the siting of an incinerator in South Central Los Angeles. Now I surf and have children, so I feel connected to the world and want to make sure all of our children can experience that kind of joy and love.

What environmental issues are you most passionate about and why?

I am most passionate about environmental issues related to the ways in which we currently organize our food systems. I am interested in moving towards more regenerative agricultural and restorative aquaculture practices, because industrial agriculture is having such a destructive impact – having grown up with subsistence farming and ranching, surrounded by other small farmers who are not heavily dependent on toxic pesticides, I know how that kind of community looks and feels. Worth fighting for…

How has NCEL helped you in your work?

NCEL’s work on pollinators and pesticides, in particular, has informed my work. NCEL staff has been very helpful in identifying legislative approaches that have worked well in other states.

What is your greatest environmental policy success story?

We are now starting to do more work, as a body, around just energy transitions in a time of severe climate crisis, and I have watched the success of my chair, Nicole Lowen, building support for passage of important legislation around securitization, EV infrastructure and a “green fee” on tourists in Hawaii.