A hui hou Jodi!
by Marti Townsend, Chapter Director | Reading time: 2.5 minutes
We are celebrating the work of our beloved policy advocate and warrior for the planet, Jodi Malinoski, as she sets off for new adventures at home and abroad. Jodi is a master advocate. She can see things from all sides and knows just the words each ear needs to hear to understand the other side. Smart, funny, and ever-contentious, Jodi did wonders for our mission at the Capitol and for our citizen advocacy program, CapitolWatch.
“Jodi represented us at the legislature with grace and strength. She has been crucial to the work we've done to protect the natural resources of Hawaiʻi nei and we are so grateful for all that she has accomplished on our behalf,” said Jade Moss, Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi Chairperson.
Jodi’s hard work also advanced Sierra Club’s mission to ensure a just and equitable transition to a clean, sustainable future for all. Her genuine commitment to people and planet meant Jodi excelled at working in collaboration with other organizations to champion shared goals. Passing the establishment of “Da Bux” Double Up SNAP food vouchers to farmers’ markets is an example of the kind of win-win-win scenarios that Jodi excelled at. This program shores up local demand for locally produced food, and enhances the nutritional health of SNAP recipients, all while reducing the carbon emitted for food and strengthening our overall resilience in the face of a changing climate.
That’s why we are not the only ones proud of Jodi. The Hawaiʻi Children’s Action Network’s Director of Research and Economic Policy, Nicole Woo, said “Jodi’s work has been phenomenal over the past 5 years -- I’ve been consistently impressed by her brains, dedication, and work ethic. What big shoes to fill!”
Among her many achievements, Jodi helped to push for:
A ban on coal-fired power plants in Hawaiʻi (Act 016, SLH 2020)
Protecting Oʻahu’s drinking water supply from the Navy’s massive, archaic, underground fuel tanks at Red Hill
State policies on sea level rise to encourage the relocation of property owners along shoreline, and also protect public beaches and access to them (Act 023, SLH 2020)
Continuation of the Solar Tax Credit to help more homeowners get solar on their roofs.
Improving access to the ballot box with vote by mail (Act 126, SLH 2019)
She also helped to stop a whole slew of bad bills including some to perpetuate bad stream diversions, undermine local agriculture or native watersheds (or both), advance pesticides, harm nearshore marine life, and curtail recycling.
Uncle Dave Raney, one of our Chapter’s early chairs, said it best:
“It has been a great pleasure and privilege to have worked with you, Jodi, on climate change and other issues during your 5 years with the Club. You have a keen intellect among many other qualities to propel you down whatever new path or paths you choose to follow next. Best of luck!”
We love you. On behalf of all of us at the Sierra Club and the advocates for good all throughout Hawaiʻi, Jodi, please accept our sincerest, deepest gratitude for all that you have done and continue to do to advocate for justice and a healthy planet.