Hawaii State Senator Gabbard Visit Kauai Aadheenam

Hawaii State Senator Gabbard visited the monastery December 9th for a short tour and lunch while on a tour of the local water system and other agricultural projects on Kauai. Sen. Gabbard is Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard's father, the first Hindu in the US Congress. The senator met first with Jerry Ornellas, president of the East Kauai Water Users Cooperative (which operates the ditch that goes through the monastery) at Upper Kapahi Reservoir, then traveled to Wailua Reservoir, both recently renovated by the state, and then to the monastery.

The senator went to see Upper Kapahi reservoir, now drained as it is being renovated.

Jerry Ornellas (center) explains the renovation work.

Acharya Arumuganathaswami explains to Sen. Gabbard (at right) the irrigation system\

s coverage of the Kapaa area.'

Overlooking Wailua Reservoir. The Senator\

s chief of staff, Rock Riggs, is in the foreground.'

Wailua Reservoir

Here we\

re explaining the monastery\'s four acre koa planting. Gilles Lebbe (second from right) of Green Energy Team also explain their large biomass project which is now generating 7MWs of renewable energy a day for Kauai.'
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