Group News: Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, and Oʻahu
Hawaiʻi Island Group
Upcoming Outings
Saturday, May 18, 2024
May Earth Day Mālama ‘Āina Service (C/E/F/S)
Moku o Kaʻū, South Point area coast
Moderate/3 miles, elevation +/- 100’
In conjunction with Volunteer Week Hawaiʻi, we will do a beach cleanup under the direction of Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund in the moku of Kaʻū. We will meet in Waiʻōhinu and shuttle to the South Point area then hike to our worksite. This is a very rewarding project cleaning up coastal areas that accumulate trash, mostly plastics, from the great garbage patch. Be prepared for hot dry weather by bringing plenty of water, sun protection, sturdy shoes and lunch. Call leader, Diane Ware, 808-967-8642 by May 10th for instructions on how to sign up with HWF. This will be a culturally sensitive outing.
DAR Continues Bias Towards Global Commercial Aquarium Fish Industry
by Rob Culbertson, Hawaiʻi Island Group member
Recent actions by the state’s Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) have created the appearance that the state administration is determined to reopen West Hawaiʻi waters to the commercial aquarium fish industry.
Reef fish collecting across the state has been a decades-long contentious and emotionally draining drama of user group conflicts, sometimes resembling hijinks on the high seas and within our coastal communities. Unfortunately, amidst the controversies, regulatory attempts, and legislative efforts, the values and interests of traditional and customary Hawaiian practitioners, as well as contemporary subsistence fishers, have frequently been overlooked.
A string of subsequent high-profile enforcement actions against aquarium fish collectors during a court injunction in 2017, which prohibited further takings of fish from coral reefs for commercial aquarium purposes, galvanized a broader coalition of advocates for public resource protection.
Out of Order!
Currently, there is a pending lawsuit before the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court led by the 'For the Fishes' advocacy group alleging errors and omissions in the Revised Final Environmental Impact Statement (RFEIS). The RFEIS was submitted to the Board of Land and Natural Resources (Board) by the West Hawaiʻi Aquarium Fishery applicant, Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), and was approved as a result of a tie vote that equated to an approval. That RFEIS has a “preferred alternative” proposing to give up to seven as-yet unidentified permit applicants the exclusive rights to pursue the lucrative commercial aquarium fish harvesting business in West Hawaiʻi.
On December 8, 2023, the coalition of coral reef protection advocates, led by cultural practitioners and subsistence fishers, filed a petition, “Kalanihale’s, KUPA Friends of Ho‘okena Beach Park’s, Moana ‘Ohana’s, Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club’s, and For the Fishes’ Petition for Rulemaking to Prohibit the Take of Marine Life for Commercial Aquarium Purposes (With Exemptions)”. The petition required DAR to begin an administrative rulemaking process to ban the issuance of commercial permits to harvest coral reef fish for aquarium purposes.
The Board, led by Chairperson Dawn Chang, unanimously agreed to accept the petition, but aquarium fish industry interests immediately filed for a contested case in opposition to the Board decision.
Then, at the Board’s April 12th meeting, DAR submitted agenda items 1) seeking further clarification on how to implement the December 2023 petition, and 2) indicating the state administration may be taking the position that permits cannot be banned and that permit applications may be brought before the Board in the near future.
The original petitioners and their coalition, including Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi, joined in urging the Board to advise DAR to proceed with the requests within the petition. They also provided testimony that the state Attorney General’s position that permits cannot be banned is incorrect because state law states permits “may” be issued, not “shall”.
Time to 'Right the Ship'
Following the meeting, Earthjustice issued the following statement:
"The Board should halt and reject DAR's efforts to prop up the aquarium pet industry, which are a misuse of state resources considering the Board's prior decision to initiate rulemaking to ban commercial aquarium collection and the forthcoming Kaupiko decision. It has been over six years since the last AQ permits were voided by the courts, and DAR provides no valid justification for rushing ahead with new permits under these circumstances. This Board should direct DAR to proceed with a public hearing on Petitioners' proposed rule, set aside DAR's aquarium collection Report, and defer consideration of any AQ permit applications indefinitely."
Time will tell if the state administration and DAR will comply.
Waste Incineration Woes
by Deborah Ward, Hawaiʻi Island Group member
Every year, some legislators decide to introduce a bill or resolution to promote waste to energy, otherwise known as incineration. Here’s why that is a terrible plan, according to Mike Ewall, founder and director of Energy Justice Network, a national support network for grassroots community groups fighting dirty energy. For more information, visit EnergyJustice.net. Mike is visiting Hawaiʻi during the legislative session to help us address these justice issues.
Burning trash (and landfilling toxic ash) is the most expensive and polluting way to manage waste or to make energy. It pollutes more than burning coal, and is worse than simply landfilling trash without burning it first. There is no such thing as "waste-to-energy." When burned, waste is turned into toxic ash and air pollution. No company is violating the laws of physics and turning matter into energy.
Burning trash does not replace fossil fuels. It IS fossil fuels because much of the energy comes from burning plastics, which are made from oil and gas (fossil fuels), and are very toxic to burn. Because trash incineration counts as renewable energy under state law, it does not replace oil burning, but replaces solar and geothermal, by competing within this state renewable energy mandate. The state's only trash burner, the H-POWER incinerator in Kapolei on Oʻahu, is a huge air polluter.
A 2021 life cycle analysis conducted for the County of Hawaiʻi found that incineration of paper and plastics at the H-POWER incinerator on O'ahu is the most harmful option for health and environment, that landfilling is far less damaging, and that recycling those materials (even after barging them thousands of miles to market) is a huge health and environmental benefit.
Incineration conflicts with the state's climate change goals and the peoples' constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment under Article XI, Section 9 of the Hawaiʻi Constitution.
Incineration and other so-called "waste-to-energy" technologies are considered unacceptable in a zero waste system, which is the better way to manage materials to preserve landfill space. Zero waste strategies also produce many more jobs than burning or burying trash or ash.
No one has built a commercial-scale trash gasification or pyrolysis facility in the US, and despite hundreds of attempts, no trash incinerator has been built at a new site since 1995 due to high costs and community opposition. There is no way any community in the state would accept one.
Island-specific points:
Kauaʻi is already exploring "waste-to-energy" options for a second time. Last time, it was apparent that no one would build such a facility as small as the island needs, because it's uneconomical. At the current rate, Kekaha Landfill will be full by 2030, even with a vertical expansion, and the new landfill won't be ready until about 2033. No "waste-to-energy" solution can happen soon enough to avoid the need to cut waste in half with zero waste strategies to close this gap and avoid a crisis.
Oʻahu is already home to one of the nation's largest incinerators, H-POWER, and it does not have enough waste to feed it. It is operating at only about two-thirds capacity, and the county pays a penalty fee for not feeding it enough to burn, which is a disincentive to reduce, reuse, recycle, or compost.
Maui does not produce enough waste to support a new incinerator. The Central Maui Landfill has room until 2039 and adjacent land for expansion. The county is already working on plans to acquire the land for this purpose.
Hawaiʻi Island does not produce enough waste to support a new incinerator. Multiple incinerator proposals have been rejected in the past. Last year's waste solicitation for sustainable infrastructure requests (RFI #4444) specifically rejected waste combustion proposals. The West Hawaiʻi Sanitary Landfill has room until 2050, is in an area not bothering local residents, and there is plenty of space to expand it.
Maui Group
Mother’s Day Plant Sale
by Lucienne de Naie, Maui Group Chair
What says love more than a profusion of colorful tropical blooms, an array of productive fruit trees, or healthy native plants? Come celebrate Mother’s Day weekend at the Sierra Club Maui Group’s Annual Plant and Yard Sale on Saturday, May 11 from 8am til 2pm in Maui Meadows.
If you have healthy plants or gently used yard sale items to donate, are looking to buy plants for your land or your ‘ohana, would like to volunteer your talents to help pick up plants before the event, or be part of our awesome kōkua sales team at the event, please call or text Raina at (330) 289-1087. Check the Maui Group Facebook page for more details.
Outings Leader Training
by Rob Weltman, Maui Group Outings Leader
Will you be on Maui May 18? Would you like to help get more people out to enjoy and appreciate Maui's unique and beautiful natural and cultural legacy?
Join our free training session to become a hike leader with Sierra Club! We will meet at 9am on Saturday, May 18 to go over how to select, scout, plan, publicize and lead outings in Maui County, with a focus on safety and sharing our love for our natural and cultural environment.
To lead outings with Sierra Club, you must be a member. If you are not already, you can join during the training.
Upcoming Outings
Friday May 10, 2024
Palauʻea Archaeology Tour and Service outing (C/E/S)
South Maui (Palauʻea), 3 miles
South Maui's Palauʻea ahupuaʻa is rich with Native Hawaiian remains. Hundreds are found in the lands above the Wailea golf course along the historic Kalama-Kanaio Road. Join us to enjoy the spring flora and fauna and help clean a few special archaeological sites. All tools provided. Long pants and closed-toe footwear are a MUST!! Many thorny plants along the trails. NOTE: OUTING IS SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY LANDOWNER. All participants will be updates when hike confirmed.
Leader: Lucienne de Naie, huelogrl@icloud.com
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Sunday May 12, 2024
Kapalua Lake Loop Trail
West Maui, 3.6 miles
Beautiful hike from Kapalua Village to a lovely lake with water lilies and ducks, surrounded by Cook pines and orchids. This is a moderate 3.6-mile loop hike on mostly paved paths with 800' elevation gain and loss. Park in lots on either side of Village Road at the intersection of Office Road in Kapalua Village. There are restrooms in the Bay Course Club House near the trailhead. Bring snack/lunch, water, and reef-safe sun protection.
Leader: Annie Schultz, acm_schultz@hotmail.com or 808-344-6628
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Sunday May 19, 2024
Waihe‘e Ridge Trail Hike (C/E)
Waihe‘e, 5 miles
This is a moderate to strenuous hike, as it is uphill most of the way to the top, a 1600-foot elevation gain. This trail can be very slippery if there has been recent rainfall, so a hiking stick is important. There is a beautiful forest, and spectacular ocean and valley views. Meet at 8am at the upper parking lot: turn mauka (inland) at Circle M Ranch (mile marker 6.9 on Kahekili Highway) and drive 0.9 miles to the upper parking lot.
Leader: Annie Schultz, acm_schultz@hotmail.com or 808-344-6628
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Thursday May 23, 2024
Waikamoi Preserve Workday (C/E/S)
Haleakalā, 3 miles
We will meet up at the The Nature Conservancy's baseyard and drive in TNC's 4WD vehicles up to the Waikamoi Preserve and then hike a ways before we start our work in an almost 100% native Hawaiian forest. We should be back at the baseyard around 3pm.
Leader: Rob Weltman, robw@worldspot.com
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Saturday May 25, 2024
Hāmākua Mālama Service Outing (C/E/S)
Ha‘ikū, 2 miles
Help clear away abandoned rubbish from gulches in Ha‘ikū’s Hāmākua Coastal Preserve and re-plant native species. Tools, snacks, trash bags etc will be provided. Co-sponsored by Mālama Hāmākua.
Leader: Lucienne de Naie, huelogrl@icloud.com
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Sunday May 26, 2024
White Cross Wailuku
North Shore, 1.5 miles
Strenuous uphill hike with great views. Bring lunch & water. Meet at 8am. Take Main St. toward ʻĪao Valley, then take the left fork toward Wailuku Heights, a short distance to a large water tank. Park at the water tank (trailhead nearby). Limit 10.
Leader: Mark Short, shortonmaui@gmail.com
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Sunday June 2, 2024
Waikamoi Ridge & Keanae Arboretum (E)
Keanae, 3 miles
This is a short nature trail that climbs a forested slope to a picnic site. The trail starts at a picnic shelter and climbs through lush forest of planted trees and a grove of bamboo. At the top the trail breaks out of the trees into a grassy clearing with another shelter and picnic site, then continues to the left down to the river and the top of a waterfall. The trail is often muddy. We will then drive a short distance to Keanae Arboretum - this is a paved path through an amazingly ideal growing environment - this is also a very beautiful place to have a swim. Bring water, lunch, snacks, mosquito repellent, and sunscreen.
Leader: Mark Short, shortonmaui@gmail.com
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Oʻahu Group
Oʻahu Group Pau Hana
Join the Oʻahu Group for a pau hana on Wednesday, May 15, 5-7:30pm at Aloha Beer Garden, 700 Queen Street across from Lex Brodie’s.
It’s time for Sierra Clubbers to socialize, organize, and aggrandize our hopes and actions for a better environment starting right here in Hawaiʻi nei. Too long we’ve been on Zoom screens and social media—now it’s time to be face-to-face, smile-to-smile and ideas-to-ideas.
No host, no tickets, no reservations—run your own tab; but do share the pupus provided! Or better yet, order a tasting flight and share some of your four short glasses. And there are plenty of bevs besides beer.
If you arrive early, please snag some tables. There is validated/paid parking up the ramp just ewa (left) of Aloha Beer Company.
Enforcement Actions for Destruction at Marconi Point
by Aloha Marconi Alliance Steering Committee
Yellow-faced bee. Photo: Aloha Marconi Alliance
In late April, the Board of Land and Natural Resources heard three enforcement actions for the death of a Laysan Albatross, yellow-faced bees, and coastal habitat destruction at Marconi Point on the North Shore of Oʻahu.
The enforcement actions came after Hoʻokipa, a female adult Laysan Albatross, was found dead from intentional blunt force trauma, 106 trees were removed that provided rare habitat for endangered yellow-faced bees, resulting in the death of an estimated 300 bees from one of only four known established populations on Oʻahu, occurred on a property at Marconi Point.
The proposed total fines against the various people and entities involved were $3,157,500: $1,502,500 for the unauthorized take of 300 endangered bees, $45,000 for the death of Hoʻokipa, and $1,640,000 for the destruction of habitat. In addition to remedial actions including the removal of a massive iron fence, habitat restoration, conservation easements, and permanent protective signage.
Attorneys for Makai Ranch and Yue Sai Kan. Photo: Screenshot, Aloha Marconi Alliance
Heeding the call of the Aloha Marconi Alliance, over 100 people provided written testimony in support and there were no written testimonies submitted in opposition. Unfortunately, the landowners’ attorneys called for a contested case, and refused to consent to allow testimony to continue, immediately after the Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the Office of Coastal and Conservation Lands made their presentations asking the board for substantial fines and remedies. This forced the board to terminate the hearing without a decision and cut off a pipeline of live testimony from dozens of concerned community members and experts who had been waiting patiently for nearly five hours.
You can read the news about the meeting in Hawaiʻi News Now and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and watch the video of the board meeting here (items C-5, C-6, K-1).
Even though the landowners disrespected the public by stopping the meeting, the board hearing did shine a bright light on the raft of alleged violations on the Marconi site. It also surfaced concerns about these and other serious incidents that warrant further investigation, including the real reasons for the clearing of the coastal vegetation (apparently the new owner insisted on an “ocean view” according to a witness), the revelation that Hoʻokipa was entangled in the fence and then killed by a landscaper throwing a rock at her head causing blunt force trauma and her death; an endangered monk seal’s death on the beach in front of the development, unpermitted draining of wetlands, demolition of historic buildings and cultural sites, and improper commercial activities on agriculturally zoned lands.
So what’s next?
The Aloha Marconi Alliance and supporting organizations are scheduling a “Never Forget Hoʻokipa Public Hearing” in May where folks can give their live testimony (that was not heard at the BLNR meeting) on camera for the community record. We will send the video from the “Hoʻokipa Hearing” to DLNR, inviting the staff to consider adding it to the contested case record (which will already include the written testimony, the agency submittal and oral presentation, and the developer’s oral comments at the meeting - but unless we create it, no live testimony will be recorded for posterity).
The “Ho’okipa Hearing” will also be used for public education and to strengthen support for full collection of the proposed penalties and complete implementation of robust mitigation and remediation for the three major enforcement actions. Stay tuned for the date for the community hearing!
You can also join Aloha Marconi Alliance at the Koʻolauloa Neighborhood Board meeting on Thursday, May 9, the mayor’s town hall at Waialua Elementary on May 16, and the Mālama Pūpūkea-Waimea Ocean Fest at Waimea Valley on Saturday, June 8.
Upcoming Outings
Sunday, May 19, 9am-12pm
Wāwāmalu Beach Service Project
Help return Wāwāmalu Beach to its native/natural status after years of off-road abuse and inattention. Seed collection and sowing, as well as removal of invasive plants on tap. Personal pickaxes welcome. Bring closed-toe shoes/boots, gardening gloves, sunscreen and water flask (iced refill available, no plastic water available). Meet 9am at the southwest access area just off to the left from the northeast driveway to Sandy Beach. Limited to 25 participants out of concern for the delicate planting environment. Participants under 18 require a parent or guardian. Please reserve your spot by emailing wliggett@twc.com. Co-leader Suzan Harada.
Sunday, May 26, 8:30am-2pm
Palehua Elepaio Enclosure "Akupu" Service
We will be clearing invasives like strawberry guava, watering and outplanting native plants to restore the native habitat for the endemic Oʻahu ʻelepaio. Space is limited as we will be working in a sensitive area where the endangered native ʻelepaio is nesting and there are some native plants already growing which we don’t want to disturb or damage. We may hear and see some native ʻelepaio as we work in the area, so bring a camera as well. Bring gloves and hand tools for weeding alien plants if you have any. Pack water and a snack and definitely mosquito repellent. We plan to meet in Makakilo at 8:30am and finish by 1pm. Reservations required at least one week prior. Contact Clyde Kobashigawa, clydekobashigawa@hawaii.rr.com, for reservations with first and last name and phone number. Co-leader Curtis Kawamoto.