Group News: Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, and Oʻahu
Hawaiʻi Island Group
Hike Leaders Needed!
Do you love exploring the outdoors and sharing its beauty with others? The Sierra Club Hawaiʻi Island Group is looking for passionate individuals to join us as volunteer outings leaders!
Our outings leaders guide hikes and service projects that connect community members to the stunning landscapes of Hawaiʻi Island while fostering a deeper appreciation for mālama ʻāina. Whether you’re experienced in leading groups or simply eager to learn, we’ll provide the training and support you need to succeed.
Why become an outings leader?
Inspire others to cherish and protect Hawaiʻi’s unique ecosystems.
Enjoy opportunities to explore new trails and sites.
Build community with like-minded outdoor enthusiasts.
Together, we can make a difference—on the trail and for the planet. If you’re ready to step up and lead, we’d love to hear from you!
Email our outings chair, Diane Ware, at volcanogetaway@yahoo.com to learn more.
Let’s explore and protect Hawaiʻi together!
How to Participate in the Hawaiʻi County Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions’ Review of the Draft General Plan 2045
By Chuck Flaherty, Hawaiʻi Island Group Chair
The Windward Planning Commission (WPC) and Leeward Planning Commission (LPC) held their first two meetings to begin their reviewing, discussing, and taking public testimony on the draft General Plan 2045 (GP2045).
Both commissions made it clear they would be working to amend the draft General Plan and would not be “starting from scratch”.
Therefore, public testimony should be directed at recommending specific changes to the text within draft GP2045 and land use map.
It is the commissions’ intent to review and discuss one section of the draft GP2045 at each meeting.
The following dates have been scheduled by the WPC to meeting at the Hawaiʻi County Council Chambers at 25 Aupuni Street in Hilo to further consider the draft GP2045:
Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 5:00pm
Thursday, January 2, 2025 at 9:00am
Friday, January 3, 2025 at 9:00am
Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 9:00am
Friday, February 7, 2025 at 9:00am
Monday, March 10, 2025 at 9:00am
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 9:00am
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 9:00am
The Board Packet for the Dec. 5th meeting can be found here: Windward Planning Commission Board Packet, 12-5-24. Written testimony can be emailed to WPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov.
The LPC has scheduled the following dates at the West Hawai‘i Civic Center, Council Chambers, Building A, 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway, Kailua-Kona:
Monday, December 16, 2024 at 9:30am
Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 5:00pm
Thursday, January 16, 2025 at 9:30am
Friday, January 17, 2025 at 9:30am
Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 9:30am
Friday, February 21, 2025 at 9:30am
Monday, February 24, 2025 at 9:30am
The LPC meeting Board Packet can be found here Leeward Planning Commission Board Packet, 12-19-24 meeting. Written testimony can be submitted to LPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov. Zoom registration for oral testimony can be done here.
For more information, including how to register with Zoom to present oral testimony at these meetings, go to Planning Commission, General Plan Review Special Meetings Information.
Unpermitted Burning Man-styled Event Held despite County Cease-and-Desist Order; Hearings Scheduled
by Chuck Flaherty, Hawaiʻi Island Group Chair
Teppy Mountain LLC held its "Falls On Fire" event in November despite a Notice of Violation of state land use laws and a cease-and-desist order from the county Planning Department.
The company is contesting the fines imposed by the Planning Department, amounting to thousands of dollars. A county Board of Appeals hearing is scheduled for Friday, January 10, 2025. Beginning Friday, January 3, the meeting agenda and related documents can be found on the County Board of Appeals meeting webpage. Written testimony can be sent to boardofappeals@hawaiicounty.gov with the subject line: “Teppy Mountain LLC Appeal.”
Additionally, the application for a Special Permit to allow future "Falls On Fire" events will be reviewed by the Windward Planning Commission on Thursday, February 6, 2025. Starting Friday, January 31, the meeting agenda and related documents will be available on the Windward Planning Commission meeting webpage. Written testimony can be sent to WPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov with the subject line: “Teppy Mountain LLC Special Permit Application.”
Stay informed and share your input!
Maui Group
A Season of Gratitude for Friends Old and New
By Lucienne de Naie, Maui Group Chair
In 1997, the Sierra Club Maui Group opened its doors in the colorful North Shore town of Pāʻia. Although our office later moved to Kahului, the friendships and partnerships we forged with Pāʻia’s local businesses and community leaders have remained strong to this day.
One such partnership is with Mana Foods, a beloved grocery store and bakery dedicated to offering local, organic, and healthy foods at affordable prices. In October, Mana Foods generously donated over $300 to the Maui Group through their “bag fees” program, where proceeds collected from customers are given to a designated nonprofit. Notably, Maui County was the first in Hawaiʻi to ban single-use plastic grocery bags, encouraging the use of paper bags for a small fee or to bring or buy reusable tote bags. Mana Foods has supported Maui Group activities for years, and our gratitude to the entire Mana Foods ‘ohana only continues to grow.
In November, the wildly popular Flatbread Pizza Company in Pāʻia selected Maui Group as the beneficiary of one of their Tuesday nonprofit “Benefit Bakes.” On November 26, a portion of every pizza sold went to support our work. A heartfelt mahalo to Flatbread owner Jay Gould, Maui manager Nick Rodriguez, Raina Myers, Maui Group’s volunteer coordinator, and local businesses who contributed items for a mini-silent auction during the event. The evening took an exciting turn when part-time Maui resident Woody Harrelson dropped by with friends and took a moment to express his appreciation for Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi’s work—what an unforgettable surprise!
We are deeply grateful for the dedication and passion of our Maui Group staff, members, supporters, and leaders who make a difference year after year. In 2024, our hike leaders guided dozens of outdoor adventures and service outings, while board members and leaders turned up at public hearings and worked tirelessly to hold elected officials accountable.
Our supporters have planted trees, removed trash, safeguarded our oceans, and protected Maui’s natural and cultural treasures. Your efforts inspire us daily. To our donors—you make all of this possible. To our allies in the community and our valued partners—thank you for standing with us. Special thanks go out to Akakū Community TV, who rents us office space in Kahului, and Peake and Levoy, who manage the building. A big mahalo also to Printer Pete of Kahului for years of providing high-quality Sierra Club logo wear.
As we face uncertain times ahead, here in Hawaiʻi, our community's support gives us the strength to continue to mālama i honua—to care for our Earth.
P.S. We’re excited to share a new project! In partnership with others, Maui Group is developing a comprehensive website on “All Things Water on Maui.” Special thanks to Scott Werden, Kamalani Pahukoa, Tara Apo-Priest, Raina Myers, and Chris Shuler for their contributions. The site will initially focus on East Maui’s water history and issues, with plans to expand to Nā Wai ʻEhā and West Maui in 2025. Stay tuned for this much-needed resource!
Mahalo nui loa for your continued support! Together, we’ll keep Maui’s future bright.
Upcoming Outings
Sunday, December 15
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 .9 miles to the upper parking lot.
Leader: Annie Schultz, acm_schultz@hotmail.com or 808-344-6628
Sign up
Sunday, December 22
Waikamoi Ridge & Keanae Arboretum (E)
Keanae, 3 miles, elevation +/- 200 feet
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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Sunday, December 29
Upper Launiupoko Contour
Launiupoko, 4 miles
This is a nice, very civilized path with great views at about 400ft elevation in Launiupoko there is also a running stream (hopefully)! Distance should be less than 4 miles round trip.
Leader: Mark Short, shortonmaui@gmail.com
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Saturday, January 4
Old Haleakalā Trail (C/E)
Haleakalā, 5 miles
Hike down the segment of the Old Haleakalā Trail from Crater Road to the top of Olinda Road, on the path described by Jack London and Mark Twain. We will meet at the Waihou Spring Trailhead near the top of Olinda Road and shuttle to the top. It is almost all downhill, with some rocky areas in the beginning and then mostly pasture land. Here is a video of the trail from the trial leading to access being allowed. Although this is a relatively short hike, it is rated moderate/strenuous because of some steep gulch traversals and the 2,500' elevation change. All hike participants will need to sign two different waivers for this outing, prior to actually hiking: The regular Sierra Club signup sheet you are familiar with; you will just sign it as usual at the meetup spot and a Haleakalā Ranch waiver here. Please download, print, and sign the ranch waiver and bring it with you to the meetup spot. We will have to hand them over to the ranch later. There will be a couple of blank forms in case you are not able to print.
Leader: Jordan Jokiel, jordanj@haleakalaranch.com
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Saturday, January 11
Mākena Shoreline Hike (C/E)
Makena, 4 miles
Moderate, pleasant walk on "fisherman's trail", road, sandy beaches, rocky beaches past tidepools to Keoneuli (Black Sand Beach). Beautiful views. Hiking sticks are useful on uneven and sometimes loose rocks. Meet 8am in the public parking lot for Polo Beach, near the entrance. Almost entirely exposed, so bring sun protection. We'll stop to eat anything we have with us at Keoneuli. Limit 15.
Leader: Rob Weltman, robw@worldspot.com
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Oʻahu Group
Upcoming Outings
Sunday, December 15
Wāwāmalu Beach Service Project (S)
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. Google Maps calls it ”Sandy Beach Park Fishing”. Limited to 24 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.
Leaders: Reese Liggett and Suzan Harada