Group News: Hawaiʻi Island Group, 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!
Hawaʻi County Council Bill 194: A Step Forward for Safer Technology in Hawaiʻi
By Naomi Melamed, Safe Tech Hawaiʻi
In an age where connectivity is paramount, the challenge lies in finding a balance between technological advancement and environmental preservation. The Hawaiʻi County Council Bill 194 emerges as an ordinance that addresses this very challenge.
Introduced by former council member Cindy Evans, Bill 194 reflects the collective effort of citizen groups, environmental organizations, and policymakers who have collaborated to ensure that the state's telecommunications infrastructure aligns with the values and safety needs of its people.
Protecting Hawaiʻi's Pristine Environment
One of the primary goals of Bill 194 is to safeguard Hawaiʻi's unique and fragile environment. The state's lush landscapes and diverse ecosystems are treasures that demand protection from the potential adverse impacts of large-scale industrial activities. Telecommunications infrastructure, if unchecked, can lead to serious fires, habitat destruction, and visual pollution. Bill 194 ensures that new developments are rigorously evaluated for their environmental impact.
The ordinance mandates comprehensive environmental assessments before the approval of any new telecommunications projects. These assessments take into account the preservation of native species, the minimization of carbon footprints, and the protection of natural vistas, thereby ensuring that technological progress does not come at the expense of Hawaiʻi's natural beauty.
Valuing the Will of the People
Bill 194 stands out not only for its environmental considerations but also for its respect for the will of Hawaiʻi's residents. By involving citizen groups in its drafting process, the ordinance reflects the voices and concerns of the local communities. This collaborative approach ensures that the needs and desires of the people are not overshadowed by the interests of big tech and telecom industries.
The ordinance calls for tower radiation emissions to be professionally measured in order to give the public a clear idea of exposure levels. This is important because, although tower emissions are regulated by the FCC, there is no oversight whatsoever to ensure compliance.
Aesthetic Preservation and Cultural Respect
Hawaiʻi's landscapes are not just visually stunning; they hold deep cultural and historical significance for its indigenous peoples. Bill 194 recognizes the importance of preserving these aesthetics and cultural values. The ordinance includes provisions for a permitting process that gives the planning department a clear priority list when choosing locations. This supports telecommunication structures to blend harmoniously with the needs and locations, avoiding much disruption to Hawaiʻi's iconic scenery and preserves the quality of life for local residents.
Robust Fire Safety Measures
A significant highlight of Bill 194 is its comprehensive fire safety plan, designed to mitigate potential fire hazards associated with telecommunication infrastructure. Hawaiʻi's unique climate and vegetation make it susceptible to wildfires, which can have devastating consequences for both the environment and local communities.
The ordinance mandates stringent fire safety protocols, including the implementation of regular maintenance and clearance procedures around telecommunication sites. Additionally, it calls for the development of rapid response strategies and coordination with local fire departments to ensure swift action in case of an emergency.
Balancing Connectivity and Conservation
At its core, Bill 194 embodies the principle that connectivity and conservation need not be mutually exclusive. By setting clear standards and guidelines, the ordinance paves the way for a future where safer technology coexists harmoniously with environmental stewardship.
Bill 194 and the Introduction of 5G Small Cells: Facing the Ever-changing Technology
Bill 194 is groundbreaking as it is the first ordinance to incorporate the deployment of 5G "small cells" into Hawaiʻi's telecommunications framework. This inclusion is crucial because 5G small cells are an entirely new infrastructure that imposes an increased risk of exposure to harmful electromagnetic fields (EMF). These small cells, due to their dense build-out, present a scale of EMF exposure that both humans and the environment have not previously encountered. As such, the ordinance plays a vital role in addressing these novel challenges by creating a stringent permitting application process with full disclosure about EMF levels emitted by cellular antennas.
Conclusion
Bill 194 is a testament to Hawaiʻi's commitment to preserving its natural and cultural heritage while embracing the benefits of modern technology. Crafted through collaboration and guided by a vision of sustainability, it serves as a model for responsible and inclusive telecommunications development.
As the Sierra Club and other environmental groups continue to advocate for policies that prioritize the planet and its people, Bill 194 stands as a beacon of hope and progress. It is a reminder that with thoughtful planning and community involvement, it is possible to achieve a balance between the demands of the modern world and the imperatives of environmental preservation.
Hawaiʻi County Planning Commissions General Plan Comprehensive Review Meetings Testimonies Dominated by Climate Deniers and Conspiracy Theorists
By Chuck Flaherty, Hawaiʻi Island Group Chair
The Windward and Leeward Planning Commissions continue to hold meetings to review, discuss, and receive public testimony on the draft General Plan 2045 (GP2045).
Unfortunately, social media influencers promoting climate change denial and conspiracy theories have launched an online misinformation campaign targeting these meetings, encouraging like-minded individuals to testify. This has significantly disrupted the all-volunteer Planning Commissions, taking valuable time away from reviewing, refining, and taking action on proposed amendments.
To counter this, the Hawaiʻi Island Group urges its members to submit fact-based written testimony recommending specific changes to the language in the draft GP2045 or providing evidence-based reasons for rejecting it in full. Additionally, we encourage testimony regarding land use map changes you believe should or should not be made.
The Windward Planning Commission will hold public meetings to receive testimony and take action on the draft GP2045 at Hawaiʻi County Council Chambers, 25 Aupuni Street on the following dates:
Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Friday, February 7, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Monday, March 10, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 9:00 a.m.
Written testimony can be e-mailed to WPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov.
The Leeward Planning Commission will hold public meetings at Council Chambers, Building A, West Hawai‘i Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway, Kailua-Kona on the following dates:
Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.
Friday, February 21, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.
Monday, February 24, 2025 at 9:30 a.m
Written testimony can be submitted to LPCtestimony@hawaiicounty.gov.
For more information, including instructions on registering via Zoom to provide oral testimony, visit the Planning Commission's General Plan Review Special Meetings Information page.
Maui Group
South Maui at a Crossroads: Growth, Infrastructure, and the Future We Want
By Lucienne de Naie, Maui Group Chair
"South Maui is built on a long cul-de-sac," a speaker at a recent Kīhei Community Association meeting noted. Recent floods on Kīhei’s northern edge have severely damaged one of the area’s two main roads—roads that local residents rely on daily for work, school, and errands—causing daily traffic back-ups on the area’s one remaining through road.
For more than 20 years, plans for additional South Maui transportation options—such as a “North-South Collector Road” or a “Mauka Bypass Road”—have been discussed. Yet, in reality, South Maui still has just two main transportation corridors, both of which merge into a single road that dead-ends in a lava field. One way in, one way out.
Despite this severely limited transportation system, Maui County planners continue to approve landowner requests to urbanize and entitle hundreds of additional acres along this already constrained route.
A Looming Water Crisis
Large South Maui resorts, like Maui’s Grand Wailea, use hundreds of thousands gallons of imported water a day to create a tropical oasis in a naturally arid zone. South Maui’s water comes from Wailuku area, where local water users have often been asked to cut back on water use, but only recently has the same directive gone out to South Maui.
Water use in arid South Maui has already outpaced supply—and that supply is imported through a 20-mile pipeline from the kalo growing area of Nā Wai ʻEhā region in Wailuku. South Maui consumes 12 million gallons per day of fresh water, drawing the largest share from Maui’s ʻĪao Aquifer. Yet, more than half of that water isn’t used for human needs—it’s used for landscape irrigation, particularly at South Maui’s luxury resorts.
With rainfall levels declining and underground aquifers showing rising salt concentrations, many residents question whether this pattern of water use is sustainable.
At the same time, millions of gallons of treated wastewater are injected into the ocean daily, fueling harmful nutrient loads on nearby reefs. When heavy rains hit, muddy floodwaters surge through streets and drainage channels, overwhelming neighborhoods. Yet, local planners continue approving developments that fill in some of the last remaining wetlands, which could otherwise help absorb these floodwaters.
7,000 New Homes—But for Whom?
Much of coastal Kīhei once functioned as seasonal or year-round wetlands until the last 50 years of development filled in many acres of these vital retention areas. Pictured is a wetland in the heart of the south Maui business district that is being managed by local citizen efforts.
Given these growing challenges, South Maui residents were stunned to learn that the updated Draft South Maui Community Plan includes over 7,000 new housing units.
"We need a reality check," one community leader remarked. "Seventy-five percent of these units will be geared toward the luxury or off-shore market, and new commercial areas are being proposed, when our local shop fronts stand empty—who are we building for?”
Where will the water come from? How and when will South Maui’s road capacity expand? And what about the flooding?
The Fight for Smarter Planning
The South Maui Community Plan is supposed to answer these questions—and more. This state-mandated plan has already undergone one round of review—led by a 13-member volunteer Citizens Advisory Committee, which met regularly for 18 months in 2023–2024. The committee recommended strong policies, including requiring infrastructure to be built concurrently with new growth; designating all undeveloped, flood-prone lots as "open space" to absorb stormwater; establishing 100-foot-wide buffers along natural gulches to help prevent future flooding.
But these common-sense protections have faced pushback from professional planners, who argue the committee’s recommendations are too "inflexible."
What’s Next? Your Voice Matters
The Maui Group will be hosting a community forum on the Draft South Maui Community Plan in April, ahead of its expected May review by the Maui County Council. The Council will make the final decisions—determining what stays in and what gets cut.
“We think most South Maui residents would like to see a “Plan B” alternative to the large unrealistic growth area currently proposed in this Community Plan,” says Maui Group Conservation Chair, Scott Werden. “We see our upcoming forum as a good place to start that discussion.”
Stay tuned for forum details, and make your voice heard.
Upcoming Outings
Sunday, February 9
Lāhainā Pali Trail and Look for Whales!
Wailuku, 4.5 miles
Hike to the top of the Pali. Spectacular views of Kahoʻolawe, Molokini, and Lānaʻi, the ocean, and the Kaheawa wind turbines. This is the trail pre-contact Hawaiians and early missionaries used to get from Lāhainā to Wailuku. It rises from sea level to 1,550 feet and is 4.5 miles long. We will stop at several points to look for humpback whales. Moderate to strenuous, with some steep uphill - please consider your fitness level before registering for this hike. We will hike from the Māʻalaea trailhead up to the windmills and down to the Ukumehame end of the trail. Bring lots of water. Meet at the Maui Ocean Center parking lot nearest the gas station. We will shuttle cars to Ukumehame (Lāhainā side of the tunnel) and then drive to the Māʻalaea trailhead.
Leader: Annie Schultz, acm_schultz@hotmail.com
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Sunday, February 16
Skyline Trail (C/E)
Haleakalā, 8 miles, elevation: 10,000'
Spectacular Big Island vistas, numerous cinder cones from Haleakalā's most recent eruptions. Hike begins and ends at Skyline trailhead parking lot near Science City at the top of Haleakalā. Meet 8:30am at Pukalani Terrace Shopping Center (Ace Hardware) to carpool. Please bring your National Park Pass, otherwise there is a $30/car HNP entrance fee. Bring a camera, reef-safe sunscreen, water, lunch, hiking boots and warm layers of clothing. Limit 10.
Leader: Mark Short, shortonmaui@gmail.com
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Friday February 21
Māʻalaea Petroglyphs (C/E)
Wailuku (Māʻalaea), 2 miles
Join the adventure as we hunt for the remains of ancient Hawaiian rock art and archaeological sites in the Māʻalaea area. Recently rains mean we will be walking through grasses and bushes over uneven ground and along some sloping areas.
Leader: Lucienne de Naie, huelogrl@icloud.com
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Saturday, February 22
Hiking and Yoga Along the Hoapili Trail (E)
South Maui, 2 miles
Join us for a Hiking & Yoga experience along the Hoapili Trail (King's Highway). We will step back in history and follow part of the King's Highway from La Perouse Bay. This will be a 2 mile roundtrip hike along the shoreline with beautiful views of the ocean. As the sun is setting Meeyoung will lead us in a 30 minute all levels standing yoga practice...no yoga mat or props needed. We may practice on sand or rocks, so wear sturdy shoes (sneakers Ok). Bring snacks, sunscreen, hat, and any gear you may require. There is only one restroom at the beginning of the hike so please plan accordingly. We will meet at the La Perouse Bay Parking lot at 4:30pm.
Leader: Meeyoung Lepore, hikewithaloha@gmail.com
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Saturday, February 22
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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Friday February 28
Palauʻea Village Archaeological Tour (C/E)
South Maui (Palauʻea), 3 miles
Palauʻea is a small, but very culturally important ahupuaʻa in South Maui. Our tour will include archaeologist Dr. Jeanne Schaaf and will be a fun discovery process to relocate traditional Hawaiian dwellings, pathways and shrines in the Palauʻea mauka preserve area above the modern day Wailea Resort area. Be prepared for hiking on rugged terrain with dense over growth in some sections.
Leader: Lucienne de Naie, huelogrl@icloud.com and co-leader archaeologist Dr. Jeanne Schaaf
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Sunday, March 2
Makamaka‘ole Stream (13 Crossings) (C/E)
North Shore, 2.4 miles
Beautiful hike with many stream crossings and waterfall-fed pools. Trekking poles are recommended due to loose rocks in the stream and potentially wet trails if there has been recent rainfall. Bring water, snacks/lunch, water shoes, swimsuit. Limit 10. Meet at Waiehu Golf Course parking lot at 8:00am to carpool.
Leader: Ann Schultz, acm_schultz@hotmail.com, 808-344-6628
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Oʻahu Group
Welcome Our New ExCom Members
Current board members Karen Shishido, Adele Balderston, Jun Shin, Angela Huntemer and Marti Townsend are excited to announce our newly elected Executive Committee members, Dr. Lelemia Irvine, Kiara Bacasen, Camile Cleveland, and Honuʻāina Nichols to our Executive Committee. You can learn more about our new members below.
Dr. Lelemia Irvine
Dr. Lelemia Irvine (he/him) is kanaka ʻōiwi (Hawaiian), a lineal descendant from the aboriginal families that sprouted out of the islands of Hawaiʻi. He earned his BS and MS degrees in Biological Engineering, and MS and PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Dr. Irvine is the first appointed Physics faculty at the University of Hawaiʻi—West Oʻahu. In general, his research involves Water—Indigenous Knowledge—STEM education nexus.
Kiara Bacasen
Aloha! My name is Kiara Bacasen, a lifelong advocate for the development of healthy, sustainable, and just relationships between humans and the natural systems we rely on. My approach to this work is shaped by my experiences as a community organizer, my formal education in sustainability science and design, and the wealth of wisdom regarding holistic sustainable systems being practiced right here in Hawai‘i and by indigenous communities across the world. While I retain interests in many interrelated fields, my current work as an on-call chef at Roots Cafe and on the sales and marketing team for the Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Cooperative allows me to focus on Hawaiʻi’s food systems, highlighting the importance of the relationships between people and with ‘āina while bringing in my own unique background to the solutions we put forth.
Camile Cleveland
Camile is a Senior Manager at Hua Nani Partners, a Hawaiʻi-based consulting firm, where she works with public, private, and nonprofit clients to advance climate policies and clean energy solutions both in Hawaiʻi and across the US. Previously, she served as the volunteer Policy Coordinator and Executive Committee member for Surfrider Foundation’s Oʻahu Chapter. Camile holds a BSE in Mechanical Engineering and a certificate in Aerospace Engineering from Duke University. Camile is a proud Kaimukī resident and enjoys freediving, hiking, and crafting in her free time.
Honuʻāina Nichols
Honuʻāina Nichols (they/she/ʻoia) currently residing in Hālawa, ‘ohana is from ‘Aiea and Wailupe. A recent UCSB graduate in Political Science and community organizer with the UCDivestTMT Campaign. They are a kiaʻi wai and alpha ‘āina. Honuʻāina spends her days working as the Climate Champion and Education Coordinator at Mālama Loko Ea fishpond in Hāleʻiwa. Additionally, she is a part time paralegal intake at the Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi and taking her LSAT in January. They have recently connected deeper with Kanaloa with the assistance of Kuleana Coral Restoration’s Coral Occupational Application and Scientific Techniques program.
Upcoming Outings
Sunday, February 9
Mālama Tree Crew: Pālehua Service Project
Native forest restoration.The work is in Akupu Enclosure, restoring ʻelepaio habitat. Tasks include planting, weeding, watering, fertilizing and berming. Please bring water, a snack, and gloves. There may be some mosquitoes so long pants and long-sleeve shirts are recommended. Meet at Makakilo Community Park at 7:45am. RSVP to leader Sherry Cassetta at sherrycassetta@gmail.com.
Sunday, February 16
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. 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
Sunday, February 16
Pālehua ʻElepaio Enclosure "Akupu" Service (S)
We will be clearing alien invasive plants 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. Please indicate any person who is a minor. Co-leader Curtis Kawamoto.