Group News: Hawaiʻi Island and Maui
Hawaiʻi Island Group
RIMPAC
by Cory Harden
RIMPAC, billed as the “world’s largest international maritime exercise” by the Navy, provides training to military personnel and serves as a deterrent to potential enemies.
It also causes severe environmental and social impacts.
RIMPAC occurs every other summer in and around Hawaiʻi and Southern California. This year it involves land forces from nine nations, some perhaps unaccustomed to U.S. environmental law. It also involves over 25,000 personnel, 170 aircraft, about three dozen ships, four submarines, and 30 remotely operated systems. It means firing of bullets, missiles, and torpedoes; shooting at mothballed ships till they sink; and use of sonar.
The sonar and in-water explosions can cause permanent harm to marine mammals. Weeks of unpredictable and relentless noise can disrupt hunting, feeding, breeding, and caring for the young. Some animals suffer hearing loss that impairs their ability to communicate and find their way underwater. Others suffer internal hemorrhaging or ruptured eardrums. Some appear to panic and surface so quickly that they experience symptoms like the “bends” in humans. Others may beach themselves as they flee in panic from the noise. It is notable that during the 2004 RIMPAC there was a sudden swarm of 150 melon-headed whales that rushed into Hanalei Bay.
Multiple toxins are released into the ocean by spent bullets, missiles, and torpedoes, and by any hazardous substances not fully cleaned out of sunken ships. And debris from all these discarded objects is abandoned on the sea floor, causing unknown impacts to the marine ecosystem.
Meanwhile, on land, the Hawaiʻi State Commission on the Status of Women has ongoing concerns about commercial sexual exploitation involving military personnel. This is becoming increasingly difficult to address as activities move online.
RIMPAC will be fueled in part by the Red Hill fuel tanks at Kapūkakī that contaminated Oʻahu’s drinking water. This only intensifies questions of how well the military is really protecting us.
Senate Bills 2510 and 2511 & Hu Honua Bioenergy Update
by Chuck Flaherty
Thanks to overwhelming opposition, Governor Ige has submitted his intent to veto both Senate Bills (SB) 2510 and 2511, thereby preserving his legacy as a champion of truly renewable energy power generation development in Hawaiʻi.
SB 2510 would have mandated a certain percentage of “firm renewable” power generation on each island. The definition of “firm renewable” energy in SB 2510 included wood-burning biomass power plants. The Hawaiʻi Public Utilities Commission and the European Union Environmental Committee have both concluded that these power plants are net producers of greenhouse gas emissions and do not approach the status of “renewable” until decades have passed, if then. In addition, these facilities create a “double whammy” for ratepayers because they require “must run” contracts. These contracts stipulate that a certain amount of power must be purchased from biomass plants, even if renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, is available at a cheaper rate.
SB 2511 would have expanded the renewable energy technologies income tax credit to include “firm renewable” energy power plants as defined in SB 2510. Taxpayers would be effectively paying to support greenhouse gas polluters.
It is not yet known if the state legislature will call for a special session to attempt an override of the Governor’s vetoes of SB 2510 and 2511. Sierra Club members are encouraged to contact their state representatives and senators and urge them not to support an attempt to override the Governor’s vetoes.
On June 24th, the Public Utility Commission (PUC) denied Hu Honua’s request for reconsideration of the Amended and Restated Power Purchase Agreement, which the PUC had first denied in May 2022. This leaves no way for Hu Honua to be approved by the PUC or any other regulatory agency.
However, on June 29th, Hu Honua filed an appeal of the PUC decision with the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court. It is not known at this time whether the recent radical ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, which severely limits the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to administer its rules and regulations based upon Congressional legislative intent, will have an impact of this or any other state Supreme Court ruling.
Highlight from last month’s outings
Hikers smile for the camera near a koa tree on the Puʻu Oʻo trail off Saddle Road on June 25. Photo credit: Mary Marvin Porter
Maui Group
Hale Waipuilani Project
by David Dorn
Should more homes be allowed to be built in South Maui’s flood zones? Just six months ago floods ravaged Kīhei, yet more units are proposed for flood plains. We need you to speak up for sensible planning, as the Hale Waipulani housing project goes to Maui County Council for a vote on July 15.
Send comments to: county.clerk@mauicounty.us. The agenda item is: RESO 22-130.
The Hale Waipuilani Project is a high-density workforce housing project planned for a residential neighborhood in north Kīhei. But the problem is that this area is a notorious flood zone. The neighborhood, built in the 1960’s and 70’s, was established into one of the lowest-lying areas on Kīhei’s floodplain. Historically, this entire area was a network of coastal wetlands and swamps. Most of Kīhei’s few remaining open spaces and green areas are the last vestiges of once numerous wetlands. The same geography that made these areas into wetlands still underlies these neighborhoods today.
Kamaʻāina residents have experienced many floods in the Waipuilani area, yet in spite of the risk to life and property, development has continued at a steady pace. The Sierra Club Maui Group supports affordable housing - but what is truly affordable about investing a family’s life savings in a location where stormwaters bring in muddy waters in the middle of the night - damaging homes and belongings.
What will it take to fix Kīhei’s drainage issues? A 2016 county drainage study concluded $133 million dollars would be needed to fix the drainage problems in Kīhei-Mākena, to make these neighborhoods safe. Citizens are calling for a more resilient approach - keep natural systems like wetlands undeveloped and help them do their job to retain, filter and contain floodwaters.
So why is building still going on in these wetland-floodplain areas? Why is this 1.5 acre parcel, a former tomato farm in Kīhei’s early days proposed for 28 condo units? The reasons are complex, but the results are clear - all of Kīhei’s remaining open spaces and wetlands are earmarked for development in the next few years.
The County Council is being asked to grant the project a number of exemptions to provide infrastructure and conform to zoning requirements under a Maui County fast-track affordable housing law. But does the project plan to cram in 28 units, parking lots etc. into a floodplain merit these exemptions?
With each new development, flooding gets worse. We must advocate for a better solution. The Waipuilani Street site is not the place to cut corners. Please email our county council today. Ask them to turn down the request for higher density and exemptions for the Hale Waipuilani project, it’s just not a safe location for affordable housing. A few reasons why:
Waipuilani Hale project is in a flood prone location and in a tsunami evacuation zone.
The Hale Waipuilani lot is shown in the current FEMA flood zone.
The area is subject to future sea level rise.
This location has no adequate stormwater drainage system.
Flooding can cut off ingress/egress to this property.
Building in the flood zone will put residents and neighbors in harm’s way.
The entire 1.5 acre lot currently functions as a drainage basin - current plans would harden 60% of the land.
The county has discussed a land swap for a piece of land in a safer location for affordable homes.
The proposed density increase from single family, to multi-family condos doesn’t make good planning sense on a such a small lot with drainage issues.
100% affordable projects like Hale Waipuilani are not required to contribute to many needed infrastructure upgrades in the fifty-year old neighborhood that surrounds the new project.
No one benefits from projects that overtax aging inadequate infrastructure and have no plan to fix it. Speak up by emailing comments to: county.clerk@mauicounty.us
Show up online via this BlueJeans link or testify in person at July 15, 2022 at 9am to the County Council Chamber, Kalana O Maui Building, 8th Floor, 200 South High Street, Wailuku.
Ask the Council to do the right thing and approve safe workforce housing. The County Council July 15, 2022 agenda with meeting links can be found here.
You can read more about this project here:
savethewetlands.org/waipuilani-16e
savekihei.org/high-density-development-threatens-kihei-neighborhood
Maui Group Outings
Friday July 15, 2022
Wailea 670 Native Plant Survey (C/E/S)
South Maui (Palauʻea ahupuaʻa), 2.5 miles
Service outing to visit native plant populations in South Wailea 670 proposed preserve to note health of plants after months of dry conditions. Chance to see native wiliwili trees in bloom.
Leader: Lucienne de Naie, huelogrl@icloud.com
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Saturday July 16, 2022
Huelo Area Stream Hike (C/E/S)
East Maui, 3 miles
Adventure hike creating safe trails to explore Hanehoi stream and its tributaries. On private and government land in Huelo area - no EMI waiver needed. Tools will be provided to help improve the trail access as part of the outing - bring your own if available. Help support Sierra Club stream water quality testing program in Huelo.
Leader: Lucienne de Naie huelogrl@icloud.com
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Sunday July 17, 2022
Hanawī (Nāhiku area) Stream Hike (C/E)
East Maui, 4 miles
Strenuous. Pools, waterfalls, native stream life. Numerous stream crossings. Good water footwear a must. Meet 8:00 a.m. at Haiku Community center. EMI waiver required (see below). Limit 15. Leader: Rob Weltman, robw@worldspot.com
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Saturday July 23, 2022
Makapipi Trail Stream Hike (C/E)
East Maui, 4 miles
Varied terrain. Ko‘olau Ditch Trail: Makapipi to Kopiliʻula Stream. Scenic vistas, pools, waterfalls, native plant life. Hike crosses several bridges with no handrails, not recommended for those sensitive to heights. EMI waiver required (see below). Meet at 8:00 am at the Haʻikū Community Center. Limit 15. Leader: Rob Weltman, robw@worldspot.com
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Sunday July 24, 2022
Waiheʻe Ridge Hike (C/E)
Waihe‘e, 5.5 miles
This is a moderate to strenuous hike as it is uphill all the way to the top, a 1500 ft elevation, 2.5 hours. This trail is very slippery if there has been any moisture at all so a hiking stick is important on this one. There are beautiful forest and spectacular views. Meet at 8am at the upper parking lot: turn mauka at Mendes Ranch (mile marker 6.9 on Kahekili Highway) and drive .9 miles.
Leader: Annie Schultz, acm_schultz@hotmail.com or 734-308-0482
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Saturday July 30, 2022
Mālama Hāmākua Day (C/E/S)
Ha‘ikū (Kaupakulua Ahupuaʻa), 2 miles
Be part of the team clearing away trash and planting a lei garden at the Hāmākua Open Space preserve in Hāmākua. Tools, gloves, trash bags and snacks provided. Co-sponsored by Mālama Hāmākua Maui
Leader: Lucienne de Naie, huelogrl@icloud.com
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Oʻahu Group
Oʻahu Group Outings
Saturday, July 30, 2022
Makiki Falls & Springs
A moderately strenuous route, the 3.5 mile Makiki Loop gains about 1,000 feet in elevation. The terrain is rocky and uneven and it takes about 2 hours to complete the loop without stopping, but we will be visiting Makiki Falls and the springs at its source so our excursion will take 4 hours. Bring water, hiking shoes, snacks, sunscreen, and mosquito repellant if they bother you. Maximum 12, first come first serve.
Meet at 8 am at the entrance to Makiki Valley State Recreation Area. The parking lot fills up quickly so you may have to park along the curve of the Makiki Heights Road at the entrance to Makiki Valley State Recreation Area.
Leader: Nate Yuen, 808nateyuen@gmail.com, 808-265-3283