Group News: Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, and Oʻahu
Hawaiʻi Island Group
Draft EIS Comment Period for Luxury Resort Development on Keauhou Bay Ends August 7th
by Chuck Flaherty, Hawaiʻi Island Group Chair
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) comment period has begun for a luxury resort and retail development within the wahi pana of Keauhou Bay, the birthplace of King Kamehameha III.
An online petition explains the concerns that community members have been raising for over two years. The Sierra Club Hawaiʻi Island Group urges members to sign the petition here.
The Hawaiʻi Island Group also urges members to submit comments on the DEIS by August 7, 2024. Please address comments to the County of Hawaiʻi Planning Department and Group 70 International at KeauhouBay@g70.design.
The Draft EIS is available for viewing here.
Mediation Set for Contested Case Against the Special Management Area Permit for Resort Development at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach
by Chuck Flaherty, Hawaiʻi Island Group Chair
Judge Mahilani Hiatt will serve as mediator in the contested case against Black Sands Beach LLC’s Special Management Aprea permit application for a development in and around Punaluʻu black sand beach in Kaʻū. Lineal descendant and kuleana property owner Elsa Dedman is being represented by Maxx Phillips, Center for Biological for Diversity and Ashley Obrey, Native Hawaiian Legal Coporation. The community organization, ‘Iewe O Hanau O Ka ‘Aina, is being represented by David Kimo Frankel. The mediation is scheduled for July 15th and on the 17th, if necessary.
The Hawaiʻi Island Group urges members to sign the online petition here.
Maui Group
VICTORY: Māʻalaea Access to Maui’s Legendary Lahaina Pali Trail Is Now Public Land
by Lucienne de Naie, Maui Group Chair
In mid-June, after 30 years of public debate, 257 acres of land along Honoapiʻilani Highway, known as “Māʻalaea Mauka” or the Pōhākea Watershed, were purchased with Maui County Open Space funds. Millions of Maui residents and visitors enjoy the iconic views of Kealaloloa Ridge and Mauna Kahalawai (West Maui Mountains) that the parcel presents as they journey towards Lahaina. The parcel is almost entirely surrounded by around 4,000 acres of public lands managed by state forestry as the Pōhākea Watershed. A portion of those 4,000 acres is leased to Maui’s Kaheawa Wind farm.
Photo: Keoki Pfaeltzer
The parcel also includes the ancient moku boundary line between Lahaina and Wailuku districts and the traditional southern terminus of the legendary Lahaina Pali trail. Sierra Club Maui Group volunteers were actively involved in the restoration of that trail when it was chosen as the number one priority Maui trail project for the newly formed state Na Ala Hele trail program in 1994. It remains one of Maui’s most popular trails, and the land purchase will allow better trail access management and provide more opportunities for cultural education on the land. The protection of the Pohakea lands has been a long time coming.
The previous landowner, Wailuku Sugar Company/C. Brewer, ceased agricultural operations on the land in the late 1990s and successfully advocated for the 257 acres of rich alluvial farmland to become the “Māʻalaea Mauka” mixed-use development in the 1998 Kīhei-Mākena Community Plan. This set off a long history of citizen advocacy to protect the land. The Sierra Club Maui Group and other community groups opposed including the parcel in the urban growth area. In 1998, Maui Mayor Linda Lingle even vetoed the Community Plan due to two large Māʻalaea parcels being proposed for urban use, stating that the County had no way of providing infrastructure to the area. Unfortunately, the County Council overturned her historic veto. South Maui Council member Wayne Nishiki was the one dissenting vote, calling for the Māʻalaea area lands to remain in agricultural designation.
After being designated for future development, the land was sold several times, and five different housing/commercial developments, proposing anywhere from 1,000 units to as few as 21 agricultural lots, were proposed between 2004 and 2019. Two of these resulted in citizen-led legal challenges, which Sierra Club did not participate in but supported financially.
A 2020 citizen petition drive, supported by Māʻalaea Village Association, Kihei Community Association, Sierra Club Maui Group, and Maui Tomorrow Foundation, led to the Maui County Council fully approving funds to purchase the land in 2021. The purchase was also supported by a $1 million appropriation from the State’s Legacy Lands fund. Before anyone could celebrate, the purchase was put on hold for several years due to changes in land ownership.
Through the diligent efforts of the Ma’alaea Village Association volunteers, State Department of Forestry and Wildlife staff, and Lea Hong, Hawaii State Director of Trust for Public Lands, the purchase process was restarted in 2023, and the land is being transitioned from Maui County to the State of Hawaiʻi. The Sierra Club Maui Group will offer a Sunset Victory Tour of the Pohakea Parcel on Sunday, September 8, from 3:30 to 6:30pm. For more background on this land and its history, check out Māʻalaea: The Untold Story of Maui’s Historic Crossroads.
Appeals Court Upholds Decision to Reject EIS for County Sludge-Drying Contract
Adapted from Maui Tomorrow press release
On May 31st, the Intermediate Court of Appeals unanimously upheld a pivotal 2019 decision by retired Judge Joseph Cardoza, voiding an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a controversial wastewater sludge drying project proposed by Maui County and Anaergia Services. This project was planned for the Wailuku-Kahului Wastewater Reclamation Facility, located between the Kahului shoreline and the Kanahā Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary.
This legal triumph, spearheaded by the Sierra Club Maui Group and the Maui Tomorrow Foundation has not only safeguarded Maui’s delicate environment but also saved county taxpayers significant amounts of money.
The proposed experimental sludge drying project aimed to process energy crops to produce biogas, which would then be used to fuel a combined heat and power engine to generate electricity and dry municipal wastewater biosolids. The power produced under Maui County’s contract with Anaergia would have cost four times more than power produced today, with annual increases.
The Sierra Club Maui Group and Maui Tomorrow Foundation raised several objections during the draft EIS review, yet the county proceeded with its approval. A major concern was the developer's preparation of the EIS under a limited “applicant action” review process, rather than the more comprehensive “agency action” review required for projects utilizing taxpayer funds. Judge Cardoza ruled in favor of the community groups, mandating the county to redo the EIS as an agency action. The County and Anaergia appealed, but the ICA’s recent decision reaffirms Judge Cardoza’s original ruling.
The project's origins trace back to a county procurement process, where Anaergia emerged as the sole bidder. At that time, Anaergia was already under contract for another waste-to-energy project at the Central Maui Landfill, which an independent audit later revealed would cost the County $35 million more than initially projected.
Lucienne de Naie, Sierra Club Maui Group Chair, expressed gratitude for the community's support: “Thanks to community support, Maui Tomorrow and Sierra Club were able to shine a light on the County’s illegal actions – and keep taxpayer monies from being tied up in this costly long-term contract. The Intermediate Court of Appeals decision completely validates citizen concerns.”
The case also cast a spotlight on deeper issues of public corruption. Stewart Stant, the County’s Director of Environmental Management from 2015 to 2018, was a strong proponent of the sludge drying project. Stant is now serving a ten-year federal prison sentence for public corruption, having admitted to accepting over $2 million in bribes to award no-bid contracts to another wastewater contractor, Oʻahu businessman Milton Choy.
Attorney Lance D. Collins, representing the community groups, aptly summarized the broader implications: “Corruption doesn't begin with paper bags full of money passing hands. It begins with the routine disregard for the law and holding up falsity as truth.”
This decision is a significant win for the people and environment of Maui, underscoring the importance of transparency, accountability, and community action in environmental stewardship.
Upcoming Outings
Saturday, July 6
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. There is a video of the trail from the trial leading to access being allowed: https://youtu.be/8pHpIbJ_Ic8. Although this is a relatively short hike, it is rated moderate/strenuous because of some steep gulch traversals and the 2,500' elevation change.
Outing leader: Jordan Jokiel, jordanj@haleakalaranch.com
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Sunday, July 7
ʻĪao Valley Exploration
Wailuku, 3 miles
Explore ʻĪao Valley - there will be steep sections and trees will be there to hang on to. Wear a swimsuit and be ready to get wet!
Leader: Mark Short, shortonmaui@gmail.com
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Sunday, July 14
Halemau‘u Trail then Hosmer Grove (C/E)
Haleakalā, 4 miles, strenuous, high elevation (9,500')
We'll hike 1.1 miles (1.8 km) on a rocky path to a crater viewpoint. A popular destination on this hike is a natural land bridge commonly referred to as "Rainbow Bridge." This area is about 0.25 miles from the first crater viewpoint. Hiking past this will take us down switchbacks carved into the crater walls. It is a little over 2 miles one way to reach the crater floor. We then return to cars and stop for a short loop through Hosmer Grove and look for native birds. Meet at 8am 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, water, lunch, hiking boots, and warm layers of clothing. Limit 15.
Leader: Mark Short, shortonmaui@gmail.com
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Friday, July 19
North Shore Coastal Walk (C/E)
North Shore, 2 miles, moderate
Enjoy scenic views along the coast from Maliko Gulch Overlook- to Mama’s Fish House, with a possible peek at some cool tide pools.
Meet 8:30am at Maliko Gulch Overlook (pali on Pāʻia side of Maliko gulch). Limit 12.
Leader: Lucienne de Naie, huelogrl@icloud.com
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Saturday, July 20
Trail Maintenance Volunteer Day
Save the date for our inaugural volunteer trail maintenance work day! Details coming soon.
Saturday, July 20
Hanawī (Nāhiku Area) Stream Hike (C/E)
East Maui, 4 miles, strenuous
Pools, waterfalls, native stream life. Numerous stream crossings. Good water footwear is a must. Meet at 8am at Haʻikū Community Center. Limit 15.
Leader: Rob Weltman, robw@worldspot.com
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Sunday, July 21
Palauʻea Native Plant Hunt (C/E)
South Maui, 3 miles, strenuous, rugged terrain
We will be on the lookout for native wiliwili trees in bloom and other rare and unusual native plants. Meet at 3:30pm at the top of Kaukahi Rd. in Wailea. Sturdy hiking boots required and long pants recommended. Limit 16.
Leader: Lucienne de Naie, huelogrl@icloud.com
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Saturday, July 27
Mālama Hāmākua Planting and Gulch Exploration (C/E/S)
Haiku, 2 miles, moderate
Help bring these former coastal pineapple fields back to life with native plantings, then enjoy a shady gulch hike and a free lunch. Refreshments, tools and gloves provided. Meet at 8:30am at Haʻikū Community Center to carpool to site. Limit 15.
Leader: Lucienne de Naie, huelogrl@icloud.com
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Sunday, July 28
Makamakaʻole Stream (13 Crossings) (C/E)
North Shore, 2.4 miles
Beautiful hike with many stream crossings and waterfall-fed pool at the end. Trekking poles are recommended due to loose rocks in the stream and potentially wet trails if there has been recent rainfall. Bring water shoes, lunch, water, swimsuit. Limit 10. Meet at Waiehu Golf Course parking lot at 8am to carpool.
Leader: Ann Schultz, acm_schultz@hotmail.com or 808-344-6628
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Saturday, August 3
Wailua Iki Stream Hike (C/E)
East Maui, 6 miles
Moderate hike above Hāna Highway through beautiful forest on winding, muddy, jeep road. Pools, waterfalls, and lush plant life. The group may decide to swim. Bring appropriate footwear, sunscreen, lunch, and water. Meet at 8am at Haʻikū Community Center. EMI WAIVER REQUIRED (see emi.html) - must email name, address and phone number to jackie.thomas@mahipono.com at least one week in advance. Limit: 15.
Leader: Rob Weltman, robw@worldspot.com
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Oʻahu Group
Upcoming Outings
Sunday, July 21
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, July 28
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. Co-leader Curtis Kawamoto.