Group News: Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Oʻahu
Hawaiʻi Island Group
Kumu Hou
By Chuck Flaherty | Reading time: 1 minute
Ignoring strong opposition to 1,100 new timeshares and up to 5,000 additional tourists straining infrastructure and natural resources on the Big Island, the Hawaiʻi County Council approved the Kumu Hou at Waikoloa by a 6-3 vote.
The Sierra Club Hawaiʻi Island Group testified against the development for numerous reasons, including:
additional strain on the Waimea aquifer,
Waikoloa Beach Resort master development use of injection wells that empty into the Environmental Protection Agency designated impaired nearshore marine waters in Anaehoʻomalu Bay in violation of the Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund vs. Maui County court ruling and the Clean Water Act, and
threats to numerous trails in existence at the time of the Highways Act of 1892.
To their credit, the developer and county council agreed to amendments that call for:
using brackish water instead of potable water for irrigation, resulting in a net zero impact on potable water resources,
discontinuing use of injection wells and redirecting effluent to landscaping and golf course irrigation, and
recording deeds in the name of the State of Hawaiʻi to officially recognize the State’s ownership.
However, these concessions did not compensate for the overall negative impacts, including increased dependency upon on the tourism industry and vulnerability to global shocks, as well as undermining of efforts to grow a diversified, locally-based economy.
Pōhakuloa
Please comment on the Army’s plan to retain control of 23,000 acres of State land at Pōhakuloa Training Area.
Comments are being taken till June 7 via internet, email, phone, and mail. Click here for more info and to submit comments.
Suggested talking points:
The Environmental Impact Statement should thoroughly analyze the alternative of moving training from Pōhakuloa to a less sensitive area outside of Hawaiʻi, in case the military does not retain control of the 23,000 acres.
Losing this acreage would severely restrict training, since the area hosts vital facilities for electricity, drinking water, communications, and roads. Why was all this was sited here under a temporary lease (expiration in 2029)?
Why does the military need Pōhakuloa, when it already has access to thousands of acres of land, and hundreds of square miles of ocean and airspace, around Hawaiʻi? Military training causes serious impacts at Pōhakuloa since it is a sensitive area with 50 at-risk species, and with tremendous cultural significance.
Why should the public rely on claims that the military cannot manage without Pōhakuloa? The same claims were made for Kahoʻolawe and Kapūkakī (Red Hill).
Why should the military be entrusted with this land? A recent court decision found that the military failed to meet obligations under its current lease for the area. They failed to clean up unexploded ordnance, junk cars, an old tank, shell casings, white phosphorous, and rubbish. There have been three fires in the past seven years. Only about half of the needed archaeological surveys have been done. And they claim they have not found even one traditional cultural property at Pōhakuloa.
The military has also been negligent elsewhere. At Waikoloa, unexploded ordnance has not been cleared for decades. On Kahoʻolawe, one out of every four surface acres has not been cleared of unexploded ordnance. At Kapūkakī (Red Hill), the military claims the water is now safe, but people returning to their homes report continued problems.
The military complains that Congress does not give them money for cleanup, or for protection of environmental and cultural resources. But how hard do they lobby for that, compared to their lobbying for new land and new weapons?
Is the military good for the economy? The water contamination at Kapūkakī means Oʻahu may have to ration water, and some new construction may need to be put on hold. And the cost of eventual cleanup for military toxins and unexploded ordnance statewide is astronomical.
Despite all these concerns, the military hesitated to allow public testimony at this meeting, and says it will not consider “non-substantive” comments such as general objections to the military. But if scores of people say they’ve had enough, it’s time to listen.
Regardless, the military has plans to greatly expand Pōhakuloa and other operations.
Maui Group
Water is Life: Maui Water for Maui People
By Tara Apo-Priest and Lucienne de Naie | Reading time: 4.5 minutes
Foreign Control of East Maui Water
Although the reign of sugar cane on Maui has passed, East Maui water is once again in danger of long-term exploitation as an economic commodity. In 2018, with a 41,000-acre land purchase from Alexander & Baldwin, Mahi Pono, LLC became Mauiʻs largest private landowner, and they now intend to control its largest public surface water supply. A Final Environmental Impact Statement, submitted by A&B and East Maui Irrigation (co-owned by Mahi Pono), was accepted in September 2021, despite pages of unsupportive testimony concerned with the inadequacy of the FEIS, and proposes to divert approximately 92 mgd from East Maui streams for the next 30 years. Yet, Mahi Pono has consistently been unable to justify their need for the water they currently take, leading the Environmental Court to lower their cap to 20 mgd just last week. Many East Maui residents regularly report large amounts of diverted water being discharged into local streams - why remove the water from the stream of origin in the first place? These decisions affect water accessibility for our keiki and our moʻopuna.
Granting Mahi Pono a 30-year lease to East Maui water would drastically increase the value of Mahi Ponoʻs land holdings overnight, and also potentially give them access to water at far lower rates than local farmers (current calculations put Mahi Pono at about $0.026 per 1,000 gallons, while agricultural users on the County system pay $1.10). How can local farmers be expected to remain competitive under such long-term inequitable circumstances?
Perhaps even more concerning is the corporation behind Mahi Pono - Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP), one of Canada’s largest pension investment funds and the sole investor of Mahi Pono. PSP has a legal obligation to maximize returns, and they are already invested in the privatization of water systems in other drought-prone areas of the world. Now, it seems, they have set their sights on Maui’s water. We must wonder at the motive.
East Maui kalo farmers have been in this fight for decades. Many streams remain dewatered. As climate uncertainty abounds and water scarcity touches countries across the globe, we cannot allow our most valuable resource to be controlled by a foreign pension fund. What are our alternatives?
Another choice
In January of 2022, Maui County Council passed a resolution urging the County of Maui to assume the East Maui water leases. This would bring the care and management of East Maui water resources back into the hands of the people of Maui, where it has not been for many generations - and it should stop the 30-year lease from going to a foreign corporation. The next step in the process would be for the mayor to approach BLNR and express interest in the pursuing the leases. However, the mayor has yet to take any action.
The County of Maui could form a new Community Water Authority that fairly represents those who have traditionally been left out of the decision-making process, like the East Maui communities from whence the waters originate. Of course, it would take time to develop such an agency, consider all of the relevant systems, and make sure the right experts, engineers, and community members are brought on board, but shouldn’t we take such care for the management of our most precious resource and watersheds? As a public entity, this agency would also be eligible for private, federal, and state funding sources inaccessible to private, for-profit corporations.
For too long, where our streams are concerned, the public trust doctrine, which prioritizes environmental conservation, Native Hawaiian traditional and customary practices, appurtenant rights for kuleana landowners, and domestic water availability for residents, has been pushed to the side in favor of large scale commercial agriculture. Itʻs time for systemic change that restores justice and balance to our communities and ecosystems.
West Maui Water Wars Need a Konohiki
Traditional kalo farmers and others in West Maui have recently had their water supplies cut because their water deliveries rely on part of an old plantation ditch system. Kalo farmers in Waikapu and Wailuku have had the same experience. The problem is that the original auwai were destroyed during the plantation heyday and private landowners still assert access authority over the remnants of the plantation ditch systems. At the center of this web of competing needs is the Hawaiʻi State Water Commission and their small staff.
In January of 2022, Water Commission staff briefed the commission on their rationale for why they believe it should designate the ground and surface water systems in West Maui as water management areas. A packed public meeting in Lahaina town in late April evidenced the wide community support for the proposal and a historic vote on the proposal is expected soon. Citing falling rainfall, competing public and private water system demands, and ongoing disputes between traditional kanaka maoli water users and large corporate landowners, the Commission members have expressed support that the region meets all the criteria for a designated water management area.
Designation as a water management area, however, is not a panacea to solve all of West Maui’s water woes. Designation will set up a “referee” (the Water Commission) who has the authority to decide who gets to use water in the designated area and how much they should receive via water use permits. For many years, the Sierra Club Maui Group and the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi have strongly supported traditional Hawaiian kalo farmers in west Maui having the water they need and stand in support of this historic action.
Maui Group Outings
Saturday May 7, 2022
Small town, BIG ART – A cultural art walk through historic Wailuku town (C/E)
Wailuku, 2.5 miles
Wailuku (also known as Pūʻalikomohana) is the Maui County seat and rich with cultural, historic and artistic treasures. The small town, big art project was developed through an Our Town grant in collaboration of the County of Maui and Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House/ Maui Historical Society. It was implemented in February 2019, in collaboration with the Pangeaseed Foundation.
We will begin at Wells Park and walk mauka (toward Iao) and stop at 8 of the current pieces on display. This walk will focus on these unique pieces of public art with a distinctive sense of place.
Leader: Merrill Ranken, merrill.ranken@gmail.com
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Sunday May 8, 2022
Pilale Bay Hike (C/E)
East Maui, 3 miles
Hike to Pilale Bay down a steep slope to explore Halehaku stream, Halehaku Heiau and remains of a Hawaiian settlement. Bring water and snacks. Limit 10. Meet at 8 am at the Haiku Community center. Leader: Rob Weltman robw@worldspot.com
Saturday May 14, 2022
Moonlight South Maui Tidepool Trek (C/E)
Honua’ula, 0.5 miles
Crabs and other Crepuscular Creatures abound in our tide pools when the light begins to fade.
We will explore the geology, biology and cultural natural history of this unique ecosystem between the shore and the sea and observe some of the marine fish and invertebrates in a safe and sustainable way- under a (nearly) full moon!
Light refreshments will be served and field guides are available for viewing. I’ll have some extra headlamps available but please bring your own if you have. Wear close-toed shoes that can get wet (reef tabis, old sneakers, etc.) Sunset is at 6:55 pm. Porta-potty is available in the parking lot.
Leader: Merrill Ranken, merrill.ranken@gmail.com
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Thursday May 19, 2022
Lahaina Pali Trail (C)
West Maui, 4 miles
Hike to the top of the Pali. Spectacular views of Kaho’olawe and Lāna’i, ocean, mountains and the Kaheawa wind farm. This is the same trail pre-contact Hawaiians and early missionaries walked to get from Lahaina to Wailuku. It rises from sea level to 1,55 fee and is 4 R/T miles. Moderate to Strenuous, with some steep uphill.
Hike from Lahaina end trailhead, up to windmills and back the same way. Sturdy boots or shoes for rocky terrain, sun screen, and hat are recommended. A hiking stick is useful. Bring lots of water. Meet 8 am at Maui Ocean Center parking by the gas station and we will caravan to the trailhead (Lahaina side of tunnel). Limit 15. Hike leader: Merrill Ranken. (808) 463-8378. https://hawaiitrails.hawaii.gov/trails/#/trail/lahaina-pali-trail/113
Leader: Merrill Ranken, merrill.ranken@gmail.com
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Sunday May 22, 2022
Hoapili Trail hike and anchialine ponds exploration (C, E)
La Perouse, 3.5 miles
Hike south from La Perouse Bay on the Kings Highway (Hoapili Trail) to Cape Hanamanioa (Lighthouse Beach), one of the most remote and beautiful areas on Maui. Explore anchialine ponds, and learn about these unique ecosystems and their cultural uses. 3.5 mile roundtrip hike. Meet 8am at the La Perouse parking lot. Bring water, snacks/lunch, reef-safe sun protection, hat, and footwear with toe protection and strong soles. There are port-a-potties at the La Perouse parking lot. We will return to the parking lot by 12 noon. Limit 18. Leader: Annie Schultz, acm_schultz@hotmail.com, 734-308-0482.
Saturday May 28, 2022
Hamakua Malama service outing (C/E/S)
Ha‘ikū, 2 miles
It’s spring!! Help prepare the scenic coastal lands of Ha‘ikū’s, Hāmākua Coastline to restore native plant species. Tools, snacks, trash bags etc will be provided. Co-sponsored by Mālama Hāmākua Maui.
Leader: Lucienne de Naie laluzmaui@gmail.com
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Oʻahu Group
O‘ahu Group Opposes HB1682 Re: Issuing Bonds to Assist Next Level Solutions Group Inc.
By Adele Balderston | Reading time: 1.5 minutes
We know trash burning is NOT a good source of renewable energy however, a bill to fund a new trash burning plant is still alive this late in the legislative session. The bill’s assertion that the technology proposed by Next Level Solutions Group would “benefit Hawai‘i by […] Protecting the environment, including by not releasing toxins and other harmful emissions into the air…” is a false premise that fails to show how the project could possibly serve the public interest.
Honolulu already has to provide H-POWER at least 800,000 tons of garbage each year to avoid fines from the private utility, which have ranged from $3-6 million in previous years. In a recent Civil Beat article Next Level Solutions Group could not provide any substantial details about their technology or where their refuse materials would come from, despite claiming their operation won’t compete with H-POWER.
Although waste generation plants create electricity, their primary purpose is waste disposal. Gasification of "recycled waste, medical waste and other waste," technologies are still in early stages of development and have not been perfected at scale. Despite the language in the bill, these processes can release carbon and other air pollutants that may harm human health, the climate, and the environment. They also generate less energy than cleaner sources. Energy subsidies like the bonds being sought in this bill should be reserved for truly clean sources of sustainable energy.
The public interest would likely be better served by reducing waste through reuse and recycling as some counties are now considering in their waste plans, rather than gasifying the waste. Most importantly, depending on trash for electricity undermines the extensive and years-long efforts communities and organizations like the Sierra Club have undertaken to reduce waste and build an effective, circular model for cutting climate-damaging emissions.
Submit testimony against it here.
Share Your Mana‘o For Community Resilience Hubs Today!
By Adele Balderston | Reading time: 1 minute
Resilience Hubs are community-serving facilities augmented to support residents, coordinate communication, distribute resources, and reduce carbon pollution while enhancing quality of life. Hubs provide an opportunity to effectively work at the nexus of community resilience, emergency management, climate change mitigation, and social equity while providing opportunities for communities to become more self-determining, socially connected, and successful before, during, and after disruptions or natural disasters.
The City Office of Climate Change, Sustainability, and Resiliency has taken the first step in the engagement process to develop an Oʻahu Community Resilience Hubs Action Plan, as originally proposed in Action 15 of the City’s Ola: O‘ahu Resilience Strategy (2019). In order to determine which communities are open to developing Resilience Hubs, assess the best potential locations, and make early determination about what elements should be prioritized, CCSR worked with the University of Hawai‘i to create this 10-minute survey.
The City plans to support pilot Hubs in communities most vulnerable to hazards and those that express a desire to establish their own, but to identify those communities they need to hear from you! As of this writing the survey is scheduled to close on May 5, but there will be opportunities to weigh in throughout the process. Subscribe to the CCSR mailing list for updates.
For questions about the survey, please contact cerene15@hawaii.edu.
Survey link: http://go.hawaii.edu/x6f
Oʻahu Group Outings
Saturday, May 28, 2022
Makiki Falls and Spring
The 3.5 mile Makiki Valley Loop Trail is moderately strenuous and gains about 1,000 feet in elevation over rocky terrain. The loop takes about 2 hours to complete without stopping, but we will be visiting Makiki Falls and the springs at the of source Kanealole Stream so our excursion will take about 4 hours. Bring: Water, hiking shoes, snacks, sunscreen, and mosquito repellant if they bother you. RSVP here.
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 & Randy Ching, makikirandy@yahoo.com
Saturday, June 25, 2022
Kulana'ahane Trail
Road walk and stream hike in Moanalua Valley. From the base of the Koolau Mountains, the trail climbs 1,200 feet to the summit ridge overlooking Haik Valley on the windward side of Oahu. Bring: 3 liters water, lunch, snacks, mosquito repellant, sunscreen. RSVP here.
Do not park inside the Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park -- parking is for tennis and basketball players. Hikers must park on the street.
Leader: Nate Yuen, 808nateyuen@gmail.com, 808-265-3283