Group News: Hawaiʻi Island, Maui and Oʻahu
Hawaiʻi Island Group
Hawaiʻi Island Group Outings
Saturday, November 19, 2022
Crater Rim Trail at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (E/F)
Easy 3 miles, E=4,000’ with +/-100’
We will start this hike at Kīlauea Military Camp (KMC) following the trail past the Volcano Observatory at Jaggar Museum and go a little beyond to the lava viewing point at Uwēkahuna, a sacred Hawaiian spot, then we will return to KMC. The trail winds through rainforest along the rim of Kīlauea and Halemaʻumaʻu where we may hear the Hawaiian thrush (ʻōmaʻo) calling, and learn about native plants like sandalwood (‘iliahi) and ‘ōhelo berry. Wear sturdy boots; bring 1 quart of water, hat, snacks, and rain jacket. Sign up with leader, Diane Ware, at 808-967-8642.
We had a spectacular hike along the coast between Honuʻapo and Kāwā Saturday, October 22nd as evidenced in the following photos taken by Mary Marvin Porter.
Is the Hawaiʻi County Planning Director Disabling Community-Based Planning?
by Chuck Flaherty, Hawaiʻi Island Group Executive Committee Chair | Reading time: 4 minutes
On August 18, 2022, the Hawaiʻi County Planning Director, Zendo Kern, sent a letter to the county’s six volunteer Community Development Plan Action Committees (CDP AC) that began:
"Aloha CDP Action Committee Members,
Due to recent staffing changes in the Long-Range Division within the Planning Department, it has become necessary to adjust staff time and resources. This means staff will unfortunately not have the capacity to organize or facilitate AC meetings for the foreseeable future."
This announcement caused great alarm and consternation among the members of the CDP AC, the county council and the many, many hundreds of residents who volunteered their time, energy, and expertise to develop the CDPs, as well as those who have served on and supported the Action Committees over the years. The Planning Department’s withdrawal of support for the CDP AC’s has coincided with several luxury developments submitting applications to build in one of the last undeveloped areas of the Hawaiian islands where the traditional culture of Hawaiʻi remains a way of life in the southwest part of Hawaiʻi Island, an area that is larger than the island of Oahu. The six CDPs were adopted as law beginning in 2008 and require the Planning Department to work with the CDP ACs to manifest the goals, objectives, and actions detailed in each. One of the biggest questions is whether the Planning Director has the legal authority to withdraw support of the CDP ACs since that undermines the ability of the CDP laws to be administered as intended by those laws. Also, there are questions as to whether the Sunshine Law was violated when at two publicly noticed CDP AC agendas did not list a discussion of changes being made, though that was an agenda item during the meetings. The CPDs can be seen here.
The alarm increased when one month later, invitations were sent to "key stakeholders" that began:
"Aloha: The County of Hawaiʻi (COH) is embarking on an approximately 18-month process to review and update its zoning and subdivision codes (Chapters 25 and 23 of the 1983 Hawaiʻi County Code, respectively). COH is supported in this effort by a consultant team including Rundell Ernstberger Associates, Orion Planning and Design, and SSFM International."
The consultant team are all mainland-based companies, which the community knows from past unfortunate experience will be inherently unable to understand and give proper consideration of Hawaiian cultural values and the environmental resources upon which these values depend. The Zoning and Subdivision update website is here.
Further complicating the situation for Hawaiʻi Island community-based volunteer efforts, the county Planning Department is also in the midst of a revision of the county General Plan, the comprehensive law that guides development on Hawaiʻi Island. The legality of the revision process is also in question because rather than truly revising the current GP with changes shown through Ramseyer formatting, the draft GP has no references to the current GP. The new GP would would effectively be “gut-and-replace” legislation rather than a revision or update of existing law. The current and draft GPs can be seen here.
After being nominated and confirmed, the Planning Director was required to implement a “firewall” because his planning consulting firm had many past, current, and future clients making applications to the Planning Department. Despite numerous requests, the Planning Director has not produced a copy of an internal memo containing written procedures that would allow an independent party to determine whether or not the “firewall” is sufficient to prevent the Planning Director’s conflicts of interest from having any undue influence on the employees of the Planning Department involved with any application process.
A final concern is the fact the Planning Director has reportedly invalidated all past internal memos, which would have included, for instance, one that prescribed Planning Department policy and procedure to assure adequate protection of historic and cultural resources in light of a historically “broken” State Historic Preservation Division.
The bottom line is the Hawaiʻi County Planning Director is taking actions without consideration of pragmatic effects on volunteer community-based planning efforts. The pandemic and the social and economic challenges it has brought into the homes and families of all residents of Hawai’i have been overwhelming for many. The Planning Director’s actions over the past year have increasingly challenged the community’s ability to provide constructive, effective input, while at the same time further assisting paid, wealthy special interests which already dominate planning decision-making processes.
We urge the Planning Director to take actions, such as funding and staffing to restore the partnership the Planning Department had with the CDP ACs, and proposing a true revision of the current GP while also revising the CDPs to have uniformity of format with GP to ensure more effective and efficient administration of these laws, thereby providing for a safe and healthy future for all Hawaiʻi citizens.
We also strongly urge County Council to hold a public hearing, as soon as possible, on these sweeping and extremely troubling changes.
DLNR proposes changes to administrative rules that affect conservation districts
by Deborah Ward, Hawaiʻi Island Group Executive Committee Member | Reading time: 2 minutes
In October, the Board of Land and Natural Resource’s agenda proposed approval of a substantive revision of the administrative rules regarding conservation districts. The meeting was cancelled after a Sunshine Law complaint, and subsequent agenda did not address this revision. The revision announcement startled many in the environmental and cultural communities. While Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands has been conducting a “comprehensive internal review of the rules” since 2018, given the many stakeholders and high public interest, we are requesting more engagement with community groups who have sought to enforce conservation district rules but are unaware of any such engagement.
Community input is particularly needed on the proposed changes to the eight criteria for conservation district permitting. The changes proposed are a cause for concern. For example, the revised rules proposed to delete §13-5-30(d)(4): “The proposed land use will not cause substantial adverse impact to existing natural resources within the surrounding area, community, or region.” Natural resources include cultural resources. HAR §13-5-2. Removing this criterion also removes a critically important limit to the adverse impacts that could occur. That is, even with BMPs and compliance with other laws as required by other proposed §13-5-30 criteria, a proposed land use could substantially, adversely impact the conservation district. Conservation district uses should be required to affirmatively demonstrate that any use will not significantly impact any historic property, including those not yet recorded or documented by the State Historic Preservation Division. Applicants should also be required to consider the larger landscape within which the historic resources are located, such that applicants cannot cordon them off from larger significance.
Proposed §13-5-30(d)(5)(A) provides: “The land use will not permanently interfere with public use of a public trail, access to public recreation areas, and beaches.” This criterion does not allow consideration of the significant impacts of temporary interference of a periodic, seasonal, or durational nature. A land use that terminates in 50 years may permanently interfere with a generation’s use of the public trail. Land uses preventing nighttime use of a trail may permanently disallow certain kinds of traditional fishing practices.
The proposed rule changes also affect coastal hazards, sea level rise, and shoreline hardening recommendations, and they remove the requirement for shoreline certification. Given the very short response time and a broad list of changes, community groups have asked for more time to engage in, and respond to, the proposed changes before they go out for public comment and approval.
Mauna Kea Update
by Deborah Ward, Hawaiʻi Island Group Executive Committee Member | Reading time: 10.5 minutes
The first and only NEPA EIS completed, to date, for expansion and construction of new telescope facilities was published in 2002 for the NASA/Keck Outrigger Telescopes project, a facility which was never constructed. The EIS identified significant, adverse and substantial cumulative impacts to natural and cultural resources on the summit region of Mauna Kea as a result of industrial development and management in the Conservation District. The cumulative impacts of these have not been mitigated, in fact, they have become more adverse to both the natural and cultural resources in the 20 years that have ensued.
Now, the National Science Foundation will consider funding, with taxpayer dollars, the Thirty Meter Telescope, proposed for the yet undisturbed northern plateau of the Mauna Kea summit region. The decision may hinge on the outcome of a NEPA EIS and Section 106 consultation with native Hawaii practitioners and groups who agree to consult.
The Sierra Club has reviewed the EIS preparation notice and attended the four public hearings held on Hawaiʻi Island, attended by many hundreds of concerned community members. The decadal survey recommended building the ELT in either the Northern or Southern hemisphere—we ask that the consortium consider the southern hemisphere option as one of the alternatives. The Sierra Club Hawaiʻi Island Group anticipates advocating for the No Action Alternative.
The Sierra Club has been providing testimony in response and has participated in litigation to address failures in management of the Mauna Kea Science Reserve since the 1970s. We intend to participate in the process as development of the NFS studies are laid out prior to development of the proposed EIS.
Visual resources and sensitive viewsheds response
The Sierra Club members have, for over forty years, been hiking and leading hikes and visits to the summit region of Mauna Kea, and we treasure the visual viewplanes and wilderness values of the summit region, including the unimpeded views of Haleakala, Puʻu Makanaka, and more. Placement of industrial infrastructure, roads, and an 18 story telescope in the viewplane of the protected Conservation District, National Natural Landmark and State Historic District would significantly impact the experience of our members who are lineal descendants of family members buried, cultural practitioners, residents and visiting recreational users.
Cultural Resources
Characterizing the sacred nature of Mauna Kea and the tremendous impacts of desecration of religious and sacred values as “environmental” impacts obscures the religious issue that is of great importance to the community protests, and protection efforts will continue.
Impact on existing plans, policy and controls
The management of the Mauna Kea Science Reserve is in transition. The flux created by the recent legislation (Act 255) that would change the management from that of the University of Hawaiʻi to a yet unnamed authority with volunteers of unknown expertise and capability raises significant and unpredictable policy concerns. It is impossible within the timeframe of the NSF EIS preparation plans to know what plans and policies would be in place when the potential project would be re-permitted, if at all.
Documents such as the Administrative Rules, Comprehensive Management Plan and subplans, Master Plan, and several memoranda of understanding may all be subject to revision of rejection by the new authority.
A recent approval of an updated Comprehensive Management Plan offered by the University of Hawaiʻi to the Board of Land and Natural Resources was approved despite an unresolved request for a contested case, leading to an appeal currently before the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court. One challenged provision that was changed by the university in this document was a statement of support for designation of Traditional Cultural Property (TCPs) within the Science Reserve. The new language limits the designation of TCP to that already identified, despite the university’s knowledge that a new and expanded designation was being developed on behalf of cultural practitioners. The expanded TCP designation should inform the Section 106 consultation process, and the limits on the TCP designation will likely be contested in litigation.
Currently the construction permit in place with the DLNR is under challenge in court, and the required NPDES has not been issued by the Department of Health; in fact the application has been withdrawn. The lease that affects any potential construction and decommissioning expires in 2033. Litigation under consideration at the Intermediate Court of Appeals queries the existence of (and DLNR requirements for) bonding prior to construction or decommissioning. The applicant has attested to the fact that there is not enough funding, even if the NFS funds were to be released for this proposed project.
Water resources: Surface water, groundwater and stormwater
The university prepared documents describing the hydrology of Mauna Kea and the potential impacts of construction and development are highly contradictory, and the statements made are often conjecture with no actual documentation to substantiate the claims.
The Sierra Club asks that the NSF conduct detailed hydrologic studies within and beyond the project site to determine the impact of construction, stormwater runoff, leaking facility pipes; accidental spills of contaminants, oil, hazardous chemicals and wastewater. These contributions may affect the quality of water seeped to springs along Mauna Kea’s flanks, as well as the fresh water aquifers beneath the mountain that eventually provide drinking water to island residents. The cultural significance of clean, unpolluted water (for ritual, religious, healing purposes and more) cannot be understated.
In 2016, the Department of Land and Natural Resources held a contested case hearing to address the concerns and omissions in the TMT representation of its adherence to the DLNR criteria for allowed uses in a Conservation district. The following, with citations, are facts ascertained in documents provided by the applicant and by the University of Hawaiʻi’s water expert (Dr. Tom Nance) at the hearing.
On an ocean island two thousand miles from the next nearest land mass, fresh water is the source of life. Protection of the aquifer is tantamount to providing the generations to come with life-giving sustenance. The summit of Mauna Kea, the highest point in the Pacific, is the apex of the aquifers that radiate from the summit. The regional aquifer beneath the summit of Mauna Kea is entirely fresh water. As evidenced by most seeps and springs, shallow groundwater does exist in the mountains flanks below the summit area. Analysis of spring water shows it to be recent and identical to rainfall at the summit. at least some of the water percolates downward to ultimately discharge as a spring or seep. The Mauna Kea “Astronomy Precinct” is located entirely above the Waimea Aquifer.
Four components of the hydrology of the Mauna Kea summit region remain unknown: 1) watershed calculations of snow-water distribution, 2) outcomes of leachate and liquid waste from septic and cesspool systems, 3) distribution and impacts of permafrost, and 4) groundwater maps of water levels, flow paths, and recharge rates, according to the Comprehensive Management Plan, Natural Resources Management Sub-Plan.
The plan goes on to state that threats to the hydrology of Mauna Kea include those associated with human presence and activity on the mountain and climate change. Human activities that have the potential to impact water resources quality, and to a lesser degree quantity, include any actions that add to the current wastewater volume or that change in-situ patterns of water movement. Examples are: leaking facility pipes; accidental spills of contaminants; and improperly filtered wastewater. These contributions may affect the quality of water seeped to springs along Mauna Kea’s flanks, as well as the fresh water aquifers beneath the mountain.
Spills of oil, sewage and hazardous chemicals have been repeatedly reported by researchers working at the summit, and they note that oil, in particular, will take a long time to biodegrade because of cold and dry conditions. The main activities that have potential to result in a release of that have potential to result in a release of contaminants include vehicle travel (on and off road) and accidents; release of hazardous material and petroleum product use by observatories and support operations; sewage generation; and transport of hazardous materials and sewage off-site.
Transport of contaminants through the substrate has the potential to impact the quality of both surface water and groundwater. Direct toxic impacts on flora or fauna are also possible. The highest probability of impact [on surface water, groundwater, and flora or fauna] is from petroleum products (e.g., fuel for vehicles and backup generators, lubricants, and cleaning fluids) and human waste. The TMT project would require the use, handling and storage of hazardous materials at Mauna Kea including: propylene glycol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, at least 2,000 gallons of diesel fuel, ethylene glycol, hydraulic fluid, liquid adhesives, coating metals, acids, paints, solvents, and other cleaning chemicals.
The TMT NPDES permit request (now withdrawn) indicated that the stormwater runoff will impact five streams downslope of the project site. Sierra Club members are recreational users of the streams relevant to this permit, and would be impacted by the degradation of the recreational streams affected by the proposed project.
Health and safety
The protection of the natural and cultural resources of Mauna Kea has generated a groundswell of protective action by thousands of island residents, Native Hawaiians, environmental leaders, and has attracted worldwide attention and support. The resulting law enforcement efforts during events that are protected as First Amendment Rights affected and caused significant trauma to those who participated in and viewed these efforts. The presence of National Guard, sound enhancement devices, and heavily armed law enforcement personnel, the arrest of kupuna, many of whom were aged and disabled, led to widespread pain and angst that has not healed, but has divided the community.
Testimony at the public scoping meeting by Jurgen Canda, retired police lieutenant, gave an indication that far more dangerous and even lethal form could be utilized to address protection efforts in the future. A decision by the NSF to fund the TMT project following the preparation of the EIS could endanger the lives of many community residents who are prepared to protect the cultural and natural resources with their time, finances, livelihoods and lives.
Impact on Natural Resources
The geologic significance of the Mauna Kea summit region is of national regard, as noted in its status as a National Natural Landmark. The presence of cinder cones that were not covered with ice during the Little Ice Age allowed the evolution and survival of endemic organisms unique to the summit region, including the wekiu bug (Nysius wekiucola) proposed as a Endangered Species candidate in 2004. Construction of roads and hardening of surfaces has already contributed to erosion of substrate and shifting of slopes in the summit region.
The site of the proposed TMT contains, among many other features, culturally significant geologic resources for the crafting of stone implements, such as adze.
Biological resources
The wekiu bug (Nysius wekiucola) was proposed as an Endangered Species candidate in 2004. However, with no information, the Fish and Wildlife Service determined that the development of the Comprehensive Management Plan, (a plan that may be rejected or dramatically modified by the newly legislated authority) and other plans initiated by the University of Hawaiʻi, would be sufficient to protect the species, and so the candidate status was nullified. The register references documents and reviews that will undergo rejection or revision in coming months by the new authority, and the University of Hawaiʻi will no longer be managing protection and conservation of the former candidate for endangered species listing.
In error, the USFWS claims that “no new construction, including the currently planned Thirty Meter Telescope project, will occur on any puʻu occupied by the species”, however the road the is proposed to access the TMT site is, in fact, on Puʻu Hauʻoki, and the road would, in fact, impact the wekiu bug habitat, as described in the Hawaiʻi EIS for the TMT.
Other rare and vulnerable organisms not found on the cinder cones, but found on the geologic substrate of the proposed TMT project, include lichens and algal complexes used by organisms, such as native Agrotis moth, as a food source. Disruptions to a landscape (that might appear to be barren to the naked eye) that contains these lichens on the TMT site could add to the cumulative impacts already in place in the summit region.
Recently, new technology has assisted in the identification of endangered bird species previously unknown on the slopes of Mauna Kea. The understanding of rare and vulnerable species at high altitude depends on multi-season studies that are underfunded by the current management.
Members of the Sierra Club Hawaiʻi Island Group plan to take part in the development of the EIS at every opportunity, and encourage comment by other members as well.
Puna Geothermal Venture Production Still Low
by Cory Harden, Hawaiʻi Island Group member | Reading time: 1.25 minutes
Puna Geothermal Venture only produced 6 megawatts (MW) one day, and only 18 MW average over the past 30 days, said Kevin Waltjen of Hawaiian Electric Light Company and Mike Kaleikini of Puna Geothermal Venture (PGV) at the community meeting that PGV hosted October 24 at the Pāhoa Community Center.
In an effort to increase production, PGV plans to drill three new wells, KS 21, 22, and 23, by the end of 2023.
Asked about hydrogen production, Kaleikini said PGV is instead focused on getting back up to producing 38 MW, as it did before the 2018 eruption. However, Kaleikini participated in an October 21 “Energy Summit” about producing hydrogen using excess energy from PGV.
Two police officers stood outside the door for the entire meeting, which was dominated by a few attendees critical of PGV speaking loudly and at length.
Meanwhile, PGV’s parent company, Ormat, has expressed reservations about PGV’s profitability.
…$0.6 million for property damage recovery related to the Puna power plant.
Ormat 2021 Annual Report, p. 87
The Company continues to assess the accounting implications of this event [2018 eruption damage to PGV] on its balance sheet and whether an impairment will be required.
Ormat 2021 Annual Report, p. 70
…impairment...a situation in which the value of an asset is recorded as being greater than the amount of money that it could be sold for
Following the May 2018 eruption of the Kīlauea volcano in Hawaiʻi, the full amount of our insurance claim for damages to our Puna power plant was denied and we experienced increased costs and difficulties in obtaining sufficient insurance coverage for natural disasters.
Maui Group
Maui Group Outings
Sunday November 6, 2022
King’s Highway (Hoapili Trail) to Kanaio Beach (C/E)
La Perouse, 6 miles
King’s Highway from La Perouse Bay to shady beach south of major lava flow. Bring water, snacks/lunch, reef-safe sun protection, hat, and footwear with toe protection and strong soles. Also bring a bathing suit (and water shoes for the rocky entry) if you want to get into the water at Kanaio Beach. Most of the hike is on lava and fully exposed to the sun. Meet at La Perouse parking lot at 8am. There are porta potties at the La Perouse parking lot.
Leader: Annie Schultz, acm_schultz@hotmail.com or 734-308-0482
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Friday November 11, 2022
ʻĪao Valley (C/E)
Central Maui, 4 miles
Take an invigorating hike in ʻĪao Valley and then be prepared to cool off in the clear and refreshing waters of ʻĪao Stream. We will be rock hopping and trail hiking. Be prepared for slippery rocks. Bring water, sunscreen, snacks. Meet at Kepaniwai Park right before the ʻĪao State Park gate at 8am. There is a parking area on the right across from the park. We will meet up there. Limit 12.
Leader: Miranda Camp, mauimiranda@hotmail.com
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Saturday November 19, 2022
Paʻuwela Point Lighthouse and Tide Pools (C/E)
North Shore, 4 miles
Moderate, with some steep muddy sections. Dramatic coastal views and tidepools. Meet 8am at Ha’ikū Community Center. Bring lunch, water and footwear good for slippery rocks. Bring a plastic garbage bag if you would like to help collect trash along the way. Limit 15.
Leader: Merrill Ranken, merrill.ranken@gmail.com
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Saturday November 19, 2022
Mā’alaea Malama Day (C/E/S)
South Maui, Ukumehame ahupuaʻa, 3 miles
Maʻalaea summer sunset service outing to clean up on “Maʻalaea Mauka” lands surrounding Lahaina Pali Trailhead. 4WD trucks and ATV’s appreciated to haul out larger items. Gloves, water and snacks provided. Co-sponsored by Sierra Club Maui Group, Mālama Maui Nui & Maʻalaea Village Association.
Leader: Lucienne de Naie,huelogrl@icloud.com
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Sunday November 20, 2022
ʻĀhihi-Kīnaʻu Natural Area Reserve Hike and Snorkel (C/E)
La Perouse, 1 miles
Moderate shoreline hike on rocky trail to great snorkeling. Bring swim/snorkel gear, rash guard, reef-safe sunscreen, water, snack. Meet 8am at ʻĀhihi-Kīnaʻu Natural Area Reserve parking lot south of Makena Beach. $5 non-resident fee per vehicle. Limit 9.
Leader: Annie Schultz, acm_schultz@hotmail.com, 734-308-0482
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Sunday November 20, 2022
Waikamoi Preserve Trail and Boardwalk (C/E)
Haleakalā, 3.5 miles, uneven and sometimes slippery terrain
Hike into a true Native Hawaiian forest preserved by The Nature Conservancy with a docent who will describe the flora and fauna. This trail is up in Haleakalā National Forest near Hosmer’s Grove campground. Meet 8am at Pukalani Ace Hardware parking lot to carpool. Bring lunch, water and rain gear. Hiking boots are suggested. Limit 9. People who have been on the Big Island any time since April 2022 are not allowed due to ʻōhiʻa disease risk.
Required reading from The Nature Conservancy here.
If you have been to the preserve before, please leave the limited spots to someone who hasn’t. You can also go through The Nature Conservancy (TNC). TNC leads hikes into Waikamoi Preserve on the second Saturday of every month. For more information or to sign up for a hike, email TNC’s Maui office at hike_waikamoi@tnc.org. If you would like to volunteer, TNC has quarterly service trips on the third Saturday of January, April, July and October. Please send inquiries by email to hike_waikamoi@tnc.org. Leader for this outing: Rob Weltman robw@worldspot.com
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Saturday November 26, 2022
Mālama Hāmākua Day (C/E/S)
Ha‘ikū (Kaupakulua Ahupua’a), 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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Oʻahu Group
Service project grows at Wāwāmalu
by Reese Liggett, Outings Leader | Reading time: 1.25 minute
Some of the 19 Wāwāmalu Beach Service Project participants on October 23, 2022. Photo: Reese Liggett
Volunteers included Violet Harada, Loraine Koffman, Cate Waidyatilleka, Hartson Doak, Hawaiʻi Chapter Director Wayne Tanaka, Joe Virz, Dan Smith, Amy Parsons, Jocelynn Silverlight, Eric Sippert, Jody Smith, Doug Fetterly, Sheryl Shook, Tommy Le, Jon Miyahara, Adam da Silver, and native plant restoration specialist Suzan Harada.
12 last month and 19 volunteers this time continued the Wāwāmalu service project that is expected to continue monthly for an indefinite term—to restore this expanse of undeveloped shoreline that was brutalized by vehicular incursions for decades before installation of a boulder barrier by City Parks spurred by Council Chair Tommy Waters in 2021. You can read more background regarding Wāwāmalu Beach in October issue here.
About half of the volunteers, under native-plant-restorative hobbyist, Suzan Harada, planted native and Polynesian introduced plant seeds in preparation for the coming rainy time of year. Seeds included those of indigenous monocot: Frimbristylus cymosa, mauʻu ʻakiʻaki and Polynesian introduced dicots: Calophyllum inophyllum, kamani; Cordia subcordata, kou; Thespesia populnea, milo; Aleurites moluccana, kukui; and also a possible endemic, grass—identification is pending.
The remaining half of the group, armed with pickaxes, power saws and Pullerbear tree jacks, removed many of the most invasive, alien plant in Hawaiʻi, the koa haole (Leucaena leucocephala)—taproot and all. Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi Director, Wayne Tanaka, joined in.
The next such event is planned for November 20 from 9am-12pm at Wāwāmalu Beach. Watch for it in the Oʻahu Group outings schedule and join in!
Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund
by William Reese Liggett, Sierra Club life member, Oʻahu Group ExCom member, and commissioner on the City’s Clean Water and Natural Land Fund Advisory Commission | Reading time: 1.5 minutes
Everybody on Oʻahu should be aware of the City and County of Honolulu’s Clean Water and Natural Land Fund and its purposes.
The purpose of the Clean Water and Natural Lands Fund is to provide for the purchase of or to otherwise acquire real estate or any interest therein for land conservation in the City for the following purposes:
Protection of watershed lands to preserve water quality and water supply;
Preservation of forests, beaches, coastal areas and agricultural lands;
Public outdoor recreation and education, including access to beaches and mountains;
Preservation of historic or culturally important land areas and sites;
Protection of significant habitats or ecosystems, including buffer zones;
Conservation of land in order to reduce erosion, floods, landslides, and runoff; and
Acquisition of public access to public land and open space.
Going back to 2006, half of a percent of real property taxes have been set aside each year in the Clean Water and Natural Land Fund (CWNLF)—about $7.5M added for FY 2023. And the CWNLF advisory commission of seven volunteer, appointed citizens evaluates proposals brought to it through City’s Department of Budget and Fiscal Services. There is now over $30 million in the fund.
A very useful brochure that you can find here will get you started to tweak your understanding of how you might propose uses of the fund.
Have you got an idea that the CWNL Fund might be used for? After looking at the brochure, check out the Clean Water and Natural Lands Application here.
And your next step might be to discuss your idea with Hawaiʻi Land Trust—they are very experienced with helping good land conservation ideas come to fruition.
Oʻahu Group Outings
Sunday, November 6, 2022
Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail
Easy family hike, about 2 miles steadily up and 2 miles down. Total time about three hours. Meet-up at trailhead (mauka end of Okoa Street). Bring close-toe shoes, day pack, liter of water. Please RSVP by November 5, 6 PM to wliggett@twc.com. Tell gate Waialae Iki 5 gate guard on Laukahi Street that you want to go to the Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail. Per city public access rules, guard is not allowed to check personal or vehicle credentials nor take names.
Leader: Reese Liggett, wliggett@twc.com
Sunday, November 20, 2022
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, reciprocating saws and chainsaws welcome. Bring closed-toe shoes/boots, gardening gloves, sunscreen and water flask (iced refill available, no plastic water available). Meet in western access area just off driveway for Sandy Beach Park.
Contact Reese Liggett, reservations appreciated, wliggett@twc.com or just show up.