Sierra Club, Moku Loa Group

Posted December 1, 2007

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
by Phil Barnes
Our annual membership meeting will be held on Monday, December 17, 6:00 pm, at Pavilion 1, Wailoa River State Park. Just look for our Sierra Club Banner. As usual this will be a pot luck dinner, so bring your favorite dish or pupu. To reduce waste we’re encouraging folks to bring their own dinnerware. Recycling service will be available. We will be selling Sierra Club merchandise, including calendars, to help you with your last minute holiday shopping. Entertainment will be a presentation on global warming by Executive Director Jeff Mikulina. Jeff attended Al Gore’s forum in Tennessee and will give a modified version of “Inconvenient Truth” slide show, with emphasis on Hawai`i. If you would like to help in any way at this event, call Debbie Ward (966-7361).

DEPLETED URANIUM BRIEFINGS
by Cory Harden
Army briefings on depleted uranium (DU) findings at Pohakuloa are set for mid-November in West Hawai`i, and mid-December (dates to be announced) in East Hawai`i. Questions we hope they will answer: 1) Did any DU particles on the ground become airborne and blow off-base on October 23, 2007, when several 2,000-pound bombs were dropped on Pohakuloa by a B-2? 2) Some types of cluster bombs contain DU. Pohakuloa has large areas with spent cluster bonds. Do any contain DU? 3) Why did the Army deny use of DU in Hawai`i for years? 4) Why did they not publicize the 2005 discovery at Schofield until after citizen groups did so? 714 Davy Crocketts were shipped to O`ahu in the 1960s. The 2005 Schofield DU was in spotting rounds for the Davy Crockets. How many Davy Crocketts and spotting rounds are still unaccounted for? For more info contact Cory Harden (mh@interpac.net) or (968-8965).

PROGRAMS
by Phil Barnes
Phil Barnes will be showing slides of his recent trip to Southeast Asia. The major emphasis will be on the natural areas and eco-tourism opportunities in Laos. The presentation will be held at the Kea`au Community Center, behind the Kea`au Police Station, Thursday, February 7, 7:00 pm. For further information call Phil (965-9695).

POLITICAL COMMITTEE
by Phil Barnes
We are entering another political cycle in 2008; therefore we will need to get our new political committee up and running. We will be designing a questionnaire and interviewing candidates for elected office here on the Big Island. For further information, call Phil Barnes (965-9695) after the middle of January, as I will be out of state till then..

Posted September 1, 2007

CONSERVATION REPORT
by Cory Harden

Depleted Uranium
There may be DU at Pohakuloa. A recent Army letter refers to “the depleted uranium (DU) discovered on U.S. Army ranges at Schofield Barracks and the Pohakuloa Training Area.” And the Schofield weapon system that contained DU may also have been used at Pohakuloa. The Army is conducting an evaluation of Schofield, Makua and Pohakuloa in cooperation with the State Department of Health, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and other State and Federal agencies.
However, no airborne radiation from Pohakuloa has been detected by Kona citizens with their own radiation monitors, assisted by Dr. Lorrin Pang. Dr. Pang is head of the Maui Department of Health, but is assisting with the DU issue as a private citizen.
And no radon, a decay product of DU, has been detected blowing off Pohakuloa, according to Halstead Harrison, a Washington State atmospheric scientist also volunteering his time.
Still, since the Army denied use of DU in Hawai`i for years before the Schofield discovery, the current DU evaluation warrants close scrutiny.

Navy Expansion
Hearings are set in August concerning expansion of Navy operations in two million square nautical miles of airspace, ocean and islands stretching from Hawai`i Island through Papahanaumokuakea (Northwest Hawaiian Islands). Marine life will be impacted by sonar and detonations; expended missiles, torpedoes, mines and ammunition; sunken hulks, buoys and parachutes.
Meanwhile, past Navy use of Pearl Harbor has made it a giant Superfund site with about 750 contamination areas, including radioactive waste in sediment from nuclear-powered ships. Almost five million gallons of low-level radioactive waste was discharged into the harbor in the 1960s and 1970s.
Public speaking was forbidden at the September 2006 hearings on the current expansion. Speakers are allowed three minutes apiece in the next round. The Hawai`i Island hearing is Wednesday, August 29, at Waiakea High School, 155 W. Kawili St., Hilo. Open house starts at 5 PM; then a Navy presentation and public comments run from 6 to 9 PM. Written comments accepted until Sept. 17, 2007. The EIS website is http:www.govsupport.us/navynepahawaii/EIS.aspx.

Stryker
October hearing dates concerning the Army Stryker expansion will soon be announced. A court order directed the Army to thoroughly evaluate Stryker locations other than Hawai`i. The percentage of military land in Hawai`i is already five times greater than in Alaska and Colorado . . . and the Stryker will cause greater environmental impacts in Hawai`i than the other possible locations, Alaska and Colorado. But Hawai`i rates higher in factors favorable to the Stryker.
Wherever it goes, the Stryker will degrade the environment, because of the enormous training area it requires.
The Stryker expansion is going forward while almost eight hundred military sites in Hawai`i are left in hazardous condition. And recent revelations include two thousand steel drums of radioactive waste dumped in the ocean near the islands, and eight thousand tons of chemical munitions dumped in shallow seas off O`ahu years ago.
Citizens risked arrest to speak publicly at the first round of hearings in early 2007. Like the Navy, the Army prohibited public speaking. So citizens used their own sound systems to speak. In Hilo, almost one hundred people showed up and spent three hours raising concerns about the Stryker. Public speaking will be allowed at the next round of hearings. Written comments will be taken till October 30, 2007. The EIS is at http://www.sbct-seis.org/.

Cruise Ships
What was the “brown water gushing out”1 and “yellow sea foam around”1 Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America in Kailua-Kona August 1? What caused “feces, poop, and brown swirls”2 that afternoon in the sea off Old Kona Airport?
We’ll never know if there was a health hazard, since Department of Health did not sample the water till the next day.
The brown water could have been mud washing off an anchor and chain, said NCL. Or material stirred up from the sea bottom, said DOH. . . . but as of 2005, the anchorage used by cruise ships has been 130 feet deep. No explanations were reported on the yellow foam and feces.
Do we need stronger oversight of cruise ships? Yes! Please call your Congressional representaves in support of the Federal Clean Cruise Ship Act. Sen. Akaka (935-1114); Sen. Inouye (935-0844); Rep. Abercrombie (808) 541-2570; Rep. Hirono (935-3756).

1 Kailua-Kona resident Jewel Moore, quoted in “West Hawai`i Today,” August 2, 2007.
2 Kailua-Kona resident Lenore Hunter, quoted in “West Hawai`i Today,” August 2, 2007.

Superferry
Watch for no Environmental Impact Statement for Kawaihae’s Pier 4, which will serve Superferry . . . or a narrowly focused EIS that is concerned only about pier construction and not the broad impacts of pier users like Superferry. Superferry impacts may include whale strikes, spreading of invasive species and overcrowding of harbors and recreation areas.
An EIS should be triggered by use of Federal highway funds and State Harbor funds for Pier 4. But officials offer nothing more than vague promises that “all applicable permits will be addressed.” If you support an EIS for Pier 4, please contact Patrick Tom with Highways at Hwy.Stip.Projects@hawaii.gov, and Fred Pasqua with Harbors at fred.pascua@hawaii.gov

Posted March 1, 2007

KONA COASTLINE UNDER THREAT
By Janice Palma-Glennie

Hundreds of acres of West Hawai`i coastline are slated for extensive private development. Want to help protect these critical areas with a few strokes of your pen?

Sign two petitions to protect the coastline. Petitions are circulating to stop proposed mega-developments

(a Walmart Superstore in the plan!) near Honokohau Harbor at Kealakehe (Jacoby Development, Inc.) and O`oma II adjacent to Kohanaiki “Pine Trees” (North Kona Village LLC, which includes past Cliftos’ principals).

These two developments would spell disaster for the cultural, environmental and social resources of West

Hawai`i. And both proposed development plans fly in the face of community pleas to: 1) stop coastal development,

2) catch up with infrastructure deficits before more rezoning and development is permitted in West Hawai`i, and 3) wait until the Kona Community Development Plan (CDP) is written into law before any new developments are considered.

2) Weigh in on the County’s Open Space Commission Acquisition List. Public scoping meetings put

O`oma II in the top ten of places to be acquired as Public, Open Space. Your input in the annual Open Space update will help let County officials know that development-threatened O`oma II and coastal Honokohau/Kealakehe are still in the public’s top picks for Open Space protection.

For more information on petitions, please send inquiries to palmtree7@earthlink.net.

For Open Space info/survey, contact Stacie Waltjen at 961-8251, or inquire online at http://www.hawaii-county.com/finance/ponc.htm.

Posted March 1, 2007

ENVIRONMENTAL SCHOLARS ARE RECOGNIZED
By Debbie Ward

            The Sierra Club’s Moku Loa Group recently recognized seven outstanding students for research on Hawai`i’s environment at the Hawai`i District Science and Engineering Fair held Saturday, February 17 in Hilo.
            In the Senior Research Division, Mali`o Kodis received the Mae Mull Award for her research project entitled “Seedbank Analysis of Morella cerifera Presence along the Mohouli Extension.” Mull was instrumental in preserving the last remaining home of the native Hawaiian Palila bird – the forest of koa, mamane and naio which rings the slopes of Mauna Kea. A dedicated leader in the Sierra Club and the Hawai`i Audubon Society, Mull volunteered many hours to preserve Hawai`i’s vulnerable native ecosystems.
            In the Junior Research Division, Hunter S. Wilburn and Dakota G. K. Walker were recognized with the Wayne Gagne Award, presented each year to the outstanding junior research projects relating to the environment of Hawai`i. Their project was entitled “Prey and Pellets.” These awards were given in memory of Gagne, an entomologist who specialized in Hawaiian insects. He loved to help young people investigate the mysteries of Hawaiian evolution, and was instrumental in developing the `Ohi`a Project while on staff with the Bishop Museum. A leader in the Sierra Club, Gagne volunteered many hours to preserve Hawai`i’s vulnerable environment.
            In the Junior Research in Physical Science Division, Megan Kurohara received the Don Worsencroft Award for her project  “Maximizing the Potential of Hydropower.” Dr. Worsencroft was a Professor of Physical Science at Hawai`i Community College, dedicated to helping students understand the mysteries of our world. David Awai-Martins was recognized with the Ruth Lani Stemmermann Award for his Junior Division Display entitled, “Why Are the Ohia Trees Dying?” Lani Stemmermann was a plant ecologist who specialized in Hawaiian botany. She loved to help young people investigate the mysteries of Hawaiian evolution, and was an inspiring teacher at the Hawai`i Community College. Stemmermann, who volunteered many hours to preserve Hawai`i’s vulnerable ecosystems, was instrumental in protecting the rare and threatened ecosystems at Pohakuloa Training Area.
            Moku Loa Group also presented two additional awards for Earth Science and Environmental Science relating to Hawai`i. The recipients were Healohamele Genovia and Palani Kahakalau; title of their project: “Riffles and Run.”
            The students each received certificates and checks for $50.00. Through these awards, the Sierra Club members hope to honor scientists active in protecting our native habitats, and encourage students to pursue scientific research in topics related to the Hawaiian environment.
            Moku Loa Group welcomes contributions to its memorial fund to support the Science Fair and other educational programs for students. Tax deductible donations may be made to Sierra Club Foundation (MLG) and mailed to the club c/o Moku Loa Group, PO Box 1137, Hilo Hi 96721. For more information contact Deborah Ward (966-7361).

CONSERVATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Moku Loa Group Conservation Committee meets monthly in East Hawai`i on the last Wednesday of the month in the Ola`a Community Center in Kea`au. We have a potluck at 5:30 pm, followed by a meeting at 6:00 pm. Community members are welcome to bring concerns, reports and updates regarding conservation issue.

Mauna Kea Update – by Debbie Ward, Chair

At the January meeting, Debbie Ward reported that Third Circuit Judge Glenn Hara has issued his order affirming the position of the Sierra Club, Mauna Kea Anaina Hou and the Royal Order of Kamehameha that a comprehensive summit-wide management plan must be approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources before any further land use is considered on the summit. Further, he ruled that the UH Master Plan 2000 does not have the force of law, since it was never reviewed or approved by the Board. This significant ruling affirms the work of Mae Mull, Nelson Ho and many others in the Sierra Club over the past twenty-five years to protect the natural and cultural resources of the Pacific’s highest peak and sacred site. Only two days after the ruling, the University and the Air Force held public meetings about Pan-STARRS, the latest telescope proposal. Sierra Club members questioned the military aspects of the project, cited the judge’s ruling, and called for a halt to the EIS work, since no management plan exits.

No Public Speaking on Stryker – by Cory Harden

            You risked arrest if you spoke in public at the last round of Stryker meetings. The meeting format gave top billing to the Army message and disallowed public speaking – as did two previous military environmental meetings in Hilo. The military brought videos, display boards and staff to answer individual questions; citizens could not address comments to the group, but only to video cameras and court reporters. Activists spoke anyway, bringing their own sound systems to one meeting in Honolulu and one in Hilo. In Hilo, a hundred people came, and many spoke, for three hours. Only one supported the Strykers – an Army staff person.
            The Strykers have already started coming to Hawai`i. At $700 million, the Stryker project is the largest Army project in Hawai`i since World War II.   Land near Waimea (23,000 acres) was sold to the Army for Stryker training. The training will damage cultural and archaeological sites and bring severe erosion and dust. Noise will be heard for miles.
            Meanwhile, unexploded ordnance, toxins and other hazards have been left on old military sites throughout Hawai`i. More hazards were recently discovered – 8,000 tons of chemical weapons dumped off O`ahu after World War II, and depleted uranium at Schofield Barracks. (The Army had denied DU use in Hawai`i.)
            The no-speaking meetings may have violated environmental law. But the meetings were supposed to remedy a previous violation – the Army’s failure to adequately consider sites other than Hawai`i for the Stryker. A court decision found nothing in the record that distinguished Hawai`i from other possible sites. The Army argued that it wanted jungle terrain; but Strykers work best in cities. The Army also admitted most of its Stryker activities were not crucial for national security. And if the United States pulls out of Iraq soon, some question the need for a new Stryker brigade.
            The next step is public meetings in May on the draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement. Please insist on public speaking at these meetings by contacting the Army and people in Congress:
            Robert DiMichele, US Army <Robert.dimichele@us.army.mil>
            Senator Daniel Inouye <http://inouye.senate.gov/>
            Senator Daniel Akaka <http://akaka.senategov/public/index.cfm>
            Representative Neil Abercrombie <http://www.house.gov/abercrombie/>
            Representative Mazie Hirono <http://hirono.house.gov/>
For more info, contact me (<mh@interpac.net> or 968-8965); or go to the future Army website: <www.sbct-seis.org>.

Oil Dumping in the Pacific by Cory Harden
By Cory Harden

            Five hundred tons of oil were illegally dumped on Vanuato Island (of “Survivor” fame) by the cruise ship Pacific Star (P&O Australia) in November 2006. The level of environmental vandalism was called “unimaginable.” Apparently deep holes were dug, lined with thin plastic, and filled with oil and raw sewage. A river below the dump site is used for drinking.
            An investigator filmed the dumping – plus illegal drugs, underage drinking and public lewdness being condoned by staff on the Pacific Star. His tapes vanished from his cabin and he was put off the ship.
            Also, a former Pacific Star employee alleges he witnessed oil dumped at sea in 2005, leaving an oil slick almost two miles long. He said it was done in a casual manner that suggested dumping was not uncommon.
            The illegal Vanuato dumping cost under $200. Legal disposal would have cost $30,000.    Carnival Corporation’s net profit for 2006 was $2.28 billion.
            Hawai`i hosts several cruise lines – Carnival, Cunard, Holland America and Princess – which are part of P&O’s parent company, Carnival Corporation.

What Can You Do?

            Boycott sailing and servicing Carnival, Cunard, Holland America and Princess in Hawai`i … elsewhere boycott the other Carnival Corporation lines: Costa, Ocean Village, P&O, P&O Australia, Seabourn, Seetours/Aida, Swan Hellenic, Windstar.
            Complain to Carnival Corporation (305) 599-2600.
            Report dumping. You may receive thousands of dollars in reward money. Contact Cory Harden, PO Box 10265, Hilo, Hawai`i 96721, <mh@interpac.net> or (808) 968-8965.
            Support the national Clean Cruise Ship Act via <http://www.congress.org>.

Posted December 1, 2006

ALOHA AND MAHALO FOR THE SUCCESSFUL GALA EVENT!
By Roberta Brashear-Kaulfers

The Moku Loa Group Birthday Gala was held at the Nani Mau Gardens on October 14, 2006. On behalf of the Moku Loa Group, Hawai`i Chapter of the Sierra Club, I would personally like to thank everyone who participated, help set up and decorate, and especially our donors for their generous contributions to our Silent Auction.

The Moku Loa Group 30th Birthday Gala Celebration proved to be a successful event financially; we raised over $3,500.00 profit. All of the proceeds will be used to further fund our environmental programs, outings program and increased environmental protection efforts here on the Big Island of Hawai`i. A special mahalo also to those of you who attended the event. I hope you enjoyed the great food and musical entertainment. Moku Loa Group appreciates your purchasing those wonderful silent auction items. A special thanks to Lava 105 Radio for broadcasting from the Nani Mau Gardens.

Sierra Club had a great opportunity for some extensive radio exposure and community outreach; several people attended after hearing about it on the radio. Mahalo nui loa for your support from Roberta Brashear-Kaulfers (MLG Fundraising Chair).

Mahalo to our Moku Loa Group Sponsors and Silent Auction Donors. The many businesses and individuals who donated items for our silent auction:
Ken Fujiyama; Frame It Hawai`i; Cory Harden; Jesus Sanchez; Hilo Art & Glass; Jon Olson; Tomas Belsky; Basically Books; Hilo Hanalina Gallery; Chase and Hane Gallery; Arthur Johnsen Gallery; Mary Brown; Volcano Rainforest Retreat – Kathleen & Peter Golden; Kilauea Coffee Company – Cathy and Cary Fincher; Fantastic Sam’s Haircut – Bruce Knight; Brad Lewis Lava Photography; Sierra Club Books; Hilo Hawaiian Hotel – Nancy; Randy Kaulfers; Coconut Landing Vacation Rentals – Diane Fournier & Phil Barnes; Kamehameha Canoe Club; Nicholas Myrianthis; Paul Booth Esq.; Aloha Outpost Internet Café – Lamont; Kona Shark’s Coffee and Mac Nuts – Sharkey Ross; Kana at Hawaiian Jungle Hale; Pahoa Chiropractic – Dr. Lozano, Paul Campbell, Hilo Lanes Bowling – Ro Ann; Patricia’s Transitions Gifts; Marina Curtis; Lehua Nena Nursery; Hawaiian Acres of Orchids; Barbara Brown; Hilo Harley-Davidson; Charles Stanton; Curves in Keaa`u-Shipman Park; Touched by Angels; Dorothy Sanger; Rob Culbertson; Jennifer Ho; Josie Harden; JD Thompson; Sudha Achar; Jan Moon Silks; Patrick Warren; Bruce at Office Max; Kona Jack’s Coffee – Jack Kelly; Susan Hicks; Keaa`u Natural Foods; Kalapana Tropicals, Inc.; Marlin Magic Lures – Gary & Karen Eoff; Kalani Honua – Richard Koob; Beth Kaplowitt; Kathleen Kam; Abundant Life – Malu Shizue; Aloha Café; Tina Strober Yoga Instruction; Village Toy Shop; Johanna O’Kelley-SC; Rose Acevedo; Albert Cortez – Hawai`i Community College Forest Team; Star Mullins; Flawless Hair Salon; Hilo Honu Inn Bed and Breakfast; Big Island Toyota; Sean Stuhara; Sara Burgess; Gerdine Markus.

Special thanks to the Gala Committee for coordinating this event: Phil Barnes, Paul Campbell, Sarah Moon, Cory Harden and Charles Stanton. Our Wonderful Entertainment: “No Etiquette” – Tony Selvage and Bill Anger and Joe Marquand. And lastly, many mahalos to the volunteers for their time and thankless efforts: Robin Moorehouse, Randy Kaulfers, Laura Camacho, Rose Acevedo, Sarah Moon.
Hope you all had a great time!

ROBERTA BRASHEAR-KAULFERS RECEIVES NATIONAL SIERRA CLUB AWARD

Roberta Brashear-Kaulfers was selected by the Honors and Awards Committee to receive the National Sierra Club’s Special Achievement Award for 2006. This award honors an individual Sierra Club member, committee, group or chapter for a single act of particular importance dedicated to conservation or to the Club. Roberta was flown to San Francisco and received her award at the annual dinner on September 16.

She was honored for her extensive work planning and implementing the Sierra Showcase, as well as helping facilitate the deliberative sessions of the Sierra Summit 2005. In addition, Roberta serves on the Council of Club Leaders EXCOM as Vice Chair for Finance, and is the Moku Loa Group fundraising chair. Congratulations and thank you for all the work you have done for the environment!

Posted September 1, 2006

2% Solution – Vote “YES” in November ‘06
By Debbie Hecht

The Sierra Club is working with the Save Our Lands Citizens’ Committee and supports the 2% for Open Space Ballot Initiative. A “YES” vote in November will change the existing Open Space and Natural Resources Ordinance by dedicating 2% of Hawai`i County property taxes each year to preserve open spaces and by removing the $5 million limit on funds that can be held in the Preservation Fund. Strong support was indicated by the 9,500 signatures (12.7% of registered voters) that were collected by volunteers in 3 months and by the unanimous approval by the Hawai`i County Council to place this measure on the ballot in November.

In 2005, the Hawai`i County Council passed an ordinance that created the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund, and the Open Space Commission, as part of the County Code, Chapter 2, Article 42, Section 2-214. An Open Space Commission was formed with nine commissioners, one appointed by each Council member and confirmed by the Mayor. This fund is intended to protect access to our beaches and mountains, preserve historic and culturally important sites, and to preserve watershed areas, forests, coastal areas and agricultural lands.

On April 6, 2006 the Open Space Commission submitted to the Mayor their list of properties recommended for acquisition (see below). Real property tax revenue for Hawai`i County’s fiscal year ’04-’05 was $131,087,098.76.

If this ordinance had been in place in 2005, we would have set aside $2,621,741 with the potential of leveraging County funds up to $11 million in buying power from Federal, State and private matching funds for land protection. If this measure passes, it is estimated we could expect almost #3.5 million to be placed in the fund this year.

The Sierra Club supports this initiative because it will provide a stable source of funding to support island-wide, cooperative land conservation efforts and attract funding from the State and Federal governments and priate conservation donors. For example, Honu`apo was acquired in 2006 with only $500,.00 in County funds. State, Federal and private funding covered the balance. This property is 225 acres of coastal land in Ka`u, adjacent to Whittington Beach Park; it is valued at $3.5 million.

Kauai and Maui have set aside ½ percent and 1 percent of their property taxes. Oahu is also working on a ballot measure. This change to the Open Space Ordinance will not raise taxes. This money will come from 2% of the existing taxes. Hawai`i County had an increase of $50 million in property tax revenue last year. This is not a change to the County Charter. We are dedicating our efforts for a large voter turn-out so that our elected officials will recognize the wide spread support for Hawai`i County land preservation. We hope voters will send a strong message to the County Council that the Open Space Fund cannot be “raided” for other expenses as the $3 million that was “re-appropriated” in June of 2006. Our open spaces are what make the Big Island unique and are fundamental to our way of life. Natural, undeveloped lands do not make demands on overburdened existing infrastructure or County services. Please vote “YES” for the 2% Solution in November, and send a strong message that you support Open Space Conservation.

For information or to donate funds, contact Debbie Hecht (989-3222), hecht.deb@gmail.com.

Open Space Commission’s Priority Properties recommended for purchase: Kawa Bay; Waipio Lookout Point; Pohue Bay; Maulua Gulch; Punalu`u Beach Park and adjacent lands; Mahukona; Kamano; Kou; Hihiu; Kamoa; Cape Kumukahi; O`oma (makai of Queen Kaahumanu Highway; Keamuku; Queen Emma Estates (coastal parcel – Mau`umae Beach); Puapua`a; Ke`ei Beach.

Properties recommended for acquisition through partnerships: Kiholo Bay; Kealakehe Regional Park; Kahena Ditch Road; Lalamilo Farm Lots – Waimea; Forest Reserve Honaunau and South Kona, Ka`u Coast; North American Properties: Ka`a puna, Olelo Moana, Ka`ohe; Kamoa Point; Reish (Lapakahi State Historial Park aes); Makalawena; Old Kukuihaele Quarry and Breakwater; Hoku`ula Battleground; Kahoe; Ka`u Forest Reserve; Botelho Ranch; SC Ranch; KK Ranch; Keanakolu Koa Forests; Ka Lae/South Point; Cohen (Lapakahi State Historical Park area); Pu`u `O`o Ranch Pi`ihonua; Ka`u Great Crack (Southwest Rift of Kilauea Volcano); Waipunalei/Laupahoehoe.

Posted June 1, 2006

MAUNA KEA UPDATE
By Debbie Ward

A stunning blow was dealt to the DLNR and the University of Hawai`i last month when Judge Glenn Hara ruled in favor of Sierra Club and others that Mauna Kea deserves comprehensive management to conserve, protect and preserve the resource.

When BLNR approved the construction of the outrigger telescopes following lengthy contested case hearings through 2003-2004, Sierra Club, Mauna Kea Anaina Hou, the Royal Order of Kamehameha I, and Clarence Ching sought the pro bono assistance of attorney Lea Hong and Dexter Keeaumoku Kaiama to guide us through an appeal to the Third District Court. Our position was that the project “management plan” was not comprehensive, and did not cover the entire summit of Mauna Kea, so the rights and resources of the people of Hawai`i remained at risk: hazardous and sewage waste contamination, candidate endangered species protection, public access and use, and the protection of Native Hawaiian traditional and customary rights and resources needed to be addressed.

The judge agreed and further found that NO BLNR-approved management plans allow for further astronomy development. Nelson Ho and Debbie Ward of Hilo invite interested members to get involved, to ensure protection of resources that are community based, incorporating multiple uses.

ED CLARK’S PASSING
By Phil Barnes

On Saturday, May 6th long time Sierra Club activist Ed Clark passed away from a long term illness. He had been very active in both the Moku Loa Group Conservation Committee and as a past member of the Executive Committee. His fundraising ability helped to allow the club to pursue its long term goals. Anyone involved in East Hawai`i peace and justice movements is familiar with Ed’s calm demeanor, keen wit and follow through. His many “letters to the editor” were always concise and helped to clarify complex issues. He had also been a leader of the Kea`au Unitarian Church. This kind, gentle man will be sorely missed by his many friends and associates.

DECISION DUE ON KEA`AU SITE
By Cory Harden

A proposed cleanup plan for an arsenic- and lead-contaminated 4.4-acre site next to Kea`au Shopping Center drew concerns from the Sierra Club and a soil chemistry professor.

The Sierra Club, citing “too many unanswered questions,” urged development of a statewide plan for all land potentially contaminated by past plantation activities before a final decision is made on the Kea`au site. “Not only is the proposed plan inadequate to protect health—it also passes liability from landowners to the State Department of Health (DOH), which may leave taxpayers holding the bag for decades of potential health problems,” said Cory Harden of Sierra Club’s Moku Loa Group. “We also recommend that statewide plans include shipping contaminated soil from the Kea`au site out of Hawai`i,” she said.

Risks to children, and various pathways by which people absorb arsenic and lead, may not have been sufficiently examined, according to comments sent to DOH by Dr. N. V. Hue, Professor of Environmental Soil Chemistry at the University of Hawai`i in Honolulu. The plan does not characterize contaminated soil as hazardous waste, and does not require special disposal for plants from the most contaminated area of the site. Hue recommended re-evaluating these approaches.

Use of consultants hired by Kea`au Hospitality, not by DOH, was questioned by the Sierra Club. Dividing the site into four parcels for planning drew a comment from Hue that this approach needed “more scientific support.” The plan used a bio-accessibility concept, which does not consider the total amount of toxins, but only the amount people are likely to absorb. Hue said this concept “needs improvement,” especially for arsenic.

The Kea`au site has been in the public eye since 2003, when elevated levels of arsenic and lead were found there. In June 2004 DOH approved a plan to have the landowner, W. H. Shipman Ltd., cover the site with new soil, pavement and buildings; but the cost was higher than expected. Kea`au Hospitality, whose vice-president, Bob Saunders, is a former Shipman president, proposed buying the site to build a hotel, if an affordable cleanup plan were approved by DOH. DOH and a consultant hired by Kea`au Hospitality developed the current plan, which proposes moving the most contaminated soil to less-contaminated areas of the site, and covering it with less-contaminated soil, pavement and buildings. DOH is studying public comments and expects to announce a decision on the plan in a few weeks.

Harden asked, “Do arsenic, lead and a hotel belong on the same site?” She added, “The decision on Kea`au will set the course for old plantation sites statewide.”

Posted March 1, 2006

WHAT’S UP WITH MAUNA KEA?
By Debbie Ward

            Sierra Club members have long regarded the wild beauty, Pacific-wide view planes and cultural significance of Mauna Kea as one of the treasures Hawai`i must strive to protect. So, when the University requested a lease to build one telescope in the 60s, and then built five more without permits, our members joined hundreds at DLNR hearings in the early 80s to ask for a halt to telescope construction and a plan to manage the summit reserve. Hawaiian cultural practitioners pleaded with the Board to prevent further cultural and archaeological damage to the sacred summit of Kukahauula, the Pacific’s highest peak.
            Instead, the BLNR allowed a limit on construction to eleven major and two minor telescopes, and approved a management plan with conditions that included baseline biological surveys and monitoring. The University did not conduct the surveys and monitoring, nor did it follow the conditions to protect the resources. The most recent construction included a single “telescope” with twenty-four viewing units, including one emplaced on the side of Pu`u Poliahu, a particularly sacred site near the summit.
            When the UH Institute for Astronomy, representing NASA and the University of California, came to DLNR with a request for further expansion, beyond the limits established by the Board, and without a management plan, Sierra Club members stepped up to ask for a contested case hearing. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) also stepped up, and prevailed in Federal court, leading to the completion of the first environmental impact statement ever conducted in this sensitive habitat. The EIS found that “In conclusion, the overall cumulative impact of past, present and reasonable foreseeable activities is substantial, adverse and significant.” Despite the cumulative damage already inflicted on the natural and cultural resources of the summit, the BLNR ignored both this finding and its own administrative procedures, allowing plans for constructing four to six more telescopes to proceed. Sierra Club, in association with Mauna Kea Anaina Hou, and Royal Order of Kamehameha I, together with Clarence Ching, a cultural practitioner, appealed the decision in the First Circuit Court in June. The judge has not yet rendered an opinion, but in early February NASA announced budget cuts that could mark the end of efforts to expand the Keck telescopes.
            On the legislative front, in 2005 Sierra Club called for an audit of the management of Mauna Kea, and the Legislative Auditor’s report, released in December, concurred with our assertion that Mauna Kea’s fragile natural and cultural resources demand responsible stewardship by the University; and that improvements in management do not go far enough. The auditor found that it is essential that UH prepare a comprehensive natural and cultural resources management plan to establish a baseline of information and provide guidance toward protecting and enhancing critical habitats and sensitive cultural resources.
            Further, we are calling for a financial audit of UH’s astronomy partners (including foreign and multinational subleases), who pay at most a nominal one dollar ($1.00) per year for the use of ceded land in the Conservation District. We believe that the University’s and BLNR’s negligence has caused serious deterioration of the summit wild natural habitats, and adequate funding is required to address thirty years of abuse and expansion of protections.
            We are also asking the Legislature to consider the formation of an Independent Community Based Management Authority for the purpose of overseeing all aspects of the management of Mauna Kea, including protection of the Conservation District and further development. This body should include community representatives (i.e., recreational users, environmental and Native Hawaiian representatives chosen by the Hawai`i Island community) empowered to vote and fully participate in the decision-making process. The Authority should include respective government agencies responsible for protection of conservation districts and resources, as well as University representatives.
            Thanks to a generous grant our hui was able to hire planners from the University of California at Berkeley to provide the decision makers with a professional assessment of the current situation, including the status of the baseline studies of all flora, fauna, hydrology and more. We hope that, in this way, we can clarify for all concerned parties the current status of the ecosystem, sacred landscape, conditions and use. We hope to soon present their preliminary data and findings.
            If you would like to continue to be appraised of the legislative action, or would like further information about the Club’s position, please contact Debbie Ward, MLG ExCom Vice-Chair and Mauna Kea Issues Committee Co-Chair (966-7361) or at specialti450@aol.com.

Posted December 1, 2005

SIERRA SUMMIT 2005
By Paul Campbell
Against the background of hotbed social activism for which San Francisco is famous, the Sierra Summit took place September 8-11 at the Moscone Center North. This was/is the Sierra Club’s first-ever national environmental convention and expo; and Roberta Brashear-Kaulfers and I were honored to represent our Chapter and Group. Along with over 5,000 registrants and 700 delegates from across the country, we gathered for three days and evenings of electrifying speakers, numerous workshops, a humungous exposition floor (including over 100 Sierra Club booths), a film festival and an evening of comedy with Bill Maher. I’m still buzzin’ with the bees!

The convention was the result of a process that had begun 2-1/2 years ago; and for the delegates, the highlight was gathering for a decision-making process to create a guiding vision for the Club through the next six years. It was a truly democratic, often mind-numbing and contentious exercise, culminating victoriously, over three sessions, in a consensus. While it may be true that all roads (in this case, issues) lead to Rome (global environmental health), delegates agreed that the topic rating highest in the mass consciousness today is energy. Hence, “Building a New Energy Future” emerged as the top priority, and our rallying cry. “Building Vibrant Healthy Communities” followed.

Among the more notable speakers were Robert Kennedy, Jr. (what passion!) and Al Gore – who flew in from a cancelled gig in New Orleans. Harvard sociologist Marshall Ganz, who along with Sierra Club president Lisa Renstrom, initiated the Sierra Summit process, amazed a packed hall with down-home mana`o on how the Club can be more organized and effective. Roberta and I look forward eagerly to sharing these and other wonderful, exciting excerpts with you at the General Membership Meeting and potluck in December!
A Hui Hou.

PESTICIDE STRATEGY COMMITTEE FORMING
In the last issue of the Malama, the Sierra Club journal of the Hawai'i Chapter, I wrote of the unnecessary and unwise use of pesticides as a preventative for ground termites. The county building code requires a home builder to do preventative treatment before pouring their concrete pad whether they live in lava rock areas that do not host them, or in areas like Volcano that are too cold for them.

In response to that letter, I learned of the concern of several Kona resident's about the using of the termite pesticide in the several large developments being built near the anchialine ponds. They are in areas without soil to hold the termiticide and prevent it from going into the groundwater. These rare and fragile ponds are home to unusual plants and animals. They are located close to the shoreline and are one of Hawaii's most threatened ecosystems.

Also since my letter I have learned of several recent studies showing even more dangers to the environment from use of these termiticides, known as synthetic pyrethroids. Therefore, an even stronger case can be made against their "blanket" use over all the island. The alternatives permitted by the building code, basaltic sand and termi-mesh, while more expensive, are effective for decades.

There is also a question as to the effectiveness of spraying before building. The pesticide warranty is only 1 -2 years. So in heavily infested areas like Hilo, homes may be invaded by the termites a few years later even though they had the original spraying. If you know anyone that has had this happen to them, I would like to hear about it. People need to educate themselves how to protect their home from termites. Beyond Pesticides, a National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides has an excellent website. To learn what to do, go to the website.

Concerned residents are joining me now in forming a Pesticide Strategy Committee. We invite any one interested in joining our group to please contact me. Also if you missed my letter on pesticides in the Malama newsletter, I would be glad to email it to you.
Mahalo for your interest and help,

Mary Marvin Porter
\islandeyesvideo@yahoo.com.

Posted September, 2005

CRUISE SHIPS: GET THEIR NUMBER
By Cory Harden

Disturbing reports: mysterious slime, hard to wash off the skin, began appearing in Keaukaha waters a year and a half ago. A long white trail, persisting despite wave action, was seen behind the Pride of Aloha from Honoli`i this month. Shredded plastic was seen on Kona shores last month. We suspect cruise ships are dumping – help us prove it!

If you see trash, oil slicks or strange colors in the water, please contact KAHEA (the Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance) at www.kahea.org/ocean/report.php and fill out a short report form. They are collecting reports statewide. You may also contact me at 968-8965 or mh@interpac.net about dumping, or to help with pickets and passing out flyers.

Consider These Numbers:

1/2 - Portion of fines that may go to people who report cruise ship dumping.
3 – Number of people who picketed* the Pride of Aloha this month – Sarah Moon, Jan
Moon and me. We got lots of shakas and friendly honks from residents driving by. When I passed out flyers at shoreline areas later, most people seemed familiar with the issue and took a flyer.
17 – Number of dumping incidents in Hawai`i by cruise ships since 2003 . . . including dumping treated sewage in Penguin Bank, a protected fishing ground off Moloka`i frequented by humpback whales.
300 – Number of dumping incidents worldwide, 1993-2003 . . . including dumping oil,
garbage, hazardous waste, sewage and graywater; damaging coral reefs, and falsifying records.
$500,000 – Portion of fines awarded to a crew member who refused an order from Holland America to pump oily bilge water overboard, and reported the crime to the Coast Guard.

* The picket was not a Sierra Club event.

ALTERNATIVES TO STRYKER
By Cory Harden

The Stop Stryker Group is inviting the community to a forum to chart an alternate future for Keamuku. Keamuku is the 23,000 acres near Waiki`i Ranch and Pohakuloa military training area that may be sold to the Army for Stryker training. The forum is on Saturday, March 5, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm at Waimea Community Center, adjacent to Waimea Park and across from Daniel Thieubaut restaurant.

The forum will include information on the impacts from hundreds of Strykers - severe erosion, dust, noise and damage to native species and ancient Hawaiian sites. The Stop Stryker Group is supporting the landowner, Parker Ranch, in pursuing alternate uses of the land such as replanting native species, restoring archaeological sites, hosting of a wind farm. They are open to other ideasfrom the community. This is a good opportunity for community members to have input on a major change proposed for our island. For further information contact Cory Harden (968-8965) or e-mail mh@interpac.net.

HAWAI`I ENVIRONMENTAL SCHOLARS ARE RECOGNIZED
By Charlie Stanton

The Sierra Club’s Moku Loa Group recognized six outstanding students for research on Hawai`i’s environment at the Hawai`i District Science and Engineering Fair Saturday, February 12, in Hilo.

In the Senior Research Division on Environmental Science relating to Hawai`i, Kevin M. Mack, Pahoa High School, received the Mae Mull Award for his research project, “The Invasion of Alien Algae at Wai`opae Marine Life Conservation District.” Mae Mull was instrumental in preserving the last remaining home of the native Hawaiian palila bird – the forest of koa, mamane and naio which rings the slopes of Mauna Kea. A dedicated leader in the Sierra Club and the Hawai`i Audubon Society, Mae volunteered many hours to preserving Hawai`i’s vulnerable native ecosystems.

In the Junior Research Division, Zach Hopson, Hawaiian Preparatory Academy, and Cameron A. I. Yasukawa, Waiakea Intermediate School, were recognized with the Wayne Gagne Award, presented each year to the outstanding junior research projects relating to the environment of Hawai`i. These projects were entitled “How Common Pollutants Affect Marine Life” and “Can a Sodium Chloride Solution Be Used as an Effective, Non-toxic and Inexpensive Herbicide as Compared to Glyphosate in the Eradication of Verbascum thapsus?” These awards were given in memory of Gagne, an entomologist who specialized in the study of Hawaiian insects. He loved to help young people investigate the mysteries of Hawaiian evolution, and was instrumental in developing the `Ohi`a Project while on staff with the Bishop Museum. A leader in the Sierra Club, Gagne volunteered many hours to preserve Hawai`i’s vulnerable environment.

The Senior Research Project in Physical Science was awarded to Ryoko Ogasawara, Waiakea High School. He received the Don Worsencroft Award for “Searching for Black Holes II.” Dr. Worsencroft was a former Professor of Physical Science at Hawai`i Community College, dedicated to helping students understand the mysteries of our physical world.

In the Junior Display Division, Aina Dudoit, Kamehameha School, was recognized with the Ruth Lani Stemmermann Award for her display, “Opihi: Is the Population Decreasing?” Lani Stemmermann was a plant ecologist who specialized in Hawaiian botany. She loved to help young people investigate the mysteries of Hawaiian evolution and was an inspiring teacher at the Hawai`i Community College. Stemmerman was instrumental in protecting the rare and threatened ecosystems in the vicinity of Pohakuloa Training Area.

Moku Loa Group also presented its Award for Earth Science Relating to Hawai`i. The recipient was Desirae Marino, Hilo High School, author of “The Effect of Liquefaction on Hilo Soil after a Simulated Earthquake.”

Special thanks to our judges this year, Becky Ostertag and Julie Williams; and to Debbie Ward for arrangements.

The students each received certificates and checks for $25.00. Through these awards the Sierra Club members hope to honor scientists active in protecting our native habitats, and to encourage students to pursue scientific research in topics relating to the Hawaiian environment.

Moku Loa Group welcomes contributions to its memorial fund to support the Science Fair and other educational programs for students. Tax deductible donations may be made to Sierra Club Foundation (MLG) and mailed to the Club c/o Moku Loa Group, P.O. Box 1137, Hilo, HI 96721. For more information, contact Charlie Stanton (965-0474).

THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL ADVENTURE
By Phil Barnes

As some of you are aware, this past year Randy Ching (an active Oahu Sierra Club member) and I undertook a thru-hike on the 2,174 mile Appalachian Trail running from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Maine. The trip took two years to plan, as there are a multitude of details to work out.

On April 13 we left Hampton, Tennessee heading north. To avoid the crowds in Georgia in the spring, we had decided on a ‘flip flop’ hike. The first night on the trail we were hit by a snowstorm, but within a week the snow was long gone with the temperature nudging 80 degrees. There were a few thru-hikers who had left Springer and were already this far north, but they were very fast hikers. We averaged fifteen miles per day, plenty for us. My pack averaged a bit over thirty pounds when heading out of town with six days’ worth of food, which is pretty light.

For those thinking of doing the AT, there is a lean-to shelter about every eight miles or so for the entire length of the trail. We stayed in shelters probably about two-thirds of the time and camped out the rest. We stopped in a town every six days or so, and spent the night in a motel, took showers and picked up one of the eighteen food drops that my brother mailed to us along the trail. On September 8 we summited Mt. Katahdin at the northern end. My daughter, Brooke, met us and drove us back to Hampton, TN, where we started heading south.

Diane, my wife, joined us for the last 400+ miles. Together, we saw the beautiful Southern Appalachians in their fall colors. This southbound section of the trail through North Carolina and Georgia was my favorite part of the hike. We all reached the end of the trail at Springer Mountain in late October.

We had excellent weather on the hike; it was pretty dry and cool much of the way, which is rarely the case. The year before it had rained for thirty straight days in Virginia!

While long distance hiking, you burn up more calories than can possibly be consumed. I lost almost thirty pounds while eating high calorie food non-stop. As soon as you hit a town, the first thing you do is eat a carton of Ben & Jerry’s. Then you go out to dinner. I must admit that I miss eating several Snickers bars a day, but I would like to keep trim and not regain the weight again.

Many generous Sierra Club members made per-mile pledges, allowing me to collect over $1,000 for Moku Loa Group. Thanks to all of you who supported me in this endeavor.

This was such a great trip; I’ll share it with you at a slide show at the Komohana Ag Center upstairs conference room at 7:00 pm, Earth Day, Friday, April 22. There will be a show in Kona scheduled at a later date. Any questions? Contact me (965-9695).

As we go to press, residents await Mayor Kim’s decision to veto Cliftos’ O`oma II development proposal. Bill 178 – passed by Councilmen Gary Safarik, Jim Arakaki, Fred Holschuh, Aaron Chung, Leningrad Elarinoff and Mike Tulang – would allow construction of hundreds of residences, hotel rooms and commercial/retail space three times as big as Lowe’s on eighty-three acres of land next to Kohanaiki (“Pine Trees”). Minor changes of the latest draft of the bill amount to mere loopholes. The plan remains as weak and potentially damaging to the environment and infrastructural deficit as earlier proposals were.

In May, Mayor Kim said he would veto any development (other than housing) that would add traffic to roadways deemed critically overburdened. Queen Ka`ahumanu Highway at O`oma is such an area. This reason alone justifies the Mayor’s veto (a healing action that would help ease West Hawai`i ire at the steady drumbeat of inexplicable rezoning doled out by East Hawai`i poliIicians). The fact that O`oma II remains for sale at an already huge potential profit for Cliftos’ is even more reason why this unnecessary, untimely and undesirable plan should be shot down.

Mayor Kim seems to “get” that West Hawai`i resiIents are at the breaking point with unplanned growth. The most important factor in his – and all the Councilmen’s – decision to oppose Cliftos’ plan should be that the West Hawai`i commInity continues to vociferously oppose it. A cave-in by the Mayor might not just mean the death-knell for O`oma: It could mean the potential loss of a long-term love affair with the Mayor and residents of West Hawai`i.

SIERRA CLUB LIBRARY BEGINS
By Nelson Ho

The Sierra Club Resource Library began August 14, 2004 with a generous donation by the Civil Air Patrol. The core of the library is a 1918 “Sierra Edition” of The Writings of John Muir. It is a 10-volume set of the collected writings of the founder of the Sierra Club spanning over forty years; and it includes two books and essays on the natural wonders of the Western states.

To borrow a book or volunteer to house the library, please call Nelson Ho at 933-2650.

A PROPOSAL IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR
By Jennifer Ho

I envision a way to protect land which contains native or mixed forest plants. Realtors are in a unique position to impact land development by making educational information available to a public that may not know or understand the alternatives to bulldozing an entire lot. My goal is to help new Hawai`i arrivals learn about our fragile and precious environment.

I would like feedback and ideas on the feasibility of creating a one-column color brochure-type flier which would be available at realty offices for new landowners – a kind of “Welcome to Hawai`i, our tropical paradise – this is what we do here,” describing the special quality of Hawai`i, and emphasizing the value of maintaining its uniqueness by including it in our landscaping.

It could also lead people to a website with additional information about why leaving land in original forest uncleared is better than bulldozing it: native plants are best-suited, etc. It could also list addresses by island for environmental groups and links, or addresses of native plant nurseries. I know there are realtors who would be happy to distribute this – and with Oprah Winfrey selling Puna (or recommending it), there is no time to lose!

If this project moves forward, is there anyone out there with expertise in designing a web page? I know nothing about how to do that. Do we solicit its design as a donation? Do we offer Sierra Club membership for their help in making a web page (if they are not already a member), or payment? I’m sure I could find Big Island, and probably Kaua`i, nurseries. Many in the native plant community know each other already and that information should be easy enough to obtain. I am happy to volunteer my efforts.

Is there any interest among the environmental community to help with this project? I believe Conservation Council for Hawai`i also supports the idea. The design of a flier, the cost of producing one and whether or not realty companies might be convinced to help defray the expense is a reasonable.

Posted December 1, 2003

SIGNIFICANT GAINS FOR MAUNA KEA PROTECTION
BUT BIGGEST TELESCOPE IN HISTORY DESIRED BY ASTRONOMERS
By Deborah Ward and Nelson Ho

NASA RELENTS AFTER TWO YEARS AND AGREES TO DO A FULL EIS FOR THE KECK 6 TELESCOPES
After more than a year of court battles, NASA officials announced November 5th that they will begin work next month on an environmental impact statement for the outrigger telescope project at the W. M. Keck Observatory.

The announcement was made jointly with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, which had challenged a less-comprehensive NASA environmental assessment in federal court.

Officials estimated that the study could cost as much as $1 million. No comprehensive federal impact statement has ever been prepared for Mauna Kea to assess the overall cultural and environmental impacts of astronomy on Mauna Kea; and critics of the industrial development on the mountain say one is long overdue.

The EIS process will begin with public meetings in December and January. NASA aims to complete a draft statement in late May or early June and to finish the final document by fall.

* * *
There is still a critical need for a UH COMPREHENSIVE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR THE WHOLE SUMMIT. It would also need to be approved by the BLNR. Sierra Club does not accept the flawed 2000 UH Master Plan, which had regurgitated data from 1985, and contained no cumulative impact study of thirty years of industrial development on the summit.
* * *

UH TIED UP AT CONTESTED CASE
HEARINGS OVER CDUA PERMIT
Sierra Club and Hawaiian petitioners have repeatedly pointed out the specific deficiencies in the UH documents, proposed artificial habitat plans and piecemeal mitigation measures, which lack funding and oversight. No management is intended by Keck after the facility is built. So as soon as construction ends, the monitoring ends. There is no funding promised for anything beyond the short term.
Sierra Club has pointed out that if the data is not monitored and analyzed, the University of Hawai`i could lose a species at risk, such as the wekiu bug, and miss the early fix opportunities.

* * *
As if nothing has happened, UH IfA and NASA, the National Science Foundation, Caltech, the University of California and the Smithsonian Institution are still beating the drum to build more telescopes on Mauna Kea.

The latest proposal is to locate the largest telescope in history on Mauna Kea. Its 98-foot mirror would have ten times the light-gathering ability of the twin 33-foot telescopes at the W. M. Keck Observatory, which are now the two largest optical/infrared telescopes in the world.
UH Institute for Astronomy has estimated that it would cost $700 million to build and $1 billion to operate over twenty years. It is estimated the telescope could be operational by 2012.
The UH Board of Regents’ 2000 Mauna Kea Science Reserve Master Plan designated an approximate site for a “Next Generation Large Telescope” in the northern plateau area of Mauna Kea on a 36-acre site off the summit ridge. However, the master plan never won BLNR approval, and the only properly approved plan limits development to thirteen facilities. More major observatories are on Mauna Kea than on any other peak.

O`OMA, KOHANAIKI, KEKAHA KAI STATE PARK
By Janice Palma-Glennie

After a long day (and night) at the November 7th Planning Commission hearing in Kona, three issues, which the Sierra Club and community have been tracking for years, were heard:

* REZONING AND SMA PERMITTING FOR MAUKA PORTION OF O`OMA (ADJACENT TO KOHANAIKI):

An SMA permit to allow a 400-unit commercial/hotel development on approximately eighty acres drew a 3-3 vote, the second time in a row a decisive 5-vote quorum was lacking for permit denial or approval (County Council rezoning decision pending). Sierra Club testified that this project is untimely and unwarranted, with too many unanswered issues, including infrastructure, view plane, degradation of near shore waters, public access, and future recreational use of the parcel, especially since the property is up for sale.

* SMA PERMIT FOR “IMPROVEMENTS” AT KEKAHA KAI STATE PARK, MANINI`OWALI (Kua Bay) SECTION

For a decade, Sierra Club has had direct input into the park’s planning. However, doubts remain about whether the designed 30 parking stalls (with later accommodation for 20 spaces) and arbitrary hours of park operation adequately address public access. Instead, does limited public access to this northern section of the park provide thousands of adjacent, private residences more exclusive use of public land, as has been seen at Hapuna Beach? Private, commercial use (i.e., filmmaking) of this designed “noncommercial, wilderness” park continues. Glen Taguchi (head of Hawai`i Island’s State Parks) assured planners that problems raised by the Sierra Club and others would be addressed. The SMA permit as presented, however, was granted without changes.

After fourteen years of community activism and a Supreme Court ruling to protect the right of native Hawaiians to access developed land and the planning process itself, Kohanaiki – the center of those decisions – will be transformed by a California developer. An SMA permit was granted for a 500-home luxury subdivision with approximately forty acres to be set aside as a public park. Sixty additional acres are being touted as “public domain.” That land will be deeded to the County. However, in a somewhat convoluted, no-fee lease agreement, that acreage will be developed as a private golf course (with only one day per week of public play).
We are gratified that a unique 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 management agreement (owner/county/public) was agreed upon to guide park design and future use; as Nansay’s plans for the property in 1990 were significantly worse. But doubts still linger over real gains made by a community that has been so committed, for so long, to protect the area’s natural and cultural assets.

THE LONGEST DAY. As to our current planning hearing process, one has to wonder if expecting planners to make clear decisions on critical issues after sitting in a hearing for more than eight hours in one day is the best (and fairest) way to handle a burgeoning amount of rezoning and SMA requests. When planners are complaining at 5:00 pm that they are too tired to think, yet go on to hear requests until 10:00 pm, it seems inevitable that both planners and the communities they are meant to serve and protect are doomed to suffer.

CRUISE SHIP FORUMS
By Jan Moon

In October forums were held in Kona and Hilo on the impact of more cruise ships in Hawai`i. The Hilo panel consisted of the harbor master, a Norwegian Cruise Line VP, an economist from UH-Hilo, and representatives of the Sierra Club, the County, and the Hawai`i Tourism Authority. Opportunities were given for public testimony and a question-and-answer period. At that meeting, the harbor master said, “The cruise ships are coming whether we like it or not.”

Arrivals will increase 600% by 2006. Concerns were raised about: 1) Impacts on our local infrastructure, harbors and parks. Who will pay for improvements? 2) What the cruise ships do with their trash, sewage and bilge water, etc. There are no regulations or regular monitoring of these discharges of waste. 3) Fumes and exhaust emissions are severe and control is lacking while ships are docked in the harbors. 4) Permits must be issued to help enforce regulations. 5) A berth tax or a tourist tax should be levied on each passenger to pay for monitoring and necessary improvements to each port and community affected, specifically.
The Sierra Club testified that sensible legislation should be adopted to cover these concerns; and the cruise ship VP said, “we can live with legislation.” The County has agreed to hold more public information forums on these issues.

PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT . . . AND OUR RIGHTS
By Cory Harden

The draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed 23,000-acre Pohakuloa expansion details severe impacts for people, endangered species, coastal waters, cultural resources, and agricultural lands from construction, hazardous materials, erosion, dust, fire and noise. But protecting the environment has become risky.

Seven people were arrested at two EIS hearings in Honolulu . . . for carrying signs. The Waikoloa Marriott tried to ban “public displays of protest” at the hearing there. Police called a Hilo activist to ask if he planned to be arrested at the hearings. The private venues meant that people could be ejected at the word of the property owner, with private security guards to back up police.

These actions follow announcements by Congresspersons (months before the draft EIS came out) that Hawai`i would get a Stryker brigade: an abruptly canceled citizen tour of Pohakuloa; several closed-door expansion meetings; and failure to provide a disability accommodation for the Hilo hearing.

Pieces of the Pohakuloa section of the EIS are incomplete, so the public cannot evaluate them: the Environmental Noise Management Program, an agreement about cultural and historic sites, an evaluation of historic structures and a farmland determination. Four sections on airspace and noise are missing.

The EIS process has run so far off track that there are calls for the Army to redo the entire round of EIS hearings. Consider supporting this initiative. We need to protect the environment . . . and our right to do so.

The EIS is at public libraries and online at www.sbcteis.com. Comments will be taken until January 3, 2004.

Posted September 1, 2003

PROPOSED KEALAKEHE DEEP WATER CRUISE SHIP HARBOR
By Janice Palma-Glennie

Lots of suggestions are floating around abut the future of 350 acres of state land next to Honokohau Harbor at Kealakehe in West Hawai`i. One of the most questionable (sounding straight out of the environmental Dark Ages) is a plan to dynamite millions of cubic feet of coastline to create an onshore, deep water cruise ship harbor big enough to accommodate the tie-up and turn-around of three modern cruise ships holding up to three thousand passengers each.

Threats to fishing, diving, surfing, local manta ray aggregates and air quality are just some of the potentially devastating short- and long-term spin-offs of this immense project. Are residents willing to mutate the shape and quality of the land and seas for an industry that’s largely unregulated and environmentally mischievous, and not forced to comply with local water quality rules?

DLNR chief, Peter Young, has heard the comments of West Hawai`i residents who attended a recent public meeting held in August to discuss Kealakehe development plans. Even though the official comment deadline was August 8, Sierra Club members who haven’t already done so might want to give their mana`o on this fusty scheme before a decision is made. E-mail Keith Cung at dlnr@hawaii.gov, or fax him at (808) 587-0455.

Posted June 1, 2003

POHAKULOA EXPANSION, AND OTHER DONE DEALS
By Cory Harden

The Army can’t clean up deadly debris left sixty years ago, but it can start moving – before the draft Environmental Impact Statement comes out – on the largest Army construction project in Hawai`i since WWII.

Senator Daniel Inouye and Representative Neil Abercrombie report they have been assured that Hawai`I will get a Stryker Brigade, part of Army Transformation. Construction and research money for Transformation is already in the military budget. On Hawai`i Island, the Army plans to move fire and emergency service from Kilauea Military Camp to Pohakuloa Training Area because of Transformation.
Meanwhile, nosy citizens are kept away. The public was excluded from two private meetings about Transformation in Hilo in May 2002 and July 2003. And in September 2002, the Army cancelled a tour of Pohakuloa, citing “unacceptable people” it refused to name.

Hawai`i Island has over fifty old military sites, most containing hazards. Not one has been completely cleaned up. Unexploded ordnance was found at Waimea Middle School in 2002, Hilo Bay in 2000, Hapuna Beach in 1998, 1997 and 1995, South Point in 1994 and 1993 . . . and many more. Compounding the problem, Donaldson Enterprises, a private ordnance removal firm, promised to be “discreet” if it found unexploded ordnance on a client’s land. (1990 letter)

The Army wants 23,000 more acres on Hawai`i Island – despite a dismal environmental record. It failed to do proper environmental studies for a $30 million firing range in the 1980s, and left fires burning at Pohakuloa for days or weeks in the 1980s and 1990s. It secretly tested germ and nerve agents, herbicides and insecticides at Waiakea Forest Reserve and Saddle Road in the 1960s.

And the Army has not respected Hawaiian culture, in which Pohakuloa means “the veil that covers the spiritual realm.” Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are the male and female figures of the world. Pohakuloa, between them, is a holy place of union of male and female . . . not a place for pollution or destruction.

If you can help, or want more information, please contact me at mh@interpac.net, or 968-8965.

March 2 is the slated opening date of a community facility that will divert much of the recyclables and reusable items that are now taken to the Kea`au Transfer station. This municipal waste is part of 200 tons of refuse that are being buried at the Hilo Landfill each day.

Sierra Club volunteers and other participating organizations are sought to strengthen this demonstration project. Recycle Hawai`i will operate the site and will soon post a list of what will be handled at the Recycling and Re-use Center. The coordinator for this pilot project is club member Nelson Ho. Visit www.recyclehawaii.org or call the info hotline at 961-2676 for details.

In the Junior Research Division, Vincent Sanekane of Pahoa High and Intermediate School was recognized with the Wayne Gagne Award, presented each year to the outstanding junior research project relating to the environment of Hawai`i. His project was entitled, “Vacationland Coral Bleaching…Ten Years Later.”

In the Senior Research Division, Malielani Larish of Waikea High School and Brandon Estrella of St. Joseph Jr.-Sr. High School each received the Mae Mull Award for their research projects entitled, “The ‘Beer’ Trees: Slime Flux on Acacia Koa,” and “Comparison of Endophytic Microfungi from Selected Native Hawaiian Ohia Leaves,” respectively.

In the Senior Research in Physical Science Division, Travis N. Tomlinson of Kea`au High School received the Don Worsencroft Award for his project, “Accelerating Particles with a Home-built Cyclotron.”

In the Junior Display Division, Kamie S. Oda of Waiakea Intermediate School was recognized with the Ruth Lani Stemmermann Award for the display entitled “Fire and Ice: Glacial Evidence on Mauna Kea.”

Moku Loa Group also presented two additional awards for Earth Science relating to Hawai`i. The recipients were Kelsey M. Wilburn of Waiakea Intermediate School for the display entitled, “Mauna Loa: Are We in Danger?” and Joel S. Gollaher of Hawai`I Preparatory Academy for “Surf Cam.”

The students each received certificates and checks for $25.00. Through these awards, Moku Loa Group hopes to honor scientists active in protecting our native habitats., and to encourage students to pursue scientific research in topics related to the Hawaiian environment.

Moku Loa Group welcomes contributions to its memorial fund to support the Science Fair and other educational programs for students. Tax deductible donations may be made to Sierra Club Foundation (MLG) and mailed to the club c/o Moku Loa Group, PO Box 1137, Hilo, HI 96721. For more information contact Roberta Brashear @ 966-7002.

As you are probably aware, the Army base at Pohakuloa has plans for a major expansion on the Waimea side of their Saddle Road base. The club is taking an active look at the environmental ramifications of the acquisition of this additional land. While the area being acquired has been leased previously, the impacts will undoubtedly be increased once the land comes under permanent military control. One of our major concerns is that the base should focus on cleaning up and habitat restoration on their present land before they occupy even more of our aina.

Hopefully, you were able to attend our June 1st Birthday Gala at Nani Mau Gardens. We had beautiful weather for our 26th birthday celebration. We were entertained by Chino & Kahele, the Hilobillies bluegrass band, and the Seawater Band, with Roberta joining in on some vocals. A wide variety of silent auction items were donated by local artists and businesses, and the bidding was brisk right up to closing. Jeff Mikulina, Executive Director of Hawai'i Chapter, gave an excellent power point presentation that brought us up to speed on statewide issues. We presented awards to past group chairs and activists who were in attendance. I would like to give special thanks to the members of the Gala Committee for putting together this event: Ed Clark, Roberta Brashear, Phil Barnes, Sarah Moon and Juliet Mondale. Juliet, a new member who relocated from Washington State with her husband Ken, did an excellent job of coordinating the event. We look forward to her help in future fundraising activities. Again, thanks to all the band members and folks who donated items to our silent auction. We cleared almost $6,000 from the event, which will go a long way toward helping us protect this special island that we call home.

Our group will be a co-sponsor of the `Language of the Land' tour, which will be held on the Big Island October 4-6. The mission of the tour is to inspire participants, through shared environmental and cultural experiences, reading, workshops and discussions to forge an ongoing community dedicated to preserving the land of Hawai'i for future generations. Sponsors include the Orion Society, Pacific Writers Connection and the Hawai'i Island Writers Association. Call Alice Moon at 933-9772 for further information.

The Moku Loa Group is again involved in the process of endorsing candidates for the upcoming primary and general elections. The process has included candidate questionnaires on club issues and candidate interviews. After the basic information was gathered, the candidates had to be approved by a 2/3 vote of two different club committees. Our executive committee made recommendations to the Chapter executive committee, which voted to endorse the following candidates:

We urge all of our members to actively assist these pro-environment candidates with their campaigns. With the low voter turnout that is often the case in Hawai'i, your vote carries a great deal of weight. So please vote in both the primary and general elections and urge your friends and neighbors to vote.