Sierra Club News
NATIONAL HAPPENINGS: COUNCIL OF CLUB LEADERS REPORT
by Roberta Brashear-Kaulfers
As I am the delegate to the National Council of Club Leaders, please feel free to ask me any specific questions about National issues; or you may use the links to National websites, Board of Directors websites, and other pertinent sites at www.sierraclub.org.
National Board of Directors elections ballots are coming in the mail, so cast your ballots by the April 2008 deadline. Please vote in the National election this year.
SPEAK UP ON HARBORS EIS
by Cory Harden
Watch for meetings on the Environmental Impact Statement for the six-year, $824-million State Harbor Modernization Plan. Questions to raise:
1. Doesn’t the Hawai`i 2050 Sustainability Plan call for cutting Hawai`i’s dependence on imports? With 80% of our consumer goods imported, cargo projected to double by 2020, and the cost of fuel skyrocketing, how about a plan for producing more food and goods locally?
2. What if we build it and they don’t come? Two cruise ships and maybe more are pulling out of Hawai`i. Superferry may go bankrupt. It’s in dry-dock for two weeks with rudder problems. It needs two trips a day to break even, but only one is scheduled. Bookings are only one-third of the number planned. Cancelled trips average one or more a week. And trips may stop completely with the Maui Tomorrow legal challenge.
3. To assess the true impact of the Plan, shouldn’t we—
Do one EIS for all harbors statewide, not separate EISs for each one?
Analyze the broad impacts of all actions enabled by harbor expansion (cruise ships, Superferry, military activities, cargo, recreation), not just the narrow impacts of harbor construction?
4. How much control does the public have over the Aloha Tower Development Corporation, a private-
public entity assisting with the Plan?
SAVING LAND WITH OPEN SPACE/PARKLANDS BOND
by Debbie Hecht
In 2006 57% of voters said “yes” to set aside 2% of our property taxes each year to acquire Open Space. There are now over $5 million in the fund, but the money for ’08 will pay for Kawa`a Bay. The 1.8 acres at Waipi`o Lookout was the first purchase using 2% money.
The Hawai`i County Council has approved nine resolutions, which instruct the Director of Finance to begin negotiations to acquire: Puapua`a Historic site (12+ acres north of Casa de Emdeko-Ali`I Drive, Kona), Waipi`o Lookout (acquired), Honoli`i, Cape Kumukahi, Ocean Park, Honolulu Landing, Wai`ele, Kawa`a Bay, Punalu`u Beach park.
Hawai`i Island’s treasured lands need to be saved now! These lands make Hawai`i Island unique and provide our quality of life. People say, “We need roads, schools and infrastructure.” Absolutely!! This is not a “one thing or the other” issue. Hawai`i County needs all of these things in equal measure. Our infrastructure is not keeping pace with development; our quality of life is suffering. Open Space does not require expensive government services to maintain.
The 2% funds will NOT save all our important lands before they fall to development. An Open Space and Parklands Bond can provide funding to acquire these lands through outright purchase or the purchase of development rights through conservation easements. This is not a new idea. From 2004 to early 2007, 200 communities nation-wide have authorized bonds to purchase open space and parklands. (Trust for Public Lands-Land Vote Database)
An Open Space and Parklands Bond would be levied against properties island-wide. How does this work? The County borrows money the same way you would borrow money for a mortgage to buy your home. The County could borrow $100 million to buy properties today and citizens countywide would pay back the loan. People with more expensive properties pay more. Look at the assessed value on your tax bill. If it states the assessed value is $100,000, you would pay $35.70/year or $2.98/month; someone with a property assessed at $500,000 would pay $178.50/year or $14.88/month; someone with a property assessed at $750,000 would pay $267.75/year or $22.31/month. If the Council passed this measure, you would not be assessed the total amount the next day; but the assessment would be added to your taxes gradually as properties were purchased and the money was spent.
Right now interest rates are low; the real estate market has fallen 20%, is still falling; developers’ cash flows are slowing and some landowners need to sell. This is a golden opportunity for the County!
Please ask your Council members to introduce resolutions to conserve our special lands, buffer reefs, preserve beach access and park properties -- especially lands which will soon fall to development, before they are lost forever. Ask your community development plan to include a recommendation for an Open Space and Parklands Bond. Make this a campaign issue – ask Council candidates, “What is your plan for preserving parks and open space?”
Next month – a plan for park management. Aloha, Debbie
ENVIRONMENTAL SCHOLARS ARE RECOGNIZED
by Deborah Ward
The Sierra Club’s Moku Loa Group recently recognized eight outstanding students for research on Hawai`i’s environment at the Hawai`i District Science and Engineering Fair held Saturday, February 16, 2008 in Hilo.In the Junior Research Division, Kawaianiani Pluckett was recognized with the Wayne Gagne Award, presented each year to the outstanding junior research project relating to the environment of Hawai`i. This project was entitled, “O`opu: Population Study in Waipi`o Valley.”
For Senior Research in Environmental Science Division, Christopher Klusak received the Mae Mull Award for his project entitled “Nitrogen: the Key to Success of Invasive Flora.” In the Senior Research in Physical Science Division, Kelson Lau received the Don Worsencroft Award for the project “Novel Servo-Controlled Bipedal Micro-Robot.” Dr. Worsencroft was a Professor of Physical Science at Hawai`i Community College. In the Senior Research Division, Malio Kodis was recognized with the Ruth Lani Stemmerman Award for the project entitled, “An Analysis of the Procaryotic Community Associated with the Mucus of Montipora Patula.”
Lani Stemmermann was a plant ecologist who specialized in Hawaiian botany. Moku Loa Group also presented a team award in Senior Research to Stephanie Doan and Djon Marcos for their work on Evolutionary Relationships among Hawai`i’s Crustaceans. 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 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 Deborah Ward (966-7361).
