The 'Ewa Marina Contested Case Hearing before the Commission on Water Resource Man agement began on October 8, 1996, with opening arguments. Appointed Hearing Officer Reverend Robert Nakata is overseeing the proceeding and will ultimately make a recommendation to the Com mission. The Club, along with Save 'Ewa Beach 'Ohana, Save Our Surf, Ka Lahui Hawai'i, and Life of the Land, are represented by Paul Achitoff, Managing Attorney for Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is also a party to the hearing and is opposing Haseko's water use permit application.
As part of a massive urban development project in 'Ewa, Haseko (Hawai'i), Inc., proposes to de velop a 1400-slip marina between the Barber's Point Naval Air Station and One'ula Beach Park. (In comparison, the Ala Wai Boat Harbor contains fewer than 800 berths and moorings.) The marina would consist of approximately 120 acres of waterways and berthing basins that would be created by blasting coral reef and the caprock. The entrance channel alone would be 3000 feet long, 400 feet wide, and cut to a depth of approxi mately 20 feet below mean lower low water. Excavation of the marina would require the removal of approximately 4,300,000 cubic yards of caprock and 200,000 cubic yards of soil from be hind the shoreline.
The blasting of the marina's waterways and berthing basins would affect the 'Ewa Caprock Aquifer by reducing water quality and quantity, as well as permanent storage capacity. In our opening argument we pointed out that the 'Ewa Ca prock Aquifer is currently over-allocated by 12-17 million gallons per day. Furthermore, this past summer the Commission's staff recommended significantly decreasing the sustainable yield esti mate for the caprock aquifer.
Our expert hydrologist, Dr. Robert Willis evaluated Haseko's flawed modeling of the marina's impacts and conducted his own preliminary modeling, which indicates that the marina will impact the 'Ewa aquifer system, including the caprock aquifer. Even Haseko's own hydrologist admits that the blasting of the caprock aquifer would be similar to a new well pumping at least 1.5 mgd. William Meyer, U.S. Geological Survey, believes that is a conservative estimate. In sum, Haseko cannot meet the criteria required to receive a water use permit from the Commission.
Closing written arguments are due on January 6, 1997, and closing oral arguments (open to the public) will be held on January 13, 1997. We expect a decision from the Commission within the next 6 months.
Oahu Group Presents..
Friday, February 21
7:30 to 8:30 pm
Paki Hale Building, Paki Street
Our quarterly meeting is open to all members, as well as the public. Special guest speakers, Cedric Yoshimoto and Kimberly Crunkleton, will present a slide show on hiking the wilderness, as well as old shepard's paths between the villages in Greece. Also, an up-to-date Sierra enviromental report, as well as an opportunity to buy Sierra Club stainless steel hiking cups, Sierra Club tote bags, etc. Paki Hale is mauka of Kapi'olani Park. Use Paki Hale's brightly lit parking lot, behind the big white wall, Mauka side of Paki Ave. Info: Roz 623-1444
The Ka'ena Point Community Advisory Committee has been meeting since May '96 towards the recovery of the ecosystem of the lands between Camp Erdman and Ka'ena Point on the north shore of O'ahu. The commmittee meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7 PM in the Surf Center at Ali'i Beach Park in Hale'iwa. The commit tee was formed by the North Shore Neighborhood Board at the request of Director Michael Wilson of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Its mission is the reversal of the sadly eroded/denuded condition of this unencumbered state land.
The deplorable condition of this coastal zone is due to the unfettered travel of mo torized vehicles. Four wheel drive, dune buggies and motorcycles all share the blame. Consequent loss of vegetation and erosion have caused reduction of the fishery as silt invades the reef beyond the beach. Several rare and endangered plants are native to the zone.
Director Wilson has called for traditional uses, principally fishing, to be afforded re stricted vehicular access. The committee is working on ways to reduce the number of vehicles and restrict where those reduced numbers of vehicles can range.
Meetings have been very lively as users and residents alike voice their concerns. Sierra Club members are urged to attend to be sure their concerns are addressed. You can contact Reese Liggett at 732-4489 for specifics.
An ambassador, like the one at N_ Pali Coast, has been apppointed. Ambassa dor Reuben Mateo will provide an enduring presence and develop and lead recovery projects.
O'ahu Group Outings and the committee led a trash and auto junk pick up on Make a Difference Day in October. Over 30 people collected quite a pile of refuse which state Land manager Cecil Santos applauded.
Committee Chair Michael Dailey is appreciative of Sierra Club involvement and is convinced that significant recovery at this precious shore zone will take place.