FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 25, 2009
CONTACT: Robert D. Harris, 220-4306

Massive development project to be decided Friday
Stop urban sprawl on the State’s best agricultural lands

HONOLULU, HI – Arguments about D.R. Horton - Schuler Homes, LLC,’s massive residential development on 1,500 acres of agricultural land in Ewa will be heard this Friday (August 28, 2009) before the State Land Use Commission. The Sierra Club, Hawai`i Chapter, contends the D.R. Horton’s petition is both legally deficient and contrary to sound public policy.

“This is the best and largest tract of agricultural land left available in the State,” said Robert D. Harris, Director of the Sierra Club, Hawai`i Chapter. “Do we really want to pave the famous pumpkin patch (Aloun Farms) that thousands of kids have grown up visiting? There are no other tracts with this combination of size, access to water, and soil quality in the State.”

“D.R. Horton missed the mark on this development,” continued Harris. “The petition is legally deficient because D.R. Horton failed to timely submit an incremental development plan demonstrating the project will be completed in the time required by statute.” Smart planning (and the law) requires development occur within a set timeframe. This allows agencies to know when infrastructure improvements are needed and prevents duplicative approvals for the same type of development.

More importantly, urban sprawl runs directly contrary to the State’s constitutional mandate to protect agricultural land. “Experts tell us that Hawai`i has only a few days supply of food, which is one of the factors leading to growing support for locally-grown food,” explained Harris. Aloun Farms, one of the State’s larger and more successful commercial farms, is an example of a local operation that would be displaced as a result of D.R. Horton’s big development.

Further, Makakilo residents, the Sierra Club, and others have repeatedly raised concerns about traffic, groundwater availability, loss of agricultural lands and open space, and poor planning. “O`ahu is hitting some real limits to growth. From traffic gridlock, to groundwater resources, to available agricultural lands, the impacts of sprawling growth will impact everyone’s quality of life,” said Harris.

Residents are encouraged to testify against this proposed development.

What: Contested Case Hearing against D.R. Horton-Schuler's plans to build 12,000 homes on agricultural land in Kapolei
When: Friday, 8/28/09, 8:30am
Where: LUC, Leiopapa A Kamehameha Bldg., 235 S. Beretania St., Conf. Rm. 405
How to Testify: Come in person, or send an email (luc@dbedt.hawaii.gov), or send a fax (587-3827)
For more info: Visit http://stophoopili.com/ or call Dr. Kioni Dudley at 672-8888

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2009
CONTACT: Robert Harris 220-4306
Jim Hayes 354-4553

Sierra Club Endorses Ann Kobayashi
Hawaii's largest grassroots environmental organization gives Kobayashi green nod

HONOLULU, HI – Sierra Club, Hawai'i Chapter, endorsed Ann Kobayashi today as the best candidate in the City and Council of Honolulu District 5 special election. This endorsement is based on Kobayashi’s proven record of introducing and strongly supporting sustainability measures like curbside recycling and clean energy production.

The Sierra Club expresses its sincere sympathy to the family of Duke Bainum. “Duke was a real environmental champion -- his voice on the City Council will be difficult to replace,” said James Hayes, Chair of the O'ahu Group of the Sierra Club. “We believe Ann Kobayashi is the best person to carry on with the measures Duke strongly believed in, like ensuring every resident of O'ahu has curbside recycling.”

“Good environmental policy starts with good environmental politicians,” Hayes continued. “Ann Kobayashi is a champion for moving Hawai'i towards a sustainable future, and she understands that a healthy environment is the foundation of a strong economy.”

The Sierra Club was faced with a tough choice in selecting a candidate for the City and Council of Honolulu District 5 special election. While the Club may not agree with all of Kobayashi's positions, she was chosen based on her proven record and overall vision for sustainability.

Founded in 1968, the Hawai'i Chapter of the Sierra Club is the state’s largest and most active grassroots environmental organization. The Club actively promotes reducing the impacts of global climate change by encouraging the development of clean renewable energy, reducing the use of fossil fuels, and ensuring our fragile native habitat is protected from harm.

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(Download the press release here)