Blog
News, updates, finds, stories, and tidbits from staff and community members at KAHEA. Got something to share? Email us at: kahea-alliance@hawaii.rr.com.
Monk Seal Protection Update
from Stewart:
After the Surfrider Foundation’s Kauai chapter offered a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for killing two Hawaiian monk seals on Kauai, it raised an obvious question: Why is the Surfrider Foundation having to offer a reward? Where is the federal government?
It turns out officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration enforcement division have been investigating the monk seal shootings and went so far as to search a white pick-up truck in hopes of finding the gun used to shoot one of the seals. Click here to read the article. The special agent in charge of NOAA’s Pacific enforcement offfice said the investigation involves a lot of gum shoe detective work and that agents have been able to find some witnesses despite the remoteness of the areas where the seals were killed.
The feds are not just investigating killings; they are also proposing to expand monk seal habitat. In response to a petition from Kahea and two other organizations, the federal government last week announced it would expand the monk seal’s critical habitat to include portions of the main Hawaiian Islands. Here’s the link. The move will not restrict recreational activities like fishing or surfing in the critical habitat areas, but will restrict federal government activities and activities that require federal permits, such as dredging and coastal development.
NOAA has published the regulations expanding the habitat in the Federal Register. Here’s the regulation. And the public has the right to comment; please sign Kahea’s petition in support of the habitat protection.
In the meantime, here’s some monk seal trivia gleaned from NOAA’s proposed regulations.
– Despite concerns of some local fisherman that monk seals are competing for fish, studies have shown that seals prefer eels, wrasses, and bottom-dwelling benthic species and therefore do not compete for many of the fish humans seek to catch for sport and sustenance.
– NOAA received over 100 comments in support of expanding the monk seal’s critical habitat to the main Hawaiian Island; people see the main islands as essential because monk seals are in better physical condition on the main islands than the Northwest Hawaiian Islands and because the low-lying islands and atolls of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands are losing seal habitat because of rising sea levels.
– Scientists believe monk seals occurred in the main Hawaiian Islands before the arrival of humans and are indigenous to the whole Hawaiian Archipelago; the monk seals are believed to have been driven from the main Hawaiian Islands by hunting.
Action Alert: Unite to Save the Scared Summits!
Plans for major construction in the sensitive ecosystems of our most sacred summits continue to push forward, despite significant opposition from the community. The University of Hawaii has filed two environmental impact statements — one for the world’s largest telescope in the world’s only tropical alpine desert, and another for a duplicative solar telescope in one of the most threatened national parks in the U.S. Both of these projects can be built in less sensitive areas.
Though both summits are protected as conservation districts, where the law expressly discourages construction, the University refuses to compromise, insisting that these giant, intrusive structures be built where they will cause the most harm.
Don’t let good science be used to justify unnecessary ecological destruction and cultural disrespect. Take action now to defend our sacred, fragile summits.
1)
Protect Haleakala — the House of the Sun — from another, unnecessary solar telescope
2) Defend the Sacred Summit of Mauna Kea from the World’s Largest Telescope
Public hearings on the proposal to build the world’s largest telescope on Mauna Kea are being held now. All meetings are 5 to 8 p.m., with an open house in the beginning, followed by formal presentations, and then comments from the public.
Public Hearings on the New Mauna Kea Telescope Proposal
June 16 (Tuesday) Waimea – Waimea Elementary School Cafeteria
June 17 (Wednesday) Hilo – Hilo High School Cafeteria
June 18 (Thursday) Puna – Pahoa High School Cafeteria
June 22 (Monday) Ka’u – Ka’u High/Pahala Elementary School Cafeteria
June 23 (Tuesday) Hawi – Kohala Cultural Center
June 24 (Wednesday) Kona – Kealakehe Elementary School Cafeteria
June 25 (Thursday) Honolulu – Farrington High School Cafeteria
The Draft EIS is available on the Project website – www.TMT-HawaiiEIS.org – and hard copies can be found at public libraries throughout Hawaii.
Get action alerts like these sent directly to your inbox by signing up with KAHEA’s action alert network at www.kahea.org.
Where is OHA on Mauna Kea?
From Marti:
Last week, the Board of Trustees for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs was supposed to take a formal position on the University’s new proposed development plan for Mauna Kea. Surprisingly, they deferred decisionmaking. It is likely that the OHA Trustees will not be able to take up the measure until after the Board of Land and Natural Resources votes next Friday on whether to adopt the plan.
This is really unfortunate. As the state’s advocate for the best interest of Hawaiians, OHA’s Trustees should really take a stand on the University’s plan. Is the plan good for the sacred summit and Hawaiians or not? If it is not, then how does it need to be improved?
With great insight and knowledge, OHA staff have detailed the numerous shortcomings of the University’s development plan and explained what improvements are needed so that the plan complies with the law and actually protects the irreplaceable natural and cultural resources on the summit, as well as the interests of Native Hawaiians. Their review highlighted:
- The plan is not “comprehensive” as defined by the Third Circuit Ruling because it fails to address multiple land uses, such as development limits and decommissioning. It also fails to comply with DLNR requirements for management plans because it lacks details, timetables, and mitigation measures.
- The plan fails to consider the Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act and Hawai`i’s historic preservation and burial laws in not only inadequate, it is illegal.
- The plan delegates management authority over Mauna Kea’s numerous historic resources to the university, which has no experience or expertise in managing historic properties. In fact, the University’s approach to cultural practice as outlined in the plan is “offensive.”
Click here to read OHA staff’s full review of the University’s new development plan.
On March 25th, OHA’s Committee on Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment voted to send a letter to the Land Board expressing the Trustees’ willingness to work towards enhancing the management plan. With all of this, why did the full Board of Trustees choose not to act? Are the Trustees preparing to contradict the expertise of their staff in support of the University’s development plan?
The OHA Trustees should be defending the best interests of Hawaiians, not the University. This includes advocating for the strongest possible protections for the public trust natural and cultural resources on the summit,access to those resources (especially for cultural and religious practice), and the collection of market-based rent on all of the leases of public lands by foreign telescope entities. Unfortunately, some of the OHA Trustees seem unwilling to take this position.
Thus, the burden now falls to individuals to make their voice heard on the quality of the management plan before the Land Board next week. Please attend the public hearing in Hilo on April 8 and 9th at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. If you are unable to attend, please submit written testimony — our virtual testimony table makes it easy to just click-n-send, so you have few extra moments to personalize your submission — just click here.
If you are interested, the University’s plan and the Land Board’s staff recommendation are available on line, click here.
April's Action Alert Line-Up
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| Aloha mai Kakou! Spring is here, which means the rains will be coming to an end soon and so will the 2009 Legislative Session. In these last heated weeks of the session, the public will get one last chance to be heard on the proposals affecting our environment and culture. At the same time, it is important not to ignore key decisions affecting our public trust resources that are being made outside the Capitol. To help you keep track of it all, here are four pressing issues to take action on right now and help protect the things we all love about Hawaii nei. 1. Defend the NAR Fund… because Conservation Can’t Wait!
On Monday, the State Ways & Means Committee will consider a measure to take money away from the Natural Area Reserve Fund in order to balance the state budget. For the last ten years, this fund has provided for the conservation programs that have successfully protected our native forests, supported important watersheds, and controlled invasive species – not to mention provide affordable housing and encourage local agriculture. Cutting this fund now will short-change our children by denying them the benefit of clean water, climate change control, and healthy native ecosystems. Plus, we all know it is simply unnecessary because the state could generate at least $50 million a year from the foreign telescopes that currently use state land on Mauna Kea for free! If the state just renegotiated those leases to be fair (and legal), then Hawaii could weather this economic crisis without cutting programs (or jobs). Take action now! Tell Hawaii’s Senators: Don’t Raid, Make the Telescopes Pay. This is it. All of the hardwork to protect Mauna Kea from the pressure to build ever-larger telescopes will culminate in two hearings this week: – On Monday, in Honolulu, the State Ways & Means Committee will decide whether to pass HB 1174 to transfer authority for Mauna Kea to the University. – On Thursday, in Hilo, the State Board of Land and Natural Resources will decide whether to adopt the University’s latest development plan for the summit. Though the University continues to claim it now can properly manage the summit, the details of their plan reveal this is just the same old scam to consolidate its control over the public’s sacred summit. The University’s latest’s scheme does nothing to protect Mauna Kea’s unique and endangered alpine habitat, uphold continued cultural and religious practices on this sacred summit, or control telescope development. Add your voice to the thousands who have already spoken up in support of genuine protections for the sacred summit of Mauna Kea – just click here. Attend the Public Hearing in Hilo on April 8th and 9th at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel (71 Banyan Drive, 96720) at 9:00 am in the Moku Ola Ballroom. 3. Industrial Aquaculture Invades the Kohala Coast Huge, untethered, self-powered, underwater spheres crammed with thousands of fish floating off our coast. Yikes! Sounds like a science fiction B-film, but this is exactly what is being proposed for the Kohala coast of Hawaii Island. Hawaiian Oceanic Technology, Inc. is applying for a permit to create a new massive tuna ocean fish farm. They want to use 247 acres of our ocean to house 12 orb-like cages so they can grow tuna and export it out of Hawaii. Their draft EIS does not answer the basic questions everyone is asking: - How much waste will be created and how will it affect the marine environment? Our ocean is a public trust resource and the public deserves to know what is going to happen to it before this project causes any harm. Click here to ask Hawaiian Oceanic Technology and the approving agencies to address the public’s concerns and questions before using our waters for a project that could hurt our ocean and the wildlife in it. 4. Uphold Your Right to Go Beach – Support the Public Access Rights Bill Even though the public’s right to access the shoreline is protected by law, the lack of enforcement has created a de facto barrier on public beach access. S.B. 1088 is a simple bill that would help improve enforcement of beach access… if only it could get a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee. Click here to urge Rep. Karamatsu to hear S.B 1088 regarding public access. If you have a few minutes, give Rep. Karamatsu a polite phone call at 808-586-8490. Mahalo Pumehana, www.kahea.org |
Sacred Lake Waiau in the Natural Area Reserve at the summit of Mauna Kea. KAHEA: the Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance is a network of thousands of diverse individuals islands-wide and around the world. Together, we work to secure the strongest possible protections for Hawaii’s most ecologically unique and culturally sacred places and resources. Mailing Address: KAHEA is funded grassroots-style, and does not receive any Federal or corporate money. It is the financial support of many INDIVIDUALS, all giving what they can, that keeps the lights on and the campaigns going here at KAHEA.
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Act Now to Protect Mauna Kea - Decision on April 9th!
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| Aloha!
Mauna Kea needs your help! The State Land Board is poised to adopt a plan that would allow more telescopes to be built on Mauna Kea. Take action today and help ensure genuine protections for the imperiled natural habitats and sacred cultural sites on this temple-summit.
The Land Board will decide on April 9th whether to adopt the University of Hawaii’s latest development plan for Mauna Kea. Though the University calls it a “comprehensive management plan,” this plan does nothing to protect the unique and endangered alpine habitat of Mauna Kea, or uphold continued cultural and religious practices on this sacred summit, or control telescope development. In fact, this plan is the University’s renewed attempt to consolidate control over the summit and hasten the construction of several new telescopes, especially the Thirty Meter Telescope. The University is using this plan as a backdoor approval process for its 2000 development plan, which the BLNR already refused to approve once, and to force the passage of H.B. 1174, which would transfer management authority for Mauna Kea to the University. Given the University’s history of misuse and abuse on the summit, no part of this plan should not be adopted. Instead, the Land Board should follow and enforce the laws already in place that protect the natural and cultural resources of Mauna Kea. Here is what you can do to help ensure genuine protections for the sacred summit are enforced: 1. Submit your testimony right now in opposition to both the plan and the bill. It is quick and easy, just click here. Tell the State Land Board and Hawaii’s Senators that you oppose both the University’s new development plan and H.B. 1174, HD 3. 2. Attend the Land Board hearing in Hilo next week: LAND BOARD HEARING ON MAUNA KEA PLAN 3. Take action to support House Concurrent Resolution 231. Just click here and urge Representatives Ito and Har to hear this resolution to hold both the Land Board and the University accountable for the historic misuse of Mauna Kea lands and funds. Mahalo nui, PO Box 37368 |
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KAHEA: the Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance is a network of thousands of diverse individuals islands-wide and around the world. Together, we work to secure the strongest possible protections for Hawaii’s most ecologically unique and culturally sacred places and resources.
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Pictures and Articles from Taro Festival
Kani ka uwalo, mele ‘ai pohaku!
Hosted by KAHEA, Na Kahu o Haloa and the Hawaiian Caucus
photo by ian lind
The Ku‘i Kalo record was set this past Tuesday at the Haloa Jam Taro Festival on O‘ahu:
- 350 lbs. of Hawaiian Kalo- no panic, all organic!
- 300 People to Ku‘i i ke Kalo!
- 100 Pohaku Ku‘i ‘ai!
- 50 Papa Ku‘i ‘ai!
and about 600+ folks came to enjoy good healthy food, good roots music and plenny good kine talk story. New friendships were brought face-to-face over shared papa ku‘i ‘ai, pounding and mixing varieties and colors of kalo together into thick pa‘i ‘ai. While old friendships and family connections were renewed in recognizing ancient pohaku ku‘i ‘ai- remembering unique shapes, textures and the coolness and weight of a particular stone last held in childhood. These very stones now gathered in action in the middle of the modern city, by the very greatgrandchildren of the farmers who fed Hawai‘i for thousands of years. Together relishing the first finger-fulls of thick homemade poi, so ‘ono, so natural. Hand pounding alone releases the depth of the root’s rich flavors. The call to gather and ku‘i was heard in the na‘au of many brothers and sisters of Haloa, all excited and honored to share in this historic moment, to share this ancient and sacred food, to share gifts of huli, to share the nourishing traditions of aloha aina.
Got good moments? Please add your photos to this group photo album: http://photobucket.com/oahutarofest2009
- Just click on “Add photos & videos to this group” at the top of the page to upload your photos.
- Use the bulk uploader if you have a lot of photos to upload. It makes it really simple.
- If you have trouble using the group album contact NaKahuoHaloa[at]gmail.com
The Haloa Jam was ‘ono, so they say…
photo by ian lind
- Check out these beauties, from Ian Lind. He really captured the feeling of the festival, was soo lovely! http://ilind.net/gallery_2009/poi032409/index_6.html
- Sweet article from the House blog: http://hawaiihouseblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/poi-pounders.html
Their photos. or slide show, nice shots!
- A friend in the Slow Food Movement, http://blog.shareyourtable.com/2009/03/taro-festival-at-state-capitol.html
- Our hosts, the Hawaiian Caucus: http://melecarroll.wordpress.com/2009/03/26/third-annual-legislative-hawaiian-caucus-day-at-the-state-capitol-showcases-hawaiian-culture-practices-and-values/
PLEASE ADD ANY OTHER PHOTO ALBUM OR ARTICLE LINKS
in the comments section below.
Taro Festival Participants and Activities Included:
- Na Kahu o Haloa – Hawaiian Taro Varieties
- Hui Ku Maoli Ola – Native Hawaiian Plant Nursery
- Hawaiian Kalos - provided by farms in Waiahole, Waihee, Waipao, Waianae, Kanewai, Waimanalo-Oahu; Wailuanui, Keanae-Maui; Halawa-Molokai; Waipio, Pahoa-Hawaii; Waioli, Olokele-Kauai.
- Papahana Kua‘ola – Hands-on Ku‘i Kalo Demonstrations
- Historic Record-Setting of Most Ku‘i Kalo in Modern Times!
- Kalo Farming & Native Stream Ecosystems
- Organic Kalo Farming Techniques
- Ka Papa Lo‘i Kanewai, UH-Manoa – Imu Kalo, Kalo Pa‘a Tasting and huli to kanu!
- KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance- Legislative Advocacy for Taro Farming
- Na Pua No‘eau – Konane Board Making and Kalo Identification & Art
- Halau Ku Mana Charter School – Halau Hula
– Ka Pa Ola & Alana Natural Therapies – Lomilomi
- Green House - Urban Gardening
- HawaiiSeed – Local Farming & GMO Awareness Education
- Invasive Species Awareness Booth
– Papa Ola Lokahi – Hawaiian Health Education
- MANA – Movement for Aloha No ka Aina
- Kanikapila roots music jam session, with members of Guidance, Mauna Lua, JamaHang, Natural Vibes, Kupa‘aina and Miss Paisley of Tempo Valley.
- Kalo Potluck hosted by Onipa‘a Na Hui Kalo – varieties of poi, pa‘i ‘ai, kalo pa‘a taste testing and… kalo poke, kalo curry stew, kalo greek salad, kalo & limu ho‘io salad, kalo matzo ball soup, kalo fritters, three lu‘au stews, sweet fried kalo koina! and…can’t forget the fish and limu from the many seas of Hawai‘i nei!
Mahalo nui loa to the many ‘ohana who came together to ku‘i i ke kalo,
E OLA HALOANAKALAUKAPALILI!
Legislative Update
From Marti:
This is just a quick run down on the status of some of the local legislation we are watching this session. Tomorrow is second lateral – the day when surviving bills have to be delivered to their final committee. The next major deadline is April 9th.
GOOD BILLS
SB 1088 - Seeks to improve enforcement of beach access for the public. It successfully passed the House Water, Land, and Ocean Committee on Monday (Mahalo to Rep. Ito (D-Kaneohe) and Rep. Har (D-Kapolei)). It is now on it’s way to the House Judiciary Committee (Rep. Karamatsu, D-Waipahu). It needs a hearing by the first week of April. Click here to demonstrate your support this important bill.
HB 1663/SB 709 – Both bills to protect taro from genetic modification are moving along nicely since cross over. Tho, we are cautious to ensure that they are not amended to contradict the interests of taro farmers and consumers. Click here to submit testimony in support of meaningful protections for our beloved Haloa. And, you can click here to read about the poundin’ good time had by all at the Taro Festival this year.
HRC 231 – This House Concurrent Resolution to uphold and enforce the laws that protect Mauna Kea was recently introduced by Rep. Hanohano (D-Puna). This resolution outlines all that the State Land Board needs to do to fulfill its constitutional and statutory mandates to protect the conservation district of Mauna Kea. Click here to add your support for this awesome reso.
BAD BILLS
HB 1174 - This bill seeks to give UH (the developer) management control over the conservation district of Mauna Kea. The Senate Committees on Higher Education and Water, Land passed this bill in a joint hearing, despite considerable solid testimony in opposition and only conditional testimony in support. This bill now must be heard by the Ways and Means Committee. Click here to take action and defend Mauna Kea.
HB 1741 – The bill to raid the Natural Area Reserve Fund has finally died!! Though we are concerned that this important fund to prevent invasive species could be raided through the budget bill. So, stay close to hear the call to action on that front.
HB 1226 – Not only has the preemption bill died at the Capitol, it has also raised the ire of the counties who don’t appreciate some state representatives offering to just give away county authority to regulate GMO-agriculture. Click here to read about the resolution Maui passed 9-0 against the preemption bill.
SB 1318 – This bill flipped to the good side. The House Water, Land, and Ocean Committee deleted all the language about abolishing our coastal zone management protections and replaced with it with good language from Rep. Thielen’s pilot proposal to protect shorelines in Kailua from sea level rise with greater setbacks.
SB 1712 – The Right to Fish Bill is back in a slight muted form this session. Unfortunately, this bill is starting to gain momentum. Stay tuned for updates on how to take action against efforts to undermine management of our fisheries and coastal areas.
