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From Allison Winter, E&E reporter:

The Bush administration has failed to provide safeguards to protect more than a dozen stocks of marine mammals from injury or death in commercial fishing nets, congressional investigators said in a report released yesterday. The Government Accountability Office found that the National Marine Fisheries Service has failed to meet its legal obligation to guard whales, dolphins and other marine mammals from entanglement in fishing gear. The 1994 amendments to the Marine Mammal Protection Act require that the agency establish “take reduction teams” for certain marine mammals to reduce accidental injuries or death in fishing gear. The agency failed to set up teams of experts to protect 14 of 30 different stocks of marine mammals that deserve protection, the report says. False killer whales off the Hawaiian Islands, bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico and Steller sea lions in the eastern and western United States are among animals left without bycatch protection teams.

And for the rest of the stocks, NMFS lacked a “comprehensive strategy” to assess the effectiveness of its program and frequently missed deadlines to set up teams and create safety plans. For most stocks, the agency relies on incomplete, outdated or imprecise data on population size or mortality, GAO found. Federal fisheries officials told GAO they were aware of some of the limitations but did not have enough funding to implement plans or improve their data. For some marine mammal stocks, officials said a take-reduction team would be useless, since the threats to the marine mammals are not from fishing but from other sources, such as Navy sonar exercises. NMFS officials agreed with a recommendation from GAO that the agency develop a comprehensive strategy for assessing the effectiveness of the plans and the regulations. The report came as President George W. Bush this week declared three new national monuments in the Pacific Ocean — a move than won praise from environmental and marine conservation groups. Bush used the announcement as an opportunity to defend his environmental record — often praised for ocean conservation but widely criticized for its policies on public lands, endangered species and climate change.

“For an administration that is desperately trying to create a legacy of ocean stewardship before leaving office, it is disappointing to hear that they have dropped the ball on reducing incidental deaths of mammals due to commercial fishing,” said House Resources Chairman Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), who requested the report. Rahall said the report would create a “solid road map for the tremendous work that lies ahead” and pledged to work with the incoming Obama administration to try to secure protections for whales and other marine species. The report recommends that Congress amend the existing law to specify that the teams are only required for marine mammals that interact with a fishery and change the law’s deadlines to make them easier for NMFS to comply. GAO also recommended that lawmakers require federal officials to report on progress in developing the teams and any limitations hindering the agency. “NMFS faces a very large, complex, and difficult task in trying to protect marine mammals from incidental mortality and serious injury during the course of commercial fishing operations,” the report states.

From yesterday’s Garden Isle News:

After many months of waiting, the Draft Environmental Impact Statement was made available to the public today, revealing many impacts the Superferry could have on the four main Hawaiian islands if operation were to continue.

The EIS assesses the direct impacts the ferry could have to the islands caused by new construction needed to support a large-capacity ferry vessel, and indirect impacts, such as affects on Hawaiian waters and cultural practices.

The report declares that the cumulative effects of the Superferry would significantly and adversely affect traffic within the vicinity of Nawiliwili, Kahului, Kawaihae and Honolulu Harbors. The large-vessel ferry could potentially impact the number of endangered humpback whales, the dispersal of inter-island invasive species and the traditional cultural practices conducted on the islands, the EIS said.

The comprehensive report declares that cultural activities within the vicinity of West Harbor in Kahului would significantly and adversely be impacted due to “new harbor improvements.” New pier construction at Kawaihae Harbor would also result in significant and adverse impacts, including those to nearby Pu`ukohola Heiau National Historic Park, obstructing views and affecting not only the rock walls of the heiau, but ceremonial activities as well, due to noise and construction.

Indirect impacts noted in the report include activities such as fishing, surfing and diving, including the potential loss of natural resources as stated in the cultural impact analyses.

The only reportedly beneficial impact reviewed in the environmental draft is that the large-capacity ferry vessel would provide to all harbors a “superior” mode of transportation for disaster planning and emergency response. The statement concludes that the vessel would increase the capabilities and response times of first responders and relief efforts.

To view the EIS in its entirety and to leave comment, visit the Department of Transportation’s Web site, hawaii.gov/dot/harbors

From Erin Kiley, NRDC Films:

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is starting production and development on a 10-minute movie about ocean acidification, a largely unknown yet equally serious consequence of fossil fuel emissions.  We will produce this short film to introduce the problem of ocean acidification, discuss its consequences, and link the issue with policy solutions for both climate change and improving ocean health.

We’re currently seeking footage that will help us illustrate the chemical phenomenon of ocean acidification, as well as beautiful underwater footage of the organisms and ecosystems at risk.  ] We will gladly credit you or your organization for any footage provided and share copies of the film upon its completion.  We’re also happy to pay for tape and lab costs of outputting materials where necessary.

Footage in High Definition is even better than Standard Definition, but we happily and gratefully accept anything you have to offer.  Feel free to contact ekiley [at] nrdc.org.

From today’s Washington Post:

President Bush will create three new marine national monuments in the Pacific Ocean Tuesday, according to White House spokeswoman Dana Perino, designated areas that will span 195,280 square miles and protect some of the most ecologically-rich areas of the world’s oceans.

The decision to make the designations under the Antiquities Act, coming just two weeks before Bush leaves office, means that he will have protected more square miles of ocean than any person in history. In 2006 Bush created the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, an area of 138,000 square miles.

Two of the areas encompass a region known as the Line Islands, a relatively isolated and uninhabited string of islands in the central Pacific. The third area, in the western Pacific, includes the waters around a few islands in the northern Marianas chain and the Mariana Trench, the deepest ocean canyon in the world.

Both regions boast enormous biodiversity: Kingman Reef and other islands in the central Pacific area teem with sharks and other top predators as well as vibrant, healthy corals; the Mariana Trench and its nearby islands are home to several species of rare beaked whales and the Micronesian megapode — an endangered bird that uses the heat from volcanic vents to incubate its eggs — and also boast mud volcanoes, pools of boiling sulfur and the greatest microbial diversity on Earth.

“The president’s actions will prevent the destruction and extraction of natural resources from these beautiful and biologically-diverse areas without conflicting with our military’s activities and freedom of navigation, which are vital to our national security,” Perino said. “And the public and future generations with benefit from science and knowledge. The President has a strong eight-year record of ocean conservation, and these new designated protected areas will comprise the largest area of ocean set aside as marine protected areas in the world.”

While not all areas within the designated monuments will be fully protected — slightly less than 60 percent of the total will be subject to prohibitions on fishing and other extractive activities — environmentalists praised Bush for the move.

“With the designation of these new marine monuments in the Marianas Islands, American Samoa and the western pacific, George Bush has ushered in a new era of ocean conservation in the United States and the world at large,” said Josh Reichert, managing director of the Pew Environment Group. “It has taken 137 years, since the creation of America’s first national park in Yellowstone in 1872, to recognize that unique areas of the world’s oceans deserve the same kind of protection as we have afforded similar places on land. And none too soon.”

White House press briefing:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2009/01/20090105-6.html

From Bryna, some thoughts on this piece on “Genetically Modified Hawaii” in the Scientific American:

In the pursuit of responsible, meaningful, helpful science for the betterment of the communities and lands of Hawaii, we’ve gotten rather flustered and confused by the dangerous, expensive answers that GMOs offer our local communities.

What do we want for Hawaii? Something we can sink our teeth into.  As the article expounds, we have 3-4 growing seasons. So why are we growing corporate ag-fuel investments & experiments with laughable farm-to-fuel efficiency, short term profitability and long term, irreversible and uncalculable risks? We could be growing increasingly valuable organic seeds for export, and of course nutritious, delicious food to eat here!  GMO-corn & related chemicals make even pineapple seem more meaningful and safe for the nutritional and environmental needs of Hawaii.  Then again, pineapple didn’t make it past 2 generations, but heptachlor contamination will be around for centuries.

Better yet, why not grow alot of different food crops? Why is Hawaii still nurturing the mono-cash-crop plantation paradigm that keeps success and failure in the hands and whims of a few, offshore, high-risk moguls? Will they save us from starvation? Ask the Food Bank.

“But seed companies say and some scientists believe the benefits outweigh the risks of damage to the fragile ecosystem.”

Without any independent scientific review how can they make any honest claims of benefits?  By refusing  independent, longterm studies or public information about their projects, biotech corporatoins control the public perception of benefits, while having no factual basis in making such claims.

Isn’t it time we got something good to eat, and isn’t it time we returned the farmscape back to the care of the local people, local culture, local foods? It is a myth that we don’t have enough land. It is a myth that we can’t grow food to feed the local population. The problem is that the land that we have is becoming Iowa and plants they are growing could kill us…..

Read: “Genetically Modified Hawaii: New varieties of genetically engineered crops thrive in the world’s most isolated landmass” by  Robynne Boyd.

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=genetically-modified-hawaii

Shared belief in a better future is strong glue in our community, and together we’ve made some huge steps forward in 2008!

The threats are great, and the needs are huge, but no problem is impossible when we answer together. From all of us at KAHEA, a heartfelt mahalo for the difference you continue to make for Hawaii nei.

Mahalo for Taking Action!

As the year draws to a close, here’s a look back at 10 things that YOU made happen:

1. 40,000 signatures defending our right for free public access to public trust resources–mauka to makai, mountains to the ocean. Hundreds rally across Hawaii for their right to reach the beach!

2. 7,000 demand state legislators defend the sanctity and free right-to-grow taro from genetic modification and patenting.

3. GMO-taro and coffee banned on Hawaii Island! 1,200 people ask the Hawaii County Council to protect their communities from the harms and dangers of genetic modification and patenting. The Council listened and acted!

4. Over two-hundred write in support of protecting more critical habitat for the planet’s remaining 1,200 Hawaiian monk seals.

5. Hawaii County Council calls for a halt to live-fire exercises at DU-contaminated Pohakuloa Training Area! 300 people write in support!

6. In a historic decision, a court-appointed hearing officer affirms KAHEA’s standing to participate in first-ever enforcement action for irresponsible coral disease research violations in the pristine and fragile Northwestern Hawaiian Island. Thanks to KAHEA intervention, the enforcement action is upheld!

7. Over 1,000 demand the Navy follow Hawaii’s environmental laws and protect our unique ocean resources!

8. Hundreds write to demand the restoration of water to the streams of East Maui! In a historic decision, the Water Commission requires a portion of the water be returned.

9. Unique tropical alpine ecosystem of Mauna Kea protected from uncontrolled telescope development by the University of Hawaii. Over 550 write to demand the land-giveway on Mauna Kea be stopped! 3 court cases won, construction of 2 telescopes halted.

10. Full conservation of one of the last intact, large-scale coral reef ecosysytems on the planet! 5.6 million people represented in the call for a true pu’uhonua (sanctuary) in the remote and fragile Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

Mahalo for your Friendship!

It is people that are at the heart of this grassroots movement, people who make things happen. KAHEA represents an incredible ‘ohana of amazing individuals working to protect the things we all love about Hawaii. We were incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to party with so many of you at KAHEA’s Pau Hana! Mahalo to the incredible number of friends (new and old!) who joined us in Chinatown on Wednesday! A great time for talk story, enjoy good eats, good drinks, good music, good art, and good company! To all that were there, and all that were there in spirit, thank you for celebrating with us!

Mahalo for Volunteering !

Mahalo nunui to all the people who took time out of their busy days in 2008 to help in the fight to protect Hawaii nei!

You stuffed envelopes, folded brochures, gathered petition signatures, staffed the KAHEA booth at events, screened t-shirts, filmed hearings, entered data, helped at fundraisers, recruited your friends, and carried lots of heavy stuff! The victories acheived this year would not have been possible without your great energy and unwavering support!

Mahalo to the KAHEA volunteers! Renee M., Stephanie F., Dave R., La’akea L., Marion A., Steve T., Pauahi H., Pomaika’i F., Kamu E., Ikaika H., Kanoa N., Solomon E., Na Maka O Ka ‘Aina, Aunty Isobel, Elizabeth K., Hunter H., Vanesa F., Mina E., Lahela P., Aunty Penny, Daniel A., Anuenue P., Ko’iahi & Ma’aloa, Kealoha D. & ‘ohana, Kaipo’i K. & ‘ohana, Grace K., Uncle Woody, Uncle Glen, Aunty Noreen, Eric E., Don B., Uncle Charley, Uncle Sakae, Kevin C., Stephanie L., Talia Y., Oren T., Alohi A., Evan S., Mr. Tanaka, Keoki K. & ‘opio, Pono K., Jim C & ‘ohana, Mele J., Dar’ron C., Broc B., Serena S., Janice, Kamu E., Shanna B., ‘Olu’olu G., Maile S., ‘I’, Aunty Sharon, Meghan A., Aunty Nani, Aunty Moana, Breton F. and ‘ohana, Michelle M., Norman K., Kumu Malia, Aunty Meala & Uncle Danny, Kira D., See E., Uncle Jan, Hallie L., Richard P., Shannon W., Steve M., Meleanna M., Uncle Maka, Aunty Nancy, Uncle Jerry, Dr. Lorrin, Mele C., Kapaliku S., Chris & Dimi, Uncle Ed Greevy, Emily Y., Mahealani W.–and so many countless others!

Mahalo for Giving!

Countless numbers of you regularly give what you can to support KAHEA financially. Every dollar is put to work to make KAHEA an effective force for change! You keep the lights on here at the KAHEA office–the copier running, the printer going, the website up, and petitions coming in!

Mahalo nui for your support, and for investing in the work that is happening here at KAHEA. We do our fundraising grassroots-style–without corporate or federal dollars. Nothing we do here at KAHEA would be possible without your generous kokua!

When you give, you invest in a ecologically, socially sound future for Hawai’i nei. For those of you who have not given yet, we hope you will consider making a donation (whatever can!) by visiting www.KAHEA.org or sending a contribution to: PO Box 37368,
Honolulu, Hawai'i 96837, Honolulu, HI  96813. Every dollar you give is matched by the Earth Friends Wildlife Foundation.

From our ‘ohana to yours, we wish you all a peaceful and joyous holiday season! We have so much to celebrate and so much for which to be grateful.

Much love and heartfelt thanks from all of us guys at KAHEA!

From Marti:

Late in the day on December 23rd, the final version of the Monument management plan was quietly published on the Papahānaumokuākea website.  No press release. No email to the list serv.  Just a quick post on the eve of the Eve of Christmas, which just happened to get picked up in a google alert days later.

Given all the eco-mojo the Bush Administration has tried to squish out of this “blue asterisk,” you would expect a mighty deal be made of finally finishing the management plan two years later.  The fact that the release was so secretive has gotta make you wonder what’s actually in it.

On their website, James Connaugton, chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality is quoted as saying:

“When President Bush first designated the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in June 2006, his goal was to move beyond just thinking about conservation to carefully managing this important area.”

Yikes! What does the federal government mean exactly when it says “move beyond” conservation?

Well, from what we see in the plan it means:

• no limit on military activities affecting Monument resources (not even a discussion of what it would take to abide by the proclamation and “minimize and mitigate” half-pound pieces of fiery shrapnel hitting Nihoa).
• no ban on bioprospecting, which is the taking of public trust resources for exploitation and profit by corporations, academic institutions, and private individuals.
• no limit on the number of people that can access and/or take from this “no take” reserve.
• no assessment of the cumulative risks and impacts of past and anticipated human activity in the Monument.
• no public advisory council, which has been key in forcing transparent & accountable decisionmaking.

Over 50% of the proposed 355 million-dollar budget is for government operations and research, while a mere 12% goes to reducing existing threats, like clean-up of marine debris and legacy military contamination. The plan also fails to allocate sufficient resources for Native Hawaiian involvement in Monument decision-making, and leaves decision-making to a closed-door Monument Management Board.

The plan essentially abandons the “precautionary principle,” which was a hallmark of the State’s visionary pre-monument protections that required biological, cultural and historic resource integrity be favored when the impacts of any proposed activity were uncertain.

So while the revised vision, mission, and goals now commit to conservation as the purpose of the Monument, you can see that the actions to implement this plan remain largely unimproved over the weak draft released earlier this Spring.

When the draft version of this plan was released, the National Wildlife Federation, the Center for Biological Diversity and more than a dozen other organizations–representing well over 5 million people–joined KAHEA in strongly criticizing the management plan.  Despite two years of advocacy, and thousands of public letters and comments calling for a stronger, more protective plan, it is apparent that our united call for a true pu‘uhonua didn’t fit with the federal government’s vision for the future of “conservation” in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

So, here’s our take – a quote for the papers  – on the federal government’s attempt to “move beyond” conservation:

“This is conservation on paper, but not in practice. They have reshuffled the goals to say ‘full conservation’ but their proposed actions speak louder than their words. They are exempting increased military exercises proposed for this extremely delicate ocean habitat from management. They are proposing increased tourism, new construction, and extractive research without adequate public oversight and Native Hawaiian consultation,” said Marti Townsend, Program Director of KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance.

To learn more about this issue, including a detailed review of the draft plan, visit our website at: www.kahea.org