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All in the same month! (The good, the bad, and the ugly):

- The “Na Kupuna Council O Moku O Keawe”, the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and the Mayor-Elect for Hawaii Island came out in support of protecting Mauna Kea from uncontrolled telescope construction. (Maika’i!)

- Proponents moved forward with plans to seek the construction the new, massive Thirty Meter Telescope proposed for Mauna Kea, despite the fact that there is NO court-mandated mangement plan in place to protect cultural and environmental resources of the mountain. (Bad)

- The Land Board agreed to hand-over management authority of the Natural Area Reserve on Mauna Kea to the proponent of all the telescope construction on the summit: The University of Hawaii. (Ugh. Lee.)

On this last item, over 400 of you submitted letters to the Land Board opposing this give-away.

But with glossy photos of the sacred summit and empty promises to better protect the unique resources of the summit, the University’s self-appointed advisory group called the “Office of Mauna Kea Management” lulled Land Board members into believing the University has the expertise and motivation to protect the Natural Area Reserve on Mauna Kea.

The community knows better. The University’s presence on the summit has only led to 40 years of over-development, loss of native habitat, and interference with traditional cultural practices.

The Reserve should not be managed by the University in any way. The mission of the Mauna Kea Reserve is to protect the natural and cultural resources of the area, which is in direct conflict with the University’s mission to expand telescope activities on the summit. In fact, the Reserve was established and removed from the University’s control in 1981 precisely because the significant resources there needed more protection from the University’s telescope construction.

The Reserve on Mauna Kea protects a unique and threatened mountainous desert habitat and Hawaii’s only alpine lake, Lake Waiau. The Reserve includes the largest adze quarrry in the Pacific, ancient and modern burials, and Queen Emma’s shrine. These are public trust lands–Hawaiian lands held by the state in public trust for the people of Hawaii. Protecting this area needs management by experts in land conservation and cultural resources, not telescope construction.

The University has an appalling record of protecting resources while it constructed over 50 telescope and support structures on Mauna Kea. A 2005 EIS confirmed that the cumulative impact of 30 years of telescope activity on the cultural and natural resources of Mauna Kea has been “substantial, adverse and significant.” And this trend continues today, despite the mantra there is “a new management paradigm” on Mauna Kea. Just as it has done many times before, the University is currently pushing to draft a management plan on its own terms, not the community’s, while at the same time entertaining the construction of a new massive telescope on the last pristine plateau of Mauna Kea.

The University has long sought more direct control over the mountain to further its long-standing financial interest in developing the summit for telescopes. This week, the Land Board’s decision brought the University one step closer to consolidating its control over the summit.

But there are many opportunities coming up to reign in the University and telescope activity on Mauna Kea. Stay tuned to help out in the effort to uphold the protections already on the books for Mauna Kea. In January, we expect the University to once again seek the Legislature’s approval to change the law to allow continued telescope expansion on the summit. The University has tried and failed many times before to command complete control over the summit, but each time the community has successfully educated decision-makers on good policy-making and upheld the protections for Mauna Kea.

Let’s get ready to do it again this year!

The Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve protects a unique and threatened mountainous desert habitat and Hawaii’s only alpine lake, Lake Waiau. The reserve includes the largest adze quarrry in the Pacific, ancient and modern burials, and Queen Emma’s shrine. These are public trust lands–Hawaiian lands held by the state in public trust for the people of Hawaii.

Now, with only 5 days notice to the public, the Land Board has announced they will consider giving away authority to manage Mauna Kea’s Ice Age Natural Area Reserve to the primary developer of the mountain–the University of Hawaii.

The Land Board will make their decision this Friday. You can click here to tell them: “NO!”

The University has a long-standing interest in developing the public trust lands of the mountain, and benefits financially from the construction and lease of telescopes on Mauna Kea. For 30 years, they have been given free-reign to oversee their own activites with little accountability. Financial interest and lack of oversight have resulted in substantial, significant, adverse impacts to Mauna Kea’s unique and threatened habitats, species and sacred cultural sites.

The reserve lies directly adjacent to the University of Hawaii’s telescope developments. The reserve was created and removed from University control in 1981 because of its significant resources.

The University has long sought more direct control over the mountain. In centralizing oversight under the UH umbrella, they seek to avoid outside accountability, and making future developments easier to push through.

Five Days Notice?
A mere five days public notice is not enough–there can be no true public consultation, community hearings, or public consent to this massive land giveaway in five days!  Which makes us wonder: what’s the rush?

What’s Really Going On?
Today, a new billion-dollar, football stadium-sized telescope is being proposed for the summit–the Thirty Meter Telescope, or TMT. The University is seeking more control–and fast–to allow this four-acre development to move forward as scheduled.

In addition to seeking control of the Ice Age Natural Area Reserve adjacent to the telescopes, UH is seeking new legislation giving them rulemaking authority over the entire summit area.

As it stands, a 2007 state court ruling says the Land Board must prepare and approve a comprehensive management plan to protect Mauna Kea’s cultural sites and natural habitats before allowing any more bulldozers. The intent is to allow time and a honest process for charting a future for the sacred summit of Mauna Kea.

Instead, eager to move forward with the TMT, UH is writing one for themselves. In fact, UH has written a whole series of false “management plans” over the past 20 years and set up a hand-picked advisory board they call the “Office of Mauna Kea Management” (OMKM). The 3rd Circuit Court has struck down every one of these previous UH “management plans.” But UH is not taking “no” for an answer.

Today, UH is pressuring the Land Board to approve its latest false “management plan”– to clear the way for the gigantic Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) complex the last undeveloped plateau of Mauna Kea’s summit area.

Public Trust Resources for Public, not Private, Benefit
It is the job of the Land Board to protect, conserve and properly manage the public trust lands in the interest of the public and the Native Hawaiians. This means “conservation over development” is bound in their public duty. They are to be independent public servants, serving the public trust resources which are entrusted to them, for the public interest. Board members cannot have an interest–financial or other–in any decision before them.

The University has no such mandate. The University has deeply entrenched financial interests in the continued development of Mauna Kea. The public trust lands of Mauna Kea are being rented for only $1 a year–far less than the fair market value required by law. Under this sweetheart deal, the University takes the public’s lands and resources and offers them to some of the riches countries on earth. But the Public’s resources are not the UH to give away or sale for their profit and gain.

“[UH] focused primarily on the development of Mauna Kea and tied the benefits gained to its research program… at the expense of neglecting the site’s natural resources.” – State Auditor’s Report

Can’t Win in Court? Try Change the Law in Your Favor–Or Ignore the Law Altogether
In 1968, the people of Hawaii agreed to allow one telescope to be built atop Mauna Kea. Today, more than 50 telescope and support structures cover the sacred summit–built without the consent of Native Hawaiians and local communities. For 30 years, local leaders and organizations have united to defend the once-pristine resources of Mauna Kea’s sacred summit from the harms of uncontrolled telescope expansion. They have successfully upheld the law and stopped several illegal and aggressive UH plans for expanded telescope construction.

The people won and the Land Board and the University lost mulitple times in court. The court has affirmed the Land Board’s duty to protect Mauna Kea. Now, UH is seeking to change the rules to give themselves more direct control of Mauna Kea. The University seeks to create a new bureaucracy under the UH system with authority to “manage” the public trust resources of Mauna Kea, despite their already dismal record.

Conflicts of Interest Result in Poor Oversight and Irreparable Harm
- The Hawai‘i State Auditor found UH’s program of self-oversight “inadequate to ensure the protection of natural resources” and “neglected …the cultural value of Mauna Kea.”
- The Auditor’s report stated the University “focused primarily on the development of Mauna Kea and tied the benefits gained to its research program,” and that its focus on telescope construction has been “at the expense of neglecting the site’s natural resources.”
- A 2005 NASA environmental impact statement (EIS) confirmed that the cumulative impacts of the telescope industry on the cultural and natural resources of Mauna Kea have been “substantial, adverse and significant.”

30 years of University control has endangered and desecrated of one of Hawaii’s most precious and sacred places. Enough is enough! Mauna Kea needs accountable decision-makers and legitimate management.

Public trust resources must be managed by the public agency charged with their care–not to those who have a vested financial interest in more bulldozing.

You can tell the BLNR to: Follow the law and uphold their duty to protect and conserve Mauna Kea against any further development. Vote this co-managment agreement down! Click here to send your letter.

Here’s the report back from Na Kahu o Haloa, the Guardians of Haloa, of Moku o Keawe (Hawaii Island):

From Nancy Redfeather- coffee farmer, Kona:

Welina mai kakou,

Mahalo Nui to everyone who worked toward the passage of Bill 361 yesterday in the Hilo Chambers and around the island. The Bill passed 9-0 to become the first Law in the State of Hawai’i to ban a GE crop, Taro and Coffee, The ordinance is located in the “General Welfare” section of the Hawai’i County Codes. Mahalo to the work of KAHEA and others in gathering testimonies, as well as everyone who came to testify in Kona, Waimea, and Hilo.

Mahalo Nui for working together to rally the strong

public voice statewide, and speak to the Council and Mayor in a strong, knowledgable, and united voice. The biotech industry did it’s best to influence everyone in the room, including the editorial staff of The Hilo Tribune Herald, in an editorial on Monday morning that gave Bill 361 the thumbs down. But it didn’t matter.

The “biotech industry partners” did their very best to twist arms behind backs, threaten to “pull their votes in the coming election,”threaten the council with federal “preemption” (that was the Farm Bureau and

it’s Lawyer). Actually I am a member of the Farm Bureau and I was surprised at their very aggressive and “false” accusations of Bill 361. It felt as if they might be introducing a state preemption bill at the coming conference next week, they took such a war-like posture.

All your voices were strongly heard in the Council Chambers as many of the Council raised their 4″ fat books of testimonies, really looked heavy!

Bob Jacobson had his secretary counted 660-90% of the testimonies that were “in support.” Council Yagong from Hamakua, a fence sitter after round 2, decided to do a random poll of coffee farmers, his staff called 89. 82% were in support of the Bill as stands, that was convincing for him. In Kona 53 out of 60 farmers polled said yes (88%).

There are so many wonderful stories that happened over the 3 hearings, perhaps we can continue to tell how government, farmers and the people came together during 3 hearings, under the guidance of Haloa, to protect the intrinsic value and integrity of our heritage crops, while under tremendous pressure. It is a story of courage and clarity, of passion and connection, and “how dare you tell me what to do on my farm!” Opposing the Bill were those well dressed ladies from the Hilo Chamber of Commerce, HDEBT, HDOA, UH Manoa, Mayor’s Office, County R&D, HSTC – Lisa Gibson, HCIA , State and Hawai’i County Farm Bureaus, Richard Manshardt, etc…the usual crew and other papaya and orchid/anthurium farmers from Puna.

Coexistence=contamination was a definite theme. Again, perhaps we can share some of our favorite moments with this group. After 7 years of education and other work, it was wonderful to see so many people come up to testify with our book in their hand [Facing Hawaii's Future by Hawaii SEED]. At the end, Emily Naeole thought that the Hawaiian woman on the cover looked like her and that she held a baby and was crying. ” That is how it is for us mothers,” she said.

Aloha and Mahalo,
Nancy
______________________________________________

From Jerry Konanui- taro farmer, Puna:

Democracy lives in our Hawaii County Council

Mahalo to the the Hawaii County Council, who heard the overwhelming voices of taro, coffee growers and consumers last week–and stood by them. In passing a island-wide ban on genetically modified (GM) taro and coffee, they have acted wisely to protect public health, food security, and our Hawaii Island agricultural economy.

This historic decision was in stark contrast to the actions of Clift Tsuji, State House of Representative Agriculture Committee Chairman, who–after receiving well over 7,000 voices in support and around 240 against–aborted and killed a moratorium on genetically modified (GM) taro proposed in SB 958 last session.

In a poll conducted by Councilmember Yagong, 80% of coffee growers and 90% of Hawaii Island taro growers expressed support for the GMO taro and coffee ban. Over 1,200 consumers, and growers wrote to support County Bill 361.

It is a breath of fresh air a moment of hope and calm that simply says democracy lives here in Hawaii County.

Endless mahalo nui to all who found it important enough to, as Aunty Emily says, stand your ground and voice your mana’o–and I mean those who were against the bill as well. It is through this process of lively, healthy, and open debate that we can educate each other and others to do the right thing for the benefit of the majority of the people. We each have a voice, a vote, no one more important then the other. This transcends race, age, ideology and status of any kind every voice is important and needed if we are to co-exist in harmony.

We welcome Mayor Kim’s suggestion that all stake holders come together and work on this very heated subject about genetic engineering of our foods. We are not against biotechnology, we are for safe, transparent science and a science of mutual respect and consensus. We are and always have been open to dialogue. So hele mai! Hele mai!! E ho’ohui ana kakou!! Makaukau makou!!

Mahalo ke Akua, na kini akua, na aumakua, na kupuna.
Jerry Konanui, he kahu o Haloa

Jerry also adds:

The FAT stack of testimony was really impressive, god I was like a crying fool!!! (=

From Jim Quirk’s article in Hawai’i Island Daily West Hawaii Today:

The Hawaii County Council voted 9-0 Wednesday in favor of a bill from North Kona Councilman Angel Pilago on its second reading to ban genetically modified taro and coffee.

It was a circus-like atmosphere Wednesday in Hilo’s Ben Franklin building, where the meeting was held. Children played in the hallways outside of the council chambers waiting for their chance to speak along with their parents. A man standing in the hallway corner sang as he strummed the strings of a guitar.
The council, meanwhile, listened to a different tune, one delivered by the seemingly endless convoy of residents who took turns at the microphone to give their two cents on the proposed ban.

About 70 residents testified in Hilo, while about 30 testified via teleconference from the council offices in Waimea and Kona. There have been no major complaints about banning genetically modified taro, but with coffee it’s a different story.

On one side of the debate are those who believe genetic modification of coffee could eventually spell disaster for the island’s coffee industry. Off-island buyers would not be interested in Kona coffee that has been purposely or accidentally genetically modified, the proponents believe.

Then there are residents who believe, among other things, without genetic modification of coffee, there will be no scientific answers when disease strikes and destroys Big Island coffee.

A vast majority of residents who spoke Wednesday said they were in favor of the ban.

Dr. Hector Valenzuela, a vegetable crops extension specialist with the University of Hawaii at Manoa, said he — unlike all of his peers at the college — supports the bill.

He said the scientific community should be concentrating on aspects of agricultural research, such as teaching farmers how to sustain crops without having to rely on chemicals, rather than genetic modification.

Bill proponent Chuck Moss, a Kona coffee farmer, said one potentiality of genetically modified coffee is that experiments in creating coffee trees without caffeine could spread to other trees. If that happened, it would be hard to market Kona coffee, he said.

“How can you tell the difference from a regular tree from a decaf tree, or a regular bean from a decaf bean?” Moss asked.

Hamakua Councilman Dominic Yagong furnished results of a poll he conducted recently that shows 82 percent of 89 Big Island coffee farmers support the bill.

He said during a separate interview that his office identified isle coffee farmers using the phone book, Internet and personal knowledge.

During a previous meeting, representatives of the Hawaii Coffee Council indicated a majority of island coffee farmers are against the bill, Yagong said, which is why he wanted to conduct a poll to find out for sure.

Hilo Councilman Stacy Higa, who voted against the bill on its first reading, said Yagong’s survey changed his mind.

Mayor Harry Kim, who is still not back to work full time because of his recent heart attack, made an appearance early in the meeting and expressed concerns that the bill wouldn’t allow genetic testing of coffee in the lab setting.

He requested the council consider developing a system where research at places like the University of Hawaii at Hilo would be able to continue.

Kim could attempt to veto the bill, but it seems unlikely it would succeed because of the unanimous council vote Wednesday.

From Marti:

I attended the public hearing last night in Nanakuli about the U.S. Army’s plans to increase live-fire training at Makua Valley. The EIS details how the military’s activities in the valley have contaminated the environment and harmed the spiritual and cultural significance of the area for Native Hawaiians. Community members expounded on the military’s admissions of guilt by telling stories of families lost to unexplained illnesses, fires burning out of control, and cultural access denied.

Of particular concern to me was the admission that perchlorate has been found in the soil at Makua Valley. Perchlorate is used as both an explosive and fuel. While the risks are not fully understood, perchlorate contamination has been linked to thyroid disorders, immune system deficiencies, nervous system disorders, and cancer. Aunty Leandra told me at the meeting that the training range at Makua is directly over a groundwater aquifer that abuts and spills into the groundwater aquifer for Makaha.

Clean drinking water is a basic human right. For the U.S. Army to move ahead with activities at Makua Valley knowing that it could contaminate the drinking water supply of Waianae Coast residents is an abomination – a serious violation of a basic human right.

I left the meeting overwhelmed by the extreme injustice of this situation. Something must be done. At the very least, the State of Hawaii must uphold its constitutional obligation to ensure the public’s right to a clean environment (Article XI, sec. 9). The U.S. Army leases Makua Valley from the State (probably for a $1 a year). That lease ends in 2029 and should not be extended. As the landowner, the State should require its leasee, the Army, to clean up and return Makua Valley.

More public meetings will be held at the locations listed below. Each meeting will consist of an open house from 5:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., where information will be provided (on the SDEIS), followed by a public comment session from 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

* October 7, 2008
Wahiawa District Park Recreation Center
1129 Kilani Ave
Wahiawa, HI 96786

* October 8, 2008
Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Luau Hale
799 Piilani Street
Hilo, HI 96720

* October 9, 2008
Waimea Community Center
65-1260 Kawaihae Road

To submit comments, you can:
fax: 808-656-3162
email: usaghipaomakuaeis@hawaii.army.mil
mail: USAG-HI Public Affairs Office
742 Santos Dumont
WAAF, Schofield Barracks, HI 96857

Attn: Makua SDEIS Public Comments

From our hoa aloha and ‘ohana at DMZ-Hawai‘i/Aloha ‘Aina:
The Army plans to fire over two million munitions annually – further destroying the beautiful and sacred Makua valley during their proposed 242 days a year of war games. These munitions include the most threatening illumination munitions, 120mm HE mortars, 155mm HE howitzers, inert TOW missiles and 2.75 caliber rockets, some of which will be launched from helicopters, and all of which the Army admits will increase chances of wildfire and “physical damage and loss of mana for the Native Hawaiian culture” (SEIS 4-199).

• The devastating impacts of wildfire caused by Army war games are unacceptable.
• Any further desecration of our sacred sites is unacceptable.
• Limiting access to the valley is not acceptable.

DEMAND CLEAN UP, RESTORATION AND RETURN OF MAKUA

For three decades, the Hawaiian movement for aloha ‘aina has worked to protect Makua valley from the US military. We have been successful, and in the process, have won important religious and cultural access rights, and have temporarily stopped training in the valley. The military wants to reverse these advances, though, by returning the violence of live-fire training to Makua.

To learn more, you can go to www.dmzhawaii.org or call 808-988-6266.

October is here, primaries are over, and things are heating up for the upcoming elections! It’s a great time to get involved! Here is the latest–six things you should know and do to protect some of the important places, plants, species and culture that make Hawai’i… Hawai’i! Mahalo for your continued support!

1. Help protect Hawaii Island from GMO-Taro and GMO-Coffee

Love local Hawaiian food and agriculture? Here’s your opportunity to support a historic new law that would ban GMO (genetically modified) taro and coffee on Hawai’i Island! Hundreds have already written letters in support! Mahalo!

Public Hearing in Hilo this Wednesday, Oct. 8th

If you are on Big Island, PLEASE TRY ATTEND!
Ben Franklin Building, 2nd Floor
County Council Office
Day long hearing starts at 10:30 am

This is the final Hawai’i County Council vote on Bill 361. At this critical moment this effort needs massive support more than ever- the local farmers and consumers need help standing up against strong-arming by huge multinational corporations. This bill will prohibit the cultivation, importation, and sale of GMO taro and coffee throughout Hawaii Island and fine any corporation or individual that violates this rule.

So Much Support So Far!
- Introduced by Council Member Angel Pilago, Bill 361 would ban the growing of genetically modified taro and coffee on the Big Island.
- This bill has received overwhelming public and political support, and has already successfully passed through two Council votes to make it to this FINAL VOTE.
- If the bill passes this last vote it will go on for final approval by Mayor Harry Kim of Hawaii County.

Click here to learn more! http://kahea.wordpress.com/2008/10/08/let-hawaii-island-be-known/

2. Help Protect Makua Valley from Expanded Live-Fire Training by the U.S. Army

Over 100 people attended the hearing last night at Nanakuli High School, as again, the Army seeks to expand live fire exercises in Makua Valley on the Waianae Coast of Oahu.

Pre-contact, the valley–called “parent” in Hawaiian–was among of the most productive agricultural lands on the island. Makua is home to Kamuakuopio Heiau, the Makua Koa (fishing shrine), and many other sacred and cultural sites. Live fire exercises also threaten the existence of 41 endangered species of plants and animals which live in and around the valley.

Marti attended the hearing last night and posted this report on KAHEA’s blog.

http://kahea.wordpress.com/2008/10/08/injustice-at-makua/

You can attend one of the public meetings being held at the locations listed below. Each meeting will consist of an open house from 5:30 p.m. – 6:45 p.m., where information will be provided (on the SDEIS), followed by a public comment session from 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

October 7, 2008
Wahiawa District Park Recreation Center
1129 Kilani Ave
Wahiawa, HI 96786

October 8, 2008
Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Luau Hale
799 Piilani Street
Hilo, HI 96720

October 9, 2008
Waimea Community Center
65-1260 Kawaihae Road

To submit written comments, you can:

email: usaghipaomakuaeis@hawaii.army.mil

mail: USAG-HI Public Affairs Office
742 Santos Dumont
WAAF, Schofield Barracks, HI 96857

fax: 808-656-3162

Attn: Makua SDEIS Public Comments

From our hoa aloha and ‘ohana at DMZ-Hawai’i/Aloha ‘Aina:

“This is an urgent call for all practitioners of aloha ‘aina, to all who love Hawai’i nei to rally to protect Makua.  The Army plans to fire over two million munitions annually – further destroying the beautiful and sacred Makua valley during their proposed 242 days a year of war games. These munitions include the most threatening illumination munitions, 120mm HE mortars, 155mm HE howitzers, inert TOW missiles and 2.75 caliber rockets, some of which will be launched from helicopters, and all of which the Army admits will increase chances of wildfire and “physical damage and loss of mana for the Native Hawaiian culture” (SEIS 4-199).

- The devastating impacts of wildfire caused by Army war games are unacceptable.
- Any further desecration of our sacred sites is unacceptable.
- Limiting access to the valley is not acceptable.

For three decades, the Hawaiian movement for aloha ‘aina has worked to protect Makua valley from the US military. We have been successful, and in the process, have won important religious and cultural access rights, and have temporarily stopped training in the valley. The military wants to reverse these advances, though, by returning the violence of live-fire training to Makua.”

To learn more, you can go to www.dmzhawaii.org or call 808-988-6266.

3. Largest Marine Conservation Area in History Proposed for the Pacific

Through eight years of overwhelming public support, you have helped make the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) the largest marine reserve on earth! Today, President Bush has directed his administration to consider similar protections for a number of large, ecologically important ocean areas in the Central and Western Pacific.  The complete list of areas considered for protection involves seven important reef ecosystems located in the Central Pacific, three islands in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, and the world’s smallest atoll in Samoa.

Of these, most utmost importance to protecting Papahanaumokuakea in the NWHI is Johnston Atoll. This small deep ocean island shares a very important relationship with the newly protected NWHI.  Unfortunately, decades of military use has contaminated the land and surrounding ocean. Serious protections are needed for Johnston Atoll, including a commitment to clean up.

Protecting these areas to the maximum extent (200 nautical miles) would create the largest conservation area in history, and provide conservation and protection for some of the Pacific’s rich natural and cultural heritage. Under this proposal, these native Pacific ecosystems would have a chance at undisturbed survival, free from the threats that are decimating ocean life elsewhere. These islands are among the most intact natural coral reef ecosystems left in the Pacific.

BUT! There is real concern the Bush Administration, under pressure from industry, could allow “multiple use practices” like mineral extraction and overfishing in these areas, harming their native species and ecosystems. Exclusion of “commercial use” and “multiple use management” is precisely why natural and cultural resources in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands today have a real chance. We today have an opportunity to create a similar legacy throughout the Pacific.

Oahu guys: You can show your support by attending the Honolulu hearing:

Honolulu, Hawaii
Thursday, October 16
6:30pm – 8:30pm
McCoy Pavilion – Ala Moana Park
1201 Ala Moana Boulevard

Everybody: Can support by writing to the Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality
by mail:
722 Jackson Place, N.W.
Washington D.C. 20503

or

email: chairman@ceq.eop.gov

Learn more:
NY Times Editorial (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/opinion/03wed2.html?ref=opinion)

Marine Conservation Biology Institute www.mcbi.org

4. Hawaiian Monk Seal May Get More Critical Habitat!

Good news! On Friday, in response to a petition from KAHEA, the Center for Biological Diversity, and the Ocean Conservancy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced it will consider designating additional critical habitat for the highly endangered Hawaiian monk seal in the Northwestern as well as Main Hawaiian Islands. This is an important first step! Hawaiian Monk seals are today one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world.

What will more critical habitat for monk seals do? More critical habitat will require the federal government to limit federal activities that could harm the beaches and nearshore waters used by monk seals. It will prevent the federal government from permitting a private development or constructing a federal highway that might harm protected critical habitat.  It would also give the State access to federal funds to support state efforts to encourage monk seal recovery.

What does it NOT do? This would not in any way limit public access to beaches or give the federal government any new control over our beaches or add any new restrictions on fishing.

The Hawaiian monk seal is on the brink of extinction. It is projected that in a few years there will be less than 1,000 Hawaiian monk seals left in the wild. Without serious action, recovery will soon be impossible. We know that protecting our beaches and nearshore waters are critical to the survival of this endemic Hawaiian species, and we’re working to make it happen. Public participation will be needed to support this effort in the coming months, so please be on the look-out for monk seal action alerts! Still want to learn more?  More information available at www.KAHEA.org.

5. Sifting through the Shibai: Some Truths About Development on Mauna Kea

The astronomy industry and their friends at the University of Hawaii (UH) and  are at it again–proposing not just another telescope but a gigantic 30-meter telescope (TMT) with a dome the size of a modern football stadium.

Moving Forward and Undermining Protections

Proponents of the TMT propose to level the last pristine plateau to build the mammoth structure. They announced last week that despite long-standing community opposition, they will go ahead with an environmental impact statement (EIS), signaling that they intent to move forward with development. The EIS is required by state law for any kind of construction in State Conservation Districts (like the one protecting the entire summit of Mauna Kea).

At the same time, UH is trying to undermine the legal protections against excessive telescope construction on Mauna Kea by hiring a private firm, Ku’iwalu, to push through UH’s management plan and EIS.

So, why is UH so eager to write a plan for the future of Mauna Kea? Answer: The TMT.

Here’s what they’re NOT telling you:

- UH doesn’t have authority to write a management plan for the summit. The BLNR is the ONLY entity statutorily and constitutionally mandated to oversee the protection, conservation and preservation of Mauna Kea. Not the UH, OMKM, UC-Caltech or anyone else.  Recently, the Third Circuit Court ordered the state Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) to prepare and approve a comprehensive management plan for the conservation district on Mauna Kea–not UH.

- There has been no authorized plan for Mauna Kea since 1985, and the terms of that plan have been repeatedly violated by UH. The last BLNR management plan for the summit conservation district was completed by DLNR staff in 1985.  The 1985 Plan set limits on the size and number of telescopes allowed in the Mauna Kea Conservation District. That Number was 13 (11 major and 2 minor telescopes). UH has repeatedly violated that limit by building the Very Large Base Line Array (VLBA), Smithsonian Millimeter Array (the SMA has 24 telescopes pads and support structures that spans an area over half a mile across) and the Gemini North Telescope.

UH and Kuiwalu are continuing to claim they can do a “new” management plan for Mauna Kea instead of BLNR, despite the Court’s order.  But this isn’t new.

UH has attempted to pass off numerous plans as the “new” comprehensive management plan, but the Third Circuit Court struck down all of them, including UH’s 2000 Master Plan. This means UH’s 2000 Master Plan, and everything set up through it, has no effect or force of law–including the Office of Mauna Kea Management (OMKM). The OMKM has no authority to oversee the management of Mauna Kea.

The Law is Clear
There is no law that gives UH or the telescope industry the right to develop and destroy the unique natural and cultural resources of Mauna Kea, but there are many state and federal laws that require Mauna Kea be protected for its religious, cultural, and ecological importance.

No new telescope development proposals until a true, proper, and public management plan is in place! The TMT and UH are just gonna have to wait until the community can genuinely come together and work out the priority needs of the summit in order to truly protect the rare ecosystem and unparalleled spiritual and cultural significance of Mauna Kea.

read more: “First Light Far Off, If Ever” in the Hawai’i Independent

http://www.hawaiiindependent.net/featured/2008/09/29/first-light-far-off-if-ever/

6. Historic Water Win in East Maui – MAHALO PIHA to all who participated!

A big MAHALO! is due to the hundreds of people who responded to the call from taro farmers! They submitted testimony in droves and packed the room at the Water Commission hearing last Wednesday in Haiku-to demand that East Maui Irrigation Company (EMI) stop diverting every last drop of water from the streams of East Maui.

The Commission took two days’ worth of public testimony and ultimately agreed with the taro farmers, scientists, and general public that EMI is diverting too much water from the East Maui watershed.  The Water Commission ruled that EMI must return at least 12 million gallons of water a day to 8 of the 27 streams at issue, in order for the native stream life to survive.

This is a historic decision was made possible only by the consistent and growing public pressure to uphold the constitutional rights of taro farmers and the legal obligations of the state to protect native ecosystems against the profit-seeking interests of corporations.  Mahalo piha to everyone who took the time to participate.  This decision will serve as a model for water restoration efforts throughout the islands.

But there is still much more to do to restore the full vitality of East Maui’s taro patches and diverted streams all throughout our islands, so please watch for more calls to kokua from Hawaii’s taro farmers.

In the meantime, you can to read the mahalo from the East Maui taro farmers. http://kahea.wordpress.com/2008/10/01/water-win-hundreds-responded-to-taro-farmers-call-for-help/

Mahalo to all who give! These e-newsletters, as well as all the work we do at KAHEA, is possible only through the support of individuals like you! We are committed to raising our money grassroots-style. And in the spirit of keeping it real, we do not solicit or accept any corporate or Federal money. This makes your support all the more important!

You can support KAHEA’s work by making a contribution online or by mail to PO Box 37368, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96837. MAHALO PIHA!

On Friday, in response to a petition from KAHEA, the Center for Biological Diversity, and the Ocean Conservancy, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced it will consider designating additional critical habitat for the highly endangered Hawaiian monk seal in the Northwestern as well as Main Hawaiian Islands. This is an important first step! Hawaiian monk seals are today one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world.

The petition seeks to have beaches and surrounding waters throughout Hawai’i protected as critical habitat for Hawaiian monk seals under the Endangered Species Act.

What will more critical habitat for monk seals do? More critical habitat will require the federal government to limit federal activities that could harm the beaches and nearshore waters used by monk seals. It will prevent the federal government from permitting a private development or constructing a federal highway that might harm protected critical habitat.  It would also give the State access to federal funds to support state efforts to encourage monk seal recovery.

What does it NOT do? This would not in any way limit public access to beaches or give the federal government any new control over our beaches or add any new restrictions on fishing.

Why do we need more critical habitat?The monk seal currently has critical habitat designated only in areas of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, where monk seals are dying of starvation and populations of monk seals are plummeting. Seal pups have only about a one-in-five chance of surviving to adulthood. Other threats include becoming entangled and drowning in abandoned fishing gear, shark predation, and disease.

At the same time, the main islands are becoming increasingly important habitat for the monk seals.  Monk seals in the main Hawaiian Islands are thriving and giving birth to healthy pups. Hawaiian monk seals are present on each of the main islands, and their numbers are steadily increasing.

“This government finding that it will consider designating critical habitat for monk seals in the main Hawaiian Islands marks an important step toward preventing the extinction of the Hawaiian monk seal,” said Miyoko Sakashita, a staff attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity and author of the petition. “Habitat in the main Hawaiian Islands is essential for the survival of the imperiled monk seals.”

Habitat in the main islands will also provide a refuge for monk seals as sea-level rise floods the low-lying Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Global warming is an overarching threat to the Hawaiian monk seal and its habitat. Already, important beaches where seal pups are born and raised have been lost due to sea-level rise and erosion.

“We have already seen the extinction of the Caribbean monk seal–a relative of the Hawaiian monk seal. The threat is real and we must act now,” said Vicki Cornish, vice president of marine wildlife conservation at Ocean Conservancy.  “We are greatly encouraged by this consideration to extend critical habitat designation in the main Hawaiian Islands. It is a necessary step in making sure Hawaiian monk seals do not suffer the same fate as their relatives.”

Critical habitat designation will mean greater protection of Hawaiian monk seal habitat under the Endangered Species Act. Once designated, any federal activities that may affect the critical habitat must undergo review to ensure that those activities do not harm the Hawaiian monk seal or its habitat.

In passing the Endangered Species Act, Congress emphasized the importance of critical habitat, stating that “the ultimate effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act will depend on the designation of critical habitat.” Recent studies have shown that species with critical habitat are twice as likely to recover as species without it.

“What happens in the coming few years will determine the survival of this species,” according to Marti Townsend, Program Director of KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance.   “We cannot afford the extinction of a creature so sacred in Hawaiian culture and endemic to these islands. And we cannot expect to save this species without engaging in the hard task of meaningfully protecting habitat.”

more info at www.kahea.org.