Sierra Club Maui Group

Federal Court Rules Biopharm Permits Issued Illegally in Hawai’i

March 27, 2015June 1, 2013

Ruling first ever on controversial drug-producing GE crops manufactured by Monsanto and others
HONOLULU, HI

Citing possible harm to Hawai’i’s 329 endangered and threatened species, a federal district judge has ruled that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) violated the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in permitting the cultivation of drug-producing, genetically engineered crops throughout Hawai’i. The court found that USDA acted in “utter disregard” of the ESA, and also violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), by failing to conduct even preliminary investigations prior to its approval of the plantings.

Listen to Palau’s Prez Tell How He Protected Their Ocean

June 2, 2013June 1, 2013

Come hear an environmental hero share how he and his nation, the Republic of Palau, balance local culture and natural resources against the demands and challenges of economic growth, tourism, and climate change. President of Palau Thomas (Tommy) Remengesau is speaking on Sunday, June 2, 2013 from 5:00-6:30pm at Maui College ‘Ike Le’a Building #114.

SC Comments on Maui Endangered Species Listing

June 2, 2013May 30, 2013

RE: Updated information on locations of ‘awikiwiki (Canavalia pubescens) to consider as part of listing 38 Species on Molokai, Lanai, and Maui as Endangered, Final Rule; and designation of Critical Habitat.

State Hears Aquarium Collection Lawsuit

March 27, 2015May 22, 2013

by Robert Wintner (Opinions expressed are the authors)
(Note: Above photo copyrighted and courtesy of Robert Wintner)

The Honolulu District Court yesterday heard closing summaries a case against the State of Hawaii for issuing aquarium collecting permits without assessing Environmental impact—or impact to the Hawaiian culture.

The public trust law firm Earthjustice, representing a cross section of plaintiffs against the State, had no burden to establish harm but presented overwhelming evidence of harm to Hawaii reefs from massive aquarium extraction.

Wailea 670 Not Living Up to Conditions

June 2, 2013May 21, 2013

When the Wailea 670 (Honua’ula) development was granted a zoning change from agricultural 30 conditions were imposed as Maui County law. Sierra Club observes that not all these conditions are being met and has filed a lawsuit challenging the Wailea 670 EIS.

Additionally, the Sierra Club has submitted testimony to the County Council for the annual review of Wailea 670 (Honua’ula) condition compliance pointing out the conditions that the developer is violating. This is the testimony:

Sierra Club Files Challenge to Wailea 670 EIS

March 27, 2015May 21, 2013

Rare native wiliwili forest occupies planned development location, Wailea 670.

The Sierra Club and Maui Unite have filed a legal challenge the Maui Planning Commission’s approval of a final environmental impact statement for the Honua’ula project in South Maui.

Old growth native wiliwili forest plants need 130-acre preserve to survive. Wailea 670 EIS says 40-acres is all that is needed. Does the EIS follow the law?

Henry Curtis: HELCO Ignores Residential PV

May 20, 2013

By Henry Curtis 05/15/2013
A year ago the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (PUC) opened a regulatory proceeding on Integrated Resource Planning (IRP). The HECO Companies (HECO, MECO, and HELCO) were given a year to develop short-term Action Plans and evaluate how utility actions would be impacted by different long-term possible future scenarios. The PUC created a 68-member Advisory Group, to be overseen by an Independent Entity (IE), to help the utilities create these Action Plans.