Protecting and Preserving Maui Nui’s Environment & Important Cultural Sites for Over 40 Years

Haleakala Observatory Process in Trouble

Ilima Loomis at Maui news wrote: A hearing officer who acknowledged receiving inappropriate outside pressure to reach a decision on a major new telescope proposed for Haleakala said Monday that he was “surprised” to have his report thrown out and felt it was rejected because it embarrassed people on both sides. Attorney Steven Jacobson said that it was “irritating” to see his work rejected after four years of hearings and review. But with both supporters … Read more

Haleakala Telescope Hearings Officer Fired

A controversial solar telescope atop Haleakala suffered a setback Thursday when the hearing officer was fired and his recommendation to approve the project was thrown out by the Board of Land and Natural Resources. The board ruled that Steven Jacobson had inappropriate discussions with outside parties to the case — ostensibly, Sen. Daniel Inouye’s office and the University of Hawaii’s Institute of Astronomy, among others. The board ordered him immediately discharged from the case… Read … Read more

Bag Bill in Trouble

Throwaway Bag Bill in Trouble Despite Near Unanimous Support for the Measure, House Finance Committee Has Yet to Schedule a Hearing  Despite overwhelming public support — from numerous retailers, environmentalists, and businesses — the House Committee on Finance has yet to schedule a hearing on SB 2511, a measure that would place a ten cent fee on paper and plastic bags and fund Governor Abercrombie’s watershed initiative. “Chair Marcus Oshiro is well aware of this measure … Read more

SB755 To Destroy Hawaii Environmental Protections

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to promote economic development by temporarily removing regulatory restrictions to the expeditious construction of certain state and count projects. SB755_HD2_PROPOSED_ This bill started out as a gambling bill, morphed into a 5 day tax holiday for school supplies and now has been replaced by “Gut Hawaii Environmental Law”.

Pu’unene Mill and Coal Fired Plant Permit Up for Review

The DOH-Clean Air Branch posted public notice for the Covered Source Permit (CSP) for HC&S at Puunene Mill. It is in the classifieds of today’s Maui News (see attachment) You can view the relevant documents at this link: http://hawaii.gov/doh/cleanairpublicnotices There is a one month public comment period, with comments due on April 23, 2012. “Any person may request a public hearing by submitting a written request that explains the party’s interest and the reasons why … Read more

Open Letter to Hawai’i Legislators

From the Conservation Counsel of Hawai’i Sign on to the petition, add your comments, see who else has signed on: http://signon.org/sign/an-open-letter-in-defense?source=c.em.cp&r_by=2813884 An Open Letter In Defense of Hawaii’s Environment & Open Government to Hawai‘i State House of Representatives, State Senate, & Governor Neil Abercrombie We vehemently protest certain undemocratic measures taken by the State House of Representatives, Hawaii State Senate, and Governor Abercrombie to dilute basic sunshine and due process laws that protect the public. … Read more