Thursday, April 23, 2009

Speak Out Against Shoreline Development!

For some time, we've been asking you to support bills that would put a moratorium on shoreline setbacks to prevent new homes -- and commercial properties -- from being built closer to the ocean. Well, somehow amendments got tacked on to one bill that would allow hotels to do just that by giving them special treatment. And then those same hotel owners will ask the taxpayers to foot the bill for beach "restoration" or replenishment when it's their very actions that have contributed to erosion problems!

Our friends at Surfrider have set up a link on the Hawaii Policy Portal to submit testimony in support of the Senate version of SB 468. Please take a moment and use the link below to tell the State Legislature that this is not the time to kowtow to special interests at the expense of potential long-term damage to our beaches and shorelines.

Talking points and a sample letter are already provided on the HPP page...

http://my.hawaiipolicyportal.org/bill/26/testimony/new

Saturday, April 11, 2009

State Legislature Fails Again

Thought we had a chance to get bills passed that would protect beach access and shoreline setbacks. I was wrong... bills we supported died in committee the final week, or were amended in such a way that they could actually weaken existing setback standards!

Why? Frankly, it's because we didn't have enough public support. Our politicians kowtow to business interests and individuals who pony up the biggest campaign contributions, or pander to factions that are organized enough to make the loudest noise.

For instance, State Legislators caved in on equal rights for gays because the religious right mobilized their forces and turned civil unions into a referendum on traditional marriage. It made me ashamed of my upbringing as a Christian to see these red-shirted church-goers say gay people were somehow "defective" and didn't deserve the same legal rights as straights.

I once thought Hawaii took pride in our culture of "aloha" and tolerance. The beaches symbolized the open nature of people here... but now it's a place where people put up walls, fences and gates to keep anyone out that is "different" or not as wealthy as they are.

These are sad times, and I'm not willing to fight for any cause, unless it's for the benefit of ALL people in Hawaii -- regardless of race, religious views, income level, place of origin, and yes, sexual orientation. As long as we let differences divide us, nothing positive can be achieved on bigger issues that affect everyone.

End of rant. Don't know when I'll be back. It's up to YOU to do something if you want to see real change.