An email from Betty Jung on the Big Island was forwarded to us from someone in the State DLNR... in other words, the state can't do anything about beach access problems and it seems like the county "no can" either. So they refer people like her to groups like ours. Unfortunately, all we can do is continue to lobby for better laws and try to drum up more public support.
Here's her email and links to the West Hawaii Today newspaper articles about the situation:
Subject: Big Island "Pines" surf and beach
Aloha,
In the local newspaper, West Hawaii Today, on the dates of 7/16 and 7/19 there were articles regarding the closing off of gates to a road that leads to a locally popular beach and surf area known as "The Pines." The current access is through the National Energy Lab of Hawaii road. Due to the economy, as reported in the newspaper, NELHA is planning to close the gate at 4:30PM on Fridays and not reopen until Monday mornings. One newspaper article claimed that a paved road through an incomplete housing area to be known as Kohanaiki, is supposed to open their gate to the local traffic as access. All this is supposed to begin on August 1. As has happened in the past on this island, we have had the same type promise and then have been locked out for as much as two years. Since this area is so widely used by locals, not just for surfing, but for camping, family reunions, birthdays, weddings etc., we would like some guidance on writing a petition to the Hawaii County office or State office that might be of aid to us in keeping this area open. The locals who use this area are inclined to due diligence in maintaining the area for family use. Please help us keep this area open.
Mahalo, Betty Jung
Click here for the July 16 article, and here for the July 19 story on the energy lab gate closing.
I don't know enough about it to comment, other than to say they need to get organized and try to get some TV news coverage that might wake up the Big Island council. The state DLNR will do nothing as usual.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Guest Blogger: On Perseverance
Shannon Wood of the Windward Ahupua`a Alliance, sent this timely message about the need to stay the course when lobbying for changes in state law. The bill she writes about relates to climate change, which could affect sea levels and shoreline access. More importantly, it points out that our system of government requires persistence and patience.
On July 15, 2009, the Hawaii State Legislature overrode Governor Linda Lingle's veto of SB 266 CD1 (now ACT 20, Special Session 2009) to establish a Climate Change Task Force.
It took me four legislative sessions to get this on the books. I first started talking to lawmakers in late 2005, but no one was even willing to sponsor a resolution, let alone a bill, in the 2006 Session.
Then along came "An Inconvenient Truth" in the summer of 2006, and suddenly the political environment changed significantly; however, for a variety of reasons, it still took another three years to get the legislation enacted.
Many, many people worked together on Hawaii's climate change legislation -- including faith-based organizations and labor unions -- but this one was really my "baby." Twice this past Regular Session, I kept the bill alive by meeting with key legislators in both the State House and Senate who had major concerns about the costs given the slowdown in the economy.
I particularly want to thank four Hawaii environmental groups for their support: The Nature Conservancy, the Sierra Club, the Trust for Public Land, and the Blue Planet Foundation. Additional critical support came from the Environmental Law Program at the Richardson School of Law and the Center for Climate Adaptation & Policy at the University of Hawaii.
In all my years of political activism, only one other bill (establishing criminal penalties for owners of dogs legally designated as "dangerous") has kept me going... and going... and going as this one did. In that case, I was driven by the deaths of my cats by two dogs who came into our yard and killed them -- and all the owners were charged with were two leash law violations! Getting that bill on the books took 1,199 days.
And don't forget that it took over 30 years to get a beverage container deposit fee bill passed.
PATIENCE, PERSEVERANCE, PERSISTENCE, PARTNERSHIPS, PASSION... they really do work when it comes to making changes in How We Do Things Around Here.
I also believe that this climate change legislation could be a model for other states. Obviously, not all states will have to deal with sea level rise nor would they necessarily have the same the same entities or organizations on their task force, but the concept and the goals underlying the legislation would be the same.
As for public access issues, I've been told by Abbey Seth Mayer that his staff is working on a plan; however, Robert Harris from the Sierra Club feels that it will be years before any solid recommendations will be forthcoming. That's something we can change if there's enough interest in doing so.
Shannon Wood, President & Co-Founder, Windward Ahupua`a Alliance /Plug In & Power UP!/RECYCLING FOR CHANGE/BUST-A-DUMPER Campaign
Click here for SB 266 legislation text.
On July 15, 2009, the Hawaii State Legislature overrode Governor Linda Lingle's veto of SB 266 CD1 (now ACT 20, Special Session 2009) to establish a Climate Change Task Force.
It took me four legislative sessions to get this on the books. I first started talking to lawmakers in late 2005, but no one was even willing to sponsor a resolution, let alone a bill, in the 2006 Session.
Then along came "An Inconvenient Truth" in the summer of 2006, and suddenly the political environment changed significantly; however, for a variety of reasons, it still took another three years to get the legislation enacted.
Many, many people worked together on Hawaii's climate change legislation -- including faith-based organizations and labor unions -- but this one was really my "baby." Twice this past Regular Session, I kept the bill alive by meeting with key legislators in both the State House and Senate who had major concerns about the costs given the slowdown in the economy.
I particularly want to thank four Hawaii environmental groups for their support: The Nature Conservancy, the Sierra Club, the Trust for Public Land, and the Blue Planet Foundation. Additional critical support came from the Environmental Law Program at the Richardson School of Law and the Center for Climate Adaptation & Policy at the University of Hawaii.
In all my years of political activism, only one other bill (establishing criminal penalties for owners of dogs legally designated as "dangerous") has kept me going... and going... and going as this one did. In that case, I was driven by the deaths of my cats by two dogs who came into our yard and killed them -- and all the owners were charged with were two leash law violations! Getting that bill on the books took 1,199 days.
And don't forget that it took over 30 years to get a beverage container deposit fee bill passed.
PATIENCE, PERSEVERANCE, PERSISTENCE, PARTNERSHIPS, PASSION... they really do work when it comes to making changes in How We Do Things Around Here.
I also believe that this climate change legislation could be a model for other states. Obviously, not all states will have to deal with sea level rise nor would they necessarily have the same the same entities or organizations on their task force, but the concept and the goals underlying the legislation would be the same.
As for public access issues, I've been told by Abbey Seth Mayer that his staff is working on a plan; however, Robert Harris from the Sierra Club feels that it will be years before any solid recommendations will be forthcoming. That's something we can change if there's enough interest in doing so.
Shannon Wood, President & Co-Founder, Windward Ahupua`a Alliance /Plug In & Power UP!/RECYCLING FOR CHANGE/BUST-A-DUMPER Campaign
Click here for SB 266 legislation text.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Interesting article on Lanikai Beach woes
While Lanikai currently has more open public access to the beach than Kailua Beach, the lack of public parking and commercial activities are pushing residents to take action against the daily intrusions. And regular problems with drunk or rude idiots has some of them talking about closing off access ways.
What's the solution? I don't know... again, I think this is another reason we need a Hawaii Coastal Commission that would oversee issues such as commercial activities and public access, while creating long-term shoreline management policies for the entire state. Think the City Council or DLNR will do anything on their own? Right...
Anyhow, here's the Hawaii Independent link. Bookmark the site and check out their other local stories!
Home page: http://www.thehawaiiindependent.com/
What's the solution? I don't know... again, I think this is another reason we need a Hawaii Coastal Commission that would oversee issues such as commercial activities and public access, while creating long-term shoreline management policies for the entire state. Think the City Council or DLNR will do anything on their own? Right...
Anyhow, here's the Hawaii Independent link. Bookmark the site and check out their other local stories!
Home page: http://www.thehawaiiindependent.com/
Monday, July 6, 2009
Mahalos for a fun 4th of July!
Special thanks to Christine Crosby and Amy Hammond for putting together the Beach Access entry in this year's Kailua 4th of July parade! Christine is the one wearing the Magic Sandman costume, who is a character created by Amy for her popular children's book.
Although our group was small in numbers, we got huge cheers all up and down Kainalu Avenue from the thousands of people who lined the parade route. Many walked up to us and said "mahalo" for our efforts to protect beach access.
But to continue the fight, we still need your help and financial support. Please donate $5, $10 or whatever you can spare by using the PayPal link on the right side of the page. And keep spreading the word about our group!
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