Vegetation Legislation Advances

This just in from Lucinda Pyles on the vegetation bill...

HB1808 has been referred to three Senate Committees. As before time is critical and it is very helpful when the Committee Chairs get calls and faxes requesting HB1808 be heard. Then of course once scheduled for hearing, testimony in support, however simple it may be, is also very important. You can follow the progress of the bill, see text and amendments, check for a hearing date/time and submit testimony all on this link. Just enter HB1808. Bill Status & Documents or http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2010/

The three committees are:

Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs Committee (WTL)
Senator Clayton Hee, Chair
Phone 808-586-7330; Fax 808-586-7334
e-mail senhee@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee (TIA)
Senator J. Kalani English , Chair
phone 808-587-7225; fax 808-587-7230
From Maui, toll free 984-2400 + 77225
E-mail senenglish@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Judiciary and Government Operations Committee (JGO)
Senator Brian T. Taniguchi , Chair
phone 808-586-6460; fax 808-586-6461
e-mail sentaniguchi@Capitol.hawaii.gov

And for good measure... (after all she is running for election)

Colleen Hanabusa, Senate President
Phone 808-586-7793; Fax 808-586-7797
Email senhanabusa@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Gary L. Hooser, Majority Leader
Phone 808-586-6030; Fax 808-586-6031
From Kauai, toll free 274-3141 + 66030
E-mail senhooser@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Thanks a bunch.

Lucinda
372-9323

State Legislative Update

At least two bills related to shoreline access are still alive, according to my sources. Stuart Coleman of Surfrider has been talking to legislators about a carry-over bill from last year, SB1088, which would make it more feasible for citizens to go to court over blocked beach access ways. Rep. Karamatsu told Stuart that he didn't see any reason to hold it back. We'll see.

As for the vegetation bill, HB1808, Lucinda Pyles sent this update:

Thank you to all who have contributed to this effort to getting this bill, addressing the induced vegetation overgrowth onto our beaches, this far.

HB1808 has passed, with amendments, all three House committees (WLO, JUD & FIN) it was referred to with all voting members in support. Last night, another Neighborhood Board, Hawaii Kai, passed a resolution in support, (Waialae-Kahala, Kuliouou-Kalani and Kailua-Lanikai had already). DLNR, DBEDT, OHA and the Sierra Club are in support and many others.

Next week is cross over to the Senate. We are hoping it will be referred to just one Senate Committee since three House Committees have already heard it.

My understanding is that it is likely to be referred to Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs Committee, Clayton Hee Chair and Jill Tokuda Vice-Chair. Committee members are Senators Bunda, Fukunaga, Kokubun, Takamine and Hemmings.

Please have your testimony ready :)

Lucinda
732-6262
Email: kahalabob@aol.com

Shoreline Vegetation Gets Attention

While I'm glad the issue of oceanfront property owners using plants to grab more beach land is getting attention, I wish the State Legislature would address a bigger matter: we still do NOT have any state law for public beach access minimum standards. All we have for Oahu are "suggested guidelines" by the City Council, which are unenforceable.

Anyhow, if you want to put a stop to overgrown beachfront vegetation by homeowners, there is a bill you can submit testimony in support of: HB1808.

Date/Time/Place: Thursday, Feb. 4th, 2:20 PM, State Capitol Room 325

Please submit testimony online at: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/emailtestimony

Type in HB1808 where you're asked to enter the measure for the latest hearing info. If the bill advances there will be more hearings, so save your testimony to resend later!

Also, you can view an Olelo program about this subject or watch it on YouTube. Here's more info below:

Rep. Barbara Marumoto discusses Kahala Beach with long-time resident Lucinda Pyles and Dolan Eversole, Coastal Geology Extension Agent, UH Sea Grant College Program. The show identifies the problem of obstruction of lateral access, recreational use and natural beach processes. It provides a historical reference as to why this needs to be addressed now -- before more beaches are lost forever.

Part 1 Click here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqerUoevrrw

Part 2 Click here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP7fL9ghBHc

Part 3 Click here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTDvb1QRlas

The program will also run on Channel 54:
2/28/10 Sun. 7:00 pm
3/1/10 Mon. 9:00 am
3/2/10 Tue. 8:30 am
3/3/10 Wed. 6:00 pm