The Honolulu Advertiser ran another cursory article about the latest beach erosion study, without questioning whatever happened with prior studies or asking why different agencies and counties don't share information they already have!
For what it's worth, click here for the story link and reader comments.
Meanwhile, UH Sea Grant and the State DLNR are doing a separate study of Kailua Beach, which will cover similar ground. In recent years, both Kauai and Maui also commissioned studies pertaining to erosion and setbacks. Each time they develop their own criteria and pay someone to create reports that could have been standardized and used as templates for all islands and beaches. Instead, they reinvent the wheel over and over. So there goes another $100,000 of taxpayer money down the drain for a report that will probably be put on a shelf with all the other studies done over the past 10-20 years.
But according to the same people who get hired to do these studies, we don't need a joint State/Counties task force or coastal commission to coordinate this stuff. Well, I guess if your main concern is job security, that makes perfect sense. At the rate they're going, by the time their studies are complete, many of our beaches will be severely diminished due to inaction. And they'll all be retired with generous civil servant benefits.
We don't need more studies to confirm what our eyes tell us is happening right NOW. Just walk along Kailua Beach and count the number of houses being rebuilt closer to the ocean! In five years or less, those parts of the beach will begin to look just like the shrunken shoreline along Lanikai and Kahala Beach.
BREAKING NEWS: Rep. Cynthia Thielen says she's working on another angle to halt "seaward creep" since the State Legislature failed to pass her bill to freeze setbacks on Kailua Beach. New City Councilman Ikaika Anderson says he will bring up the subject this year, but was vague as to when. I'll believe it when I see it.
Showing posts with label Rep. Cynthia Thielen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rep. Cynthia Thielen. Show all posts
Friday, June 12, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Kahala Beach Vegetation Update
The Honolulu Advertiser ran a follow-up story today about the overgrown vegetation that is impeding shoreline access along Kahala Beach. A year ago, the State DLNR notified 12 landowners that they had to cut back the naupaka and other plants that were growing right down to the high water line. To date, only one has complied.
And what's the State's response? Um, well, we don't have the time or money to do anything about it. That's according to Sam Lemmo, the same DLNR guy who opposed my proposal to create a joint State/counties task force to address issues such as this! Why? Because the State and counties both are unwilling (or unable due to jurisdiction problems) to take responsibility for management of our coastlines and beaches.
Unfortunately, the article didn't do a very good job of framing the bigger issues of shoreline management and the need for a Hawaii Coastal Commission to oversee statewide policies. The reporter also took a comment I made about vegetation speeding up erosion out of context, because it made it sound like I was saying natural vegetation increases erosion. That is NOT what I said. I was referring specifically to plantings by landowners in front of homes that were built TOO CLOSE TO THE OCEAN. Besides disturbing the natural ebb and flow of sand and water, just as seawalls do, these artificial plantings are a blatant land grab by those homeowners.
Sheesh. But it was apparent from talking to this reporter that she had no intention of going out herself to check any of the beaches or problems I was talking about. She also didn't bother to speak to Rep. Thielen about the Kailua setbacks bill defeat, which is related to shoreline conservation efforts. Nor did she bother to speak to newly-elected City Councilman Ikaika Anderson, who presumably should have something to say about shoreline setbacks and vegetation, since those matters currently fall under county jurisdiction.
Anyhow, you can read the article by clicking here. Half-assed reporting is better than no follow-up at all, I suppose.
Advertiser link:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090601/NEWS01/906010331
And what's the State's response? Um, well, we don't have the time or money to do anything about it. That's according to Sam Lemmo, the same DLNR guy who opposed my proposal to create a joint State/counties task force to address issues such as this! Why? Because the State and counties both are unwilling (or unable due to jurisdiction problems) to take responsibility for management of our coastlines and beaches.
Unfortunately, the article didn't do a very good job of framing the bigger issues of shoreline management and the need for a Hawaii Coastal Commission to oversee statewide policies. The reporter also took a comment I made about vegetation speeding up erosion out of context, because it made it sound like I was saying natural vegetation increases erosion. That is NOT what I said. I was referring specifically to plantings by landowners in front of homes that were built TOO CLOSE TO THE OCEAN. Besides disturbing the natural ebb and flow of sand and water, just as seawalls do, these artificial plantings are a blatant land grab by those homeowners.
Sheesh. But it was apparent from talking to this reporter that she had no intention of going out herself to check any of the beaches or problems I was talking about. She also didn't bother to speak to Rep. Thielen about the Kailua setbacks bill defeat, which is related to shoreline conservation efforts. Nor did she bother to speak to newly-elected City Councilman Ikaika Anderson, who presumably should have something to say about shoreline setbacks and vegetation, since those matters currently fall under county jurisdiction.
Anyhow, you can read the article by clicking here. Half-assed reporting is better than no follow-up at all, I suppose.
Advertiser link:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090601/NEWS01/906010331
Friday, March 6, 2009
Rep. Thielen Setback Bill Moves Forward
Quick update: HB593, which would establish a two-year moratorium on Kailua Beach shoreline building setbacks, cleared the House Finance Committee hearing on Thurs., March 5. There were 15 "ayes," and no votes against.
It will now cross over to the Senate side, where the bill will be assigned to the appropriate committees for more hearings. But so far, looking good!
However, we must continue to lobby the Honolulu City Council to do something quickly to protect Oahu's vanishing beaches. Building setbacks are really in their jurisdiction. A special election will be held to fill the seat of Barbara Marshall, who recently passed away. Our condolences go out to her family and many friends.
Although we may have disagreed with her stand on certain issues, she did work hard for what she felt was best for the citizens she represented. She also had to deal with a divided City Council. Hopefully, her replacement will be able to do more to protect shoreline access, and persuade the City Council to be proactive on beach conservation.
After all, if we continue to lose more of our beaches, and make it harder for people to reach the beach, what will happen to Hawaii's appeal as a world class travel destination?
It will now cross over to the Senate side, where the bill will be assigned to the appropriate committees for more hearings. But so far, looking good!
However, we must continue to lobby the Honolulu City Council to do something quickly to protect Oahu's vanishing beaches. Building setbacks are really in their jurisdiction. A special election will be held to fill the seat of Barbara Marshall, who recently passed away. Our condolences go out to her family and many friends.
Although we may have disagreed with her stand on certain issues, she did work hard for what she felt was best for the citizens she represented. She also had to deal with a divided City Council. Hopefully, her replacement will be able to do more to protect shoreline access, and persuade the City Council to be proactive on beach conservation.
After all, if we continue to lose more of our beaches, and make it harder for people to reach the beach, what will happen to Hawaii's appeal as a world class travel destination?
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