Sierra Club criticizes Lingle

By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

In one of its harshest criticisms ever against Gov. Linda Lingle, the Sierra Club's Hawai'i Chapter yesterday denounced the first-year Republican for espousing a "pro-development, special-interest agenda."

Jeff Mikulina, director of the Hawai'i chapter, said he was particularly alarmed at comments she made Wednesday at the O'ahu Country Club before the Hawai'i

Developers Council. Lingle urged members to support candidates favorable to their causes rather than try to lobby them once they are in office.

"Lingle is making an unambiguous threat to state legislators who wish to protect the environment: Make it easier for developers, or you will be targeted during the next election," Mikulina said in a prepared statement.

Lingle was on Maui yesterday and could not be reached for comment.

Her comments came in reference to a judge's recent decision to halt the development of the Hokuli'a luxury agricultural lot subdivision in Kona until the developer obtains approval for the project from the Land Use Commission.

Lingle urged the Legislature to clear up ambiguities in state land-use law so future projects would not face a similar quandary, and she suggested to the developers that they support legislators sympathetic to their views on the subject.

The governor included a chapter, "Protecting Our Environment," in her election-time publication on political positions, "A New Beginning." And while the Sierra Club supported Democrat Mazie Hirono for governor last year, the group took a largely wait-and-see attitude toward Lingle when she took office last December.

There was concern about her environmental policies as mayor of Maui, Mikulina said yesterday. But "many Sierra Club members voted for her, and I think we all wanted to give her a fair shake going into her first term. But it's becoming very clear where her sensibilities lie," he said.

The group has expressed disappointment with the governor on several fronts. Lingle urged elimination of the state Land Use Commission, which was opposed vehemently by the Sierra Club.

The organization also objected to the appointment of Dan Davidson, longtime leader of the pro-development Land Use Research Foundation, as deputy director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

It chastised the governor for vetoing a measure that supporters say would have prevented inappropriate uses of farm lands.

The governor and other Republicans have made it clear their goal in the 2004 election season is to seek a majority in the House, where Democrats hold a 36-15 advantage.

Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com or at 525-8070.