Environment groups unite on legislative priorities

By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

Organizations with an environmental bent presented a unified agenda for this year's legislative session yesterday that includes money for natural area reserves, community-based management of coastal marine resources and enforcement of cruise ship pollution.

Marjorie Ziegler, director for the Conservation Council of Hawai'i, said the groups all support legislation that would raise the state conveyance tax on property transactions in order to establish a dedicated source of money for the state's 19 natural area reserves.

Currently, the state must come up with $1 million to $2 million in its budget each year to maintain natural area reserves such as Mount Ka'ala and Ka'ena Point on O'ahu, and Lake Waiau near the summit of the Big Island's Mauna Kea.

"There are some very special places in this legacy that we've established, but we need to fund them," Ziegler said, noting that many require diligent management and monitoring to remain unspoiled. Ziegler said she would eventually like to see the natural area reserves receive $5 million annually.

Linda Paul, executive director of the Hawai'i Audubon Society, said the groups also support House Bill 26, which would have the Department of Land and Natural Resources set up a series of community-based, co-managed marine areas.

"While it does not work in every instance, in those areas where the communities are willing to take on the stewardship and responsibilities for their local marine resources, it has proven to be an effective tool," Paul said.

Cha Smith, executive director of the Hawaiian environmental alliance Kahea, called for strong pollution controls over the burgeoning cruise industry. The existing memorandum of understanding allows industry officials to enforce themselves, she said, but "this industry is incapable of managing itself."

Smith said California and Alaska had enacted statutes that protect coastal waters.

Other groups taking part in yesterday's press conference were the Sierra Club Hawai'i Chapter, the 'Ilio 'Ula o Kalani Coalition and Hawai'i Clean Elections.

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