Preservation stressed at sustainability gathering
By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer
To sustain the good life led by almost a million O'ahu residents, natural resources must be preserved, and economic development cannot come without environmental safeguards, urban planning and agricultural experts said yesterday at the 2004 City and County of Honolulu's sustainability workshop.
The theme of yesterday's workshop, land use and agriculture, played out before hundreds of architects, farmers and urban planners in the Stardust Theater aboard the Norwegian Star in Honolulu Harbor.
Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris opened the workshop with an impassioned speech about the need to conserve natural resources while further developing O'ahu's urban areas. Harris walked back and forth across the theater's stage, punctuating his message with hand gestures and pleas for cooperation from audience members.
The crowd loved it, whistling and clapping, as Harris smiled and asked them what they thought about his attempt to stall. The PowerPoint presentation temporarily malfunctioned, leaving the mayor with at least five minutes to ad-lib.
Once he began, Harris highlighted several present and future city initiatives aimed at accomplishing the goals outlined in his impromptu opening.
He said the city will work to revamp areas of Kuhio Avenue, adding trees and walkways to make it more pedestrian friendly. Solar- and wind-powered street lights will begin to appear in city parking lots in the near future. And he added that several fleets of city trucks use bio-diesel, such as used french fry grease, to power trucks.
"So if you see a city truck and smell french fries, that is your city bio-diesel fleet," Harris said.
The mayor also stressed the importance of emphasizing Hawai'i's unique cultures.
Harris headlined a trio of keynote speakers, including David C. Cole, president and chief executive officer of America Online founder Steve Case's Maui Land and Pineapple Co.; and Terry Shook, president and founder of Shook-Kelley, a strategic marketing firm based in Los Angeles and Charlotte, N.C.
Cole, who grew up in Honolulu, said he is committed to developing land on Maui by using environmentally sustainable practices.
Maui Land and Pineapple is the second largest land holding and operating company in Hawai'i.
"It (the sustainability discussion) will help the children in the future," said farmer Bruce Stupplebeen. "Without doing this, the future could go down the drain."
Reach Peter Boylan at 535-8110 or pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.
