Bill would preserve environment, provide affordable housing for many
By Laura E. Thielen, Marjorie Ziegler, Betty Lou Larson, Margot L. Schrire, Cha Smith, Terri Brooks, Mark Fox, Darlene Hein, Stanlyn Placen
For those who are pessimistic about local politics, it is important to highlight what can happen when everyone works together.
Just recently, Gov. Linda Lingle signed House Bill 1308, also known as the Legacy Lands Act, in a ceremony attended by representatives from both parties in the Legislature, affordable-housing advocates, homeless service providers, conservation groups, Native Hawaiian representatives, farmers and landowners.
The governor correctly noted that the name Legacy Lands Act represents only a fraction of the benefits this bill will provide.
While the bill could help protect such beloved community lands as Pupukea-Paumalu, Honu'apo Bay, and Moanalua Valley, its effects will also be felt in watersheds and natural area reserves around the state where efforts to protect our forests and pure sources of drinking water will be given a huge boost.
Perhaps most importantly, the approved act will dedicate millions to increase affordable rental housing in Hawai'i at a time when many local families are struggling to find living space in the face of a booming real-estate market.
Our broad coalition would like to acknowledge the initiative of the Legislature and bill introducers House Speaker Calvin Say and state Sen. Russell Kokubun. These legislators and many others helped make the dream of new funding for affordable housing and conservation a reality.
The Legacy Lands Act is truly a visionary bill that will benefit future generations.
The Legacy Lands Act garnered almost unanimous support from hundreds of citizens, nonprofit organizations, businesses and others. With the governor's signing, the bill officially becomes Act 156 and took effect on July 1.
The vision and leadership of both the Legislature and the governor will give Hawai'i a fair mechanism to generate revenue from high-end property sales and then devote these badly needed funds to proven programs that enhance our environment and help build strong families and communities. We believe that the greater 'ohana in Hawai'i will directly benefit from the hundreds of units of affordable rental housing and open-space protection that will result from this act.
Affordable Housing & Homeless Alliance, Laura E. Thielen, executive director; Conservation Council for Hawai'i, Marjorie Ziegler, executive director; Catholic Charities Hawai'i, Betty Lou Larson, housing programs director; Institute for Human Services Inc., Margot L. Schrire, public relations & volunteer manager; KAHEA — The Hawaiian Environmental Alliance, Cha Smith, executive director; Homeless Solutions, Terri Brooks, executive director; Nature Conservancy of Hawai'i, Mark Fox, director of external affairs; Waikiki Health Center, Darlene Hein, program coordinator; Waianae Community Outreach, Stanlyn Placentia, executive director; North Shore Community Land Trust, Blake McElheny, president; Homeless Services consulting, Michael Ullman, consultant; Sierra Club Hawai'i chapter, Jeffrey Mikulina, executive director; Trans Pacific Housing Corp., René Berthiaume; Trust for Public Land, Joshua Stanbro, project manager Hawai'i; Hale Kipa Inc., Alika Campbell, program coordinator; Honolulu Community Action Program Inc., Tom Matsuda, assistant director of community service programs; Windward Homeless Coalition, Robert Naniole, chairman.
