Environmental coalition
promotes 2004 agenda
Protecting the state's coastlines, ocean waters, agricultural land and nature reserves are top legislative issues, says a coalition of environmental, native Hawaiian and community organizations.
Calling their legislative agenda "Sustainable Solutions 2004," the groups said they are determined to work together to support legislation that would:
>> Increase penalties for muddy runoff from construction sites to the ocean.Members of the coalition are the Hawaii Sierra Club, Conservation Council of Hawaii, 'Ilio'ulaokalani Coalition, Hawaii Audubon Society, Hawaii Clean Elections and KAHEA, the Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance.
>> Require utilities to increase the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources.
>> Create state regulations on cruise ship pollution.
>> Protect agricultural lands from wide-scale development.
>> Fund programs to protect native plants and animals from invasive species.
>> Fund state purchase of coastlines.
The issues "help both Hawaii's environment and economy in many ways," said Jeff Mikulina, director of the state Sierra Club. He noted that Hawaii's tourism industry depends on its natural beauty.
Marjorie Ziegler, Conservation Council for Hawaii executive director, urged an increase in the state's conveyance tax (which is paid when property is sold) be earmarked to fund the state Natural Area Reserves. The reserves are ecosystems that house some of the state's rarest plants and animals, but have no designated revenue source.
Hawaii Audubon's Linda Paul said she will push a bill that will allow coastal communities to establish local rules on fishing and other ocean resources.
The coalition's agenda, including relevant bill numbers, can be seen at www.hi.sierraclub.org/legislative.