Current Issues
February 2019
Civilbeat: Rushing to Save Kauai's Ohia Trees from a Deadly, Fast-Spreading Disease
Brittany Lyte
Click here to View Article
Civilbeat: Rushing to Save Kauai's Ohia Trees from a Deadly, Fast-Spreading Disease
Brittany Lyte
Click here to View Article
January 2018
Civilbeat: Saving Manoa's Monkeypods
By: Denby Fawcett
Click Here to View Article
June 2017
Billboards, billboards everywhere? No thanks
Los Angeles Times Editorial Board
June 5, 2017
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April 2017
Call To Action
Update on Bill 78
Update on Bill 78
Your Urgent Action Is Needed TODAY: Submit online testimony to stop final passage of Bill 78 which allows for ads on almost any city property or assets.
Even if you already submitted testimony opposing Bill 78 at a committee hearing, it is VERY IMPORTANT to submit it again right now to the full council! Here’s how you can submit online testimony right now before the April 26th full Council Meeting: 1. Follow this link to submit testimony online: http://www.honolulu.gov/ccl-testimony-form.html 2. Fill out the form online. Meeting Date is April 26, 2017. Where the form asks for "Council/PH Committee,” select “Council” from the menu. Agenda Item is “Bill 78." 3. Check the box that says you Oppose the bill. 4. Insert your testimony where the form says “Written Testimony." Sample testimony is presented below. You can use all, any part or none of it. 5. Check the “Accept Terms” button at the bottom of the form. 6. You can also fax your testimony to 808-768-3827. After you submit your testimony, make plans to attend the hearing on Wednesday, April 26, at 10 AM at Honolulu Hale, 530 South King St. And bring friends with you if possible. Even though the meeting starts at 10 am it will probably be 10:30 or 11 before this bill comes up. You can speak at the hearing, but you do not have to. Your presence will make a statement. Bill 78 is the sponsorship bill that lets the City and County of Honolulu sell outdoor ads on all City property and most vehicles and equipment. Imagine all parks, sidewalks, fire trucks, benches, buildings, lifeguard stands, lamp posts, garbage cans or even streets covered in ads! The Outdoor Circle opposes Bill 78 because: 1. It violates the Hawaii Outdoor State Advertising law. 2. It will add new sign clutter and visual blight all over the Island of Oahu with no limits on the size or number of signs and no public input. 3. It is not necessary. Private donors can contribute to parks and other civic improvements now and receive recognition. The only reason for this Bill is to allow signs to be put up on city property. SAMPLE TESTIMONY Testimony Opposing Bill 78 Council Meeting April 26, 2017 As a member of The Outdoor Circle I am opposed to Bill 78 because it would increase sign clutter in parks and on public buildings and equipment throughout the Island of Oahu. Throughout its 104 year history, The Outdoor Circle has been dedicated to eliminating visual blight and sign clutter in Hawaii. We advocated for and strongly support Hawaii’s sign law because it prohibits all outdoor, off-site advertising signs. This means that no one can display visual messages anywhere outdoors except on their own property. The final version of Bill 78 Relating to Sponsorships seriously threatens to weaken our sign laws because it allows the City to put up off-site advertising signs in return for a financial payment. This clearly violates the intent of Hawaii’s sign law. If it is allowed to pass, it will begin the erosion of that law. Bill 78 puts no limitations on the size or number of “sponsorship recognition displays or messages” that can be posted in city parks or on city buildings or equipment such as garbage trucks, street maintenance equipment or fire trucks. And it provides for no public input on how these signs would look. Bill 78 is not needed. Civic-minded organizations, companies and individuals will make donations to support our parks and other public facilities without the need to put up signs. Hawaii is one of only 4 states in the U.S. that does not allow off-site outdoor advertising. Why would a civic-minded benefactor want to break this important tradition that has been so valuable to our State? I urge you to take a stand today in support of strong sign laws. Please vote against Bill 78. Future generations will thank you for preserving the scenic beauty of Oahu. |
Call To Action
Bill 78 Opposition
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September 2016
Call To Action
Protect the Honomu War Memorial Banyan Tree!
UPDATE: On September 21st, there was a meeting held to determine the future of this incredible tree.
Due to the immense amount of public testimony in support of its preservation, a certified city arborist will soon be
assessing the tree and offering their opinion of the situation. We will provide further updates as we receive them.
In the meantime, please continue to sign our petition to save this incredible tree. Mahalo!
Click here to sign a petition to save this tree.
Due to the immense amount of public testimony in support of its preservation, a certified city arborist will soon be
assessing the tree and offering their opinion of the situation. We will provide further updates as we receive them.
In the meantime, please continue to sign our petition to save this incredible tree. Mahalo!
Click here to sign a petition to save this tree.
One of the largest and most majestic banyans in Hawai‘i is threatened to be cut down by Hawai‘i County due to a complaint about the
tree providing too much shade and being a "safety issue." This banyan is located at Honomu Park and is frequently visited by locals and tourists alike as it is located on the way to Akaka Falls.
Please call and ask for any and all action to remove the Honomu War Memorial Banyan Tree be stopped until there can be wider community input. The hazardous tree ordinance does not require that an entire tree be removed, only that hazards be appropriately addressed. At this point it is unclear whether the trees predate the home, but if the trees were there first, the county ordinance does
not apply.
These trees are on the nominations list for statewide Exceptional Trees but since the Mayor has not appointed anyone to the county arborist advisory commission, a state-mandated commission, it has not advanced. In lieu of county action, the trees should be considered as ‘exceptional.'
Other options, such as trimming and root pruning need to be considered. These trees are a focal point for the town and an attraction for tourists, helping to ensure that people stop and visit shops in the town center after visiting the waterfall.
Please call to express your concerns as well as sign our petition to save this tree!
Hawai‘i County Mayor: Billie Kenoi ~ Ph: (808) 961-8211 ~ email: [email protected]
Hawai‘i County District 1 Rep: Valerie Poindexter ~ Ph: (808) 961-8018 ~ email [email protected]
Parks and Recreation Superintendent: Pat Daly ~ Ph: (808) 961-8719 ~ email: [email protected]
Executive Assistant to Mayor Billy Kenoi: Craig Kawaguchi ~ Ph: 808-961-8211
Public Information Officer for Parks and Recreation: Jason Armstrong ~ Ph. 808-961-8311
Click here to sign a petition to save this tree.
Mahalo!
tree providing too much shade and being a "safety issue." This banyan is located at Honomu Park and is frequently visited by locals and tourists alike as it is located on the way to Akaka Falls.
Please call and ask for any and all action to remove the Honomu War Memorial Banyan Tree be stopped until there can be wider community input. The hazardous tree ordinance does not require that an entire tree be removed, only that hazards be appropriately addressed. At this point it is unclear whether the trees predate the home, but if the trees were there first, the county ordinance does
not apply.
These trees are on the nominations list for statewide Exceptional Trees but since the Mayor has not appointed anyone to the county arborist advisory commission, a state-mandated commission, it has not advanced. In lieu of county action, the trees should be considered as ‘exceptional.'
Other options, such as trimming and root pruning need to be considered. These trees are a focal point for the town and an attraction for tourists, helping to ensure that people stop and visit shops in the town center after visiting the waterfall.
Please call to express your concerns as well as sign our petition to save this tree!
Hawai‘i County Mayor: Billie Kenoi ~ Ph: (808) 961-8211 ~ email: [email protected]
Hawai‘i County District 1 Rep: Valerie Poindexter ~ Ph: (808) 961-8018 ~ email [email protected]
Parks and Recreation Superintendent: Pat Daly ~ Ph: (808) 961-8719 ~ email: [email protected]
Executive Assistant to Mayor Billy Kenoi: Craig Kawaguchi ~ Ph: 808-961-8211
Public Information Officer for Parks and Recreation: Jason Armstrong ~ Ph. 808-961-8311
Click here to sign a petition to save this tree.
Mahalo!
Light Pollution - August 22, 2016
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Offshore Wind Farms - July 14, 2016
It has been brought to our attention that view planes around Oahu may be at risk, along with many other issues for offshore Puena Point. Please read below to educate yourself about this issue in order to ensure that the appropriate actions are taken.
NOTE to STAKEHOLDERS
July 8, 2016
BOEM (Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management)
You're Invited: Public Scoping Meetings on
Potential Oahu Offshore Wind
Aloha,
On June 22, 2016, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Abigail Ross Hopper announced a major step in BOEM's Hawaii offshore wind planning process.
In addition to issuing a Call for Information and Nominations (Call) to gauge interest in acquiring commercial wind leases in areas offshore Oahu and solicit comments on potential multiple use and environmental considerations relating to wind development in those areas, BOEM issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA). Through the Notice of Intent (NOI), BOEM is seeking public comment for determining issues and alternatives to be analyzed in the EA, which will consider potential environmental impacts associated with issuing future commercial wind leases and approving site assessment activities on the lease areas.
Please note that the issuance of these notices is a very early step in BOEM's offshore wind process, and BOEM has not yet determined whether it would be appropriate to issue commercial wind leases in all or part of the areas included in the Call. Stakeholder comments and input will be critical to informing BOEM's decision-making process moving forward.
BOEM has scheduled the following public scoping meetings to provide opportunities for the public to comment on the EA.
Tuesday, July 19, 2016; 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
McKinley High School
1039 South King Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
Wednesday July 20, 2016; 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Waianae Intermediate School
85-626 Farrington Highway
Waianae, Hawaii 96792
Thursday July 21, 2016; 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Waialua Elementary School
67-020 Waialua Beach Road
Waialua, Hawaii 96791
The NOI was published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2016, and BOEM will accept public comments for 45 days (ending on August 8, 2016) via the following:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// www.regulations.gov. In the field entitled, ''Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter BOEM-2016-0049, and then click ''search.'' Follow the instructions to submit public comments and view supporting and related materials available for this notice;
or
2. U.S. mail: Mail in an envelope labeled ''Comments on Hawaii EA'' and addressed to Regional Director, BOEM Pacific OCS Region, 760 Paseo Camarillo, Suite 102, Camarillo, California 93010.
3. Public Scoping Meetings: Per the schedule above, comments will be accepted during these meetings on Oahu.
For more information about offshore wind planning efforts for Hawaii, go tohttp://www.boem.gov/Hawaii.
Mahalo.
John D. Romero, public affairs officer
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Office of Public Affairs - Pacific Region
760 Paseo Camarillo
Camarillo, CA 93010
July 8, 2016
BOEM (Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management)
You're Invited: Public Scoping Meetings on
Potential Oahu Offshore Wind
Aloha,
On June 22, 2016, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Abigail Ross Hopper announced a major step in BOEM's Hawaii offshore wind planning process.
In addition to issuing a Call for Information and Nominations (Call) to gauge interest in acquiring commercial wind leases in areas offshore Oahu and solicit comments on potential multiple use and environmental considerations relating to wind development in those areas, BOEM issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA). Through the Notice of Intent (NOI), BOEM is seeking public comment for determining issues and alternatives to be analyzed in the EA, which will consider potential environmental impacts associated with issuing future commercial wind leases and approving site assessment activities on the lease areas.
Please note that the issuance of these notices is a very early step in BOEM's offshore wind process, and BOEM has not yet determined whether it would be appropriate to issue commercial wind leases in all or part of the areas included in the Call. Stakeholder comments and input will be critical to informing BOEM's decision-making process moving forward.
BOEM has scheduled the following public scoping meetings to provide opportunities for the public to comment on the EA.
Tuesday, July 19, 2016; 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
McKinley High School
1039 South King Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
Wednesday July 20, 2016; 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Waianae Intermediate School
85-626 Farrington Highway
Waianae, Hawaii 96792
Thursday July 21, 2016; 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Waialua Elementary School
67-020 Waialua Beach Road
Waialua, Hawaii 96791
The NOI was published in the Federal Register on June 24, 2016, and BOEM will accept public comments for 45 days (ending on August 8, 2016) via the following:
1. Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// www.regulations.gov. In the field entitled, ''Enter Keyword or ID,'' enter BOEM-2016-0049, and then click ''search.'' Follow the instructions to submit public comments and view supporting and related materials available for this notice;
or
2. U.S. mail: Mail in an envelope labeled ''Comments on Hawaii EA'' and addressed to Regional Director, BOEM Pacific OCS Region, 760 Paseo Camarillo, Suite 102, Camarillo, California 93010.
3. Public Scoping Meetings: Per the schedule above, comments will be accepted during these meetings on Oahu.
For more information about offshore wind planning efforts for Hawaii, go tohttp://www.boem.gov/Hawaii.
Mahalo.
John D. Romero, public affairs officer
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Office of Public Affairs - Pacific Region
760 Paseo Camarillo
Camarillo, CA 93010
Call to Action- April 15, 2016
Dear TOC supporters,
The North Shore Outdoor Circle needs all of our support to stop a proposed development of open space and a restored fish pond in Haleiwa town.
At risk: Loko’Ea Pond:
The proposed development is called the Shops at Anahulu: a 5,000 sq. ft. building and parking lot to be built on a 1/2 acre commercial lot at the corner of Kam Hwy and Loko’Ea Place adjacent to the Fish Pond and across the street from Haleiwa Beach Park.
Because this is right by the ocean, the developer needs a Special Management Area Use Permit. There will be a hearing on his application for the permit next Tuesday, April 19 at 10:30 AM at the Ali’i Surfing Beach Park in Haleiwa. We are trying to generate as much attendance and testimony for this hearing as possible. Written testimony can be submitted in advance of the hearing to Alex Beatty ([email protected]) referencing the permit application number: 2016/SMA-15.
This hearing is being conducted by the Department of Planning and Permitting. After their review, it goes to the full City Council for another hearing and vote.
NSOC decided to oppose this development because it blocks the view of the Fish Pond from Kam Hwy and removes the opportunity to preserve open space in that location. The Fish Pond actually belongs to Kamehameha Schools and is currently being restored by Malama Loko’Ea Foundation to once again be a working fish pond. The parcel of land proposed for the development is owned by Queen Liliuokalani Trust.
NSOC has met with the North Shore Community Land Trust about the potential for voluntary land conservation if the land owner is willing to sell a conservation easement on the land. The state also has some money available for this type of land conservation. Yesterday, NSOC met with the Vice President of Queen Liliuokalani Trust to open dialog with them. They expressed some interest in the conservation easement but made it clear that the developer as well as Kamehameha Schools would have to agree to the plan.
Please submit your written testimony in support of keeping this open space and in opposition to the proposed development to the email address above. Then, please further support the preservation of this space by attending the meeting on Tuesday, April 19th as mentioned above—your voice counts and matters greatly.
See you in Haleiwa on Tuesday!
The North Shore Outdoor Circle needs all of our support to stop a proposed development of open space and a restored fish pond in Haleiwa town.
At risk: Loko’Ea Pond:
The proposed development is called the Shops at Anahulu: a 5,000 sq. ft. building and parking lot to be built on a 1/2 acre commercial lot at the corner of Kam Hwy and Loko’Ea Place adjacent to the Fish Pond and across the street from Haleiwa Beach Park.
Because this is right by the ocean, the developer needs a Special Management Area Use Permit. There will be a hearing on his application for the permit next Tuesday, April 19 at 10:30 AM at the Ali’i Surfing Beach Park in Haleiwa. We are trying to generate as much attendance and testimony for this hearing as possible. Written testimony can be submitted in advance of the hearing to Alex Beatty ([email protected]) referencing the permit application number: 2016/SMA-15.
This hearing is being conducted by the Department of Planning and Permitting. After their review, it goes to the full City Council for another hearing and vote.
NSOC decided to oppose this development because it blocks the view of the Fish Pond from Kam Hwy and removes the opportunity to preserve open space in that location. The Fish Pond actually belongs to Kamehameha Schools and is currently being restored by Malama Loko’Ea Foundation to once again be a working fish pond. The parcel of land proposed for the development is owned by Queen Liliuokalani Trust.
NSOC has met with the North Shore Community Land Trust about the potential for voluntary land conservation if the land owner is willing to sell a conservation easement on the land. The state also has some money available for this type of land conservation. Yesterday, NSOC met with the Vice President of Queen Liliuokalani Trust to open dialog with them. They expressed some interest in the conservation easement but made it clear that the developer as well as Kamehameha Schools would have to agree to the plan.
Please submit your written testimony in support of keeping this open space and in opposition to the proposed development to the email address above. Then, please further support the preservation of this space by attending the meeting on Tuesday, April 19th as mentioned above—your voice counts and matters greatly.
See you in Haleiwa on Tuesday!
Bill 78 Update - April 15, 2016
Many thanks for those of you who responded to our call for action on this bill last month! Your phone calls, emails, and showing up in person make a big difference. The bill was deferred until further notice, but still technically remains ‘alive’ and we must watch vigilantly for the next couple of years that it is not put on the agenda (which could happen with as little as 24 hours notice) before an official meeting. Please continue to express your opposition to this bill or any similar bills that come up in the future like it to your local city council member. The Outdoor Circle will continue to monitor the situation, but we hope our unanimous opposition to this bill was heard loudly and clearly in city hall, and that it will remain deferred indefinitely.