The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is celebrating Earth Month in collaborations with several Earth Day events to share stewardship tips with the public. Together we can all protect our natural and cultural resources for a healthy environment and a clean world.

“DLNR is attending these events, along with several other organizations, to draw attention to the care of our resources during Earth Month. We encourage anyone to bring the family out to celebrate Earth Day and learn more about what the Department is doing, and what individuals can do, to be good stewards of Hawaii’s resources,” said Chairperson William J. Aila, Jr., “We’re thankful for the hard work and commitment of the organization hosting community events focusing on our environment.”
Scheduled Events
Oahu
April 13, 2013
Saturday 9 am – 2 pm
Mauka to Makai Oceans Day at Waikiki Aquarium
This family-friendly event will have hands on educational displays and showcase more than 20 city, state, and federal agencies that are aimed to preserve and protect Hawaii’s environment. The City & County of Honolulu and State of Hawaii Department of Health host this Earth Day celebration at Waikiki Aquarium with an emphasis on the Island’s unique water resources from mauka to makai.
The event is free; trolley service from Waikiki Elementary school will start at 8:45AM.
DLNR’s Division of Aquatic Resources Sea Urchin Hatchery, Commission on Water Resources Management, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and the co-managed Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary are participating and will have informational booths and activities for kids. DAR Sea Urchin Hatchery is donating 200 native collector sea urchins to the Waikiki Aquarium as part of the Mauka to Makai Expo.
For more information visit
www.waquarium.org/news-events.html or www.cleanwaterhonolulu.com/storm/
April 13-14, 2013
Saturday 9 am – 7 pm and Sunday 9 am – 5 pm
Ocean Expo at Neil Blaisdell Convention Center – Exhibition Hall
DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) and the Aquatic Invasive Species; DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) will team with the USCG Auxiliary, Honolulu Sail and Power Squadron, Hawaii Ocean Safety Team (HOST); and the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) are participating to meet and greet the public and provide information and family activities. Special guest appearance of Coastie the Safety Boat.
For more information visit
www.hawaiioceanexpo.com/
April 20, 2013
Saturday, 9:30 am – 3 pm
Honolulu Zoo Earth Day
DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary are participating in a family friendly Earth Day event coordinated by The Honolulu Zoo. DLNR DOFAW staff are participating to share information on Project Learning Tree and forestry information on landowner assistance programs along with samples of educational posters, coloring books, and activities for kids. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary booth will share information about the sanctuary program, the humpback whales and the disentanglement program and children’s marine science activities.
Note: Event requires zoo admission.
For more information visit
www.honoluluzoo.org
April 20, 2013
Saturday, 10 am – 2 pm
Earth Day at Windward Mall Center Court
DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) is participating in a family friendly Earth Day event coordinated by The Nature Conservancy. Along with informational booths the Aquatic Invasive Species booth will have invasive algae samples, juvenile urchins, a Super Sucker video and the Marine Wildlife Program will have a hands on activity to teach kids how to make barbless circle hooks and to share information about the population, diet, and responsible viewing of monk seals and sea turtles.
For more information visit
www.windwardmall.com/event/earth-day-at-windward-mall/
April 20, 2013
Saturday, Noon – 4 pm
Earth Day at Sea Life Park
Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii and Sea Life Park are hosting the annual Earth Day Cleanup and continuing the fun with an Arts & Music Festival. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary booth will share information about the sanctuary program, the humpback whales and the disentanglement program and children’s marine science activities.
For more information visit
www.facebook.com/SeaLifeHawaii
April 20, 2013
Saturday, 10 am – 4 pm
Earth Day at Pearl Harbor
Hosted by Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) will team with the USCG Auxiliary to provide boating safety outreach materials for ocean users and make custom ColorOn t-shirts for children. Special guest appearance of Coastie the Safety Boat. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary will share information about the sanctuary program, the humpback whales and the disentanglement program and children’s marine science activities.
Note: The event is open to NEX patrons and those that can obtain access to the base.
For more information visit
www.hookelenews.com
April 22, 2013
Monday, 10 am – 1 pm
Navy Earth Day 2013 at NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Pearl Harbor, Kilo-8 Pier
DLNR Division of State Parks, Division of Aquatic Resources – Aquatic Invasive Species Program, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, and the Waianae Mountains Watershed Partnership are participating with informational booths and family activities at this event hosted by Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Pearl Harbor.
Note: The event is open to anyone can obtain access to the base.
April 24, 2013
Wednesday, 1 – 4 p.m.
Earth Day Festival at Schofield Barracks at the Kalakaua Community Center
DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) and the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary are participating with informational booths and family activities at this event Sponsored by Island Palm Communities and the U.S. Army Garrison Directorate of Public Works.
For more information visit
www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/sustainability/EarthMonth/IPC_EarthDay_24thPoster.pdf
April 27 2013
Saturday, 10 am – 2 pm
Earth Day at Fort Shafter
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary booth will share information about the sanctuary program, the humpback whales and the disentanglement program and children’s marine science activities at this event Sponsored by Island Palm Communities and the U.S. Army Garrison Directorate of Public Works.
For more information visit
www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil/sustainability/EarthMonth/IPC_EarthDay_27thPoster.pdf
Molokai
April 19, 2013
Friday, 5 pm – 9 pm
Molokai Earth Day at Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai
DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) and Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) are participating in a family friendly Earth Day event coordinated by The Nature Conservancy. DAR staff will share information on the Hawaii Marine Recreational Fishing Survey, measurement guides, fishing regulations, etc. DOFAW staff will share information on Project Learning Tree and landowner assistance programs along with samples of educational posters, coloring books, and activities for kids.
For more information visit
www.molokaievents.com/
For more information on the Department programs visit
dlnr.hawaii.gov or find us on facebook at www.facebook.com/HawaiiDLNR to keep up with the latest events, activities, and news. Or feel free to call or stop by a DLNR office, contact information is available under the “contact us” tab.
Filed under: Agriculture, aloha, Announcements, Community, Education, Environment, Hawaii, Health, National Affairs, Opala in Paradise, State Affairs, Sustainable Living | Tagged: 2013 Earth Month | Leave a comment »
Senator Russell Ruderman: Reversal of Fate – “… I Support Safe Geothermal Development”
Aloha Constituents and Concerned Citizens,
I want to thank everyone who supported my position in objecting to the process used to create and pass House Bill 252. Please know that all the emails and calls that each senator received were crucial to the approval of the important amendment I proposed this morning. Without your public comments, this may not have happened. I remain concerned that due process, including public comment, was by-passed, yet as the process was going forward regardless, including a major improvement was the best course of action to take.
I object strongly to the process that introduced geothermal permitting procedures into an unrelated bill, HB252, without public notice of the changes or opportunity to testify. While the bill has some desirable provisions, the lack of transparency is difficult to support. The procedures used to by-pass public input are potentially unconstitutional, as is the fact that HB252 now contains two unrelated subjects. It is unfortunate this kind of politics persists in our State legislature.
Earlier in the session we had two bills on this issue, HB106 and HB932. HB106, which restored County oversight and contested case hearings, was supported by Hawaii County Council, OHA, Puna community groups, and 90% of testifiers. HB106, which had the support of the majority of the subject matter committees, was deferred, probably in hopes of passing HB932 instead, yet HB932 did not have support in committee. HB932does restore county oversight, but replaced contested case hearings with forced mediation and made changes to the definition of geothermal. It was opposed by all community groups and individuals, yet supported by Hawaii County Mayor and DLNR.
The last minute language inserted in HB252 is similar to HB932. Inserting this language, from the bill with the least support, thwarts the desires of the impacted community, the Hawaii County Council, and OHA. The voice of the community was ignored by this objectionable procedure. This continues a long-standing trend that has resulted in the problems and controversy we now have over poorly planned geothermal development.
Instead of voting “no,” in what appeared to be a losing battle to kill the bill, I submitted an amendment to improve HB252. My amendment removes the requirement for mediation from this bill. As senator of the only district with geothermal development, I am aware of some of the problems that result from poorly regulated planning. Required mediation processes proved profoundly unsuccessful in 1990. The agreements reached in mediation were violated, and the enforced mediation process is widely reviled by the community. The affected communities deserve the right to contested case hearings, as is the common remedial action in most planning disputes. By removing references to mediation, citizens’ rights are protected, and one of the most objectionable portions of HB252 is corrected.
My community and I support safe geothermal development. We simply desire fair treatment and due process to ensure a safe community. Given that the amendment was approved; I can now support this bill instead of opposing it, since it does provide for the reinstatement of county oversight that was taken away in Act 97.
Again, I want to thank everyone who submitted comments and will continue to remain vigilant when similar tactics are applied to legislation that could negatively affect my district and the State. You provided a voice that was heard loud & clear! No new testimony is needed at this time.
Thank you for your support and involvement!
Mahalo,
Senator Russell E Ruderman
Hawaii State Senate
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Filed under: Announcements, Big Island, Community, Environment, Guest Commentator, Hawaii, Hawaiian, Health, Legal, Legislature, Politics, Puna, Rumors, Technology | Tagged: Geothermal in Hawaii, Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii County, Senator Russell Ruderman | Leave a comment »