KAHEA Update: Peter Young, NWHI, and Making our Voices Heard
 
Date: Mon, 7 May 2007 11:32:45 -0500 (CDT)


KAHEA UPDATE: Peter Young, NWHI, and Making Our Voices Heard

On April 24, 2007, Hawai'i's Senators proved they are willing to
sacrifice our natural and cultural resources for their own
political gain. 

After the public voiced overwhelming support for Peter Young's
confirmation - over 2,000 signatures, over 500 pieces of written
testimony, and a packed Senate gallery in support - most of
Hawai'i's Senators turned a deaf ear and voted against his
confirmation. 

Those who attempted to defend their decision against Young made
vague references to his management style, his involvement in the
Bureau of Conveyances scandal (ignoring the fact that Young
started the investigation), or blamed him for the Ka Loko Dam
break (omitting the Senate's culpability for budget cuts to Dam
Inspectors and James Pflueger's culpability for filling in the
spillway and refusing inspector's access to his property). Sen.
Kokubun even suggested that Young was a poor leader because he
changed his decisions based on public input. Go to www.KAHEA.org
to see how your Senator voted; consider contacting them to
express how you feel about the way they voted.

The Senators' failure to properly assess the success of Young's
tenure at DLNR compromised the on-going efforts to protect our
natural and culture resources. We, the public, now must work
harder to ensure our public trust resources are not mismanaged.
Over the last six years, we have proven the power of the public
to overcome politics and protect our resources. We can continue
that tradition today. Here are some of the several opportunities
coming up in the near future to re-assert the public's demand to
properly protect our natural and cultural resources. 

May 1 - June 1, 2007 - Developing detailed public comments on
the NWHI Monument Management Plan. Comments are due June 4th and
a lot of work is needed to go through this immense and extremely
problematic document. Visit www.KAHEA.org to get involved. 

May 8, 2007 - Volunteer Orientation Meeting 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Call 524-8220 to RSVP.

May 12, 2007 - Swim with the Whales Event to raise awareness
about the threat ocean noise poses to marine life. At the
"Living Room" Nightclub at Fisherman's Warf, no cover before 11
p.m. DJ Barclay & more.

June 23, 3007 - Save the Whales/Stop the Sonar International Day
of Action. Contact us now to help organize this event
(kahea-alliance@hawaii.rr.com or 524-8220).

Most importantly, help to keep our Action Alert Network strong.
Be sure your contact information is updated throughout the
summer and encourage your friends and family to join, as well. 

Mahalo piha for your continued support and participation!

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Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this.

http://actionnetwork.org/join-forward.html?domain=KAHEA&r=F1zJxb91tnpS

If you received this message from a friend, you can sign up for
KAHEA:The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance at:

http://actionnetwork.org/KAHEA/join.html?r=F1zJxb91tnpSE

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