Because our community stepped up, made the calls, sent the emails, and filled the room, our people and our planet had two huge wins last week.

On May 6th, Representative Chris Todd (Hilo), the new House Finance Committee Chair, announced that the only bills that should require Finance Committee approval are those that affect state finances. Per Civil Beat, Todd said that House leadership is planning changes “in a way where we’re not dictating policy matters to subject matter chairs.”

The “behind closed doors” killing of good governance bills, campaign finance reform measures, and other worthy proposals that had ZERO IMPACT ON THE STATE BUDGET has generated a constant flow of bad press and angry emails from constituents on every island.

Apparently, a majority of House Representatives were, themselves, also “over it.” They were increasingly sick and tired of having their priority bills killed by the previous Chair of House Finance, with no reasons given.

They’d had enough already.

Thankfully, House leadership with Speaker Nadine Nakamura (Kaua`i east/north) at the helm, stepped up and did the right thing. They now say that the House is headed in a new direction.

This represents a potential seismic shift in how the House has historically done business. If House leadership does what they say they’re going to do, the Chair of House Finance will no longer maintain unilateral control over almost every bill that goes through the House.

That’s a big IF, but we should take them at their word. Send your mahalo to Speaker Nakamura repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov , and the new Finance Chair Representative Todd reptodd@capitol.hawaii.gov .

Yes, May 6th was a very good day.

Then, on May 9th, there was more good news. The Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) rejected the U.S. Army’s Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) regarding Pōhakuloa on Hawaii Island.

More than 1,300 pages of testimony were submitted. For more than eight hours, citizen after citizen from across the archipelago testified in opposition to the inadequacy of the FEIS, and to the ongoing bombing of Pōhakuloa lands.

Carpenters, farmers, and students spoke alongside lawyers, academics, and politicians. The message was strong, consistent, and unified: Enough already. 

For decades now, the U.S. Military has failed to deliver on a multitude of its promises to protect the host culture, the wai, or the aina.

The BLNR’s own staff report cited numerous deficiencies in the FEIS. 

The U.S. Army had clearly taken the process for granted, believing no State agency would have the audacity to reject them.

Thankfully, however, BLNR members, led by Chair Dawn Ching, did what was pono. 

Board Member “Kaiwi” Yoon made the motion to reject, which was seconded by Aimee Keli‘i Barnes. They stated emphatically that the FEIS was woefully inadequate. Additional votes in support of rejecting the FEIS were cast by Chair Ching, and members Doreen Nāpua Canto and Karen Ono.

Please mahalo them for doing the right thing. Mahalo also the department staff for its excellent analysis. (Share your appreciation and thanks via the Land Board Secretary at blnr.testimony@hawaii.gov )

To be absolutely clear, this win would not have happened if not for those of you who showed up. Mahalo to each and every one of YOU.

What’s next?

The U.S. Army will, of course, ask Governor Green to provide some sort of executive “workaround,” and to bypass the need for a thorough environmental review. The Department of Defense will also seek support from our four members of Congress.

Pōhakuloa is poised to become a political battle like no other in Hawaii’s post-statehood history.

Government leaders at the Federal, State, and County level will have to choose which side they’re on. 

The message from a very wide sector of the community across the archipelago is clear: Pōhakuloa is not for sale, lease, or trade.

Enough already.

Gary Hooser
#soproudofmycommunity