[Update: On Oct. 9, Council Chair Kelly King published a letter sent to US Supreme Court clerk Scott Harris to address the "crisis of the charter." "A resolution to appoint special counsel to represent the Maui County Council will be considered next week," she wrote. "I respectfully request the U.S. Supreme Court dismiss Case No. 18-260, or, at the very least, postpone the … [Read more...] about Charter Crisis: After council vote to settle Lahaina Injection Wells lawsuit, administration questions power
EarthJustice
Council Committee Votes to Settle Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility Lawsuit
After two days of high drama which drew nearly 100 testifiers and resulted in marathon meetings of Maui County Council’s Government, Ethics and Transparency Committee, councilmembers voted 5-3 (one excused) to settle a lawsuit brought against the county by Hawaii Wildlife Fund, Sierra Club Maui, Surfrider Foundation, and West Maui Preservation Association. The case, which has … [Read more...] about Council Committee Votes to Settle Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility Lawsuit
2017 Surfrider Maui Ocean Guardians Paina at the Sheraton Maui Resort
There’s something about the ocean, something primal and universal. From water we come and to water we return. For laughter, play, and fun; for relief, solace, and peace; for energy, invigoration and hope. The science is pouring in to support what to so many on Maui is intuitive: the ocean, waves and beaches of Maui make all of our lives better, in some way. Yet the quality … [Read more...] about 2017 Surfrider Maui Ocean Guardians Paina at the Sheraton Maui Resort
Hawaii Supreme Court slaps DLNR on commercial aquarium fishing permits
For a while now the state’s commercial aquarium fishing trade has been looking pretty solid. Sure, earlier this year both houses of the Hawaii Legislature passed SB 1240, which would have gradually phased out new aquarium collecting permits, but Governor David Ige, following the strong recommendation from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), vetoed it (an … [Read more...] about Hawaii Supreme Court slaps DLNR on commercial aquarium fishing permits
Environmental groups sue Hawaii DOT over bright harbor, airport lights
Sometimes I’m amazed that any animals manage to survive in this monstrous machine called “civilization” that we humans have built for ourselves. Even constructions that seem completely innocent can wreak havoc on the other, less “evolved” species. I thought of all this last week when I got a news release from the environmental law firm Earthjustice announcing a new lawsuit … [Read more...] about Environmental groups sue Hawaii DOT over bright harbor, airport lights