Protecting environment essential to sustainable tourism in the islands

The Maui News
Monday, January 26, 2004

VIEWPOINT
J. KALANI ENGLISH

The Maui News editorial "Environment Needs Advocates" (Jan. 17) brought to light many long-standing issues regarding priority lists and environmental concerns for state departments, namely the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

I am pleased that the governor's advisory council on Maui has highlighted many of the same concerns that I have been working to address. In fact, they are in agreement with me on my legislative agenda, and I thank them for that.

Small-boat harbors at Maalaea and Lahaina provide critical infrastructure for business and transportation needs. In an unprecedented tour of Maui, including Hana, Haiku, Kula, Kihei and Lahaina, the Senate Ways and Means Committee, of which I am a member, recently collected over four hours of testimony regarding the improvements needed for these harbors. Together with Sen. Shan Tsutsui, 4th District, I am a co-signer of a bill introduced by Sen. Roz Baker, 5th District, providing for improvements at Maalaea Harbor, including the construction of a sewage pump-out station.

I have also been working to provide adequate facilities at state parks for residents and tourists alike. Money for construction of restrooms at Kaumahina State Park was earmarked in the 2002 budget and released for spending by Gov. Ben Cayetano. It is set to lapse in the middle of this year should DLNR continue to neglect the construction of these facilities. I am also working to provide money in the budget for improvements to Waianapanapa State Park, while also being sensitive to the concerns of area residents regarding increased traffic congestion and overcrowding.

While I agree that Hawaii's environment would benefit from an increase of enforcement officials in the DLNR's Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement, the current hiring freeze initiated by Gov. Linda Lingle makes this difficult.

There is no doubt that the importance of sustained tourism for Hawaii's economy cannot be overstated. In light of the recent recommendations made by the governor's Maui advisory council, it seems that their concerns would be better addressed by convincing the governor of the importance in encouraging and enforcing sustainable tourism policies for our islands.

As an advocate for the environment, and along with many of my colleagues, I am working hard to ensure that community concerns are heard and addressed throughout the islands. A cooperative approach to problem solving will move us forward into the solutions our state needs.

It is encouraging that the governor's advisory committee has reached the same conclusions and priorities that many of us in the Legislature have been working to address. I am hopeful that the advisory committee's recommendations will help to facilitate a cooperative spirit between the executive and legislative branches of government, and move Hawaii forward in the problem-solving process.

J. Kalani English is the state senator representing the 6th District (Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe).

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