NOAA humpback whale sanctuary management plan

Photo: NOAA

Kauai lawmakers urge residents to learn more about the proposed humpback whale sanctuary management plan from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and to provide comments by October 16th.

Representative James Kunane Tokioka - House District 15, Representative Roland Sagum - House District 16, and Senator Ronald Kouchi Senate District 7, said in an email update that while they "support the protection and preservation of our endangered marine species, it is our position that any enlargement of the scope of the sanctuary's 'marine resources' should not include the closure of any fishing areas or the creation of any 'no take zones'..."

On Tuesday, October 5th, more than 300 residents, fishermen and ocean users attended a meeting at Kauai Community College regarding the proposed management plan. NOAA currently plans to explore increasing the scope of the management plan to include other "marine resources" in addition to humpback whales.

The Kauai lawmakers noted that there are numerous Federal, State and County laws that protect endangered marine species, and that the proposed increase in scope could lead to the limitation and/or cessation of ocean activities that many Kauai residents enjoy and may not be related to preserving humpback whales, Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles, other marine mammals or the protection and repopulation of reef fish.

You may provide comments using the form provided from the fishermen. Click here to download.

Learn more about the Management Plan Review process, including how to submit comments directly to NOAA on the NOAA website. All comments must be received by October 16, 2010.

Comments may be submitted by the following methods:

Via telephone: (888) 559-4253 ex. 267

Via fax: (808) 397-2650

Via email: hihwmanagementplan@noaa.gov

Via mail: Management Plan Review Coordinator, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, 6600 Kalanianaole Highway, Suite 301, Honolulu, Hawaii 96825.

If you have questions, you may call the following for assistance:

Amy at Representative Tokioka's office: toll free 274-3141 ext. 66270
Melanie at Representative Sagum's office: toll free 274-3141 ext. 66280
Mark at Senator Kouchi's office: toll free 274-3141 ext. 66030

Kikiaola Boat Harbor

Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Rep. Roland Sagum (District 16 - Niihau, Waimea, Koloa) released the following statement on November 20th as a means to draw attention to the problems at Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor on Kauai. The Honolulu Advertiser followed up with a story on Saturday, November 28th.

“I am deeply concerned about the lack of progress on the dredging of Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor. As of today, the state’s contractor, American Marine Corporation, has been unable to get the needed permit from the County of Kauai to dispose of dredged material on the property mauka of the harbor. Despite best efforts from the state Division of Boating of Ocean Recreation (DOBOR), the County has been unable to respond in a timely manner.

While the County has said that Department of Health (DOH) approvals would be required for a dewatering site adjacent to the harbor, this is no longer the case as the contractor proposes to transport the dredged material directly to a stockpile area on the mauka site. Thus, the project awaits an approval from the County to utilize the mauka area which according to Eric Yuasa, State Engineer at the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, the DOH permit may not be required.

The delay has become so serious that I am afraid we may lose American Marine Corporation as the state’s contractor. This would be a tremendous setback, but I believe it can be avoided if the permitting issues are resolved immediately.

Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor is an important resource to the boaters of Kauai. It is the “Town Center” of West Kauai. This project has dragged on for an inordinate amount of time and the harbor’s structural problems only become compounded due to lack of action. The situation is dire, and I do not want to see the harbor become totally unusable. Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor has needed maintenance dredging for over 50 years.

I implore all parties to address and resolve this matter with the urgency it deserves.”

House Budget Supports Kauai CIPs and School R&M

Kauai Representatives Hermina Morita, James Tokioka and Roland Sagum

The State Budget Bill, HB200, HD1, passed the House of Representatives this week at the midway point of the 2009 legislative session. Kauai Representatives announced today that the House Draft includes over $56.5 million for Kauai Capital Improvement Projects, and over $3.8 million for school repair and maintenance planned for next fiscal year. The bill has crossed over to the Senate for further amendments. The House and Senate will hammer out differences between House and Senate drafts of the budget toward the end of the session. At this time, the bill includes:

Kauai Capital Improvement Projects

FY2010

Kuhio Highway, Route 560, Hanalei Hill $7,000,000
Wailua Emergency Bypass Road $950,000
Kaumualii Highway, Omao Bridge Rehab $550,000
Kaumualii Highway, Lihue to West of Maluhia Rd $36,500,000
Kuhio Highway, Lumahai and Wainiha $1,215,000
Kuhio Highway Intersection KCCC/Wailua Golf Course $3,500,000
Kauai Veterans Cemetery Upgrade $94,000
Port Allen Small Boat Harbor $300,000
Port Allen Small Boat Harbor $550,000
Waimea Canyon School Waterline $2,500,000
Port Allen Harbor Comfort Station $500,000
Waimea Canyon Dr/Kokee Rd $600,000
State Highway Guardrail/Shoulder Improvements $1,000,000
Traffic Operational Improvements $1,200,000
Lihue Airport Noise Monitoring System $100,000
TOTAL $56,559,000

FY2011

Kaumualii Highway, Omao Bridge Rehab $7,500,000
Kuhio Highway, Lumahai and Wainiha $5,000,000
Kauai Veterans Cemetery Upgrade $939,000
Port Allen Harbor Comfort Station $3,000,000
Traffic Operational Improvements $1,200,000
Lihue Airport Noise Monitoring System $746,000
TOTAL $18,385,000

HB200, HD1 also includes over $600 million in statewide projects for FY2010 and over $583 million for FY2011, of which Kauai will benefit although specific breakdowns have not yet been finalized. Planned Repair and Maintenance for Kauai Schools for FY2010 total $3,818,000.

Rep. James Kunane Tokioka, District 15, and Rep. Roland Sagum, District 16, serve on the House Finance Committee, which produced the House draft of the budget bill. Together, and working with Rep. Hermina Morita, District 14, they advocated for the inclusion of the above Kauai projects into the bill. Rep. Tokioka and Rep. Sagum, as Finance committee members, will sit as conferees when the House and Senate work out the final budget bill at the end of the legislative session.

Kauai Reps Sum Up 2008 legislation

Reporting from Nawiliwili, the Kauai Garden Island covered the Kauai Chamber of Commerce meeting last Thursday with the island's three state representatives - Hermina Morita (District 14 - Hanalei, Anahola, Kealia, Kapaa, Waipouli); James Kunane Tokioka (District 15 - Lihue, Koloa); and Roland Sagum (District 16 - Niihau, Lehua, Koloa, Waimea). They outlined the work accomplished in the 2008 legislative session and listed their priorities. Some highlights:

Morita, who said that energy and the environment were among her top priorities, was asked about photovoltaics, Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative’s net metering cap policy, and other issues affecting local residents and businesses.“A lot of people here are so focused on PV (photovoltaics) because it’s sexy, but the technology that’s mature, that gives us the biggest bang for our buck, is solar water heaters,” Morita said. “That’s where we should be making our substantial investments.”Morita estimated that a solar water heater user could save as much as $20,000 over the course of one unit’s lifecycle.

Sagum identified lowering taxes and improving quality of life for seniors as his two top priorities. Sally Motta, Membership Chair for the Chamber of Commerce, said that she saw Sagum’s stance almost “libertarian” and found it interesting that one of his main responsibilities is to kill bills he considers to be unnecessary expenditures anong some 2,000 bills introduced each year in the Hawai‘i House of Representatives.

Morita and Sagum both came out against the proposed Constitutional Convention, which would overhaul the state’s Constitution at the expense of legislator time and taxpayer money.

Tokioka stated that his top priorities include the nuisance posed by tour helicopters to Lihu‘e-area residents, as well as junior varsity sports programs and an ongoing debate over the use of lights for night football games at Vidinha Stadium.

Newsletters! Newsletters! Newsletters!

Already tossed out your state representative's newsletter and forgot to clip that photo of your son and his classmates? Are you a paper snob who only prefers the finest pixeled images on a formatted PDF file?

No stress out. Newsletters from some majority house members can be found in the right panel after "About us" and before "Archives". Click on your Reps name and district to open a PDF version of the newsletter. Thus far we have newsletters for Reps Awana, B. Oshiro, Carroll, Chang, Karamatsu, Sagum, Say, Sonson, and Yamane. We will update the list as newsletters become available.

Each year House majority representatives mail newsletters to their respective constituents informing them of the latest updates from the Legislature, from important bills that have passed out during the session and those that were signed into law to a listing of funds the community will receive for capital improvement projects.

Many of the newsletters also contain vibrant photos of legislators at community events chilling with community members, including the photo above of Rep. Blake Oshiro (the one sporting the lei back row left) with the 2008 Aiea Mustang League Baseball Team at the state tournament on June 28. Oshiro pitched the first ball and thanked community members for supporting team-building activities that benefit youth.

In Memory of Juliette Sagum

The majority House would like to pay tribute to the late Juliette Sagum, the mother of Rep. Roland D. Sagum III, who died May 25, 2008 at age 74. Juliette was part of the 'ohana here at the Legislature, working for former Speakers Tadao Beppu and James Wakatsuki, as well as the Hon. Walter Heen and T.C. Yim. She retired from the Office of U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka.

Visitation will be held on Friday, June 13 at 4:30 p.m. and the service will follow at 6 p.m. at Kawaiaha'o Church. The burial will be on Saturday, June 14 at 2:15 p.m. at the Diamond Head Memorial Park. Aloha attire is requested.

Lawmakers to congratulate Kauai's Sullivan on Red Sox Hall of Fame Selection

Frank Sullivan, former professional baseball player and a 44-year resident of Kauai, will be honored for his induction into the 2008 Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame Thursday at the State Capitol at 12 p.m.

In a special floor presentation during the State Legislative session, House Representatives James Tokioka, Roland Sagum and long-time friend Robert Herkes will present the 6-foot-7 Sullivan with an honorary certificate congratulating him on behalf of the Legislature.

Sullivan, 78, made his major league debut at 23 years old with the Boston Red Sox in July 31, 1953, pitching 252 games from 1953 to 1960. During his career with the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins, Sullivan cumulated a 97-100 record in 351 appearances, with a 4.15 earned run average and 959 strikeouts.

In 1963, after being let go by the Twins, Sullivan packed his bags and moved to Lihue, Kauai where he began a career in the hotel and golf property industry. Now retired, Sullivan and his wife, Marilyn, still live in Kauai and will fly to Boston for the Hall of Fame ceremony on Nov. 7.

"That airline crap is brutal," said Sullivan about traveling by plane in a book titled Boston Red Sox: Where have you Gone? written by Steve Buckley. "I'd rather have a root canal than put one foot on an airplane."

Hopefully this will be the flight that Sullivan, one of baseball history's overlooked talents -- until now, will enjoy.

In Honor of Prince Kuhio

Today, Hawaii celebrates Kuhio Day, in honor of Prince Kuhio. Rep. Roland Sagum (District 16 - Niihau, Lehua, Koloa, Waimea) prepared this speech that is scheduled to be given this morning on Kauai:

"Aloha and Good Morning! It is a great honor for me to be here today. I want to thank the Royal Order of Kamehameha for inviting me to be part of this celebration.

As a Hawaiian, born on Kauai, Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole has always been an inspiration to me. When I decided to run for public office, Prince Kuhio also became an important role model.

Prince Kuhio served as our U.S. Congressman in Washington from 1903 until his death in 1922. I have often thought how difficult it must have been for him to leave these islands, especially after the overthrow of the Hawaiian government under Queen Liliuokalani, the very government under which Kuhio was an heir apparent.

Despite the overthrow, Prince Kuhio was destined to become a leader of the Hawaiian people. Even though the throne was denied to him, he did not run away. He chose public office, and he accomplished great things for Hawaii that are still relevant today.

For one thing, he instituted local government at the County level, creating the County system that we still have today.

He gave native Hawaiians an opportunity to serve in civil service positions.

And his crowning achievement, less than a year before his death, was the creation of the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, which was signed into law by President Warren G. Harding in 1921.

Today, as we honor Kalanianaole, I want to focus on his role as a public servant.

This is my first term in public office as your state representative for District 16, which includes Koloa, Waimea, Niihau and Lehua.

Going back and forth from Kauai to Honolulu for the legislative session is not easy, so I can only imagine what it must have been like for Prince Kuhio serving in Congress in the days when the transportation choices were by boat and by train.

He must have been like a fish out of water in Washington DC in the early 1900's. Still, he persevered.

He is a very important role model for me because I see Prince Kuhio as someone who set aside his personal losses and elevated public service as the main goal of his life.

He was driven to accomplish great things, not for himself, not for royalty, but for the people of Hawaii.

In the political world, sometimes we lose sight of why we are there. Like Kuhio, we must persevere not for our own goals, but to serve the people, and to preserve Hawaii for future generations.

This is an inspiration for me as a Representative in the State Legislature, and for all of us as we celebrate Prince Kuhio on his birthday, and as we work together to honor the vision he laid out for Hawaii so many years ago.

Mahalo."

Happy Birthday!

Today is the birthday of Rep. Josh Green from Kona and Rep. Roland Sagum from Waimea. We wish them both a great day and successful year.

Rep. Sagum Meets with Community on Hanapepe Salt Ponds

The Kauai Garden Island reports today on Rep. Roland Sagum's meeting with the community to protect the Hanapepe Salt Ponds. Rep. Sagum is a freshman legislator from District 16 - Niihau, Lehua, Koloa, Waimea, who won the seat vacated by former Rep. Bertha Kawakami. He invited colleagues from the House Committee on Water, Land, Ocean Resources and Hawaiian Affairs - Rep. Ken Ito, chair, and Rep. Pono Chong, vice-chair - to listen to the discussion and to answer legislative questions.

Rep. Sagum introduced a bill last session to protect the salt ponds. The bill didn't make it through, but he plans to introduce another bill in 2008. From the Garden Island story, here's the gist of the problem:

“There’s so much development going on around here that it’s affecting the salt,” said Kuulei Santos, a salt maker who has carried on her family’s tradition.

Santos explained that water travels underground into wells about 4 feet deep. The salt makers transfer the water into beds made from black clay. The beds are about 4 feet by 3 feet and sun-baked. When the water crystallizes it forms salt. Though listed on the State Historic Preservation Register, there are no physical structures protecting the low-lying area from the activity around it. According to Santos, an area between the parking lot and beach was backfilled with old asphalt, which has disrupted the drainage of water to the beds. In addition, the neighboring Port Allen airport has undergone some development, Kaalani Road running alongside the ponds is eroding, and mud from the cane fields flows downhill to the ponds during the rainy season.

“There’s so much development going on around here that it’s affecting the salt,” said Kuulei Santos, a salt maker who has carried on her family’s tradition. Santos explained that water travels underground into wells about 4 feet deep. The salt makers transfer the water into beds made from black clay. The beds are about 4 feet by 3 feet and sun-baked. When the water crystallizes it forms salt.

Though listed on the State Historic Preservation Register, there are no physical structures protecting the low-lying area from the activity around it. According to Santos, an area between the parking lot and beach was backfilled with old asphalt, which has disrupted the drainage of water to the beds. In addition, the neighboring Port Allen airport has undergone some development, Kaalani Road running alongside the ponds is eroding, and mud from the cane fields flows downhill to the ponds during the rainy season.

Hanapepe Salt Ponds

Much of the sacred red salt used by kahu and kupuna for blessings and healing comes from the Hanapepe Salt Ponds on the island of Kauai. Freshman Representative Roland Sagum III, who works in planning and development, is afraid that the competing uses and activities in the area may permanently destroy the health of the salt ponds. His opinion piece on the need for a development management plan for the Hanapepe Salt Ponds appears today in the Kauai Garden Island.