I’m writing today while thinking of Congressman and Civil Rights activist John Robert Lewis (1940 – 2020) AND hoping Kauai residents will consider joining me and many others in supporting his spirit of making “Good trouble, necessary trouble” by showing up and speaking out.
• Thursday, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Mahalo to Kauai Indivisible for your leadership in organizing this “Good Trouble” sign-holding event along the highway fronting Kukui Grove (outside Macy’s). Let’s all join together to express our concern and outrage — about the direction in which the United States of America is headed under the present administration. Bring a sign if you can, with your own message stated loud and clear!
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Other important actions that need your support this week are related to the U.S. Navy and NASA’s release of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for PMRF and NASA’s Kokee Park Geophysical Observatory.
There are two meetings on this topic. Please attend one if you can.
• Today, 5 to 8 p.m.
Kekaha Neighborhood Center
• Thursday, 5 to 8 p.m.
Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort
The Navy and NASA will provide a public overview of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, describing and disclosing proposed uses and expected environmental, health, and cultural impacts (Section 106 – National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Public questions and comments will also be accepted.
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And still yet one more important “good trouble action” is the Wailua Wastewater Treatment Plant — Draft Water Pollution Permit coming before the Department of Health. Your email comments on this are needed by July 26! Send to cleanwaterbranch@doh.hawaii.gov and cc hlilley@surfrider.org
If you think it stinks now, just think about what it will smell like IF they approve this permit as it is now written, IF the 350 hotel rooms built at Coco Palms are built AND IF 900 homes at Honua Place are approved.
Read on for more information on the PMRF DRAFT EIS process AND Wailua Wastewater Treatment Plant — Permit.
SENDING IN PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS DEIS IS IMPORTANT and may be submitted at the public meetings, and/or via the website ( https://pmrf-kpgo-eis.com/ ) by 11:59 p.m. (HST), Aug. 7.
The Draft EIS documents are here: https://pmrf-kpgo-eis.com/documents/
These meetings are conducted by the Navy and NASA. Concerned residents must also look at what’s not being said and not being disclosed. Remember too that indirect, cumulative and secondary impacts, must ALL be examined — as well as the more obvious direct impacts.
Back to the stench we smell almost daily driving past Lydgate.
Allowing the ocean water of one of our islands premier family beach parks be continuously contaminated by partially treated sewage is not OK.
The Wailua Wastewater Treatment Plant is an aging facility built in a floodplain and tsunami zone with a history of failing pipes, sewage spills and ever-present stench.
This facility has needed a serious upgrade for decades. This area holds deep cultural significance to Native Hawaiians with two heiau within the project area.
The ocean outfall is only 30-feet underwater and approximately 235 yards off the coastline.
Email the cleanwaterbranch@doh.hawaii.gov and cc hlilley@surfrider.org prior to July 26.
Explain how you use the ocean waters around Lydgate Beach Park (i.e. surf, swim, kite, windsurf, fish, gather limu).
Describe the smell, pollution or illness you may have experienced.
Say NO to dumping of partially treated sewage in our oceans.
Describe the cultural impact in a place sacred to Native Hawaiians.
Demand a stronger permit that sets real limitations, adds robust monitoring and protects public health and the reef!
Please show up, speak out and send off that email. Mahalo plenty to Kauai Surfrider for taking a leadership role on this.
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Gary Hooser served eight years in the state Senate, where he was majority leader. He also served for eight years on the Kaua‘i County Council. He presently writes on Hawai‘i Policy and Politics at www.garyhooser.blog.
Source: The Garden Island