UPDATE: PARTIAL VICTORY!
48 HOURS TO GO!
PLEASE ASK THE STATE HOUSE AND SENATE TO
VOTE AGAINST HB 676 CD2!
MAHALO NUI to everyone that called and emailed your legislators, your voice made a huge difference on HB676 CD1. Late Monday night, in preparation for today’s floor vote and after receiving dozens of emails and calls, legislators scrambled to propose amendments to the worst parts of the bill. Such a quick turnaround is almost unheard of, and you should be proud.
But the amendments didn’t go far enough. HB676 still allows parcels up to 100 acres, if used for affordable housing and owned by the county, to be approved by the county alone. County planning commissions have a history of approving projects that the State Land Use Commission (LUC) and even the courts have found violate state law. The bill would make it more difficult to protect burials and other archaeological sites, scenic vistas, and water quality.
The protections that the LUC offers — like decisions made by people who do not receive campaign contributions, and the right to cross examine developers — would disappear for these projects.
Please email your legislators AGAIN NOW and urge them to vote no on HB676 CD2 on the floor on Thursday, May 4th. Legislators need to hear from their constituents. Your voice matters!
Send emails to:
reps@capitol.hawaii.gov
sens@capitol.hawaii.gov
Here’s an example of what you can say:
“I kindly urge you to vote against HB676 CD2 for the protection of Hawaiʻi’s lands and future. The amendments made to HB676 CD1 do not go far enough to prevent detrimental and irreversible impacts on environmental, cultural, agricultural, socioeconomic and other public interests for generations.”
Mahalo nui for protecting Maui’s future and our quality of life!