GOVERNOR ABERCROMBIE ENACTS BILL ADDRESSING IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
OFFICE OF PLANNING
NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: July 9, 2012
GOVERNOR ABERCROMBIE ENACTS BILL ADDRESSING IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
HONOLULU – Governor Neil Abercrombie today signed Senate Bill 2745 into law, making Hawai’i one of few states in the nation to adopt a statewide climate adaptation policy for dealing with the impacts of climate change.
The bill integrates climate change adaptation priority guidelines into the current statewide planning system. The guidelines were developed through collaboration between county, state and federal agencies, as well as businesses, community and Native Hawaiian organizations.
“By adding climate adaptation to Hawai’i’s planning system, we ensure that this issue will be considered in state and county budgetary, land use, and other decision-making processes,” said Governor Abercrombie. “SB 2745 creates the framework to take actions today so that the natural and built environments we enjoy and depend upon are available for future generations. The measure further ensures that we consider Native Hawaiian traditional knowledge and practices in planning for the impacts of climate change.”
Several state entities are currently engaged in activities related to the potential impacts of climate change on state resources, including the Department of Transportation, Hawai’i Tourism Authority, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources. In addition, the State Office of Planning is coordinating with state and county agencies on integrating the climate adaptation policy into current rules and regulations, with the support of the University of Hawai’i.
“Long-term planning is required to increase our ability to adjust to climate change,” said Jesse Souki, Director of the Office of Planning. “Investing today in moderating potential damage, identifying advantages and opportunities, and developing systems to cope with consequences, can save the state from losses and increased costs in the future.”
According to Dr. Chip Fletcher with the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, “Major climate changes with the potential to impact Hawai’i include warmer temperatures, decreased rainfall and stream flow, decreased rain intensity, sea-level rise, and ocean warming and acidification.”
Several state entities are currently engaged in activities related to the potential impacts of climate change on state resources, including the Department of Transportation, Hawai’i Tourism Authority, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources. In addition, the State Office of Planning is coordinating with state and county agencies on integrating the climate adaptation policy into current rules and regulations, with the support of the University of Hawai’i.
“Long-term planning is required to increase our ability to adjust to climate change,” said Jesse Souki, Director of the Office of Planning. “Investing today in moderating potential damage, identifying advantages and opportunities, and developing systems to cope with consequences, can save the state from losses and increased costs in the future.”
According to Dr. Chip Fletcher with the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, “Major climate changes with the potential to impact Hawai’i include warmer temperatures, decreased rainfall and stream flow, decreased rain intensity, sea-level rise, and ocean warming and acidification.”
Replies
How come and why this is a bit important is because most outside entities cannot function or go forward until they have our permission to proceed. But not one 'entity' puts it out there as if they need our permission. It's done with malice and with full intent to harm the future generations.
We must stead fast to the protocols of our traditional practices of our ancestors and their aina.
The questions become how? Need to have the confidence that they are still out there, if not physical, at least in spirit. We come from an oral tradition, therefore a word or two pa'a the traditional practices. Often we have doubt because our explanation is not always in a standard English sentence. It could just be a word or two, in broken English and or pidgn English. Which may seem trival or not valid, but it fact, it makes more sense and correctly observed rather than millions of dollars for data research and scientific findings.
We must listen, document, and teach our children to appreciate the elders.
Unfortunately, our Hawaiian Homesteads have a wealth of information, but we are in peril at this time. DHHL do not see these wisdom of our Na Kupuna, however, they do see them as criminals and about to be evicted from their homes. I have a difficulty in putting these practices in words. It is surely painful!
So we need to work quickly to merge the Special Managment Permitting, Enforcements, and begin to protect our resource for the future generations. Native Hawaiian traditional practices come by way of our Na Kupuna regardless of how the bankers see them. They are our source "Nana I Te Tumu" and not as how the banker sees them --deficit.