Aloha Pono!
Eo Lono! Makalii (the Pleiades) is on the rise and soon it will be time to celebrate Makahiki. And, boy, do we have a lot to celebrate!! We also have a lot to prepare for in the coming months. Blessings to you and all your loved ones for the support you have given to the many efforts to protect Hawaii nei.
Hoomaikai Haloa: Taro Protected on Maui!
Last week the Maui County Council unanimously approved a ban on all genetically modified (GMO) taro and the mayor has committed herself to signing it. This means now two of the four counties in the Hawaiian Islands have GMO-free taro. This is a huge victory for Hawaii's taro farmers and taro in Hawaii.
Mahalo nunui to every one of you who bothered to show up at a hearing, make a phone call, send an email, or forward an alert along. You made this victory possible. And we thank you.
Take a moment now to share this appreciation. Send a note to the Maui County Council and Mayor Tavares to thank them for their courage and leadership. They are an inspiration to elected officials everywhere for their thorough consideration of this decision.
Eo Lono! Makalii (the Pleiades) is on the rise and soon it will be time to celebrate Makahiki. And, boy, do we have a lot to celebrate!! We also have a lot to prepare for in the coming months. Blessings to you and all your loved ones for the support you have given to the many efforts to protect Hawaii nei.
Hoomaikai Haloa: Taro Protected on Maui!
Last week the Maui County Council unanimously approved a ban on all genetically modified (GMO) taro and the mayor has committed herself to signing it. This means now two of the four counties in the Hawaiian Islands have GMO-free taro. This is a huge victory for Hawaii's taro farmers and taro in Hawaii.
Mahalo nunui to every one of you who bothered to show up at a hearing, make a phone call, send an email, or forward an alert along. You made this victory possible. And we thank you.
Take a moment now to share this appreciation. Send a note to the Maui County Council and Mayor Tavares to thank them for their courage and leadership. They are an inspiration to elected officials everywhere for their thorough consideration of this decision.
cut + paste to email:
michael.molina@mauicounty.us, gladys.baisa@mauicounty.us, joseph.pontanilla@mauicounty.us, jo_anne.johnson@mauicounty.us, danny.mateo@mauicounty.us, sol.kahoohalahala@mauicounty.us, bill.medeiros@mauicounty.us, wayne.nishiki@mauicounty.us, michael.victorino@mauicounty.us, mayors.office@mauicounty.gov
Hana Hou: BLNR lands in court again over failed Mauna Kea plan
The hui of organizations and individuals who have successfully upheld the legal protections for the sacred summit of Mauna Kea for more than 15 years, have returned to court. This time to challenge the Hawaii Land Board's decision to adopt the University's new plan for more telescopes on the mountain. Mauna Kea Anaina Hou, Royal Order of Kamehameha I, Sierra Club, KAHEA and Clarence Kukauakahi Ching are working to make sure the law is followed and the natural and cultural resources of the summit are fully protected.
Mauna Kea is one of the most sacred conservation districts in the islands. The law does not allow construction in a conservation district unless all of the natural and cultural resources are fully protected by a comprehensive management plan. Unfortunately, the hastily approved management plan written by the University fails to adequately ensure cultural practice and public access, protect resources, or control harmful construction.
Ensuring government follows its laws is expensive. The Mauna Kea Legal Defense Fund needs your support. Please click here to give $1, $5, or even $20 to this important effort. With each of us giving as we can, we will continue to ensure that the irreplaceable mana of Mauna Kea is better protected.
Read up:
Conservationists, cultural practitioners appeal BLNR decision on Mauna Kea plan The Hawaii Independent, October 1, 2009.
Mauna Kea Plan Sparks Suit The Hawaii Tribune Herald, October 2, 2009.
Hope Floats on New Obama Ocean Policy
They say more than 400 people showed up (tho, we counted more!) for the White House listening session on U.S. Ocean Policy held in Honolulu last month. They heard directly from the people on the immense range of issues facing the Pacific: commercial overfishing, minerals mining, open ocean aquaculture, aquarium trade, self-determination, and the need to protect traditional and customary cultural practices.... just to highlight a few.
Though the needs of the Pacific are diverse, the theme common to most of the testimony given that day was: respect and consultation. A successful U.S. ocean policy will be one that respects indigenous knowledge and consults with the community on how to proceed.
"You should come to us first, before you make any decision, because we are the ones that will have to live with that decision. And either we can be a part of it and help to make it work or we will be alienated from it and it will fail." -- testimony presented at the Honolulu Listening Session of the Ocean Policy Taskforce.
If you were one of the many who did NOT get a chance to present their oral testimony to the taskforce, then please take a moment to submit it to them now on their website: www.whitehouse.gov/oceans. Follow developments in the Ocean Policy debate on our blog.
Jump in on the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice
Over 20 events are planned on October 24th throughout the Hawaiian Islands to support the world-wide call for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to 350 parts per million. Find the event in your moku and go, make friends and make change! More than 200 million people in the Pacific are expected to be among the first climate refugees, if U.S. climate policy is not drastically and immediately improved. There is no need to wait for another disaster to advocate for climate justice now. Learn more about this global movement atwww.KAHEA.org and www.350.org.
Hauoli Makahiki Hou,
Marti (and all us guys at KAHEA)
kahea-alliance@hawaii.rr.com
blog.kahea.org
Hope Floats on New Obama Ocean Policy
They say more than 400 people showed up (tho, we counted more!) for the White House listening session on U.S. Ocean Policy held in Honolulu last month. They heard directly from the people on the immense range of issues facing the Pacific: commercial overfishing, minerals mining, open ocean aquaculture, aquarium trade, self-determination, and the need to protect traditional and customary cultural practices.... just to highlight a few.
Though the needs of the Pacific are diverse, the theme common to most of the testimony given that day was: respect and consultation. A successful U.S. ocean policy will be one that respects indigenous knowledge and consults with the community on how to proceed.
"You should come to us first, before you make any decision, because we are the ones that will have to live with that decision. And either we can be a part of it and help to make it work or we will be alienated from it and it will fail." -- testimony presented at the Honolulu Listening Session of the Ocean Policy Taskforce.
If you were one of the many who did NOT get a chance to present their oral testimony to the taskforce, then please take a moment to submit it to them now on their website: www.whitehouse.gov/oceans. Follow developments in the Ocean Policy debate on our blog.
Jump in on the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice
Over 20 events are planned on October 24th throughout the Hawaiian Islands to support the world-wide call for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to 350 parts per million. Find the event in your moku and go, make friends and make change! More than 200 million people in the Pacific are expected to be among the first climate refugees, if U.S. climate policy is not drastically and immediately improved. There is no need to wait for another disaster to advocate for climate justice now. Learn more about this global movement atwww.KAHEA.org and www.350.org.
Hauoli Makahiki Hou,
Marti (and all us guys at KAHEA)
kahea-alliance@hawaii.rr.com
blog.kahea.org
KAHEA: The Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance is a network of thousands of diverse individuals islands-wide and around the world. Together, we work to secure the strongest possible protections for Hawaii's most ecologically unique and culturally sacred places and resources.
Office Address:1149 Bethel St., #415
Honolulu, HI 96813Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 37368
Honolulu, HI 96837
Phone: 808-524-8220
KAHEA is funded grassroots-style, and does not receive any Federal or corporate money. It is the financial support of many INDIVIDUALS, all giving what they can, that keeps the lights on and the campaigns going here at KAHEA.
This email is your opportunity to stay informed about important decisions being made about Hawaii's natural and cultural resources. You received this email because you signed up with our action alert network either online or at one of the many events hosted throughout the islands for people who are care about Hawaii's environment, culture, and future. If you would like to unsubscribe, please click here.
Comments
Just wanted to share an important discussion on Makahiki Maoliworld that I have cut and pasted to this Blog.
"Comment by ʻOhukaniʻōhiʻa on August 21, 2009 at 7:24pm Hmmm well, Makalii (Pleiades) aren't really in Orion's belt. the belt stars are callede Na Kao, I think. The Pleiades are on the other side of constellation Taurus from Orion. If you follow the belt stars toward Orion's bow stars, they are a rough pointer toward the Makalii. "
Kaohi