Important! Testimony Needed Now!
Monday, February 5th, 2018Testimony by Jim Albertini submitted
This HB 1565 is a travesty! It subverts any semblance of protecting people’s democratic input and undermines current land use regulations. It removes contested case process and fast tracks development for corporate interests. Such things as TMT, GMO, Geothermal, and runaway development in conservation and coastal areas. Kill this bill now!. Shame on the people who introduced such a bill. It’s a disgrace that citizens even have to submit testimony to uphold such basic hard fought basic rights regarding land use.
Jim Albertini, President, Malu ‘Aina center for Nonviolent Education & Action.
Pua Case
Aloha Mauna ʻOhana, we must kill this bill 1565. Hereʻs a sample testimony for you to reference. Call Cindy Evans, Jarrett Keohokalole today!!!!
HB 1565 should be TERMINATED
This proposed bill is a blatant special interest bill for the benefit of private entities and corporations with a clear disregard of Hawaii State Constitution Article I, Section 5 as well as other constitutional provisions and statutory laws. It is very evident that this bill is in response to the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory LLC’s attempt to circumvent the judicial and approval process for a project that intends to take control and use of public lands in an environmentally and culturally sensitive area within a conservation district on Mauna Kea. This bill would strip the State’s constitutional obligation to protect the public trust, natural resources, environmental rights as well as native Hawaiian customarily and tradition rights in which the State is compelled to protect as stipulated in the Hawaii State Constitution Article XI, Sections 1 & 9 and Article XII, Sections 4 & 7.
“There is so much wrong with this bill, that is should be TERMINATED due to the reasons noted below. It would allow private corporations to lease public lands “for nominal considerations and without auction” similar to a $1.00 a year that existing foreign and out-of-state telescopes on Mauna Kea are paying resulting in Hawai‘i’s taxpayers having to subsidize this type of science and technology development. Also, this bill proposes a “mediation agreement reached between the parties” which proposes a ‘FAKE’ and a ‘BOGUS” due process. If a proposed project is determined to cause substantial and adverse impacts, there should be mitigation provisions instead of mediation provisions with the developer. Most disturbing is that this bill would allow any of these proposed subzones to be exempt from the environmental review process as defined under Chapter 343 which is intended to protect Hawai‘i’s unique natural and cultural resources.”
