2005 Maui Chapter Report

The Surfrider Foundation Maui Chapter continues to strengthen its presence in the community and build upon its commitment to keeping Maui coastlinesamong the best in the world.  Safeguarding the quality of Maui's ocean environment is the Surfrider Foundation’s mission, and to this end the Maui Chapter helped shape shoreline management policy through multi-sector collaborations and participation in the legislative process. The Chapter doubled its members through an aggressive summer marketing and membership drive and sustained its partnerships with marine science programs in Maui schools, including near-shore bacteria testing, beach clean up events, and the Native Hawaiian Planting Projects at Ho’okipa Beach Park. Below is a summary of the Chapter's activities during the year.

COMMUNITY ACTIVISM and POLICY SETTING

Coastal Access - The Maui Chapter is initiating negotiations with county and state officials and developers about reopening traditional surf spots recently closed or threatened by beachfront developments.  Shorelines coming under threat in West Maui include those at Honolua Bay and Napili Point. Maui Chapter advocates for meetings between citizen and cultural user groups, government and corporate developers in 2005. At the same time, the Chapter is following rules being promulgated to set aside fragile ecosystems as conservation districts, including the Makena district and Ahihi-Kinau Preserve of south Maui. Surfrider Maui is negotiating with surfers Neal Norris, Wayne Cochran, Bob Ole, and Les Potts with A&B to construct a proposed surf park at Honolua to offset its planned developments.  

Cruise Ship Regulations–The chapter provided public testimony calling for strict regulation of Cruise ships in Hawaiian waters. This hot button issue is sure to remain forefront and center over the coming years, and the Surfrider Foundation’s Maui Chapter will help forge the eventual settlement through participation in public processes.

Expansion of Kahului Harbor to accommodate a proposed Inter-island Super Ferry– Maui Chapter joined a chorus of opposition to the proposed expansion of Kahului Harbor to accommodate a $200 million inter-island super ferry service which would transport vehicles and passengers between all major islands. The Maui Chapter’s opposition was based on concerns over the introduction of invasive species which would bring devastating consequences to Maui’s fragile watershed. Another point of contention is that the proposed pier would destroy surf sites and traditional Hawaiian recreational pastimes, such as fishing and canoe paddling. The Chapter asked for a full environmental impact statement before the governing agencies granted project approval. This is a new hot-button issue bound to return until a satisfactory resolution is achieved, and the Maui Chapter is fully engaged in the community resolution process.

Lahaina Harbor Ferry Pier– A second issue developed around the state’s plan to add a second pier at Lahaina Harbor to accommodate a small inter-island ferry service between Maui, Molokai and Lanai. This ferry service already links these isolated islands and is not to be confused with the proposed Super Ferry at Kahului. Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation (DLNR, DOBOR)  solicited Surfrider input in the design phase to create community consensus on surf and shoreline access and to minimize opposition. Surfrider is fully engaged with the state and other stakeholders to determine the best solution and ensure access is maintained for all recreational users at Lahaina.

Ma'alaea Harbor Expansion Project -The Maui Chapter continues its vigil over the state and federal governments’ plan to expand Ma’alaea Harbor. With help from Surfrider National, the Maui Chapter secured Ford Foundation grant funding needed to hire independent economic and engineering reviews of the latest plan and environmental impact statement, due for release in late 2005. The Ford Foundation funding falls slightly short of the estimated $35,000 to $45,000 needed to fund the above independent reviews, and the Chapter is actively engaged in fundraising to ensure adequate funding of this major ongoing campaign.

Maui Chapter representatives met with the US Army Corps of Engineers Ma’alaea project manager last summer to discuss the Chapter’s concerns and request information. A face-to-face meeting helped clarify misunderstandings that proliferated on both sides due to a lack of communication. With the assistance of the National Office, the Chapter is negotiating contracts for a Florida-based coastal engineering firm and a Hawaii-based economic consulting firm to review the government’s plans for accuracy. A community survey is planned to help forge a consensus among Ma’alaea stakeholders, including trailer boaters, fishermen, commercial operators, condo owners, surfers, canoe paddlers, and environmentalists.
The Chapter attended meetings convened by the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation, and met with DLNR DOBOR officials privately to stem the tide of falsehoods that served to pit the boaters against the surfers. For years the State claimed that a Surfrider Foundation lawsuit prohibited improvements to Ma’alaea Harbor – a falsehood that stirred boaters’ anger toward surfers. As a result, the State has backed off from blaming the Surfrider Foundation and surfers for its lack of stewardship of the Harbor, and is moving forward with plans to install fueling and pump-out facilities. Surfrider initiated meetings that cleared Surfrider’s name with Harbor stakeholders – which cleared the way for successful collaboration on harbor improvements and eased tension that may have skewed results of a Maui Chapter-initiated survey.

TRAINING & VOLUNTEER DEVELOPMENT

2004 Hawai'i Conservation Conference – Maui Chapter Chair Jan Roberson and chapter volunteer Leslie Bruce (a 67-year Maui resident) attended the 2004 Hawai'i Conservation Conference held in at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu on the island of Oahu in June 2004. The Conference provided attendees with the opportunity to network with environmentalists from around the state, foster a better understanding of statewide environmental issues, and access to a multitude of resources.

Surfrider 20 Year Summit - With an infusion of cash assistance from Surfrider National Office, The Maui Chapter was able to send a delegation of six women to Surfrider’s 20-year Summit, including three teenaged volunteers. At long last Maui Chapter representative met chapter leaders from across the country and Japan, learned first hand of national issues and effective initiatives, and attended valuable workshops that increased the chapter’s effectiveness in the community.

Academic Internships - The Maui Chapter is often approached by college students in need of academic internships and field studies placement, which broadens the Maui Chapter’s collaborative partnerships and efficacy in the community. College students increasingly are utilized to assist the Chapter’s research efforts on the Ma’alaea Harbor expansion issue, and to help organize and implement its marine science programs in Maui schools. Internships provide the Maui Chapter with recognition in the national and international academic communities, while enriching the academic experience of students, and providing cost effective assistance on Chapter campaigns.

COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS

Engagement in the Legislative Process - The Chapter continues to track legislation beneficial to a healthy environment. The Chapter continued its support of proposed regulations to stop pollution from agricultural run off that contains nutrients that foster overgrowth of non-native algae, and chemicals and sediment that smother the coral reef and poison the near shore ecosystem. The Chapter is submitting supportive testimony on several proposed bills now at the legislature that will address this special interest loophole.

Surf Industry - The Maui Chapter is partnering with surf industry retailer to sell its Save Ma’alaea surf contest benefit t-shirt shirts. This partnership helps raise funds and strengthens the Maui Chapter’s presence in the community.

SURFRIDER PARTNERSHIPS WITH MAUI SCHOOLS

Park Service Events -

The Chapter’s community cleanup efforts have grown from Beach Clean Up events into Park Service Events with a full menu of projects for participants to choose from, and to suit most age groups. These expanded projects include Storm Drain Stenciling for middle school students, work on Native Plantings and Recycling of glass, aluminum and plastics for older people and stronger students. Park Service Events take place on weekends in conjunction with Community Work Day, professional and amateur surf contests, Earth Day and Whale Day. Recently Starbucks and Jamba Juice requested Maui Chapter assistance in planning beach clean up activities for employees. Park Service Events also take place on weekdays to accommodate a growing number of requests from academic institutions to partner on community service projects for students. The Park Service Events typically attract 100 volunteers and as many bags of trash for Maui recycle bins, while teaching participants about issues affecting the near shore waters, shoreline management solutions, and to malama o ka aina – to care for the land. The Hawaii state motto is Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono, which translates into “the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”

Near-Shore Water Testing for Bacteria -

Perhaps the Maui Chapter’s most exciting news is that it recently received a second Blue Water Task Force (BWTF) lab which is awaiting placement in the all new high-tech marine science van. The high-tech science van travels to communities and schools across Maui County and Surfrider is proud to sponsor equipment that will reach a broader section of students than we could otherwise reach with our mission to help educate youth on issues affecting coastal waters. The Blue Water Task Force helps students understand what degrades the quality of near shore waters. The Chapter’s first lab is centrally located at the Ocean Science Discovery Center, which is the Pacific Whale Foundation’s fabulous marine science facility at Ma’alaea. The community lab is open to the public, free to students, and constitutes a partnership between the Chapter and the PWF. Science students from all over the island are invited to utilize the Chapter's lab for science projects free of charge. Students are amazed to discover the sources of bacteria plaguing their favorite swimming and surfing sites – from feral animals and livestock located upslope -- to dogs and campers on the beach. 2005 Lattner grant funds in the amount of $2,000 will pay for this valuable equipment that will enrich Maui students for years to come, as well as 100 test kits that will reach Maui County students both near and far in the coming year. Another $1,000 will purchase a turbidity meter for students to learn about how sediment originating upslope can cause muddy run off to the ocean, which destroys coral reef ecosystems.

Native Hawaiian Planting Projects – The Chapter’s Native Planting Projects have taken front and center stage, gaining popularity as students help stabilize exposed shoreline and halt erosion resulting from large north swell events and rising sea levels. The native planting projects provide students and community members with opportunities to solve environmental problems collectively while learning about ethno-botany and shoreline management issues. The native plants improve the appearance of the park and are always a source of visitors’ interest! Planting projects fulfill the Surfrider mission of preserving coastal areas through education. They also promote cooperation among park user groups and exemplify the growing collaborative capacity of the Surfrider Foundation on Maui.

In Summary, the Surfrider Foundation, Maui Chapter is striving to preserve coastal areas for the ongoing enjoyment of present and future generations, and to educate young people in the complex issues affecting the shoreline.  In Hawai'i this is the principle of "malama pono" – providing care with balance and doing the right thing.
 
Mahalo nui loa to the Forrest C. Lattner Foundation and the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Kaulunani Urban Tree Planting Grant.

Press coverage of The Beach Clean Up and Cook Out set for Saturday Morning, September 22nd
made page three in the Maui News today! The Blue Water Task Force was mentioned as well.

EPA Environmental Education Grants Available Now!
We will be sad to see the lab go away, but look at the bright side: there is Environmental Protection Agency federal grant funding available for such environmental education purposes. Surfrider Maui is going to apply right away. In fact we are attending an EPA grant workshop on September 19 with MCC's Ann Coopersmith.