The Hawaii Fishermen's Alliance for Conservation and Tradition (HFACT), an
advocacy organization for some 3,000 small boat commercial fishermen who catch much of the fish sold locally, believes there's evidence to show the
humpback whale is sufficiently recovered to warrant its removal from
the endangered species list.
The
group has filed a petition to identify the North
Pacific population of humpback whales a distinct population segment
that should be delisted. A similar strategy is being employed to
delist the green sea turtle, though HFACT President Phil Fernandez said the whale petition is not connected to the honu
petition and the group is independent of the Western Pacific Regional
Fishery Management Council (Wespac).
In
explaining the group's rationale, Fernandez wrote:
International
rules banning the take of large whales have been in place for almost
50 years, we support these rules. Additionally, the Marine
Mammal Protection Act will continue to protect whales. HFACT
simply feels that the application of the ESA , which Congress
identified as the "protection of last resort" is not longer
necessary.
The
petition is also an attempt to sideline current efforts to expand the
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. A draft
management plan is due out in early 2014. Fishers have
consistently complained that the NOAA Sanctuary Division is not listening to
them or considering their concerns, so they created HFACT and
submitted the petition.
In
publishing a 90-day finding, the National Marine Fisheries Service
noted:
We
find that the petition viewed in the context of information readily
available in our files presents substantial scientific and commercial
information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted.
To
determine whether it is warranted, the agency is
“soliciting scientific and commercial information pertaining
to this population from any interested party.” Comments are due by
Oct. 28. You can view this document for more details on the petition
and how to submit comments.
A
petition of another sort seeks to prevent President Obama from
issuing an executive order to accomplish what the Akaka Bill, OHA and
the Kanaiolowalu (Hawaiian roll call) have all failed to do— give
kanaka maoli federal recognition. The petition reads:
The
Kana’iolowalu Roll Commission thwarts the legal context and spirit
of self-determination. We are not tribal, nor of tribes. Attempting
to transform our Hawaiian identity is an unconstitutional, race-based
action; a clear breach and violation of our perfect right denying our
due process under law.
We,
the Kanaka Maoli, have been misrepresented through materially false,
fictitious, and fraudulent statements implemented through the use of
false writings/documents. We oppose federal recognition of our people
and reject Kana’iolowalu.
We
ask that you respect the U.S. Constitution and comply with
international laws, Laws of Nations and the U.N. Declaration you
signed in 2010 based on the right to self-determination and
self-governance.
You
can sign if you agree with that sentiment, even if you aren't kanaka
maoli.
I
see the county is looking to transform Kawaihau Road to make it more
“pedestrian friendly.” Why? Of all the roads in Kapahi-Wailua,
it's already the friendliest because it has that little path that
runs almost its entire length, as well as crosswalks by the schools
and the still-closed spur to the coastal Path. But since the money is
tied to schools, attention will be focused on Kawaiahau Road, rather than
where it's actually needed, like the pedestrian death traps of
Kaapuni Road in Kapahi and Hoolako Street in Lihue.
Speaking
of pedestrian routes, Councilmembers Nadine Nakamura and Mel Rapozo
are seeking more info at Wednesday's meeting about a public easement that
Falko Properties plans to dedicate as part of its super luxe Kahuaina Plantation, which will turn more prime ag land into upscale gentleman's
estates between Moloaa and Kilauea. I do not understand why people who claim to care about the future of agriculture on Kauai, as evidenced by their interest in pesticide-GMO Bill 2491, don't seem bothered a bit by gentrification.
At any rate, Mel wants to know how the easement will
impact the location and establishment of the alaloa, a traditional
coastal trail, while Nadine wants to know more about the subdivision's approval process and the easement, “including the
parking area’s distance to the shoreline, the number of
parking stalls and responsibility for the maintenance of the approximately
one mile long public access.”
Mahalo
Mel and Nadine for being concerned about public access.
9 comments:
Kawaihau road could use sidewalks, IMHO.
The existing blacktop weed path is disconnected and looks ghetto.
I'm native hawaiian and I don't understand this petition. Kanaka want to be recognized and then they don't want to be recognized. Unfortunately we have no REAL leaders leading what native hawaiians as a whole want. Before we start petitioning, we need to understand what the "want" is, how it will benefit our people, and the future of the native hawaiian race and preservation of our culture.
As to the Kawaihau issue, I agree that they don't need to be more sidewalk friendly; I've used the sidewalk currently in place already. The County should use that money to build NEW sidewalks in other neighborhoods that NEED IT. This whole remodeling of existing features just because they "look ghetto" is stupid...just like renovating the county buildings in lihue. That money could have been used to create sidewalks in Koloa or towards parks maintenance. Where are the priorities here?
Instead of sidewalks, how about fixing Kawaihau Road. It is a shambles.
September 2, 2013 at 5:31 PM:
One thing we donʻt want is Federal Recognition.
We donʻt want the U.S. telling us what we want or how to form a government "of our own choosing".
Is that self-determination when Robin Danner decides for us?
Getting past the illegal methods deployed to shove FR down our throats like and Executive Order to pass FR is the first step.
Then deciding what form our government will take is next and it is OURS to determine.
It pretty much has to be a replacement of the government that was illegally overthrown.
I understand what the petition says. It is very clear.
One thing would be to stop saying ʻnativeʻ Hawaiian. Thatʻs Indian.
Before we start petitioning????
You must work for oha.
The court house renovation was for hurricane protection and did not come from the DOT.
Waipake: Did you go to or watch the Wed Aug 21 council meeting? If it wasn't for community members, Falko's project woulda been a slam dunk.
Planning approved a beach access easement that ends 580 feet from the beach on a final subdivision map.
Watch Ian Jung and Max Graham. Try figure out who represents who.
Ian is grooming himself for a job with Belles, Graham.
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