OPPOSE HB1823 HD1: Bulldozed Coastal Protections

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Another measure that would fundamentally weaken development protections for our beaches and nearshore areas, is being heard on Tuesday, February 24 at 2pm in room 325 (watch online here) in the House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs. 

Please take a moment to submit testimony to safeguard our islands from fast-tracked coastal development that could permanently impair our food security, cultural practices, recreational opportunities, housing affordability, and climate resilience - sample testimony below!

What this bill does

HB1823 HD1 would decimate our fundamental coastal protection laws by exempting a range of development activities from special management area permit requirements, even if they may result in cumulative impacts, and/or significant environmental and ecological effects on our coastal areas and nearshore waters.

Sample testimony for HB1823 HD1

Aloha Chair Tarnas, Vice Chair Poepoe, and members of the Committee,

My name is ______ and I STRONGLY OPPOSE HB1823 HD1.

This bill’s proposed new exemption from the definition of “development” would allow short-sighted taxpayer-funded coastal development projects, self-declared as exempt from environmental review, to avoid special management area permit requirements. This is highly problematic at best, particularly given the high variability and sensitivity of our coastal areas, shorelines, and nearshore waters that require heightened mindfulness and protection.

However, the current draft of this bill now goes even further, and seeks to exempt any of the activities listed in HRS §205A-22(2) - from home repair and construction, to fencing installation, to the reconstruction of outdated and potentially dangerous structures - from special management area permit requirements, even if they may threaten our shoreline and coastal areas with cumulative impacts or significant environmental and ecological effects. This is unacceptable.

Our coastal areas are as fragile as they are important to our cultural, ecological, recreational, and economic rights and interests. Our special management area permitting processes accordingly provide a layer of review and oversight, including through public input in certain instances, that can identify and mitigate the impacts of development activities on our cherished coastlines and nearshore areas. As our dependence on our beaches, estuaries, and reefs only continues to grow, we should be increasing our thoughtfulness and care in planning for coastal development - not turning our back to our rising seas.

Please HOLD this misguided measure.  

Sincerely,
[Your name]

Testimony instructions

  1. Register for a capitol website account if you haven’t yet (youʻll need to confirm your registration by responding to an automated email).

  2. Sign in to capitol.hawaii.gov with your registration information and click the "Submit Testimony" button.

  3. Enter “HB1823” where it says "Enter Bill or Measure."

  4. Input your information, select “OPPOSE”, write or copy/paste your testimony, and select your testimony option(s)—in-person + written, remotely + written, written only. Please consider providing verbal testimony (in-person or remotely) if you are able! 

    Note: Virtual testimony option may be disabled 24 hours before the hearing.

  5. If you are testifying via Zoom, be sure to review these instructions (page 4).

  6. Don’t forget to spread the word!