In 2008 the University of Hawai‘i (UH) conducted a study of the state's environmental review system in order to submit a proposal to the Legislature for improvement. The UH Study Team spent more than a year interviewing various stakeholders in order to develop their recommendations.
Senate Bill 2818 was the result of the UH Study Team's recommendations. However, at the joint hearing before the Senate Committee on Energy and Environment and the Senate Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture and Hawaiian Affairs, there was a surprising amount of opposition from all sides.
As a result, State Senator Mike Gabbard convened a 12-member working group to seek middle ground in the spirit of compromise in order to develop further amendments. The members of the working group consisted of a wide range of professionals with expertise in development, transportation, environmental conservation, and much more. It created a unique opportunity for people who may have never sat down at the same table to openly and respectfully discuss issues that are crucially important to all of them, as well as to the future of the 'aina and the people of Hawai'i.
With Senator Gabbard's support and facilitation, the members of the working group invested an incredible amount of time and thought into this collaborative effort. They met nine times from February 16th through March 22nd, 2010, and also met as sub-groups to try to resolve particularly thorny issues and report back to the whole working group.
Sentator Gabbard will be commending the members of the Environmental Working Group with an honorary certificate presentation on the floor of the State Senate. He will be thanking them for their commitment, perseverance, and collaboration which was invaluable to the success of the group.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
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