Lawmakers Question Officials On Enviro Exemptions

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Members of House Hawaiian Affairs are asking Abercrombie administration officials about “the impact of current legislation that proposes to exempt development projects from State laws and County ordinances that protect traditional and customary rights, practices and resources.”

Those bills include Senate Bill 755, which allows the governor to waive environmental regulatory review of state construction projects.

Several lawmakers are worried about the impact to the environment and Native Hawaiian cultural practices.

Attorney General David Louie and DLNR Director William Aila say the administration has not taken a position on the bills, even though DOT Director Glenn Okimoto is on record supporting SB 755. 

 

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