Local environmental groups are opposing the appointment of Genevieve Salmonson as head of the state office that administers Hawaii’s environmental review law. 

Gov. Neil Abercrombie appointed Salmonson as interim director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control in May. She faces a Senate confirmation hearing on Tuesday. 

But her past involvement in the Hawaii Superferry debacle has raised a chorus of protests among environmentalists, some of whom sued to stop the inter-island ferry system. 

On Friday, Robert Harris, executive director of the Hawaii Sierra Club, sent out a media blast urging senators to oppose her appointment:

Ms. Salmonson is infamous for her involvement in the Superferry debacle. She approved the Department of Transportation’s request to exempt the Superferry from environmental review. In reviewing that decision, Hawaii’s Environmental Council voted 9 – 1 that the exemption was inappropriately applied. Ms. Salmonson, as a voting member of that Environmental Council, was the single “nay” vote in opposition. The Supreme Court of Hawaii also unanimously concluded Ms. Salmonson was wrong.

If Ms. Salmonson had asked the right questions and determined that an EIS was necessary, this sordid episode in Hawaii’s history may never have happened and the state might have saved millions of dollars. 

The Office of Environmental Quality Control, which is charged with protecting Hawaii’s environmental quality and resolving public concerns, suffers from a clear lack of quality leadership. It has been unable to pass administrative rules in over a decade and has not substantively updated Hawaii’s environmental review laws in years. Ms. Salmonson, who has served in this office previously for two terms, cannot provide the leadership needed nor inspire public confidence in her ability to fairly hear and resolve environmental concerns.  

Putting the right people in office is one the key functions of a well-functioning democracy. Please ask your Senator to ensure that someone who understands the law and can build public trust is appointed. Ask them to say “no” to Ms. Salmonson as OEQC Director.

Contacted by phone, Salmonson said she hadn’t seen the Sierra Club’s release and so couldn’t comment at this time.

Abercrombie remains supportive of Salmonson, but is trying to determine her level of support in the Senate, according to an email from Louise Kim-McCoy, a spokeswoman for the governor:

The Governor continues to support Genevieve Salmonson and her appointment as Director to the Office of Environmental Quality Control. She previously held this position for several years under two prior administrations, and therefore has the necessary demonstrated experience. She is highly qualified and capable of being appointed once again. We understand that there are concerns that have been raised about her nomination and so the Governor’s Office has been engaged in discussions with Senators to determine her level of support.   

Genevieve Salmonson, interim OEQC director. (Photo courtesy of the governor’s office)

— Sophie Cocke