From a landmark Hawai‘i Supreme Court decision protecting the state’s shoreline to a grassroots group mobilizing a movement for sustainable energy, Kaua‘i environmentalists remained an active force over the past year. The Sierra Club’s Kaua‘i Group recognized this perseverance at
From a landmark Hawai‘i Supreme Court decision protecting the state’s shoreline to a grassroots group mobilizing a movement for sustainable energy, Kaua‘i environmentalists remained an active force over the past year.
The Sierra Club’s Kaua‘i Group recognized this perseverance at its fifth annual picnic yesterday afternoon at Hanama‘ulu Beach Park, presenting awards to North Shore community member Caren Diamond and Kalaheo resident Ben Sullivan.
“There’s nothing more worthwhile than protecting Hawai‘i’s beaches,” Diamond said. “But behind every good environmentalist stands a great attorney.”
Diamond and her lawyer, Harold Bronstein, fought a state Department of Land and Natural Resources certification of a shoreline on a North Shore lot that was based on vegetation the landowner planted to artificially extend the coastline property.
In October 2006, the Hawai‘i Supreme Court ruled in favor of Diamond, reaffirming that as much shoreline as possible — established by the high water mark not false vegetation — should be secured for public use.
“A person shouldn’t have to do what Caren does,” state Sen. Gary Hooser said as he presented the Sierra Club award to Diamond.
State Rep. Mina Morita presented the “Sustainability Steward of the Year” award to Sullivan, who helped start Apollo Kaua‘i, a grassroots organization advocating renewable energy for the island.
“We must determine how to use energy smartly,” Sullivan said, by first educating ourselves and then taking action.
Hooser said Diamond and Sullivan “symbolize the best in commu-
