Climate change. Oil depletion. Consumerism. Waste. The community must urgently address these critical local and global issues, Apollo Kaua‘i Chair Ben Sullivan said Monday. A two-day conference Oct. 12 and 13 at Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center in Lihu‘e
Climate change. Oil depletion. Consumerism. Waste.
The community must urgently address these critical local and global issues, Apollo Kaua‘i Chair Ben Sullivan said Monday.
A two-day conference Oct. 12 and 13 at Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center in Lihu‘e will offer residents the chance to learn what they can do to impact the decisions that affect their lives and then provide an open forum for discussion.
The Sierra Club’s Kaua‘i Group and Apollo Kaua‘i, whose members focus on energy alternatives, are sponsoring LEGS: Locally Engaging Global Solutions — Seeking a Sustainable Future for Kaua‘i.
“The conference is about recognizing that we, as a community, have some very serious problems, and that we, as a community, have some great opportunities to solve those problems,” said Sullivan, of Kalaheo.
Global warming and a dependency on imported fossil fuels are familiar topics, Sullivan said.
“Many people are aware of them, of course, but a significant number of people are still waiting for the ‘other foot to drop’ from policy makers on a state and federal level,” he said. “What is very interesting about policy decisions and policy makers is that they, in turn, are waiting for the public.”
Sullivan pointed to the “waste to energy” initiative as a local example.
“There is no one in government who refutes the fact that a comprehensive ‘zero waste’ oriented program is a superior solution to our solid waste problem,” he said. “However, those who favor an incinerator do so almost unanimously because they do not think that the popular support exists for a ‘zero waste’ alternative. It’s chicken and egg.”
The high cost of electricity is another issue that community involvement can impact, Sullivan said.
An ethanol plant on the Westside could generate a lot of electricity for Kaua‘i and save residents money, he said, but the community needs to voice opposition to firing it with coal.
“Decision-makers believe that the public sentiment is for anything that will reduce costs by a few pennies, and that’s all the public cares about,” Sullivan said. “Yes, the public wants cheaper electricity, but they, in turn, expect the decision-makers to consider not just cost, but all the issues related to the decision.”
Diana LaBedz, a long-time environmental advocate and Surfrider Foundation’s Kaua‘i Chapter member, said she decided to help organize the conference to connect residents with the island’s needs.
“If a crisis happens, we will share a connection knowing that when we have each other we can share moving forward without being afraid,” she said. “And perhaps the crisis is now, and this is a good time to look at that.”
LaBedz said the conference will help define the increasingly popular word “sustainability” from an environmental point of view.
“Developers, power companies, politicians, chemical companies and even big box retail stores are on the sustainable bandwagon,” she said. “Is a coal-burning energy plant sustainable? Is chemical agriculture sustainable?”
Changing daily habits, energy use and transportation decisions are just some of the ways an individual can have a global impact, LaBedz said.
“The conference goal is to fill every seat on Friday night and Saturday with people ready to start shrinking their environmental footprint on the island,” she said.
The event kicks off at 5:30 p.m., Oct. 12, with a film called “The Planet,” open to the public free of charge.
Then from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 13, the public is invited to hear several speakers present information on topics ranging from transportation to land use.
Discussion panels will follow for residents and experts “to explore effective strategies to save Kaua‘i.”
Tickets for the Oct. 13 event are $15 with lunch, $5 without.
Speakers will include Kaua‘i County Councilwoman JoAnn Yukimura, state Rep. Mina Morita, state Sen. Gary Hooser, Sierra Club Hawai‘i Chapter Director Jeff Mikulina, Malama Kaua‘i Director Keone Kealoha, overconsumption expert Dr. Gordon LaBedz, Kauaian Institute Executive Director Ken Stokes and more.
