Chris Hart to Be Honored Posthumously by Sierra Club

File photo Chris Hart.

By Wendy Osher

Maui planner Chris Hart will be honored posthumously with an environmental award issued by the Maui chapter of the Sierra Club during their annual meeting on Feb. 2.

The “Ike Imua” award is one of several awards issued by the agency to recognize environmental heroes in the community.

Hart, who was a longtime landscape architect and planner, passed away in November. Sierra Club officials say he had a long history of dedication to planning for Maui’s parks, bikeways and open spaces. He is also recognized as a guiding force behind the original draft of the Maui Island Plan, according to the Sierra Club.

Two individuals have been selected as recipients of the Sierra Club’s Onipa’a award, which recognizes those who have made long term contributions to protect Maui’s natural and cultural resources.

Clare Apana of Wailuku will receive the ‘Onipa’a award for her long time advocacy for Maui’s cultural sites; and Michael Howden will receive the ‘Onipa’a award for his years of work on water issues and advocacy for sustainable agriculture.

Mark Hyde, a retired attorney living in South Maui, is receiving the Sierra Club’s Malama i ka ‘Aina award for his untiring leadership in citizen efforts to compel proper planning and permitting for a proposed outlet mall in north Kihei. The award recognizes outstanding work caring for the land.

Mike Perry, who has cleared invasive plants and replanted native species in the Kanaha Beach area, will be honored with the Malama Kahakai award, which recognizes those who preserve beaches and nearshore waters.

In addition to the awards, Maui legislators will give updates on bills affecting the environment. Executive Director Robert Harris of the Hawaii Sierra Club, and Maui Group Chairperson Chris Taylor, will talk about what the Sierra Club has accomplished and what is on-tap for 2013.

The meeting runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 2, with the award ceremony slated for 11:30 a.m. at the Kaunoa Senior Center in Spreckelsville. The public is invited to attend.