Maui Residents to be Honored With Environmental Awards

By Wendy Osher

The Sierra Club Maui Chapter will honor several Maui residents as “Local Environmental Heroes” at the group’s upcoming annual meeting on Feb. 1, 2014.

The organization announced the award recipients in an agency press release that includes the following individuals:

• Mahina Martin of Wailuku will be awarded the ʻOnipaʻa award, which recognizes individuals who have made long term contributions to protect Maui’s natural and cultural resources.  Organization leaders say Martin is receiving the award “for her effectiveness in organizing the repeal of the Public Lands Development Corporation law.” Martin was also a founder of the Friends of Moku’ula, which works to restore the historic and archaeological site in Lahaina.
• Vince Mina is being honored with the Mālama i ka ʻĀina award, which recognizes outstanding work caring for the land.  Mina is receiving the award “for his years of advocacy for sustainable agriculture and leadership in the Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United.
• Mark Deakos, PhD will be awarded the Malama Kahakai award, which recognizes those who preserve Maui’s beaches and near shore waters.  Organization leaders say Deakos is receiving the award for his “tireless work as a biologist preserving coral reefs and their inhabitants.”
• Steve and Nan Jackson have been named the Sierra Club Volunteers of the Year for their long service in beach clean ups, organization leaders announced.

The public is also invited to the meeting, which is scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, at Kaunoa Senior Center in Spreckelsville.

This free event features a talk by Mina on sustainable agriculture; discussion on sustainable energy led by the club’s Clean Energy Campaign Coordinator Caitlin Pomeranz; and an awards ceremony that begins at 11:30 a.m.

In addition to the awards, Maui lawmakers will also provide updates on bills affecting the environment during the annual meeting.

Candidates who are not currently seated in public office, but will be running for election, are invited to attend.  Sierra Club leader say they will be introduced an have an opportunity to meet and mingle with attendees and the organization board.

Lunch buffet will be catered by Mana Foods and Pāʻia Flatbread Company.