History of CCH
A resolution adopted at the 7th Pacific Science Congress in Auckland and Christchurch, New Zealand in February 1949 called for a conservation or nature-protection body to be formed in Hawai’i. A year later, on August 9, 1950, the Conservation Council for Hawai’i was formed under the initiative of the staff of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum and others for the purpose of “furthering conservation in its various aspects in the Hawaiian Islands to the end of betterment of human welfare therein.” Dozens of representatives of organizations, agencies, and landowners sat on the Council before it became a grassroots membership organization.
Conservation Council for Hawai’i is affiliated with the National Wildlife Federation – the nation’s largest wildlife organization – in the 1970s. In 1980, it received non-profit, tax-exempt status and launched its membership campaign in 1996. It has grown from a few dozen dedicated volunteers to over 5,500 dues-paying members and supporters. The first full-time staff person was hired in 2003.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM 60 YEARS OF PROTECTING HAWAIIAN WILDLIFE AND WILD PLACES
1950s
- Under initiative of Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum and others, Conservation Council for Hawai’i is formed on August 9, 1950.
- CCH Holds its first general meeting in March 1951 with various organizations and agencies represented; forms island subcommittees and standing committees for flora, fauna, water, land, and sites.
- Opposes sand removal from public beaches in Wai’anae, O’ahu
- Calls for the protection of Hawaiian monk seal and sea turtles
- Prepares list of diminishing Hawaiian plants and supports sanctuaries to protect trees in native dry forests
- Takes action to clear vegetation and protect Ulupō Heiau at Kawainui Marsh
1960s
- CCH membership increases and includes representatives of diverse organizations across the state.
- Supports passage of Act 187 – the State Zoning Law or “Greenbelt Law,” which establishes a statewide land-use classification system for agricultural, urban, and conservation lands
- Raises awareness about suburbanization and growth in Hawai’i following statehood in 1959 and promotes public parks, proper soil conservation, and land stewardship
- Provides a venue to discuss the impacts of introduced mammals on native species, watersheds, and agricultural lands. A key focus is the proposed introduction of axis deer to the Big Island of Hawai’i.
- Hosts a series of annual conservation conferences with conservation themes, keynote speakers, presentations, and exhibits. The first Annual Conservation Conference, entitled “Outdoor Recreation and Conservation in National, State, and City & County Parks and Forest Areas,” is held in 1962 in Honolulu.
- Hosts second Annual Conservation Conference, “Progress and Planning for Hawai’i’s Future”; Governor John Burns addresses conference.
1970s
- CCH affiliates with the National Wildlife Federation and produces first annual wildlife poster for Hawai’i schools.
- Supports creation of State Natural Area Reserves System to protect unique ecosystems and geologic sites for future generations
- Supports enactment of federal Endangered Species Act.
- Opposes commercial whaling in the Pacific to protect endangered humpbacks and other species
- Supports removing introduced sheep and goats from endangered palila bird critical habitat
- Joins wildlife organizations, farmers, and ranchers in opposing the introduction of axis deer to the Big Island
- Takes legal action to stop a proposed housing subdivision in Kawainui Marsh in Kailua, O’ahu
- Opposes conversion of native forests on Big Island for urbanization and agriculture
- Supports fence construction and removal of introduced goats from Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
1980s
- Opposes ‘ōhi’a logging for woodchips in Puna on Big Island and koa logging in Koke’e State Park, Kaua’i; files successful lawsuit to stop logging on Moloka’i in habitat for rare kahuli tree snails.
- Takes on lessee of state ceded land and native dry forest at Pu’u Wa’awa’a, Kona; exposes unauthorized koa logging, building construction, dumping, and other lease violations; hosts media helicopter tour of the area to force state enforcement; supports establishment of the Pu’u Wa’awa’a Forest Bird Sanctuary.
- Files administrative appeal with EPA over toxic emissions permit for H-Power garbage-to-energy incinerator
- Files successful lawsuits to stop heptachlor pesticide use in pineapple fields after pesticides are found in mothers’ milk; establishes Hawai’i Heptachlor Research and Education Foundation to study effects of heptachlor on humans and environment.
- Represented by Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund, threatens to sue U.S. Army to comply with federal Endangered Species Act and protect endangered kahuli tree snails at Makua Military Reservation, O’ahu.
- Receives a grant from the state legislature to organize Earth Day 20th Anniversary Celebration in 1990
- Assists Native Hanalei Farmers in securing grant to support agricultural and ecological studies in the valley
- Receives the National Wildlife Federation’s 1989 Affiliate of the Year Award
1990s
- Settles successful lawsuit against U.S. Department of Interior and Fish and Wildlife Service resulting in more than 250 Hawaiian plant species being listed as threatened or endangered; much needed staff and funding arrives in Hawai’i to help recover these plants
- Organizes Citizens Against Noise Hawai’i and grassroots campaign to force federal regulation of tour aircraft in national parks and wilderness areas.
- Serves on regional councils on Big Island to address harmful impacts of introduced feral and game mammals to native species and habitats
- Conducts predator study to protect endangered Hawaiian waterbirds at Kanahā Pond Wildlife Sanctuary on Maui
- Files administrative appeal to prevent golf course and residential subdivision in Pu’uanahulu Homesteads in Kona
- Raises awareness about inadequate fire-fighting vehicles at Pōhakuloa Training Area and rare native dry forest on Big Island
- Receives grant to repair fences at Pu’u Wa’awa’a Forest Bird Sanctuary
- Helps establish new organizations ‘Ahahui Mālama I Ka Lōkahi, Native Hawaiians for the Protection of Native Hawaiian Species, and Youth for Environmental Services, which began as Council programs
2000s
- Sponsors “Subhankar Banerjee Hawai’i Tour”, “Arctic Film Festival”, cultural exchange trips, and Hawai’i presentations by visiting Gwich’in and Inupiaq colleagues to protect Arctic Refuge from oil drilling
- Helps launch “E Ho’omau” 5-year campaign and “Kōkua Bill” to secure permanent adequate funding for State Natural Area Reserves System
- Builds boardwalk in new Kahuku Ranch section of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
- Submits successful state legislation to increase funding for agricultural inspections at Hawai’i ports of entry to prevent invasive species introductions
- Files Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Wespac); calls for federal investigation to protect marine species and fisheries
- Administers Mānoa Cliffs Trail Project to remove invasive species and restore native plants along popular trail
- Organizes public support, field trips, and steering committee to protect and restore sinkhole preserve at Kalaeloa (Barber’s Point), O’ahu
- Co-sponsors beach clean ups and raises awareness about impacts of marine debris to wildlife
- Supports statewide ban on lay gillnets to protect endangered monk seals, sea turtles, sharks, and other by-catch species
- Administers grants to produce 50 wildlife viewing signs, and survey areas for invasive miconia plant on O’ahu
- Launches campaigns to raise awareness about threats to seabirds, endangered palila bird on Mauna Kea, and strawberry guava invading native Hawaiian forests.
- Files amicus briefs to protect endangered Hawaiian monk seals from resort and residential development on O’ahu’s north shore
- Supports state legislation to require greenhouse gas emissions by certain dates and require solar water heating for all new single-family dwelling
- Joins organizations around the country in lawsuit challenging federal regulations that weaken the federal Endangered Species Act; regulations and lawsuit are withdrawn
