LIHUE (AP) — Opponents of a proposed dairy in Mahaulepu are calling on Gov. David Ige to take notice of community concerns surrounding the proposed Hawaii Dairy Farms operation.
The Garden Island reports (http://bit.ly/1P2FA1i ) that Friends of Malaulepu President Bridget Hammerquist and other activists hand-delivered a petition with more than 3,300 signatures to the governor Friday.
Hammerquist says the nonprofit has concerns about the proposed dairy’s impact on the environment. Friends of Malaulepu is suing Hawaii Dairy Farms over alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act, claiming that construction at the dairy will likely expose the area to pollutants.
HDF’s spokeswoman, Amy Hennessey, says the dairy is meant to boost food security in Hawaii in a sustainable way. She says the organization is working to assess the environmental impact.