English attends APIL General Assembly to discuss climate change in the Pacific Islands

Senator J. Kalani English has traveled to Tarawa, Republic of Kiribati, for the 29th General Assembly of the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures (APIL), which focuses on “Climate Change: Understanding the Challenges for our Pacific Islands.” The Assembly is scheduled to run from June 2 through June 7.

“The Republic of Kiribati is a particularly meaningful place for us to gather and discuss climate change,” English said. “It is made up of hundreds of low-lying atolls which are at the forefront of high sea rise and the potentially devastating effects of climate change. Most of the island countries, states and territories of the Pacific are the least to contribute to climate change, but are the most vulnerable to its effects.”

“Kiribati is our ‘canary in the coal mine’ when it comes to changes in sea levels,” English continued. “We may see the effects there first, but we will also eventually see them in Hawaii as well.”

“If the ocean around Hawaii were to rise three feet, Waikiki would be under water,” English said. “All of us across the Pacific, large and small, need to address these questions now, before it is too late.”

This is also English’s final General Assembly as president of APIL. He was elected to the post in May, 2008, after serving two terms as vice president.

“It has been an honor to help lead this very dedicated group,” he said. “We have had an opportunity to examine a number of areas of mutual interest where regional cooperation, coordination, exchange and assistance can help our individual governments achieve important goals through collective action. I’m glad that Hawai‘i has played a role in these efforts, and that I have had an opportunity to contribute whatever I could to the discussion.”

The APIL’s mission is to organize a permanent association of mutual assistance by representatives of the people of the Pacific Islands. Current issues before the APIL include those arising in the areas of Resources and Economic Development, Commerce, Legislation, Energy, Regional Security and Defense, Communications, Cultural Appreciation, Health and Social Services, Education, Agriculture, Air and Sea Transportation, Aquaculture, Sports and Recreation, Youth and Senior Citizens, Tourism, Finance, Political Status, External Relations, and Development Banking.

Among the Pacific Island states participating in the APIL are American Samoa; Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; Federated States of Micronesia States of Chuuk, Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap; Island of Guam; Republic of the Marshall Islands; Republic of Palau; State of Hawai‘i; Republic of Kiribati; and Republic of Nauru.