[§341-1]  Findings and purpose.  Thelegislature finds that the quality of the environment is as important to thewelfare of the people of Hawaii as is the economy of the State.  Thelegislature further finds that the determination of an optimum balance betweeneconomic development and environmental quality deserves the most thoughtfulconsideration, and that the maintenance of the optimum quality of theenvironment deserves the most intensive care.

The purpose of this chapter is to stimulate,expand and coordinate efforts to determine and maintain the optimum quality ofthe environment of the State. [L 1970, c 132, pt of §1]