MAHALO FOR LAHAINA’S SKATE PARK

The West Maui Skate Park broke ground next to the Lahaina Aquatic Center on Monday, June 20th. What a great sports facility this will be for our youth and adults. When I started this project 17-plus years ago, when Hannibal Tavares was our mayor, it was a long struggle. About six years ago, Donovan McNabb and his sister, Stacy Marques, came along and opened Lahaina Skate Company. They took the reins and went ahead full bore. It wasn’t easy at all, and I want to thank them for their persistence. Thanks for not giving up.

There are so many people to thank, starting with Charmaine Tavares, Jo Anne Johnson and current Mayor Alan Arakawa for not cutting this project. Pam English, Joe Pluta and the rest of the West Maui Taxpayers Association came through with a grant from the National Park Service, which this park could not be built without. I would also like to thank Cheryl Akiona, John Buck, Pat Matsui and Jeff Anderson from Parks and Recreation, as well as Zeke Kalua, Tammy Osurman, Tamara Horcajo, Andrew Beers and Davey DeLong.

A big Mahalo to Lahaina News, Tropic Water, Cheeseburger in Paradise and Lokelani Construction. Also thanks to all of the contributors who donated money to this project, and to the kids and their parents who attended all the budget and planning meetings with such patience.

BCP Construction of Oahu and Grindline Skate Parks of Seattle will commence construction of the park within two weeks, and it will be finished by the end of the year. This project is well-needed and will be a positive place for our youth to showcase their talents. Santa’s bringing us a skate park this Christmas, so get ready to have fun! Mahalo to everyone!

ERIC SALAWICH, Lahaina

PTA APPRECIATES SUPPORT

Mahalo from the King Kamehameha III School PTA for our Staff Appreciation Luncheon.

On behalf of the PTA, I would like to sincerely thank the community and businesses who donated their services for door prizes, which rewarded 100 of our hardworking and dedicated school staff.

Mahalo to Executive Chef Kaipo Nakata and General Manager Lawrence Wong of Cane & Taro Restaurant, Chef Masa of Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, and Juan Gomez of Penne Pasta for donating the ‘ono-licious food, as well as George Ostermiller with Harvest Linen.

Also, many thanks to Food & Beverage Director Braulio Andaluz, Liz and Tom Bell with the Royal Lahaina Resort, Damien Awai with An Den for his awesome vocals, Kari Alexander (chairperson for donations) and all of our valuable parent volunteers who assisted us with serving, setup and cleanup. Thank you!

KERRI AOTAKI, President, 2010-11 King Kamehameha III School PTA

MAHALO FOR HELPING HONOR THE TROOPS

We all owe a huge debt of gratitude to every one of our military personnel: active duty, retired, and combat veterans. To our wounded warriors, our sincere “Thank you for your sacrifice.”

We pray for the safe return of those on active duty. To those who gave their lives to fight for liberty, “We will remember to honor your ultimate sacrifice for liberty and freedom.”

Thank you to the generous donors of gift certificates and door prizes for the retired military and veterans who came to the Armed Forces Day BBQ on May 21 at Kalama Park:

Outback Steakhouse and Starbucks at Piilani Shopping Center, gift certificates and items from members of the Maui County Republican Party and fishing trip/excursion trips from the Tea Party of Maui.

Thank you to everyone who brought the delicious food that all enjoyed. Our veterans and retired military personnel were honored with lei, ribbons, door prizes and terrific food.

This is an annual tribute to all military personnel: active, retired, and combat veterans. The next Honor the Troops event will be on Memorial Day 2012. The event is sponsored by the grateful members of the Maui County Republican Party.

SUSAN LUSSIER, Maui County Republican Party Member, Puunene

GET TAX CREDITS FOR HUNTING AXIS DEER?

Let’s talk global warming and axis deer. If we all believe in global warming, then we must believe that cap and trade, a government carbon tax on fossil fuels, is the thing to do. Methane will surely be part of this tax, since it’s being promoted in Australia. Cap and trade will also allow a carbon tax credit to offset the carbon tax you already paid.

Australia is looking at utilizing the credit to its advantage. They have over 1.2 million wild camels, with each one producing 100 pounds of methane each year — supposedly equivalent to one ton, or 2,000 pounds, of CO2 per year.

Australia feels that camel hunters could eliminate the troublesome camels, and each hunter will benefit from a one-ton CO2 carbon tax credit for each camel eliminated, since a reduction of 100 pounds of camel methane would result. The environmentalists should be extremely happy about reducing this unscientific source of global warming.

If the Obama administration successfully implements a U.S. cap and trade, or a carbon tax on fossil fuels paid by U.S. consumers, then Maui County might take advantage of this federal program with the 12,000 axis deer roaming around Upcountry destroying crops.

Maui County might offer axis deer hunters a one-ton CO2 carbon tax credit for each deer eliminated, thus reducing Maui’s axis deer problem and excessive CO2 emissions by 12,000 tons.

Now, how do we eliminate the 8,500 metric tons of CO2 per day emitted from Kilauea Volcano? And you were worried about power plants?

DON GERBIG, Lahaina

STEEL GUITAR FESTIVAL A GREAT SUCCESS

Mahalo for your continuing articles on our annual Henry Kaleilaloha Allen Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival held at Kaanapali Beach Hotel, our host hotel! Bryant Neal’s dream was to have Henry with his own festival in his own setting — that of the West Side of Maui! Without the backing of AECG, and all that it encompasses under Bryant’s direction, this could never have happened this fast!

Each year, it has gathered more of a worldwide following, bringing persons from all over the globe, and this time from Japan! In spite of their disasters, our Japanese participants all came… and stayed! Our Yokohama Trio, singing star Masami and Japan’s “Master of the Steel” himself, “Lion” Kiyoshi Kobayashi all participated.

Three full days of continuous music, all by Hawaiian steel guitar trios! The best in their fields — a “showcase” to the world that Maui has it all!

Without the help of my fine staff of recognized individuals, namely Danny Akaka Jr., Lovely Leiolani Akaka, Alii Noa, Koele Robinson Payat, Kainoa Lum, Leialoha Makamai, Kathy Reiko Hamada, Cliff Libed and Tarvin Makia, it wouldn’t have been the great showcase it was!

Highlights were Kaiwa Meyer (the niece of Joseph Kekeu, founder/inventor of the steel guitar) and her family attending. Through this guest speaker/performer, one was able to have a glimpse of the past through song and music. It was a fine presentation with materials supplied by the Kamehameha Schools Archives Department at Kapalama!

Our opening dignitaries were Honorable Mayor Alan Arakawa; Jo Anne Johnson-Winer, Maui County director of transportation; Hawaiian Tourism Authority President Michael McCartney; Maui Visitors Bureau President Terryl Vencl, Sen. Roz Baker and host/emcee Sen. Brickwood Galuteria! What a lineup of stars, each one in his own right with a message to say about our culture and festival!

We saw a rare performance and Sunday event by world renowned choreographer Kimo Mansfied, a leader in his own right of Hollywood fame, along with Lani McIntire of the Hawaiian family of the McIntires of Music!

General manager of the Kaanapali Beach Hotel, Mr. Michael White, is the anchor for the event. Without his input, and that of Food and Beverage Director Tom Fairbanks and Kalani Nakoa of sales and marketing, this would still be just a “dream” away and not the great reality that it truly was!

There was something for everyone. Dr. Neil Scott from the University of Hawaii, a master guitar builder; and John Thatcher, founder of the Hilo Charter School “Connections,” held a Steel Guitar Camp with ongoing lessons, little student kits for building, students learning, a kanikapila for three hours on Saturday and the after-hours jam sessions open for all!

Not to mention the lobby filled with music, stories, photos and a true “Memory Lane” where one could sit and talk to the “legend,” Henry Kaleialoha Allen, himself!

Watch for the festival in segments on Akaku station. For more information, call 669-6189 or go to www.aecg.org.

A big mahalo goes to the Lahaina News, our home port where we are kept in the know of all events that enrich our lives and the know-how and availability of all in our reach. The West Side’s “Ambassador on Paper” keeps us informed of each and everyone in our fine community! Mahalo for a job well done! Mark, you’ve never missed a beat! Always there, always drawing a person out with their own perspectives!

SHERRON NOHEA ALLEN, Hawaiian Music Institute