Community supports Lahainaluna seniors

On behalf of Lahainaluna High School, I would like to thank the 35 community members that were part of the evaluation teams for the 195 senior project presentations between April 30 and May 7, 2012. Mahalo for your time and your comments shared with each senior as they completed their final component of the project.

These presentations were the culmination of the four components of the senior project, including research paper, project, portfolio and presentation. Through this experience, our seniors explored careers, made and repaired items, did community service and fundraised.

Additionally, mahalo nui to the 195 mentors who provided 30 hours of mentoring to each of these seniors. Thank you community members and mentors for your commitment to the leaders of tomorrow. Imua Lahainaluna.

LESLIE HIRAGA, Parent Facilitator, Lahainaluna High School

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Les Potts cares for Honolua

I’d like to say thank you to Les Potts of the Surfrider Foundation not only for his fabulous coordination of volunteers this past Earth Day weekend, but his efforts to make it Earth Day every day.

Every day he is out scanning the Honolua area and beyond for any rubbish, cars, etc., that might have been dumped illegally, and he picks it up. He organizes for the guardrails and signage to be looking nice for everyone to enjoy. He plants native plants and waters them by hand. He removes black plastic when it becomes exposed, and he does it all because he cares. He sees what needs to be done and finds a way to get it done.

What a wonderful role model for all of us living here in West Maui.

Mahalo, Les.

TAMARA PALTIN, Napili

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Local restaurants support Lahainaluna

I am the French/Spanish teacher and the National Honor Society adviser at Lahainaluna High School.

Every year, I plan small, celebratory events at the end of the school year for my second year students and for the National Honor Society seniors.

Every year, Lahaina restaurants and businesses show unwavering support for my students and me. All events are arranged so that the only class we miss is the one that we have together, and every establishment graciously arranges fixed price, all-inclusive menus that are affordable for my students (or the NHS budget, as the case may be).

More than that, they afford my students and I the opportunity to celebrate the end of a two-year run in a social setting that is downright FUN.

For the past two years, at least one of my classes has enjoyed breakfast at Longhi’s. Our server is a Lahainaluna grad as well as one of my former students. The Lahaina Yacht Club has opened their doors to us for lunch for the last several years.

For many years, Gerard’s Restaurant has offered an amazing, fixed-price dinner to French students, not just from Lahainaluna but from the other high schools as well.

The price point at which they offer this meal makes me wonder if they break even on the deal, but every year, they offer it nonetheless.

Other restaurants who have provided fixed price meals for my student celebrations are Cool Cat Cafe (always a HUGE LHS supporter), Roy’s, and Ruth’s Chris.

ASHLEY OLSON, Lahainaluna High School

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Bus terminal is fine at The Wharf

I could not help but notice that Lahaina News and The Maui News were recently bombarded by one reader who lives across the bus terminal at Luakini by the nickname of “Blackie.”

I would like to respond to those complaints and also make my opinion about the bus system publicly known.

First of all, it is your right to speak your mind. That’s why we have our Constitution. But so do I, and I happen to disagree with you.

I have been going over Lahaina’s map literally, and in my mind, I cannot come up with a better location, except maybe Lahaina Cannery Mall. However, there is not that much room there, plus more pedestrian traffic equals more danger. And even IF the terminal is moved, there will ALWAYS be a station at The Wharf Cinema Center.

It serves the residents, tourists and merchants, and Lahaina Harbor is just a few steps away. I don’t foresee that either the WCC or Lahaina Harbor will be relocated any time soon, not to mention that Maui Medical Group is also very close to the current terminal/station.

What about residents who need to go to Wailuku/Kahului but don’t have a car or can’t drive temporarily or permanently? They pay $2 round-trip, with the bus stopping next to the courthouse and across from MMG (again). Perfect location. A taxi would cost you about $65 one way.

And you CANNOT put a terminal in a deserted location (like above the park on Lahainaluna).

You complain about the “noise” in your location because of the terminal. Let me tell you there is no QUIET place in Lahaina. That is one of the disadvantages of a small and tight (literally and figuratively) community. And I have to give the bus drivers credit for turning off their engines as soon as they arrive, not using their horns and keeping the noise at a minimum.

I, for one, am absolutely happy that we finally have at least ONE smart and effective service on Maui, in West Maui, where the county had a hand in it. Blackie, you are not living in a gated community with two 18-hole golf courses and 50,000 acres of quiet meadows around them. Plus, let me tell you that living near or on the edge of a golf course is no picnic either. At two or three in the morning, the lawnmowers start up for at least an hour (the sound carries even more at that time), and during the day you never know when you may be hit by a golf ball, since they let people on the courses who have no clue how to hit a ball. So, you better wear a hard hat, whether you sit on your lanai, are at the pool or just walking around…

As a longtime resident in Lahaina – I am one, too – you sometimes have to sacrifice a little of your own comfort for the greater good. Try living at Honoapiilani near the intersections of Keawe or Kapunakea. You have sirens 24 hours a day (police, fire trucks, ambulances), “enhanced” cars, trucks, bikes that rattle your teeth and vehicles that run the red lights at 60-70 mph. Police? Nowhere to be seen. Oh, and before I forget, the Sugar Cane Train – whose whistle is WAY above the legal limit for noise emission – will almost break your dishes and glasses in your kitchen a dozen times a day.

If you have a suggestion for a better solution, please let everyone know. I am sure the politicians will be listening, too. After all, they want to be reelected.

Just complaining because of a minor inconvenience is not solving anything. I am grateful for the bus service, and I believe – having talked to a lot of people – that I am in the majority. Take care!

And if anyone else has a better idea, please come forward. I am sure the media would spread any good ideas or would even put any suggestion up for discussion.

And since I am already submitting a letter to the Lahaina News, I am still missing any action by the police in West Maui against speeding, running red lights and ticketing “enhanced” vehicles exceeding the legal noise limit. Are West Maui residents second-class citizens?

JOHN BLAHUTA, Lahaina

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Roosters have rude owners

People who keep roosters within Lahaina are just pain rude. They have no respect for their neighbors. What kind of culture has no respect for their neighbors?

A pet rooster should come under the same law as a pet dog. Keep it quiet or pay a fine.

Anyway, should not the needs of the many outweigh the wants of a few rude people?

If politicians won’t fix this problem, then we should elect new ones.

ROBERT JANSON

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Geothermal energy a solution for Maui

The way to go on Maui is geothermal energy instead of diesel generators for electricity. The heat source under Ulupalakua will not end for thousands of years.

The energy we can produce on Maui can also power Molokai, Lanai and Oahu as well by running undersea cables.

This is where the focus needs to be. The problem with wind or solar energy is that you cannot count on them 100 percent, but geothermal energy is forever, 24/7…

DAN ZOFI, Kula