Preserve Lipoa Point

I was shocked to learn that County Councilman Mike White of Haiku made a motion to take Lipoa Point out of preservation for the West Maui community plan. The Maui News also neglected to mention that Joseph Pontanilla of Kahului seconded the motion, and that it was passed by Gladys Baisa of Upcountry and Danny Mateo of Molokai. Lanai’s Riki Hokama was not present.

Mahalo to Councilmembers Elle Cochran, Don Couch and Bob Carroll for voting to honor community wishes and respecting the 16,000 signatures on Save Honolua Coalition’s petition to put Lipoa Point in preservation.

I am extremely disappointed that Maui Land & Pineapple would consider Lipoa Point as loan collateral when they own thousands of other acres of agriculture. Lipoa Point is an asset that belongs to all, not just land ML&P can use to get another loan to cover their debts.

ML&P doesn’t maintain Honolua by themselves. The community does cleanups, native plantings and funds the porta-potties in partnership. If they want to cash in on it, they should also take full responsibility for the black plastic and runoff polluting a state Marine Life Conservation District.

How can they use it as collateral and still discuss a “deal” for preservation at the same time?

Everyone makes mistakes. I hope three council members will reconsider their Aug. 2, 2012 vote and make a motion to put Lipoa Point back in preservation.

TAMARA PALTIN, Napili

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Ask the mayor to preserve Honolua

It’s great to hear so much concern about preserving Honolua!

I wonder why nobody in the Mayor’s Office can hear the cry of the public?

Mr. Arakawa is hell-bent on spending $15 million or so on the “P2P” (Pali to Puamana Parkway), when I have never heard any public outcry about purchasing this property. The only outpouring I have heard is to not move the highway – something the P2P plays into.

The battle in the County Council about downgrading the zoning on Lipoa Point will most likely be found to be illegal, as it is essentially a condemnation without the proceeding, and the landowner will be able to sue the county.

The focus of the preservation efforts need to be aimed at the Mayor’s Office. It is he that can actually make a deal for Honolua.

LES POTTS, Napili

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Follow orders by the police

First of all, let me say that I am a retired police officer of 30-plus years from the Maui Police Department, and I never had to fire a shot because we were not confronted with the kind of people we have to deal with today.

The officer on the street today must be aware that he may have to confront a crystal meth addict who acts without any kind of control or discretion, because his brain is “gone” somewhere else.

Regarding a recent police shooting, let me ask if the lights were blinking on the truck to indicate that it was in an “emergency” situation, which would have given the officers a different mindset. Then let me say that the injured passenger on the truck was not an excuse for the way the truck was apparently being driven.

The officer stepping in front of the truck was trying to stop it from traveling the way it was.

The real KEY here is the driver of the truck should have stopped when told to do so by the officers. Know that if you don’t, you may be shot at to save other people from your actions.

How can people say the officers were wrong here? They were doing their jobs, just like they’re supposed to. God bless them all.

GORDON C. COCKETT, Lahaina

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PTA appreciates community’s support

The Princess Nahi’ena’ena Elementary Parent Teacher Association is an organization committed to working with our school and teachers toward the development of our keiki. To achieve our mission, we rely on contributions and support from our community and local businesses.

Mahalo to the following for their year-round support and contributions: Aloha Realty Group, Jill Kaiser, Realtors Wishing Well for Maui Students, and Lahaina Sunrise Rotary Club.

Mahalo also to the following for their donations of food and gifts for school events: Cool Cat Cafe, Lahaina Senior Center, Ameritone Maui, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Westin Maui Resort and Spa, Barnes and Noble, Glow Putt, Maui Toy Works, No Ka ‘Oi Deli, Hard Rock Cafe, Ono Gelato Lahaina, Kimo’s Restaurant, Island Froyo, Lahaina Foodland, Buzz’s Wharf Restaurant, Old Lahaina Luau, Mala Ocean Tavern, Honu, and Cold Stone Creamery Lahaina.

Princess Nahi’ena’ena Elementary School, its teachers, this PTA and our keiki greatly appreciate all of the contributions from the above and encourage everyone to support these establishments in return.

The school year is off to a great start, and we are working alongside school staff implementing their curriculums. This PTA wants to do so much more.

We cordially invite you to join us today. For membership information or contribution opportunities, contact the Princess Nahi’ena’ena Elementary Parent Teacher Association at 816 Niheu St., Lahaina, HI 96761 or nahienaenapta@gmail.com. You can also follow us on Facebook at Princess Nahienaena PTA.

UILANI WALKER, President, Princess Nahi’ena’ena PTA

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Mahalo for cleaning up the highway

Much mahalo to Uncle Tony, who walks Honoapiilani Highway in Kahana every day picking up rubbish. This is community service at its best – taking care of the ‘aina. The road in Kahana looks nice and clean.

I remember when Tony went on vacation for two months. It didn’t take long before the rubbish was built up.

Thank you, Uncle Tony, for caring for the ‘aina.

DAVE MATTHEWS, Kahana

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Roaches just want to go home

In the past, when we found a roach in our kitchen, we assumed it came from the market in one of the market bags or containers.

Now that many of us are using our own shopping bags when we go shopping, the roaches are returning to the market by hiding in our bags.

The roaches are just trying to go back home.

ARSENE “BLACKIE” GADARIAN, Lahaina

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Wailea 670 should follow the law

Headlines read, “Honua’ula clears major approval hurdles.” In reality, a number of important reviews and approvals lie ahead.

Wailea 670 (now called “Honua’ula”) proposes a large golf course development. Many promises were made to deal with its numerous impacts. The project’s final environmental impact statement (EIS) was legally required to discuss both impacts and alternatives. Did it? This depends whose side of the story one hears.

Wailea 670 has not completed its basic archaeological review. The Maui Planning Commission was told that Hawaii State Historic Preservation Office personnel changes have delayed approval. Pubic records show 11 years of communications from state Historic Preservation Office staff repeatedly asking Wailea 670 consultants for more readable maps, better research and documentation of additional sites. Wailea 670 consultants contended their survey was complete. When the state insisted on more work, more sites were found.

From 1988 to 2004, a succession of landowners claimed Wailea 670 had no rare, threatened or endangered native flora and fauna. Thanks to citizen efforts, the southern portion of Wailea 670 is now recognized as a rare biological treasure. Wailea 670’s habitat conservation plan, protecting several endangered species, will need to undergo a separate federal environmental assessment.

After all of that is complete, Wailea 670 will need phase two project district approval. The final EIS is part of that approval. The EIS acceptance is not a surprise. The Maui Planning Commission rarely has five votes to reject an EIS. Their focus is to get questions answered. Wailea 670’s EIS still dodged some of the tough questions.

The Planning Commission saw pictures of Wailea 670, an arid grassland with streets and houses surrounded by verdant trees. What if Wailea 670’s six wells can’t pump enough brackish water for the golf course and picture-book residential landscaping without getting increasingly saltier? Can each household really get by on 275 gallons of desalinated potable water a day? Would 10 percent fewer units and less landscaping be a more practical alternative? In a 2,000-page EIS – no discussion.

Citizens and wildlife scientists advocate for Wailea 670’s southern 130 acres to be left a natural, native ecosystem. Wailea 670 consultants claimed this option would violate density and drainage requirements. Is there flexibility to meet those standards? Would costs avoided by not building roads, sewage and water hookups in this rugged lava flow region offset fewer lot sales? The EIS did not compare options.

EIS requirements state, “Particular attention shall be given to alternatives that might enhance environmental quality or avoid, reduce or minimize some or all of the adverse environmental effects ” The reality is, this project should follow the law.

LUCIENNE DE NAIE, Haiku