Big mahalos from the Lahaina Wrestling Club

West Side Pride is alive! We all say it and know it, but it always amazes me the continuous support and generous donations of our West Side businesses and community. We just had a very successful benefit of live music and silent auction at Lulu’s and would like to thank these individuals and businesses for all of their support.

First, thanks to Lulu’s Lahaina Surf Club and Grill for the great location and to the entertainment director, Big Mike, coordinator Sheldon Tateyama and musicians Kapali Keahi, John Kahaialii, Jack Stone and Kealii Lum for donating their time and effort. Special mahalo to Candice and Mike Tihada, and Nori and Iris Tihada, for their set-up and organization of the entire silent auction.

Mahalos to Atlantis Submarines, Beyond Beauty, Brendan Krause Chiropractic, Captain Jacks, Cool Cat Cafe, David’s Fencing, Duke’s, Feast at Lele, Flyin Hawaiian Zipline, Gerard’s, Grand Wailea, Hair Salon Unlimited, Hi-Tech Surf, Hoaloha Na Eha (Leoda’s, Star Noodle, Aloha Mixed Plate), Honu, Hyatt, Island Spirit Yoga, Kaanapali Golf Course, Kimo’s, Koa’s Seaside Grill, Kobe’s Steakhouse, Lahaina Fish Company, Leilani’s, Mala Ocean Tavern, Longboards at Marriott, Maui Brewing Company, Maui Jims, Maui Zen Day Spa, Merriman’s, Mid-Pacific Tattoo, Noel Monteleone of Fat Fiddler Art, Outrigger Aina Nalu, Paradise Grill, Penne Pasta, Pigs from Cabanilla Farms, Ritz-Carlton, Royal Lahaina Resort, Roy’s Kaanapali, Tiffany’s, Westin Kaanapali Ocean Resort and Whaler’s Locker.

And, of course, thanks to all of the family and friends of Lahaina Wrestling Club. Imua!

TODD HAYASE, Lahaina Wrestling Club

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Monsanto helps farmers

Monsanto is one of the leading genetically modified seed companies in the world. I’m very proud that my company is taking action to make this world we live in a better place by helping farmers stay ahead of the game and meeting their demands, helping different areas in the world that have drought issues, and producing seeds with traits that are resistant to diseases, herbicide and drought. This means that the farmer uses less insecticide and produces higher yields than a non-GM counterpart. How is this not a good thing? And especially since it is all done with proven safe scientific innovation.

Less than 3 percent of all corn grown in the U.S. goes to human consumption; the rest goes to so many different products we use every day, like ethanol in our gasoline. I truly believe there is a place for organics, and I also truly believe there is a necessity for biotechnology.

What we produce here in Hawaii gets shipped around the world; people really need to think about that. There are so many things we import into the U.S. from foreign countries, and to Hawaii from the Mainland, just so we can function and to make our lives easier. It’s a good thing to export a product, especially if it’s produced here.

KURT ADAMS, Kihei

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Kahoma Village not ‘responsible change’

In response to the letter “Not all change is bad,” I agree that “every change on Maui isn’t necessarily bad,” but what is “responsible change?” How is allowing the Kahoma Village development – rather than a community park – a “responsible change?”

How is a “for-profit” housing development more responsible than providing a park for the community and protecting the ocean? How is developing more in that congested area without adequate infrastructure “responsible growth?”

The Lahaina public schools are over-enrollment and are burdening the teachers without adequate resources. I agree, we should develop “responsible growth,” so the children of our island can get the best education possible to encourage top-paying jobs for their future.

The land proposed to develop Kahoma Village has been abused and neglected for years. It could be that when a landowner neglects the land and allows it to become overgrown so a homeless population can move in, then perhaps “responsible change” would be to clear the land and put a ground cover on it.

I believe a “responsible change” is happening on that property, because it is not a “dump and homeless camp” anymore, nor is it a fire risk “for burning down the town of Lahaina.”

If the responsible landowner continues to maintain the property, then all will be well. I do not have a problem with that kind of change.

There are thousands of homes designated in the new Maui Island Plan for West Maui, and hundreds that are already pre-approved and in the process of being developed. The 203 units are not necessary to meet the projected housing need.

“Responsible growth” would include developing parks as the population and density are increasing. The location of this property is perfect for a park, as it is located by Mala and Baby Beach and surrounded by residential and businesses. It would serve the entire community and provide a gathering place for our close community. I like change that encourages healthy lifestyles and meeting with people in a clean and safe environment.

Since the subject is out there for property responsibility, what about all the agriculture land that is sitting vacant and fallow? The property owners are paying agriculture taxes and then using the “it’s not in active agriculture” to manipulate criteria to allow for developments instead. I would love to see “responsible change” and Hawaii become sustainable with food security. Maybe with the jobs provided from the agriculture industry, “local children could grow up, buy a home and get a job that doesn’t pay minimum wage.”

There is a Hawaii Revised Statute, HRS 226-55, called the Strategy. It states, “Replacing just 10 percent of the food we currently import would amount to approximately $313 million. Assuming a 30 percent farm share, $94 million would be realized at the farm-gate, which would generate an economy-wide impact of an additional $188 million in sales, $47 million in earnings, $6 million in state tax revenues, and more than 2,300 jobs. Increasing food self-sufficiency will keep money circulating in Hawaii’s economy It will help to diversify Hawaii’s economy.”

Imagine the possibilities, because that is with just replacing 10 percent of the food we currently import. Growing our own food will provide sustainable jobs. I do support “responsible change” if it makes our islands and our people healthy and prosperous for all.

Kahoma Village is not “responsible change,” as it does not take into consideration the lack of adequate infrastructure (including over-capacity schools), lack of water supply, inadequate sewage processing, additional traffic, pollution to coastal waters and the Tsunami Evacuation Zone. It does not address the need for recreational areas in the congested Lahaina District. Developing housing on this property does not mitigate any of these issues, but instead increases and will create more problems.

Developing more homes on the last piece of vacant Front Street land is not “responsible change,” but I welcome change that protects the land and ocean, respects the host culture and is for the greater good of Maui residents.

MICHELE LINCOLN, Lahaina

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Mahalo to the Hyundai Tournament of Champions

On behalf of Lahainaluna High School and the LHS Foundation, I would like to thank the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, which was held at the Kapalua Plantation Course in January, for including the foundation as one of its beneficiaries again this year.

Because of the generosity of the PGA Tour, the Lahainaluna High School Foundation was able to distribute more than $20,000 to participating athletic teams and clubs The recipients included tennis, boy’s volleyball, softball, swim, baseball, cheerleaders and girl’s basketball teams, the Boarding Department, and HOSA club.

The funds earned by these teams during the tournament account for a large portion of their annual budget and enable them to purchase equipment or travel – things that they might otherwise have to do without.

We encourage the community to continue their support for this tremendous event and to make plans to attend the 2015 tournament, on Jan. 6-12.

JEFF ROGERS, Lahainaluna High School Foundation

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Earth Day Cleanup was a success

Mahalo to all those that braved the showers to help keep Honolua clean! Our annual Earth Day Honolua Cleanup was a big success.

It is important that we show the community is willing to take care of the Lipoa area while we are still in transition. Thanks to Save Honolua Coalition, West Maui Kumuwai, Puu Kukui Watershed Crew, and Maui Marine Resources Council for their participation.

To the guy that wrote in about my last letter, there are still private property signs because it still is! The deal is not done yet. Right now we are in the middle of a survey. We have to know where the many kuleana lots are; these will remain private property.

The campers you mentioned are on one of those kuleana lots. That’s Uncle Jimmy. He may be a little overbearing sometimes, but we do need someone down there.

A few years ago, he saw some lights out in the water at night and called it in. Authorities responded and busted some guys with a pile of turtles in the back of their truck. For now, he’s all we got.

Please notice that none of the signs say “keep out” but rather “enter at your own risk;” unless you want to take tour groups down there. I fear the day that over-commercialization leads us into a Haunama Bay situation.

LES POTTS, Napili

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Bill gives governor too much power

House Bill 849 compromises civil liberties and gives enormous martial law powers to Gov. Neil Abercrombie.

“The governor or mayor shall be the sole judge” of any danger that would constitute a state of emergency. And during a state of emergency, the governor or mayor can take over any private property they choose to requisition. If the owner is unwilling to accept the compensation value offered, that person will be penalized by a 25 percent reduction in the compensation amount. If any person violates any emergency rule, he or she will be fined not more than $5,000, imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.

Specifically, civil liberties may not be observed if an emergency is declared; compulsory immunizations and quarantines can be required; personal property can be “redistributed;” electronic media transmissions can be suspended; even county laws can be suspended.

If someone is accused of “hoarding,” all emergency supplies may be taken by the government.

The governor can declare any person, place or situation a “public nuisance,” authorizing entry to private property without the owner’s permission.

Any members of the military or National Guard who are called to assist civil authorities “engaged in emergency functions” can’t be held responsible, criminally or civilly, for damage caused “in pursuance of duty “

The public right to gather may be restricted. Forced evacuations are permitted.

JOHN BOND