Halt building in West Maui until traffic gridlock is fixed

Over the last few weeks, several articles and letters have appeared in multiple Maui newspapers concerning West Maui development and traffic woes. Traffic is horrible now and will only get worse if any new developments are allowed.

Government has responded by admitting that they are not doing any planning to get either a four-lane all-weather highway built between Maalaea and Lahaina or punching a tunnel through from Wailuku to Lahaina. They instead tout all the money they’re putting into the bypass and armoring the coastline.

The bypass just moves the problem a few miles south of Lahaina. The coastal armoring already completed has proven to be worthless and, in some cases, has made the problems worse. The recent king tides have shown what our future holds.

Government has also come up with some ideas that they are throwing up against the wall in the hopes that something will stick (more busses, a ferry, etc.). These are the ideas of someone who has been caught flatfooted and has no real answers.

Unless it’s workforce housing, no new development should be allowed in West Maui until the twice-daily traffic gridlock is fixed.

MIKE SOWERS, Kaanapali

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Correct safety issue at Hanako’o Beach Park

Aloha, Sen. Roz Baker and Rep. Angus McKelvey. Na Kupuna O Maui is pleased with your dedication and loyal service to our community. Mahalo for all that you have accomplished in the 2017 Legislative Session for West Maui.

Most importantly, however, we look forward to your eventual resolution of a long-standing safety problem that involves our keiki, residents and visitors at Hanako’o Beach. From the Hyatt to Canoe Beach is our Pu’uhonua, where locals, Hawaiians and Hawaiians at heart retreat to avoid the invasion of commercial activities surrounding and confronting us daily. It is where we celebrate baby luaus; host canoe regattas, our children practicing their culture, greeting our double-hulled voyaging canoes; enjoy our extended families at sunset for barbecues; practice our gathering rights; and scatter our Kupuna ashes and our loved ones.

Our Kupuna and their grandchildren swim in front of the Hyatt. Unfortunately, from May to December, the invasion of commercial thrill craft – jet skis – actually threaten our quality of life and the life and limb of those who swim there. Ever since the tragic death of Uncle Billy Gonzales in 2011, fatally eaten up by propellers in the nearshore waters off the popular West Side beach, Na Kupuna has tirelessly lobbied the state to make the Hyatt and Canoe Beach commercial-free, with all motor craft relocated north to avoid the potential of another fatal accident.

We have been promised, over and over again, by the state and jet ski company that the Zodiac watercraft will not operate in such close areas to where our children swim. It is an easy opportunity for an accident to occur.

Roz and Angus – I know you have the power of reasoning and truly care for the people in our community. Join me in imagining a freak swell, with the riptide pushing one of our keiki out of the swim zone into the path of the zodiac. There are also many unknowns in the ocean. We are taught to never turn our back to it, and yet the state allows this abnormal practice – boating and swimming right next to each other. It is wrong.

According to boatsafe.com, did you know a typical three-blade propeller running at 3,200 RPMs can inflict 160 impacts in one second? Did you know the typical recreational propeller can travel from head to toe on an average person in less than one-tenth-of-a-second? Did you know most propeller accidents can be prevented? In this case, there is an easy remedy. A fatal accident can be easily avoided; move the jet skis further north away from the Hyatt. Please keep alive our mo’opuna. Please, we beg you, keep our mo’opuna alive.

PATTY NISHIYAMA, Na Kupuna O Maui

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Honoring the Paris Climate Accord

Are you, too, fighting mad about Trump pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Accord? Then let’s fight back three times a day by adopting an eco-friendly, plant-based diet. Yes, our diet is pivotal.

A 2010 United Nations report blames animal agriculture for 19 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, 38 percent of land use and 70 percent of global freshwater consumption. Carbon dioxide is emitted by burning forests to create animal pastures and by fossil fuels combustion to operate farm machinery, trucks, factory farms and slaughterhouses. The more damaging methane and nitrous oxide are released from digestive tracts of cattle and from animal waste cesspools, respectively.

In an environmentally sustainable world, meat and dairy products in our diet must be replaced by vegetables, fruits and grains, just as fossil fuels are replaced by wind, solar and other pollution-free energy sources.

Each of us has the power to protest Trump’s failure to maintain America’s leadership in moderating climate change, simply and effectively, by what we choose at the grocery store.

LEX NAKAHARA, Lahaina

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Leaving rural America behind again

A week after releasing a budget proposal that would slash funding for USDA rural development, cut farm conservation programs and exacerbate hunger in rural communities, President Trump announced the U.S. is pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord. The accord is a landmark international commitment to limit climate change below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), a dangerous ecological “tipping point.”

As the largest per capita carbon emitter and economy in the world, the U.S. must commit to climate action. Under the Paris Climate Accord, we agreed to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 26 to 28 percent compared to 2005 levels. Yet, the current administration has taken steps backwards on climate policy.

Those of us living in the rural U.S. know backtracking presents a threat to our families and communities. Not only are rural communities likely to suffer some of the worst consequences of climate change, but we will miss out on opportunities to shape the direction of global policy and markets.

The National Climate Assessment predicts climate change will have devastating effects on agriculture, forestry and other sectors upon which rural communities depend. Policies that help avoid these costly scenarios also have economic and health benefits for rural communities. The renewable energy industry grew 14 percent. Solar alone created 2 percent of all new jobs in 2016, yet the administration’s proposed 2018 budget will decimate programs that support research and development of the advanced energy economy.

We cannot afford to fall behind on climate action. As one of only three U.N. member nations to refuse to participate in the Paris Climate Accord, the remainder of the world will continue to innovate and outpace us. And rural communities in the U.S. will be left behind, again.

STEPHANIE ENLOE, Center for Rural Affairs

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Thanks for supporting tutor project benefit

On behalf of the Lahaina Complex School Tutor Project, People For Educational Equality would like to thank the Maui community for supporting our recent Aina Nalu Wine & Silent Auction Fundraiser.

We wish to extend a big mahalo to Mark Vieth, the editor of Lahaina News, for continuing to spread the word about our cause. We appreciate all who attended the event and purchased auction items. We were extremely humbled to have the support of our elected officials: Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa, State Sen. Roz Baker, State Rep. Angus McKelvey, and Maui County Councilmember Elle Cochran.

Businesses that contributed, goods, services, auction items or cash included: 3D Hawaii Real Estate, 5A Rent A Space, A Special Touch Florists, Aina Nalu Resort, Aloha Group Maui/KW Island Living, Atlantis Submarines, The Bakery, Binky’s, The Block, Body in Balance, Bubba Gumps, Captain Jack’s, CJ’s Deli, Coconut Condos, Cool Cat Cafe, Cyn Tia Design, Don the Framer, Down The Hatch, Duke’s Beach House, Enjoy The Ride Maui, Espresso Italiano, Expedia, Expeditions Lahaina-Lanai Ferry, Fleetwood’s On Front St., Frida’s, Gazebo, Grand Wailea, Gungho Sailing, Hale Napili, Hawaii Vacation Condos, Hawaiian Village Coffee, Honolulu Cookie Company, Honu, Hula Grill, Idle Wild Charters, Island Grocery Depot, Jeff’s Jam and Jellies, Jewelry Stand Maui, Johnson Brothers, Kaanapali Beach Hotel, Kaanapali Land Management Corp., Kaanapali Shores 241 LLC, Kimo’s, Kondo It LLC, Lahaina Coolers, Lahaina Fish Company, Lahaina Ice Company, Lahaina Myth and Magic, Lahaina Pizza Company, Lahaina Restoration Foundation, Lahaina Stables, LahainaTown Action Committee, Lahaina Yacht Club, Luana Kama, Mala, Mama’s Fish House, Mama’s Ribs and Rotisseire, Maui Art and Gifts, Maui Brewing Company, Maui Chemical & Paper Products, Maui Dive Shop, Maui Grown Coffee, Maui Jim, Maui Nui Golf Club, Maui Ocean Center, Michael Miller Insurance, Miso Phat Sushi, Neighbors of West Maui Magazine, Old Lahaina Luau, Old Republic Title, Paia Fish Market, Pearl Connection, Penne Pasta, Pi Artisan Pizza, Pioneer Inn, Prison Street Pizza, Pure Country Weavers, Ritz Carlton Kapalua, RJ Gourmet, Rockin Hawaiian LLC, Roy’s, Ruth’s Chris, Safeway, Salon Bella, Service Rentals, Southern Wine & Spirits, Take Home Maui, Tamura’s, Tante’s, Trilogy, Tropic Water, Tutu’s Package, UFO Parasail, Warren and Annabelle’s Magic Show, and Wash It Hawaii.

Individuals who contributed auction items or cash included: Andre Adoloffo, Loretta Armer, Lindsay Ball, Megan Bianucci, Barry Boothe, Dawn Davis, Beverly DeLorenzo, Heidi Dollinger, Mrs. Eckman, Joseph Eichenbaum, Pat & Richard Endsley, Carolyn Fox, Sara Gadarian, Gerard C. Gifford, Mr. and Mrs. Hansen, Carol & Don Heape, Lynn Kasper, Merrely & Om Khanna, Virginia Keen, Rich Kenny, Mary Anne & Nam Leviet, Liz May, Monty McGill, Phyllis Morris, Laura Pelayo, Lori Powers, Peggy Robertson, Melissa Salvador, Anna Severson, Michael Stark, Karen Voycik, Terry & Ron Warwick, Siu Whitehead, Sarah Whittemore, and Gwen Woirhaye.

Volunteers who helped to make this year’s event run so smoothly included: Micu Adimi, Lisa Agdeppa, Ellie Blanch, Stephen Crusey, Carl Cudworth, Lynn Donovan, Pat & Richard Endsley, Connie & Phil Flaker, Carolyn Fox, Jane Huff, Megan Hildebrand, Carol Inaba, Jackie Kelly, Paul Koyama, Lahainaluna High School Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), Meg Lawson, Vinnie Linares, Kelly Lovato, Candi Matthews, Phyllis Nakamura, Teresa Nelle, Jesse Neizman, Barb Newton, Harriet Ota, Barb & Lee Potts, Diane Pure, Leanna Roberts, Melissa Salvador, Elise Sharon, Jeanne Smythe, Beau Spencer, Mark Sukel, Mihaela Stoops, Maria & Victor Terra, U’ilani Todd, Althea Viernes, Sharon Viger, Terry & Ron Warwick, Marla & Bob Weiner, Flo & Galen Wiger, and Les Yagin.

Fine entertainment was provided by local favorite Kaniela Q!

Please accept our sincere apologies if we neglected to mention you. This year’s event was an overwhelming success. We truly appreciate all of the love and support that goes to help our beloved keiki!

PEOPLE FOR EDUCATIONAL EQUALITY

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Slick packaging contributes to use of harmful tobacco

Cigarettes, little cigars, chewing tobacco and related products are of no use in this world. Millions of people are suffering cancer because of it. It’s just like “restricted drugs.”

If we pack something with a heavenly look, its inner product is also stylish, and if it is an addicted item put into the market for a sale, then will it not be sold?

Why should we sell harmful products in the market, and again try to supply medicines for precautions?

It is a drug-type product that creates a feeling of unnatural activeness into our brains. Supplying some harmful products – that are agents for cancer – is not a crime?

Isn’t government promoting these things by giving license to manufacturing units/factories?

In 2008, the World Health Organization named tobacco the world’s single greatest preventable cause of death. Why is not banned?

When first these things came into marketing, to promote them, companies used brand ambassadors like celebrities (generally, whom teenagers respect like Heroes of Heart). It’s an addictive product, and all know this truth. Today, advertising these products is banned in the world, but these things are being promoted by senior people of societies or close friends. If a senior person will stand and smoke in a public place, then will not the teenagers get influenced by him?

If companies sold tobacco in loose conditions, like rice or wheat, they would not be able to gather trillions of people into it. The main things are these are easy to use, easy to carry, its smell, its chemical composition, they are stylish, and the pushing of tobacco by senior people.

In my view, to stop these things, ban manufacturing units throughout the world. It’s the only way to stop these things. Do not use anti-smoking/anti-tobacco drugs or any world-level social institutions. We are wasting time, money and lives.

SANJAY KUMAR PATNAIK