Sad to cancel David Malo Day

Aloha, Lahainaluna Ohana.

It is with heavy heart that we announce the cancellation of our iconic, time-honored David Malo Day Ho’olaule’a scheduled for April 4, 2020. It is also with an enormous amount of care, caution and concern that we be stewards of our community, our humanity. We will take the advice, guidelines and wisdom of WHO and CDC to do our part to care for the health and welfare of our communal society, especially those most vulnerable to this pandemic. We are all in this together and must build a communal safety net.

We thank you for all the support you have given us these many years. We will drive our energies to make next year’s David Malo Day 2021 just as meaningful, relevant and appreciative of our legacy and culture.

LORI GOMEZ-KARINEN & ILIMA GREIG-HONG,

Event Co-Advisers

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Senior citizens club will postpone anniversary event

Due to an abundance of caution in light of the COVID 19 pandemic, and the fact that the majority of us are in the highly vulnerable category due to our ages, we are regretfully postponing the Lahaina-Honolua Senior Citizens Club’s 50th Anniversary Celebration to later this year, possibly in conjunction with our annual Christmas party in December.

We appreciate all of the generous support we have received and will safeguard any funds received for use at the postponed event, unless we are asked to do otherwise.

We ask for your understanding that the well-being of our members and the public is our primary concern. This was a very hard decision.

ARLEEN GERBIG, President, Lahaina-Honolua Senior Citizens Club

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Implement mail-in voting

The current health crisis causing us to “social distance,” and with the LONG lines in some places for voting, it is time for every place in the country to do what Washington State has done. Implement mail in voting.

Not only does it solve the above problems, it also creates a paper trail that can be used to avoid the possible hacking and/or breaking down of voting machines.

JAN DOEHI, Lahaina

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Maui should have text alerts for traffic issues

It’s too bad we on Maui CAN’T have state Department of Transportation text alerts like on Oahu.

Watching the morning news, they always say traffic accident on H1, tree down on the Pali, traffic light malfunction at…

I know DOT will say “NO funding; need a study.”

Wouldn’t it be nice to have ON TIME updates about accidents, fires and other problems, as well as the location? IF we are notified ON TIME, we can make decisions to travel between West and Central Maui on this lone access. Many times we have appointments, we leave West Maui, and then come to find out about delays, alternating traffic or closures due to fires or accidents. If we call the non-emergency phone number, the information is NOT current.

With the police and firefighters always having the latest information, they should always have authority to give out factual information.

I hope the state DOT can update traffic situations for the outer islands. This way, locals and visitors WON’T BE WASTING our time stuck in traffic!

NAME WITHHELD BY REQUEST

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Create a community park adjacent to Lahainaluna Road

Considering the proximity to schools, homes and businesses, Hurricane Lane’s wildfire helped identify the area at-risk for the community’s safety. Thanks to extra emergency personnel and heroic efforts, the community avoided a much greater catastrophe.

Adjacent to Lahainaluna Road, Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate controls approximately 1,000 acres above the Lahaina Bypass and 200 acres below it. Covered with weeds and brush, the majority of the agriculture land is fallow.

Recently, the West Maui Community Plan Advisory Committee allocated the majority of this area to be developed into a huge community park. Of course, the community plan is far from final, as the Maui Planning Commission and County Council will have to approve it.

Besides that, Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate would have to be willing to comply.

Perhaps Maui’s Hazard Mitigation Plan could include a master plan for Kamehameha Schools/Bishop Estate’s property. A public-use park on private land is a viable option to mitigate hazards.

A private park would allow for commercial activities to help fund the expenses related to operational and maintenance costs.

Reforestation would help recharge the groundwater, prevent erosion and provide a supply of native trees and plants as a nursery. Mature trees could be harvested for lumber.

Agriculture parks/community gardens along with farmer’s markets and food hubs/co-ops would be viable commercial enterprises.

In addition to environmental protection and food security, developing recreational areas in the park would be an asset to the community overall. Please consider how you can help develop this area into a community park.

MICHELE LINCOLN, Lahaina

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Mahalo to the Pioneer Inn for helping the community

Mahalo to Pioneer Inn! The Old Lahaina Courthouse was forced to close, and unfortunately, DLNR has also closed its restrooms at the harbor.

Seeing a public health issue developing, Pioneer Inn has brought in two porta potties for the harbor area.

We thank the Pioneer Inn for being pro-active in helping our community during this time.

THEO MORRISON, Executive Director, Lahaina Restoration Foundation