Support the Mo’omomi Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area

I am writing to encourage everyone who cares about Hawaii’s oceans and its people’s well-being to learn more about the Mo’omomi Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area (CBSFA) proposal on Moloka’i and to support it like you would if it was your own backyard.

Prior to COVID-19, we were always busy, not spending enough time with our ‘Ohana. In our current COVID-19 world, we have had the opportunity to step back, regain consciousness and find clarity. We’ve had the opportunity to reconnect with childhood memories and create new memories with our ‘Ohana.

Growing up in L?haina, my grandfather would dive and fish every day to feed our extended family. Grandma would put in the order for fish, and Grandpa would fulfill the list. It was always a different order every day. He could normally fill the order in 30 minutes due to the abundance, diversity of fish, and resource knowledge. But he would stay out for hours, being connected to everything around him. I remember seeing how big the fish were and how the sink would be filled with different colors. This was in the 1970s. As I started to dive in the ’80s, I could already see the decline in size and abundance of fish. In the 2000s, studies showed that our reef in L?haina was one of the poorest in the state when it comes to target species availability (the fish you like eat). It’s a sad story that I hope no one else will ever have to recount.

I have known Uncle Mac Poepoe, one of the many people working towards this CBSFA designation, since 2012, and over the years I have had the privilege to walk coastlines along Maui Nui with him, listening to his observations. He is a man of integrity and deep-seated knowledge that can only be acquired with time and a foundation laid by K?puna. He reminds me of my grandfather, a strong Hawaiian pono fisherman. A steward of cultural responsibility and integrity to maintain the right to share nature’s resources.

Theatre Theatre Maui’s cast being filmed for a scene from their summer production of “Home School: The Musical” at Maui Preparatory Academy. All express their thanks for the awesome support provided by the community, families, audiences, volunteers, donors and grantors. MAHALO! PHOTO BY RAY CHIN.

It is clear that government, alone, is not able to effectively manage our coastal resources. Equally we are not able to do it alone either, because of the abolished Konohiki and Kapu systems. Furthermore, blanketed state rules often do not work for all communities. Therefore, it is imperative that a co-managed system within our laws be given an opportunity to thrive. Uncle Mac Poepoe and Hui M?lama O Mo’omomi have done the research over the past 30 years. They have the baseline studies, they have broad community support, they have the knowledge, and they have earned the right to effectively co-manage their back yard.

There is a Hawaiian saying, “I ka wa mamua, ka wa mahope.” The future can be found in the wisdom of the past. Now, more than ever, we need to listen to our K?puna, for those who are not yet born! Our future deserves something better than what we currently have. It is up to each of us to do what is right while in nature. Let us not tell the story of what used to be – let us be a part of what is!

I ask everyone who has read this to please submit your letter of support to CBSFA@hawaii.gov by Aug. 26, 2020. It doesn’t have to be a long letter. A simple letter, saying “I support Hui M?lama O Mo’omomi in their efforts to acquire a CBSFA designation.” If you would like to learn more, visit facebook.com/malamamoomomi/ to view the Support the Mo’omomi Community-Based Subsistence Fishing Area Facebook page.

EDWIN “EKOLU” LINDSEY, Lahaina

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Green doing a great job

When New York was attacked with the virus, Governor Cuomo’s news conferences relied on science and experts for the data. He always recognized the people dying with great compassion. He was strong enough to enforce hard and unwanted restrictions for the safety of “New York Strong.” He often thanked his citizens for doing the right things.

We are fortunate to have Josh Green as our lieutenant governor, who does the same. In his medical career, he fought two pandemics. He relies on true data and science for his daily briefings showered with compassion. He is not afraid to have strong opinions for the safety of Hawaii citizens.

Mahalo, Josh, for watching out for our “Hawaii Strong.” Plus he is quite the dancer while multitasking and making cookies, which I viewed on YouTube!

I really did not know much about our lieutenant governor until the pandemic. But when you see me with signs stating “Josh Green for governor” on the highway in a couple of years, give a honk in support of Josh.

ALLY HARNEY, Lahaina

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Fix the lift gates to help county workers

The County of Maui Parks and Recreation Department buys pickup trucks with lift gates on them for the park caretakers. This is a good idea, as they have to lift up bags of rubbish from 55-gallon barrels. Having the gates saves the caretakers’ backs.

The bad thing is all the pickups for the caretakers with the gates in West Maui don’t work. So we have a lot of workman’s compensation, or disability or sick leave, to pay for as the caretakers hurt themselves climbing up on the trucks to unload and have to throw the rubbish bags over the sides or ends of the trucks.

Seems to me that they should get the lift gates fixed, or at least take them off and put regular tailgates on the trucks so the caretakers wouldn’t get injured.

STEVEN B. ASHFIELD, Lahaina

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State should detail its COVID-19 protection efforts

Can you please tell me where $50,000,000 went to trace COVID people? What the hell is our governor doing?

Are we doomed? What is going on? The people of Hawaii have every right to know what is being done to protect us!

ROBERT POTTER, Napili

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Theatre Theatre Maui thanks supporters and looks ahead to fall

Theatre Theatre Maui (TTM) wrapped up its 28th summer season of youth theatre culminating in its digital production of “Home School: The Musical,” thanks to the phenomenally creative team of Kristi Scott, Vania Jerome, Francis Taua, Felicia Chernicki-Wulf, MaryBeth Chin, Heidi Turner, Annabehl Sinclair, Aida Rose and Chloe Chin.

Heartfelt thanks for the generosity extended to us by this summer’s venue provider, Maui Preparatory Academy, as well as our T-Shirt Sponsor, Island Sotheby’s International Realty and Rob Shelton. We are also grateful to our video and photography in-kind sponsors: Jamie Hallett and Ray Chin, respectively.

Very special mahalos to our community of parents and their keiki for their trust in us (especially during these unprecedented times) and to the many volunteers, donors, sponsors and grantors who provide invaluable support to make these productions possible: the County of Maui’s Office of Economic Development, Lahaina Music, Lahaina News, Maui News, MauiTime Weekly, Maui Visitor Industry Charity Walk, Jen Mather, Alexa Hanohano, Penny Wakida, Deanna Pennington, Somerville-Ollsen Charitable Trust, Jurg Munch, Beverly DeLorenzo, and Lisa D. Hawks and Debbie Brooks.

We hope our mahalos are inclusive, but apologize if we have omitted anyone in error.

During the month of September, TTM’s banner will be displayed at Lahaina Foodland for their annual “Give Aloha” fundraising campaign. TTM’s number is 78402; present your Maika’i card at checkout to show your support.

Theatre Theatre Maui is dedicated to providing low-cost and free programming for the keiki on the West Side. In the current climate, our free usage of the Department of Education classrooms has been put on hold. Our goal is to raise enough money to continue to provide free programming, even with the additional cost of space rental.

For more information about TTM or to donate, go to ttmwestmaui.org, call (808) 661-1168 or e-mail admin@ttmwestmaui.org. You can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

THEATRE THEATRE MAUI, Lahaina