Makena Issues

The nature of Wailea 670
David Suzuki is a riveting speaker. The night of Wednesday, Mar. 14, the scientist addressed an overflow crowd at the Maui Arts and Culture Center’s McCoy Theater as part of the Focus Green lecture series. His topic was our narrow window of opportunity to alter the collision course we are on with the planet that sustains us. Or, as he quoted his daughter: “This is the moment when we will define the future of humankind and all species.”
Absent from the listening audience were members of the Maui County Council, who were busy deliberating a rezoning application from Wailea 670 (Honua`ula) to develop 1,400 new housing units and a golf course in South Maui. 03.22.07

Honua'ula makes halting progress
After more than six hours of discussion, Council Land Use Chairman Mike Molina put the Honua'ula project district on hold for three months, giving committee members until June 15 to prepare comments on conditions proposed by the planning staff and developer. Molina said on Thursday that he expects the Land Use Committee to continue its review of the 670-acre residential development in late summer or early fall. 03.16.07

Hawaii's paradise falls victim to progress
Early Hawaiian culture taught that the earth is a living, conscious being. It is not to be dominated but is to be cared for with pono (balance and rightness). In the land of true aloha (love, compassion, divine blessings) the land provides for its people. This sacred Hawaiian value is similarly expressed in the cultures of many ethnic groups. As 2006 concludes, I struggle to find the words to express the angst and powerlessness I feel about what is happening to our planet and to the values that should be guiding our relationship with it. 12.22.06

Makena: keeping our promises
Over thirty-five years ago a bold, visionary plan was launched to secure Maui's economic future. Begun in 1968, the federally funded Kihei Civic Plan set out to transform the dry, dusty, sparsely populated shoreline of South Maui. It envisioned a model community for residents and a world-class resort destination for visitors. Nearly one-third of South Maui's 1,200 residents (1970 pop.) gave input on the Civic Plan. 12.05.06

Healthy reefs may help shield against tsunami damage
Read two articles that point out the importance to all island residents of healthy offshore reef systems. 12.25.06

The game is over for shoreline developers
The Hawai‘i Supreme Court has issued a ruling strongly reaffirming that the shoreline in Hawai‘i, which marks the boundary between public beach and private land, extends to the highest wash of the waves, and rejecting the use of artificially planted vegetation to determine the shoreline. 11.20.06

Planning commission OK's Dowling's Keaka project
The pros outnumbered the cons 5-2 when the commission voted Tuesday on a special management area permit and special accessory use permit for the $220 million project down the coastline from the Maui Prince Hotel. 11.18.06

Trail will ease access to ocean
A recent Hawai'i Supreme Court ruling reiterated the state's commitment to retaining as much of the shoreline as possible for use by the public. 11.06.06

New threats loom at Ahihi-Kinau reserve
With commercial activities banned and more watchful eyes on the scene, have things changed for the better at the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve and adjoining Keoneoio? Yes - and no. 09.07.04