Two local writers offer their opinions about the proposed development of the Makena region:
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Important Makena facts left out
For the record, Seibu Railway Co., parent company of the Makena Resort, left out significant facts in its full-page ad that has been force-fed to us in The Maui News.
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Archaeology review urged for Makena
The State Historic Preservation Division has issued an opinion that Makena Resort's 600-acre rezoning request will impact archaeological sites, a reversal of earlier statements that there would be no impact. But Makena Resort officials said Thursday they were willing to comply word-for-word with the conditions proposed by the state for dealing with cultural and historical sites on the property.
Roads, water, parks on list of conditions
From water source development to road improvements, Maui County Council members are debating a long list of conditions that could be imposed on Makena Resort if the developer's 600-acre rezoning request is approved
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Conditions considered for Makena zoning
With County Council members spending hours Friday considering more than 40 conditions to attach to Makena Resort's rezoning request, it seemed unlikely the zoning would be turned down outright. But members of the Planning and Land Use Committee said it was still anyone's call how the final vote was going to go.
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Seibu Railway Group having legal troubles in Japan
Read stories and testimony on the criminal land sale charges being brought against top Seibu Railway executives
Maui resort plan raises water questions
Maui County Councilman Wayne Nishiki has proposed that a South Maui resort provide its own water sources, storage facilities and transmission lines for its 603-acre expansion.
Councilwoman Charmaine Tavares said she felt it was time to take a hard look at limiting the kind of water use in dry areas of South Maui. "You don't build a tropical jungle in a desert," she said. "We've got to stop doing this."
Maui’s future is at stake with Makena Resort vote, Nishiki says
Committee to consider "massive" zoning in South Maui on Monday
Nishiki chairs the Planning and Land Use Committee, which will consider zoning for the Makena Resort area in Monday’s meeting at the Kihei Community & Aquatic Center Main Hall. Nishiki said testimony will be accepted starting at 9 a.m. and, to accommodate those unable to attend during the day, at 5 p.m. "Regardless of where you live on Maui, the Council’s action on this zoning application will have major impacts on many generations to come," Nishiki said. "This landmark decision will go a long way toward defining life on Maui in the future."
Makena Resort's Record
Just what do you mean by "fact?"
They aren't hard to miss, being full-page advertisements consisting of giant "For the Record". headlines and long lists of often-bolded typeface. Paid for by the Makena Resort developer-working for the Japanese Seibu Corporation, which has owned the land since 1973 the ads run at least once a week in the Maui News and Maui Weekly (which, for those following closely at home, still hasn't disclosed that part-owner Everett Dowling is planning on investing in the Makena development).
Maui's south coast gets boost from new tourism agency program
Starting this summer, two state-hired rangers will patrol the 'Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve and La Perouse Bay on Maui's south coast - areas that have come under increasing pressure from recreational visitors, illegal fishing and off-road vehicles. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources announced Friday that money for the rangers will come from a $460,000 grant from the Hawai'i Tourism Agency's new Natural Environment Program.
The money also will be used to develop a cultural resource management plan, install buoys to mark the waters of the natural area reserve, maintain the portable toilets already installed by DLNR, and install signs to make visitors aware of the need to protect natural and cultural resources.
Back by popular demand, the Makena Video Contest returns to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center for two screenings at the McCoy Studio Theater on Friday, March 5 at 5:00 and 8:00pm.
Filmmakers who created the winning videos will be present to say a few words about their work and about their feelings regarding Makena and the district of Honua‘ula.
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Joseph Abella is awarded the top recognition of Producer’s Choice by Representative Sol Kaho’ohalahala, having also earned First Place in the Amateurs over 18 Division in the Makena Video Contest for his video entitled “A Honu’s Cry.” Joseph will join winning filmmakers at a second screening of the Makena Video Contest in the McCoy Studio Theater on Friday, March 5.
photo courtesy of Sean Lester
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Malama “Aina o Makena “Paint Out” Celebration
The legendary natural beauty of Maui’s southern coastal area will be celebrated this spring with a gala gallery showing and auction – called Malama ‘Aina o Makena – of original works created by local artists.A portion of the funds from the sale of artworks in this contest will be used to help formulate plans to make the entire area even more enjoyable for our visitors, both national and international, and for all the residents of Maui County.”
State moving to protect Keoneoio
The long-abused South Maui coastal treasures of Keoneoio and Ahihi-Kinau could be in for more protection, sanitary facilities and oversight, with the visitor industry stepping up to help with funding.
Dan Davidson, deputy director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, said proposed grants from the Hawaii Tourism Authority would allow for a pair of "ambassadors" or ranger-like personnel to be hired to educate visitors and keep an eye on things at the two sensitive spots that have been under siege from increased use.
Palauea erosion probed
Health Department regulators are investigating a South Maui development because of concerns that it didn't adequately control erosion in a recent storm. The investigation is focusing on work being done in a gulch that runs along the edge of One Palauea Bay, as well as whether builders had adequately stabilized a pile of loose soil on the property, said Mike Tsuji, enforcement supervisor of the state Clean Water Branch.
Makena Resort - Who wants it? Why?
In 2001, changes in county zoning were requested for 137 acres not zoned for development, and 15 acres zoned for single-family homes, to be converted into potential condos and hotel timeshares. Currently, no decision has been made. Public hearings are expected in early 2004.
'Ahihi-Kina'u Natural Area Reserve/Keoneo'io Plan of Action
Draft For Discussion Purposes
The Department of Land and Natural Resources is pleased to present this draft Plan of Action to the NARS Commission. We also are planning to hold a public informational meeting on Maui in the near future to share this draft Plan with the broader Maui community.
Maui runoff to sea being investigated
State and county officials are investigating whether muddy runoff from a luxury housing project dirtied the ocean off Palauea Beach in Wailea this week. Everett Dowling, developer of the One Palauea Bay project, said that the storm runoff came down a natural drainageway from higher up the slopes of Haleakala and wasn't from the shoreline construction site.
(Thanks to a vigilant South Maui resident, the whole world is now able to see the results of poor planning and lack of enforcement in Wailea/Palauea/Makena. Check out Dave Scruton's website:)
http://www.pavemaui.org
Congress to consider South Maui coastal protection
Hawaii's two members of the House of Representatives, Ed Case and Neil Abercrombie, have introduced legislation to mandate a federal study of preserving six miles of south Maui coastline through inclusion in the National Park Service system. The study would examine possible federal acquisition of lands from and including the state Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve to Kanaloa Point. "We must preserve this pristine coastline," Case said. "It lies directly in the path of development and could be lost forever to future generations."
Makena Resort plans 25 years old
Some 18 months after last taking up the request, the County Council's Planning and Land Use Committee got down to a proposed Makena Resort expansion site visit and a parking lot confrontation.
La Pérouse protection sought
Rejected as a full-fledged national park, the rugged and sun-splashed La Pérouse region of Maui could land on its feet with a "national seashore" designation. U.S. Rep. Ed Case said he plans to ask the National Park Service to investigate the feasibility of protecting the popular coastal area, which is under increasing commercial and visitor pressures.
Citizen Concern over Makena Development Spans Twenty Years
"I stood there and cried silently when I saw what they had done to Pepeiau Lepo and so I put my tears into words in an obituary to a place so dearly loved. Pepeiau Lepo, I love you, and I'm sorry to see you go. We'll miss you so..."
County's Makena Road study ignores Seibu
The 1981 county-sponsored enviromental impact statement for the Makena Road re-alignment is so bald, one is left wondering if the county got its money's worth.
 Site visit, hearing set for Ahihi-Kinau area reserve
The Natural Area Reserves System Commission will come to Maui for a site visit and public hearing regarding commercial use activities at the Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve and adjoining Keoneoio.
Petition to save Makena Beach
Print and distribute a petiton for our legislators, to let them know that the public wants to preserve the wild character of the Makena region shoreline.
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