Plenty of fun (but not much sleep) was had by adults and keikis alike at the recent 3-day environmental adventure Eco-Camp co-sponsored by the Maui Group and Girl Scout Council of Maui. Nearly 40 girls and boys from all over Maui County gathered at Camp Ke`anae (Hana coast) to learn more about Maui's environment through art, games, and activities.
Sierra Club hike leaders and volunteers joined Girl Scout leaders to guide the young campers in stream kayaking, hikes to local pools, and work in nearby taro fields. Lahaina artist Tess Cartwright helped the youngsters make whimsical creatures from recycled plastic bottles. Campers learned about local plant life while making colorful leaf-printed decorated shirts. Thanks to Ron Bass, Marko Cunningham, Lucienne de Naie, Annie Lang, Rena Blumberg, Liana Reeves, Doug and Gina Joy, and Deborah Beckett for their help in making the Eco-Camp a success.
Education plays a key role in building public involvement in any environmental issue. the Maui Group has received tremendous response to the educational component of its Outings Program featuring guest guides who share their knowledge of the political background, and historical, cultural, and ecological features of the hike area. Building on this public interest the Group plans to launch an expanded series of educational lectures/slide shows and companion hikes for the upcoming fall and winter season.
The series, titled "Working Together for the Future," will showcase Maui's diverse natural environment and offer opportunities for citizen involvement in conservation efforts. Guest speakers from the community and various state and federal agencies will share their knowledge of native plants, birds, stream life, geology, and historical/cultural features both from the podium and on the trails. The series will be publicized in local news media and some select tourist publications. It will be open to residents and visitors alike. Outings Committee members expect the first lecture to take place in mid-October. Call the Group's Voice Mail (808-573-4147) for details.
The Group is sending representatives to Na Ala Hele's working groups focused on the development of new trails on Maui and on the formulation of guidelines and standards for eco-tourism operations.
The Group joined with other concerned citizen groups and lawmakers requesting the Army Corps of Engineers to hold a hearing on the proposed Metro Horizon project in Kihei. The project proposes to fill in a 5-acre area of tributary wetlands (used as a nesting ground for the endangered Hawaiian stilt) and replace it with a 1-acre man-made site across the road.
The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Kahului Airport met with overwhelming criticism from the community earlier this year. In the expectation that the final EIS will not look appreciably different, a litigation fund has been established. To support this effort contributions may be sent to Maui Malama Pono, Inc. at P.O. Box 694, Makawao, HI. 96768. For further information contact Mary Evanson (572-9724) or Dana Hall (244-9017).
At the urging of Maui Councilmember Sol Kaho`ohalahala, Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink's has introduced a bill in the U.S. House (H. R. 2948) which provides for the growth of Haleakala National Park through the acquisition of Ka`apahu ahupua`a, a 1,478 acre parcel between Kipahulu and Kaupo. To support this effort please send letters of support to Mrs. Mink, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 20515-1102, or fax to (202) 225-4987. For information about the Park's plans at Ka`apahu for trail restoration, living history interpretive exhibits, lo`i restoration, flora and fauna preservation, etc., contact Park Superintendent Don Reeser (572-9306, ext. 5100).
The Maui Group is striving to establish dialogue with Maui Land and Pineapple Company, Inc. over the matter of stream restoration in Honokohau Valley on the north shore of West Maui. In 1992 the Hawaii State Chapter of the Sierra Club adopted a position "to recognize that surface stream waters are essential to many endemic species ... and the life cycle of such species require continuous undisturbed run of stream flow from sources to the open ocean." Several members of the Maui Group appeared at the Honokohau Water Use Workshop hosted by the Maui County Council in September of 1995 and testified that the Sierra Club supported a stewardship approach to lands and waters as set forth in Article 9, Section 1 of the Hawaii State Constitution. As Sierra Club representatives they urged that a plan be implemented to release more water into Honokohau stream, thereby supporting both local taro growing activities and the gradual restoration of a healthy stream ecosystem.