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Updates on Maui conservation issues

Malama Kahakai: Legacy Beach Campaign Update
Rep. Ed Case has invited several other House members to tour proposed National Seashore sites on Maui at Keoneoio and the North shore (Spreckelsville area). Local Maui activists will join the Congressmen for the site tour, which is expected in the next several months.

North Shore Heritage Park/ Paia By-Pass
Maui Group recently invited representatives of 10 North shore community groups to meet with reps from major North shore landowner A&B, Inc. County & state policymakers and the County Planning Director also attended. The two hour moderated informal talk story session steered clear of most of the controversial issues facing the North shore. But it did lay the groundwork for five of the groups attending (including Sierra Club) agreeing to co-sponsor a series of future public meetings to hear community priorities for preserving open space and creating transportation alternatives on the North shore.

Pali to Puamana Park-Way
Maui Group joins a long list of community organizations that support a public/ private campaign to create an eight-mile long coastal park along the West Maui shoreline from the Pali tunnel to the beginning of Lahaina town. The park would be established by moving the present Honoapiilani Hwy inland and purchasing or obtaining conservation easements on the lands seaward of the new road. Public support is needed t o make this spectacular coastal parkway a reality. Fax support letters to: County Council 270-7639.

Keoni'o'io/Ahihi-Kinau: ACT NOW!!
Protection of these biologically and historically significant lands still remains an elusive goal. Keoni'o'io/Ahihi-Kinau task force members are working with the state and county to find the best strategies for short & long term preservation that also allow appropriate public use. Sierra Club and others supported Hawaii Tourism Authority funding for "rangers" and educational kiosks. Rangers are expected on the job in September.

MG supports protecting this unique area as a National Seashore. Please write or fax Gov. Lingle to tell her you support the concept of a National Seashore for Keone'o'io/Ahihi-Kinau and ask the state to work with the federal government to protect and manage this uniquely beautiful coastline.
Gov. Lingle, Executive Chambers, Hawaii State Capitol, Honolulu, HI 96813; fax 808- 586-0006

Makena Resort Rezoning Proposal
No public hearings have been scheduled by Maui County Council since the Councils Planning and Land Use Committee (PLUC) concluded its deliberations in mid April. The PLUC set 41 conditions to mitigate impacts of Seibu Corp.'s rezoning request for150 acres of lands surrounding Makena State Park. As of August these conditions have not been formally accepted by Seibu representatives. The proposed urbanization of Makena is likely to have an impact on County Council election decisions. It is possible that sitting Council members who supported Seibu's zoning request will not chose to hear the matter until after the November elections. STAY TUNED!

Water Issues
Several community groups (Maui Tomorrow and Hui o Na Wai 'Eha) have petitioned the state to restore stream flows in Na Wai 'Eha, ('Iao, Waikapu, Waiehu and Waihe'e streams in Central Maui. EarthJustice LDF filed a petition with the state Water Commission in late June asking for immediate restoration of water currently withdrawn from the streams by Wailuku Agribusiness Co. Inc (WACI) that is being "wasted." The EJLDF petition notes that WACI no longer has substantial agricultural operations and yet is continuing to divert the same amount of water as it did when active farming was taking place on its lands. HC&S also has agreements with WACI to use the area's stream waters, but has only historically provided irrigation for approximately only 1,000 acres in the area, not enough to justify an average use of 20 million /gal day form the WACI ditch system. The Water Commission has the EJLDF petition posted on their website and is expected to consider the matter when they next meet on Maui. Maui Group supports this historic effort to bring back natural flows, native stream life and habit to Maui's legendary streams.


	Updates on Maui conservation issues Malama Kahakai: Legacy Beach Campaign Update Rep. Ed Case has invited several other House members to tour proposed National Seashore sites on Maui at Keoneoio and the North shore (Spreckelsville area). Local Maui activists will join the Congressmen for the site tour, which is expected in the next several months. North Shore Heritage Park/ Paia By-Pass Maui Group recently invited representatives of 10 North shore community groups to meet with reps from major North shore landowner A&B, Inc. County & state policymakers and the County Planning Director also attended. The two hour moderated informal talk story session steered clear of most of the controversial issues facing the North shore. But it did lay the groundwork for five of the groups attending (including Sierra Club) agreeing to co-sponsor a series of future public meetings to hear community priorities for preserving open space and creating transportation alternatives on the North shore. Pali to Puamana Park-Way Maui Group joins a long list of community organizations that support a public/ private campaign to create an eight-mile long coastal park along the West Maui shoreline from the Pali tunnel to the beginning of Lahaina town. The park would be established by moving the present Honoapiilani Hwy inland and purchasing or obtaining conservation easements on the lands seaward of the new road. Public support is needed t o make this spectacular coastal parkway a reality. Fax support letters to: County Council 270-7639. Keoni'o'io/Ahihi-Kinau: ACT NOW!! Protection of these biologically and historically significant lands still remains an elusive goal. Keoni'o'io/Ahihi-Kinau task force members are working with the state and county to find the best strategies for short & long term preservation that also allow appropriate public use. Sierra Club and others supported Hawaii Tourism Authority funding for "rangers" and educational kiosks. Rangers are expected on the job in September. MG supports protecting this unique area as a National Seashore. Please write or fax Gov. Lingle to tell her you support the concept of a National Seashore for Keone'o'io/Ahihi-Kinau and ask the state to work with the federal government to protect and manage this uniquely beautiful coastline. Gov. Lingle, Executive Chambers, Hawaii State Capitol, Honolulu, HI 96813; fax 808- 586-0006 Makena Resort Rezoning Proposal No public hearings have been scheduled by Maui County Council since the Councils Planning and Land Use Committee (PLUC) concluded its deliberations in mid April. The PLUC set 41 conditions to mitigate impacts of Seibu Corp.'s rezoning request for150 acres of lands surrounding Makena State Park. As of August these conditions have not been formally accepted by Seibu representatives. The proposed urbanization of Makena is likely to have an impact on County Council election decisions. It is possible that sitting Council members who supported Seibu's zoning request will not chose to hear the matter until after the November elections. STAY TUNED! Water Issues Several community groups (Maui Tomorrow and Hui o Na Wai 'Eha) have petitioned the state to restore stream flows in Na Wai 'Eha, ('Iao, Waikapu, Waiehu and Waihe'e streams in Central Maui. EarthJustice LDF filed a petition with the state Water Commission in late June asking for immediate restoration of water currently withdrawn from the streams by Wailuku Agribusiness Co. Inc (WACI) that is being "wasted." The EJLDF petition notes that WACI no longer has substantial agricultural operations and yet is continuing to divert the same amount of water as it did when active farming was taking place on its lands. HC&S also has agreements with WACI to use the area's stream waters, but has only historically provided irrigation for approximately only 1,000 acres in the area, not enough to justify an average use of 20 million /gal day form the WACI ditch system. The Water Commission has the EJLDF petition posted on their website and is expected to consider the matter when they next meet on Maui. Maui Group supports this historic effort to bring back natural flows, native stream life and habit to Maui's legendary streams.














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