Battle for Makena

More than 400 people and about 150 testifiers showed up to the public hearing on Wed. Nov. 19 to voice their concerns about the Makena Resort Project. This battle for the County Council Land Use Committee to change the zoning for 603.3 acres of the 755.6-acre project was proposed by Everette Dowling and his partners. Four years ago, the Land and Use Committee negotiated and accepted 41 conditions to make the plans a reality. However, the committee, and the entire council has waited since for a unilateral agreement from the owner which they finally received on Nov. 7 2008.

Throughout the day continuous testimonies were heard from those who were for and against the Makena Resort Project. The last speaker of the evening was Everette Dowling who said he was prepared to accept the 41 conditions and sign the agreement. He also dispelled what he called rumors, and declared that he would not build a second hotel or shopping mall or use wastewater injection wells. He did say that within his proposed project of 1000 multi- family and single- family homes he would build 70 condos on the Maui Prince Hotel parcel that could be used for short-term rentals, and about 500 affordable units that would be built anywhere from Ma’alaea through Kihei and Wailea to Makena, but none of those homes would be included in the Makena Resort area.

After two days of meeting, and hearing the testimonies from people who were against the project arguing that Maui doesn’t need more homes for the wealthy, how it would destroy sacred lands, damage reefs, native animals and plants with pesticides, runoff and construction, it would eliminated another natural place that attracts people to Maui, it would destroy archaeological sites, and so on; the Maui County Council Land Use Committee voted 7-2 to give Makena Resorts the agreements it needed for the controversial luxury development to move forward.

How sad is that! I hope the County Council is prepared to handle any ratification that may happen once the land-use entitlements are in place. My only hope is that they keep their promises to protect Hawaiian Cultural sites by doing a comprehensive inventory of cultural sites and a preservation mitigation plan before they submit the rezoning application.

Work Cited

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/511374.html?nav=10

http://mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/511462.html

http://www.savemakena.org/whatyoucando.php

Save Makena

I decided to share my testimony as my blog this week to try, and get my fellow classmates to help with testifying against the rezoning for the Makena resort. Here is a copy of my testimony letter.County Council Land Use Meeting scheduled for Wed. Nov. 19th, 8:30am. @ the County Bldg., 8th. floor (200 S. High St. Wailuku)

November 17, 2008

Michael J. Molina

County Council Land Use Committee Chair

200 S. High St. Wailuku

Dear Mr. Molina

My Name is Kehaulani Rand, I reside at 3225 Pikai Way Kihei and I’m writing to testify against the change in zoning for Makena resort. I realize that every land owner has the right to do what he feels best for his land, but if you’ve purchased land knowing what it was zone for than I don’t think you should be able to ask for changes to be made in the zoning. The question I have for you, is development the answer to our economy? I understand that in the short term it will create more jobs, taxes, and revenues, but in the long run we take away the beauty of why people visit Maui, and the very reason we all live here. Collectively as the people of this ‘aina (land) we should all be thinking about where development begins and where it ends.

I believe this project will destroy one of the last beautiful areas of South Maui, and it will hurt future generations as it devastates more of our beaches, reefs, Hawaiian culture sites and Native dry land forest. I ask that as you review this issue you really search deep within your na’au (gut) for the answers to do what is pono (right) for our past, present and future generations.

O wau me ka ha’a ha’a

Kehaulani Rand

http://mauicounty.gov/list.asp
Save Makena [SaveMakena@maui.net]
http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/510819

Who’s Best For Our Future?

As election 2008 is upon us I feel confused with so many issues, and I’m sure there are many other Americans out there who feel the same way. I’m perplexed with the fact that trust, honesty, and integrity is diminishing more and more with the people whom we depend on to lead, and make the right choices for us. For goodness sakes we can't even trust electronic voting machines, How sad is that! This election is probably the hardest decisions I’ve had to make in the twenty eight years I’ve been voting, and it’s not because of the fact that we could have for the first time a part African American President, or a woman as a Vice President. It’s the fact that I'm more aware of what's really happening, and I believe it because I'm taking this Hawaiian Issues class. I feel as though I’m voting for the lesser of two evils, and that’s uncomfortable!

Aside from the Presidential election my profound concerns are more about who will be making decision for the people of Hawaii, particularly Native Hawaiians (Kanaka Maoli). As I researched the candidates running for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee At-Large, I feel that its time for a change! We cannot have someone in these positions that supports the Akaka Bill or we will not accomplish anything. Sol Nalua’i is the only candidate that talks about maintaining transparency and open communication with input and feedback from all OHA beneficiaries, the only one who mentions the importance of not dividing our Hawaiians by blood quantum, and of course the renegotiation of ceded lands. Unfortunately, it’s prevalent that majority in the Senate and House supports the Akaka Bill, so wouldn’t it be beneficial for us to have our OHA elected trustees who don’t support the Akaka Bill be the voice for the Hawaiian People. (Kanaka Maoli)?

I’ve heard so many comments on many different issues “if it’s not broken than don’t fix it!” Well, I believe that our government has been broken for so many years, and although it may be frightening to try someone new or something different, and maybe out of our comfort zone, but we all know that change can sometimes turn out to be a good thing! My only hope is that people would try to make their decision based on integrity, and not on what their familiar with.

Work Cited
http://www.oha.org/kawaiola/2008/10/