Speak out for MAKENA

December 7, 2008

G. Riki Hokama

County Council Chair

200 S. High St. Wailuku

Dear Mr. Hokama & Maui County Council

My Name is Kehaulani Rand. I’m writing to testify against the change in rezoning for Makena resort. I testified on November 19^th. during the County Council Land and Use Committee meeting, and was very surprised to find that it was a 7-2 vote, to give Makena Resorts the approval need for the controversial luxury development to move forward.

As stated in my previous testimony regarding my beliefs that this project will destroy the last beautiful area of South Maui. It is my plea that the County Council will take into consideration that the decisions made will not only devastate the sacred area of Makena, but it will segregate the maka ‘āi nana (Common People) from their land.

It seems to me that the justification used to approve this project is that it will create much needed jobs for the residents of Maui throughout this economic crisis. However, if that’s the rationale than I don’t think it would be uneconomical for the Council to request that the affordable housing be built on the proposed site, so that the commoners (maka ‘āi nana) will have a chance to reside on their land, and to live closer to their place of employment! Do you think Mr. Dowling cares enough about the residents of Maui to agree with this request?

In closing I would like to mention that on Oct. 14, 2008 I attended the Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce Candidates' Forum held at Lihikai Elementary School, and I was impressed that most of you who hold these positions on the Council exuded a genuine love for the land (a’ina) and it’s people the (maka ainana). However, I don’t feel that way about most of you anymore, I feel afraid for our land, and future generations.

O wau me ka ha’a ha’a

Kehaulani Rand

Can we fix America’s Public School System?

In reflecting on the topic of last Tuesday class and viewing the video on “A Vision of Students today”. I came across a very interesting article written in Time magazine issue dated December 8, 2008. The article is about Michelle Rhee who is the head of Washington D.C. schools. It speaks of her battle against bad teachers, and what she feels is needed to transform public education.

Did you know that the U.S. spends more per pupil on elementary and high school education than most developed nations? Yet, we are behind most of them in math and science. Did you know that it is predicted that most young Americans today are less likely than their parents were to finish high school? This is the issue that’s warping the nation’s economy and security. According to decades of research the problem with U.S. public schools is ineffective teaching.

Michelle Rhee is determined not only to make Washington the highest-performing urban school district in the nation, but she hopes to transform the way schools across the country are run. Rhee is convinced that the answer to the U.S. education catastrophe is talent, in the form of outstanding teachers and principals. She is attempting to make these changes by finding and rewarding strong teachers, and purging incompetent ones and weakening the tenure system that keeps bad teachers in classrooms. Because of the laws that protect teachers from arbitrary firing most teachers receive tenure almost automatically, they are filtered, as possible candidates for the job, but their certification doesn’t guaranteed they are good teachers even though they get paid the same regardless of their effectiveness.

Rhee has proposed a revolutionary new model to let teachers choose between two pay scales. They could make up to $130,000 in merit pay on the basis of their effectiveness in exchange for giving up tenure for one year. Or they could keep tenure and accept a smaller raise. Of course the union has declined her proposal to a vote. However, Rhee still plans to purge incompetent teachers through any means necessary.

I believe in what Michelle Rhee is trying to accomplish, and I think it’s about time someone steps up to the plate to try and change what everyone has known for decades. This is what we need to do in Hawaii, and we need to have every Island accountable for their schools.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o

Time Magazine / December 2008 / how to fix America’s Schools

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/

Hawaiian Hero

George Helm, an inspirational figure for Kanaka Maoli; As I watched the video on George Helm I realized that I really didn’t know much about him so I decided to do some research to share with my class, and anyone who is interested in George Helm.

George Jarrett Helm, Jr. (b. Mar 23, 1950 - Disappeared, 1977) was a Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) activist and musician from Kalama’ula, Moloka’i. He graduated from St. Louis High School on Oahu. George was known for many outstanding qualities such as his beautiful falsetto voice, and guitar playing. He was a powerful speaker, writer and "revolutionary" philosopher who pioneered many sovereignty concepts.

George Helm began his activism with a Moloka’i-based group by the name of Hui Alaloa around 1975. In 1976 he became involved with a group known as The protect Kaho’olawe 'Ohana, which was a Hawaiian led organization that sought to end the bombing of Kaho’olawe. Kaho’olawe was used as target practice by the U.S. Navy since 1941.

In 1976, 9 activists occupied the island of Kaho’olawe, Helm among them. He was moved intensely by the power and beauty of the island, and dedicated the rest of his life to fighting for its protection. Helm appealed to the Hawai’i State legislature and to the U.S. congress for the protection of Kaho’olawe, but the bombing continued, so he and five others, Walter Ritte, Richard Sawyer, Charles Warrington and Francis Ka’uhane decided to occupy the island again in hopes that they would gain greater public recognition. Upon their arrival they were all arrested except for Ritte and Sawyer, who stayed hidden on the island for 35 days, with very limited food and water.

Concerned for their two friends that was left on the island; George Helm, Kimo Mitchell, and Billy Mitchell went in search for them first by boat, then by surfboard. When they reached the island they found that Sawyer and Ritte had been picked up. The next day, the boat that was scheduled to meet them did not come, as it had sunk. Oddly, the three apparently decided to return to Maui despite high surf and a wound to George Helm’s head. The unsolved mystery still haunts many kanaka maoli about what really happened to Goerge Helm and Kimo Mitchell who were last seen near the crescent-shaped islet of Molokini by Billy Mitchell, who was the only survivor of the group.

Today George Helm is remembered as one of the greatest hero’s who surfed, fished, farmed, loved, sang, worshipped and thought in the ways of old. As Helm stated in his letter written on January 29, 1977 “My duty is to protect Mother Earth, who gives me life!” And that my friends, is the legacy of a “True Hawaiian.”

Work Cited

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Helm
Letter written by George Helm January 29, 1977

Education in Hawaii

On Oct. 14, 2008 I attended the Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce Candidates' Forum, and was surprised to hear that majority of the canadiates want to improve our education system here on Maui. In reading some of the political pamphlets that were handed out, and listening to what they had to say I found that they each have their own special interest or mission on how they would improve our education. However, in reading the news for the past couple of weeks there has been more talk about budget cuts on education than I’ve seen in a long time.

Here’s what we’re looking at. The state Board of Education already approved reducing its budget by $45.6 million last week, but that falls short of the $69 million in cuts Gov. Linda Lingle requested a month ago. If the governor decides to scrap 15 percent of the Department of Education budget, that would result in schools losing about $22 per student. If the Department of Education has to cut 20 percent of its budget, schools could suffer a loss of $222 per student. Teachers and administrators are concerned about cuts to programs that are close to the classroom, and about cuts that could eliminate about 15 teaching positions and two support staff members. Gov. Lingle states in her article "I don't see that they're hurting the classroom yet. I'm certain there's more money there. More cuts may be coming. "This is our reality," she said. "If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."

As I said in the beginning! I heard every candidates passion about improving education, but how can I have faith that they are truly going to be able to improve the quality of education. It seems that education is always the first to suffer when the budget needs to be reduced. How can I have faith when I hear that the State Legislators will get a 36 percent pay hike while our children get millions cut from their schools? This is why I believe that the Department of Education should be broken up into school districts governed by local school boards.

Works Cited

Tuesday, Oct. 14, 600-900pm, The Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce Candidates' Forum at the Lihikai Elementary School cafeteria on Papa Ave.

‘Educators: Classrooms to suffer if more cuts” The Maui News
Oct. 13, 2008