Daily Archives: November 24th, 2007

At Waihe’e beach, healing begins at the bottom of the food chain

The Waihe'e Limu Restoration Project is the story of a dedicated Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) inspiring her community to restore a reef she came to know through the stories of her tutu wahine. Not a native of Maui herself, Barrows raised her children at Waihe'e Beach and saw what happens to the herbivorous fish population when a major food source-limu-becomes scarce. Opportunistic fish in the food chain, including sharks, fill the niche that the herbivores once occupied.

AG Lands and the ‘M’ Word

Jo Anne Johnson, West Maui's County Council representative, has seen enough. "We've lost sight of our community plan," she said recently before boldly going where few have ventured before-to proposing a moratorium on agricultural subdivisions in her district until traffic impact fees are adopted. "There's no planning going on," Johnson said. "Just sprawl."
Johnson is quick to note that her proposed bill is not a "takings" and wouldn't prevent owners from farming their property. She knows this is just a temporary step-and probably an unpopular one with many-to stimulate discussion and begin to address existing problems.

Honua’ula wins committee OK

With a 6-2 vote, the Maui County Council Land Use Committee ended months of deliberation Tuesday and recommended approval of the Honua'ula housing development. Listed on the Kihei-Makena Community Plan as the Wailea 670 project, the Honua'ula revision has drawn hundreds of residents to committee meetings to speak for and against the development plans. The Land Use Committee report, with its recommendation for approval of the zoning bills, probably will go to the full council for action by the second council meeting in December, according to Land Use Chairman Mike Molina. The meeting is scheduled for Dec. 21.