Even with nearly half of the people signed up to speak leaving before their turn came up, the Maui County Council went into overtime on Tuesday night on a lengthy agenda that included project district zoning for the Honua'ula development. Council members heard more than six hours of testimony, including Kihei residents concerned about the project's impact on traffic; environmentalists warning that it would destroy rare native plants; and union leaders saying Honua'ula would provide critical long-term jobs. There were also speakers contesting proposed appointments to county boards and commissions, and a discussion of key points of the state Sunshine Law by Wailuku attorney Lance Collins - who has filed a suit over the council Land Use Committee's procedures for its continuing review of the Honua'ula bills.
Daily Archives: March 25th, 2008
Honua’ula debate heated
Posted in Maui news
PUC increases limits for renewable energy
Posted in Maui news
The move is expected to increase the excess energy fed back into the grid by customers. Residents and businesses with electrical generators powered by renewable sources, such as solar or wind energy, will be allowed to generate more power under a recent ruling by the Public Utilities Commission. The ruling doubles the limit on net energy metering generators to 100 kilowatts for customers on Oahu, Maui and the Big Island. Current limits of 50 kilowatts remain for Kauai.
Kaua‘i opposition to ferry still strong
Posted in Maui news
About 120 Kaua'i residents met with state Department of Transportation officials yesterday and most opposed the return of the Hawaii Superferry to the Garden Isle. The Superferry began service between O'ahu and Kaua'i in August but was soon turned back by protesters on surfboards and in kayaks who blocked the entrance to Nawiliwili Harbor. More than six months later, opposition remains strong here, at least from those who attended two meetings yesterday at Kaua'i Community College.