Sunday Nov 29

Another article focusing on Ulupalakua Ranch an their donation to the Maui Coastal Land Trust.  Oprah Winfrey bought a neighboring 1000 acres and there is some concern about the potential for developing that.

Art Medeiros who has led the effort to restore 30 acres of native forest said:

"I've worked with the Erdman family for 25 years, and I know one thing about them: They know how to keep a business healthy and do the right thing for the community. They are interested in cows but also in keeping the lifestyle of cowboys or paniolo alive on Maui. And they've done the same thing with me for Auwahi."

 This Chris Hamilton article is well worth reading.

Carl and Rae Lindquist of Hana are missing after their car was found damaged in a streambed. On their way to their Ulaino Road residence after Thanksgiving dinner at Hotel Hana Maui, "it is believed that their vehicle was swept into the streambed by the water, which was caused by heavy rains," a police news release said.  Lindquist is a former realtor and member of Lingle's Maui Advisory Board.  Police and Fire are searching the area and the coast.

Hana residents report that the rain was so torrential with water pouring across Hana Hwy that you couldn't even see the centerline of the road or where the road edges were, making it tricky to stay on the highway.

Coach Joe Duran says his Baldwin high school girls softball team is getting the short end of the stick and being moved to a field inferior to that which the boys get.  And he says, he'll appeal to the County Council, the League and the ACLU.  Park and athletic directors respond that there is a real shortage of playing fields.  We saw this same problem last year when MIL changed their season time and it then overlapped with Little League.  It is hoped that the State will fund an athletic field at Baldwin High School which would solve this conflict.

A photo of Brittany Cramer decorating a Christmas tree.

Francisco "Baba" Gomes is the subject of photos and a story about his coconut hat weaving and  yoga and qigong classes.

Amanda Cowan took a photo of Woody Goble of Goble’s Flower Farmat the swap meet.  Seems like there wouldn't be much content in the Maui News if it weren't for Amanda's and Matt Thayer's photos.

Today's editorial lauds the Erdmans for donating 12,000 acres of land to the Maui Land Trust.  We also thank them.

Letters to the Editor

Marie DeJournette answers the question "Who is it that has the wide selection of chocolates" with Mana Foods in Paia.  Readers of Maui News Talk Back already knew this.

Jack Berberich says that Hawaii schools are ranked lowest in the nation and that they need more hours.  Then he says she saw 8-10 county workers just standing around instead of clearing brush.

Dennis Lokmer points out that countries who provide health care to their citizens have higher taxes and wonders whether U.S. politicians can raise taxes.

Barbara Lund doesn't like it that one family is obstructing the Honzawa store rezoning in Haiku an states that the store should have been upzoned back in the 90s when other commercial ventures in the area were upzoned.

Bill Love thinks that the restrictions on beach wedding businesses and Lahaina's Halloween caused the reduction of tourism money and satirically says since the EA Sports brought in tourists, it will probably be banned next.

Newsflash, Bill, the entire world is in an economic meltdown.  I doubt the weddings ban and Halloween had much to do with the decline of tourism.  It is always in hard times that people work to take more than their share of the commons and then when times are good, we have to deal with being shut out of our own beaches as the wedding business booms.

David Chandler wants TV to show West Coast football teams not east coast.

Mitzi Toro appreciates  Kalama Intermediate school principal John Costales Jr.

Maggie Dickison points out that spitting is disgusting and germy for the barefoot kids who walk through it.  That's why local kids wear slippers, Maggie.

David DeLeon (realtor and known as "Mr Pave It Over") wants to amend the workforce housing bill.

Al and the Rev. Pua Hashimoto thank the churches involved in their Jail ministry.

Robert Faux points out that the Hawai'i State Constitution requires that the government educate children and that parents and teachers should work together.

Former L.A. police department employee and Lingle apologist,Terri Churchill thinks Sarah Palin is more qualified to be president than Barack Obama. 

Tom Paine says the Dept of Education could save 10% by laying off the administration "fat cats" and then vote the incumbents out.

Les Potts thanks Paul Kasprzycki for his efforts to take back Olowalu State Beach Preserve from the owners of the luxury property at the south end of Olowalu who think the beach is their private estate.  He says:

The truth is the property line is about two feet from the porch and their expansive lawn and palms (a good place for a couple of picnic tables) are on state land and will now be open to the public.

Former Washington State resident, James P. Shenfield offers the GOP talking points against reform.  They're really pushing selling across state lines.  That will allow companies to incorporate in the most lax state and offer insurance with the most gotchas (pre-existing conditions, high out-of-pocket, lots of stuff not covered) in a race to the bottom.

Gregg Bryant urgest the U.S. to adopt a single payer health system (like we have in Medicare, the Veterans System and federal employees get).

Saturday Nov 28

Lots of people shopping yesterday.

A word for word repeat of yesterday's article on Whole Foods hiring for its new Kahului store.  How much advertising money have they given the Maui News?

Lifeguards warn that stormy weather makes the ocean dangerous.  On Friday morning two kayakers had to be rescued off Thousand Peaks.  DT Fleming Beach Park had 5-6 foot surf.  Amanda Cowan took a photo of John Welk and Niko Baclig playing at the beach.

The Attorney General recommends checking out a charity before donating as there are scammers abouding this holiday season. Review charity information services such as the American Institute of Philanthropy (www.charitywatch.org), Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance (www.bbb.us/charity) and Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org).

Nice Amanda Cowan photo of Julie Poaipuni at Ulapalakua Store.

Ho'olehua, Molokai residents need to cut back on water use by 50% due to the outage of two pumps at Kalae.  Hopefully the pumps will be repaired next week some time.

DLNR will be dropping more concrete artificial reef fish houses off Keawekapu Beach next Monday.  The 52 acre Keawakapu artificial reef was created in 1962 from 150 cars, 2,250 tires, 35 concrete slabs and one boat.  Now if we can just keep the ornamental fish sellers from taking 5-10 million reef fish per year...

The Upper Kula water system disinfectant will change from chlorine to chloramines next week.  Chlorine was being used since last August for periodic maintenance.

A hearing on plans to charge fees at Kaumalapau Harbor on Lanai will be held 6 p.m. Friday in the Lanai High and Elementary School Cafeteria. More info at hawaii.gov/dot/library/admin-rules

The Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce will hold its general membership meeting and holiday celebration Dec. 8 at the Maui Economic Opportunity auditorium. Start time is 5:30 p.m.,  Hawaiian dinner at 6 p.m. and guest speaker Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann at 7 p.m. with entertainment after.

Cost is $20 per person. Donations of canned food and toys for needy families is recommended.

RSVP to Melissa Beimes by Friday at (808) 594-1899 or send e-mail to melissab@oha.org.

Editorial: Fred Couples will attend the Champions Skins Game Jan. 16 and 17 at the Royal Kaanapali Golf Course.  Somehow this merited yet another mention of EA Sports.

Letters to the Editor.

Today's viewpoint features Kelvin Bloom, chairman of the Hawaii Tourism Authority talking about the potential of Chinese tourism and his trip with Gov Lingle to China.

Jim Loomis says the Nov. 22 Maui News contained an ad paid for by an ultra-right, anti-government institute that attacked  Maui Memorial Medical Center with distortions and outright fabrications.  Jim - this is part of an ongoing attempt by GOP and righwing interests to privatize the hospital.  Private hospital interests have been busy sponsoring candidates and undermining Maui Memorial's reputation for several years now.

Jody Brown says that sacrificing teacher training days to end furloughs will be detrimental to education.  Most teachers I know think these training days are not particularly useful.  They make good money for the consultants who run them, though.

 Mike Cummings blames everyone for the poor educational system and says step one is to reduce the top-heavy administration.  Then add 1% to the excise tax for education.  He says, 

"...develop a core change in student-parent values and a new shared responsibility. Our teachers are educators, not babysitters. Provide immersion schools in Hawaiian studies to students unable to fit into existing educational parameters. For disruptive attendees unwilling to participate at all, perhaps it's time they spend days pulling weeds, digging ditches and moving rocks in the hot sun."

Then, he says, sell off the useless $40 million Superferry barges and use that money to end furloughs.

I'm not sure, Mike, why you think the Hawaiian immersion is for "students unable to fit into existing educational parameters".  Our immersion students are our finest, most hardworking treasures.  They could fit in anywhere but choose to challenge themselves in the Immersion program.

But you have pointed out a problem.  Teachers are unable to rid their classes of disruptive students.  Part of this is the "No Child Left Behind" law and part of it is todays litigious society.  We desperately need to create an alternative school for disruptive students and remove them from our public schools.

Shopping Friday

Whole Foods in Kahului is hiring (See www.wholefoodsmarket.com/careers.)  Be aware that the CEO has been working to derail healthcare reform and the operation is known to be a union-busting corporation.  For those local producers looking to sell there, be warned about the Whole Foods practice of putting their lower-cost Chinese-grown produce next to yours.  You'll get the account but you'll make few sales.

Support our local stores and local growers.  Shop at places like Foodland, Pukalani Superette, Ah Fooks, etc.

Roadwork on: Lahainaluna Road, Honoapiilani Highway, and Hana Highway.

Tiger Woods was injured in a single car accident.  Conflicting reports say he was "seiously injured" and that he was "treated and released".  Alcohol was not involved.

Businesses and churches hosted Thanksgiving meals for the needy.  Four Seasons gave TG dinners to the Wailea and Kihei fire fighters.

Mike Molina introduced a bill which prohibits aquarium fish harvesters from harming or killing the fish, whether they intend to or not.  This cut down on the estimated 5-10 million aquarium fish harvested in Hawai'i waters every year - a harvest that experts say plays a roll in the decline of our eating fish and reefs.  Only one million fish are reported to be taken per year but this number doesn't include the illegal operations. The bill give animal control officers a tool to at least insure that the fish aren't harvested and left to die in unaerated buckets by defining them as "pets".

The bill would  prohibit  withholding food for more than 12 hours; deflating the swim bladder; trimming the spine or fins; exposure to air or to temperature changes of more than 2 degrees, define causing the death of fish as being an inhumane treatment of aquatic life, require documentation of mortality rates and disposal methods of dead fish, and make violations a misdemeanor with a fine between $500 and $2,000 and up to a year in jail.

The bill was created by Robert Wintner (Snorkel Bob) who has been trying unsuccessfully to get the Administration and the Legislature to regulate ornamental fish harvesting.  See www.forthefishes.org.  Wintner said he would help finance 24 hour monitoring of reef collectors so that this would not cost the county any additional funds.

Ron Dahlquist took a photo of Archie Kalepa riding Jaws.

 Judge August jailed Richard Goettsch for breaking the conditions of his lease after being convicted of breaking into a Kula store to steal booze.  Goettsch was found drunk and passed out in the store.  Apparently another casualty of the recession, Goettsch lost his work as a real estate appraiser and turned to alcohol. He'll be on probation for 5 years.  Funny that Judge August is so tough on drunks who do property damage and just gives a slap on the wrist to violent criminals.

Editorial lauds the Read Aloud Program.  Sad when we have to have a program to encourage parents to read to their children.

Ben Little, General Manager of Hale Hui Kai Condominium, is all bent out of shape that they got called on their illegal naupaka hedge and irrigation system which they were using to encroach on the State beach and block off the public from the right of way that exists along all Maui shores.

Jill Engledow says goodbye to Maui News' Roy Tanaka.

Kelley Andrade mourns the layoffs of the women in her office but never states what office she's talking about.  Possibly this was edited out?

Uma Silbey is "furious" that Hanzawa's store wants to expand.  She appears to be a former California resident who has an internet jewelry business.

Richard Pechner supports Hanzawa's store expansion because he doesn't want to see the store close.

Jack Fisher supports Hanawa's expansion fearing that without it, it will go the way of Kawaharada Store, Kitada's, Horiuchi Market, Suda Store and the other mom and pop stores of Maui.

 BS McEwen says that Hawai'i is in the same situation vis a vis the U.S. as Tibet is with China.

Helena Valery says Obama is doing a good job and the Europeans love him.

Thanksgiving

Sean P. Roset died last night after losing control of his motorcycle on Kamehameha Avenue between Lono Avenue and Kane Street. Speed, alcohol and no helmet were factors.

Gonzaga wons the EA Sports tournament.

More on the Ulupalakua Ranch owner Pardee Erdma's donation of 2/3rds of the ranch to Maui Coastal Land Trust.   Erdman family has owned the 165 year old working ranch since 1963. It has 5,000 head of cattle, a winery, a country store and grill as well as horseback riding and clay shooting.  The donation will insure that future generations will not be able to sell off the ranch piece by piece to developers.

Glenn James, senior weather analyst at the Pacific Disaster Center, said more high surf is coming this weekend and into next week at 3 day intervals. Trades will continue. See Glenn's weather unusually accurate weather predictions at www.hawaiiweathertoday.com

Jesse Alexander of Haiku is featured in an Amanda Cowan photo.

Two men lost at sea while transporting a 21 foot sailboat from O'ahu to Hilo were found  50 miles of Lanai'i by a Coast Guard plane after a 5+ hour night search by DLNR, Coast Guard, Navy, Police, Fire, and Civil Air Patrol.  A rescue swimmer was dropped and determined that the men needed to be airlifted via helicopter rescue basket as the boat was unstable.

Kathy and James Martinez are the subject of a Kealia boardwalk photo by Amanda Cowan.

Finally an arrest has been made in last August's beating outside Cassanovas.  Garin Freitas, 21, of Haiku, and Sheldon Kaeo-Pimentel, 18, of Makawao are alleged to be part of the gang of 7 who beat and kicked a man after knocking him to the ground.  The gang is alleged to have been wearing mouthpieces and appeared to have a premeditated intention to engage in a fight.  The victim suffered a broken left eye socket bone and broken nose.

At the time of the incident Freitas was walking around free awaiting trial on a theft.

Oh no!  Judge August got their case.  First bad move:  He gives them a low bail of only $10,000.  for Freitas and a mere $1,000 for Pimentel.   $1,000 is a nonsensical bail for Assault 2 - a felony.

These people who are kicking their victims after knocking them to the ground are sociopaths who simply need to be removed from society to protect the rest of us.  The kind of person who can kick another human being who is down on the ground, is missing some essential part of human-ness that can never be restored.

In another felony assault 2 case, Judge August allowed 19-year-old Chyene Kala to serve only 4 months for assaulting a 15-year-old Olivia Butchart-Kalama during a party at old Maui High School last year. Kala got five years' probation, was ordered not to consume alcohol or illegal drugs and to undergo treatment and anger management classes.. The victim didn't know Kala, and suffered a broken nose.

Judge August - how do you think Kala's victim feels, that you take this so lightly?

A local male, approximately 5 feet, 8-inches tall, smelly and possibly homeless,  grabbed a woman,  threatened her with a knife in an attempted rape at 7:30pm last night at War Memorial complex baseball fields in Wailuku.  In fighting him off, the woman believes she may have broken his finger.

The attacker was slightly unshaven and wore a long-sleeved black shirt and jeans.  He had a 2-inch tattoo of a cross on his left hand.  If you have information in this case call  Detective Clyde Holokai at 270-6518 or Maui Police Department dispatch at 244-6400.

Kahului Airport's Aalele Street overflow lot will be open for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Lana'i is out of luck on trash pickup last week and probably next week due to a broken truck.

The state Board of Education will hold a community meeting from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Monday at Kaunakakai Elementary School on Molokai.  More info at  www.boe.k12.hi.us.

Today's editorial is a repeat of the 2004 Thanksgiving history editorial.

Letters to the Editor

Gail Nagasako points out that Glen Beck's rants have no basis in fact.  Good points, Gail, but I think most people know this and those who believe him are impervious to reality and logic so you're probably not going to convince them.  But studies have shown that the more a lie is repeated the more people tend to believe it. so it is good to repeat the truth every time a lie is spoken.

Gary Aplanalp wants us all to write our elected officials to demand better education for our children.  His major premise is that we need to audit DOE.  We heard this from Republican, Ramon Madden, so it is shaping up to be the GOP talking point.

For some unknown reason the Maui News decided to print a fetus-lover letter from Michigan.  What? No home-grown letter-writers want the government to legislate their religious views and control women's bodies?

Martin Micheelsen doesn't like Roz Baker saying the Legislature probably won't appropriate the extra money required for local school boards.  Martin - try the Governor.  For years she's said she supports local control but she hasn't acted to make it become a reality.  Ask her to allow local volunteer school boards and then require her State Administration abide by their decisions.  Presto!  Local control of schools.

And now an editorial that should have been in the Maui News but was in the  Star Bulletin.

Proposed oil tax a barrel of trouble for Hawaii

By Henry Curtis (Executive Director of Life of the Land)

I used to believe that Hawaii should pass an oil tax. This tax would be imposed on the use of fossil fuel and the money raised would be used to establish a renewable energy fund.

Unfortunately, the proposed state oil tax is anti-business, anti-labor and anti-common sense, and might significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions.

He goes on to explain that Hawai'i manufactured goods would be taxed twice - once on the raw materials containing petroleum products and a second time when the finished product was sold.  But mainland-produced goods would only be taxed once - when they were sold.

Thus the current oil-based tax would make locally produced goods more expensive than imported goods, discouraging local production and employment while most likely contributing to more oil use in transportation.

Life of the Land is one of those organizations which takes a careful look at energy policy and advocates for policies that are most cost-effective for citizens and least damaging to the environment, so it is a surprise to see them oppose an oil tax.  This indicates there must be a big "Gotcha" in it for us regular people.

Wednesday Nov 25

Ulupalakua Ranch is donating 12,000 acres for open-space easement to Maui Coastal Land Trust, reserving the right to develop renewable energy projects, and agriculturally appropriate commercial and noncommercial ventures. Sempra Energy already leases there for a wind energy farm

The two donated parcels include 6,000 acres in livestock grazing, farming and farming mauka of Kula Highway up to Polipoli Spring State Park. The second 5,328-acre parcel is the entire 'Auwahi ahupua'a,  from the ocean to the 6,000-foot elevation of Haleakala.  Part of this is where Art Medeiros has created the 'Auwahi Habitat Restoration Project  of the Leeward Haleakala Watershed Restoration Partnership.

Granting development rights to Coastal Land Trust organizations is a win-win for the land-owner and the public.  The land owner gets some property tax relief and the property is permently protected as a wildlife and viewplane area.  Ulapalakua Ranch has a reputation for generosity to the community and dedication to conservation and reforestation.

More EA Sports boosterism with a Matthew Thayer action shot.

Maui tourism dropped another 4% in October 40% fewer cruise ship passengers.  Not mentioni is that few businesses mourn the cruise ship drop-off since the passenger's needs are met by the ship and they are notoriously poor spenders.  Along with that go the increase in crime and drinking by the crew, with several Kahului establishments completely banning crew members due to disturbances.

Sadly, the economic decline is being used to convince people if they will just ignore zoning, the environment, infrastructure, etc and grant permits to any developer, this will bring back jobs.  We saw, with the big rush to get the Makena rezoning pushed through, that is an illusion.  Dowling did nothing with his project and then it went bankrupt - without creating a single construction job.

Meanwhile we have a contractor from Canada hiring illegals instead of our own people and Walgreens building with scab labor so they can pay their mainland-imported workers less than living wages.

At some point we have to go for quality over quantity. The County Council needs to be better at negotiating benefits for the community when they give zoning changes and other special favors.

Cirque Polynesia moved to a new theater at the Hyatt, leaving the main ballroom free for other events like....wait for it....EA Sports!  Managing Partner Doug Harris says he hopes to work out something for Lahaina Halloween to help "bring the right kind of people".

 Since yet another driver on Baldwin Ave lost control and broke through Paia's Doris Todd School fence, they've decided to build a 5' rock wall.  The county will install a flashing light and speed feedback sign.  Doris Todd has asked for more enforcements - so better slow down all you Baldwin Ave speeders.

Patrick Gonsalves who got probation and "treatment" for the last time he was convicted of sex assault  has been convicted and sentenced to 20 years. Judge Bisson said, "You should be an old man when you get out of prison so this doesn't happen again."  We need more judges like Bisson who wasn't conned by Gonsalves self-serving actions in starting "counseling immediately after the sexual assaults were reported."

Judge Bisson commented on Gonsalves previous "treatment" and discharge:

"You obviously fooled them," the judge told Gonsalves. "You were able to fool the clinicians into thinking that you had cured your predatory behavior. We know that all sex offenders who prey on young children are people who are able to gain their confidence, make them keep the secret either through threats or promises or gifts.
"I think what happened after your first offense is you improved your methods."

 Most experts agree that there is no "treatment" that will cure a pedaphile, just as there is no treatment that will cure sociopathy.  Who, I wonder, was the judge who sentenced Gonsalves to a mere 30 days for the last girl he molested?  Whoever it was has the destruction of a young girls' life on his head.

Keoki Cuelho, Noah Mariano, and Dylan Skalko of Lahaina were arrested for a  Napili home-invasion burglary and assault in Napili on the evening of Nov. 13.  Skalko is alleged to have known that the victim had marijuana.  Cuelho  is alleged to have stabbed the resident several times with a broken table leg durning the attack.  The three are charged with burglary and assault and remain in jail.

A Lahaina gallery owner and a cab driver got into an altercation over the taxi parking in a loading zone.  The gallery owner got a head laceration and said he was  punched in the back and hit over the head with an object, possibly a cellular telephone, radio or walkie-talkie.  Police have the license number but are "continuing an investigation to identify the driver in the second-degree assault investigation".  Doesn't seem like that should take more than a couple hours - but this is Maui, after all.

St. John's Episcopal Church in Kula is offering a free turkey meal 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday

Joe Bradley's editorial suggests we give Red Cross disaster preparedness kits as Christmas presents.  I can just see your 6-year old's eyes light up when she gets this gift!  They printed a disclaimer that Mr. Bradley is on the board of the Red Cross.  Why do they not print the disclaimer that he is the chair of the Maui Chamber of Commerce when (as he does so often) he prints one of the Chamber's talking points as an editorial.

Today's letters to the editor are misfiled under the editorial

Joan Pawsat, formerly of Maui and now from Waimanalo, Oahu's letter is reproduced here by permission:

Limits on visitor industry could help economy

Putting limits on the visitor industry is a way to prevent a boom and bust cycle. There should not be an assumption that visitors will be in constant supply. Right now there are record lows and many employees' shifts have been drastically reduced. If a majority works in tourism, the groundwork is laid for a devastating bust cycle and high unemployment at the whim of travelers' interests and disposable income.

There is no silver bullet to maintain the economy except diversified employment opportunities, which thwart overdependence on one industry. For instance, not replacing unsustainable large agriculture with a strong agricultural industry which increases state self-sufficiency would be foolish and unbalanced.

 Charles Hirata rebuts another letter writer's assertion that Japanese-American soldiers served only in Europe

In a GOP talking point, Jake Jacobus says that the government guideline moving the recommended start of regular mamograms 10 years later shows that healthcare reform is going to kill women.  Oh no!  First it was our grandparents and now it's our mothers and sisters!  He postulates that soon the government will limit women's childbearing years...yeah right, by funding abortions?  This GOP talking point is so self-contradictory, it doesn't even make sense.  This letter is worth reading because it is so funny.

Maury King urges Lingle not to cut Ag Inspectors.  His letter is reproduced with permission:

Don't allow agriculture inspector layoffs

Let's have an update on the layoffs of the agriculture inspectors.
I know some of the positions were restored and I'm not hearing talk about the issue, but if experts that know Hawaii and its unique problems are laid off, when we realize the mistake we made, the people that are our current experts will no longer be available.

These are very specialized positions and eliminating them is very shortsighted. I know times are tough and everybody's need for money is important, but this group inspects our food, keeps us safe from pests and also inspects outgoing shipments. The current local agriculture exporters can be crippled if they can't ship perishables quickly. We need to be supportive of local agriculture as we move toward sustainable lifestyles and this is counterproductive to that idea.

For the future of our state, fully funded and supported agriculture inspection of incoming and outgoing products and protection against invasive species is one of the best chances we have of keeping Hawaii a great place to live and visit.
Let's give the message that we value what local producers do and that we appreciate that it keeps money flowing locally. I'm told it would require $3.8 million to keep all the jobs. Maybe it can come from the tourism budget. After all, who will come here if there are biting bugs, not much fresh food and no lei to wear?
Maury King
Kihei

In a letter defending the HC&S water diversions, Kathy Morris asks, "Why is it that water that produces a useful food product such as sugar and provides some groundwater recharge is considered wasteful, yet water that runs to the open ocean is considered beneficial?"

This is called a straw man argument as she leaves out a whole slew of reasons for restoring stream flows - most importantly so that the streams can flow through successive taro fields (lohi) before flowing into the sea.  In the case of West Maui, streams recharge the Iao Aquifer which is being drawn down at almost a foot a year.

Zoe MacAlpine makes the moral argument that condemns those who object to taxes and don't want government healthcare and other social safety nets.  She points to studies in high-tax countries where the population is much happier because they have these social necessities (food, health, shelter, etc.)

Ululani Correa thanks Mark Oreck for all he gave to Maui Memorial Hospital.

Tuesday Nov 24

Yet more free publicity for Maui News advertiser EA Sports.

The decision on Hanzawa's Store zoning in Haiku has been postponed.  Erin Wade, the county planner indicated that the store is important to residents and that if it closes, that will increase traffic on Kokomo and Makawao Ave as people will have to travel to Pukalani Superette or Haiku Cannery

Carrie Ann Shirota, the vocal opponent of the store is demanding additional testimony time, no food service, no subletting, no bar and wants the Daniels to deed over a right of way and leave one of their parcels in Ag.  One wonders if this will enhance the value Shirota's family's substantial  neighboring land holdings and what she has planned for her family land that is causing her demands of the Daniels.

One also wonders why the County Council has such a hard time granting a small zoning request for a business that has existed since before 1920 when it was so easy for them to approve hundreds of acres of rezoning for an exploitive mainland investment company in Makena that promptly went bankrupt.

Tradewind weather and a big north swell are predicted. This was illustrated with another nice Amanda Cowan photo.

 County offices, pools, Lana'i, Olowalu and Hana landfills will be closed Thanksgiving.

UH got the Pacific Disaster Center contract renewed.  MCC will be closed Thanksgiving and Friday.

Rubellite Kawena Kinney Johnson, author of the "Kumulipo: the Hawaiian Hymn of Creation," will lecture at 6:45 p.m. Saturday at the Duco Building, 1464 Lower Main St. (mauka of Archie's and Tiffany's Restaurant). Refreshments will be served at 6 p.m. Seating is limited, so reservations are requested by Wednesday. For more information, call 269-8865.

There will be no torch march around Maui island this Makahiki by E Ka'apuni A Ho'a Kukui Na Moku'aina.  U'ilani Kapu says that instead they will hold meetings in the various areas. West Maui has already met and Wailuku is next  on Dec. 6 in Waihee.For more information, call Kapu at 250-1479.

Fundraising for Jharrell Sim's liver transplant met the $64,000 goal.

The new Maui News poll asks, "What are the chances of Sarah Palin being elected president of the United States?" with "No chance" in the lead by far.  Since it is easy to vote multiple times, these polls are in no way a reflection of readers' views...although for once it looks accurate.

Letters to the Editor:

Nikhilananda wants to get the Green Party on the Hawai'i ballot and asks registered voters visit www.greenhawaii.org, call him at 572-8787 or send an email to nikhilananda@hawaiiantel.net in order to sign the petition.

Albert Molitor is all bent out of shape because we all didn't fly American flags to honor the soldiers.  Hmmm.... where to start.  Should I say, "Why not go back to America?".  Should I say, "We honor our soldiers every day by trying to bring them home"? or should I say, "Symbols and patriotism simply play into the war profiteer corporations who are manipulating us into wars"?  Yesterday Albert was all bent out of shape over the Lahaina Halloween event.  Before that he was upset at speeders in "Maui cruisers" who he condemned as too poor to pay tickets.

 Kaumana Rindlisbacher says America has become a dictatorship.  I was following along with her, nodding my head, as she outlined how Bush had concentrated power and how Obama isn't doing too much better by supporting the Patriot Act when she took an abrupt right turn and lost me.  She included comprehensive healthcare coverage and the immigration act as taking away our rights.  Huh?


Fred Hetzer compared health insurance rates between Hawai'i and Joe Lieberman's state of Connecticut and found our rates significantly lower.


Dan Taylor says no one really holds unbroken chain of title to their land because it belongs to the Kingdom of Hawai'i.

Continuing the Lahaina vs Pa'ia rivalry in a moderating tone, Janel Whittaker, lauds Pa'ia.

In yet another round of EA Sports boosterism, today's editorial adds nothing new and simply repeats the $8 million economy boost they got from the EA Sports press release.  Yawn.

Monday Nov 23

Noshir Gowadia accused spy from Maui was found competent to stand trial.

Maui stores predict less than stellar holiday sales due to the economy.

A jury found  Kipp Haole not guilty of first-degree terroristic threatening and guilty of disorderly conduct.  Judge Cardoza sentenced him to 30 days.  Haole was apparently yelling about killing someone and was found at his ex-girlfriend's house, and then according to the arresting officer threatened to kill him.  Haole has been previously convicted of first-degree criminal property damage, violating a restraining order 5 times, criminal property damage 5 times,  terroristic threatening 4 times, DUI, third-degree assault, third-degree promotion of a detrimental drug and  contempt of court 3 times.

You folks will be thrilled to know he already served his 30 days and is back out on the street.

In other crime news, meth-user,  Zachary Alexander was sentenced to 18 months in jail, drug treatment and 5 years probation for burglary, theft of a credit card, car theft and driving without a license (recklessly).  He had recently gotten out of jail after a 5 year theft sentence.

Judge August after once again being conned by the defendant and his supporters, said

"The best way to protect society in the long run is to have Mr. Alexander go through long-term treatment and probation,"

Newsflash, Judge.  Drug treatment does not  work too well unless the user wants to change.

19 year old Bobby Tabilangan of Kaunakakai was released after 3 months of jail and Judge Bisson put him on 5 years probation for stealing a moped.

In contrast, pushover Judge August, allowed deferred sentencing and community service for Kihei's Valerie Lester who was part of a group that broke into a car and stole items including a credit card.  Come on, Judge August - just because she told you she's getting drug treatment and going to college - you believed her?

Maui Crime Stoppers will pay a cash reward if you find Darrel A. Alexander, who is wanted for nine counts of first-degree sexual assault.He is African-American, 34 years old, 6 feet, 2 inches tall, weighing about 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.  Call 242-6966 if you have any info on his whereabouts. And pray that Judge August doesn't get his case.

 

In the "There but the grace of God go we" crime section 6 people were sentenced for DUI.

Maui News photographer, Amanda Cowan took a cool photo of Scott Campbell near the D.T. Flemming life guard stand.

More publicity for EA Sports with a photo showing Trent Helle and Mark Few.

Our editor went to a Hawaii Employers Council meeting and brings back the news that neighbor islands are being hit harder by the recession than O'ahu, citing Maui's unemployment rate going from 2% to 10%.  (Of course, those numbers do not reflect underemployment which is most likely double)

The speaker went on to say that Maui got hit because of the Maui Pine shutdown and that our future is "research and development of better crops." "Better" being a subjective and "research" being a code word for GMO and Monsanto using Maui as their isolated experiment station and us as their guinea pigs.

In Letters to the Editor

Audrey Rocha Reed lauds Virgilio "Leo" Agcolicol who resigned from the board of directors of the Cameron Center.

Albert Molitor writes in opposition to the Lahaina Halloween festivities.

Mike Kaufmann is advocating moving to organic and sustainable food growing instead of sugar.  He doesn't say this, but we can all do our part by buying Maui grown food whenever it is offered.

On a related subject, Eloise Engman points out that the County's interpretation of ag products having to be sold in order for the grower to qualify for the lower property tax rate, ignores those who are growing their own food for consumption.  Certainly we can craft a law which differentiates between the "gentleman farmer" who plants a few fruit trees and the family which is growing a substantial portion of their own food.

Wilson Branca calls A&B's Grant Chun on his viewpoint which somehow related the Superferry to asking for a lion's share of our water for HC&S and Wailuku Water,.  Branka says the only thing that relates the two is that both HC&S and the Superferry want to bully their way around the State's environmental and water laws.

And (we have an emerging theme here)  HC&S should put its people to work growing food and energy crops.

Just a comment on "energy crops".  HC&S has been researching sugar cane use in ethanol.  Cane has a much better energy balance than corn ethanol (which some claim actually uses as much oil as it replaces).  So they are doing that part of your suggestion.

Froyam Edel and Lehua Cosma thank MECO for restoring power to Hana.

Alia Lim wants trained professional accountants and economists to balance our budget.  Sorry, Alia, that isn't going to go over well with the rest of us who saw what the econmists at the Fed did to our economy.  The lawmakers set priorities which is a far different task from bean counting.

Donald Estes disses the Republican (non)healthcare plan.

Sunday Nov 22

In a lead article that appears to be copied from a press release, EA Sports Maui Invitational NCAA men’s basketball tournament is  estimated to bring $8 million to Maui.

After reading some fluff about Christmas and flu shots we get to the real news.

The EPA required gas capture system at Maui County Landfill is in and we're now negotiating fines.  Yeah, way to go EPA.  Maui is struggling financially and instead of giving us some money so we can meet your requirements you want to take away money.  That will certainly help us do the best job possible.

The State says the county allowed polluted storm water to run out of the Molokai and Lanai landfills, did not adequately contain motor oil, did not maintain storm water detention basins at  Hana landfill, and allowed scrap vehicle operation.

The state wanted $32,000 for the Molokai violation, $17,600 for Lanai, and $12,700 for Hana but appears ready to allow Maui County to use that money to build additional pollution control facilities.

More fluff with a photo of Shane Victorino and 2-year old daughter at his charity golf game.  

12-18 foot surf on the north shore today.

Azeka Shopping Center and KHON channel 2 are sponsoring a gift drop-off for the needy.

Comments on the County's "Sustainable Energy: Strategies for Implementation" have been extended until 4 p.m. Dec. 4.  If you want to shape an affordable energy future, follow the above link and comment.  Otherwise we'll get stuck with big, expensive projects.

Akaku TV offices will be closed Thursday and Friday

Road work delays M-W 8:30-3:30  - Hana Hwy near Hansons Rd, Honoapiilani Highway  closed between Aholo and Lahainaluna, Kalae High-way on Molokai  closed in both directions between Maunaloa Highway and Kalaupapa Lookout, 1 lane only for Maunaloa Highway on Molokai between Mile Post 5 and Mile Post 7

Editorial is about the assassination of President Kennedy.  I notice they say nothing about the hate talk on the rightwing Fox and radio shows that is inciting other lunatics to attack our current President.  We should all be condemning extremist, violent talk.

Letters to the Editor

Greg LaGoy executive director of Hospice Maui writes that there shouldn't be any competitors to his organization because then they'd have to spend too much money on marketing.  Oh really?  Do you really need to get more dieing clients?  Isn't marketing what is so terribly wrong with our pharmaceutical and healthcare "businesses"?

Norm Franco advocates "agricultural condos" where a group of houses go together to lease or buy land for growing food.  He points out (quite rightly) that the $ has been devalued and food costs are rising precipitously.  His idea - a variation on the community garden - smart and useful.  Is Norm related to Stan?  Because both these letter writers post useful information.

Rep. Mazie Hirono writes a rebuttle to the Maui News knee-jerk GOP editorial dissing her amendment which allows Hawai'i the option to stay under its pre-paid health care plan or opt into the plan which is included in the Federal Healthcare Reform bill.

The Maui News was really reaching in their criticism of Mazie Hirono's amendment but I guess that you have to reach when you are trying to boost a GOP candidate against such a popular Representative as Mazie who has kept every single one of her campaign promises and seems unusually free from corporate influence.

Emily Hossellman from Oahu is all bent out of shape because Senator Roz Baker called Gov. Lingle on her vendetta against the teacher's union.  Why would the Maui News run a letter from someone on Oahu when they are rejecting letters due to a cut back on space?

Karen Chun, while agreeing that the bank bailout was a sell-out of the American people, came to the defense of Rep Hirono's truth in lending bill.

Allen Vierra warns that developers are after the water.

Responding to the letter saying Paia was better than Lahaina, Norm Bezane praises Lahaina's Sammy Kadotani for all his volunteerism and Larry Sarner agrees that the Lahaina Halloween should be controlled.  Larry also says, "Thank God Paia is no Lahaina" and wants to know what store it is that has "the widest selection of chocolate bars to be found anywhere"".

It's Mana Foods, Larry.  But good luck finding parking!

Rod Kunishige who is listed as being from Wailuku (and there are a lot of Kunishiges in Wailuku so maybe he was born there) but comes up as from San Jose on an internet search, presents the "czars and Hitler" GOP talking point.

Come on, Maui News, this stuff is old, old, old and annoying.  And it is just the kind of crazy talk that should have been condemned in your editorial mourning the assassination of President Kennedy.  Instead you print this garbage that encourages unstable people to think that they are justified in using violence against our democratically elected President.  Hitler indeed!

Dennis Lokmer objects to stereotyping (and witch hunting) of Muslims with a sarcastic and oblique reference to Manzanar which hits home for the many of us who have kupuna who were rounded up into concentration camps during WWII for the crime of having Japanese ancestry.

Fred R. Wilson is dissing the Democrats for not putting something - I'm not sure what - in the Health Care Reform Bill.

Sherri Curry urges those of us who are laid off to volunteer at the schools.  Good idea!

Jeff Churchill objects to government subsidies of Waikiki sand replenishment.  I'm not sure who pays for this...possibly the City and County of Honolulu?  He uses this to object to the "nanny state" (GOP catch phrase) and urge us to vote 'em out.

Jeff entirely misses a far, far bigger problem with the Waikiki sand replenishment.  That sand comes from Maui and A&B has sold off the top 30' of dunes to be exported by weekly barge to 'Oahu.  The result is our sand is estimated to run out (I know this sounds impossible) in the next couple of years.

For those of you saying, "big deal, who needs inland sand?", here is why.  That sand is used to make cement.  Without a local supply of sand (and we are not allowed to mine it from the ocean or beaches) we have to import our concrete sand from Australia.  Notice that concrete has gone way, way up in price?  That's partially because China has kapu'd cement for their huge construction projects but also because sand is becoming more expensive.  Imagine how costly construction will be when we are importing from Australia.

Gabrielle Galler-Rimm wants more funding for the Humane Society and tells the story of slow response to a loose, stray dog that got hit by a car.

Bill Pietsch thinks the GOP should be charged with fraud and treason for running such an unqualified candidate as Sarah Palin.  I would charge him with repeating Democratic talking points but the Democrats don't say this as they are busy encouraging the GOP to run Palin as they feel it is a sure fire road to Democratic victory.  Sorry, Bill.  Any idiot can run for office and almost all of them - Dem or Rep -  are packaged to look a whole lot better than they really are.

Francis K. Ibara makes a very good point that Republicans are dissing Obama for deficit spending while at the same time pushing for a Afghan troop buildup.  He says,

"Doesn't it cost money to pay for this buildup? Spending money at home is much better than spending money in other countries. What mentality. We should build up our defense at home and mind our own business in other countries."

Amen, Francis!

Saturday Nov 21

Hanzawa's Store owners applied for 800-foot expansion and additional three small commercial buildings which require rezoning and state land-use district boundary amendment. Because opponents petitioned against the project, it will require 7 out of 9 votes to pass the zoning change at Monday's County Council meeting.

Long-time neighbor and leader of the opposition, Leina Shirota-Purdy,  fears it will change the rural character of Kaupakalua/Haiku area, increase traffic and open the door for A&B to develop their nearby 250 acres.

Owner Matt Daniels says that only one family is organizing the opposition to rezoning. Not mentioned in the article which devotes a significant portion to the anti-zone change family's statements is that most neighbors favor the zoning change as it will make their lives easier.  Few Haiku and Paia residents want to travel to Kahului to shop as traffic is exasperating.  Paia, although it has Mana Foods, generally has no available parking.

Kudos to Ilima Loomis for an informative article that delved deeper into the issues than most.

---

Cecilio & Kapono will be at the MAC tonight 7:30pm.  Tickets are still available.

---

Accused Maui spy, Noshir Gowadia, was alleged to have narcissitic personality disorder but competent to stand trial.  He is alleged to have designed stealth technology for China, offered to sell the technology to other countries, and is accused of money laundering and falsifying tax returns.

---

Kodah Kalawe-English, 21, and Kevin Lifoifoi, 26, are standing trial for a Nov. 6 Haycraft Park beating of Jerome Metcalfe which caused  broken ribs and a broken right finger. They face charges of robbery and assault. Judge Simone C. Polak reduced bail to $20,000 each.

---

Photo of Pohakuloa Kahue, 14, of Paukukalo at the Keopuolani Skate Park

---

Dean Rickard, a 22-year Maui Police Department veteran, has been promoted to captain of the Molokai Patrol District starting Dec. 1.

---

Maui Community Work Day Program is looking for beach cleanuup volunteers.  call 877-2524 or e-mail info@cdwhawaii.org.  (incorrectly listed as infor in the news)

---

Good Shepherd Episcopal Church  rummage sale today 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2140 Main St. to benefit  Kau Kau Kitchen

---

Today's editorial says, "That a health care union would dare to ask for such an increase [10%]  in this economy is outrageous."  Talk about being out of touch.  We regularly lose our techs (ultrasound and radiation), nurses and physicians to the mainland where cost of living is less, salaries are higher and hours are less oppressive.  Then we have to pay a huge premium to get Traveling Nurses to take their places.

Paying our health care workers salaries commesurate with the mainland would go a long way to reducing costs by eliminating these expensive temporary workers, mandatory overtime and training that is wasted on people who leave after months.

In a completelly illogical mish-mash of GOP talking points the editorial goes on to say, "Normally, we are strong believers in free-market principles. But, it is simply not working in health care" and then "Health care reform should be stopped in its tracks unless it contains real oversight of the spiraling inflation in the industry."

The editorial completely mixes up payments to insurance companies with salaries of health care workers.  No one (except the Maui News) has accused health care workers of driving up the cost of medicine.  It is the healthcare insurance corporations who rake off in excess of 30% of every healthcare dollar into executive bonuses, lobbying and obscene profits that cause the problem.

Why did the Maui News go after the healthcare employees?  Is it just knee-jerk anti-worker GOP talking points?

---

Today's Letters to the Editor.

The Viewpoint by "4 Ag Hawaii" exhorts us to buy local, pointing out that if we replaced just 10% of our food exports with locally grown, it would mean $94 million for local farmers, generate $188 million in local sales, create $47 million in earnings, $6 million in state taxes, and 2,300 jobs.

What the Viewpoint did not say (possibly due to space limitations) is that vibrant local food production adds to our security, gives us better quality and reduces our impact on global warming. Look for Maui and Hawaii grown lettuce, tomatoes, fruits, nuts and herbs at your grocery store. If they don't carry these items, ask if they'll carry them. Even if the price is slightly higher, you're supporting the local economy and helping establish a strong local food base.

Hans Riecke wants the new parking structure in Wailuku to be put underground and the ground level to be a new town center. Sounds like a good idea but how much will it cost?

Marion Francois points out that Belgium, Japan, Germany, Taiwan, Switzerland have cradle to grave health care coverage for all their citizens at a much lower cost than we pay here.

Too bad the Healthcare Insurance Corporations have a stranglehold on our Senators and Representatives, Marion, or we could have the same thing instead of paying an extra 30% surcharge to these leach-like corporations who provide nothing except roadblocks to getting treated.

Sally Raisbeck suggests we read Levi Johnson's Vanity Fair article about Sarah Palin.

Friday Nov 20

Paia School won Ka'anipali Beach Resort Association's Na Mele Song Competition

With Michelle Anderson gone, the developers are working on gutting the Workforce Housing Law.  Mayor Charmaine Tavares proposed reducing the affordable housing requirement from 40%  to 30% for developers who build subdivisions with market-rate homes that are $600,000 or less. Developers creating luxury housing (over $600k) the 50% affordable housing would still apply.

According to the article the County is dickering with Canadian developers who want out of the requirement for their 250 Kihei units.  Are these the same Canadian developers who were hiring illegal aliens instead of Maui construction workers?

Dave DeLeon of the Realtors Association of Maui is predictably opposed to the bill since his group makes most their commissions selling luxury vacation homes to the wealthy.

Father Damien Statue gets maile lei

Public is urged to ignore the new monk seal pup at Hana lest it meet the same fate as Ho'ailona on Moloka'i.  Stay at least 150 feet away, do not feed it, do not make eye contact, do not try to get its attention and if it approaches, ignore it and leave.  NOAA captures tamed seals and they never get released again.  Don't be the one who tames this seal pup and sentences it to a life in captivity.

In crime, Joseph "Joe" Kahanu Jr was convicted of punching his girlfriend's 6 year old in the forehead.  Guys -- "never shake a keiki" also includes never giving them a ringing punch to the head.  Sheesh.

Maui Taekwondo held a car wash last week at St. Theresa Church in Kihei.

Orlando Tagorda replaces J.B. Guard on the Maui Planning Commission.

The Nisei Veterans Memorial Center received $10,000 from the Fred Baldwin Memorial Foundation.

The Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission is extending the deadline for nominations to fill the Native Hawaiian organization representative seat on its seven-member state commission.  Visit the Web site www.kahoolawe.hawaii.gov or call Ka'onohi Lee at 243-5020 for applications.

---

 Letters to the Editor:

Netra Halperin extols Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for the schools.

Emmons Connell thinks many of the Federal programs are broke and wants them fixed prior to doing anything new ... like healthcare?  This is one of the GOP talking points that they encourage their followers to write.

Alex Davis condemns organizations who want to "stop everything".  He apparently wants Upcountry to drink from the pesticide polluted Hamakuapoko wells so that developers can build more subdivisions upcountry.  He apparently feels that it is OK to ignore environmental law and run the Superferry without an EIS...and ignores the fact that it was a plan doomed to failure because its buisiness plan was faulty.

He calls groups that watchdog the environment and insure laws are followed "anti-everything".  Presumably he wants these pesky zoning and environmental protection laws removed so that our island can be fully exploited and we can get on with making money.

Richard Webster propagates the GOP lie that the healthcare reform bill will create "a government health committee that will decide whether you, your children or parents can have treatment"  Apparently he has never tried to get treatment out of his insurance company.  There will be no government panel.  But we already have insurance company panels dedicated to disallowing coverage for all kinds of reasons.  Why print letters that you know contain erroneous information, Maui News?

---

Editorial -

Dissing the slowness and small size of stimulus funds reaching Maui

Thursday Nov. 19

Lead story: Hawaii Canines for Independence is training dogs to respond to Japanese commands. Dogs will go to Shizuoka Children's Hospital in Japan.  The Tyler Foundation is helping fund the training.

---

At a meeting of the Kihei Community Association, Senator Roz Baker said the state Legislature is likely to return for a special session to address the issue of school furloughs in early December.

Budget cuts so severe that they leave holes in the public safety net (schools, mental health services, agricultural inspectors) "result in an unhealthy community," according to Sen. Baker.

Yvonne Biegel, Gene Zarro and Marc Hodges advocated for local control of schools. Mary Cochran, of the School Board is opposed to local control. Not mentioned are Mary Cochran's hints that she may run for County Council in the West Maui District.

Predictably Marc Hodges of the Maui TEA Party said they should, "cut waste". What waste? Easy to say but these guys haven't come up with details of what they consider waste and how much they can cut. That is the problem with so-called Teabaggers - they criticize but they aren't willing to do the labor of examining the budgets and coming up with a workable plan. Not to say that we aren't spending too much on administration and too little on teaching, but just mindlessly repeating "cut waste" and "get the government out of our lives" is not helpful.

---

Looks like Hanzawa's plan to build a second building containing 3 stores on Kaupakalua Road in Haiku may be scrapped for a compromise plan to double the size of the existing store.  The plan has split the community and apparently there were some fireworks with Attorney Isaac Hall siding with those opposed to the Land Use change.

---

KP2, the monk seal who played at Kaunakakai Harbor on Moloka‘i is being sent to California for cataract surgery. The friendly seal bit people and held them under water (apparently playfulness in the seal world) and was named Ho‘ailona (Hawaiian for a meaningful sign). His removal by NOAA upset people. It appears that Ho‘ailona will not be released back into the wild. Walter Ritte did the blessing to speed Ho‘ailona on his way.

---

They're trying to catch up on Kihei's trash pick up which got behind due to staff shortages and mechanical problems.

---

Today's editorial was a defensive reaction to a letter-writer's accusation that the Maui News "flip-flopped" on the General Plan and its affect on Tourism.  Apparently the editor didn't really read Stan Franco's thoughtful letter on Tuesday or they wouldn't have ended the editorial with the implication that the new General Plan is tougher on tourism than the old. 

But then again, its hard to be objective when your publisher is chair of the Chamber of Commerce whose position is that any restriction (like zoning and smart planning) on the ability of developers to come over here from the mainland and extract money from Maui regardless of its effect on our quality of life has to be fought.

---

In Letters to the Editor:

Fred Losano objects to U.H funding to study obesity

It's a little hard to tell, but it appears that Walter Chihara wants more MIL football games to be played here on Maui.

Sky Schual thanks the people who stopped to help after a hit and run truck hit her car on Haiku Road.

---

News that didn't make the paper:

The film "Pidgin: The Voice of Hawai'i" will be broadcast this evening, Thursday, November 19th at 8:30 pm on PBS/HI and repeated later tonight at 11 pm.  "Pidgin..." won the Audience Award for documentary at the Hawai'i International Film Festival

It will be preceded at 7:30 pm by "Insights" hosted by Dan Boylan and featuring a panel discussion about Pidgin with guests the former governor Ben Cayetano, Mari Matsuda (Professor of Law, William S. Richardson School of Law specializing in critical race theory, civil rights law-accent discrimination), Laiana Wong (Assistant Professor, Kawaihuelani Center for Hawaiian Language), and  Kent Sakoda...this is a live program and the audience may call in with questions and comments.

Wednesday

Lead article is full of tears for the naupaka hedges beachside of Kihei's Mana Kai Resort and Hale Hui Kai Condominium.  One is left with the lingering impression that DLNR are the bad guys here.

On the contrary, naupaka hedges have long been used by the wealthy owners of ocean-front mansions and resorts to illegally extend their properties and block the riff-raff (that's you and me) from our constitutionally guaranteed right to ocean access.

Buried deep in the article:  "DLNR also determined that the spread of the naupaka was artificially induced by irrigation, not only creating barriers but giving the impression that the area is privately owned."  Hale Hui Kai is also being required to remove their irrigation, stepping stones and artificial hardening from the State beach.

---

Much finger pointing asking Where's the Stimulus Money for Maui County.  The Administration says it's the long and laborious application process.  Mayor Tavares applied for 26 projects and  $33.4 million and so far is confirmed to recieve $11,300,000.

Unbelievably, the Feds rejected a request to put solar hot water heaters on county swimming pools as frivilous.

But they did give the county $600,000 to hire a team to audit the county building's energy use - something a private company selling the actual energy-savings material would have done for free.

I love Mike Molina's comment:  "I understand people are frustrated because the money has been a little slow to arrive,  But we are talking about the federal government."

---

There will be a rally along Kaahumanu Avenue to mark National Homeless Awareness Week followed by Stomp Out Hunger at the War Memorial Soccer Field. The goal is to raise $100,000 for "Feed My Sheep".  The number of homeless on Maui is unknown but 1,115 of them are housed in Hale Makana, Ka Hale A Ke Ola and other shelters.  For more info contact Pastor Jonavan Asato, the Stomp Out Hunger coordinator, at 276-2398

Feed My Sheep says:

"For far too long, the public's image of homelessness is that of the 'chronic' homeless individual who panhandles for money, is possibly a substance abuser, and who seems unmotivated to work toward self-sufficiency... this image, while accurate for some, is not the true face of homelessness.

"We know of many working families who earn minimum wages and who cannot afford to pay rent and utilities, and thus are compelled to live in their vehicles or in the backyards of family members, or who are forced to seek help in homeless shelters.

Which seems to bring up the point - why is it no longer politically correct to differentiate between the deserving poor and the substance abusers and criminals?

---

In another puff piece for one of their big advertisers, Maui News lauds Times Supermarket and its take-over of the Kihei Star Market.  Ironically, the last line of this slobbering tribute is:

The two Maui stores will employ approximately 150 people, including many former Star Market employees.

"We have not hired any new people and kept a lot of positions at Times open to preserve as many jobs for the former Star employees as possible," Stout said.

What is not mentioned is the years-long union-busting that Times Supermarket has been engaged in and the pay and benefit cuts it imposed on employees.

Times removed jobs of long-time employees, many of them female, drastically reduced healthcare for injured workers and their families, took away the guarantee of a 40-hour workweek for full-time workers, eliminated the employee annuity (retirement) plan and lied when it said it would recall union workers by seniority.  See more about the Boycott of Time Supermarket at www.boycottTimes.com

---

In crime news, Judge Cardoza sententenced Georgette Stevens of Molokai to a five-year prison term for stealing an iPod, wallet and checkbook from a vehicle in a Kaunakakai. She was already convicted of four counts each of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and possessing drug paraphernalia.

She apologized to the victim.  What baloney!  Of course they always apologize.  Their lawyer tells them the judge will go softer on them.  But their apology is worthless because it does not come with a commitment not to repeat the act.  Why even include this in the story?

In another druggie case Keoki "Kahi" Cabebe was sentenced for criminal tresspass and attempted assault.  He was already on probation for second-degree robbery, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle and unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle.

---

Roadwork Advisories

• On Lower Honoapiilani Highway, the right-turn lane onto Honoapiilani Highway in the Lahaina-bound direction will be closed through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to build a curb island.
• Lahainaluna Road from Kelawea Street to Ikena Avenue will be closed through Sunday for work related to the Honoapiilani Highway Realignment project. Detours will be in effect; there will be no access between Kelawaea Street and Ikena Avenue.
• Shoulder-lane excavations are planned for Hana Highway from Hansen Road to Haleakala Highway through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The right lane of Hana Highway will be closed intermittently during the work.

---

Trash wasn't picked up Tuesday in Kula due to staff shortages

---

Today's editorial is a pitch to donate to the Maui Food Bank

---

In today's Letters to the Editor Warren Watanabe writes a long viewpoint extolling Maui agriculture with his informational nuggets buried towards the end.

"our costs of doing business are much higher than those of our global competitors and local products are often undercut at the market by cheaper imports....Enhance public policies to support agriculture's needs. Understand that dust, smoke and dirt are all part of farming. Buy local."

Then he says,

"Some think we should only have small family farms... Larger companies are able to invest in infrastructure and research that benefit others growers."

I guess Warren has to dance to Monsanto's tune here since they are the 800 pound gorilla in the Farm Bureau.  But a lot of us think very poorly of the "research" that Monsanto is conducting with Maui residents as guinea pigs.

"The state Legislature passed the Important Agricultural Lands bill to encourage businesses to dedicate their land to agriculture."

This was actually a give-away to big land owners like A&B, allowing them to turn a significant portion of their land into Rural designation (which means they can develop it for gentleman's estates, golf courses, etc) while at the same time giving no real requirement that they keep the remaining land in agriculture.

"We need water. The state Commission on Water Resource Management will soon be making decisions about our stream waters that could dramatically impact all water users on Maui. It's critical that all of us - residents, businesses, farmers and ranchers - share our thoughts on this critical issue with our government leaders and the water commissioners."

Ah ha!  Now we get to the nitty gritty.  Warren wants the Water Commission to keep stealing from the taro farmers and the public by getting us to pressure for water to go to HC&S.

Next Steve Alumbaugh writes that the Federal government should get out of telling us how to run our schools.

Carol Pratt is irate (as most women are) that the Stupak (Stupid) amendment is restricting contraception and abortion in the Health Care Reform bill.  Some information that wasn't in her letter:  The amendment goes far beyond the current Hatch Act which prohibits Federal funds for abortion and would most likely have the effect of removing abortion coverage from all health insurance.

Stupak, a Democrat, resides at the notorious C-Street religious cult run by Hilter-worshipping Doug Coe.  Proving that religious cult members dedicated to turning back Medicare, Social Security and fighting unions come in all political stripes - not just Republican.

You may recall that C-Streeters while professing piety and living in a tax-exempt "church" have been caught paying off mistresses, etc.  Read more about this powerful cult at Jesus Plus Nothing: Undercover among America's secret theocrats by Jeff Sharlet

Bill Blietz is unhappy that AARP supports Health Care Reform.

Bill Pietsch feels that the Afghan government is corrupt and we should get out now.  (I think most of America agrees with you, Bill).  And he wants an intelligible announcer at MIL football games.