Protecting and Preserving Maui Nui’s Environment & Important Cultural Sites for Over 40 Years

East Maui Water

East Maui Water Development Plan

East Maui Water History

emaui-2For approximately 100 years, billions of gallons of East Maui stream waters, originating on publicly owned watershed lands, have been diverted. A series of ditches and tunnels controlled by Alexander and Baldwin (A&B), Inc. carry the water to the cane and pineapple fields of Upcountry & Central Maui. The County Board of Water Supply contracts with A&B for delivery of approximately 5% of this flow to supply water to the Haiku, Makawao and Kula areas.

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Keone`o`io (La Perouse Bay) National Park

Keone`o`io Bay is the historic gateway to the six miles of South Maui’s pristine coastline (from Keone`o`io/La Perouse Bay to Kanaloa Point) is being proposed for a National Park. Congresswoman Patsy Mink introduced (H.R. 591) directing the National Park Service to conduct a feasibility study and a recent letter (May 2, 2001) to Rep. Mink from National Park Service Regional director John Reynolds indicated his intention to direct the NPS Honolulu office to undertake a reconnaissance study of the area.

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Honokowai Restoration Project

The Honokowai Cultural Overlay stabilization project is a component of Ka`anapali 2020, which includes restoration and preservation of an ancient farming archeological site, as well as a Multi-Cultural Center. The project is supported by businesses, organizations and the people of Maui. Steady progress is being made at the work site.

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GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms)

Hawai’i is ground zero for GMO experimentation.  The National Sierra Club has these policies:

CONCERNS WITH GMOS: WHAT IS THE SCIENCE?

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or genetically engineered (GE) foods have the potential to cause a variety of health problems. For example, they may produce new allergens and toxins, and spread harmful traits to non-GMO crops. In addition, at least one major environmental impact of genetic engineering has already reached critical proportions: overuse of herbicide-tolerant GE crops has spurred an increase in herbicide use and an epidemic of herbicide-resistant “superweeds,” which will lead to even more herbicide use. The long-term impacts of GMOs are unknown, and once released into the environment they cannot be recalled.

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Utilities vs. rooftop solar: What the fight is about

(Photo courtesy Rising Sun Solar)

The conflict between electric utilities and distributed energy— mainly rooftop solar panels — is heating up.

David Roberts takes a look at the fight over utilities who don’t want to take more rooftop solar – a subject that is hot in Hawaii, where folks are being charged $3000 for “interconnection studies” and being denied the opportunity to install PV.

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Fish Resources Gill Nets (Laynets) and Aquarium Collecting

Lay Nets

Problems Associated With Laynets

  • Overly efficient method causing a decline in fish
  • Indescriminant catch and kill of all species (sometimes only 1/15 of catch is usable)
  • Entanglement and killing of endangered turtles and ocean mammals
  • Breaking coral while retrieving net
  • Danger to swimmers and divers
  • Fish spoiled when left too long
  • Attract sharks to shoreline waters
  • Pieces of net tear off and endanger marine wildlife and boating
  • Enforcement of regulations difficult
    • Too few DLNR agents
    • Difficulty locating net owner
    • Time consuming to enforce time limits  

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