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Majority oppose Kaanapali plan because of traffic

Noting your two recent stories on the “redevelopment” of Kaanapali, in my view this is not a fait accompli. Discussions with community leaders indicate that there is almost universal opposition.

At first glance this would appear to be just a Kaanapali and Canoe Beach issue. It is not. Almost everyone who lives in or has property on the west side, almost every worker who battles traffic, is likely to oppose the development. Simply put, a boutique hotel and mega homes planned would increase traffic.

This is not a development issue per se. It is primarily a traffic issue. The majority of some 200 people who recently attended a developer presentation opposed the project on the traffic issue.

Traffic to and from Lahaina backs up for miles in the morning and afternoons when large numbers of rental cars leaving the airport travel to the West side. Even the Lahaina bypass does not help.

This is supposed to be paradise. It is less and less paradise as visitors encounter huge lines of traffic to Lahaina. This risks abandonment of West Maui by travelers.

On another front, the developer wants to build structures near popular Canoe Beach. This is an anathema, particularly to Hawaiians who frequently use the area.

Furthermore, the unions who own most of the golf course where development would go face charges of conflict of interest and even ethics.

The developer has apparently claimed there is not much opposition. Wrong. The developer and union should consider that they are in for a fight.

Norm Bezane

Lahaina

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