I read with great interest “Lessen Risks” describing some of the damage caused by the Dec. 5-8 Kona storm (The Maui News, Dec. 23).
I feel it is disingenuous of John Cummings, Maui branch manager of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, to claim “there’s nothing we could have done; nothing more than what we’ve already been trying to accomplish,” when in fact actions taken during the Polipoli fire – pushing trees into the gulches – were a substantial factor in the damage inflicted on makai properties by the subsequent flooding.What Mr. Cummings continues to ignore is that DLNR didn’t seek to remediate the dangers inherent in such piling of trees in the gulches. Nor did the department even try to work the high, steep slopes in any manner which would help mitigate runoff and lessen the chance of flooding.
DLNR wants to sell off the downed trees rather than use them to help create diversions and berms which would help slow down the rush of water across/down these slopes.
With all the expert personnel from numerous governmental agencies looking into both causes and possible solutions to the flooding, surely we can do better than “nothing.”
Michael Howden
Kula
