I am totally in agreement with a May 20 letter regarding the excessive county grant to the Maui Visitors Bureau.
In this economy people are struggling to put food on their tables. How can the county justify giving $3,350,000 to the Maui Visitors Bureau, after it has already received some $2,906,436 from the state?
Maui does not need more advertising - tourists from all over the world know where Maui is and will keep coming without more advertising.
This money and the money for the new police station in Kihei - about $30 million - should be used to improve the lives of the people on Maui.
First priority should have been improving the Upcountry water system. People cannot exist without water. Why is the county not looking into tapping the two freshwater springs in Kaupakulua near Hanzawa Store? This spring is well known to Upcountry people. As to why it is not being utilized is totally ridiculous.
People of Maui, make your voices be heard on these issues, please.
Hope Tavares
Makawao
