The mega-malls (The Maui News, June 21) were originally granted zoning for light industrial use. That was approved in the late 1990s.
But that purported use has now magically erupted into mega-mall shopping complexes. Nice.
More big-box stores to ship their profits off island and requiring massive increases in all taxpayer-provided services including water (while we are already overpumping the aquifers, resulting in tenacious accretions of dirt and salt plugging faucet aerators and dirtying toilet bowls).
Then we have increased fire and police protection and other services to pay for.
But the most galling, perhaps, will be a severe traffic snarl in that vicinity on Piilani Highway.
A light industrial area is exemplified by the beautiful research and development park at the east end of Lipoa Street. This is a far cry from that.
If residents allow these monster malls to be built, I personally intend to refer to them as the "false flag promenade" and the "bait-and-switch mall."
Richard Mealey
Kihei
