The city I grew up in didn't have an ecosystem. It was basically paved over and pipes and machines were put in place to do many of the things that a natural environment would do. In many states across the union, water and staples are readily available from more abundant areas if necessary. That is not the case here on Maui.
On Maui, we have a delicate ecosystem because we are a small isolated island. We cannot continue to pave it over and expect to survive in the future based on the promise of short-lived jobs. As soon as a project is done, the job is lost and we begin again. Where will it end?
Our ecosystem is already seriously challenged as a result of development already in place.
Furthermore, the tourist industry provides consistent jobs and income for us. If we continue on our current course, they will no longer have anything beautiful to look at and they will no longer have an interest in coming here. We will be left with less than nothing.
Alana Kay
Kihei
