As a resident of Kihei, I have a few points that need to be considered.
Firstly, the new mall: I am not adverse to increasing choices, however we have plenty of vacant retail and commercial space available - utilize that first. Instead of urban sprawl, we need to restore our native habitat.
This brings me to my second point: Let's require any new development to use native plants helping our native species by creating habitat.
The issues of traffic arising from the new mall are legitimate. People already speed through Kenolio, Ohukai and Kaonoulu roads with no regard for the keiki, runners and people walking pets. There have already been pedestrian deaths in our neighborhood. The speed limit is 20 mph. There is much work to do such as fixing roads in our community - there are better roads in the Peruvian jungle.
Perhaps build sidewalks and finish the green belt connecting all of Kihei. Imagine if people could safely walk or bike the length of Kihei, not just the stretch by Safeway. This, of course, is a radical notion we will sooner get a shopping mall than a safe greenway. Maybe we can start requiring Mainland developers to help fix our infrastructure in exchange for the pillage of our communities.
If people love the island lifestyle so much, why turn it into an urban sprawl like L.A.?
Carol Holmes
Kihei
