As a Hawaiian homestead leader, I sincerely thank the four Maui County Council members who supported the Pulehunui master plan - encompassing Department of Hawaiian Home Lands acreage - to be included in the urban growth boundary under the Maui Island Plan.
The four council members in favor on the first-reading vote Dec. 10 were Council Chairman Danny Mateo, Vice Chairman Joe Pontanilla and Council Members Mike Victorino and Elle Cochran.
Inclusion of DHHL lands along with Department of Land and Natural Resources acreage in the Pulehunui master plan urban growth boundary would benefit the Maui community in several ways.
Residents and visitors alike could be served by, and get jobs at, facilities such as parks, a Native Hawaiian Culture Center, and a brackish and wastewater treatment plant.
Various state agencies and the County of Maui could share the cost of building infrastructure.
And, very important to Native Hawaiian beneficiaries of DHHL, a new, centrally located business center complex could provide Native Hawaiian entrepreneur opportunities and could generate revenue for DHHL's beneficiaries.
I hope that at second and final reading Dec. 21 one or more of the dissenting council members will change their votes and support inclusion of DHHL lands in the Pulehunui master plan urban growth boundary.
Robin Newhouse
president, Keokea Hawaiian
Farm Lots Association
Kula
