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Letters to the Editor

Letter: Don’t want to see Kihei turn into another Lahaina

I’m rather upset with all the fires here on Maui. I live in North Kihei and am wondering why the county does not make Mahi Pono do something with the fallow cane fields on the Kihei side. We are inundated with information on how to protect one’s property from fires, and in the meantime, Mahi Pono is allowed to let the cane fields become fuel for fires. Wednesday, one such fire was ignited, burning towards Pi’ilani Highway, forcing closure of northbound traffic and was also burning towards the new high school. I remember vividly the fallow cane fire in 2019 that burned ...

Letter: Under-used gyms should host more kinds of activities

I have been an avid pickleball player for the last five years, and would like to see more facilities not only for pickleball, but other activities such as ping pong, badminton, volleyball, basketball and etc. We have those facilities rat present, but are closed for public use by the parks department most of the time. We have over seven county gyms, including Paia, Wailuku and Kula. Noise from activities is not a problem with these county gyms, which are closed most of the time. Hence, instead of spending over $1 million on building a dozen pickleball courts, why not use that ...

Letter: Affordable housing progress reported by council chair

Editor, The Maui News: July 19 marked the anniversary of the Maui County Comprehensive Housing Plan, which was developed by Hawaiian Community Assets under a $300,000 contract with the County of Maui. MCCAHP called for the development of 5,000 affordable homes – rent or for purchase – in the next five years and was presented to the Maui County Council last year. June 29, Stand Up Maui sent an email to Maui County Council and the administration requesting an update of their actions to implement this much-needed housing plan. The response from Council Chair Alice Lee began ...

Economic impact great due to loss of tax base

Editor, The Maui News: Maui residents should be fully informed on the economic impact to the County of Maui due to a loss of 50-70 percent of the tax base. Direct impact will be closed businesses and a 75 percent loss of general excise tax base. Real estate property values will drop, unemployment will increase, infrastructure repairs will decline, and more Maui residents will be forced to leave their homeland. STR units are not designed for long-term occupancy, due to limited space and affordability. The Maui News Brian Perry article dated July 3, 2024 reported a lack of a ...

Letter: Follow Haleakala Ranch’s example for fire prevention

I would like to bring attention to the differing approaches to fire prevention in our community following the recent Haleakala fire. Two days after the fire, Haleakala Ranch took proactive measures by voluntarily cutting fields of dry weeds on their property in Lower Kula. They cleared at least 70 feet from the fence lines of houses adjacent to their fields, demonstrating a commitment to community safety. In contrast, a local realty manages a large acreage of dry brush, weeds and trees along Aeola Road and Haleakala Highway. However, they won’t cut any dry brush beyond a 20-foot ...

Letter: ‘I’m wondering if I’ve been reading science fiction’

Come on, Joe, George Washington decided to quit and we still like and respect him.  And we’re still trying to finish the job he started.  Sometimes you have to just let the 60 -year-old little tykes do the job on their own. Today, it seems there is the Trump reality world, the Biden reality world, and thirdly, reality. I always thought that I thoughtfully chose to read accurate, realistic news sources. With so many realities, now I’m wondering if I’ve been reading science fiction. Richard Thompson Kula