Another Earth Day come and gone. Maui County has employed in its bureaucracy both an environmental and recycling coordinator for a number of years, and yet no one has taken the initiative to collaborate on recycling or community composting centers for either Lahaina or the Upper West Side (as well as a number of other locations throughout the county, I am sure).
No curbside recycling? How is it that officials are surprised at the rate the landfill is filling up? When will funds be spent proactively instead of reactively? Where is the creativity or innovation of these “county coordinators?” Instead of excuses we need results, and I’m not talking about legislation to end the use of plastic bags. These people are in a position to initiate real and meaningful change: that is the challenge I’m throwing down... let’s see some response. Who can end tax breaks to oil corporations and give them to Pacific Biodiesel or Whispering Winds Bamboo?
Has the mayor’s new executive assistant liaison for the West Side considered collaborating with the environmental coordinator during this, the International Year of the Reef, to remove the sunken boat on the reef at Lahaina Roads that has been there since Halloween of 2005? I know if it had been a local commercial fisherman, as opposed to a tourist sailor, there would probably be more fines to be paid and they would probably be required to pay to have the vessel removed.
Lastly, why is the Napilihau (Highway 30) portion of road being resurfaced in front of portions of the Lower Honoapi‘ilani Road or other sections in Wailuku/Kahului that are far worse off?
Rayna Foster
Lahaina