UPDATE: 7/19/13 THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT WRITTEN COMMENTS EXTENDED.  The original deadline to submit comments to Directors Goode and/or Spence for this bridge replacement project of 8/7/13 has been extended to August 18

At about the “half time” just about one hundred bodies  filled the room for the largest crowd on 2013 for a general membership meeting. Both topics held rapt attention of most everyone including the latter arrivals, State representative Kaniela Ing and Mr. Charlie Jencks.  After KCA director and civil engineer Harry Hecht offered a brief idea of what KCA suggests is the best replacement for the collapsing box culvert on SKR just north of the Whale Sanctuary,DPW Director David Goode offered a brief update on the status of the situation and potential needed actions, but no final decision yet.

Next the current plans were presented by his predecessor Milton Arakawa, who is now employed by Oahu firm Wilson- Okamoto. Your association explained that we want an improvement rather than a replacement, as was outlined in the Arakawa power-point; KCA said the “temporary” bridge to be put in place during construction had more appeal than the permanent replacement. The public  questions and comments continued in that direction and expanded. You can still offer written comments up until August 7 to both Director Goode at DPW and Director Will Spence for the Department of Planning at their respective County offices in Wailuku.

The final segment also drew strong interest via a trio of presenters led by KCA director Daniel Kanehele, notorious environmentalist Lucienne de ‘Naie  and UHMC professor Dr, Lee Altenburg showing a team powerpoint concerning the development process of Wailea 670, now rebranded as Honul ula. Seemingly many believe all facets are approved and pau for the large residential project adjacent to the Maui Meadows neighborhood, but we learned that many of the  conditions imposed by County government have yet to be fulfilled, including a major contingency of affordable housing units. The developer’s stated plan is to build those units in the North Kihei commercial area adjacent to the Sarofim properties, where development is in a flux. due to LUC decisions.

Look for a comprehensive profession written report in next week’s Maui Weekly. http://www.mauiweekly.com/page/content.detail/id/511515/Honua-ula-Wailea-670—Not-a-Done-Deal-.html?nav=13

The August 20 meeting will address the affect of climate change on South Maui, the entire county and the state.