2/26/19. #kihei #visitors #tourism
Now, in their eighth calendar year, since its inception in 2012, the Alliance of Maui Community Associations, once again filled the room at the Kaunoa Senior center last evening with a diverse group with four Kihei Community Association directors and numerous others representing the following areas: Hana, Kaupo, Kihei, Kula, Maalaea, Waihe’e, Waikapu, and Wailuku.
The first presentation came from Terryl Vencl, who was appointed by Mayor Victorino as his (part-time) Visitor Industry Community Liaison. Terryl long headed the Maui Visitor’s Bureau that actively “marketed” Maui’s tourism.
Now, the tide is changing and she will be looking at how the visitor industry can best be “managed” to serve not just the tourists and the visitor industry’s investors, but also the needs of our residents and communities.
How can we improve the quality of life of our residents while ensuring a healthy tourism industry?
Our impression was the attendees were pleased the new Administration is examining the industry’s effect on their community, but first glance at these documents do not offer much assurance.
Recently reconfirmed Maui County Planning Director Michele Mclean had reached out to the Alliance because she wants the Planning Department to be in closer contact with our communities.
She strove to highlight her department’s programs while welcoming input from the community on their concerns. Of special interest will be the rewriting of the county’s zoning code, resulting from the many recommendations in the audit of county legislation. She last visited the Alliance in November 2012.
The final presenter was a volunteer on her community association’s efforts to not let the growth of visitors spoil their lifestyle while maintaining an enjoyable and safe experience for tourists. Napua Hu’eu, Hana Highway Regulation Committee Chair of the Hana Community Association, shared a summary of the data they have collected over the last two years. She will share the first draft of a Road to Hana visitor management system.
The next ALLIANCE meeting at 6 pm on Monday, March 25.
F.Y.I. We realize a repaving project is scheduled for E.Lipoa st. “Kihei ,I
m writing this email to advise you of a very serious need for at least (2) pedestrian crosswalks on E.Lipoa st. , between the Pi’ilani Hwy. and South Kihei rd.. Approximately a quarter mile ,separating a residential community of (55) private houses an elementary school on the south side. On the north side we have multiple commercial properties , a community ctr. /a community pool and a Maui County DMV satellite office. Having said that you might come to understand our concern for our community’s safety ,the pedestrian as well as vehicular traffic. Speeding of course is a big issue , our children as well as adults run the risk crossing Lipoa St.. I realize Lipoa st has become a direct route to the hwy ,rush hour will show you that ,but we all have to live here , very little concern or consideration is shared by drivers in a rush to go some place. So please consider at least (2) lighted cross walks on E. Lipoa st. Lets not wait till we have another horrible accident like the recent deaths at Pi’ilani hwy and Welikahou st ,just a block away. Thank you
Mahalo for you input Tom. While KCA is a membership organization, we are open to comments from the entire community, but we remind you we are a completely unfunded all volunteer non profit. So when guys voice support for what KCA has championed for decades of the dire need for safe pedestrian mobility, while is good to hear, it does not help to achieve these goals.
So if you are not part of our voice, you should be taking your own actions by contacting Maui County officials who have the responsibility to listen to the needs of the community. Asking KCA to consider more crosswalks rather than contacting your Council Member, your Mayor, the appropriate county department of Public Works, the Police Department, etc. will not accomplish what you want.We agree let’s not wait until, So we hope you and your neighbors are contacting the county government before tragedy occurs.