What would be the overall best way to cross the Kulanihakoi River Gulch in North Kihei along South Kihei Road (SKR) between Kaonoulu and the Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary Facility?
3/25/18 #kihei
You remember when the ancient dilapidated box culvert just south of Kaonoulu nearly collapsed, but had first the emergency steel plate installed, in 2013 (SEE https://gokihei.org/government/skr-closed-all-day-thursday-in-north-kihei).
But before that was done, KCA met with the Public Works Department (SEE https://gokihei.org/environment/kca-meeting-attendees-had-lots-of-questions-last-71613-evening).
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Then the “temporary” bridge was put in place in January, 2015, which we chronicled almost daily (SEE https://gokihei.org/government/alert-11515-upcoming-detour-on-skr-this-month).
The following year it was at the Planning Commission (SEE https://gokihei.org/news/kulanihakoi-bridge-proposal-draws-kca-to-planning-commission-this-morning).
The point is: KCA has been engaging with the County Administration for almost five years now, expressing that staying with their original plan in spite of input showing a better, less expensive solution is at least baffling. Now we see they are proceeding with spending $4.65 M to build a temporary roadway into a culturally sensitive area, place a temporary bridge across the river mauka of SKR, and then build a new ground level box culvert in place of the original on SKR. Ultimately this will be replaced with a raised bridge!
We continue to advise: just drop in a prefab bridge at the original site and forget all these expensive, time consuming, culturally offensive, natural environment unfriendly, flood enhancing actions.
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Thanks for the insight into this continuing discussions on the SKR bridge. It?s disappointing that our paid public employees have so little expertise in their areas.
I hope the 2018 elections will result in better people in place, and that we may move forward with the KCA plan to solve this perennial flooding situation.
Thanks for you leadership and tenacity, Mike.
Has anybody considered that the Maui Bay villas/ Old Maui Lu is being built again over an ancient sand dune ecosystem. Driving buy I couldn’t believe the amount and area of sand. Has anyone considered the possibility of Iwi in the massive amounts of sand that is been excavated.
It seems that with the highly contentious issues with Maui Lani sand dunes, the overall lack of sand on Maui , and our beaches in general, this property has uncovered a treasure trove of sand.
Picture this : in respect of our host culture the sand should be sifted for lwi, SKR torn out the entire length of the property , the sea wall boulders taken off the beach , the beach would then transcend the road and into a sand dune ecosystem. This would restore the only ” beach to sand dune coast ” in Hawaii.
I strongly feel that the KCA should through the courts issue a stop work order, and take a complete new look at the incredible natural resource that you could restore for Hawaii mea.
I am so pleased with KCA’s Eco- centric additude in your community planning. I hope you can see that with a 3 1/2 foot of sea level rise at the end of this century, if this vision is followed this property could have the only natural beach left in Hawaii.
Please give back a comment from KCA on this vision. I know you guys have a lot going on to have this come down the pike, but this sand/ beach is worth far more $ than any congestive ” hotel” complex. Iet’s not make the same mistake we’ve made for the passed 100 yrs.
Sencerly John Voxland
We kept the forum open to the public, but we do wonder John, are you aware that KCA is an all volunteer unfunded non profit? What do you do to achieve the results you desire here. Have you spoken to the Kula Kai Moku on cultural concerns How about South Maui Volunteers on sand dune action. How about the developers? county government ? State Historic Preservation Division Consider joining KCA before asking the volunteers to take actions?
Mahalo
Thank you Mike for your quick and considerate response to my email. I realize now that my email was quite passionate and could’ve been worded differently, I don’t have very much experience in Community affairs so please excuse me.
Thank you for all your ideas on who I could contact. I first was exposed to this project by the front page of the Maui News which was shocking, I’m curious if you could let me know what the public thinks of this 388 unit complex .
Secondly I did get in touch yesterday with Bob who is handling the kamaole 111 dune restoration and he mentioned that UH seagrant is working with the developer I will be in touch with the Maui representative.
Thirdly I was hoping that you know how to get in touch with the representative for the Kula Kai Moku to get his perspective.
In conclusion I’d like to thank you for your volunteering for the KCA and also your response to me with Aloha
John Voxland
KCA began on this matter well over 4 years ago and began reporting to the community, John.
SEE https://gokihei.org/development-project-review/whats-new-maui-lu-kca-has-some-answers-in-2015
Tara Owens from UH Seagrant is “assigned” to the County Planning Dept and works mostly with shorelime planner Jim Buika. They have worked extensively on this development, especially concerning the makai side.
SEE https://www.kulamoku.com/ for contact info with the Moku
Aloha
You are wonderful Mark for your time and information. I am trying to find a time to learn more about the information you have given me. I think you so much Aloha from John