Maui Time Food & Drink

Best (Worst) County Blunder, Winner
Wailea 670
If "blunder" can be defined as, "a usually serious mistake caused by ignorance or confusion," then the County Council's handling of the rezoning for Wailea 670/ Honua'ula fits perfectly. After all, the Council's narrow 5-4 vote to approve the massive South Maui project for luxury homes, a private golf course, and a smattering of affordable rentals slated for a North Kihei light-industrial zoned parcel quickly wound up in court. Judge Joseph Cardoza agreed with five citizens who said their right to public input guaranteed by the state's Sunshine Law had been violated by Council Planning Committee Chair Mike Molina's continuing meetings over several days without allowing public comment on new information. Add the Council majority's complicity to allow a golf course to replace remnant dryland forest native plant habitat and cultural sites, and to approve private water and wastewater systems, in light of Molokai Ranch's recent efforts to punt from their obligation to operate similar private utilities. But, votes in a readers' poll don't always equate to votes on election day, and come November, those five Council members who voted to approve Wailea 670 may just blunder their way for another two-year stint of public service.

Best (Worst) County Blunder, Runner up
Hawaii Superferry
Address: One Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste. 300, Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: 808-853-4010
Website: http://www.hawaiisuperferry.com

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Best (WORST) Environmental Issue, Winner
Hawaii Superferry
Address: One Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Ste. 300, Honolulu, HI 96813
Phone: 808-853-4010
Website: http://www.hawaiisuperferry.com
The environmental and legal waters became even more turbulent in the year that passed since Hawaii Superferry earned last year's nod as Best Environmental Issue. And by "Best," we believe readers of course mean "Worst." After all, aren't environmental issues defined as government willingness to let big money projects run rampant over natural resources and common sense? Let's review: Superferry launches $5 fares last August, jumping ahead of a looming court date to halt them. Citizens of Kauai jump on surfboards and block entry to harbor. Judge listens to a month of testimony and agrees there is the likelihood of adverse environmental impacts and calls for EIS first. Governor and legislature call special session, and draft new law to trump his ruling. High seas keep Superferry in port. Soon after, the 350-foot long fast-ferry is in drydock to repair damage to hull. Once repaired, second daily trip to Maui is added. Inspections reveal plundering of Maui resources: river rocks, 'opihi, seaweed, reef fish, and octopus. Did we mention the close calls in near-collisions with whales, including three within 50 yards, one of which was 5-10 feet from the vessel? Yes, Superferry's got issues!

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Best County Official, Winner
Jo Anne Johnson
West Maui's County Council representative Jo Anne Johnson is nothing if not well-loved, at least by Maui Time readers if not by big developers to whom she routinely has said, "No." Even before upsetting incumbent Dennis Nakamura back in 2000 by a mere 130 votes, she was working to slow the pace of development in her West Maui District, limited as it is by over-crowded roadways and schools, and other infrastructure shortfalls. Believing her popularity is a reflection of her great love for her community, she said one of the greatest things is when people stop her out in public and thank her for the job she's doing. "That's something money can't buy," she said. Apparently she can't be bought either—consistently winning re-election on a shoestring campaign budget—and her voting record.

Best County Official, Runner up
Michelle Anderson

Best Environmental Issue, Runner up
Lahaina Bypass/Fixing Roads

Best Place To See Maui's Internment Camp Past, Winner
Horizons Academy
There are no signs, markers or plaques identifying or memorializing the location of the World War II Japanese American internment camp that once sat near today's Pauwela Cannery in Haiku, but the building that houses the Horizons Academy seems to be the last surviving camp structure. "Reportedly built as bachelors' quarters for the plantation and used by the military for an officers' club, it would have been present when the internment camp was in operation," states the December 2007 Trans-Sierran Archaeological Research report on World War II Japanese American Internment Sties in Hawai'i. "The building has been extensively remodeled, with new siding and windows, but the general structure, including the post and pier foundation, appears to be original." 740 Haiku Rd.

Best Place To See Nature Triumph Over Human Development EDIT PICK, Winner
South Kihei Rd. at the Maui Lu Resort
Every few months (or weeks, depending on the weather), county work crews have to come out here and shovel sand off the asphalt. We hear about beach erosion all the time, but here in Kihei you can watch South Maui sand blow across the road in real time! Considering the size of the dunes that loom over the road, it's likely drivers will have to contend with sand drifts along the center line for a long time to come.

Best Political Activist, Winner
Joe Bertram III
For years, Joe Bertram III has unwaveringly chanted a mantra of "greenways and bike paths" for community design, and long before $145/barrel oil made us all think twice about our transportation options. Typically, winners in this category haven't been elected officials, but those who have run for office unsuccessfully and, undaunted, are still working hard on community and environmental issues. Joe is all that, too. After a few unsuccessful bids for County Council on the Green Party ticket, and a 5-year stint on the Maui Planning Commission, in 2006 Bertram won the South Maui State House seat vacated by Chris Halford. What made Joe popular with the Maui Time set? "That's a good question," said Bertram. "Maybe because I try to keep it positive all the time." Maybe Maui Time voters also noticed his support of House Bill 2675, to establish a task force to study issues regarding medical marijuana law reforms.

Best Political Activist, Runner up
Rob Parsons

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Best Revolving Door EDIT PICK, Winner
Dain Kane
Originally I had my money on former county Public Works Director/current Wailea 670 "representative" Charlie Jencks, but then I remembered Kane. For years he sat on the Maui County Council, but these days he's a lobbyist for BlueEarth Biofuels—that big outfit that wants to partner with HECO to build giant biodiesel refineries that will run on palm oil.

Best Use Of County Funds, Winner
Save Honolua Coalition
Address: 2580 Keka‘a Dr., #115-123, Lahaina, HI 96761
Email: kokua@savehonolua.org
Website: http://www.savehonolua.org
Perhaps no ad hoc citizens group has accomplished so much so quickly as the Save Honolua Coalition. The efforts began in early 2007, after hearing Maui Land & Pineapple's proposed plans to "improve" access to the West Maui surf Mecca and fragile Marine Conservation District at Honolua Bay (which included luxury homes and a golf course on Lipoa Point above the bay). Citizens countered with T-shirts, sign-waving, bumper stickers, letters, weekly meetings with community leaders as featured speakers, 14,000 petition signatures, and a packed house when the matter came before the County Council. Due to the community outcry, ML&P has shelved their conceptual plans and gone back to the drawing board. More importantly, the Council earmarked one million dollars towards future acquisition of Lipoa Point. And that, readers surmised, was worthy of recognition for Best Use of County Funds.

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Best Use Of County Funds, Runner up
Old Maui High Restoration

Best Use Of The Word "ALOHA" In An Entirely Innappropriate Way EDIT PICK, Winner
Aloha Waste
Phone: 808-893-0932
Website: http://alohawastesystems.com
The Hawaiian word "aloha" means a lot more than simply "hello" and "goodbye." It's complex and nuanced and ranges in meaning from "beloved" to "how sad." How in the world did putting a word like that on the side of trash trucks become honorable?