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This Weeks Letters
ACCOUNTING ABOVE AND BEYOND

March 22, 2007

Anthony, there's a reason the Maui Fire Department award for Lani

Gomes "makes her sound like a clever accountant" (Coconut Wireless,

Mar. 8, 2007). Beyond being a great firefighter and a good paddler,

she's actually a clever accountant as well. She's been employed as such

for Maui United Way, among other organizations. So it might not give

the full picture, but I'm sure it represents projects she has performed

for MFD. They depend on accountants and planners as well, you know.

-Anonymous, via email












BIOFOOD FOR THOUGHT



I just thought of this. Perhaps someone else already has, but

wouldn't it be good for Maui's image if we (like Brazil) used sugarcane

to make ethanol (Rob Report, Feb. 22, 2007)? And wouldn't it be good

for Maui's economy if the sugar mill stayed open?

And wouldn't it be good if the sugar mill that already generates

power generated more power by supplying our kerosene-burning turbines

at the power plant with ethanol-based biofuel?

Couldn't we then make Maui the first place where fossil fuels

have been replaced? Wouldn't that make Maui a world leader in the

economy? 

Just a thought.



-Peter A. Lago, via email












NOW THAT'S SUPER



I've come to Maui for the past four years. Now my partner and I live

here. We don't take up much room. I work in the Farmer's Market one day

each week for peace, and we ride our bicycles quite often instead of

using our cars. We've come to know a few people here and would like to

help in the transition of Maui to environmental and economic

sustainability.

The Superferry is one issue many people here oppose (Rob Report, Jan. 18, 2007). What are the concerns?



It has been said that it will connect the islands. Do we want them

connected if that means Honolulu and its hurried built-up atmosphere

will expand to Maui like a virus? Do we wish to have more trade and

development pressure that is sure to come from a stressful big city?

It has been said that safety is an issue and that is a reason for

connecting the Hawaiian Islands. That is surely a fear tool and not

realistic. Small businesses are certain to be even more stressed.

Relationships and customs that have been formed over years will be

affected.

Then there is the issue of more fuel into the ocean. This seems so

small, but many drops fill the bucket and our oceans and atmosphere are

already so polluted. Remember when you were a child and thought it was

endless and unspoilable? We fight over it and say a 2,000-plus year-old

nation can't build nuclear plants. Why would they want them anyway? Why

not make an effort to do it right?

Finally the issue of protecting one of the main sources of tourism,

if that is your only value for protecting whales, is a valid one. Let's

not let the state government ride carelessly over the `Aina. Better

lifestyles and even technology are available.

As the day is drawing closer, I wonder if we need to step up efforts

to oppose it. Recently I found that selling pineapples in the local

farmer's market was actually supporting Maui Land and Pineapple Co. and

that was a tough pill to swallow: $1 million were given to the

Superferry. Some local organic pineapple production is available and we

should support that.

We should also meet and strategize on steps to stop the super-ferry.

If you are interested in helping to organize or take part in this

effort, please email me. We'll set up a time and date to meet at

the Kihei Canoe Club.

I also suggest incorporating the Baldwin Beach House into our

efforts at creating sustainability because we need attractive

commercially self-sustaining community places for people to gather and

be able to use office facilities. We should organize a gathering there

in the near future as well with music and poetry and our children's

participation.

-Rob Clay, Kihei












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