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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