The following letter was sent to all of the Federal, State, and County Governmental Representatives listed to urge them to act responsibly to for the health and safety of Maui's visitors and residents as well as the economy.
Please contact them directly yourselves as well. Every letter and every phone call counts. This is an Election Year! Links to names and addresses of these governmental representatives appear on our web site (Maui links). If you have any difficulty, do not hesitate to contact us.
Today is the Day to Act, and Now is the Time to Act!
Warmest Aloha,
Joseph Pluta
WMTA - President
Aloha Governor Linda Lingle, U.S. Senators Akaka & Inouye; Hawaii State Senators Baker, English and Tsutsui, Hawaii State Representatives Blundel, Souki, Davis, Nakasone, Bukoski, Halford and Morita, Maui Mayor Arakawa, Maui Councilpersons, Ponatnilla, Kane, Mateo, Carroll, Hokama, Johnson, Molina, Nishiki, and Tavares:
On behalf of the West Maui Taxpayers Association, I am writing you to respectfully request your consideration and cooperation in a matter of utmost importance to everyone concerned about the economic well being of the State of Hawaii and the County of Maui.
We are shocked and outraged that the State Department of Transportation has seemingly downgraded sorely needed improvements we have been waiting for over 25 years to West Maui's Honoapiilani Highway. At one time not too long ago, it was the number one priority of State Highways for Maui County! Now it seems that the State Highways abandoned their prior commitments to improve and Fund improvements elsewhere in spite of a recently approved EIS for the Lahaina By Pass. Homes were condemned, lives altered dramatically, millions of dollars have been spent. All that expense and time is at risk of being wasted should the EIS get stale because it was not acted upon in a timely manner.
We understand that State Highways has already made new commitments for projects elsewhere on Maui that seem to utilize all current Federal Funds that should have been directed to improving this vital single Honoapiilani roadway lifeline to our Multi- Billion Dollar Community which is currently on a Dead End Street.
Nearly 40% of the Total income steam to the State of Hawaii from all of Maui County is derived directly out of West Maui! The State and County recognize that they must endeavor to preserve their income stream and revenues like any prudent business should. Failing to recognize the importance of protecting that income stream with appropriate reinvestment would bankrupt any business in short order and the decision makers failing to act would have to answer to the stockholders accordingly.
Over 50% of all visitor accommodations in Maui County are located in West Maui and the economic return from Billions of Dollars of investments here are seriously at risk and seemingly ignored. It is beyond any reasonable sensibility and disregards simple basic prudent business practices.
It seems to us that it has taken far too long for us to obtain the necessary highway improvements to the "other side," from West Maui. Our road closures are becoming a weekly occurrence. Visitors are complaining about missing their planes, employees can't get to or from work, and Maui's Visitor satisfaction surveys are showing danger signals of visitors disgusted about it. Whether or nor any more development occurs on West Maui is not the issue. Whether anyone wants to come back here again to what already exists here is the issue. This is a Call to Action! Please recognize the message and potential disastrous consequences which may be the final result with continued inaction. Our isolation problems are increasing and not going to go away.
We can only pray that by informing you all, Federal, State and local Maui governmental representatives of our serious concerns that you may recognize and initiate corrective actions before it is too late! This is not about Donkeys and Elephants! The question is not about what can we afford to do about it, the question is how can we afford to continue to jeopardize this economic resource by not doing anything about it! If there ever was a time to borrow money at low interest to invest in protecting an income source that will easily repay the debt and enhance and encourage additional income, this is it!
We know that this is a major campaign issue. Failing to account for simple economic principals of reinvestment into major income sources has placed our State in unnecessary financial jeopardy! We will keep driving this point to everyone and hopefully it will result in a realization that this income stream is at risk. It is not guaranteed without prudent reinvestment improving upon growing problems associated with this isolation. Action must be taken to protect government's investment and ability to continue to receive sorely needed substantial revenues generated from West Maui now and in the future.
We know that all of you in government have to make tough decisions about many matters. The answer, which seems to be sought in most decisions where there are many alternatives, is prudently focused on "return on investment." There are literally "Billions" of Dollars already invested here generating hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues. This income stream to the State and County is at serious risk at this time. The danger of detrimentally impacting and reducing this income stream is increasing. Maintaining and preserving that income stream is for the benefit of all concerned in the entire State of Hawaii and Maui County. Should our vital income stream to the State and County be adversely impacted, all the other areas of the State and County will be adversely impacted to an even higher degree and much more difficult to restore.
Mahalo for your kind attention to our appeal and for your dedication to the people of Hawaii.
Warm Regards,
Joseph Pluta
President
WMTA
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