West Maui Taxpayers Association
WMTA P.O. Box 10338, Lahaina HI 96761 - Phone (808) 280-9682, Fax (808) 661-3088 wmta@maui.net
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April, May, June 2005Letter from the president, Joseph Pluta
Aloha dear friends: The year ahead of us in 2005-2006 promises to be an exciting one. The WMTA Board of directors has been diligently preparing revisions to our short and long term goals for 2005-2006. The County Budget deliberations are underway and we intend to vigorously pursue sorely needed capital improvements for West Maui accordingly. Good news that one of our former Executive Directors, Sheri Morrison, has recently been appointed by Mayor Arakawa to be County Budget Director. It’s comforting to have a dear friend who is sympathetic and aware of West Maui issues in this important position. Our web site at www.westmaui.org is a wonderful source of information and is constantly updated with important announcements. Please make a note to visit this site often and suggest that your friends add it to their “favorites” on their internet service. Our WMTA Board is blessed with some very talented volunteers who are working diligently on your behalf. We can make a difference in improving the quality of life for our residents in West Maui with your continued financial support. Please note that our ability to make positive changes is directly proportional to our financial resources to support our lobbying efforts. Holding community meetings and marketing consistent with this lobbying effort requires financial support. Dues alone are not sufficient to meet the challenges ahead of us with the ammunition we require. Please consider making an added donation to the WMTA and sending it to us using the enclosed return envelope. We are working hard to earn your continued trust and confidence. It is the Best investment you can make to ensure continued improvements to the West Maui Community. Mahalo for your continued outstanding support. Joseph D. Pluta |
Plan on attending the First Annual West Maui Hospital Ball April 8, 2005 at the Sheraton Maui. Enjoy a Fabulous evening of Dining, Dancing, Entertainment, and Silent Auction Treasures. Don’t miss it. Call us (808) 661-7990 for ticket information.
Hale project planned for Kamehameha Iki Park
Kuleana Ku I Kahi along with elders of the Hawaiian community have planned for a renovation of the existing stage area at Kamehameha Iki Park in Lahaina.
The renovation would include resurfacing of the stage, new walking paths added to the additional park area surrounding the stage and the addition of a grass thatched hale or house, above the staged area. The improvements have not been agreed on by the County, as no formal request has been made to the County Council or Administration. Earlier this month; a draft of the planned improvements has been presented to the Mayor for comments.
Fire Department looks for expansion in West Maui
Is West Maui adequately prepared for fighting fires?
In speaking with Maui County Fire Chief Carl Kaupalolo, And Deputy Fire Chief Neal Bal, concerns have been raised about the expansion of services provided here in West Maui. Chief Kaupalolo believes that although current services are adequate for West Maui, the planning for 16,000 additional units within the next 10 - 15 years should also include land to be used for the expansion of infrastructure for the Fire Department. The current Fire Department serves 19,000 residents excluding the tourist counts of 25,000 people on any given day and nearly 7,000 to 9,000 commuters to the West Maui district.
Lahainaluna, where are we on the radar screen of improvements
Here listed are some current facts in regards to the Lahainaluna High School Capital Improvements. The following are some of the projects deemed urgent priorities for the school:
Lahainaluna Cafeteria – The Cafeteria at Lahainaluna was built in 1952 and it is perceived that there should be a new building for the students. Although the current building does pass minimum building standards by the Fire Department, it was originally designed for a school consisting of no more than 653 students, not to include its faculty. The current population of the school is 1,080 students and nearly 120 faculty members. The cafeteria has occupancy of 212 students and ALL students have lunch at the same time. The school has obviously outgrown the cafeteria and it is urgent that we secure funding for a new facility. It is rumored that it may cost around 5 million dollars to improve the current cafeteria. It was also stated that it might cost only 1.5 million dollars more to completely build a new cafeteria. The school has identified other locations that could be utilized for the relocation of a new cafeteria. It is our recommendation that a new cafeteria be funded and built to meet this need.
Lahainaluna Fire Alarms – As of four months ago the Fire Department cited Lahainaluna fire alarms as the entire system with regards to the dormitory had failed. The Department of Accounting and General Services (D.A.G.S.) received a bid for $780,000 dollars to fix the system but it had gone over the budgeted amount of $630,000. The Department has found additional funding to suffice the need and is moving forward with the repair of the system June 8, 2005. It is expected to take 7 months to completely repair. It is our hope that there will be no more problems as our children need to be safe.Lahainaluna Locker Rooms – Probably the most anticipated improvement in Lahainaluna is the locker rooms. The project was promised to begin construction in February of 2004 and only now has received the notice to proceed with grading. Arisumi Brothers was told by the State Department of Health to move the leech field and redesign the cafeteria and it has been done with the redesign submitted November 1, 2004. To date the D.O.H. has not commented to Arisumi brothers possibly causing further delays in the project. If the project is not delayed any further the Grading will be done in two months and the locker room will be completed late January of 2006. The State Legislature approved the project in July of 2002. It is a shame that our students still must change in a donated Matson container in the parking lot of our school. This is unacceptable and anyone delaying this project should be ashamed of themselves. The question is where do we stand?
A timetable of ninety days would be acceptable to some but not when the funding has been available for nearly 4 years.
We as a community need to be informed of the production of departments that work to complete the development of much needed facilities at our school.
Lahainaluna is looking to celebrate its 175th year of existence, and what a shame that problems like this still exist. We are not asking for anything other than justice for the only High School here in West Maui. We understand that needs are present around the State, but this school has had a need for locker rooms for 175 years in the making. The cafeteria has met inadequate ratings as well as health and safety for the school, being unacceptable per Hawaii State standards. It is time to act to ensure that our children have the resources made available to them to become the contributing members of society we expect them to be. Giving half of the resources yields half the results. We at the WMTA will do all that we can to expedite these concerns to those empowered to make changes immediately. It is not for us but for our keiki and their keiki.
West Maui to see 40 hours at DMV
The West Maui DMV has been without 40 hours a week service here for our residents for far too long. Recently the Physical road test was taken from several districts in Maui County including West Maui based on the in availability of personnel.
It is our privilege to announce that the squeaky wheel has been oiled as a report early this year from the Mayors Advisory committee in West Maui, revealed two employees currently being trained to return the road tests to their respective districts as well as creating 40 hours a week DMV service in Lahaina. Most would say we’ll see, so for the moment…..…….…
County begins Budget process
On March 15, 2005 the County Administration delivered to the Maui County Council the proposed budget for the year 2006. This is the beginning of many tedious meetings for the administration heads as well as the Maui County Council as they deliberate the budget for Maui County.
The County Council has till the end of May to deliberate the budget and return it to the Mayor for signing. We are optimistic as the Council under operations of Budget Chair Dain P. Kane begin the deliberations that West Maui will be represented well as Capital Improvement Projects such as Lower Honoapiilani Rd. phase 4 & the Keawe Street Extension move forward. Good Luck to the Council and may God bless them for their service to our community.
West Maui Improvement Foundation Letter
Letter From the WMIF (pdf)
Viewpoint Article by Joe Pluta
Lifesaving emergency care for West Maui put on critical list. Viewpoint February 16, 2005 (pdf)
Please help us help you to continue our successes on your behalf in protecting your investment in West Maui's Community. Our board members andinformation on WMTA are listed on our website.
Please visit this site often for important announcements and updates.
We invite you to suggest to your friends to join with us. Our membership fees are a wise investment and a relatively small price to payconsidering what is received in return. Please encourage your friends and associates to financially contribute to our ongoing efforts on your behalf.
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and continued outstanding support.
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Copyright © West Maui Taxpayers Association,1999-2005.
Last revised: May 05, 2005
