July 1, 2019 Aloha West Maui Property Owner: The question is, “What can I do or say to get your attention and desire to support our Call to Action for the West Maui Taxpayer’s Association Inc.”; (WMTA)? I hope the answer is “I just got my property tax bill from the County of Maui and it’s an outrageous amount of increase with no justification for it’s magnitude.!” What crisis is being addressed by this?? No one seems to know! This letter is being sent to you with an announcement of our New Campaign to restore prudent Fiscal Responsibility to Maui County immediately and if necessary, at the next election for the Maui County Council in 2020. Did you get your new Property Tax Bill from the County of Maui yet? The New Maui County Council passed New Tax Rates Effective July 1, 2019 as seen in the copy of Resolution No 19-89 attached and which represents the largest property tax increase in Maui’s history! For the past 40 years, West Maui has paid over 50% of all the County of Maui budget for Property Tax Revenue. It’s significantly higher now as over 50% of all short-term rentals and Hotel and Time Shares are located in West Maui. We are writing everyone we had on our mailing list since 2008 to respectfully suggest that you join us and to put your time and money into that support as soon as possible. Thank you to our current members, supporters and our volunteer Board of Directors who have helped to shape WMTA into what it has become today and what’s needed for tomorrow. Did you know that we have been without an Executive Director for 9 years? Our pervious Executive Directors were so crucial in our work to be able to have a face present at ALL the County meetings, community meetings, association meetings and more. Our goal is to be able to raise funds to hire a new Executive Director so that we can continue to be a driving active force in brining needed resources to our community. As a Founding Member, and President, of the West Maui Taxpayers Association, I have and always will continue to fight for West Maui. The top three priorities in the 40 years has always been: Affordable Housing: A recent “win” we got was regarding the Front Street Apartments. The eviction of more than 250 tenants at Front Street Apartments in Lahaina was on the line – we could not let that happen. Because of our support and the support of many others, the state Legislature passed a bill to have the property purchased and kept in perpetuity for low-income housing for the working poor. The eviction has been stopped. House Bill 543 has gone to Gov. David Ige who signed it and it’s now in effect. Hopefully, this sets a precedent for other affordable housing projects, current and those to come. Transportation: West Maui is isolated as it is, with only one main road brining us into Lahaina, and out of Lahaina. It was the WMTA who started the discussions for a Lahaina Bypass over 38 years ago. The Lahaina Bypass today, was not what we fought for as the most important section from Keawe street to Kaanapali is not yet underway. Although not yet completed, the partial development of it, still left us with one way in, and one way out. With that bypass, it also brought more traffic to existing roads that became “exit roads” causing more traffic issues – mainly Keawe Street and Lahainaluna Road. We must continue to ensure safe roads! Infrastructure-Health and Safety: Fires and Floods in West Maui has elevated our concerns for the Health and Safety for West Maui residents and visitors. We have met with the community for over a year to make an Emergency Disaster Plan. A final draft is available on our web site at http://www.westmaui.org/home/emergency-planning. The WMTA started the effort to bring a hospital to west maui and while we literally “did the impossible,” and assisted in obtaining a Certificate of Need for one; it seems to be currently stuck without financing and may not be completed as stated in that Certificate of Need. We will continue to seek access to Emergency Health Care for West Maui! WEST MAUI EMERGENCY PLANNING- It's Hurricane Season NOW! -- Failing to prepare to plan is planning to fail! We met with the Mayor and asked him to be sure to let us work together with the Maui Emergency Management Agency, (MEMA), and to use the WMTA and our plan as a resource as we examine an After Action Report on the recent fires and flooding issues. We lobbied the County Council to add two (2) persons to the MEMA staff. Hurricane season is just around the corner. The brush has grown back where the fires were and become another fire hazard waiting to happen. We need to find out what went right and what went wrong during these last fires and floods. Preparing in advance and placing importance on that now can literally save lives! Through all the leg work, testifying, community rallies we have done we have made small improvements, but with an ever-growing population and visitors in the islands, we need more. The West Maui Community Plan (planning for the next 20 years), is in the works. A Community Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC), has been formed to be a voice on this plan that will become law. I have been chosen to be on the committee which brings hope because all that we have fought for now is closer to reality; as the committee meets and discusses what will go in the plan. The West Maui Community Plan will become law. Together, we can make a difference! Membership Dues are the foundation of our organization, as it allows us the necessities to keep our administrative books in order, keep our presence in the community and important meetings. Today, we ask you go to beyond that. In addition, we want your support to our Political Action Effort for the 2020 elections to provide you with our recommendations of who on the County Council and other governmental representatives should be elected who understand fiscal responsibility and Action over political rhetoric. We have saved West Maui Property Owners Millions of Dollars in reduced fire insurance premiums when we built our own Napili Fire and Ambulance Station. Lives have been saved. Please consider how much money we saved you already. We know people who say that the Ambulance from Napili literally saved their lives. How much support from you is that worth? We ask you to join us in meeting our goal of $250,000 for our Political Campaign and hiring an Executive Director. You can be a part of the solution or part of the problem. The choice is up to you. Please choose wisely and send us a generous donation today. Mahalo! Warmest Regards and Aloha, Joseph D Pluta, President, WMTA
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From: Dennison, Dan W <[email protected]>
Sent: July 1, 2019 10:52 AM To: undisclosed-recipients: Subject: Wildfire & Drought Lookout! News Release-2019 Awareness and Preparedness Campaign Kick-Off, July 1, 2019 NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 1, 2019 ANNUAL MULTI-AGENCY WILDFIRE & DROUGHT LOOK OUT! CAMPAIGN BEGINS Busy Summer-Fall Fire Season & Spreading Drought Conditions Predicted (Honolulu) – Don’t let last week’s heavy rains fool you and create a sense of complacency. All signs point to a busy time for wildland firefighters across the state, fueled by higher than normal temperatures, drought conditions, and abundant vegetation created by two successive rainy winter seasons. Michael Walker, State Fire Forester for the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), repeated a common refrain, “Like everywhere else in the west, Hawai‘i does not have a specific fire season. It used to be we geared up for battling wildland fires in late summer and early fall, as those times historically were the most common times for big fires. Driven by our changing, warming climate, fire season here in the islands, like in all western states on the mainland, is now year around.” The retired chief of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) confirmed this during a presentation in Honolulu last week. Ken Pimlott recounted the 2018 fire season as the most destructive and deadly in California history, with more than 1.8 million acres burned, 22,000 structures destroyed, and 100 lives lost. While Hawai‘i‘s wildland fire statistics are unlikely to ever reach California’s levels, as a percentage of land mass impacted by wildfire annually, Hawai‘i is no different than much larger states. More evidence of a year-around fire season was provided by a 2,150 acre fire that burned on Agribusiness Development Corporation land on west Kaua‘i in mid-June between the two highways leading to Waimea Canyon and Koke‘e State Parks. Sheri S. Mann, DOFAW Kaua‘i Branch Chief said, “This fire burned in the exact same area as a wildland fire in May this year and May of 2017; it basically burns there almost every year. It suggests that as land and fire managers we need to consider shifting our thinking towards changing forest and grassland management regimes.” Mann suggests that rather than putting out fires in the same places year after year, management needs to transition into identifying areas that burn repeatedly and then take steps to reduce the fuel types, loads and human activities to mitigate fire potential in advance. Clay Trauernicht, a Wildland Fire Specialist with the University of Hawai‘i’s Cooperative Extension Service traces how the potential for wildland fire has steadily grown over the years. He explained, “"Agriculture and ranching declines have left us with about one million acres of non-native grasses and shrubs statewide. This vegetation is incredibly prone to burning during drought. Clearing and cleaning up the brush on your property is critical for the safety of your family, home, and our firefighters. On top of this, we have some of the highest frequencies of fire starts in the US. About 75% of those ignitions are accidental, which means they can be prevented. So take care with campfires, BBQs, using machinery and running cars over and around dry grass. We also see big spikes in wildfires around the holidays so please follow the laws and be especially safe around fireworks this upcoming Independence Day." While last week’s rains may have provided some temporary relief from drought conditions in certain areas across the state, meteorologists predict a possible steady worsening of extraordinarily dry weather caused by moderate El Niño weather patterns. The United States Drought Monitor (June 27, 2019) shows extreme drought already impacting the southernmost part of Hawai‘i Island with moderate to severe drought conditions evident in certain areas on all of the main Hawaiian Islands. The Drought Monitor reports, “On June 25, an unusual low pressure system for this time of year brought heavy rainfall to the western Hawaiian Islands, including a daily record of 4.20 inches at Honolulu. The effects of this heavy rainfall on the drought status in Hawaii will be reassessed later this week.” Derek Wroe, a meteorologist at NOAA's National Weather Service Honolulu Forecast Office explained, "People should not be lulled into thinking that recent rainfall over some islands will eliminate drought conditions over the entire state. With our hotter and drier months still ahead, current drought conditions have the potential to become more pronounced over portions of the state." Elizabeth Pickett, the head of the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization (HWMO) said what’s most important is what happens before a wildfire sparks. She explained, “Firefighting is the last line of defense when it comes to wildfire. It is up to everyone, residents and visitors alike, to prevent wildfire by eliminating any chance for heat or sparks to come in contact with dry vegetation. There is also a lot that can be done around your home and community to reduce wildfire’s ability to spread and cause widespread damage. It can be as simple as keeping your grass short, removing dead branches and leaves, and clearing your rain gutters of debris. Finally, make and practice your emergency plan with your family, and with any neighbors who might need help preparing for or evacuating from a wildfire.” HWMO hosts a website with information on what home and property owners can do to “harden” their properties against the threat of wildfire. # # # (RESOURCES) (All images/video courtesy: DLNR) HD video – Waimea Heights Fire (5-16-17): https://vimeo.com/217772126 HD video – CalFire Chief Ken Pimlott Presentation (6-24-18): https://vimeo.com/344247310 Photographs – Waimea Heights Fire (5-16-17) https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lkhq49cgitxabjw/AADUWu3wB-kRIiFPC9BDp0u4a?dl=0 United States Drought Monitor (Hawai‘i Conditions) https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?HI Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization: http://www.hawaiiwildfire.org/lookout MEDIA CONTACT: Dan Dennison DLNR Senior Communications Manager (808) 587-0396 [email protected] Mahalo, Council Member Yuki Lei Sugimura for sharing this information:
Hurricane season in Hawaii runs from June 1 through November 30. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center is predicting five to eight tropical storms or hurricanes, underscoring the need for residents to have emergency plans and supplies. Families should have an emergency plan and survival kit ready before a disaster warning is issued. Here are a few helpful suggestions from Maui Electric Company on how to prepare - click the link below: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Hurricane-Season-Preparedness.html?soid=1124223326747&aid=oEjGuzu3sVM |
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