August Monthly Meeting: "Our Transportation Future"

OUR TRANSPORTATION FUTURE

Kihei Charter School, Kihei, Maui, HI
Doors open 6 p.m. for light pupus and talk story
Program: Begins: 6:30 p.m.– Ends 8:00 p.m.

South Maui Sustainability will host two leaders in Maui’s transportation future. Jeff Hunt, Director of the Maui County Planning Department will describe the Maui Island Plan for our transportation future and Walter Enomoto, president of the Maui Bicycle Alliance will describe the history and future of biking on Maui.

We will also be announcing our efforts to start a Community Bike Sharing Program for South Maui and inviting for the South Maui community to join in the conversation to determine if this is an appropriate program and, if so, how we can implement it.

Jeff Hunt has a bachelor’s degree w a double major in Environmental Science and Economics from Willamette University in Salem Oregon, a Masters degree in Public Administration w a focus in Local Government from the University of Colorado at Denver. He has also passed the examination to become a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Jeff has spend virtually his entire career as a community planner in tourist and resort influenced communities, having been a planner in Hood River Oregon, Vail Colorado and Breckenridge Colorado. He is currently the Planning Director for the County of Maui. Jeff likes to surf or bike ride during the tremendous amount of free time that he has.

Walter Enomoto is current President of the Maui Bicycle Alliance, a grassroots bicycling advocacy group, working to improve conditions for bicyclists in Maui County. Involved in the bicycling community for close to 20 years here in Maui County, Walter is the former Co-Chair and member of the Mayor’s Bicycling Advisory Committee during the Lingle Administration (1990-1998) where he helped revise and improve the Maui County Code for bicyclists, co-organized bike day events and two Mayor’s Fun Rides. He also assisted committee members with projects like the 5 year Capital Improvement Plan for Bicycling the Northshore and Kihei Greenways. Walter has been involved in over 30 bicycling events over the past 15 years, is the first League of American Bicyclist League Certified Instructor (LCI) for Bicycling Education in Maui County and is currently working towards establishing bicycle education workshops here in Maui County.

The Maui Bicycle Alliance has worked with County and State officials to create more bicycling facilities and infrastructure. They have also lobbied for funding and policy changes to advance bicycling related objectives at both the State and County level and is a member of the One Voice for Livable Islands Coalition and the Balanced Transportation Alliance.

*Kihei Charter School location:
300 Ohukai Rd # 213
Directions: Coming from south Kihei, take the Pi’ilani Hwy toward the Mokulele. Turn right (mauka) onto Ohukai Road. Take your second right. Go straight to the very end and turn left around the building. Turn left into the next bay. KCS is located on the right. Coming from north of Kihei, turn left (mauka) onto Ohukai Road and follow the directions as above from Ohukai Road. Look for the blue and yellow signs.

Click map to enlarge.

Maui County Energy Expo 2009, September 10-11

Maui’s Energy Future – From Concept to Reality
Grand Wailea Resort Hotel & Spa

Highlights of this year’s Expo:

• Outstanding speakers, panel discussions and presentations
• Exhibits featuring state-of-the-art products and technologies
• Presentations by the Maui County Energy Alliance Working Groups
• Models of Reality: Progress Report Panel
• Maui County Energy Alliance Working Groups Reports
• Public Commentary
• Key Considerations in Maui’s Next Steps: Overcoming Island Regulatory Barriers to Clean Energy
• Key Considerations in Maui’s Next Steps:
• Energy Efficiency & Conservation

• Energy Storage & Integration
• Economic Development Implications
• Maui’s Next Steps: Now What?

The Energy Expo 2007 sold out – be sure to register early for this year’s event!

View Conference Program
Two Days—Thursday & Friday: $120—Includes continental breakfast and lunch
Thursday a.m. only: $50—Includes lunch
Thursday p.m.: Free after lunch
Friday: $90—Includes continental breakfast and lunch
*Limited Student Scholarships are available by calling the Office of Economic Development at 270-7710

Optional Pre-Conference Landfill Methane Outreach Program Workshop – Sept 9: $45/person—Includes lunch

For more information:
County of Maui Office of Economic Development
Victor Reyes, Energy Commissioner
Ph. (808) 270-7710 or email economic.development@mauicounty.gov

Rail Race: Maglev or HSR, What is the Future?

ENR: Engineering News Record, July 21, 2009
by William J. Angelo, John T. Harding and Andy Kunz

If we can continually bail out failing airlines and fund airport development, why not invest in a first rate railroad infrastructure that would compliment and enhance our Federal highway system? Many issues remain unresolved such as how fast is fast and should the line be publicly or privately owned? Should we go with ‘proven’ technology or make a quantum leap? And just why is there a high-speed rail gap between the U.S. and the rest of the developed world?

Two opposing Viewpoints, one supporting Maglev development by John Harding, a member of the International Maglev Board, and the other by Andy Kunz, president, US High Speed Rail Association in favor of ‘conventional’ high-speed rail. Readers are encouraged to read both articles then add their own voices to this debate. Steel wheels or maglev – you decide. (see article)

Views on use of Highway Trust Fund for bike and pedestrian paths.

August 4, 2009, Greenwire.com via CarFreeUSA.com

With Congress’ authorizing of emergency funding for the depleted Highway Trust Fund, two Republican senators are criticizing the use of the fund for bicycle and pedestrian paths and “scenic beautification” projects.

Sens. John McCain’s (Ariz.) and Tom Coburn’s (Okla.) criticisms followed release of a report by the Government Accountability Office last week showing that $78 billion from the fund had gone over five years toward “purposes other than construction and maintenance of highways and bridges” — including $2 billion that went to 5,547 projects for bicyclists and pedestrians.

McCain blasted the Transportation Department and lawmakers for earmarking funding for “frivolous” projects that could have been spent on repairs to the nation’s crumbling bridges and highways.

“Over the years, the number of highway bill earmarks has exploded,” McCain said in a statement. “Now, Congress wants to bail out the Trust Fund by saddling future generations with even more debt. Doing so is irresponsible.”

Bicycle advocates fired back, arguing that bike paths and walkways are used for 10 percent of U.S. travel and help reduce air pollution and use of foreign oil.

“What the report suggests is that McCain and Coburn do not see nonmotorized transportation as useful transportation spending,” said Darren Flusche, a policy analyst at the League of American Bicyclists. “They don’t see that bicycling is in fact a form of transportation and contributes directly to livable communities.”

Making a Difference—An Action Guide to Marine Conservation in Hawai‘i

Making a Difference—An Action Guide to Marine Conservation in Hawai‘i is a pdf file that has been designed as a community tool to provide key information, guidelines, and contact information for marine resource conservation. The goal is to empower Hawai‘i’s ocean users to take an active stewardship role in the preservation and protection of the marine environment. This action guide outlines key rules and regulations on a variety of topics and provides general ecological information and guidelines to follow such as actions to take, if any; what information to record; what agency to contact; and where to go for more information and guidance. As a Hawai‘i ocean user and stakeholder, you can make a difference and contribute to marine conservation efforts! This action guide is also available to download from www.coral.org or www.projectsealink.org. There you will find the most recent version, in the event that changes have been made between printings.

Hawai‘i’s unique natural and cultural resources are irreplaceable, and should be treated with respect. We all must recognize our important role in caring for our environment, and our responsibility to do so. Take the time to learn about an area before you visit it, and consider such things as land owner-ship issues, sensitive cultural sites, traditional practices, and proper protocols. You can minimize your impact by educating yourself on the proper ways to interact with the marine environment.

Hawai'i "Complete Streets" Law

On May 6, Governor Linda Lingle signed S.B. 718 into law. Act 054, the Complete Streets law, requires the Hawaii DOT and the Counties to establish policies to accommodate all users of the road, no matter age, ability, or mode of transportation. Additionally, it creates a statewide task force to review existing state and county highway design standards and guidelines and propose changes to procedures and design manuals. Their final report is due to the State legislature prior to its convening in 2011.

To become involved in the implementation of Act 054 and other activities that support complete streets in the islands, contact the One Voice Coalition.

The bill has received attention from many local media outlets, including KMGB9 News, the Honolulu Advertiser, and KHON2.

Introduction to Complete Streets (Slide show)

For more information on the national Complete Streets program..

From bush to bike – a bamboo revolution

BBC News, July 1, 2009, By Kieron Humphrey.

On the outskirts of Lusaka, Zambia, next year’s crop of bicycles is being watered by Benjamin Banda.

“We planted this bamboo last year,” he says, “and now the stems are taller than me. When it’s ready we’ll cut it, cure it and then turn it into frames.”

Mr Banda, is the caretaker for Zambikes, a company set up by two Californians and two Zambians which aimed to build bikes tough enough to handle the local terrain. (Full story)

What Can You Do?

The Maui Weekly, July 30, 2009
by Chris Mentzel

Kihei Energy Consultant Willy Bennett calls his photovoltaic (PV) system the best savings account he ever had. A PV system is a set of blue or black panels that make electricity. His system is 2.5 years old and has made him $3,500 in that time—a 12 percent yearly tax-free return.

Next to the panels on his roof are the two familiar solar hot water panels, which are a much more common sight on Maui. These give him an annual, 50 percent tax-free return. Using the power of the sun for heating water and making electricity are two separate technologies that make great sense for your pocketbook—and for the environment.

The cost for a typical residential PV system is $20,000 to 30,000; solar hot water systems run between $5,000 to 6,000. There are several support and loan programs that reduce the actual out-of-pocket cost to less to half of that—sometimes even to zero.

For businesses, the situation is ideal. Any business with a flat roof and available funding would be crazy not to install solar. For those businesses that lack the funds, there are options to partner with investors.

In the past, obscure tax laws have made it unnecessarily complicated to get the benefits that lawmakers intended. But this has changed. In Hawai‘i, we now have a law that makes the state tax credit refundable. Now it’s even possible for people who don’t have enough earnings to pay taxes to benefit from the state’s commitment to clean energy.

Federal tax incentives have been changed to grants. While some details are still being worked out, this change will reduce the cost of most solar energy systems by 30 percent. (Please consult your licensed tax consultant to evaluate your situation.)

We may never see a better time to make the switch to solar hot water and solar electricity. The financial crisis has helped reduce panel prices, and contractors have more time for these projects. As soon as the new tax laws become common knowledge, everyone will want a system, and prices will rise again.

Special thanks to Willy Bennett, who taught me a lot of this. He is available for consultations at 283-0404.

Chris Mentzel, CEO of Clean Energy Maui LLC, consults with county and state governments in Hawai‘i to secure a quick transition to a clean energy future. He is also the chairman of South Maui Sustainability’s renewable energy committee.

His goal is to end oil use on Maui by 2020. He can be reached through www.CleanEnergyMaui.com or at 214-7678

Advocacy Contacts

TIPS FOR CONTACTING ELECTED OFFICALS! Most effictive are: Letters Phone Calls Faxes and least effictive is E-mails Keep to One Topic: Keep your conversation focused on one subject while hitting the three strongest points on that subject. Plan What You Are Going to Say: Print or write out your talking points to help you plan what you are going to say. Reference the Officials Position:  Remind and familiarize them with their opposition and urge them to do something to support Vacation Rentals.  If they have done anything helpful, thank them, and urge them to do more. Personalize Your Call: If you have a personal story that is relevant, or you have voted for or have met the elected official, be sure to mention it in your conversation. The address to write to the Mayor or County Council Members is:    Kalana O Maui Building    200 S. High Street    Wailuku, HI  96793   Position / Election Facts Photo Telephone, Fax, Email Charmaine Tavares Mayor Next election: September 18, 2010 Won last election by 1,749 votes. (808)270-7855 Fax: (808)270-8073 mayors.office@mauicounty.gov Danny A. Mateo Council Chair Molokai Unopposed in 2008 election (808) 270-7678 Fax: (808) 270-7717 danny.mateo@mauicounty.us Sol Kahoohalahala Councilmember Lanai Won 2008 election by 5196 votes (808) 270-7768 Fax: (808) 270-7848 sol.kahoohalahala@mauicounty.us Wayne Nishiki Councilmember South Maui   Won 2008 election by 2,042 votes (808) 270-7108 Fax: (808) 270-7119 wayne.nishiki@mauicounty.us Gladys Coelho Baisa Councilmember Upcountry   Next election: November 2010 Won 2008 election by 13,424 votes. (808) 270-7939 Fax: (808) 270-7127 gladys.baisa@mauicounty.us Jo Anne Johnson Councilmember West Maui   Last term Won 2008 election by 8777 votes. (808) 270-5504 Fax: (808) 270-5505 jo_anne.johnson@mauicounty.us Bill Kauakea Medeiros Councilmember East Maui   Next election: November 2010 Won 2008 election by 11,571 votes. (808) 270-7246 Fax: (808) 270-7247 bill.medeiros@mauicounty.us Michael J. Molina Councilmember Makawao Haiku Paia   Last term Won 2008 election by 8,730 votes. (808) 270-5507 Fax: (808) 270-5508 michael.molina@mauicounty.us Joseph Pontanilla Councilmember Kahului   Next election: November  2010 Won 2008 election by 14,452 votes. (808) 270-5501 Fax: (808) 270-5502 joseph.pontanilla@mauicounty.us Michael P. Victorino Councilmember Wailuku Waihee Waikapu   Unopposed in 2008 election (808) 270-7760 Fax: (808) 270-7639 michael.victorino@mauicounty.us Jeff Hunt Maui County Planning Director (808) 808-270-7735 Fax: (808) 270-7639 Jeff.hunt@mauicounty.gov Jeffrey S. Hunt Planning Director County of Maui 250 S. High Street Wailuku, HI 96793 Maui News Letters to the Editor: letters@mauinews.com Telephone: 808-244-3981 Thanks to MVRA.

Vegetable gardens crop up in Seattle parking strips

Seattle Times Newspaper, July 25, 2009, By Maureen O’Hagan

The Seattle City Council is working to increase availability of affordable, locally grown food. One approach: allowing folks to grow vegetable gardens in parking strips — the no man’s land between sidewalk and curb.. (see full article)