2008 Committees  

Executive Board

President – Gina Flammer

Immediate Past President- Alan Kaufman

Vice President – The Reverand Heather Mueller

Secretary –  Doreen (Pua) Gomes

Treasurer - John Wilson

General Meetings

Purpose: The general meeting committee is responsible for managing the logistics and programs in 2008 for the three general meetings and for the primary and general elections.  All Board members will be asked to participate in meeting topic selection, panel questions, and acting as moderators and timekeepers. 

Members: Dick Mayer, Harlan Hughes, Gina Flammer, Debbie Von Tempsky, ….

Newsletter/Community Outreach/Membership  

Purpose:  The Newsletter/Community Outreach committee is responsible for producing one or two newsletters a year to be distributed to all Kula postal patrons.  The first newsletter will have survey questions designed to get community input on issues affecting Kula.  All Board members are eligible to write articles of interest.  This committee shall designate a person to be responsible for maintaining the membership list .  Members will also staff the general meeting membership and information table.  If desired, the committee may develop other methods of community outreach to be presented to the Board for approval.

Responsibilities:

§           Publish and distribute one or two newsletters

§           Develop and tally survey questions for first newsletter

§           All Board members can suggest article topics and write short articles for newsletter

§           Maintain membership list

§           Staff general meeting membership and informational table.  Responsible for greeting attendees, signing up new association members, and selling t-shirts and hats, and distributing meeting information such as agenda and draft minutes from previous meeting. 

Chair:  Pua Gomes

Members:  Pam Gould, Gina Flammer, Ron Montgomery, Harlan Hughes, John Wilson, Steve Sutrov

Disaster Planning and Public Safety

Purpose: The disaster planning and public safety committee is responsible for assessing disaster planning in Kula and educating residents on where to go during an emergency (via newsletter and or general meetings), and identifying areas of disaster planning and public safety issues that need improvement and working to improve the system.  Educating the Board on issues related to disaster planning and public safety is also a function.  If desired, the committee may develop recommendations on improving disaster planning Upcountry.  It may also make recommendations that address the effects of an economic recession and tightening of transportation fuels.

Responsibilities:

• Assess disaster planning in Kula
• Report to Board on disaster planning and public safety issues
• Comment on Maui County Health Initiative Task Force Disaster Planning recommendations and identify recommendations to pursue with Board approval.
• If desired, develop KCA position or “white paper” on improving disaster planning and identifying and mitigating likely effects on likely future events such as an economic recession and increasing fuel costs.

Chair:  Ray Bane

Members: Dr. Rick Weiland, Gina Flammer

Agriculture

Purpose:  The agriculture committee is responsible for staying abreast of state and county issues relating, but not limited to agricultural zoning, production, and water availability.  This committee will spend 2008 working on a KCA ag position, to present to the full Board for approval, that reflects the realities of ag upcountry as it relates to our KCA mission of preserving agriculture and enhancing the quality of life for Kula residents.  This committee will be responsible for reporting to the Board state and county issues including, but not limited to, the 2050 Sustainability Report in the state legislature and proposed legislation, the Important Agricultural Lands Act, and ag issues at the county level. 

Responsibilites:

• Report to Board on issues affecting agriculture and agricultural zoned properties.  Issues include proposed state legislation stemming from 2050 Sustainability task Force Report, county and state proposed actions on identifying important agricultural lands to be protected under the IAL act, and other ag issues that may arise during the year.
• Develop a KCA position on agriculture that promotes the KCA’s overall mission in preserving agriculture and enhancing the quality of life of Kula residents. 
• Develop and maintain relationships with other groups involved in agricultural issues such as, but not limited to, Farm Bureau, Coffee association, Cattleman’s Association, Realtor’s Associaton, ect

Chair: Alan Kaufman, DVM

Members:   John Wilson, Harlan Hughes, David Jenkins, Debbie von Tempsky, Peter Horovitz, Gina Flammer

Planning

Purpose: The Planning Committee is responsible: a) for presenting recommendations to the full KCA Board on proposed community plan changes, new developments including subdivisions, commercial projects and public facilities, proposed environmental assessments and impact statements; b) for staying abreast of new developments in Kula, c) for reporting to the Board on planning issues that will affect our community, and d) reporting to the Board on the status of the County-wide Policy Plan and the Maui Island-wide Plan with recommendations on actions that the KCA Board may wish to make.

2008 Responsibilities:

• Presenting Board with recommendations for EIS comments on proposed subdivisions and commercial developments.  For 2008, the Kula Ridge Mauka subdivision planners have asked for our input. 
• Report to Board on planning issues and proposed developments
• Report to Board on GPAC activities and prepare recommendations on draft GPAC Maui Island-wide Plan for Board approval. 
• Possibly develop May general meeting on GPAC issues

Chair:  Dick Mayer

Members:  Gina Flammer

KCA Water and Sustainability Committee

Purpose: The Water and Sustainability Committee is responsible for providing comments to the Board for approval on:

• the current county water plan that is in progress, updating the KCA position on water to reflect those comments, staying abreast and educating the Board on issues affecting water development, infrastructure, quality, and other aspects. 
• develop, with input from the community and the Board, positions and recommendations to improve the ability of the community to become more self-sustaining in the areas of renewable energy and recycling.

Responsibilities:

• Providing comments on County master water plan, with Board approval
• Updating KCA water policy
• Monitoring issues affecting water development, infrastructure,
• Monitoring progress on Upcountry ag water line, reporting to Board and if necessary working with county and state officials to facilitate better ag water for farmers. 
• Obtain community input on recycling programs that improve community recycling and providing refund income for local schools and groups.
• Work with County and State programs and elected officials to develop renewable energy programs that benefit the community.
• Work with the Agriculture Committee in areas of overlap with these responsibilities

Chair: Ron Montgomery

Members: Peter Horovitz, John Wilson, Gina Flammer

Health

Purpose:  The health committee will be responsible for staying abreast of health related issues affecting Upcountry residents.  For 2008, this includes reviewing the upcoming Maui Health Initiative Task Force Final recommendations, funding for Kula Hospital and status of the primary care clinic operations at Kula Hospital, and reporting to Board on health issues at the county and state level that affect health care on Maui.  The Committee is also responsible for monitoring funding in the state budget and legislative proposals affecting ambulance care in Kula.  The committee may present the Board with recommendations and positions on issues if it chooses to do so. 

Responsibilities:

§           Reviewing Maui Health Initiative Task Force recommendations and educating Board on report and status of task force. 

§           Staying abreast of health care issues affecting Upcountry and Maui county and educating Board on these issues. 

§           Reviewing proposed county budget for health related items that affect care of Upcountry residents, including senior care issues (some overlap with Kupuna resources committee).

§           Develop and maintain relationships with other community groups involved in health issues. 

Chair:  Lee Johnson

Members: Dr. Rick Weiland, Ron Montgomery, Gina Flammer

Parks and Environment

Purpose:  The parks and environment committee is responsible for monitoring parks funding and advocating improvements and proper maintenance for Kula parks, Kula Community Center, and Kula gym.  Review county budget in March and advocate for proper funding.  Educate Board on parks and environment issues.  Schedule and conduct adopt-a-highway clean-ups periodically. 

Responsibilities:

• Adopt-a-highway
• Advocate for Kula parks, Community Center, Gym, and specifically tennis courts with Board approval on specific issues.   
• Assist President with budget comments in March for public testimony. 
• Prepare year end budget comments on Kula facility and parks needs.

Chair.  The Reverend Heather Mueller

Members:  Steve Sutrov, Ray Bane, Gina Flammer

Roads and Transportation

Purpose: The roads and transportation committee is responsible for monitoring funding and plans for road improvements and new projects.  With Board approval on specific issues, the committee will act as an advocate for improvements and new projects.   There will be some overlap with downhill bike ad hoc committee which per KCA position advocates for safe roads for all with better bike lanes.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor county and state funding for road improvements, including state STIP projects and yearly county budget.
• Act as an advocate when Board approves of projects or funding and when projects are undesired educate policymakers on Board’s position.
• Monitor progress of Upcountry highway and report to Board.

Chair:  Gina Flammer    

Members:   

Senior Issues/Kupuna Resources

Purpose:  This committee is responsible for developing a KCA position on issues affecting seniors in our community and keeping the KCA Board informed on these issues.

Responsibilities: 

• Gather input from community on senior issues to identify and prioritize our community’s senior needs.
• Prepare a KCA “White Paper” outlining current issues, research requirements, and recommendations for future action. 
• Keep Board informed about senior issues.

Chair: Peter Durkson

Members: Heather Mueller, Alan Kaufman

Ad Hoc Committees for 2008:

Transient Vacation Rentals

Purpose: The TVR ad hoc 2008 committee is responsible for updating the KCA  position on TVRs to be presented to the Board for approval and to solicit community input on the issue through the newsletter and February general meeting.   The committee chair is responsible for reporting on this issue at Board and general meetings. 

Responsibilities:

• Develop recommendations on TVR position to present to Board.
• Educate Board on issues related to TVRs and county regulation process and policies regarding this.
• Work with President on testimony and education of policymakers on this issue as it affects the Kula community.

Chair:  Alan Kaufman

Members: Dick Mayer, Heather Mueller, Murray Gildersleeve, Michael Sullivan, Gina Flammer, Harlan Hughes, Ray Bane, David Jenkins

Commercial Downhill Bike Tour and Rentals

Purpose:  Educate Board on issues relating to this.  Work with County to educate on problems and possible solutions to safety and traffic concerns.  Continue to work with state DOT and county on improving roads for the safety of all bikers, drivers, and pedestrians.   Work with other community groups.