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Kula Community Association |
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[Home] Call
to Order The meeting was called to order by President Elliott Krash at
7:00 pm in the Kula Community Center. Attendees 57 People were present which grew to 87 by 7:45. Treasurer's
report On November 18, 1999 the KCA balance was
$1,884.25 (Income was
$1,335.90 including $732 from T-shirt sales, $515 in dues, $60 refund from the
Kula Community Center for a deposit, $20 in donations, and $8.90 in interest.
Expenses were $681.95 including $353.96 for T-shirts, K$225 Kula Community
Center, $24.94 administrative, $18.75 for the Haleakala Times, $59.30 for
miscellaneous.) The February
24, 2000 balance is $2,538.20.
The group accepted and approved the report subject to audit as
submitted by Treasurer John McDonald. Secretary's
Report On a motion by Mr. Goldstein with a second from John Wilson
the minutes of the November 18, 1999 General Meeting were approved as submitted
by Secretay Susan Guille. Announcements Maui
Youth & Family Services Proposed Facility on Omaopio Road:
Elliott Krash reported that the KCA Board, at its February meeting, had
received brief presentations from land donor Alan Arakawa and resident Patrick
Tahl. The KCA Board then voted to
send a written request to the Planning Commission asking that no action be taken
until information is disseminated and public hearings are held upcountry, with
sufficient notice given to all upcountry residents. Reforestation
Project: David Johnson
announced an informal group meeting for Hawaii's Reforestation Project will be
February 25, 6-9 pm, at the Maui Community College Kalama Building, Room 103. Rice
Park Maintenance: Charlie Silva,
caretaker at Rice Park for nine years, announced that he would no longer be
there full-time. He explained that
the Department of Parks and Recreation is reassigning staff to work in teams at
several parks, rather than having one person full-time at one park.
He thanked the community for their support and said he would miss being
full-time at Rice Park. KCA:
Elliott Krash reviewed the KCA dues, t-shirt, Board vacancy,and meeting
information listed on the agenda. She
invited community members to bring issues of concern to the Board and to view
the web site for current information. Program:
Upcountry Water Presenters were David Craddick, Director, Department of Water
Supply (DWS); Jacky Carroll, Administrative Assistant, DWS; and Neal Fujiwara,
District Conservationist, USDA, representing the upper Kula agricultural water
line. Mr.
Craddick's and Ms. Carroll's Presentation: Capital improvement projects were reviewed, including the
Waikamoi Flume repair which will completed in 2 weeks.
The current water rates do not cover all necessary source development.
The normal water supply of 14.4 million gallons per day (13.8 drought
supply) is coming from Haiku well, Kapakalua well, Waikamoi, Piiholo, Wailoa
Ditch, Hamakua Ditch (agriculture park), and Hamakuapoko Wells 1 and 2 (which
currently can used only during drought emergency). There are currently 8,829 meters in service in Kula.
From 1978 to 1993, an average of 59 meters were issued annually and from
1994 to 1999, 42 meters were issued annually.
In 1999, 2.6 billion gallons of water were used: 56% general use, 44%
agricultural. Future use is seen at
.4 million gallons a day (MGD) for the Hawaiian Homestead Lands and .7 MGD for
the Kulamalu project. Mr. Craddick indicated the possibility of drought pricing
in the future as it costs $30,000 to $50,000 per quarter to pump water during a
drought. Mr.
Fujiwara's Presentation: Mr
Fujiwara reported on the history of the Water Project from the mid-1980's, which
included the Watershed program and the River Basin project (upper and lower
lines). The steering committee
proposed building the upper line first. It is estimated to cost $7 million.
Governor Cayetano recently released $3 million for the first phase of
construction from Olinda plant to Omaopio tank which will be completed in 2001.
Later phases will be completed as funding (federal/state matching funds)
is available. Audience
Comments and Discussion Following are some of the questions, answers, and comments: What
is the tank at the top of Polipoli Road?
It is the Waiohuli Tank in service since last September and it serves
upper Kula Road. Who
can qualify to use the Agricultural Water Line? The applicants must have substantial farming operations. They
must file income tax returns for agricultural business, have a general excise
tax license, and submit a soil/water conservation plan to the Soil/Water
Conservation District Office. Will
the dual line eventually go in to the treatment plant and can it be used for
fire protection? The dual line
water will not be treated and it can not be used for fire protection because it
would need to be a different (and more expensive) type of line. What
if I want to test my water? Each
test costs $3,200. Chloroform tests
are done daily - 7,000 a year. If
the Department knows something is in the water they will test more often.
In Haiku they are currently testing monthly.
The State of Hawaii can come in at any time and do random testing for EPA
requirements. Can
ag water be brought into the house for domestic use?
No, because it is not properly treated. Can
the meter list be published on your website?
Subdivisions can be published, but not the names.
We might be able to publish something.
Jonathan
Starr, Board of Water Supply:
Mr. Starr acknowledged that the system is not yet drought proof.
He would
like to see the water list made public. He
would like new rules about meter issuance and there will be a public hearing for
new rules. Elmer
Cravalho, Board of Water Supply:
Mr. Cravalho was guardedly optimistic that that there can be solutions to
the Upcountry water problems. New standards are being considered.
There is unprecedented cooperation on the part of the Board.
He emphasized that he will always support the small farmer.
Adjournment President Elliott Krash adjourned the meeting at 9:10 pm.
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