KULA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
P.O.Box 417
Kula, HI 96790
http://kulamaui.com
The vision of the Kula Community Association is to preserve open space, support agriculture, maintain a rural residential atmosphere, and to work together as a community.
The specific purpose of this Association is to improve the quality of life for the residents of Kula, to promote civic welfare
and generally to benefit the community of Kula.
January 23, 2002
Mr. Domingo Galicinao, Transportation Engineer
Federal Highways Administration
300 Ala Moana Boulevard
P.O. Box 50206
Honolulu, HI 96850
Dear Mr. Galicinao:
Subject: Kihei-Upcountry Highway Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
The Kula Community Association (KCA) Board of Directors would appreciate your assistance in addressing our questions and concerns about the Hawaii Department of Transportation's Final Environmental Impact Statement and this phase of the Kihei/Upcountry Highway project. We received and reviewed the responses of the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) to our October 1999 comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement. We have not yet received either version of the FEIS itself or been able to review it at a public location on Maui.
Following are some of the KCA's questions and concerns which are based only on HDOT's responses to our comments because we have not seen the FEIS:
� The responses do not adequately address many of specific points made in the KCA's October 1999 comments. Some responses seem irrelevant or incorrect in the context of the KCA's original comments.
� Many of the HDOT's responses seem to be drafted solely to justify building the highway rather than to answer the specific comments.
� The HDOT letter responding to KCA's comments is incomplete because it refers several times to the FEIS which we have not been able to use in studying the responses.
� The KCA is concerned that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Hawaii Office for Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) will take action on this FEIS before the people of Maui will even have an opportunity to examine it.
Following are our requests and suggestions for ensuring better understanding of the concerns and needs of all parties:
� Delay any approvals of the project until after community members can examine the FEIS and make comments.
� Publicize the FEIS and request public feedback through print and broadcast media, including but not limited to Akaku Television, the Maui News, the Haleakala Times, and the Maui Weekly.
� Schedule one or more public hearings/meetings on the FEIS in Kihei, Upcountry, and in other appropriate sites to bring together interested individuals, community associations, and others.
� Meet with the KCA Board of Directors at one of our regular meetings, on the first Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the Kula Elementary School.
� Meet with the KCA membership at one of our upcoming General Meetings (February 21 or May 16 from7 to 9 p.m. at the Kula Community Center) to give a brief presentation on the project and respond to questions.
We are in the process of setting our agenda for the February 21 General Meeting and the Board Meetings on February 7 and March 7. We would appreciate knowing as soon as possible when you will be able to join us. You may contact me at 808/878-1342 or [email protected].
Mahalo for your consideration of our comments and requests.
Sincerely,
Elliott Krash, President
cc: Senator Daniel K. Inouye
Governor Benjamin J. Cayetano
Jeyan Thirvgnanam, Hawaii Office of Environmental Quality Control
Brian K. Minaai, Director of Transportation, Hawaii DOT
Glenn Yasui, Administrator, Highways Division, Hawaii DOT
Ferdinand Cajigal, Acting Maui District Engineer, Hawaii DOT
Senator Avery Chumbley
Representative Chris Halford
Representative Kika Bukoski
Mayor James "Kimo" Apana
Councilmember Charmaine Tavares