Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by President John Wilson at 7:00 p.m. in the Kula Community Center. Approximately 50 people were present.

Treasurer's Report
Treasurer Karolyn Mossman reported that the previous balance was $1262.39 and with revenues of $1222.86 (including $160 from dues and $1056 from T-shirts) and expenditures of $567.15 (including $358.42 for T-shirts, $165.21 for administrative expenses, and $43.57 for GE tax) the current balance is $1918.10. On a motion by Charlie Maxwell, seconded by Erwin DePonte, the report was accepted subject to audit.

Secretary's Report
On a motion by Charlie Maxwell, seconded by Alan Kaufman, the minutes of the 20 November General Meeting were approved as submitted by Secretary Elliott Krash.

Communications and Announcements
John Wilson shared the following items from the KCA Board of Directors and other community groups:

KCA Membership: Dues for 1998 are payable by cash or check at any Board or General Meeting or by mail. Use the clip-out form in the 18 February Haleakala Times and mail to the above address.

T-shirts: The Kula Vision/Curtis Cost design T-shirts are available at Morihara's Store or the Curtis Cost Gallery at the Kula Lodge.

Recycling Center Blessing: Community members were invited to the 20 February celebration for the new center in Makawao. Also, suggestions for a recycling site in central Kula are requested.

Nature Conservancy Request: Hiking leaders are needed and anyone interested should call 572-7849.

Committee Reports
Hawaiian Homes: Charlie Maxwell announced that the contract for the Waiohuli project has been awarded and will be announced soon.

Parks: Steve Sutrov reported that the tennis courts and Kula Gym have been completed and are being enjoyd by residents. He praised and thanked county officials for their timely response in adjusting the court lighting and for their openess to KCA suggestions for redesign of the Keokea Park comfort station.

Water: Elliott Krash reported that after two decades of discussion and planning the Upper Kula Agricultural Water Line is in process. Surveying is being done now with funds approved during the last legislative session, and the construction phase will begin next year if the legislature approves the issuance of $3.5 million in General Obligation Bonds to raise the state's share of the cost. John McDonald announced that the Department of Water Supply is distributing low flow shower heads to promote water conservation and anyone wanting them should contact Ellen Kraftsow at 243-7199.

Unfinished Business
There was no unfinished business.

New Business
There was no new business.

Program
John Wilson presented Alan Kaufman who introduced the following program topics and speakers: Kihei/Upcountrry Highway - Ron Tsuzuki, State Department of Transportation planner and Warren Unemori, Maui-based consultant; and Kula Highway Guardrails - Bob Siarot, Maui Office of the State Department of Transportation administrator and Pat Phung, U.S. Department of Transportation engineer.

Kihei/Upcountry Highway: Ron Tsuzuki provided an overview on the origin and status of the project as highlighted below:

- Senator Inouye's interest in enhancing national defense by building a connector road between the tech park in Kihei and the facilities on the summit of Haleakala.

- The citizens task force in the early 90's supporting the project but listing over ten routes.

- Subsequent studies identifying three alternative routes, as displayed on maps that were distributed.

- Sources for funds coming from federal demonstration (pork barrell) monies, not regularly budgeted highway allocations.

- The Environmental Impact Study (EIS) being conducted now, to be completed in the late summer and followed by public review, comment, and hearings.

- The observation that Senator Inouye is concerned about citizen opposition to the highway and that no-build is an option if that is the community's preference.

Topics addressed during the question/comment/response period included the following:

- The need for cloverleafs and overpasses rather than grade crossings with traffic lights.

- The concern about traffic and safety upcountry if the terminus is above Pukalani or at Pulehu.

- The fact that the Five Trees terminus should be ruled out because it would disturb historical, sacred sites and the response that this will be addressed in the EIS.

- A clarification of the 1997 KCA survey results noting that the vote for the no- build option was slightly less than the vote for the Haliimaile terminus but together they represented almost 60% of the votes cast.

- A proposal for improving existing roads (Haleakala, Hansen*, Mokulele) rather than building a new one; and the response that these projects are already planned and budgeted from regular highway funds, will be completed sooner than the highway, and do not meet the criteria for providing a more direct route between the tech park and the summit. *(The planned airport access road would serve in lieu of Hansen on this route.)

- An explanation of how the Kulamalu project plans and the developer's cash offer resulted in two possible terminii above Pukalani.

- Divergent statements on the composition of the citizens task force - dominated by developers and other business interest or balanced and representative of all citizens.

- An appeal by a south Maui resident for a new highway to serve as an escape route in the event of disaster, as illustrated by a videotape of the recent fire in Kihei.

Kula Highway Guardrails: Bob Siarot provided an overview of the reasons for installation of the guardrails, the community request for removal of some of them, and the current status of the change order request as highlighted below:

- That the guardrails were initially installed in response to citizens' and officials' recognition of the need to protect motorists from dangerous drop offs and other hazards.

- That citizens objected to the excessive length of the rails in a number of places, blocking safe access to shoulders and pull-off areas and impeding use by pedestrians, cyclists, and riders.

- That the change order request has been approved by state officials but federal officials have not approved all of the the additional work.

Pat Phung explained the federal position, as highlighted below:

- That safety is the primary concern of the USDOT, as reflected in its guidelines on highway construction.

- That the state, in adopting the federal guidelines and accepting federal funds, must comply with the federal design requirements.

Topics addressed during the question/comment/response period included the following:

- Guardrails can be modified or removed in some places without compromising safety.

- Roads in national parks do not have to comply with USDOT requirements because they are under jurisdiction of the Parks, not the Transportation, Department.

- Shorter, less obtrusive, guardrail designs are available, but are more expensive.

- Aesthetics will be considered in the modification plans to address citizens' concerns and to enhance the appeal of the area for tourists and residents.

- Loose bolts and other unfinished areas left by the contractor create hazards and should have been completed prior to the execution of the stop work order.

Announcements (Also see above, Communications and Announcements)
Ellen Kraftsow arrived prior to the end of the meeting and distributed low flow shower heads to all who requested.

Charmaine Tavares announced that as the Maui representative to the National Association for Counties she will be participating in forums on several key issues reflected in the evening's discussion - that communities' needs and interests vary, that "one size" (as sometimes dictated by federal guidelines) "does not fit all" and that aesthetics are important in Maui.

Steve Sutrov reminded the group of the the useful information on the KCA web page and recognized Mitch Silver for his work in developing and maintaining it.

Board Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the library at the Kula Elementary School. Proposed agenda items for the 5 March and 2 April meetings include the Upper Kula Agricultural Water Line, Highways, and Haleakala Antennas.

General Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the middle month of the quarter at 7:00 p.m. at the Kula Community Center. The agenda for the 21 May meeting is open.