Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by President John Wilson at 5:30 p.m. in the Kula Elementary School Library.

Attendees

Members present were: Erwin DePonte, Sue Guille, Brian Jenkins, Alan Kaufman, Elliott Krash, John McDonald, Karolyn Mossman, Ron Sakugawa, Mitch Silver, Steve Sutrov, and John Wilson.

Members excused were: Tom Jewell, Charlie Maxwell, and Dick Mayer.

Members absent were: Henrietta Chong, Gerri Hestand, Ben Keau, and Henry Lau.

Others attending were: Ernest Soares, Community Police Officer; Randy Burgess and Charles Hirata, Maui County Police Department; Susanna Bubar, Recycling Center; and Ellen Kraftsow and Reuben Salcido, Maui Department of Water Supply.

Treasurer's Report

Treasurer Karolyn Mossman reported the previous balance of $1304.61, with revenues of $88.01 (from T-shirts, dues, and interest) and expenditures of $43.52 (for GE tax), bringing the current balance to $1349.10. On a motion by Steve Sutrov, seconded by Ron Sakugawa, the report was accepted subject to audit.

Secretary's Report

On a motion by John McDonald, seconded by Alan Kaufman, the minutes were approved as submitted by Secretary Elliott Krash.

Communications

The following items were received and sent since the last meeting:

Land Use Committee: A letter from John Wilson to the Committee transmitting the KCA's comments on the agricultural zoning bill.

Public Works Committee: A letter from John Wilson to the Committee highlighting the 1997 community survey results on the Kihei-Upcountry Highway and the KCA's position on the Kulamalu/Five Trees terminus.

Avery Chumbley: A letter from Senator Chumbley enclosing the revised 24 hour ALS draft bill which incorporates changes proposed by the KCA.

State Department of Transportation: A letter from Kazu Hayashida stating that he will be unable to attend the 19 February General Meeting, but Ron Tsuzuki will represent him in addressing the KCA and responding to questions on the Kihei-Upcountry Highway.

Committee Reports

Program: Alan Kaufman reviewed plans for the 19 February General Meeting - that Ron Tsuzuki will speak on the Kihei-Upcountry Highway and Bob Siarot will report on the status of the guard rail project. John Wilson announced that for subsequent meetings the Vice President, Sue Guille, will serve as program coordinator, with the assistanace of appropriate committee chairs and other volunteers who usually set up the signs, refreshments, podium, and furniture.

Roads: Steve Sutrov reported that in the absence of a Roads Committee chair he would coordinate efforts pertaining to the Kihei-Upcountry Highway and that he has scheduled a meeting for 11 February at 6 p.m. at the Upcountry Community Center in Pukalani. Invitees include members of KCA and other associations or institutions with a stake in upcountry highway issues. The purpose of the meeting is to review the status of the highway, share positions and information, and determine areas of consensus. Discussion then focused on the need for the KCA to update its position to clarify whether it is no-build or build-if-necessary-but-not-in-Kula. A motion to rescind the KCA's position was tabled, pending review of highway issues at the February General Meeting and the March Board Meeting.

Safety: John Wilson announced that the 24 hour ALS bill has been revised (see above, Communications) but that chances for funding are slim given the state's economy.

Unfinished Business

Recycling Center: Susanna Bubar reviewed the criteria for a site in Kula ( approximately 7000 sf/120' x 60', flat, public or private land, not near residences) and asked for assistance in identifying an appropriate site in a central Kula location. Kulamalu was proposed. In further discussion concerns about maintenance and monitoring were raised, and the suggestion was made that the center should be open only when it is monitored.

Traffic Control Device: Lt. Hirata explained and displayed the camera that would be used in a pilot project to control speeding, pending legislative approval. He reviewed: the rationale of an automated device (less manpower available, efficiency, citizen concerns about speeding); the results in jurisdictions using it (88% drop in speeding violations); the procedures in using the camera (setting it to a pace speed, relocating it as needed to problem areas, posting the targeted area); the concerns raised and addressed ( paid for with proceeds from violators' fines, drafting the legislation so that insurance rates of violators would not be affected); and the status of the bill in the state legislature. Lt. Hirata was asked whether the number of speeding violations could be reduced by adjusting the speed limits to more realistic (ie. higher) levels, to which he responded that the limits were based on analyses of road conditions and surveys and observations of users and residents.

Newsletter: John Wilson reported that after consulting with Alan Kaufman, reviewing the costs of a newsletter, the schedule of the 1997 mailings, and the membership sign up after each, he decided to revise the newsletter schedule for 1998. Only two would be sent, one in the summer to announce the elections/candidates General Meeting and another in the winter to solicit members. Discussion focused on the importance of advertising the 19 February General Meeting and encouraging members to renew for 1998. John Wilson agreed to follow up with the Haleakala Times about including a membership form and an announcement of the meeting in the next issue.

New Business

Department of Water Supply Update on Upcountry Projects: Ellen Kraftsow and Reuben Salcido provided handouts and displays (maps and charts) that listed and illustrated the status of th FY 1998 and FY 1999 upcountry projects budgeted from Capital Reserve, Water System Development, and other funds. All projects are reported to be on schedule. Specific projects addressed included reservoirs (Kamole, Upper Kula, Lower Kula); the dual/agricultural water line; and the Kamehameiki line.Other topics discussed included the DWS' goal of providing drought insurance for upcountry through more storage, wells, and interconnection of adjacent systems.

Piilani/Ulupalakula Highway: Steve Sutrov reported that he had heard that studies are being conducted by the state DOT at the urging of several landlocked lanholders to determine the feasibility of extending the Piilani Highway to connect Ulupalakula and Wailea. Discussion focused on such concerns as environmental impact, lack of community input, and effect of plans for this road on the Kihei-Upcountry Highway plans.

Announcements

KCA Board Meeting: 5 March, Kula Elementary School, 5:30 p.m.

KCA General Meeting: 19 February, Kula Community Center, 7:00 p.m.

Adjournment