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, Elliott Krash, Henry Lau, Dick Mayer, John McDonald, Karolyn Mossman, Cathy Ross, Mitch Silver, Steve Sutrov, and John Wilson.

Members excused were: Henrietta Chong, Tom Jewell, and Alan Kaufman.

Members absent were: Sue Guille, Gerri Hestand, Brian Jenkins, Ben Keau, and Ron Sakugawa.

Others present were: Kula residents, the Benjamin Wittigs.

Treasurer's Report

Treasurer Karolyn Mossman reported the previous balance of 3 September as $1313.57, and corrected that report to $1371.46. With revenues of $222.79 ($180 from dues, $24 from T-shirts, $14 from refreshments and $4.79 from interest) and expenditures of $345.58 ($ 200 for a donation to Outdoor Circle, $106.68 for refreshments, and $38.90 for administrative expenses) the current balance is $1248.67. On a motion by Dick Mayer, seconded by Mitch Silver, the report was accepted subject to audit.

Secretary's Report

On a motion by John McDonald, the minutes of the 5 November Board Meeting were approved as submitted by Elliott Krash.

Dr. Robert McLaren, UH Institute for Astronomy: A letter requesting an Environmental Impact Statement be completed to address concerns raised by the KCA and others regarding the Haleakala Broadcast Facility.

Kazu Hayashida, State Department of Transportation: A letter requesting the State DOT to staff the Maui weigh scales to monitor the trucks going to the HHL site.

Mike Wilson, Department of Land and Natural Resources: A letter requesting the DL&NR to lead the planning coordination for the location of the Haleakala Broadcast Facility.

Al Franco, Grandma's Coffee: A thank you letter for donating the coffee for the primary candidates forum.

Sue and Dart Guille, Kwik Sign: A thank you letter for the KCA banners.

Sean McLaughlin, Akaku: A thank you letter for producing the forum broadcasts.

Margo Rowland, Outdoor Circle: A letter thanking the KCA for the donation to the Five Trees project.

Clifford Koki, Weigh Master, State Department of Transportation: A call acknowledging receipt of the KCA request to staff the scales, stating that they are being staffed, and agreeing to call Erwin DePonte to discuss KCA's concerns.

Committee Reports

Highways: Steve Sutrov reported that the Outdoor Circle's tour of the Haleakala Highway median strip was postponed. The plans for the five and one-half mile median strip have been drawn and include a 20-30 foot wide median with a center barrier of plantings designed to slow or stop vehicles. In addition, there are plans for a center barrier for Mokulele Highway.

Land Use/Planning: John Wilson reported that the County Council has scheduled a hearing on the Ag Zoning bill for 15 December, at 6 p.m. Following a brief discussion, it was decided that KCA testimony will be presented. KCA will express support for the bill because it protects open space and promotes farming and will request its passage by the end of the year before the building moratorium expires.

Water: John McDonald reported (for Tom Jewell) that the Upcountry Water Advisory Committe met twice and received background information and an overview of their task - to determine whether wells or storage facilities would better meet the needs of upcountry users. There is not sufficient funding for both and a decision must be made on which should be built. Karolyn Mossman and others requested information on the pros and cons of each option.

John McDonald reported on the DWS Upcountry Workshop on the BWS Rules and Regulations where he shared his and the KCA's suggestions on several rules - including drought cutbacks, drought incentives, and water meter issuance - and requested clarification on how water bills are calculated. He offered to assist DWS in rewriting the section on Water System Development Fees.

Communications: John Wilson and Mitch Silver reviewed plans for the next newsletter. It will be sent in late January or early February to generate General Meeting attendance and to recruit new and renewal members for 1999. There was discussion on what items the newsletter should include to spark interest and be helpful and informative. Suggestions included:

- Ernest Soares' office location and telephone number

- Priorities list/survey

- Website address

- Membership form

- February meeting agenda and program topic(s)

There was also discussion on other tasks the Communications Committee might assume, including program planning and publicity for the General Meetings. (See New Business)

Unfinished Business

Hawaiian Homes: John Wilson and Karolyn Mossman attended the November meeting of the Keokea and Waiohuli residents at St. John's Church. They reported this meeting, which addressed the Hawaiian claims process, attracted more HHL homesteaders than previous meetings. John Wilson also reported that Darrell Yagodich of the HHL Planning Office is planning to meet with Will Spence of the Maui County Planning Department and with representatives of the Waiohuli and Keokea Ag Park communities and the KCA to become better acquainted with the needs of the Kula community. A date for such a meeting has not yet been set.

Haleakala Antenna/Broadcast Facility: John Wilson read the letter he sent to Mike Wilson of the DL&NR requesting that agency to take the lead for coordinating the planning effort for all future uses of land at the summit. Most of the land being used now and being considered for future installations is under DL&NR control and that agency could provide a broader perspective than the UH Institute for Astronomy, which currently is asssuming responsibility in identifying other possible site(s) for the broadcasters.

New Business

Maui Economic Development Board Plan: Elliott Krash reviewed the requests from Bob Johnson of the MEDB for: suggestions of economic development projects; comments on the Overall Economic Development Plan; and participants in the MEDP's "dialogue about...development issues". After a brief discussion, it was decided that the MEDB should be referred to the KCA website for the vision statement and other information. Dick Mayer volunteered to be the KCA's contact person for the MEDB. Elliott Krash will communicate this information to Bob Johnson.

Proposed School Site Special Use Permit Hearing: John Wilson reviewed the concerns of residents who live on the Old Kula Highway, across from the Community Center, and next to the house where the Clearview Christian Girls Middle School plans to relocate from the Waipuna Chapel. He reported that the Special Use Permit Hearing probably will be held in February or March and that notices would be sent to all residents in proximity of the proposed site. Kula residents, Benjamin Wittig and his wife, reiterated their's and their neighbors' concerns relating to vehicle and pedestrian traffic, safety, and the potential of school growth beyond its current enrollment. During discussion, several Board Members noted that construction of the proposed walkway connecting the Kula Elementary School, Gym, Community Center, and Waldorf Haleakala School could alleviate some of the concerns related to pedestrian traffic and safety.

Committee Requirements: John Wilson reviewed plans for combining several committees with overlapping responsibilities. In the interest of time, discussion was postponed until the next meeting on the Parks/Highways/Beautification, Communications/Programs/Publicity, and Membership/Treasurer committees and functions. The program for the next General Meeting was discussed and deferrred until the next meeting. Topics to be considered include: a panel of recently elected and appointed county officials, a report on the KCA budget priorities survey, and presentations on issues which may emerge in the survey or in the news in next two months.

Harvest Fest: Elliott Krash reported on the KCA booth at the Kula Elementary School festival. Approximately 50 signatures were collected on the petition for 24 hour ambulance service and almost $200 was made on T-shirt sales.

Membership: Mitch Silver reported that he is searching for a membership management software program to be used by the membership committee if it chooses and to provide a back-up copy of membership records. In response to a question about membership terms, Steve Sutrov stated that membership is by calendar years, not according to individuals' original or renewal payment dates.

Alliance for the Heritage of East Maui: Henry Lau reported that he had attended the recent AHEM meeting and asked if the KCA wanted to join the alliance.

KCA Banner: Steve Sutrov reported that a larger, more colorful, meeting announcement banner is needed. Since the Five Trees triangle was landscaped, the new site for posting banners is the King Kekaulike fence. This site, being set back from the road and visible only to moving vehicles, requires signage more easily seen by motorists.

Announcements

Board Meeting: 7 January, Kula Elementary School, 5:30 p.m. Proposed agenda: General Meeting agenda and program; Committee requirements.

General Meeting: 18 February, Kula Community Center, 7 p.m. Proposed agenda and program: TBD

Adjournment