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: Henrietta Chong, Erwin DePonte, Sue Guille, Gerri Hestand, Elliott Krash, Dick Mayer, John McDonald, Karolyn Mossman, Steve Sutrov, and John Wilson.

Members excused were: None

Members absent were: Alan Kaufman, Ben Keau, Brian Jenkins, Tom Jewell, Henry Lau, Charlie Maxwell, Ron Sakugawa, Mitch Silver

Others attending were: Diane Clarke

Treasurer's Report
Treasurer Karolyn Mossman reported the previous balance of $1349.10, with revenues of $805.66 (from T-shirts - $672, dues - $120, refreshments - $12, and interest) and expenditures of $81.11 (for KCC deposit - $60 and administrative expenses - $21.11), bringing the current balance to $2073.65. On a motion by John McDonald, seconded by Erwin DePonte, the report was accepted subject to audit.

Secretary's Report
Action on the minutes of the February Board Meeting was postponed until the April Board Meeting to allow several members the opportunity to review the minutes.

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

Pam Gould, Kula Resident: A letter requesting a tennis backboard and offer to help with the guard rails and Kihei/Upcountry Highway projects. The letter was forwarded to Steve Sutrov for response.

Committee Reports
Committee Assignments: John Wilson polled those present for their committe assignment preferences and he will call each of the other Board Members before developing the committee list for 1998.

Program: Sue Guille reported that Erwin DePonte had suggested drug and substance abuse as a topic for the May General Meeting. Following discussion it was decided that substance abuse, crime, and related problems are issues of concern to upcountry residents based on media reports and responses to the 1997 KCA survey which ranked crime and youth activities high on the list of priorities. It was also agreed that Sue Guille will begin contacting possible participants and speakers, including King Kekaulike High School staff and Alice Lee in her capacity as chair of a task force on youth crime .

Roads: Sue Guille reported on the review of the Kula Highway guard rail project by several KCA representatives with Pat Phung of the U.S. Department of Transportation and engineers from the Maui Office of the Highway Division of the State Department of Transportation. The plans will be revised to meet the community's concerns and presented to KCA representatives for a final review prior to resumption of work by the contractor.

Water: Elliott Krash reviewed the legislative status of the Upper Kula Agricultural Water Line and proposed a motion "That the Kula Community Association Board of Directors support the Upper Kula Agricultural Water Line". The motion was seconded by Karolyn Mossman and discussion focused on the importance of providing affordable, plentiful water for agriculture and the concern that making more water available for domestic use would result in unwanted development. On a vote of seven to zero with two abstentions the motion carried. John Wilson will forward the KCA position to legislators.

Unfinished Business
Haleakala Times: Payment to the Haleakala Times for the February membership advertisement was approved.

Recycling Center: Dick Mayer proposed two options as possible sites for the recycling center: the lot next to the Post Office and below Pukalani on the old highway right of way.

King Kekaulike High School: Elliott Krash reported that she has been attending the School/Community Based Management meetings at the high school and that the 1998 focus is on school to work transitions.

Traffic Control Device: John Wilson reviewed the status of the photo radar pilot project bill before the legislature and reported on amendments being considered to address concerns about individuals' privacy rights. Karolyn Mossman proposed a motion "That the Kula Community Association Board of Directors support the bill to implement the photo radar pilot project providing there are adequate safeguards to protect individuals from privacy intrusions". The bill was seconded by Elliott Krash and discussion included such issues as: whether or not speed traps are effective; how this device can help police by reducing the need for manpower; the usefulness of this device as a deterrent to speeding; and the education of the public about speed limits and speeding. The motion carried on a vote of six to three. John Wilson will forward the KCA position to legislators, with a copy to Lt. Hirata of the MCPD.

New Business
Kihei/Upcountry Highway: John Wilson introduced Diane Clarke who had expressed her concern to him after the General Meeting that no one who supported the highway had been called on to speak at the meeting. He explained that this was inadvertent and noted that audience members had been selected by each speaker, as well the presiding KCA officer. Following a summary of information presented at the General Meeting and a review of the past and current positions of the KCA and the upcountry community, Diane Clarke was given the opportunity to present her position. She explained that she, and all of the 40 people she consulted, assumed the highway would be built and supported it as a shorter, quicker route to business and recreation centers. She questioned whether the KCA, highway officials, and others had a true understanding of the entire community's preferences because the supporters had not been as outspoken as the opposition. Discussion among Board Members included the following points:

- The current KCA position not accurately reflecting the 1997 survey results.

- The fact that the survey did not represent all upcountry users because Pukalani and Makawao were not polled.

- The merits of having an alternate route to Kihei.

- The "improve existing roads" position in lieu of the "no build" position.

- The importance of protecting upcountry in exchange for a slightly longer commute.

- The numbers of commuters from Pukalani and Makawao (1600 in 1993) as the most important factor in determining the location of the terminus (at Haliimaile).

Karolyn Mossman proposed the following position for consideration and action:

On a motion by Erwin DePonte, seconded by John McDonald, the Board agreed unanimously to continue the discussion and defer action until the next meeting.

Maui Pineapple Market: Dick Mayer announced that Maui Pine has plans to build a market near King Kekaulike High School and proposed that the president request the Council Planning Committe to brief the KCA and to defer action pending KCA and community review. The Board agreed and John Wilson will contact appropriate officials.

Announcements
KCA Board Meeting: 2 April, Kula Elementary School, 5:30 p.m. Proposed agenda: Haleakala antennas, Kihei/Upcountry highway, General Meeting program and agenda.

KCA General Meeting: 21 May, Kula Community Center, 7:00 p.m. Proposed program: Substance Abuse.