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, John McDonald, Mitch Silver, Steve Sutrov, and John Wilson.

Members excused were: Sue Guille, Gerri Hestand, Alan Kaufman, Dick Mayer, and Cathy Ross.

Members absent were: Brian Jenkins, Tom Jewell, Ben Keau, and Henry Lau.

Others excused were: Kula Community Police Officer, Ernest Soares who was unable to attend, but stopped by before the meeting to review the agenda and share information.

Others present were Maui County Council Land Use Committee Representatives: Chair, J. Kalani English; Vice Chair, Charmaine Tavares; and Legal Analyst, Richelle Kawasaki.

Treasurer's Report

Treasurer John McDonald corrected the previous balance of 1 April from $1671.37 to $1674.07. With income of $65 from dues and expenses of $7 for the Treasurer's deposit stamp, the current balance is $1732.07. On a motion by Steve Sutrov, seconded by Erwin DePonte, the report was accepted subject to audit. Also approved unanimously was a motion by Steve Sutrov, seconded by Erwin DePonte, to reimburse the Program Committe for General Meeting expenditures - up to $100 for refreshments and $50 for advertisements.

Secretary's Report

On a motion by Mitch Silver, seconded by Erwin DePonte, the minutes of the 1 April Board Meeting were approved as submitted by Elliott Krash.

From KCA to:

- Robert Takitani, Chair, Board of Water Supply: KCA survey results and position on DWS

- David Craddick, Director, Department of Water Supply: Copy of letter to Takitani

- Mayor Kimo Apana: Topics for May 27 General Meeting presentations

- Charmaine Tavares, County Council Member: Copy of memo to Mayor

- County Council Members: Notice of May 27 General Meeting

- Pat Kawano, Chair, County Council: KCA position on solid waste/recycling proposal

- Wayne Nishiki, Chair, Budget Committee, County Council: KCA position on budget

To KCA from:

- Land & Natural Resources: Response to KCA on Haleakala Summit Plans

- Kalani English, County Council: Thank you for comment on budget; request for meeting on land use issue

- Pat Kawano, Chair, County Council: Confirmation of receipt of KCA letter on solid waste/recycling

Committee Reports

Water: Elliott Krash reported on the Upcountry Water Task Force. Pursuant to the Task Force recommendation that the reservoirs planned for Kamole be relocated to Piiholo, DWS staff contacted property owner Tam, will investigate possible land trades, and plans to do aerial, map, and ground studies of the area to identify an appropriate site. DWS staff and committee members reported on the status of legislation to provide funding for the planning additional Upcountry water source and storage facilities. The bill is still alive but funding has been reduced from $2,000,000 to $250,000. The Task Force again discussed imposition of a higher water rate for Upcountry during times of drought. Opposition to the concept was based on several factors, including:

- Additional data is needed on implementation rules, experience in other communities, costs, and other possible impacts before additional fees are levied.

- An increase would affect the poor unfairly, all users across the county should pay the same, and any increase should be shared by all.

- Until the Haiku wells are on line, there will not be water available to pump Upcountry during a drought and no additional costs will be incurred which would need to be passed along to Upcountry water consumers.

The Task Force voted not to support the drought rate and expressed support for across-the-board rather than target-group increases. To gather more information on the status of the Haiku wells, the Task Force proposed that Issac Hall be invited to the next meeting. New BWS Board Member Jonathon Starr joined the meeting and shared information on the DWS budget problems, including the depletion of capital reserves, the bonded level and debt/asset ratio, and the possibility of negative cash flows.

Membership: Elliott Krash reported for Gerri Hestand that seven membership payments were received since the last meeting.

Unfinished Business

May General Meeting: Elliott Krash reported that press releases were sent to the Haleakala Times and the Maui News and the list of discussion topics generated at the last KCA Board Meeting was faxed and hand carried to the Mayor's and Directors' offices and copied via email to Charmaine Tavares and also to other Council Members with an informal invitation to attend. John McDonald, Mitch Silver, Steve Sutrov, and John Wilson volunteered to help with setting-up furniture and equipment. Elliott Krash will contact Karolyn Mossman about plans for the coffee and snacks.

Haleakala Highway Median Strip: Steve Sutrov reported that the committee has completed its work and the architect's plans have been sent to the state for review and approval - a process which could take five to ten years before the work is actually completed.

Haleakala Summit Tours: Steve Sutrov reported he has an Air Force contact who can arrange a group tour of the military installations on Haleakala.

New Business

Haleakala Highway Zoning Request: John Wilson introduced County Council Land Use Committee Chair J.Kalani English who presented the Committe Vice Chair, Charmaine Tavares and Legal Analyst, Richelle Tavares. They requested the KCA's assistance in reaching out to the community to ensure that residents are informed about the matter. They distributed a chronology and summarized the issues related to the appeal by Sherman DePonte and other Crater Road property owners to change the zoning of their parcels of land from RU-1 to RU-0.5. The issues addressed in the chronology, presentation, and discussion centered on the competing, conflicting interests and needs of individual property owners and the community as a whole, including:

- The Upcountry Community Plan identifies the loss of rural character as a primary concern.

- The Crater Road property owners were not personally notified of the zoning change.

- The RU-1 zoning reduces the value of the property for owners who wish to subdivide, but increases value for those who wish to maintain a rural ambiance.

- An increase in density would require additional infrastructure and services.

- Individual land owners wishing to subdivide could seek an amendment to the Community Plan and a change in zoning - family subdivisions have been favorably reviewed in the past - but this approach is costly.

Following discussion, there was general agreement that the topic would be mentioned at the May General Meeting and the chronology/summary paper would be available; information could be posted on the KCA web site; the KCA summer newsletter could have an article and or survey; there could be a presentation and discussion at the August General Meeting; and the Council would hold a meeting on the matter at the Kula Community Center in late August or September.

August General Meeting: John Wilson noted that a report on the Kihei/Upcountry Highway is another topic that has been proposed for the August General Meeting agenda. He will contact Highway Department official to determine the status of the project.

Announcements

Board Meeting: 3 June, Kula Elementary School, 5:30 p.m. Agenda: General Meeting program.

General Meeting: 27 May, Kula Community Center, 7 p.m. Program: Focus on Kula - Mayor Apana and Directors of Parks, Planning, and Public Works

Adjournment