Call to Order

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

Attendees

Members present were: Elliott Krash, Dick Mayer, John McDonald, Mitch Silver, John Wilson, Susan Guille, Alan Kaufman, Erwin DePonte, Steve Sutrov.

Members excused were: Cathy Ross, Ernest Soares, Gerri Hestand.

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

Guests: Alan Lee, Kula Hospital Administrator.

Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer John McDonald reported a previous balance from 5/27 General Meeting of $1733.80. With revenues of $21.00 (Dues $15. Refreshment Donations $6.) and expenditures of $146.17 (Haleakala Times $6.25, new Banner $104.00, Admin expenses $25.42 and General Meeting expenses $10.50) leaves a current balance of $1608.63. On a motion from Dick Mayer and a second from Elliott Krash the report was accepted subject to audit.

Secretary’s Report

On a motion by Steve Sutrov with a second by Erwin DePonte, the minutes of the 6 May Board Meeting were approved as submitted by Elliott Krash.

Communications

To KCA from: Brian Jenkins, letter of resignation due to time constraints.

Membership: There are currently 194 paid members.

Crime & Safety: Ernest Soares reports crime is down in the Kula area. There were no burglaries in April.

There is not a hiring freeze at the Police Dept.

Haleakala Highway/Crater Road Zoning Request: The county council has asked for our help in determining

what the community wants in terms of the zoning on Crater Road. They want community input before they make a determination to change it from 1 acre rural to 1/2 acre rural. This request for change has been made by affected property owners. This is contrary to the designation in the Upcountry General Plan. What is the best way to reach the community on this issue? We discussed the use of our web page to do an Internet survey. We would need to post a chronology of this situation so people would be informed in order to express an opinion. Perhaps an article in the Haleakala Times and the Maui News would alert the community to the Internet survey. We would have to

move on this issue if we want to present it at the August General Meeting.

Kihei/Upcountry Highway Update: The new administration of Mayor James "Kimo" Apana supports the Upcountry General Plan recommendation that the highway would connect between Road C in Kihei and Haliimaile Rd. Upcountry. The project manager of the Dept. of Transportation has indicated that they will be holding two meetings regarding the draft environmental impact assessment, one in Kula and one in Kihei once it is issued in the next month or two.

Kula Hospital Needs Assessment: Presentation By Kula Hospital Director Alan Lee. A brief history of the hospital was given. What services does the upcountry community need from the Kula Hospital? At one time the ambulance service was housed at the hospital. The hospital is now providing institutionalized long-term care for elders and severely mentally handicapped individuals. The clinic is privatized and managed by Ohana Physicians. The clinic offers walk-in and routine care, not emergency care. The hospital now has 2 acute care beds and management is considering increasing this to 8 acute care beds, which would reduce long term care beds. There was discussion on increasing the total acute care beds when the 2 that exist are never both full and there is a waiting list for the long term care beds. The reason is economics. Kula Hospital would receive more money from insurance programs for acute care than long term care. Maui Memorial hospital has a shortage of acute care beds, so perhaps Kula Hospital could take up the slack. What plans are being made for long term elder care as the population ages? A survey was done 10 yrs. ago regarding this issue and it was suggested that we refer back to our records for the results. The Board is willing to assist the Kula Hospital in surveying the community again regarding the communities needs for the future. Perhaps a partnership can be developed by the State ( Kula Hospital) and a private enterprise to develop the available lands for senior housing. At the moment the Kula Hospital property is on ceded land. Mr. Lee was asked to give us direction on how he would like to proceed next with a community survey.

August and November General Meeting Programs: The August meeting will be held on Thursday August 19th

at 7:00pm at the Kula Community Center. Proposed program will be an update of the Kihei/Upcountry Highway

and a presentation on the Crater Road zoning request. Proposed program for the November General Meeting

Kula Healthcare, a Legislative Report and election of officers.

Newsletter: A newsletter mailing is planned for October.

Announcements

Board Meeting: 1 July, Kula Elementary School. 5:30PM.

General Meeting: 19 August, Kula Community Center 7:00pm. tentative program: Kihei/Upcountry Highway and Crater Road zoning request.

Adjournment