Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by President John Wilson at 7:00 p.m. in the Kula Community Center. Approximately 25 people were present. Following several brief announcements about the displays and handouts, the meeting was recessed for ten minutes to allow time for late arrivals and for those present to peruse the displays.

Treasurer's Report

Treasurer Karolyn Mossman reported that the previous balance on 21 August was reported as $1047.18, and following audit, was corrected to $1105.07. There were revenues of $571.79 (including $490 from dues, $60 from T-shirts, $17 for refreshments, and $4.79 in interest) and expenditures of $453.19 (including $214.29 for refreshments, $200 for a donation to Outdoor Circle for the Five Trees project, and $38.90 for administrative expenses) bringing the current balance to $1223.67. On a motion by Steve Sutrov, the report was accepted, subject to audit.

Secretary's Report

On a motion by Sue Guille, seconded by Steve Sutrov, the minutes of the 21 May, 27 August, and 15 October General Meetings were approved as submitted by Secretary Elliott Krash.

Communications

Haleakala Broadcast Facility: A letter was sent by John Wilson, on behalf of the Board of Directors, to Dr. John McLaren of the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy, asking that an Environmental Impact Statement be done in light of concerns that have been raised including disruption of wildlife habitats, visual aesthetics, and disturbance of archaelogical sites.

Committee Reports

In the interest of time and in lieu of individual committee reports, President John Wilson distributed a list of recent activities of the Kula Community Association.

Unfinished Business

Kihei/Upcountry Highway: John Wilson reported that 80% of the respondents to the KCA Newsletter survey supported the KCA Board position opposing the Pulehu, Kulamalu, and Five Trees termini options; supporting improvements to existing roads; and supporting the Haliimaile terminus as the best option if a Kihei/Upcountry Highway is built. He also reported that the draft Environmental Assessment will be released by early 1999 and it will review the various routes under consideration.

New Business

County Council Budget Priorities: A list of KCA concerns was distributed and members were asked to add items and to rank them in order of priority.

Election of Officers and Board of Directors: Nominations Committee Chair, Sue Guille, presented the slate of officers. On a motion by Erwin DePonte, seconded by Karolyn Mossman, the following officers were acclaimed unanimously: President - John Wilson; Vice President - Elliott Krash; Secretary - Sue Guille; and Treasurer - John McDonald. John Wilson and Elliott Krash read the slate of Directors and on a motion by Karolyn Mossman, seconded by Gerri Hestand, closure of the nominations was approved and the slate was accepted by acclamation.

Program: Haleakala Broadcast Facility

John Wilson presented Sue Guille who gave an overview of the program and introduced the speakers. Following brief presentations, there were questions from the audience and responses and comments by the presenters and other guests. Following are highlights of the remarks and discussion:

Protect Haleakala Coalition: The Coalition recognizes the need for the astronomers to find ways to reduce interference from broadcast transmissions but opposes the placement of antennas on the Kalepeamoa site. Mary Evanson showed slides of this undeveloped site that is proposed for four broadcast towers of up to 199 feet each. Her pictures and comments illustrated the stark beauty of the area, the unique rock formations, nearby petrel sites, archaeological ruins located in the region, and other features considered worthy of protection. Cliff Hasegawa reviewed a handout that highlighted aspects of Hawaii's environmental laws and listed findings of the Draft Environmental Assessment and the Coalition's responses. He emphasized the need for an Environmental Impact Statement and the Coalition's opposition to the expansion of scientific facilities on the summit.

Broadcasters: Chuck Bergson of Island Airwaves described the Keonihunihuni broadcast facility site on the Ulupalakua Ranch. His company has obtained permits and developed the site that could consolidate all broadcasters in this one location and would result in less interference for the astronomers than the Kalepeamoa site. From the Keonihunihuni facility, radio signals would be as good as those from the Kalepeamoa site, the TV signals to Kula would be better, but the TV signals to windward Oahu would be weaker. He stated that the Keohunihuni site is consistent with the County of Maui plans and addresses the concerns of native Hawaiians, conservationists, and environmentalists.

Astronomers: Mike Mayberry of the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy gave a slide show presentation on the use of the summit for astronomical studies since 1935. He showed maps and photos to demonstrate the proximity of the broadcast and scientific installations on the summit; cited data on past, present, and projected levels of interference; and showed photographs of typical interference. He noted that use of the Keohunihuni site would result in less interference for the astronomers than the Kalepeamoa site.

- TV broadcasters prefer the Kalepeamoa site because the signal to windward Oahu is stronger.

- Kula TV reception is poor because the signal is being beamed high above Kula to reach Oahu.

- Because the Department of Land and Natural Resources owns/controls the land where the current and proposed broadcast facilities are located, comments should be forwarded to DL&NR officials.

- Funding for the facilities at the Kalepeamoa site would come from the various users.

Announcements

KCA Membership: Dues for 1999 are payable by cash or check at any Board or General Meeting or by mail at the above address.

T-shirts: The Kula Vision/Curtis Cost design T-shirts are available at Morihara's Store or the Curtis Cost Gallery at the Kula Lodge.

General Membership Meetings (quarterly - second month, third Thursday, 7 p.m., Kula Community Center) 18 February - Agenda and Program TBD

3 December - Proposed school site Special Use Permit hearing

Beautification/Jacaranda Project: Henry Lau asked members to collect jacaranda seeds and give to him to raise for planting along Kula roads and highways.

Newsletter: John Wilson announced that the next newsletter will be sent in January and will include a

membership form, a list of the new officers and board members, and the County Council budget priorities list.

Adjournment

On a motion by Steve Sutrov, seconded by Karolyn Mossman, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.