Kula Community Association
P.O. Box 417, Kula, Hawaii 96790
http://kulamaui.com

General Meeting Minutes
February 21, 2002

Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Elliott Krash at 7 p.m. at the Kula Community Center.

Attendees
At 8 p.m. approximately 104 people were present.

Treasurer's Report
The treasurer's report submitted by John Wilson showed the balance of $1902.59 on January 1, 2002. With year to date income of $115.94 ($00.94 interest income, $25 donations, $15 dues, and $75 deposit refund) and year to date expenses of $417.78 ($125 mail permit, $217.78 administrative expenses, and $75 community center deposit), the current balance is $1600.75. As there were no additions or corrections, the treasurer's report was filed for audit. 

Secretary's Report
The secretary's report of the November 15 meeting was distributed. There being no corrections, the minutes were approved as submitted by Verna Nahulu.

Committee Reports
Lighting- Outdoor Lighting Ordinance: Steve Sutrov reported briefly on the task force that is reviewing the draft outdoor lighting ordinance. He listed the members and some of the issues being debated and announced the upcoming meetings. 

Planning - Sign Ordinance: Elliott Krash reported that the proposed sign ordinance is in the final stages of County Council review and gave the dates for the upcoming meetings. 

Planning - Antenna Ordinance: John Wilson reported that a County Council committee is meeting to consider issues relating to antennas and other telecommunications infrastructure and an ordinance to regulate these structures.

Special Report 
Perry Artates and Pua Gomes of the Waiohuli Homesteads Association were introduced and given bouquets in recognition of their role in the successful opening of the project. They spoke briefly of the collaborative efforts between the County, the Department of Water Supply, and the Department of Hawaiian Homelands and they gave a special mahalo to Mayor "Kimo" Apana and Director of Water Supply David Craddick. Perry reported that there will ultimately be over 300 households on the 6000 acres. He emphasized that build out will be gradual, with the first lessees beginning to build within the next few months. He also noted that people will be moving to Waiohuli from other islands as well as the mainland. In response to audience comments, Perry stated that projected impacts on the schools, fire department, and other services were reviewed and are being upgraded as necessary. The Kula Elementary School principal explained that the new classroom complex was constructed in anticipation of growth at Waiohuli and in other parts of Kula and will accommodate the new students.

Upcountry Water
Kula Water - Past, Present, and Future: Jacky Takakura, Administrative Assistant to Director Craddick gave a power point presentation covering the following:
� Rules affecting water availability - 1977 Kula Rule and 1993 Shortage Finding limiting meter issuance
� Annual increase in meters - from approximately 2000 meters in 1964 to 9064 meters in 2001 
� Water planning factors - rules, rates, system adequacy, and water availability
� Factors affecting selection of CIP projects - health and safety, community input, system breaks, regulatory requirements, community plans, demand patterns
� Projects in the works Upcountry - Pookela well, Alae and Kokomo tanks, waterline replacements, Ulupalakua-Kanaio transmission line
� Projects in construction - transmission and distribution line replacements, Waikamoi flume replacement
� Projects completed - Kaupakalua well, Kekaulike and Olinda tanks, Waiohuli project, ag line phase 1, distribution lines Kaupakalua and Puuomalei
� Issues to be considered - planning process and water use, meter waiting list review and rule revision, DWS governance structure 
Issues addressed by Director Craddick in response to audience questions included:
� Improved service from Ulupalakua to Kanaio with new transmission line 
� Increased supply to Kula with Pookela well
� Upcountry hearing for new rule on meter issuance wait list

Upcountry Agricultural Water Distribution System
Jordan Lanini, Civil Engineer with the agency constructing the ag waterline, gave a power point presentation on the project covering;
� Problems with status quo of water for agriculture
� Project goals to address current ag water needs
� Project design and solutions 
� Project funding sources
� Photos illustrating phase 1 construction and major components of project
� Outline of Phase 2 and future phases
Discussion that followed focused on one landowner's concerns with the realignment of a portion of the line to avoid the costs associated with building and operating a booster pump. 

Announcements
All announcements were listed on the agenda and several were highlighted. Dick Mayer reminded the group that the Kihei/Upcountry Highway EIS would be released soon. Robin McMillan requested help with an Arbor Week project to clean up the area beside the Kula Ball Field and plant native trees and shrubs. 

Special Reports
Farm Bureau - Legislative Priorities: Warren Watanabe reported on various legislative initiatives to fund irrigation projects, fire weed eradication projects, and conservation districts.

Legislature 2002 - Issues affecting Kula: 
Kika Bukoski gave brief status reports and his position on Kula specific issues and several other items that would affect Kula residents, including: 
� Kula ambulance service hours
� Dengue fever clean-up work force
� University of Hawaii Astronomy Center
� Driver education
� Ag waterline funds
� Upcountry reservoir funds
� Traffic cameras
� Use of hurricane relief funds

Chris Halford commented on legislation under consideration in several broad areas with special significance for Kula, including: 
� Agriculture - need to support to protect open spaces and lifestyle as well as livelihood of residents and island economy
� Education - state versus local control, funding, and roles of the Board and the Superintendent

Audience comments and questions focused on the fourth lane for the Haleakala Highway and local school boards versus a state board. 

Charter Issues Overview
Charmaine Tavares discussed the importance of the Charter, explaining that it is Maui County's "constitution". She emphasized the need for citizens to be informed on the various Charter issues that will be on the ballot in November. She announced the dates for upcoming hearings and distributed copies of the current Charter, the Charter Review Commission's proposed amendments, and her own proposals. She then highlighted several of the proposals she considers the most important:
� Board/Department of Water Supply Governance - One proposal calls for greater autonomy and the other would make the DWS like all other County departments with the BWS having an advisory rather than policy making role.
� Planning - Numerous proposals address concerns of citizens and Council members that the current process needs to be more responsive to community needs and more efficient in accomplishing goals by establishing permanent Citizen Advisory Councils, setting time limits for all phases of the planning process, balancing the power of communities and developers and all other stakeholders.
Additional points addressed during discussion included:
� If B/DWS is autonomous, perhaps the Board Members should be elected. An autonomous BWS is a recipe for abuse and corruption.
� With the need for protecting our fragile environment and protecting the beauty that drives our tourism, a Department of Environmental Services should be established, separate from the Department of Public Works and Waste Management.
� In response to a question, Charmaine stated that term limits for Council Members is something the voters should be able to decide. She commented that she felt a two years term is adequate.

Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.