Superferry Sister Ship: Navy Finds “Agressive” Corrosion

State Legislators Beware – If you buy the Superferries, you may be getting a rust-bucket.  This is the same company and virtually the same design as the “Superferry”. Bloomberg News Reports The U.S. Navy has discovered “aggressive” corrosion in Austal Ltd. (ASB)’s first new combat ship designed for operating close

What is the Real Situation with the Kanaha Building?

by Mike Moran Now that this topic has been addressed in a May 27 article, it seems even more incredible. The planning commission says no significant impact for a six-story, 93-foot building to be constructed at Kanaha Pond abutting the wildlife refuge, a designated National Natural Landmark, upon pile-driven beams

Planning Commission Doesn’t Like Kanaha Medical Bldg Height

From the Maui Newsby Harry Eager A presentation on the proposed Maui Medical Plaza project to the Maui Planning Commission this week revealed a difference of opinion about where the core of the Kahului commercial district lies. The site backs up on a bird refuge, but it also lies between

Kanaha Wetlands Pump Fails

Maui News has an article on the woes of the Kanaha wildlife refuge which include the pump which keeps the wetlands wet failing, feral cats killing the birds in the Wildlife Refuge, nearby property owners complaining about water drainage and the FAA complaining about birds.

6-story Kanaha Office Building Defered

Maui Planning Commission decided unanimously to postpone discussion on the draft environmental assessment for the proposed Maui Medical Plaza building and parking garage in Kahului next to the Kanaha wetlands.  They’ll take it up again at their next meeting in the second week of August. Commissioner Ward Mardfin said that

Friends of Lana’i: Big Wind

By ROBIN KAYE The June 14 article about Maui County’s powerful letter to the Public Utilities Commission – and the county’s decision to intervene in Hawaiian Electric Co.’s request to be reimbursed by ratepayers to the tune of $4 million – contained a number of inaccuracies. The article identifies two

Star Advertiser: Big Wind Must Be Transparent

The attempt by Honolulu-based Life of the Land to intervene so it could gain access to all the information about the project has been rejected by the PUC. The environmental organization's executive director, Henry Curtis, said his attempt to obtain public documents from the state has been resisted. Curtis said

Template for Maui Island Plan Comments

A sample template you can follow for sending written testimony regarding your recommended changes to the Goals, Objectives, and Policies found in Chapter 2: COMMENTS FROM DATE: NAME: ADDRESS: TO:PLANNING DIRECTOR SPENCE, GENERAL PLAN COMMITTEE CHAIR BAISA, AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS EMAIL ADDRESS TO: gp.committee@mauicounty.us, planning@mauicounty.gov RE: MIP CHAPTER 2 HERITAGE

Maui County: Prevent HECO Charging Ratepayers for Big Wind Planning

Earlier this summer, Hawaiian Electric asked for a new docket, 2011-0112, to allow it to be reimbursed for $3.9 million spent on planning. County Energy Coordinator Doug McLeod says the total is closer to $7 million, much of that from federal stimulus funds, and the project seems to be much

Mayor Comments on Council Budget

Mayor Approves 2012 Budget WAILUKU, Maui, Hawaii – Mayor Alan Arakawa approved Maui County’s budget for fiscal year 2012 today, praising County Council members and his own budget office staff for their hard work. “This is a good budget. About 98 percent of my office’s proposed operational budget was left