The Maui News mischaracterized the testimony I presented at the Kahului Airport Master Plan public meeting (“Longer runway in 20-year plans,” March 15). I provided substantive comments and analysis based on two years of involvement in the master plan process and attendance at various informational meetings.

The combined effect of the proposed airport projects will be the transformation of Central Maui as we know it today. The green fields and open views we currently enjoy will be replaced by a concrete urbanscape similar to what surrounds Honolulu airport.

Residents living in Upcountry Maui and residents living from Spreckelsville to Hana will find it increasingly difficult to get into town for work, business, shopping and entertainment. The quality of life for Maui residents will be greatly diminished.

Most importantly, I questioned whether the purpose of the meetings and all the money spent to facilitate them was simply to satisfy some legal requirement and not to actually work with Maui residents to come up with a more moderate consensus plan.

Under present circumstances, the process for public participation in the Kahului Airport Master Plan is flawed. There should be a mechanism for rejecting and removing projects, or conversely, adding projects that might truly serve the community and be cost-effective. The Department of Transportation should show its willingness to engage in a more open give-and-take endeavor.

Jeff Parker

Haiku