March 14, 2007

East Maui Watershed Partnership
Tourists come to Maui for our lush green mountains, sandy beaches, and clear nearshore waters. The people of this island enjoy fresh water captured by the forest from rain and fog. Our spirits are soothed and renewed by the beautiful scenery. Maui’s culture and economy are rooted in the well being of our natural environment.

Yet, have you ever wondered how the mountains stay so green, and our nearshore waters so clear? Who takes care of them? Does nature take care of itself?

Nature does take care of itself, if left alone. However, our island  continues to be invaded by plants and animals that disrupt the balance of our native ecosystems. 

The East Maui Watershed Partnership works on the windward slopes of Haleakala to remove invasive species and prevent them from entering and destroying our pristine native forests so that nature can heal itself. They teach students how invasive weeds like miconia accelerate the erosion and pollution of our coastal waters. They lead
educational hikes where participants might see first hand the damage feral animals create in a native forest.

The Partnership works to ensure that the people of Maui will always have a beautiful, healthy watershed that provides us with fresh, clean water, and nourishes our spirit, our culture, and our island’s economy.  www.eastmauiwatershed.org

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Aloha Recycling
Redeeming your HI 5 containers is easy at Aloha Recycling. There are ten of us ready to assist you. We’re
located in Kahului, directly across from VIP Cash and Carry, and our motto is customer service. We have people from Kapalua and Hana, Kula to Wailea, who come see us to experience the Aloha of recycling.

 We’re open from 8am to 4:30pm most days, except for Monday when the hours are 7am to 5pm. We take Sundays off to rest. We do not close at all during the day, and our bins are never full so we won’t turn you away. Large loads are accepted at any time. Bring your full trailer, bring your friends. We have lemonade or Tang, free, every day, and a hand washing station too.

 We believe in the importance of recycling, and our goal is to make recycling easy and fun. We have bins available for you if your items aren’t sorted, and we’ll even help you sort them if we’re not too busy.

On a small island such as this, recycling is so important. We’ve been in the business for fourteen years as a testament to our commitment.  For more information, visit www.aloha-recycling.com

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Smart Roof  Systems
Aloha, my name is Franklin Russell. I am proudly selling the photovoltaic system that doubles as your roof and gives more energy than glass-type photovoltaic panels. This roof is very strong and light weight. Smart Roof has the clean lines of standing seam steel roofing with Uni-Solar laminates bonded to the pans.  Several colors are available; Mauna Kea White, Sand Green and Tahitian Bronze to name a few.

Uni-Solar laminates are virtually indestructible and have a 20 year warranty. The laminates can be walked on, hit with golf balls, have hammers dropped on them etc.  Smart Roof is the most installed PV in the state of Hawaii. The laminates are made in the United States by United Solar Systems Ovonic, the roofing is from HPM.

Also, I will be your consumer  energy advocate to help you go off-the-grid or zero out your energy use without batteries. I sell wind generators from South West Wind Power as well. Hawaii’s best installers will get the job done right. Solar and wind energy are free. Use them and you too will be free.

Please visit my website at: smartroofsystems.com.  Mahalo to all, Smart Roof Systems 808-876-0377.

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Community Workday
Inconvenient Truth: A two mile stretch of highway contains approximately 32,000 pieces of litter. And over half of that is probably cigarette butts.

Volunteers across the country are rallying to improve their local parks, public spaces, waterways, hiking trails, sidewalks and streets by participating in Keep America Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup™, the nation’s largest annual community improvement program, which takes place from March 1 through May 31. Maui County kicks-off activities with the Americorp volunteers who are on island after spending time cleaning up Hurricane ravaged areas.

Community groups are gearing up for the Keep Hawaii Beautiful Day on Saturday, April 28 . Those interested in participating in a clean up during the campaign, or wish to coordinate a group, can call Community Work Day Program at 808-877-2524. Free bags will be distributed to participants.

Community Work Day Program dedicates itself to educating people about clean and beautiful environments. This includes, but is not limited to, litter pickups, recycling programs, native plant restoration, park and roadside improvements, classroom demonstrations, and “teach the teacher” programs. Volunteers are the heart of the program. The website address is www.cwdhawaii.org or you can email them at cwdkhb@pixi.com.

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Sierra Club
In 1978 the Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter made the first successful National Federal lawsuit (Palila vs. Hawaii) where an animal was named as the plaintiff. The Palila is a small forest bird that depends upon the
native Mamane tree and it’s habitat was being destroyed and left unprotected by over grazing from feral
ungulates. The Sierra Club sued and won in Federal Court. The state had to fence off and protect critical
endangered species habitat.

In another case (Waiahole Ditch decision) the Sierra Club, through Earth Justice, successfully went to court to restore stream flows and put agriculturally diverted water back into streambeds on Oahu and Maui. The Sierra Club won again and the “The four great waters” or Na Wai Eha streams are well on their way to permanent watershed conservation protection.

Time after time whether it be preserving an incredible coastline such as Makena, or protecting a National Park, or forcing the disclosure of a GMO crop/field in Hawaii you will find Sierra Club activists in the front lines.
Last year one of the greatest conservation acts in the history of Hawaii, “The Legacy Lands Act” was successfully signed into law as a result of Sierra Club advocacy. For the first time the State of Hawaii had a way to fund the acquisition, conservation and maintenance of pristine lands and Natural Areas. Help grass roots advocacy and join the Sierra Club today! www.hi.sierraclub.org

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Maui Ocean Center
Maui Ocean Center celebrates its ninth Anniversary with nine days of activities, from March 18-26! Come visit the Hawaiian Aquarium for behind-the-scenes tours, book signings, children’s camp and sleepover, and a special new activity each day!

Each day during the event, a different local nonprofit will provide a keiki activity! For each Family Membership Pass sold, a $5 donation will be made to the non-profit of the day and  $1 will be donated for each Weekly Pass sold as well! Non-Profits include Hawaii Wildlife Fund, Boys and Girls Club, Hawaii Nature Center, Project SEA-Link and more! Maui Ocean Center’s Spring Ocean Camp will take place March 19-30, Monday - Friday for children ages
7-12. Kids will spend the day with trained ocean naturalists, learning about Hawaii’s unique marine life. Cost is $75 per day, $325 for a week.

Keiki in 3rd through 8th grade can also ‘Sleep with the Sharks’ on Saturday, March 24. Kids will get a chance to feed the hammerhead sharks and the green sea turtles, learn all about sharks and rays, discover how some animals can make their own light and much more! Cost is $55 per child. Call 808-270-7075 or visit www.mauioceancenter.com for reservations, schedules and info!

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Yellow Seed Bamboo
Yellow Seed Bamboo has moved to a new location off the Hana Hwy., at the bottom of West Kuiaha Road. We are open for business while completing the construction of our new facility and the expansion of our operation.

We propagate 35 different varieties of non-invasive clumping bamboo ideal for timber, wind break, privacy barrier, landscape ornamentals and much more.

We intend to continue supplying Hawaii with hedge material and ornamentals, but more importantly we are hoping to establish timber bamboo plantations. Our nursery will  have the capability to produce massive amounts of plants, transport them and then establish plantations. We believe that bamboo will become a major building material for Hawaii, so why not grow it here? Bamboo plantations would lessen our need to import building materials, in addition to repairing our degradated soils and creating more jobs. Awareness of the delicate condition of our environment is spreading and growing bamboo could help us restore life and fertility to our soil, thus healing the land.

Anyone with ideas or opportunities are welcome to contact Jericho Stringer at 808-870-0591. In the future we plan to sponsor bamboo building workshops, bamboo talks and organic agriculture lectures. For dates or more information check out our website: yellowseedbamboo.com.

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Rising Sun Solar Electric
Tired of paying higher electric bills? Within the last three years, the cost of oil and electricity in Hawaii has risen approximately 20 percent per year. The Maui-based Rising Sun Solar Electric aims to change that by helping people “get off the gas.”
 
“The world has come to grips with global warming and the fact that we can do something to change it,” said founder Matias Bessaso. Unlike a hot water system a Net Metered solar electric system generates electricity and allows customers to spin their electric meter in reverse. Rising Sun’s founder Brad Albert explained: “The generation of electricity is the Number One cause of air pollution and global warming. When you purchase a
renewable energy system, you own your power instead of renting it every month. You save money and help save the environment.”

Specializing in the design, sales, and installation of solar electric (PV) and hot water systems, Rising Sun Solar Electric pioneered the use of solar net-metered systems in Hawaii — installing more systems than any other contractor on Maui. Among many projects, it has partnered with the State and the utility on the Sun Power for Schools Program and the Natural Energy Lab in Kona.
 
As a certified Sharp and SMA installer, the world’s largest manufacturers of solar panels and inverters, Rising Sun backs its products with a 25-year warranty.

For more information or a free estimate, call 808-579-8287 or visit www.risingsunsolar.com.

Rising Sun founded the nonprofit Hawaii PV Coalition (www.hawaiipvcoalition.org) with other homeowners and businesses to promote awareness about Hawaii’s energy future.

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Pacific Whale Foundation
During the 1970s when humpback whales were on the brink of extinction, a group of Maui residents – including a young man named Greg Kaufman – joined together to help save the whales. With a shoestring budget and the desire to make a difference, they founded the nonprofit Pacific Whale Foundation in 1980.

Since then, Pacific Whale Foundation’s marine research, public education and conservation programs have worked to protect whales and their ocean home.

Pacific Whale Foundation’s research has spanned the Pacific, including whale studies in Hawaii, Japan, Alaska, Tonga, Australia and Ecuador, plus studies of Maui’s coral reefs, wild dolphins and toothed whales. Their award-winning marine education programs have served thousands of local schoolchildren through field trips and classroom programs for grades K-12. The foundation’s many visitor education programs promote eco-friendly enjoyment of Maui’s ocean environment.

Pacific Whale Foundation’s Eco-Adventures include whalewatches, snorkel tours to Molokini and Lana’i, and sunset cruises. Recognized as a leader in ecotourism and responsible wildlife watching, Pacific Whale Foundation’s recent innovations include Whale Protection Devices to protect whales from vessel propellers, and using biodegradable cups, plates and utensils. One hundred percent of the profits help fund research, education and conservation projects on behalf of whales and the oceans. To learn more, visit www.pacificwhale.org or call 808-249-8811.

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Aloha Honua
Aloha Honua, your Upcountry nursery, is a family operated, five and a half acre plant nursery in beautiful Olinda. They have been serving Maui for over 30 years.

Billy Irvine is a native Hawaiian and his love of plants was inspired early by his parents, who grew plants for charitable organizations on Oahu. He spent his summers working at the Tomlinson’s Kahana Gardens in West Maui. Later, he built his house across the street from the Gardens and had plant sales during the weekends.

In 1976, he moved his family to Olinda to turn a former cabbage farm into an environmentally friendly plant nursery, which does not use pesticides or herbicides on their plant stock. “I find the plants are stronger when this approach is utilized,” Irvine said. Families have been coming to his nursery for the quality of his plants. “Our road is a little bumpy but the plants are definitely worth it!” They offer planting advice and thoroughly service their customers with a plant “warm line” answering their questions to make sure their plants grow and prosper. “We treat our customers like ohana. Without them, we wouldn’t be here,” Billy says.

They specialize in 36 varieties of dwarf citrus and avocados, beautiful Big Island hapu‘u and landscape plants and trees. The newest addition is the construction of the nursery’s Hawaiian garden and lo‘i.
Operation hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-4pm. For further information call 572-9440.

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Maui Tomorrow
“Maui’s people deserve to have a real voice in the choices facing our island home,” said Maui Tomorrow executive Vice-President Judith Michaels. “Folks count on Maui Tomorrow to ask the hard questions and get the facts.”

Maui Tomorrow speaks up on the issues. Affordable housing needs to come first, before more luxury development. Maui’s streams should flow once again to the sea, free of corporate control. Public funds should mean public accountability for the proposed Superferry. Maui needs clean, locally produced energy, not imported fuels. We need practical policies and plans to keep our coastal lands open and natural for local residents to use and enjoy. We need to shift planning priorities so our small towns, rural communities and small farmers can continue to play an important role in Maui’s future.

There are challenges that lie ahead as Maui plans its future. Cherished places such as the lands surrounding Makena state park, Honolua Bay, Baldwin Beach and Molokai’s La‘au Point  all are at risk for massive developments, geared towards outside investors. These plans are not a done deal. Maui Tomorrow welcomes your support. Together we can shape Maui’s future to fulfill the hopes and dreams of local families.

www.maui-tomorrow.org

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Maui Coastal Land Trust
Tickets are now on sale for the Maui Coastal Land Trust’s 6th Anniversary “Buy Back The Beach” fundraiser at the Old Lahaina Lu‘au, Saturday, March 24.

Created by a handful of volunteers in response to the increasing threat of coastal development, the land trust now has hundreds of supporters and volunteers of all ages and backgrounds.

“The people of Maui are very aware of the need to protect our precious shoreline and open space so we pretty much sell out every year,” said Helen Nielsen, president of the land trust.  “If you want to get a great table for yourself and your friends, it’s best to make early reservations.”

Since its creation, the land trust raised more than $5 million to purchase 277 acres of shoreline in Waihe‘e and has acquired easements on an additional 190 acres of land across Maui, according to Dale Bonar, executive director of the trust. Other easements and acquisitions totaling another 500 acres, including prime agricultural lands are in the offing.

The mission of the land trust is to preserve and protect coastal land and open space in Maui Nui for the benefit of the natural environment and of current and future generations.

Tickets are $135 per person or $1,080 for a preferred, reserved table for eight and are available by calling the land trust office at 808-244-5263. Visa, Master Charge and American Express are accepted.

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Maui Invasive Species Committee
Maui County is in the midst of an alien species invasion that threatens the islands’ environment, economy, and quality of life. Non-native plants such as miconia, grow out of control producing millions of seeds annually, threatening to take over natural areas and watersheds. Non-native animals such as the coqui frog jeopardize the evening’s peace, tourist revenue and residents’ property values. Containing and removing these unwanted visitors costs millions of dollars a year.

With the increase of traffic to and from the islands, this influx is not likely to stop. This is where the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) helps out. MISC is a partnership of government, non-profit, and private organizations working to protect Maui County from the most harmful invasive plants and animals that threaten our environment, economy, and quality of life. MISC works to prevent invasive species from becoming established, controls invasive species on public and private properties and educates the public about how to protect Maui County from these pests.

To learn about MISC’s work and the invasive species it targets, visit www.mauiisc.org or call 808-573-MISC (6472).  By educating yourself about these pests, you can help keep Maui no ka ‘oi!

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Maui County Recycling Section
Well another year has passed and we are again celebrating Earth Day. The County Recycling Section is delighted to report additional recycling services and numerous triumphs, with  highlights described below.

SOS Island Metals Recycling opened a new state-of-the-art metals recycling plant in the Central Maui Baseyard. Now, in addition to Kitagawa’s existing metals recycling facility, Maui County has two on-island metal recyclers, when just over a year ago there were none. Both businesses process appliances, abandoned vehicles and other scrap metals.

Residents have two free options for recycling their appliances. They can take the appliance directly to SOS Metals Recycling, Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm, Saturday, 8am-Noon. Call 808-280-8844 for directions.  Or call the County’s Refuse collection office to make an appointment for pick up. Call 808-572-3958 for upcountry and call 808-270-7452 for central and all other areas. Be sure to leave a voice message with a phone number you can be reached at for reservation confirmation.

Maui experienced success at keeping computers out of our landfill! About 70 tons of computers were collected and were either donated to non-profits and residents or shipped off island to a certified recycler.

Several locations around the county were equipped with HI 5 recycling bins. The bins are provided with grant funds from the State Deposit Beverage Container Program to encourage residents to recycle wherever they go. Look for these bins at select community centers, the MACC, Kaahumanu movie theater, Kaahumanu mall food court and the 24 Hour Fitness Gym. In addition, the Recycling Section is now working with the Parks Department to provide outdoor recycling bins in the public parks. Look for the test projects popping up this summer at a park near you.

A brand new Kihei Recycling and Redemption Center is planned to break ground for construction and will be located adjacent to the current facility on Welakahao Road.

The County  also awarded a Public Works and Environmental Management Recycling Grant to Maui Recycling Group to do a Tour de Trash.  Take an educational ride on this fascinating tour to learn exactly where your waste and recyclables go when they leave your home. Call 808-878-6666 to make  reservations.

This year has witnessed the expansion of many recycling services for the public with plans for more to come.  For more recycling information visit our new updated website at www.mauicounty.gov/recycle  or call the Recycle Maui County Hotline 808-270-7880. A Hui Hou and mahalo for recycling!

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