GOALS AND FUTURE VISION FOR OUR WAI`ANAE COAST
“COUNTRY FOREVER”
I feel the biggest issue facing the Wai`anae Coast has been best articulated by community leader Eric Enos: the need to be in control of our own destiny, for example, in the areas of development, land use, and resource-allocation. I like what is happening in areas like the North Shore with land trusts for the public interest.
Here in Wai`anae we have begun to do the same, with MA`O Farm leveraging over $700,000 in Legacy Lands funds to purchase 11 acres in Lualualei Valley. I want to continue this trend, as well as address many of our community’s pressing needs.
TRAFFIC
Turns Lanes & Contraflow: complete turn and contraflow lanes at Haleakala and Nanakuli Avenues
2nd Access: push for completion of the WCEAR (Wai`anae Coast Emergency Access Road), and explore alternate route to the Wai`anae Coast which does not disrupt agriculture lands or cultural sites, eg, the “over the mountain” route currently being considered by OMPO (Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization)
“People’s Path”: continue to organize work days and seek funding via Safe Routes to School, Rails to Trails, and other private and government sources to extend the state’s planned bike path that ends at Lualualei Naval Road further along the Coast
HOUSING
Self-Help Housing Farming Co-Op: apply for Legacy Lands funds through a partnership with Self-Help Housing HI, the Oahu Land Trust, and other groups
Affordable Housing: create a grant program for third party review (permit processing by private companies) for affordable housing projects
EDUCATION
Cool Schools: continue to allocate funds for air conditioning, power upgrades and fans for schools
Job Training: urge Governor to release $3m I obtained for LCC-W’s expansion to support training programs for worker shortage areas, eg, teachers, medical professionals, social workers, engineers, etc.
ENVIRONMENT
Parks and Stream Restoration: apply for the City’s Clean Water and Natural Lands fund to create more parks and restore streams
Renewable Energy: require that new construction utilize renewable energy; explore alternative energy sources, such as ocean thermal, and wave, wind, and solar energy
HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Universal Healthcare: support government-funded universal healthcare
Illegal Dumpsites: shut down illegal dumpsites by working with EPA, the media, and concerned residents
Land Use: require that Land Use Commission have members that specialize in the environment and Hawaiian culture
HAWAIIAN
Ceded & Public Land Preservation: continue to oppose the state’s ability to sell and exchange public and ceded land via resolution (e.g., HCR21-26, HCR32-34, HCR36, and HCR320 from 2010), and push for a moratorium on such sales/exchanges so that a ceded lands inventory can be completed, and to preserve these lands for future generations.
E Ala Voyaging Canoe: build an ocean education center and halau on the Wai`anae Coast for the E Ala canoe
HUMAN RIGHTS
Civil Rights: “Kim here and just read Westside Stories and your open letter to the community regarding the Civil Unions Bill. I applaud your great Wisdom and Educational Smarts. Yes more people should have read clearly HB444. In no way does it negate traditional marriage, but addresses Civil rights for one and all. Mahalo Plenty.” (8/1/10 Email to Maile)
