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View Point
A recent survey by the Trust for Public Land makes a compelling case: The loss of Maui's most precious natural resources to unchecked, inappropriate development leads to sprawl, traffic congestion and a disconnect with the aina, reducing the quality of life for isle residents. With creative
planning, we can
save the ainaThe survey of more than 400 Maui County voters identified a number of concerns held by Maui residents for the future of our islands. Among the most serious issues, drugs and drug abuse topped the poll at 95 percent, while 91 percent of those polled cited traffic congestion.
Unplanned sprawl, loss of coastal lands, and pollution of the coast all ranked within the next highest categories, not less than 86 percent of the voters citing these issues as somewhat to extremely serious. Loss of natural and agricultural lands, the deterioration of cultural sites and pollution of drinking water were noted as well.
The recognition of these issues is exacerbated with Maui's recent development surge. Look at Palauea Beach. The eloquent testimony last year by many Maui residents, recalling memories of walking barefoot upon the unpaved red soil of Makena road to Palauea Beach, was drowned out by the
cha-ching of mainland money flowing in to acquire beachfront "trophy home" sites.
A heritage once taken for granted will lie still, beneath the hardened concrete of luxury homesites for the nouveau riche. The opportunity to acquire and protect Palauea Beach some years ago, before property values soared to unbelievable levels, was lost, and the county was forced to compromise at great cost with nominal public benefit.
Startling, too, at that same hearing, was the voice of the Hotel Association, acknowledging Maui's unmistakable and valuable appeal to tourists wishing to experience the "real" Hawaii, while at the same time making clear the association would not pay "one penny more" to acquire and protect beaches like Palauea.
Yet, there is hope. In the survey, respondents were asked if they were willing to contribute, through property taxes, to create a dedicated fund for the acquisition and preservation of the most important land, water, recreational and cultural sites on Maui, Molokai and Lanai. The majority of those questioned said yes: 67 percent of those asked would be willing to increase taxes up to 2.5 percent -- or about $14 a year for the average homeowner -- to assure protection of open space and coastal lands on Maui.
The 2.5 percent set-aside of the county's property tax revenue would create a fund for conservation acquisitions and protection of about $2.2 million per year.
When funding for land acquisition isn't coming from the state, counties need to find alternative ways to preserve their important green spaces. Successful examples of this can be found on the mainland. For instance, San Francisco voters recently approved a park, recreation and open space fund through a charter amendment that generated $510 million for city and county projects.
The funds for protection must come from somewhere. Potential sources include the property tax, transient accommodations tax, sales tax, or perhaps other creative ways, such as a preservation fund check-off option on hotel bills. But a dedicated source must be identified and implemented. In the meantime, the bulldozers are not stilled.
We haven't the luxury of time to lose. There is a clear and demonstrated will to see Hawaii's finest resources protected. There are courses of action to empower this will, and we must pursue them. Nothing less than our future is at risk.
Jeffrey Mikulina is director of the
Sierra Club-Hawaii Chapter.