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Maui mayor
pushes budget aimed at
preserving beaches

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By Gary Kubota
Star-Bulletin

WAILUKU -- Maui Mayor James "Kimo" Apana has promised not to increase property taxes when he presents his annual budget in mid-March. But he wants the county to spend money on new projects to preserve the views and buy new beaches.

In his annual State of the County address, prepared for delivery today, Apana said his new budget would include contributing $1 million as "seed money" for a trust organization to preserve beaches and other lands.

He said the contribution to the Maui Coastal Preservation Trust is intended to bring in additional funds from the community for land acquisitions.

Members of the trust include some major landowners, such as Maui Land & Pineapple Co. and Alexander & Baldwin Inc.

"The preservation of open space benefits everyone," Apana said. "It is time to put aside the false arguments of economic growth vs. the environment. In truth, our environment is critical to our economy, our health and to the well-being of all citizens."

Apana said he plans to extend efforts to replenish beaches that have been hurt by coastal erosion. In the past, the mayor has worked with the state to take dredged sand from Kahului Harbor and put it along the eroded shoreline at Halama Street in Kihei.

Apana said the county now knows that "beach nourishment is the most cost-effective way to expand our beaches."

Apana said he also planned to support a land-use plan that would preserve the "magnificent ocean view corridor" from Mama's Fish House in Paia to Haiku, including the windsurfing and surfing area at Hookipa.

The mayor also said he has started meeting with state officials to find a way to lessen traffic tie-ups between West Maui and Central Maui, and supports an expansion of bus service provided by Maui Economic Opportunity Inc.

Maui Economic Opportunity provides transportation to the disabled, elderly, children and residents in rural areas.

Apana also said he wanted to work with the state to relocate the Lahaina Library.

"The current library is small and, unfortunately, doesn't have the capabilities of assisting our West Maui students with the new technologies available," he said.