Finally, I was able to start reading the gargantuan 2030 Kahului Harbor Master Plan Draft EIS.
They've brought back the unworkable Pier 5 inside the west breakwater, added a breakwater along the west edge of the turning basin parallel to the wall, and have the cruise ships and Superferry making a U turn into this area by the small boat ramp. (Small boat ramp appears unaffected other than parking is going to be horrible.) They show the whole small boat channel and surf area as being dredged to 30 feet or more.
Click here for the diagram
First off, they lied when they said it wouldn't affect the outrigger paddling race course. Not only will it fill in the area west of Pier 2, but they are going to expand the turning basin to the area where the west flags are set.
Paddlers, you need to show up this Wednesday at 6pm Cameron Center and fight this.
Second, it completely wipes out the surf sites over by the small boat ramp and channel.
But here is the kicker - it is physically impossible. Not only has the Army Corps of Engineers dissed this design, saying it won't alleviate the surge on Pier 5, but building a breakwater along the west edge of the existing turning basin will make it extremely dangerous for our freight vessels.
Over the last 10 years I have seen the tugs positioning the vessels. And although the deep draft vessels remain mostly within the turning basin, the tugs go outside the area to maneuver. With a rock wall (breakwater) preventing this, we're going to have vessels being banged up with the possibility of fuel spills.
The harbor pilots have repeatedly told DOT that Kahului Harbor is the most nerve-wracking and tight harbor in Hawai'i and that they absolutely cannot reduce the area any more.
What's the solution? Go outside the harbor to the East. This allows for expansion as Maui's population grows and we lock up the area now instead of later when there will be more resistance.
I'm writing my formal comments on Draft EIS for Wednesday's meeting. If you can take a moment to review and offer suggestions for improvement, I would be grateful. Also, please feel free to use any of my writing in your comments. The more people who comment the better.
Since comments to this blog are moderated by me, feel free to post your comments here and, if you want, ask me not to publish them. That way you can give private feedback.
Karen Chun
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Kahului EIS Plan Dangerous
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4 comments:
Karen, I saw your comment today over on Topix regarding the Advertiser article today on the $350,000 for the tug service. Trust you will be posting something over here about it. This saga just keeps getting more and more amazing. I think it is becoming like a Greek tragedy...and looking more and more like the fast ferry fiasco that took place in British Columbia not too long ago. Aloha, Brad
Count me in, the continued 'PROGRESS' and construction, or, I think the more appropriate word would be DESTRUCTION of Maui is TOO MUCH!!! Malama aina.
THIS PROJECT MAKES ME SO SICK!!
How dare they say that paddling is only a recreational activity when we all know that our polynesian ancestors came to Hawaii with canoes...Hawaii is a polynesian chain of islands, its culture includes surfing, paddling, dancing...they are taking everything away!!
Protect our aina, protect Maui, protect our culture!!!
Vaea
Dear Karen; First of all leave the surf next to the small boat ramp and the curent cannel, place a jetty other side of small boat channel. And please remember that you can serve on a jury and say not guilty. This happened during the run away slave act and prohibition. This needs to become part of the culture here because the rulling class is above the law.
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