BEST USE OF COUNTY FUNDS

Save Honolua

Perhaps no ad hoc citizens group has accomplished so much so quickly as the Save Honolua Coalition. The efforts began in early 2007, after hearing Maui Land & Pineapple’s proposed plans to “improve” access to the West Maui surf Mecca and fragile Marine Conservation District at Honolua Bay (which included luxury homes and a golf course on Lipoa Point above the bay). Citizens countered with T-shirts, sign-waving, bumper stickers, letters, weekly meetings with community leaders as featured speakers, 14,000 petition signatures, and a packed house when the matter came before the County Council. Due to the community outcry, ML&P has shelved their conceptual plans and gone back to the drawing board. More importantly, the Council earmarked one million dollars towards future acquisition of Lipoa Point. And that, readers surmised, was worthy of recognition for Best Use of County Funds. [RP]

Runner-up: Old Maui High restoration