My Impressions Let me start with how the meeting ended. A small group of generally the same homeowners gather to discuss and ask questions about our new Settlement and Indemnity Agreement finalized with our water use easement holders. Vocal members of the past leadership have had years of seeing our rights and responsibilities regarding our community asset of lake lot 3 in one way and the current board, elected with a mandate to end litigation with our water use easement holders, has now leveled the legal playing field by securing mediation and binding arbitration for any disputes that may arise in the future. They have come to a 1/3 cost sharing agreement that for some homeowners is seen as enlarging our responsibilities and for others who see it as a 2/3 savings in that the State of Hawaii DLNR, knowing KRCA as owner of the dam, are therefore 100% responsible for its maintenance and improvements DLNR assigns as solutions in light of the Hawaii Dam & Reservoir Safety Act of 2007. We have seen many changes take place on many levels over the years in our community. Many honored, thoughtful, and knowledgeable people have come forward to serve to understand and solve this complex issue. Not everyone will agree or be happy about paying even 1/3 divided by 181 of the deferred maintenance and future improvements assigned by DLNR. Be that as it may, we come to moments where it starts to look wise to agree to disagree about some things and move on. To see that real estate is selling again on Kalihiwai Ridge with our litigation settled and prices are even starting to come back up. New owners will replace past owners and will understand what they are buying into in a different way as well. For those of us, like Earl, who intend this to be our last home, are here now for the duration of our lives. We are part of a community we want to see thrive. We want to secure and yes further invest in a healthy environment for all our neighbors to live here in peace. I feel the Kalihiwai Reservoir wetland habitat we are stewards of, now more than ever, needs our ongoing study and care. I will continue building my relationships with USFWS and the EPA to help insure we preserve this resource for our community and for the endangered waterbirds who are also living and breeding here in peace, living here for the duration of their lives as well. Until we meet again. Aloha, Maggie Lea |
Suggested Readings: Water Resources and Climate Change Adaptation in Hawai`i: 2012 Reference: Commission on Water Resource Management Click here to download PDF file Koamalu Volumes 1&2 by Ethel M Damon, 1931 A story of pioneers on Kauai and of what they built in that island garden Sugar Water by Carol Wilcox 1996 Hawaiian & English definitions from the book: wai - water, blood, passion, life wai wai - wealth pani wai - dam water - transparent, odorless, tasteless, liquid, H2O Wetland habitat non-invasive plant suggestions: bacopa, makaloa, carex, aka 'akai, neke kupukupu, laua'e Links: Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge www.fws.gov/hanalei Kauai Forest Birds Recovery Project www.kauaiforestbirds.org Sounds Hawaiian www.soundshawaiian.com/birds National Wildlife Federation www.nwf.org Kalihiwai Reservoir is a Certified Wildlife Habitat Ducks Unlimited www.ducksunlimited.com Fishing Notes www.fishingnotes.com Hawaii Audubon Society www.hawaiiaudubon.com Sierra Club Hawaii www.sierraclubhawaii.com Sufi at the helm of Moe Moku |