GREAT-5(5) PRESENTATION ON PROPOSED AUTHORIZATION FOR PROCEEDINGS IN CONDEMNATION BY EMINENT DOMAIN FOR THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY INTERESTS KNOWN AS LOT 1-B, CENTRAL MAUI SANITARY LANDFILL SUBDIVISION FOR PHASE VI EXPANSION OPERATIONS (GREAT-5(5))
Testimony on
PRESENTATION ON PROPOSED AUTHORIZATION FOR PROCEEDINGS IN CONDEMNATION BY EMINENT DOMAIN FOR THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY INTERESTS KNOWN AS LOT 1-B, CENTRAL MAUI SANITARY LANDFILL SUBDIVISION FOR PHASE VI EXPANSION OPERATIONS (GREAT-5(5))
Aloha Chair and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to testify on Agenda Item GREAT-5(5) today.
My name is Tamara Farnsworth and I worked with Department of Environmental Management and the Environmental Protection and Sustainability Division from 2013 – 2023 with extensive training and experience in municipal solid waste management, landfill diversion, and disaster debris management.
Although no decisions will be made today, I am testifying in support of this measure. Back in January I stood in these chambers advocating for exactly what the county is now pursuing now– if the landowner will not sell, then the county should pursue eminent domain of the parcel adjacent to Central Maui Landfill. This parcel has already has gone through a significant portion of the regulatory process and has already been excavated and is best positioned for the proposed purpose. It is and always has been the most suitable place on this entire island for the final disposition site for Lahaina’s ash and debris.
Regarding concerns that this is a slippery slope for overarching control or land-grabbing by the government. The process and discussion that is taking place right here and right now regarding eminent domain of a place will have to happen for any other proposed property for eminent domain. Let us not conflate future potentialities with the specific matters at hand, which is to get a hold of this property so that we can most expeditiously continue the cleanup and recovery of Lahaina, and now, the Olowalu temporary site as well. This is the proper use of the eminent domain process, so I urge your approval.
Having said that, I want to use my time to make another public appeal to the landowners, as I did in prior testimony. Mr. Koste, Mr. Oda, Mr. Gomes – Please sell the parcel to the county at the appraised amount. I implore you: Be the heroes in this story and not the villains. Do you want to look back and be seen as the folks who gave this gift to the people of Maui Nui or do you want to be remembered as the ones who stood in the way of Lahaina’s recovery, putting potential and, frankly, questionable profits over people? It IS worth more than the assessed amount – but not in dollars, rather, in the value of the greatest good for the public interest. That is, at the end of the day, what all this boils down to: the greatest and highest good for the community. You right now have a choice and a decision to make about your legacy and the part you played in the history of this tragedy. This is bigger than just this parcel of land. This is bigger than your individual business interests. This is really about Maui and all of our community. It’s a kākou thing.
You are all already known as community-minded folks. Be the heroes of this part of the story of the healing of Lahaina and Olowalu. Please and thank you.
And if it does come down to it and they refuse to sell the parcel, I say to you, Maui County Council: then do what must be done. Allow for eminent domain in this case; it is for the best, it is in the public interest, and it is for the highest good. Please, do the right thing.
This bill must move forward for the good of the whole. I don’t think anyone likes the idea of eminent domain but desperate times call for desperate measures. We are a small island without a lot of choices, if there is a better solution I am all ears. It has already been 7 months since the fire, we must keep moving forward and do it quickly. Our economy and sanity depend on it.
I am a kamaaina kupuna, raised in Lahaina since birth, asking this committee and the Council to support the mayor’s proposal to proceed in condemnation by eminent domain to acquire Lot 1-B of the Central Maui Landfill to allow expanded operations necessary to accommodate permanently the debris and ash from the Lahaina fire of 8/8/23. It is absolutely vital that Lahaina’s people, lands and waters be given a chance to heal fully and quickly, without the continued waste of time, resources and adverse effects from continued use of the temporary Olowalu site.
I am a resident of Lahaina. I am writing today to urge you to vote YES on the Mayor's request to proceed with eminent domain for the Central Maui Permanent Disposal Site (PDS).
The property owner purchased this property AFTER THE FIRE because he saw what was coming, and now wishes to price gouge Maui County for far over the property's value in order for us to acquire it... for a project that is necessary to the wildfire response!
We as a county have experienced a horrifying amount of disaster capitalism since the August 2023 wildfires, and this is no exception. We cannot be held hostage by folks who refuse to do the right thing in Maui's greatest time of need.
Please do what is right for the people of Maui and allow the debris removal process to continue without hiccup. It would be best if we could acquire this property and begin construction ASAP so that we may bypass the Olowalu landfill for the remaining duration of debris removal. The trucks having to stop at Olowalu causes significant traffic, which is unfair to the folks who have to commute, especially since they did not move out of Lahaina by choice. If you are feeling unsure, I would urge you to try coming to Lahaina during peak traffic hours.
Thank you for your consideration.
Testimony on
PRESENTATION ON PROPOSED AUTHORIZATION FOR PROCEEDINGS IN CONDEMNATION BY EMINENT DOMAIN FOR THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY INTERESTS KNOWN AS LOT 1-B, CENTRAL MAUI SANITARY LANDFILL SUBDIVISION FOR PHASE VI EXPANSION OPERATIONS (GREAT-5(5))
Aloha Chair and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to testify on Agenda Item GREAT-5(5) today.
My name is Tamara Farnsworth and I worked with Department of Environmental Management and the Environmental Protection and Sustainability Division from 2013 – 2023 with extensive training and experience in municipal solid waste management, landfill diversion, and disaster debris management.
Although no decisions will be made today, I am testifying in support of this measure. Back in January I stood in these chambers advocating for exactly what the county is now pursuing now– if the landowner will not sell, then the county should pursue eminent domain of the parcel adjacent to Central Maui Landfill. This parcel has already has gone through a significant portion of the regulatory process and has already been excavated and is best positioned for the proposed purpose. It is and always has been the most suitable place on this entire island for the final disposition site for Lahaina’s ash and debris.
Regarding concerns that this is a slippery slope for overarching control or land-grabbing by the government. The process and discussion that is taking place right here and right now regarding eminent domain of a place will have to happen for any other proposed property for eminent domain. Let us not conflate future potentialities with the specific matters at hand, which is to get a hold of this property so that we can most expeditiously continue the cleanup and recovery of Lahaina, and now, the Olowalu temporary site as well. This is the proper use of the eminent domain process, so I urge your approval.
Having said that, I want to use my time to make another public appeal to the landowners, as I did in prior testimony. Mr. Koste, Mr. Oda, Mr. Gomes – Please sell the parcel to the county at the appraised amount. I implore you: Be the heroes in this story and not the villains. Do you want to look back and be seen as the folks who gave this gift to the people of Maui Nui or do you want to be remembered as the ones who stood in the way of Lahaina’s recovery, putting potential and, frankly, questionable profits over people? It IS worth more than the assessed amount – but not in dollars, rather, in the value of the greatest good for the public interest. That is, at the end of the day, what all this boils down to: the greatest and highest good for the community. You right now have a choice and a decision to make about your legacy and the part you played in the history of this tragedy. This is bigger than just this parcel of land. This is bigger than your individual business interests. This is really about Maui and all of our community. It’s a kākou thing.
You are all already known as community-minded folks. Be the heroes of this part of the story of the healing of Lahaina and Olowalu. Please and thank you.
And if it does come down to it and they refuse to sell the parcel, I say to you, Maui County Council: then do what must be done. Allow for eminent domain in this case; it is for the best, it is in the public interest, and it is for the highest good. Please, do the right thing.
Mahalo for your consideration.
This bill must move forward for the good of the whole. I don’t think anyone likes the idea of eminent domain but desperate times call for desperate measures. We are a small island without a lot of choices, if there is a better solution I am all ears. It has already been 7 months since the fire, we must keep moving forward and do it quickly. Our economy and sanity depend on it.
This is something that must be done. There are no easy ways out and we can’t be held hostage
Far from Pono.
I am a kamaaina kupuna, raised in Lahaina since birth, asking this committee and the Council to support the mayor’s proposal to proceed in condemnation by eminent domain to acquire Lot 1-B of the Central Maui Landfill to allow expanded operations necessary to accommodate permanently the debris and ash from the Lahaina fire of 8/8/23. It is absolutely vital that Lahaina’s people, lands and waters be given a chance to heal fully and quickly, without the continued waste of time, resources and adverse effects from continued use of the temporary Olowalu site.
I am a resident of Lahaina. I am writing today to urge you to vote YES on the Mayor's request to proceed with eminent domain for the Central Maui Permanent Disposal Site (PDS).
The property owner purchased this property AFTER THE FIRE because he saw what was coming, and now wishes to price gouge Maui County for far over the property's value in order for us to acquire it... for a project that is necessary to the wildfire response!
We as a county have experienced a horrifying amount of disaster capitalism since the August 2023 wildfires, and this is no exception. We cannot be held hostage by folks who refuse to do the right thing in Maui's greatest time of need.
Please do what is right for the people of Maui and allow the debris removal process to continue without hiccup. It would be best if we could acquire this property and begin construction ASAP so that we may bypass the Olowalu landfill for the remaining duration of debris removal. The trucks having to stop at Olowalu causes significant traffic, which is unfair to the folks who have to commute, especially since they did not move out of Lahaina by choice. If you are feeling unsure, I would urge you to try coming to Lahaina during peak traffic hours.
Thank you for your consideration.