Join in Surfrider’s campaign to reduce single-use waste
By Staff | Mar 12, 2021 How many times have you brought takeout food home and not really needed the bag, menu, napkins, condiments and plastic utensils that came with it? According to the Maui Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, over the past year misinformation about reusables combined with increased takeout demand have increased the amount of disposable food ware items used by restaurants. To prepare for major changes starting next year, Surfrider Foundation’s Ocean Friendly Restaurants program is launching the “Choose to Reuse” campaign to educate and transition business owners and customers to adopt easy solutions to avoid unnecessary disposable items.
MIKE MOLINA â Supports the change
The Maui County Council’s Affordable Housing Committee on Monday voted to recommend approval of a bill that would tighten affordable housing requirements for projects seeking fast-track approval under a state law.
The proposal would require that 201H housing projects would need to have 75 percent affordable units unless a lower percentage, which is greater than 50 percent, is approved by council.
Hawaii’s 201H law, administered by the county, is an expedited path that allows exemptions from certain rules and fees for housing developments with a minimum of 50 percent affordable units.
Although some council members and testifiers cautioned that results from a county-funded affordable housing study should be considered before taking action, the committee Monday evening voted 5-3, with one excused, to move forward with the bill.
mtanji@mauinews.com
Volunteers Brad Zoppi and Lisa Karch accept a toy donation Sunday morning during a drive-thru donation event for Toys 4 Tots organized by Street Bikers United Hawaii â Maui Chapter at the Azeka Shopping Center. The Maui News / MELISSA TANJI photos
KIHEI Like everything else, COVID-19 altered the annual Maui Toys 4 Tots Motorcycle Toy Run at the Azeka Shopping Center in Kihei this year.
Gone were the hundreds of motorcyclists traveling to Kihei and gathering at the center, along with the festivities that followed in the center’s parking lot.
But not gone was the holiday and giving spirit, as organizers Street Bikers United Hawaii – Maui Chapter pivoted and conducted a drive-thru event instead. Individual motorcycles, motorcycle clubs, classic cars and the general public pulled up in their vehicles steadily for three hours Sunday morning. They dropped off unwrapped toys and or cash donations for the Toys for Tots program which is presented by the U
lfujimoto@mauinews.com
Police solo bike Sgt. Gregg Rowe talks to 4-year-old Chase along with traffic Sgt. Kenneth Kihata (center) and traffic investigator Alvin Ota before the start of the Heroes & Helpers event Saturday morning at Puâunene Shopping Center. The Maui News / LILA FUJIMOTO photos
PUUNENE With police officers delivering gifts and greetings along the way, there was no shortage of Christmas spirit as children in need picked up early presents during a drive-thru event at Pu’unene Shopping Center.
“This is very fun for us. They were excited the whole week,” said Wailuku resident Jay-Dee Kuaana, who has custody of her 4-year-old niece, Kaley, and 5-year-old nephew, Kaptyn. “They respect the officers. This is just another good connection for them.”