Wailuku, Maui – The following list of shelters has been confirmed by Maui County for the public’s use during Tropical Storm Darby. Tropical storm conditions are expected across Maui County between now and midnight Saturday:

East Maui – Hana High School

Upcountry Maui – Eddie Tam Memorial Center

South Maui – Lokelani Intermediate School

Central Maui – Maui High School

West Maui – Lahainaluna High School

Lanai – Lanai High

Molokai – Molokai High

Please note that these shelters are not equipped with amenities, and that residents seeking shelter need to bring their own food, water, medicine and other emergency supplies.

All shelters are scheduled to open at 7 p.m. today (Friday, July 22), except for Molokai and Lanai high schools. An opening time for those shelter locations has not been determined yet and will be announced later today.

By Jeff King

If you haven’t done so yet, it’s time to prepare for the very real possibility that Tropical Storm Darby will directly impact Maui County. The National Weather Service has issued a Tropical Storm Warning. That means tropical storm conditions will most likely impact Maui and the surrounding islands by midnight Saturday.

DARBY IN MOTION – Tropical Storm Darby is heading on a course that forecasters say will cross Maui County by midnight Saturday. Now is the time to prepare. Click to enlarge and animate. (Animation Courtesy CPHC)

EFFECTS:  At 11:00 am, the center of Tropical Storm Darby was located near latitude 18.5n, longitude 151.0w, or about 280 miles east-southeast of Hilo or about 390 miles SSE of Kahului and about 490 miles east-southeast of Honolulu. Tropical Storm Darby is moving west at 12 mph. Maximum sustained winds are near 60 mph.

Maui Weather Today meteorologist Glenn James cautions that this is NOT a drill. James says the effects of the peak of Darby could last trough the say and night, Saturday before moving away toward the northwest. Backyard projectiles, pets, lawn furniture and potted plants should also be taken into consideration when preparing your home.

Now is also the time make make sure your emergency kit is ready. You should plan for enough food and water for your family – including your pets – for up to seven days. Make sure rechargeable batteries are all charged before power failures. And don’t forget to plan for medications you may need over the next few days.

As an additional precaution, The Maui County Department of Parks & Recreation will be revoking all overnight camping permits at county beach parks this weekend due to Maui County being under a Tropical Storm Warning.

Those with overnight camping permits for tonight will be informed by park rangers that they need to be vacated by noon on Saturday (July 23). There will be no overnight camping allowed for Saturday and Sunday (July 23 to 24).

Campers who were already issued permits for this weekend can go to any district office to get a refund either today or on Monday. The department thanks the public for their understanding and urges them to stay safe this weekend.

Maui County Civil Defense offers the following facts:

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:  IT IS VITAL THAT YOU DO NOT FOCUS ON THE EXACT FORECAST TRACK.  FORECAST MOVEMENT, DIRECTION, AND SPEED ARE ONLY ESTIMATES.  EVEN SMALL ERRORS IN THE FORECAST TRACK CAN MEAN MAJOR DIFFERENCES IN WHERE THE WORST CONDITIONS WILL OCCUR.  DAMAGING EFFECTS CAN EXTEND FAR FROM THE CENTER.

NOW IS THE TIME TO PREPARE.  DO NOT WAIT UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE.  STAY CALM AND KEEP INFORMED.  CLOSELY MONITOR RADIO OR OTHER LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS FOR OFFICIAL STORM INFORMATION.  LISTEN FOR WARNINGS OR CHANGES TO THE FORECAST.

LOOSE OBJECTS SUCH AS LAWN FURNITURE, GARBAGE CANS, AND OTHER ITEMS SHOULD BE SECURED OR STORED INDOORS.  HAVE SUPPLIES ON HAND AND BE READY FOR POWER OUTAGES.

BE READY TO EVACUATE IF NECESSARY.  HEED ALL ADVICE OF LOCAL OFFICIALS AND COMPLY WITH ANY ORDERS THAT ARE ISSUED.  PERSONS LIVING NEAR THE SHORE SHOULD BE PREPARED TO EVACUATE QUICKLY SHOULD BUILDING SURF THREATEN.

INFORMATION:  Maui Civil Defense Agency will continue to monitor the situation.  Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or NOAA Weather Radio for any updates.  NOAA Weather broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025.  NOAA Weather internet services can be found at weather.gov/hawaii.

Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200.  This same notification can be found on the Maui County website at mauicounty.gov.

By Jeff King

Tropical Storm Darby is wobbling this way from the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The storm – on the radar of meteorologists since last week – is on a track that could (emphasize “could”) bring it across Maui County and the Big Island. In the abundance of caution, the National Weather Service is asking us all to get ready. The storm has moved into the Central Pacific area of jurisdiction and concern.

HERE COMES DARBY – Maybe. Tropical Storm Darby may or may not make it to Maui. But, hey, Let’s Be Safe Out There.” Click to enlarge. (NOAA Image)

In addition, Maui County Civil Defense has just issued a Tropical Storm Watch in effect roughly between now and Sunday. If Darby gets close, we would begin feeling the effects by tomorrow night with stronger tradewinds than usual. High surf has already reached east-facing shores ahead of any storm activity.

Maui Weather guru Glenn James offers the latest and most reliable updates and input on storms threatening us in Hawai’i.

EVENT:  The National Weather Service has ISSUED a FLASH FLOOD WATCH for MAUI ISLAND in effect from Friday night until Sunday afternoon.

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding.

EFFECTS:  Tropical storm Darby is expected to continue to approach the state. Depending on the exact track, there is the possibility of intense rainfall and flash flooding this weekend. The greatest risk of flash flooding will be to east and southeast facing slopes.

In addition to flood prone areas, heavy rain events of this size may cause flooding in areas outside the designated flood zones. Low spots in roads can become dangerous and impassable due to severe runoff. High amounts of debris in streams and gulches may clog bridges and culverts resulting in dangerous flooding which could occur outside the normal channels, and could also lead to significant property damage.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES:  PLEASE CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE WEATHER FORECAST AND HAVE A RELIABLE WAY TO GET WARNINGS FOR YOUR LOCATION. BE PREPARED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION IF FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS ARE ISSUED.  CAMPERS AND HIKERS SHOULD CONSIDER RESCHEDULING THEIR OUTING TO A TIME WHEN WEATHER IS EXPECTED TO BE MORE FAVORABLE.

REMEMBER…IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE RAINING HEAVILY WHERE YOU ARE FOR FLASH FLOODING TO OCCUR.

INFORMATION:  Maui Civil Defense Agency will continue to monitor the situation.  Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or NOAA Weather Radio for any updates.  NOAA Weather broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025.  NOAA Weather internet services can be found at weather.gov/hawaii.

Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200.  This same notification can be found on the Maui County website at mauicounty.gov.

HONOLULU — The Hawaii State Department of Health Clean Air Branch has finalized a Consent Order with Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company (HC&S) for excess emission and reporting violations that occurred from 2009 to 2014 in Puunene, Maui. More than 400 violations, including issues such as boiler operations and delayed notifications, were documented through the Department of Health’s extensive records reviews of semi-annual reports, deviation letters and additional information submitted by HC&S.

“With the impending end of the last sugarcane commercial operations in Hawaii, the department is working to bring closure to a number of complex and long-standing regulatory issues that have involved extended legal negotiations with HC&S,” said Keith Kawaoka, deputy director of Environmental Health. “The Consent Order represents the diligent work of our staff to resolve pending emission and reporting violations as HC&S conducts its final year of sugar cane production on Maui.”

The terms of the Consent Order with HC&S include a $300,000 monetary penalty and a $300,000 two-phase Supplemental Environmental Project. The first phase of the project involves the installation of three air monitoring stations at various schools throughout Maui Island to monitor fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) for the remainder of the 2016 sugar cane burning season. The second phase provides monetary support to aid in the further development and implementation of the University of Hawaii’s Vog Measurement and Prediction Project (VMAP).

The Consent Order also requires HC&S to pay stipulated penalties for each emission and reporting violation that occurs from Jan. 1, 2015 until the Consent Order is terminated.

In addition to this most recent Consent Order, the Department of Health Clean Air Branch continues to provide regulatory oversight of HC&S’s sugarcane burning operations on Maui and has since issued the following enforcement actions:

• NOVO Docket No. 14-CA-EO-19, issued on November 3, 2015 for fugitive dust violations.
• NOVO Docket No. 15-CA-EO-04, issued on January 15, 2016 for agricultural burn permit violations.

A copy of the Consent Order and other notices is available at http://health.hawaii.gov/cab/clean-air-branch/notice-and-finding-of-violation-downloads-pdf/.

Through the air permit process, the Department of Health Clean Air Branch ensures companies comply with state and federal emission standards to minimize air pollution impacts on the public. The Clean Air Branch protects the people and environment of Hawaii by monitoring air quality and regulating businesses that release pollutants into the air. The Branch reviews and approves air permits, evaluates and enforces state and federal air standards, conducts inspections, and investigates reported incidents related to outdoor air quality.

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the most recently asked questions submitted to his office staff. Submit your own questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa via email: AskTheMayor@mauicounty.gov, phone: 270-7855 or mail: 200 S. High Street, 9^th Floor, Wailuku, Hawaii 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column.

Dear Mayor,

Q: I have been launching my canoe from Palauea Beach for over a decade. There were always at least three beach access paths. Now that two new houses are being built on the beach-front, that has changed. The northernmost path has been completely blocked by huge (minimum three feet by three feet) boulders, which have “Keep Out” painted on them. The boulders form a wall of about 15 feet across, completely stopping access. This just happened recently and it is not pono. Since I believe that the remaining lots at Palauea are owned by the County, what will be done? Additionally, I notice that across the street (mauka) from Palauea, residents have put out stones (small boulders) so that vehicles cannot park there. I have always understood these to be public parts of the street. In fact a few years back, many owners on Makena Road had to remove the big boulders they had placed on public property. Am I correct that these places are public, and if so, what will be done to keep access for the public? Mahalo.

A: There are many privately owned parcels along Palauea Beach. Some of these were undeveloped for years, making it appear as if there was open access to the beach from several areas along Makena Road, though such access was probably technically trespassing. If the “Keep Out” boulders are situated on private property, then they are lawful. The County owns two adjacent parcels at Palauea Beach, which would be the most appropriate and lawful way to access the beach. In terms of the boulders on the mauka side of Makena Road that prohibit parking, County staff will inspect the boulders and if they are in our right of way, take appropriate action. 

Hi Mayor Arakawa, 

Q: We live at Kihei villages along Piilani Highway where there’s a new construction site across the highway; I believe it’s going to be a subdivision of 600 units. During the last four months there have been several loads of fill trucked in and spread out. As we all know, the tradewinds blow pretty hard up through the valley, and prior to groundbreaking on this site we had the “normal” amount of dust blowing around. Since this project has started, the dust has tripled; our condos are taking a beating with the dust/dirt blowing around as well as into the units’ interior living areas. We have placed a County service request to review the issue. Well for what I’ve seen the matter seems to continue and this past week the tradewinds have been blowing extremely hard. Nothing like closing up the windows just so we can keep the majority of debris outside where it belongs—I’m really not looking forward to opening our electricity bill either due to the need to run our AC units when we would normally have our windows open this time of year. The interior of the condos are getting covered with the dirt/dust every day, and we have to do 3-4 hours of “deep-clean cleaning” every day. We’re at our wits’ end with this. Isn’t there a law requiring water be applied to new/ loose fresh grubbing zones when dust is visible and blowing across several acres? I know when we apply for a grubbing permit it is stressed to have water on site for “dust control” which we fulfill to the max. We ask you, what can be done? We are ready to submit cleaning bills to the developers or to the County. We hope to see something done with our concern/ issue ASAP. Looking forward hearing back.

A: Yes, this is something that the County Public Works Department handles through the grading permit it issues. It would be impossible to totally eliminate dust, but the contractor should be doing everything reasonable to mitigate it. Public Works staff have been notified about this dusty construction site and they have informed the contractor, who has implemented additional dust control measures. If needed, homeowners may file a claim with the contractor.

Hello Mayor, 

Q: When will the lights open at the basketball courts near Kahului School?

A: Our Parks Department said that the Kahului basketball courts were opened and the lights activated about a week ago. However, the lighting controls have already been vandalized several times since then so the district is looking into additional security measures before making more repairs.

By Jeff King

It could have been one of the biggest business deals in Hawaii’s history. But with two votes – and one abstention – history of another kind was made in Honolulu today.

Hawaii’s Public Utilities Commission today turned down NextEra Energy Inc.’s proposed $4.3 billion purchase of Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc.

The vote was 2-0 with PUC Chairman Randy Iwase and Commissioner Lorraine Akiba voting to reject the sale. Commissioner Tom Gorak abstained. PUC approval was needed for the companies to close the deal. Maui Electric Company, along with island-wide utilities on O’ahu and the Big Island have long awaited the decision.

So have leaders of the renewable energy industry across the state.

Hawaiian Electric Industries (HEI) operates and controls utilities on Maui, O’ahu and the Big Island.

Gov. David Ige commented, “I want to thank the Public Utilities Commission and stakeholders for their participation in this historic process. This ruling gives us a chance to reset and refocus on our goal of achieving 100 percent renewable energy by 2045. The proceeding helped define the characteristics and parameters of Hawaii’s preferred energy future. We look forward to creating a process to find the best partner in the world.

“No matter who owns the company, the energy vision for Hawai‘i remains very clear – 100 percent renewable energy with a transformation to a customer-centered utility focusing on smart meters, smart grid, distributed local solutions, and as much consumer choice as possible.”

NextEra, based in Juno Beach, Florida, announced in December 2014 its plan to run Hawaii’s largest utility which provides power to 95 percent of Hawaii residents. The original plan called for HEI’s bank subsidiary, American Savings Bank, to be spun off and run as a stand-alone company.

NextEra conducted a 19-month campaign to win approval of the deal. NextEra argued it was a better alternative for Hawaii because it could offer lower rates and a quicker path to the state’s goal of achieving 100 percent renewable electricity production. NextEra promised to lower electric bills — the highest in the nation — by about $70 a year over the next five years and to not lay off employees for two years.

Opponents of the sale — including Governor Ige, environmental groups and solar power companies — argued the state’s largest utility should not be run by company based in Florida, which would view Hawaii as a small part of its operations. They also questioned NextEra’s commitment to 100 percent renewable energy, especially in light of its plan to convert power plants to liquefied natural gas and the small amount of rooftop solar in use in Florida.

Parties involved in the case could file a motion with the PUC for reconsideration or file a motion to appeal the PUC decision with the Hawaii Supreme Court.

The PUC’s decision came just weeks after Ige changed the makeup of the three-member commission. On June 29, Ige appointed Tom Gorak, PUC chief counsel, to take the place of outgoing Commissioner Michael Champley. Ige said Gorak’s views were more aligned with Ige’s. State senators have questioned whether Ige had the authority to make that change without the approval of the senate.