Food and Fuel Security Imperative for Healthy Future

Letter to the Editor written May 1st, 2008:

With headlines that read: “Buzz of shortage triggers panic…” (Maui News), “Fuel costs blamed…”(Maui News), “…major food crisis…”(CNN), it is apparent that the time is now to establish and secure our island’s food and energy resources.

We live on an island graced by relentless sun, wind, wave and tidal action. With these abundant resources we are able to, with the proper technology, provide sufficient energy for our Island that comes from local, renewable sources.

Here on Maui we are blessed with a wealth of arable land. Our alluvial plains are nutrient rich, and largely undeveloped. We have experienced agriculturalists that are able to produce food for our people. Most importantly, we have a market and a demand for food that is grown here.

The Hawaiian Islands make up the most isolated island group on the globe. This isolation has created our beautiful and unique ecosystems, but has also left us extremely vulnerable to the mercy of global markets. With the dwindling supply, and rising cost of food and oil worldwide, it is imperative that we on Maui begin to establish our own sources of food and fuel. The possibilities are endless.

So why are we at a standstill? Lack of political will. There are expert individuals and organizations that work tirelessly to implement projects that could create a safer, more secure, sustainable, and independent Maui. The knowledge is here, the time is now. It’s an election year. Hold your Government Officials accountable for the decisions they have made. Know who are truly advocates for the environment and therefore, advocates for the secure future of Maui. Know who has voted to disregard our precious island resources, and will continue to do so at the price of our own health and safety.

We live in the most beautiful place on Earth. Let’s utilize the amazing resources available to us and create a food and energy independent Maui.

IMUA.

Summer Starr
Olinda