Letters To The Editor

Friday, November 15, 2002

Outdoor lighting bill much modified by testimony

I was surprised at the tone and content of Phil Johnson's Nov. 5 letter regarding the proposed Outdoor Lighting Standards Ordinance. His focus on subcommittee member Lee Altenberg as the champion of proposals that would "make Maui dimmer" misrepresented the most recent deliberations of the subcommittee, the innumerable compromises between stakeholders and the conciliatory spirit of Altenberg. Due to the willingness of the subcommittee to refine the ordinance to accommodate safety issues and aesthetic concerns, it is far less restrictive than all others in the nation that we are aware of, including the Big Island's. At this point, we hope to merely hold the well lighted ground that Maui currently enjoys while reducing light pollution, and never intended to reclaim a level of darkness anywhere near what the first inhabitants of these islands encountered. The proposed ordinance will keep new development from further degrading the viewing quality of the night sky and sea turtle nesting habitat, provide a course of action for people who are suffering from light trespass from neighboring properties, and it will reduce light pollution, which Mr. Johnson clearly supports. It's a win-win proposal for people and the environment.

Hannah Bernard

Paia