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Families who perpetuate the ancient Hawaiian practice of paakai (sea salt) farming in Hanapepe urged the Kauai Planning Commission to reject permits sought by a neighboring helicopter tour company, citing potential harmful impacts to the salt ponds.
Families have battled for decades to protect the salt ponds. The most recent battle is against Smoky Mountain Helicopters Inc. doing business as Maverick Helicopters.
“I’ve been a salt maker since I was a baby. I’m here to ask to deny their application for expansion and after-the-fact permits,” said salt maker Kuulei Santos, 44, at a planning commission meeting held Tuesday at the Lihue Civic Center’s Moikeha building.
Santos was among approximately 80 people who urged commission members to deny permits requested by Maverick Helicopters. The county set up a monitor and projector in the breezeway of the Moikeha building to accommodate more than 150 people who attended the meeting in support of the salt beds.
The helicopter tour company seeks permits for the addition of restroom facilities within its existing hangar. It also seeks approval for a mobile office trailer, concrete generator pad for a propane gas tank to replace a tank with less capacity, and relocation of a shipping storage container to the north side of the facility.
Maverick Helicopters is also requesting permits to install a 4-foot-high chain-link fence and gates within the existing perimeter fencing, installation of concrete pathways and installation of a septic system, according to a report.
An online petition created by Santos called “Save Pa‘akai Farming in Hanapepe” on Change.org has garnered approximately 20,000 signatures so far.
She described the helicopter tour company as “a bad neighbor,” alleging aircraft are flying over the salt ponds.
Some supporters described the salt beds as a “jewel” and a “living museum” that carries the legacy of generations of 22 families that perpetuate the traditional salt-making practice.
Santos’ father, Frank Santos, who has been working at the salt beds in Hanapepe for 65 years, said, “I was taught to respect the aina, malama the aina, perpetuate the culture.”
Other members of the Santos family gave tearful testimony describing the salt ponds as their birthright where many on Kauai have received paakai from them and the 21 other families.
Paakai practitioners generously give the salt they cultivate to people. The salt harvested at the salt beds in Hanapepe is never sold.
When the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reached Maverick Helicopters on Tuesday for comment on testimony by the salt ponds’ supporters who oppose the permits, the tour company said in an emailed statement, “The permits in question with the County of Kauai will not increase the number of flights operated. The permits will allow us to repair, maintain and improve items associated with our lease agreement with the State of Hawaii. We are not attempting business expansion despite public perception.”
“Flight operations have been in place for nearly a century at Port Allen Airport with commercial flight services beginning in 1929. Airplane and helicopter operations occur daily at the federally funded and public Port Allen Airport. Maverick Helicopters is one of several operators who conduct tourism-based flights over Kauai and also depart from Port Allen Airport.”
Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami said Tuesday night, “As we heard clearly today, our paakai farmers are saying that balance must be restored at Salt Pond, and it is our duty to help them find that balance. I thank those who spent the time to share their manao. We are listening, and we hope those who are asking for the permit are also listening. We must provide due process, and as the commission starts its deliberations, it is our hope that balance sought is restored.”
ON THE MOVE
The Girl Scouts of Hawaii has appointed Lori Teranishi chairwoman of its board of directors. She is a principal of iQ 360, an integrated communications agency that offers content, public relations, marketing as well as creative services to a number of clients. Teranishi has 20 years of crisis communications and issues management experience, while protecting brand and executive reputations.
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