May 1, 5:00 p.m. - the discussion continues. Maui Booksellers - 105 N. Market, Wailuku

Last meeting we touched on some interesting issues. This month we hope to continue, with some more facts to chew on.

Should acreage be dedicated to producing fuel for transportation? How many acres would be needed? How clean and sustainable would the process be? Does the Brazilian model provide guidance?

How much acreage would be needed to feed the population of Maui in a sustainable manner? Or, what population can the acreage of Maui be expected to feed in a sustainable manner? How much acreage should be dedicated to food? What protein sources work best, and can be sustainably used? As petroleum prices rise, what impact on nitrogen fertilizers? How will this effect productivity, and the acreage needed for food or fuel production?

At what rate do we think global warming is occuring? What impacts should we expect?

What communities can we envision on a sustainable Maui? Ecovillages? Bike trails? Pedestrian centers? Community gardens? What models exist that can provide guidance?

What public or mass transit should we develop? When will effective bus routes become a reality? What about private systems? Could transit trains realistically be in Maui's future?

What will our energy grid look like? Can we depend on a distributed generation model?

What sorts of local building and construction materials could be developed and sustained?

What of our waste? How do we reduce it, and then cut it further?

Well, that ought to be enough for a start!

See you May 1, at 5:00 p.m., at Maui Booksellers, 105 N. Market, Wailuku

Aloha!
Ben on Maui