Yesterday (March 15th) when visiting the Maalaea Community Garden, Pastor Aga asked to speak with me. It appears that the Vet organization that now holds the lease to the area is asking him to do the following:
- remove all the vegetable garden areas at the rear of the garden
- remove the newly created butterfly farm
- the chicken coop
- the banana trees
- assorted areas that he uses as his work area
- remove 2 small hales that the Pastor erected for Church weddings
They want this area for themselves to create their “Hawaiian Village”.
Our understanding was that when they were granted the lease, was that they would work side by side with the Pastor in what was deemed the “Pastor’s domain” and in time, if they proved themselves “worthy” they would be granted the permission to develop the area beyond the fenced in area to develop the Hawaiian plan. In all this time, they have NEVER helped in the garden in any way what so ever. They recently parked a large van, somewhat blocking the inner gate, on the road leading to the mudflats. This van they say was placed there for storage.
The Pastor and several community members have worked very hard for the last several years to beautify this whole area. Much time, love, and money has been put into the garden to restore it to its former beauty. The Pastor has also helped the community in asking campers to respect the nearby owners by trying to keep the noise down and trying to limit the garbage left behind. To possibly see all of this destroyed is heartbreaking, let alone the potential for loud parties, drinking and smoking in the garden, would be the utmost disrespect for all the Pastor has accomplished as well as to his Church. I do not see this turn of events as being beneficial for our community.
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