By VALERIE MONSON
Staff Writer
MAKAWAO -- The subject was supposed to be El Nino and how Upcountry residents could successfully weather the drought that is expected to accompany it, but most residents at a Makawao Main Street Association meeting Monday night used the opportunity to vent their anger at what they believe are unfair water rules.
``It seems that whether or not you get a water meter depends on who you are,'' said Chairwoman Madelyn D'Enbeau. ``All people are saying are, `Who are we as taxpayers? What are we? Chopped liver?' ''
About 30 people attended the meeting in Makawao School where Ellen Kraftsow, a planner for the Department of Water Supply, had been invited to talk about the El Nino weather pattern and preparations residents could make to minimize its impacts, but it was obvious that some citizens were sick and tired of what appears to them to be a double standard.
Residents were upset that they constantly are being told to conserve and risk losing their water meters if they don't, while new housing developments are coming online or are in the works.
Stacy Perreira, 22, of Haiku, wanted to know why she would be denied a water meter to build on family land, but a Makawao housing project the county recently purchased was just given nearly two dozen water meters.
``We see all these people building,'' she said. ``It just isn't fair.''
Department of Water Supply Director David Craddick, who was sitting in the audience, ended up speaking to the crowd on several occasions. He told everyone that it was not the Board of Water Supply that makes land use decisions on new housing developments.
Residents were also upset that during last year's drought when they were under restrictions and were watching their home vegetable gardens dry up, the sprinklers at the new ballparks at the Mayor Eddie Tam Memorial Complex were constantly running.
Craddick again took the question and admitted that ``we do have trouble'' getting the county agencies to comply at times. He said that from now on during drought situations when water seems to be being abused at public facilities, citizens should call the Water Hotline at 243-7633.
Kraftsow explained that many of the projects are being undertaken by private contractors who can stand to lose a lot of money if the construction isn't completed on time.
But others in the crowd grumbled that developers had the time to lobby those in power and ordinary citizens lacked the clout.
They did, however, listen to Kraftsow's suggestions to prepare for El Nino. She told them to check their pipes, faucets and toilets for leaks because 10 percent of the average water bill results from leaks. And she impressed upon the group that some actions that may seem manini -- such as shutting off the water when brushing your teeth or shaving -- actually save a great deal.
Earlier in the evening, Kraftsow presented charts that showed how the water department is in the process of increasing its capacity for water storage and hooking up new wells so future droughts might not have the severe impact they currently do.
Water concerns took up so much of the evening's time that another controversial topic on the agenda -- the pros and cons of the downhill bicycle trade -- never even got discussed.
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Psy 412 Miami University. Last revised: . This document has been accessed times since July 15, 1997. Comments & Questions to R. Sherman .