Gerry Lopez, Hawaiian legend and excellent writer, penned a book called, Surf is Where You Find It that we recently checked out. It's a fantastic book that you should read. In one particular chapter in the book, he describes the scene one day where a government commission was holding a hearing about putting a drainage canal that would destroy the world famous Ma'alaea Freight Trains. A number of pro-environment and surfing speakers were being shouted down by local fishermen and tour boat operators, who were in favor of the project as it would expand their marina. Lopez explains how one of the last speakers, an eighty year old man, who was shown reverence by all in attendance. In Lopez's eloquent and moving words, he explains that the old man silenced the crowd when he approached the microphone, explaining his long history with Ma'alaea. Indeed, the “first time the government came to Ma'alea”, he was there. “The first thing they did was build a shithouse right over the freshwater spring,” the old man said. I've never laughed so hard in a long time. Moral of the story is that no development was permitted. Through one voice, the majority was struck down. Sound familiar? Trestles.
