Bulletin Board

Security Alert

There have been a number of break-ins at Ekahi and Ekolu recently. A popular entry point is the jalousie window. All burglars have to do is remove three or four glass panes and they’re in. An S-ring or S-hook can prevent that. Each one costs about 60 cents and be found at SWISCO or easily googled. Please make sure you secure your units no matter how long you may be out.

Keeping Mosquitos Away

With all the news about mosquito spread illnesses such as Dengue Fever and now Zika, we can all do something to keep them away. Mosquitos don’t travel far in their lifetime so those you may see in your yard are probably breeding in your yard or very close by.

If you have seen mosquitos in your area the best repellents still containing DEET. To keep them from breeding in your yard, get rid of standing water in rain gutters, plastic covers, toys or any other container where mosquitoes can breed. Certain plants such as Bromeliads should be trimmed and treated regularly, or removed.

Landscapers should not blow cuttings, leaves, etc. into drainage culverts as that accumulates and holds water from irrigation run-off as well as rain.

Empty and change the water in bird baths, fountains, and potted plant trays at least once a week to eliminate potential mosquito habitats.

Emergency Alert Links

Emergency Alert Links

Get emergency notifications on your phone, pad or computer to stay alert to what is happening on Maui.

Links to County updates that would be of interest to Wailea residents/businesses that require individuals to subscribe to:

Boards and commissions that may be reviewing development applications including the Maui Planning Commission, the Urban Design Review Board, and the South Maui Advisory Committee.

Keep Vigilant on Coqui Frogs!

The Coqui Frog is considered an invasive species in Hawaii and is known to infest sites on Maui.  The Big Island has gotten to a point where they can no longer contain the frogs and they have become a major nuisance. This has not become a serious problem on Maui and in Wailea…yet!

Keep alert, if you hear the coqui in the area, contact Maui Invasive Species Committee to report hearing coquis. The little frogs emit a loud “ko-key”. You can also help by making sure your landscapers use Certified Coqui Free nurseries.

Please Pick Up After Your Dog!

We know that you love your dogs, that’s why you take them out for a healthy walk around Wailea. And you mean to do your part to clean up after your pet keep our community clean and healthy. A bag dispenser (like the one pictured here) can be clipped on to your pet’s leash so you always have a bag available. These dispensers hold 30 bags, are refillable and come in a variety of colors. You can find them at most pet stores on Maui. Please take pride in your community  and help us keep it clean and healthy.

Mold Management

It’s a problem man has battled since the dawn of time-controlling mold. It lurks in the corners and can cause major damage and nasty health issues. As long as moisture and oxygen are present, mold can grow indoors or out on virtually any organic substance, including wood, paper, carpet, insulation and food. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth will often occur, especially if the moisture problem remains undiscovered or unaddressed. It is impossible to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. However, mold growth can be controlled by keeping moisture in check. Moisture control is key-mold cannot grow without it.

Left untreated, mold gradually destroys the material on which it is growing. Because molds produce allergens, irritants and toxins, they have the potential to cause a variety of health problems and can exacerbate existing conditions, such as asthma.

If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and get rid of the excess water or moisture. If an area becomes water damaged, it is important to dry that space and any damaged items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth. Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water to prevent recurrence. Wash mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water and dry completely. Absorbent materials (such as ceiling tiles and carpet) that become moldy may have to be replaced.

How to Improve Your Outdoor Lighting

How do we, as property owners, improve the night ambiance of this wonderful resort? The answer is simple?just shield all outdoor light fixtures and use motion sensors where applicable. Both shielding and the use of motion sensors not only improve the overall night sky and ambiance of the community, but are also better for security.

Shielding reduces glare making it easier to spot someone lurking around a building, and motion sensors provide an alert as well as a means to startle the potential intruder.

There are many ways to make these changes ranging from replacing existing fixtures with fully shielded ones or retrofitting your existing fixtures with shields.

Landscaping and Water Conservation

The WCA is reviewing Ecoscaping, or as it is sometimes referred Xeriscaping (this is NOT zero-scaping), a patented name that stands for water-conserving landscapes, for possible and significant benefit to Wailea. In some areas, terms such as drought-tolerant landscaping and smart scaping are used as well. Ecoscaping is creative landscaping for water and energy efficiency and lower maintenance. Key principles include good planning and design, practical lawn areas, efficient irrigation, soil improvement, use of mulches, low water demand plants, and good maintenance. Ideally, this would give gardeners and landscapers more control over how they use water, without restricting how they garden or landscape. WCA has put this to the test throughout the community in the common areas and has seen significant savings in water and labor.

Efficient use of water can also help your plants become part of the ecoscape. If you water intelligently, you can help your plants become stronger, utilize the moisture in the soil better, and consequently better withstand drought, insects, and disease. The reason efficiency is so desired is because most people use twice as much water as is necessary to water their lawns. Instead of watering frequently and quickly, water occasionally and deeply. It may take more time, but the water will soak into the soil and encourage the roots of your plants (including the grass) to reach down into the soil. Things like mulch and wood chips can help the soil hold moisture better as well, and aeration ensures that the water gets down closer to the roots. Further, if you utilize naturally drought-tolerant plants, their already limited water needs will be maximized and water usage can be cut again by as much as 50%.

Efficient irrigation is a key to water conservation. Sprinklers spray water into the air first, before it ever reaches the ground. Wind can carry airborne water away, distributing it elsewhere than where it was intended to go, inefficiency not conducive to water conservation. Drip irrigation systems preclude this unnecessary water loss by taking the water right to the roots. Drip irrigation systems are constituted by a series of tubes that have holes opened along them at intervals. If you have a bed in which perennials are spaced at two-foot intervals, then there will be corresponding holes in the tubing at two-foot intervals, through which water will be discharged. You don’t waste any water with drip irrigation systems, because you’re not watering the intervening area between plants.

Another potential water and energy saver is pool covers, which can save 90 to 95% of the water that would otherwise be lost to evaporation. Modern pool covers are available in a variety of styles and materials, including automated models. The evaporation rate from an outdoor pool varies depending on the pool’s temperature, air temperature and humidity, and the wind speed at the pool surface (and we do get windy on Maui). The higher the pool temperature and wind speed and the lower the humidity, the greater the evaporation rate. The covers can also provide a safety barrier for children and pets, keep debris and wildlife out, and extend the life of the chemicals in the pool.