>> PBS HAWAII'S COVERAGE OF THE GENERAL ELECTION STARTS WITH TWO# MAUI COUNTY COUNCIL SEATS, SOUTH MAUI AND MOLOKAI.

AND WHILE THE# CANDIDATES NEED TO LIVE IN THE DISTRICT THEY WANT TO REPRESENT,# ALL REGISTERED VOTERS IN MAUI COUNTY CAN CAST A BALLOT IN# EVERY COUNCIL RACE.

THE MAUI COUNTY COUNCIL WILL PLAY A# PIVOTAL ROLE AS THE RECOVERY AND REBUILDING OF LAHAINA REMAINS A# TOP PRIORITY.

TONIGHT'S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVESTREAM OF# INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI'I START NOW.# ## >> Lauren:## ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII...I'M# LAUREN DAY.

THE MAUI COUNTY COUNCIL# REPRESENTS THE ISLANDS OF MAUI, MOLOKAI AND LANAI.# THERE ARE NINE MEMBERS ON THE COUNCIL AND EACH OF THEM ARE# ELECTED TO SERVE A TWO-YEAR TERM.

RESIDENTS ON ALL THREE# ISLANDS, CAN VOTE IN EVERY COUNCIL RACE.# TONIGHT WE'RE FOCUSING ON TWO DISTRICTS.# UP FIRST IS THE SOUTH MAUI COUNCIL SEAT, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE A HIGHLY COMPETITIVE RACE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR# PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR# QUESTIONS.

AND YOU'LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT# PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII YOUTUBE PAGE.# NOW TO THE CANDIDATES IN THE SOUTH MAUI COUNCIL SEAT.# COUNCILMEMBER TOM COOK HAS BEEN A RESIDENT ON MAUI SINCE 1971.# HE WAS FIRST ELECTED TO THE SOUTH MAUI SEAT IN 2022.# PRIOR TO THAT HE WORKED AS A JOURNEYMAN CARPENTER, MASON,# STRUCTURAL CONCRETE WORKER AND A GENERAL CONTRACTOR.# KELLY TAKAYA KING HAS LIVED ON THE VALLEY ISLE FOR MORE THAN# 40-YEARS.

SHE WAS PREVIOUSLY ELECTED TO THE SOUTH MAUI SEAT,# SERVING FOR THREE TERMS.

SHE IS VICE PRESIDENT OF PACIFIC# BIODIESEL, A RENEWABLE ENERGY COMPANY SHE CO-FOUNDED WITH HER# HUSBAND.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE# TONIGHT.

KELLY, I WANT TO START WITH YOU.# TELL US WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO RUN FOR YOU YOUR OLD SEAT.# >> WELL, I'VE BEEN A COLLABORATOR AND# ENVIRONMENTALIST.

I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN RENEWABLE# ENERGY.

I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN BRINGING HOUSING TO SOUTH MAUI.# IT FELT LIKE THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A STALL ON SOME OF THESE# ISSUES.

THERE WERE THINGS THAT I HAD# CREATED AT THE END OF MY LAST TERM I THOUGHT WOULD CONTINUE.# ONE BEING THE YOUTH COUNCIL.

NO FAULT OF TOM'S BUT THERE WERE# SOME THINGS LIKE THAT I'D LIKE TO SEE CONTINUE.# REALLY INSPIRING WAYS OF LIFTING OTHER PEOPLE UP INTO LEADERSHIP THAT'S A BIG FOCUS FOR ME.

ALSO, I CONTINUE TO GET PHONE# CALLS AND DO COLLABORATIONS IN MY COMMUNITY, WORKING ON SOME OF# THE ISSUES I WORKED ON AS A COUNCILMEMBER.# IT'S KIND OF A NATURAL FIT TO GO BACK INTO THAT SEAT.# >> Lauren: WE'LL TALK ABOUT TOO THE ISSUES THAT ARE CRITICAL# SPECIFICALLY FOR SOUTH MAUI.

TOM, WHY SHOULD VOTER RE-ELECT# YOU TO A SECOND TERM?

>> I THINK THAT I'M WELL# QUALIFIED TO SERVE.

MY YEARS OF CONSTRUCTION, NOT# ONLY AS A BUILDER BUT AS A COLLABORATOR, TEAM BUILDER,# BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

DOING MAJOR CONSTRUCTION# PROJECTS HAS A LOT OF MOVING PARTS, AND GETTING PEOPLE TO# WORK TOGETHER.

COLLABORATION NOT JUST BEING A# WORD BY ACTUALLY WORKING TOGETHER.# HOUSING IS SO CRITICAL, AND WE KNOW HOW TO BUILD HOUSING.# AND YOU SEE HOUSING BEING BUILT, BUT UNFORTUNATELY WE'RE NOT# BUILDING THE HOUSING THAT WE NEED, AND GOVERNMENT, I THINK,# IS NOT -- I THINK GOVERNMENT IS PART OF THE PROBLEM.# SO I RAN BECAUSE I THINK THAT I HAVE SOMETHING TO OFFER, AND I'D# LIKE -- FOR MY KIDS AND MY GRANDKIDS.# >> Lauren: SPEAKING OF BUILDING AND BUILDING HOUSING# AND TRYING TO REBUILD, WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE LAHAINA FIRES.# WE JUST MARKED THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRES.# TOM, TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW THE COUNCIL PLAYS AN# IMPORTANT ROLE IN THAT REBUILDING PROCESS.# MAYBE TALK ABOUT YOUR VISION# FOR >> THE COUNCIL'S PLAYED A ROLE PRINCIPALLY IN FUNDING THE# EFFORTS.

ADMINISTRATION HAS PUT TOGETHER# OFFICE OF RECOVERY, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY TEN POSITIONS# FUNDED IN A PERMANENT ROLE.

AND SO WE HAD TO FUND THAT.# TODAY AT MY COMMITTEE MEETING, WE DISCUSSED THE WIDENING OF THE# STREETS.

THE -- BASICALLY WHETHER WE WERE# GOING TO HAVE AN EXEMPTION FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE, FOR THE# COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES IN LAHAINA, WHICH WOULD ENABLE IT# TO BE MORE LIKE THE OLD LAHAINA AND GETTING THE PLANNING# DEPARTMENT TO ADDRESS THE SHORELINE SETBACK RULES, AND# ALSO UNDERSTAND THE URGENCY.

WE DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING TOO# QUICKLY, BUT WE DON'T WANT TO DRAG OUT THIS PROCESS.# BUSINESSES NEED TO BE REBUILDING SIMULTANEOUSLY WHILE PEOPLE ARE# BUILDING HOMES.

>> Lauren: KELLY, I WANT TO# GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT LAHAINA AND BEING ABLE TO# REBUILD AS A COMMUNITY.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR HOW# LAHAINA SHOULD BE REBUILT?

>> I THINK WE START WITH WHERE# WE AGREE.

THERE'S A GREAT PROJECT CALLED# THE MOKUULA, THE WETLANDS THAT USED TO BE THE PLAYGROUND FOR# THE ALII IN YEARS PAST THAT HAS BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR A LONG# TIME TO RESTORE.

EVERYBODY AGREES THAT WE SHOULD# START THERE AND RESTORE THOSE WETLANDS AND BUILD AROUND IT.# ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I FELT, AND I THINK A LOT OF THE FUNDING# CAME FROM OUTSIDE THE COUNTY.

WE'VE FORGIVEN A LOT OF PROPERTY# TAXES THERE.

THERE'S NOT MUCH AS COMING FROM BUT ONE OF THE ISSUES I'VE SEEN FROM BEING INVOLVED IN SOME OF# THE RECOVERY EFFORTS, AND I WAS INVOLVED IN A LOT OF THE RED# CROSS OPERATION BECAUSE MY HUSBAND CHAIRS THE RED CROSS# ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

THEY ASKED ME TO COME IN TO THE# LIAISON TEAM.

I WAS A CONSULTANT TO THEM AS A VOLUNTEER.# ONE OF THE THINGS I FELT HAS BEEN MISSING IS A COLLABORATION,# BRINGING ALL THE GROUPS TOGETHER.# WE'VE ALL TALKED TO DIFFERENT GROUPS SOMETHING THE SAME# THINGS.

SEVERAL GROUPS DOING# REMEDIATION.

SEVERAL GROUPS COME UP WITH# WHERE TO BUILD, HOW TO BUILD AND WHERE THE INFRASTRUCTURE SHOULD# BE.

I DON'T SEE ALL THESE GROUPS# COMING TOGETHER, AND I KNOW THERE ARE GROUPS THAT FEEL LEFT# OUT, AND I'VE KIND OF BEEN IN TOUCH WITH SOME OF THE GROUPS.# ONE OF THEM IS WE'RE NOT VOTING.

THAT IS BECAUSE OF A LACK OF A# COLLABORATION.

PEOPLE AREN'T ALWAYS GOING TO# AGREE, BUT THEY HAVE TO BE AT THE TABLE.

THEY HAVE TO BE# LISTENED TO.

>> Lauren: WE'RE TALKING ABOUT# THE REBUILDING OF LAHAINA.

FEEL FREE TO JUMP IN, IN NO# PARTICULAR ORDER.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE# REBUILDING, DO YOU FEEL ENOUGH IS BEING DONE AT THE COUNTY# LEVEL WHEN IT COMES TO PREPARING TO ADDRESS ANY OTHER FUTURE# POTENTIAL LARGE SCALE DISASTERS IN OUR COMMUNITY?# THE LAHAINA FIRES EVEN BROUGHT UP THIS TOPIC EVEN ON OAHU.

ARE WE PREPARED SHOULD SOMETHING ELSE HAPPEN, WHETHER IT BE ON# MAUI, GIVEN THE DRY CONDITIONS AND ALL OF THAT?# >> I FEEL THAT THE COUNTY HAS REALLY STEPPED UP.# THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, ENVIRONMENTAL# MANAGEMENT.

THE WATER DEPARTMENT HAVE ALL# NOT ONLY IN THE LAHAINA AREA BUT SOUTH MAUI.# THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, CLEANING ALONG# THE ROADWAYS.

WE'VE HAD TOWN HALLS WHERE ALL# OF THEM HAVE COME AND SPOKEN WITH THE PUBLIC ABOUT FIRE# SAFETY, ABOUT THE BASICALLY IDENTIFYING SOME OF THE# PROBLEMS.

IDENTIFYING WHAT PEOPLE CAN DO# TO MITIGATE IT.

I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE# RANCHERS WHO OWN LARGE PROPERTIES MAUKA AND THEIR# GRASSLANDS.

SO I SEE THE COMMUNITY VERY# HEIGHTENED AWARENESS, WORKING TOGETHER AND MUCH MORE CONSCIOUS# SO THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> MY ANSWER TO THAT IS NO,# WE'RE NOT PREPARED.

WE'RE TRYING TO GET PREPARED,# BUT THERE HAVE BEEN -- THERE HAVE BEEN RECOMMENDATIONS AND# STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN DONE AFTER PREVIOUS DISASTERS.# ONE BEING THE LAHAINA FIRE OF 2018.# THERE WAS A REPORT ON THAT WITH RECOMMENDATIONS AND THAT PRETTY# MUCH SAT ON THE SHELF.

AND NOW PEOPLE ARE SAYING IF WE# HAD DONE SOME OF THOSE THINGS, WE PROBABLY WOULD WOULDN'T HAVE# HAD AS LARGE A DISASTER AS WE HAD RECENTLY.

THERE IS A LOT OF# DISCUSSION.

WE DON'T KNOW WHO'S## DOING WHAT.

WE KNOW SOME THINGS ARE BEING TALKED ABOUT A LOT.

WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY'VE BEEN# FUNDED.

I'VE SEEN PROPOSALS FOR FIRE# BREAKS IN LAHAINA, SOUTH MAUI, SPECIFICALLY MAUI MEADOWS.# MA'ALAEA.

BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN THE ACTUAL FUNDING FOR THOSE THINGS.# I THINK WE'RE AWARE THAT WE HAVE TO GET PREPARED, BUT I WOULDN'T# SAY WE'RE PREPARED RIGHT NOW.

>> Lauren: IS THERE ANYTHING# YOU WOULD WANT TO WORK ON?

>> YES.# WE HAD A START ON PUTTING TOGETHER RESILIENCE HUBS.# WE HAD ONE FOR SOUTH MAUI.

MY FRIEND TINA, OUR STATE# REPRESENTATIVE, HEADED IT UP.

IT WAS A IDENTIFYING A HUB WHERE# PEOPLE COULD GO IF THERE WAS A DISASTER.# WE NEED POWER GENERATION.

WE NEED WATER, SOME ESSENTIALS# LIKE THAT, AND THEY PUT TOGETHER A PLAN AND NOTHING HAPPENED# AFTER THE PLAN WAS PUT TOGETHER.

IT'S SITTING THERE WAITING TO BE# FUNDED.

AND THAT'S NOT THE ONLY# COMMUNITY THAT HAS A RESILIENCE HUB PROJECT.# WE NEED THE ADMINISTRATION TO STEP IN.# AND PROBABLY THE COUNCIL, TOO, TO ALLOCATE SOME FUNDING FOR# THOSE HUBS TO ACTUALLY HAPPEN.

WE CAN -- THAT'S WHAT'S SO# FRUSTRATING.

SEEING ALL THE PLANS OR REPORTS# SITTING ON A SHELF AND -- IT'S NOT AN ACTION PLAN IF IT DOESN'T# HAVE DATES AND DEADLINES AND WHEN THINGS ARE SUPPOSED TO# HAPPEN AND WHO'S RESPONSIBLE.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE MISSING.# >> I'M GOING TO DISAGREE.

TALKING ABOUT THE 2018 FIRES## IS RELEVANT AND THE STUDIES THAT LAHAINA FIRE.

I FEEL THAT SUBSEQUENT TO THE# LAHAINA FIRE, MANY OF THOSE THINGS WERE BEING IMPLEMENTED.# WE'VE RECENTLY HAD FIRES UPCOUNTRY.

THEY SHUT DOWN CRATER# ROAD.

THEY'VE HAD FIRES IN KIHEI AND# WAILUKU.

THE NOTIFICATIONS THROUGH TEXT,# PHONE, RADIO HAS BEEN EXCELLENT.

BASICALLY KEEPING PEOPLE UP TO# DATE.

SO THE DIFFERENCE NOW AND THE# DIFFERENCE THEN IS NIGHT AND DAY AS FAR AS PEOPLE BEING INFORMED.# >> THERE WAS A FIRE RECENTLY CLOSE TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD, AND I# NEVER GOT A TEXT.

IT'S VERY SPOTTY, AT BEST.# ONE OF THE THINGS WE WERE TRYING TO WORK ON WHEN I WAS ON THE# COUNCIL, AND THIS WOULD COME UP EVERY YEAR WHEN WE TALKED TO THE# MAUI MANAGEMENT AGENCY.

WE HAVE TO GET COMMUNICATION.# AND WE PUT MONEY IN FOR RADIO STATION COMMUNICATION.# IT JUST NEVER HAPPENED.

YOU HEAR FROM COUNCILMEMBERS ALL# THE TIME.

WE CAN DO ALL THE POLICIES.

THEY# CAN FUND THINGS BUT IF ADMINISTRATION DOESN'T FOLLOW# THROUGH, WHAT DO WE DO?

WE HAVE STOP USING IT AS AN# EXCUSE AND START BRINGING PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING# THESE THINGS BACK TO COUNCIL THIS FOR REGULAR UPDATES.# WE FUNDED THIS.

WE PUT THIS PROJECT AT THE# BUDGET.

WHERE IS IT AT TODAY?# >> IF I COULD INTERPRET.

>> Lauren: SURE.# AND I DO WANT TO MOVE ON BECAUSE WE HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS.

DID NOT KNOW THAT RADIO STATIONS ARE NOT MANNED# FULL-TIME NOW.

THEY'RE MANNED IN THE MORNING.# SO THE WAY IT USED TO BE, WHEN YOU COULD HAVE A RADIO STATION# BROADCAST AN EMERGENCY REPORT ISN'T THE CASE ANYMORE.# THERE'S A LOT OF OTHER MEDIUMS THAT THEY DO IT.# THE CELL PHONES AND RADIO WHEN APPROPRIATE AND WHEN POSSIBLE.# THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT THAT WE HAD PREVIOUSLY AND THE EMERGENCY# MANAGEMENT THAT WE HAVE NOW IS A DIFFERENCE OF NIGHT AND DAY.# THE PROFESSIONALISM OF THE CURRENT EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT# TEAM IS OUTSTANDING.

>> YEAH.

I WOULD AGREE, WE HAVE# SOME PROFESSIONALS IN THERE NOW.

>> PREVIOUSLY, IT'S WATER UNDER# THE BRIDGE.

IT'S REALLY SAD, BUT THEY WERE# NOT YOU HAVE TO THE TASK.

CURRENTLY, THEY'RE UP TO THE# TASK.

>> Lauren: I WILL .. EVERYONE HAS LEARNED, WE COULD TAKE AWAY LESSONS FROM WHAT# HAPPENED IN LAHAINA.

SPEAKING OF THE LAHAINA FIRES,# SOMETHING THAT IS KIND OF RELATED, IT'S NO SURPRISE# EVERYONE KNOWS PORTIONS OF MAUI FACING EXTREME DROUGHT.# PART OF THAT, ONE OF THE ISSUES IS THE ISLAND'S WATER SHORTAGE.# TOM, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW YOU WOULD ADDRESS THIS CRISIS?# >> FIRST, I BELIEVE WEST MAUI IS UNDER SEA WORM DESIGNATED AREA,# RESTRICTED.

SO THEY'RE NOT DRILLING NEW# WELLS, AND THEY'RE VERY CAUTIOUS WITH THE WATER.# I'D LIKE -- WEST MAUI IS DIFFERENT THAN REST OF THE# ISLAND.

THE REST OF THE ISLAND,## WE HAVE AN ABUNDANCE OF GROUND WATER.

YOU SHOULD USE THE GROUND WATER OR SAVE IT FOR THE FUTURE.# SUSTAINABLE YIELD MEANS THAT YOU CAN PUMP IT SUSTAINABLY WITHOUT# JEOPARDIZING OR IMPACTING IT.

IF YOU'RE PUMPING HALF OF THE# SUSTAINABLE YIELD, YOU'RE BEING VERY CONSERVATIVE.# SO UPCOUNTRY HAS BEEN ON A WATER MORATORIUM FOR YEARS.# A PART OF IT IS NOT BEING ABLE TO DRILL THE GROUND WATER.# A LOT OF IT IS THE ELECTRICITY.

WE'LL GET INTO IT POSSIBLY IF# YOU ASK ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE LATER, BUT MAUI HAS AN ABUNDANCE# OF WATER.

IT'S A MATTER WATER DISTRIBUTION AND WATER# MANAGEMENT.

LAHAINA IS CHRONIC WITH IT, AND# IN ORDER TO HAVE A HOSPITAL, IN ORDER TO BUILD THE NEW# SUBDIVISIONS, STATE SEA WORM IS GOING TO HAVE TO WORK WITH THE# COUNTY, AND I THINK BE MORE PROACTIVE AND DILIGENT IN# ADDRESSING THE ISSUE NOW.

>> Lauren: AND KELLY, I'LL LET# YOU CHIME IN.

FRED, A VIEWER, WROTE IN ABOUT# THE SAME TOPIC.

MAUI IS A CENTRAL POINT# STATEWIDE IN TERMS OF WATER RIGHTS, HE SAYS.# THERE HAS BEEN PROGRESS WITH THE RECENT COURT RULING, BUT THERE# IS A LONG WAY TO GO.

HOW CAN THE COUNCIL GET INVOLVED# TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.# BECAUSE SEA WORM DOESN'T MANAGE OUR WATER.# IT ALLOCATES OUR WATER TO VARIOUS COMMUNITIES.# AND THERE WAS A REALLOCATION TO THE TARO FARMERS WHICH HAS NOT# BEEN FULFILLED.

I THINK THE COUNCIL## COULD TAKE A POSITION ON THAT.

THIS NEEDS TO START HAPPENING AND PUT DEADLINES.# A LOT OF THE DEVELOPMENT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST, IT HAS# HAPPENED BEFORE I GOT ON THE COUNCIL.# CONDITIONS ARE PUT INTO DEVELOPMENTS, BUT THERE'S NEVER# A DEADLINE, AND THERE'S NEVER A TIME FRAME WHERE IF YOU DON'T# MEET THESE CONDITIONS BY A CERTAIN DATE, YOUR PERMIT GOES# AWAY.

WE HAVE SOME PROJECTS THAT ARE# 30 YEARS OLD.

THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE# WATER ISSUE.

I THINK THE DEADLINES SHOULD# HAVE BEEN PUT IN THERE.

AS A COUNTY COUNCILMEMBER, WE# HAD SOME MEETINGS WITH SEA WORM THE COMMISSION ON WATER RESOURCE# MANAGEMENT FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW.# THEY SUPPORTED THE WATER AUTHORITY THAT WE PUT ON THE# BALLOT THAT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE THE WAY# FOR OUR COUNTY TO DIRECTLY MANAGE THE WATER DELIVERY# SYSTEMS.

RIGHT NOW THEY'RE PRIVATE.# AND SOME GIVE DIFFERENT RATES TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE.# WE HAVE A FARM.

WE NEED TO MOVE THAT AHEAD# QUICKER.

WE'VE GOTTEN QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY# THAT PASSED.

THEY'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH THE# PROCESS OF ELECTING A CHAIR AND TRYING TO GET FUNDING.# THERE WAS A POINT WHERE THE FUNDING WAS THREATENED, AND# THAT'S THE KEY TO GETTING OUR WATER RIGHTS BACK FOR THE PEOPLE# THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE THEM.

IT'S A LOCAL CONTROL.

DO WANT TO MOVE ON TO SHORT-TERM RENTAL TOPIC.# HOT TOPIC ON MAUI.

BOB IS ASKING, CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THIS# ISSUE, SHORT-TERM RENTALS.

CHANGES NEED TO MADE.# NONE ARE EASY.

ARE YOU, AS A MEMBER OF THE# COUNCIL, PREPARED TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS, HE ASKED.# TOM, YOU WANT TO GO FIRST?

>> SURE.# YEAH, I'M NOT AFRAID TO MAKE A TOUGH DECISION.# I'VE SEEN BOTH SIDES.

I'M SUPPORTIVE AND ENCOURAGING# FOR US TO CAPTURE AS MANY FEASIBLE HOMES THAT WE CAN THAT# HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED TO THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL POOL THAT WERE# POSSIBLY BUILT UNDER CONDITIONS FOR THE HOTELS.# EMPLOYEE HOUSING.

WE ALSO NEED TO MANAGE OUR# ECONOMY.

I MEAN, IF WE DESTROY OUR# ECONOMY BY BEING TOO ABRUPT AND SHUTTING DOWN THE SHORT-TERM# RENTALS, THEN PEOPLE AREN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD# HOUSES.

I THINK THE PATH FORWARD IS# REZONE THE AREAS THAT ARE GOING TO BE SHORT-TERM RENTALS.# UTILIZE THOSE FUNDS TO BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE AND HOMES.# MANY OF THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL BUILDINGS ARE VERY OLD LIKE IN# SOUTH KIHEI.

YOU GET 30 OR 40-YEAR-OLD# MASONRY STRUCTURES ALONG THE COASTLINE.# AND KIHEI IS BASICALLY A COASTAL TOWN.# THOSE ARE VERY HIGH MAINTENANCE, AND IT'S NOT ALL THAT DESIRABLE# TO GIVE A YOUNG FAMILY WITH HIGH MAINTENANCE COST.# I THINK IT'S BETTER SUITED TO UTILIZE THE TAX REVENUE TO PAY WE CAN BUILD HOMES.

MAUI CAN BUILD HOMES, AND THAT'S# THE THING THAT I THINK THIS IS FOCUSING ON THE MAIN THING IS TO# GET HOUSING FOR LOCAL PEOPLE.

WE CAN DO THAT.# IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE AS DISRUPTIVE AS PROPOSED.# SO I THINK A MIDDLE PATH IS THE WAY FORWARD.# I'M SUPPORTIVE OF IDENTIFYING THE HOMES, THE APARTMENTS AND# CONDOMINIUMS WOULD BE APPROPRIATE.# I'M ALSO SUPPORTIVE OF REZONING AND MAINTAINING THE UNITS THAT# ARE -- WE NEED AFFORDABLE VACATION LOCATIONS.# THE HOTELS ARE EXPENSIVE.

IF ANY OF US ARE GOING TO HAVE# FRIENDS AND FAMILIES COME AND STAY, THEY CAN'T SPEND A# THOUSAND DOLLARS A NIGHT.

THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO SPENT $250,# $350 FOR A SMALL CONDO.

>> Lauren: KELLY, I WANT TO# GET YOUR TAKE ON THE SHORT-TERM RENTAL ISSUE IN YOUR COMMUNITY.# >> THE PROPOSAL PUT OUT THERE WAS PREMATURE, IN MY MIND AND# LACKED COLLABORATION.

IF YOU TALK TO ANYBODY IN THE# VACATION RENTAL INDUSTRY, THEY WERE NOT CONSULTED ON IT.# YOU REALLY NEED TO TALK TO ALL STAKEHOLDERS BEFORE YOU MAKE A# PROPOSAL LIKE THAT.

I THINK THE WISE WAY TO GO ABOUT IT WOULD# HAVE BEEN, AND HOPEFULLY THERE'S CHANCE TO DO THIS, IS TO MAKE A# PLAN.

HOW MANY HOMES DO WE REALLY# NEED?

I HEARD OUR WEST MAUI# COUNCILMEMBER SAY IT'S PROBABLY LESS THAN FIVE HUNDRED.# YET 2200 UNITS TO BE TURNED OVER TO LONG-TERM RESIDENTS.# PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD THAT ANYWAY.

# ABOUT CONDO THAT'S ARE $2 MILLION, $3 MILLION.# I CAN'T SEE OUR RESIDENTS MAKING PAYMENTS ON THAT.# ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES WITH ALL OF OUR CONDOS IS INSURANCE IS# SKYROCKETING.

NOT JUST CONDOS BUT BUSINESSES,# WE'VE SEEN IT TOO PERSONALLY.

AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE# EVERYBODY BE PART OF THE DISCUSSION.# LET'S FIGURE OUT HOW MANY UNITS WE NEED TO HOUSE PEOPLE WHO# COULD AFFORD THEM, WHO WOULD WANT TO MOVE INTO THESE CONDOS.# TOM'S RIGHT.

THERE'S HUGE MAINTENANCE COMING# UP.

FROM THE REPORTS WE'VE GOTTEN# WHEN I WAS ON THE ASSOCIATION BOARD, IT WASN'T SO MUCH THE# MASONRY AS MUCH AS THE PIPES.

SEWAGE PIPES LEAKING STUFF# ALMOST INTO THE OCEAN.

SO MAJOR REPAIRS NEED TO BE# DONE, AND WE WOULDN'T WANT TO BURDEN OUR LOCAL RESIDENTS WITH# THAT KIND OF A COST.

IT JUST SCREAMS TO GO BACK TO# DRAWING BOARD.

GET EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN THE# CONVERSATION.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE COST OF# UNITS AND WHETHER PEOPLE COULD AFFORD THEM.# >> Lauren: IF ELECTED, WHAT IS YOUR TOP PRIORITY FACING THE# SOUTH MAUI DISTRICT THAT YOU WANT TO TACKLE DAY ONE, TOM?# >> FLOODING.

MAKING THE INJECTION WELLS# OBSOLETE.

UTILIZING THE R1 WATER, THE# TREATED WATER FOR BOTH IRRIGATION AND TO FREE UP# POTABLE WATER.

AND HOUSING IS NUMBER ONE.# BASICALLY, IN ORDER TO DO HOUSING, WE NEED TO DO SO WATER SOURCE, STORAGE, TRANSMISSION.# UPCOUNTRY, SOUTH MAUI AND WEST MAUI.# ONCE WE -- AND BY BUILDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE OUT, THEN WE CAN# BUILD OUR HOUSING THAT WE NEED.

SO I JUST WANT TO SAY AS FAR AS# THE PERMITTING FOR HOUSING, BUILDING A HOUSE IN 90 TO 120# DAYS, IT TAKE 300 DAYS ON AVERAGE TO GET A PERMIT.# THAT'S PART OF THE PROBLEM, AND PEOPLE WILL LOOK AT THAT.# THE OTHER PROBLEM IS PEOPLE BEING ADVERSE TO GROWTH.# I DON'T WANT TO JUST BUILD, BUILD AND OVERBUILD MAUI.# THERE'S 900 CHILDREN GRADUATING FROM MAUI HIGH SCHOOLS EVERY# YEAR.

EVEN A THIRD IN TEN YEARS,# THAT'S THREE THOUSAND HOMES JUST FOR OUR YOUTH.# OKAY.

I WANT TO BUILD HOMES FOR PEOPLE# FROM THE MAINLAND.

PEOPLE GO, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING# ABOUT?

SO MANY OF OUR FRIENDS AND# FAMILY HAVE MOVED TO THE MAINLAND.# I WANT THEM TO COME HOME.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO PRIORITIZE# AND ENABLE.

SO I THINK IF THE GOVERNMENT IS# MORE ADVOCATING AND ENABLING AND LESS REGULATING, THAT WE CAN AND# WILL BUILD THE HOMES THAT ARE NECESSARY.# THERE'S DEFINITELY A DEMAND.

>> Lauren: YEAH.

I THINK IT'S# AN IMPORTANT ONE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE HIGH# COST OF LIVING HERE.

KELLY?

WHAT'S YOUR TOP FACING# ISSUE?

>> INFRASTRUCTURE.

INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE HOUSING THAT WE HAVE.# NOT ABOUT ROADS AND WASTEWATER BUT THE WETLANDS THAT ARE GOING# TO HELP SAVE US FROM THE FLOODING.# THAT'S A BIG PART OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.# THE ENVIRONMENT IS A BIG PART OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.# WHERE WE'RE AT NOW, PLANNING TO ADD HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF# LUXURY UNITS.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE# INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RESIDENTIAL UNITS.# WE DON'T NEED MORE LUXURY UNITS.

THERE'S PLENTY OF HIGH-END UNITS# BUT NOT ENOUGH AFFORDABLE HOUSING.# THE PERMIT ISSUE IS NOT THE ISSUE.# I HEAR POLITICIANS TALKING EVERY YEAR ABOUT STREAMLINE THE PERMIT# PROCESS.

WHEN I CAME INTO OFFICE EIGHT# YEARS AGO, MY FEELING WAS THAT THE -- AND WHAT TOM TALKS ABOUT,# THE NIMBY.

IT HAPPENS BECAUSE THERE'S NO COMMUNICATION BETWEEN# THE DEVELOPER AND THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE COMMUNITY.# TO FROM THE DAY -- THE FIRST YEAR I STARTED ON THE COUNCIL, I# STARTED WORKING WITH A DEVELOPER WHO WAS TAKING OVER A BANKRUPT# AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT AND TURNING IT INTO AFFORDABLE# RENTALS.

65 YEARS, 60% AMI AND BELOW.# PEOPLE MAKING 25, $30,000 A YEAR.# THEY COULD GET A TWO-BEDROOM.

APARTMENT FOR $511.# I'VE BEEN ADVISING EVERYBODY WHO COMES TO SOUTH MAUI AND LAHAINA.# GO TALK TO THE KIHEI ASSOCIATION.

GO TALK TO MAALAEA# VILLAGE ASSOCIATION.

GO TALK# TO COMMITTEE AND WORK YOUR PROJECT WITH THEM.# THEY WILL ADVOCATE WITH YOU IF THEY LIKE THE PROJECT.# I THINK I INSTIGATED AT LEAST HALF A DOZEN 100% AFFORDABLE# PROJECTS WHILE I WAS IN THE FIRST THREE YEARS BY WORKING# WITH THE COMMUNITY, GETTING THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT, AND IT GOES# TO THE SYSTEM.

WE BUILT THAT 118 AFFORDABLE# RENTAL PROJECT IN TWO AND A HALF YEARS FROM START TO FINISH.# >> Lauren: WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.

I WANT TO END ON ONE QUICK# FUN QUESTION.

FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT, LOCAL# BUSINESS ON MAUI.

>> FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT?# >> Lauren: YEAH.

LOCAL EATERY.

SO YOUR VIEWERS GET TO KNOW YOU# ON A PERSONAL LEVEL.

>> CAFE MOON IN KIHEI.

A KOREAN# RESTAURANT.

IT'S OWNED BY MY SISTER-IN-LAW.# >> Lauren: AH.

THERE YOU GO.

FAMILY BUSINESS.

KELLY?# >> I DON'T GO OUT TO EACH MUCH.

MY KITCHEN.# MY HUSBAND HAS BEEN DOING ALL THE COOKING SINCE I'VE BEEN IN# OFFICE.

HE'S BEEN GREAT.# BUT I DO HAVE A PLACE THAT I LOVE TO GO TO CALLED NALU'S IN# SOUTH MAUI.

IT'S A VERY CASUAL BUT FUN PLACE# AND EXCELLENT FOOD.

>> Lauren: PERFECT.# GREAT ADVERTISEMENT FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES.# WE WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR BEING HERE IN STUDIO.# OUR CANDIDATES FOR SOUTH MAUI DISTRICT COUNCIL SEAT.# KELLY TAKAYA KING AND TOM COOK.

IN OUR NEXT SEGMENT, WE'RE GOING# TO DO FOCUS ON THE MOLOKAI SEAT.

# H.P.

BALDWIN HIGH SCHOOL ON A FEMALE AUTO MECHANIC WHO BECAME# A TEACHER.

>> I DON'T HAVE REALLY ONE REASON AS TO WHY I BECAME AN# AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC.

IT KIND OF JUST HAPPENED.

A LOT OF IT HAD# TO DO WITH MY HIGH SCHOOL YEARS.

I KIND OF TOOK AUTOMOTIVE# BECAUSE IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT IT WAS THE EASY CLASS.

BUT WHEN I# TOOK IT, I ENDED UP ACTUALLY LEARNING AND ABSORBING A LOT OF# CONTENT.

>> THE SO-CALLED EASY CLASS# TURNED OUT TO BE A LIFELONG PASSION AND CAREER FOR ALEXIS# KAHUE, WHO WORKS AS THE AUTOMOTIVE MECHANICS TEACHER AT# H.P.

BALDWIN HIGH SCHOOL IN WAILUKU, MAUI.# >> WHEN IT WAS TIME TO GRADUATE, I DECIDED, HEY, WHAT BETTER# THING TO TAKE IN COLLEGE THAN WHAT I'VE ALREADY BEEN# PRACTICING.

SO, I USED TO WORK IN THE FIELD.

BACK IN 2019 COVID# HAPPENED, AND SO COVID PUSHED ME TO CHANGE SORT OF MY CAREER# PATH.

I WANTED TO STAY IN MY INDUSTRY# AS AN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN, BUT I NEEDED TO MAKE SOME CHANGES TO# WORK WITH MY CHILDREN'S SCHEDULE.

SO, I ENDED UP# TEACHING.

MY SUPERVISOR MENTIONED THAT BALDWIN HIGH# SCHOOL WAS SEARCHING FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE TEACHER FOR QUITE# SOME TIME, AND HE SUGGESTED THAT I COME TO TEACH HERE AS A# FULL-TIME POSITION.

THIS IS GOOD STUFF.

I LIKE THIS.# >> MRS. KAHUE SAYS SHE IS AWARE THAT IT IS RARE TO BE A FEMALE# TEACHER OF AUTO MECHANICS.

ACCORDING TO DATAUSA.IO, THE# NATIONAL U.S.

WORKFORCE OF # AND MECHANICS WAS MADE UP OF ONLY 2% OF WOMEN AND 98% MEN IN# 2021.

>> IT IS STILL LABELED A MAN'S# INDUSTRY, AND I'VE HAD TO WORK HARD TO GAIN ACCEPTANCE IN THIS# FIELD.

I'VE HAD TO HEAR COMMENTS, SEXIST COMMENTS ABOUT,# "YOU'RE A GIRL.

YOU CAN'T FIX CARS.

"# AND THIS ONE LOOKS NOT TOO BAD.

>> TO COUNTERACT THAT, MRS.# KAHUE HOPES MORE FOR FEMALE STUDENTS CONSIDER CAREERS LIKE# HERS.

>> INSPIRING FEMALES, MOST# DEFINITELY, NOT JUST TO BE AN AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC, BUT TO GO# AND VENTURE OUT INTO THOSE 'MEN' INDUSTRIES LIKE CONSTRUCTION,# ENGINEERING, ELECTRICIANS, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

IT'S VAST, AND# FEMALES DO BELONG THERE.

EVERYBODY HAS A PLACE.# IT MAY NOT CONFORM TO WHAT THE TRADITIONAL LIST IS, IF THAT# MAKES SENSE.

BUT US AS TEACHERS, ESPECIALLY FOR ME AS A CTE# TEACHER, I'M TRYING TO GET THEM INTO A CAREER.

I DON'T WANT THEM# TO JUST HAVE A JOB.

I WANT THEM TO HAVE A CAREER THAT BUILDS# SKILL SETS THAT THEY CAN TAKE NO MATTER WHERE THEY GO INTO THE# WORLD.

>> THIS IS LAULEA KALEHUAWEHE# FOR HIKI NO, ON PBS HAWAI'I.

>> Lauren: WELCOME BACK.

OUR# SECOND FEATURED RACE TONIGHT IS FOR THE MOLOKAI SEAT ON THE MAUI# COUNTY COUNCIL.

COUNCILMEMBER KEANI# RAWLINS-FERNANDEZ WAS BORN AND RAISED ON MOLOKAI.# SHE WAS FIRST ELECTED TO SERVE HER DISTRICT IN 2018.# SHE HAS A LAW DEGREE IN NATIVE HAWAIIAN LAW AND ENVIRONMENTAL# LAW AND A MASTER'S DEGREE# IN JOHN PELE WAS BORN IN CALIFORNIA AND IS A GRADUATE OF MOLOKAI# HIGH SCHOOL.

AFTER ATTENDING THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA,# HE RETURNED TO THE FRIENDLY ISLE TO START HIS CAREER AT MOLOKAI# RANCH.

HE'S THE CO-OWNER OF HIRO'S OHANA GRILL IN HOTEL# MOLOKAI.# JOHN, I'LL START WITH YOU.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR TH.. SEAT?

>> GREAT QUESTION.# IT TAKE ME BACK TO A FEW MONTHS AGO WHEN I WAS KNOCKING ON DOORS# ON MAUI.

I KNOCKED ON A DOOR, AND A LADY# ANSWERED.

I GAVE HER MY MATERIAL AND TOLD# HER WHO I WAS.

INTRODUCED MYSELF.# SHE SAID, WHY YOU RUNNING?

SO I STARTED MY VERBIAGE.# I WAS TALKING TO HER, AND SHE STOPPED.# PUT HER HAND UP AND SHE SAID, I DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOUR# POLITICAL ANSWER.

TELL ME WHY YOU'RE RUNNING.# I'LL SHARE IT WITH YOU.

I HAVE AN ONLY CHILD.# EXTENDED KAMEHAMEHA, CHAMINADE.

GRADUATED.# TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT, SHE TOLD ME SHE WAS LEAVING.# SHE COULDN'T AFFORD TO LIVE IN HAWAII.

SHE DID NOT SEE A FUTURE# HERE.

SHE MOVED TO OHIO WITH HER THEN# FIANCE.

I WATCHED MY GRANDKIDS GROW UP# VIA ZOOM.

I FIND THAT UNACCEPTABLE.# I'M RUNNING BECAUSE I'M STEADFAST IN MY VISION TO CREATE# HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR LOCAL RESIDENTS.

TO STOP THE# EXODUS OF OUR GENERATIONS.

IT SHOULD NOT BE A REQUIREMENT TO HAVE A QUALITY OF LIFE THAT YOU HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR HOME.# I'M STEADFAST TO FINDING SOLUTION TO THAT.# THERE'S A LOT OF PROBLEM MAUI COUNTY IS GOING TO DEAL WITH.# WE KNOW THAT, BUT I THINK HOUSING IS OUR BIGGEST PROBLEM.# >> LAUREN: SOMETHING ALL OUR LOCALS CAN RELATE TO.

COST OF# LIVING HERE IS ASTRONOMICAL.

KEANI, IF REELECTED, WHAT MORE# WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH?

>> WELL, I GUESS I LOVE THIS# WORK.

I WORK REALLY HARD FOR THE# COMMUNITY.

SOMETIMES MY FAMILY WILL SAY I# WORK A LITTLE TOO HARD, BUT I LOVE TO TACKLE THE REALLY BIG# SYSTEMIC ISSUES FOR OUR COMMUNITY.# OUR COMMUNITY KNOWS TO COME TO ME BECAUSE THEY KNOW I'LL GET IT# DONE.

ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THAT I'VE# BEEN SEEING THROUGH IS THE -- LIKE JOHN SAID, THE HOUSING# ISSUE.

THE EXODUS OF OUR NEXT# GENERATION.

IN 2019, I INITIATED TEMPORARY# INVESTIGATIVE GROUP ON TAX REFORM AND PUT FORWARD LONG-TERM# STRATEGY TO RECLAIM OUR HOUSING BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GOING TO BUILD# OUR WAY OUT OF THIS PROBLEM.

AND SO IN PURSUING DIFFERENT# WAYS OF RECLAIMING OUR HOUSING FOR THOSE THAT ACTUALLY LIVE AND# WORK HERE, I'VE RESTRUCTURED OUR PROPERTY TAXES.# CREATED TIERS SO THAT THE COUNTY CAN GENERATE THE REVENUE# NECESSARY TO OPERATE WHILE PROVIDING TAX RELIEF FOR THOSE# THAT NEED IT SO THAT WE'RE NOT PRICING OUR RESIDENTS OUT.# I SPEARHEADED THE CREATION OF LONG-TERM RENTAL EXTENSION AND CLASSIFICATION TO INCENTIVIZE THE USE OF VACANT HOMES FOR OUR# RESIDENTS TO LIVE IN AND THAT WAY -- AND I'VE HEARD FROM# MULTIPLE PEOPLE ABOUT HOW IT'S SAVED THEM FROM BEING PRICED OUT# OF THEIR HOME.

THEY SHARED WITH THEIR LANDLORD# THE PROGRAM, THE LONG-TERM PROGRAM, AND THE LANDLORD# APPLIED FOR IT, WAS ABLE TO GET THAT EXEMPTION, WHICH REDUCED# THEIR PROPERTY VALUE AND GOT THE LOWER DISCOUNTED TAX BREAK,# WHICH SAVED THE LANDLORD MONEY SO THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO INCREASE# THE PRICE OF THEIR RENT.

>> Lauren: IT'S CLEAR BOTH OF# YOU ARE ON THE SAME PAGE FROM WHAT YOU HEAR FROM RESIDENTS IN# YOUR COMMUNITY ABOUT FOLKS GETTING PRICED OUT OF THEIR HOME# HERE IN HAWAI'I.# BESIDES THE HIGH COST OF LIVING HERE IN HAWAI'I, WHAT .. ISSUES SPECIFICALLY FACING MOLOKAI IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO# TACKLE IF ELECTED?

>> I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF# PROBLEMS.

WE HAVE SERIOUS SHORTAGE OF OUR# KEIKI CARE.

SHORTAGE OF KUPUNA CARE.# SHORTAGE OF HEALTHCARE.

WE HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE PROBLEMS.# OUR SEWER CAPACITY IN KAUNAKAKAI IS AT ITS HIGHEST LEVEL.# AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED.

WE STRUGGLE WITH SERVICES FOR# OUR MENTAL HEALTH.

WE STRUGGLE WITH SERVICES FOR# OUR SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND THOSE ARE ISSUES THAT ARE HUGELY# IMPORTANT.

AND WE'RE STARTING TO SEE SOME# OF THE SOCIOECONOMIC PROBLEMS THAT MOLOKAI HADN'T ALWAYS SEEN# BEFORE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND IT'S BY THE GRACE OF OUR# COMMUNITY THAT WE TAKE CARE OF # BUT IT'S SOMETHING NEW, SEEING THESE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE COME UP# ON THE ISLAND.

I THINK WE NEED TO ADDRESS A LOT# OF THOSE ISSUES.

>> Lauren: KEANI, ANY OTHER# ISSUES BESIDES THE ONES JOHN MENTIONED THAT ARE ON YOUR# RADAR?

>> I'VE BEEN WORKING ON TWO# REALLY BIG INITIATIVES.

ENERGY, RENEWABLE ENERGY.# IN PURSUING COMMUNITY-OWNED RENEWABLE ENERGY SO THAT WE CAN# EVENTUALLY CONTROL 100% OF OUR ENERGY SYSTEM.# THE OTHER REALLY BIG PROGRAM THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON IS# AINA BACK INITIATIVE WITH THE MOLOKAI HERITAGE TRUST.# THAT IS SO OUR COMMUNITY CAN CONTROL AT LEAST A THIRD OF OUR# ISLAND, WHICH IS CURRENTLY HELD BY GUOCO, DOING BUSINESS AS# MOLOKAI RANCH.

BOTH OF THESE WILL PROVIDE WORK# OPPORTUNITIES THAT WILL STRENGTHEN OUR ECONOMY AND HELP# TACKLE SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT JOHN BROUGHT UP.# >> Lauren: I WANT TO GET TO VIEWER QUESTIONS.# NESTOR IS ASKING -- AND I'LL GIVE THIS TO YOU FIRST SINCE# YOU'RE THE INCUMBENT.

DO THE NEEDS OF MOLOKAI GET# OVERLOOKED BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND COUNCIL?# WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAKE SURE THE ISLAND YOU REPRESENT GET ITS# FAIR SHARE IN A TIMELY MANNER?

>> I THINK THE ADMINISTRATION IS# DOING A GOOD JOB.

ONE EXAMPLE, AND YOU WERE# SPEAKING EARLIER ABOUT IT WITH THE SOUTH MAUI CANDIDATES.# THE IMPROVED MAUI EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY.# FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE'RE GOING # THAT'S NEVER BEEN BROUGHT UP BEFORE.# I THINK, YOU KNOW, KAUNAKAKAI IS AN OLD TOWN, TOO.# I GUESS MAUNA LOA.

IT HAS DRY STRUCTURES, AND THE# THREAT OF FIRE IS ALSO REAL.

WE HAD A FIRE THE DAY BEFORE ON# AUGUST 7TH, BEFORE THE FIRES ON MAUI.# AND SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, BUILDING UP OUR CAPACITY IN THAT# WAY, THE ADMINISTRATION ALSO SUPPORTED US IN RELOCATING THE# FIRE STATION ON EAST END OF OUR ISLAND.# AND SO THAT SERVICE IS CRITICAL, AND THE COMMUNITY IS REALLY# THANKFUL THAT WE'RE MOVING AHEAD WITH SOMETHING THAT WAS PROMISED# TO BE DELIVERED OVER 30 YEARS AGO.# >> Lauren: JOHN, I'LL REPHRASE THE QUESTION FROM NESTOR.# FOR YOU, IF ELECTED, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO MAKE SURE YOU'RE# ADVOCATING FOR MOLOKAI, SO MOLOKAI DOESN'T GET# OVERLOOKED?

>> THE PREVIOUS QUESTION, THAT# WOULD BE MY RESPONSE IS, THERE'S A FEELING THAT SOMETIMES MOLOKAI# DOES GET OVERLOOKED FROM THE ADMINISTRATION, BUT I KNOW# THEY'RE TRYING.

I THINK IT'S INCUMBENT ON US,# PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SERVE, WE NEED TO BE THE VOICE.# WE NEED TO WANT TO BE KNOCKING ON THE DOORS AND LETTING PEOPLE# KNOW WHAT OUR ISLAND NEEDS, WHAT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS.# WE KNOW BEST.

IT'S DIFFERENT WHEN YOU'RE IN A# CANOE DISTRICT AND YOU HAVE THREE ISLANDS ON ONE COUNTY.# AND EVERY ISLAND HAS ITS OWN IDENTITY.# THE MOST IMPORTANT THING AS A # VOICE.

>> I WANT TO## AGREE WITH JOHN ON THAT.# AND THAT'S WHY I HOST A MOSTLY TOWN HALL MEETING SO I CAN GET# TOGETHER.

I CAN HEAR DIRECTLY FROM THE# COMMUNITY EVERY MONTH AND BRING OVER COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES THAT# CAN SPEAK TO SOME OF THE ISSUES.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE# ALSO TACKLING IS A NEW COUNTY CEMETERY BECAUSE WE'RE NEAR# CAPACITY AT THE COUNTY CEMETERY.

>> Lauren: I WANT TO GET TO# TINA, AND SHE WANTS TO GET BOTH YOUR TAKE ON THIS ISSUE THAT# WE WERE TALKING ABOUT DURING THE HIKI NO PACKAGE THAT WE AIRED.# SHE'S ASKING, WHAT CAN THE COUNCIL DO TO GET MORE RELIABLE# AIR SERVICE TO MOLOKAI?

IF THE PROBLEM MOLOKAI HAS# HAPPENED TO OAHU, THE GOVERNMENT WOULD BE ALL OVER IT.

WE NEED TO# GO OFF ISLAND TO GET MAJOR MEDICAL CARE, AND BETTER AIR# SERVICE WOULD CERTAINLY HELP.

>> I CAN SPEAK TO THAT.# I THINK AGAIN, IT'S PUSHING UP OUR CONCERNS TO A FEDERAL LEVEL.# IT'S HARD WHEN AN AIRLINE IS A PRIVATE ENTITY, BUT WHAT THE# COUNCIL HAS DONE BY INTRODUCING A FERRY STUDY IS SOMETHING# THAT'S POSITIVE.

WE CAN GET FERRY SERVICE BACK TO# THE ISLAND.

HOPEFULLY, THEY CAN LEVERAGE SOME APPROPRIATION FUND# THAT'S COME DOWN FROM THE FEDERAL MONIES TO MAKE THAT# HAPPEN.

TREAT IT AS A PUBLIC# TRANSPORTATION SO WE CAN HAVE MORE RELIABILITY ON THAT.# IF WE CAN WORK ACROSS THE LEGISLATION LEVELS TO SEE IF WE# CAN GET HEALTHCARE BACK ON TO OUR ISLAND SO OUR KUPUNA AND KEIKI AND PEOPLE WHO NEED IT DON'T HAVE TO TRAVEL.# IF WE CAN FOCUS ON PROFESSIONALS TO COMING TO US RATHER THAN US# GOING TO THEM, THIS MIGHT MAKE IT EASIER.# AIR TRAVEL IS A CHALLENGE.

I THINK -- I COMMUTE TO WORK ON# MAUI.

SO DOES KEANI, AND IT'S A# CHALLENGE.

WE CAN BOTH VOUCH IT'S A# CHALLENGE.

>> Lauren: YOU'RE NO.. HEAD.

YOU HAVE A PERSONAL STORY.

>> I COULDN'T AGREE MORE.# BUT FOR NOW, I'LL JUST SHARE THAT IN ADDITION TO WHAT JOHN# SAID, FERRY IS PART OF THE CDBGDR FEDERAL FUND PACKAGE.# IT WAS SHARED WITH US FROM ADMINISTRATION.# IN ADDITION TO INCREASING MEDICAL HEALTHCARE SERVICES,# ANOTHER THING WE CAN ALSO LOOK AT DOING IS HELPING TO SUPPORT# BUILDING CAPACITY FROM WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.# THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN STARTING AN AIRLINES LIKE# MAKANIKAI THAT WE REALLY MISS.

AND THAT WAY IT'S OUR OWN# COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT ARE SOLVING OUR OWN PROBLEMS.# >> Lauren: THE INVASIVE DEER ON THE ISLAND, SOMETHING THAT IS# A PROBLEM FOR MOLOKAI.

KEANI, FIRST OFF, WHAT ROLE DOES# THE COUNCIL PLAY IN THIS ISSUE, AND WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE# DONE FOR IT?

>> I BELIEVE IT'S FOR THE PAST# THREE YEARS, SO IT'S MORE OF AN ISSUE ON MOLOKAI AND MAUI.# ON MOLOKAI, WE REALLY LOVE OUR DEER.# BUT WE AGREE THAT WITH CLIMATE CHANGE, WITH LONGER DROUGHTS,# BETTER MANAGEMENT IS IMPORTANT.

AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE WITH LIKE MOLOKAI HUNTING CLUB.# THEY'VE DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB AT GETTING THE COMMUNITY OUT AND# HELPING TO JUST MANAGE THE POPULATIONS ON MOLOKAI.# THE COUNCIL HAS BEEN ALLOCATING# ABOUT $300,000 TO SUPPORT THE EFFORT ON EACH OF THE ISLANDS# FOR THE DEER MANAGEMENT.

>> Lauren: DO YOU WANT TO# TOUCH -- YOU KIND OF BOTH TOUCHED ON IT.# WE TALKED ABOUT WITH IT OUR MAUI CANDIDATES EARLIER.# HIGH COST OF LIVING ACROSS THE STATE AND MOLOKAI AS WELL.# YOU HAVE TO IMPORT ALL OF YOUR FOOD.# EVERYTHING IS MORE EXPENSIVE.

JOHN, I'LL POSE THIS TO YOU# FIRST.

THIS IS IMPORTANT TO YOU# PERSONALLY.

HOW DO YOU GET HAWAI'I LOCALS TO# STAY?

HOW DO WE BRING DOWN THIS COST# OF LIVING ISSUE?

>> I'M STEADFAST, I BELIEVE IT# STARTS WITH HOUSING.

IT REALLY DOES.# I THINK THAT IS THE BIGGEST -- THEY SAY THE MODEL IS YOU SHOULD# SPEND ABOUT 30% OF YOUR INCOME ON A HOUSE, AND WE'RE FAR ABOVE# THAT.

LISTEN, BACK IN THE '70s AND# '80s, THE MEDIAN INCOME OF A FAMILY USED TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD# THE MEDIAN PRICE OF A HOME.

THE MEDIAN PRICE OF A HOME TODAY# IS NOT COMMENSURATE WITH THE MEDIAN INCOME.

IT'S PROBABLY TEN# TIMES.

I STILL BELIEVE IF YOU CAN FOOD,# CLOTHING, SHELTER IS WHAT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT.# WE NEED TO STABILIZE OUR HOUSING MARKET SO PEOPLE CAN AFFORD TO# HAVE MONEY TO DIVERSIFY WHAT THEY'RE SPENDING ON.

I OWN A RESTAURANT, SO I UNDERSTAND COST OF SALES, COST# OF GOODS.

I OWNED A RETAIL GROCERY STORE# FOR 14 YEARS.

IT'S EXPENSIVE.# YOU STRUGGLE WITH MARKING IT UP.

YOU STRUGGLE WITH MARKUPS.

YOU# CAN ONLY SUPPORT SO MUCH.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT.# I'LL STAND TRUE TO -- MY POINT THAT HOUSING IS PROBABLY THE# BIGGEST EXPENSE THAT OUR FAMILIES ARE FACING.# >> Lauren: KEANI, HOW WOULD YOU ADDRESS THIS HIGH COST OF# LIVING, ESPECIALLY ON MOLOKAI?

>> YEAH.# SO LIKE WITH THE -- HAWAI'I IS SUCH IN HIGH DEMAND.# SO MANY PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE HERE.# SO MANY PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE ON MAUI.# IT'S REALLY CAUSED OUR HOUSING COSTS TO BE ARTIFICIALLY# INFLATED.

OUR RESIDENTS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO# COMPETE WITH INVESTORS FOR SHELTER, AND SO ONE OF THE# THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING IS REDUCING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR# SPECULATION IN OUR HOUSING MARKET.# AND PERHAPS WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE MORE LATER.# THE OTHER THING IS I'LL GO BACK TO ENERGY, UTILITIES.

AND SO# WITH THE COMMUNITY-BASED RENEWABLE ENERGY PROGRAM THAT# HO'AHU HAS BEEN SPEARHEADING, IT'S SETS TO REDUCE THE# ELECTRICITY BILLS.

SO THAT WILL HELP TO ALLEVIATE# SOME OF THAT PRESSURE.

WE'RE LOOKING AT A REDUCTION OF# LIKE 20%.

>> Lauren:## LANI IS ASKING, WHERE DO EACH OF YOU STAND ON ELIMINATE SHORT-TERM RENTAL?

IS THAT AS MUCH OF A PROBLEM ON# MOLOKAI AS IT IS ON MAUI?

>> WHAT THE LEGISLATION AS# INTRODUCED, IT'S PROBLEMATIC.

WE CAN ALL AGREE THERE IS SOME# HOUSING STRESS THERE.

AS I'VE STATED, WE NEED HOUSING.# I'M A LITTLE BIT WORRIED ABOUT THE BROADBAND APPROACH TO IT.# MAYBE WE COULD TAKE A LOOK AT THE UNITS WE ARE LOOKING AT ON# MAUI AND SEE IF THERE'S A WAY TO REZONE SOME OF THEM AND WORK# FROM THERE.

ON MOLOKAI, I THINK WE'VE DONE A# GOOD JOB.

WHEN I WAS A PLANNING# COMMISSIONER IN COUNCIL, I MOVED IT FORWARD.# WE VOTED ZERO CAPS.

NOT ALLOWED TO DO SHORT-TERM# RENTALS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS.

WE LISTENED TO THE COMMUNITY,# AND THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT.

WE ALLOW IT IN HOTEL ZONES.# THERE'S TWO PROPERTIES ON MOLOKAI THAT WOULD BE AFFECTED# BY THE LEGISLATION THE MAYOR PUT FORTH.# ABOUT 242, I THINK, UNITS WILL BE AFFECTED.# AND I WAS A CONDOMINIUM MANAGER ON MOLOKAI FOR 14 YEARS, AND# WHAT I ALSO WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS THE ECONOMY IMPACT.# I CAN TELL YOU AT MY PROPERTY, 100% OF THE LABOR THERE, PEOPLE# WHO PERFORMED JOB FOR OWNERS WERE LOCAL FAMILIES.# AND THEY DEPENDED ON THAT INCOME.# THERE IS AN ECONOMY IMPACT I DO WORRY ABOUT, BUT IF WE CAN# CREATE HOUSING, ALL FOR IT.

WE NEED TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND# DEAL WITH HOW IT'S APPLIED ACROSS THE BOARD.

TAKE, OUR VIEWER.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE BILL THAT# JOHN REFERRED TO, I SPEARHEADED IN 2020.# MAHALO TO THE MOLOKAI PLANNING COMMISSION AT THE TIME FOR# SUPPORTING THAT, AND THAT WAS TO BASICALLY PROHIBIT TVR IN# RESIDENTIAL ZONE.

IT WAS MAUI FOLKS ACROSS# HAWAI'I, REALLY WANTED TO SEE MORE CONTROL OVER TVRs ON# THEIR ISLANDS AS WELL.

SO I PROPOSED A SIMILAR BILL TO# TRY TO, YOU KNOW, MANAGE THE PROLIFERATION OF TVRs OUTSIDE# OF -- IN THE APARTMENT ZONE DISTRICT, WHICH IS WHAT THE# CURRENT BILL THAT MAYOR BISSEN INTRODUCED WILL DO.# PHASE OUT TVRs IN IT APARTMENT ZONE ONLY, WHICH IS ABOUT HALF# OF THE TVRs IN MAUI COUNTY.

OTHER HALF WOULDN'T BE AFFECTED# BECAUSE IT'S IN HOTEL AND RESORT ZONE.# AND SO, YOU KNOW, WITH THE -- I THINK THE BEST WAY, CLEANEST WAY# TO APPROACH THIS IS TO PHASE OUT THE TVRs IN APARTMENT ZONES,# AND FROM THERE, THOSE THAT BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD BE# ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TVR USE, THEY CAN APPLY FOR A CHANGE IN# ZONE.

AND THEN THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO# CONTINUE THAT USE.

WE'LL TAKE IT UP ON A# CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.

>> Lauren: ELLA IS ASKING,# JOHN AND KEANI, WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF MOLOKAI# AND WHAT CAN YOU DO ON THE COUNCIL TO MOVE THAT VISION# FORWARD?

>> MY VISION IS WE HAVE AN# ISLAND THAT IS SECURE IN ITSELF.

WE NEED TO LIFT OURSELVES UP AND# BE ON A LEVEL THAT WE CONTROL OUR DESTINY.# AND I'LL GO BACK TO SOMETHING -- WE TALKED ABOUT COST OF LIVING.# WE WOULD BE REMISS IF WE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE A NEW# DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WITHIN THE COUNTY.# IF WE CAN LEVERAGE SOME OF THOSE FUNDS AND GET PEOPLE BACK TO THE# LAND.

BACK TO FARMING AND GROWING# THEIR OWN CROPS AND USE THAT LEVERAGE AND LIFTING PEOPLE IN# TO WHERE WE'RE SUSTAINABLE.

AND WE FEEL COMFORTABLE ABOUT# WHO WE ARE, I THINK THAT WILL GO A LONG WAY TO LIFTING US UP AS# AN ISLAND.

INSTEAD OF -- WE'RE ON OUR OWN# PLAYING LEVEL AND PROUD OF WHO WE ARE, AND I THINK WE'RE ALL# PROUD OF BEING FROM MOLOKAI.

I THINK WE KEEP LIVING THAT# LIFESTYLE.

WE ARE SO UNIQUE IN THE COUNTY# THAT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN LIVE THE LIFESTYLE THAT# WE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH.

WE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE# HOUSING IS ONE OF THE ISSUES AND SERVICES.# WE'LL CONTINUE BEING WHO WE ARE.

>> Lauren: KEANI, WHAT IS YOUR# VISION, AND HOW ARE YOU GOING TO ADVOCATE TO MAKE THAT VISION# COME TRUE?

>> MY VISION IS A SHARED VISION.# A RETURN TO MOLOKAI AINA MOMONA.

CULTIVATING ABUNDANCE.# EMPOWERING OUR COMMUNITY THAT ONCE WAS.# RESTORING OUR FISHPONDS.

MALAMA AINA.# RETURN KALO PATCHES.

THE LO'I SO IT CAN CONTINUE TO# RECHARGE OUR AQUIFER SO THERE'S AN ABUNDANCE OF WATER SO THE# STREAMS ARE RUNNING AGAIN SO WE HAVE LIMU.# THESE ARE INDICATORS OF A # ASK FOLKS, YOU'LL SEE THAT LIKE LIMU IS HARD TO BY -- SEAWEED.# IT'S HARD TO COME BY THESE DAYS BECAUSE OF LACK OF GROUND WATER# DISCHARGE IN THE NEAR SHORE AREA.# IT REALLY IS PROMOTING, LIKE JOHN SAID, A UNIQUE LIFESTYLE# WHERE WE STILL RELY ON THE AINA FOR SUBSISTENCE.# AND THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE AINA AND EACH OTHER IS SO# SPECIAL.

>> Lauren: WE HAVE A COUPLE# MINUTES LEFT.

I'D BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T ASK# BOTH OF YOU ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN LAHAINA.# YOU HIT THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE HORRIFIC FIRES.# IN YOUR COUNTY, EVERYBODY CAN VOTE FOR THE COUNCIL SEATS.# SO THIS IS AN IMPORTANT QUESTION TO END ON, BUT WHAT IS YOUR# VISION FOR HOW YOU WANT LAHAINA TO BE REBUILT?# KEANI.

>> I THINK THE VISION THAT I'VE# BEEN HEARING FROM THE COMMUNITY IS A RETURN TO O KA MALU ULU O# LELE.

THE FOOD FOREST.# A CLIMATE WHICH HELP TO PROMOTE DIFFERENT UNDERGROUND CROPS AND# AQUIFER RECHARGE.

AND RETURN OF MOKU'ULA.# FROM THERE CREATING MORE SAFETY SO THAT WHEN WE BUILD BACK,# WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE FACED WITH THE SAME KIND OF PROBLEMS.# >> Lauren: JOHN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.# AND I AGREE.

I'VE BEEN ASKED THIS QUESTION A# LOT, MY VISION.

I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE A# PARTICULAR VISION FOR LAHAINA.

I WOULD LEAN TOWARDS LETTING THE# PEOPLE OF LAHAINA TELL US THEIR VISION.

LAHAINA AND BE THE SUPPORT FOR THAT.# THEY NEED TO ESTABLISH WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE AND THE VISION TO# REBUILD AROUND THE COMMUNITY.

AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HAS# BEEN STRONG THERE, AND THEY'VE BEEN VOICING THEIR CONCERNS AND# DEALING WITH TEMPORARY HOUSING.

WE GOT TO UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE# ARE STILL PROCESSING THEIR TRAUMA.

EVEN AFTER A YEAR.# WE CAN'T DISPLACE HOW THEY DEAL WITH THEIR TRAUMA.# WE NEED TO BE THERE TO SUPPORT THEM, BUT WE NEED TO LISTEN TO# THE COMMUNITY OF LAHAINA TO SEE WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.# AND WE NEED TO SUPPORT THEM.

>> Lauren: ANYTHING BOTH OF# YOU WOULD WANT TO SAY TO THE LAHAINA COMMUNITY ABOUT HOW YOU# WILL ADVOCATE FOR THEM AND LISTEN?# >> BE IN THE COMMUNITY.

BE ACCESSIBLE TO THOSE ON THE# GROUND.

HELP TO UPLIFT THEIR VOICES, AND# LIKE JOHN SAID ELOQUENTLY, LETTING LAHAINA LEAD.# AND ENSURE THAT THEY HAVE STABILITY THROUGH PERMANENT# HOUSING.

>> I THINK I SHARE THE SAME# SENTIMENT.

IN MY PROFESSIONAL CAREER NOW,# I'VE HAD THE PLEASURE OF DEALING WITH SOME OF THE LAHAINA# WILDFIRE HEALING AND THE HOUSING PROJECTS AND LISTENING TO# COMMUNITY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS WHAT I DO.# IT'S FRESH REFRESHING TO SEE THEM COME TOGETHER AND TALK# THROUGH THEIR PROCESS AND TRY TO DELIVER ON WHAT THEY NEED.# AGAIN, I WILL ALWAYS BE THERE TO SUPPORT LAHAINA.

100% SUPPORT.

>> Lauren: WE ARE ALMOST OUT# OF TIME.

I WANT TO END ON SOMETHING FUN# SO VIEWERS CAN GET TO KNOW YOU ON A PERSONAL LEVEL.# WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT LIVING ON MOLOKAI AND WHY?# >> I CAN ONLY CHOOSE ONE?

>> Lauren: WE JUST HAVE 30# SECONDS.

[LAUGHTER]# >> I GUESS THE BEST THING IS OUR PEOPLE.# I LOVE RAISING MY CHILDREN THERE.# I WOULDN'T LIVE ANYWHERE ELSE.

I LOVE OUR COMMUNITY SO MUCH.# >> 100% AGREE.

THE PEOPLE.# WHO WE ARE, OUR IDENTITY.

I WOULD NOT LIVE ANY PLACE ELSE.# AND I LOVE TO FISH.

I CAN FISH ON BEACHES WHERE I'M# THE ONLY ONE THERE.

>> Lauren: I'M SURE IT'S# BEAUTIFUL.

I'VE NEVER BEEN.# SOME DAY.

>> Lauren: MAHALO TO YOU FOR# JOINING US TONIGHT -- AND WE THANK THE CANDIDATES FOR# THE MOLOKAI DISTRICT SEAT ON THE MAUI COUNTY COUNCIL, JOHN PELE# AND KEANI RAWLINS-FERNANDEZ.

THANK YOU TO THE TWO OF YOU FOR# BEING WITH US TONIGHT.

NO INSIGHTS NEXT WEEK, BUT WE'RE# CONTINUING OUR ELECTION COVERAGE.

THIS MONTH'S PRIMARY# SAW THE LOWEST VOTER TURNOUT IN STATE HISTORY.# THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT IS EXPECTED TO# INCREASE TURNOUT BUT WILL THIS LACKLUSTER TREND CONTINUE WITH# THE NEXT GENERATION?

WE'LL HEAR FROM FIRST-TIME VOTERS IN KAKOU:# HAWAII'S TOWN HALL.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

PBS HAWAI'I.

ALOHA!