FOR THE SECOND TIME IN FOUR YEARS, THERE'S CROWDED FIELD IN THE PRIMARY COLLECTION CONTEST FOR MAYOR OF MAUI COUNTY.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION AS INCUMBENT MIKE VICTORINO, COUNCILMEMBER MIKE MOLINA, COUNCILMEMBER KELLY TAKAYA KING, AND RETIRED JUDGE RICHARD BISSEN.

WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT ISSUES IN MAUI COUNTY.

TONIGHT'S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVESTREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.

¶¶ ¶¶ ¶¶ ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

I'M YUNJI DE NIES.

JUST AS IT WAS IN 2018, THE ELECTION CONTEST FOR MAUI COUNTY MAYOR IS 2022 IS A CROWDED ONE.

IN ALL, EIGHT PEOPLE ARE VYING FOR THE COUNTY’S TOP JOB.

MAUI’S MAYORAL PRIMARY IS NON‑PARTISAN.

IF NO ONE GETS MORE THAN 50 PERCENT OF THE VOTE IN THE AUGUST 13TH PRIMARY, THEN THE TOP TWO VOTE‑GETTERS WILL FACE EACH OTHER IN A RUNOFF ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

WITH PROMINENT COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND POLITICIANS ON THE BALLOTS, THIS RACE IS SHAPING UP TO BE A CLOSE ONE.

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

YOU CAN EMAIL OR CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS AND YOU’LL FIND A LIVESTREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII FACEBOOK PAGE.

NOW TO OUR GUESTS.

RICHARD BISSEN IS FROM KAHULUI AND SPENT 30 YEARS AS AN ATTORNEY AND JUDGE IN MAUI COUNTY.

HE RETIRED IN 2021 WHEN HE WAS SERVING AS THE CHIEF CIRCUIT COURT JUDGE.

PRIOR TO HIS JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT, HE SERVED AS THE FIRST DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII.

MIKE MOLINA WAS BORN IN WAILUKU AND RAISED IN MAKAWAO.

HE SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AND THE HAWAII AIR NATIONAL GUARD.

HE WAS A TEACHER ON MAUI AT LAHAINA INTERMEDIATE AND KALAMA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS.

HE IS CURRENTLY SERVING HIS SEVENTH TERM ON THE MAUI COUNTY COUNCIL.

KELLY TAKAYA KING IS FROM KIHEI AND IS SERVING HER THIRD KELLY TAKAYA KING IS FROM KIHEI AND IS SERVING HER THIRD TERM AS A MAUI COUNTY COUNCILMEMBER.

OUTSIDE OF HER WORK IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SHE IS VICE PRESIDENT OF PACIFIC BIODIESEL, A RENEWABLE ENERGY COMPANY SHE FOUNDED WITH HER HUSBAND IN 1995, THE FIRST COMMERCIAL BIODIESEL COMPANY IN THE U.S. MIKE VICTORINO IS APPEARING VIA ZOOM DUE TO COVID‑19 EXPOSURE.

HE IS FROM WAILUKU HEIGHTS AND IS THE CURRENT MAYOR OF MAUI COUNTY.

PRIOR TO BEING ELECTED MAYOR, HE SERVED FOR 10 YEARS ON THE MAUI COUNTY COUNCIL.

HE IS A FORMER YOUTH SPORTS COACH AND DIRECTOR OF THE MAUI COUNTY FAIR.

ALSO ON THE BALLOT ARE CULLAN BELL, KIM BROWN, ALANA KAY, AND JONAH LION.

MAHALO FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

IN THIS HYBRID SHOW.

MIX OF ZOOM AND IN PERSON.

MISS KING I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

WE HAVE SEEN A HUGE INCREASE IN THE MEDIAN PRICE OFFING IN MAUI COUNTY.

HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE AFFORDABLE HOMES IN COUNTY SO PEOPLE WHO WANT TO LIVE THERE AREN'T FORCED TO LEAVE?

>> WE'RE DOING THAT IN SOME RESPECTS, SINCE I'VE BEEN ON THE COUNCIL.

BROUGHT IN ABOUT SIX AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS TO MY DISTRICT.

MOST OF THEM FOR THE 60% AREA MEDIAN INCOME GROUP AND BELOW.

SO WE'VE GOT AFFORDABLE RENTALS IT'S ONE CAME FIRST ONE CAME ONLINE IN 2020.

NEXT ONE JUST OPEN TODAY FOR APPLICATIONS.

MEANWHILE, HAD A COUPLE OF FOR SALE PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN MOVING ALONG.

FIRST ONE ALREADY BEEN FILLED WITH BY THE LOTTERY AND THOSE ARE DUPLEX UNITS STARTING AT 395,000 APIECE.

I DON'T THINK YOU'LL SEE LOWER PRICES THAN THAT.

AFFORDABLE RENTALS ARE STARTING LESS THAN $600 A MONTH FOR 2 BEDROOM APARTMENT.

COUNTY COUNCIL HAS BEEN MOVING AHEAD.

GOT PROJECTS IN WAILUKU AND PROJECTS IN WEST MAUI.

TRYING TO MOVE AHEAD FASTER AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOAL OF MY ADMINISTRATION IS TO EXPEDITE SOME OF THESE PROJECTS AND THE WAY THAT WE'VE BEEN EXPEDITING THEM IN SOUTH MAUI IS TO GET DEVELOPERS TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITIES.

SO YOU DON'T GET YEAR OF PUSH BACK IN LAWSUITS AND FIGHT AGAINST PARTICULAR WAY OF PROJECTS BEING DONE OR AREA THAT IS NOT SUITABLE.

DONE A REALLY GOOD JOB IN SOUTH MAUI.

DONE A GOOD JOB IN CENTRAL.

AND ALSO WEST MAUI.

AND WE'RE WORKING WITH RIGHT NOW OFF OF COMPREHENSIVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN THAT THE COUNCIL FUNDED.

AND KIND GIVING US PLAYBOOK OF HOW TO GET THERE FASTER.

GOAL OF THIS PLAN IS TO GET, 5,000 UNITS IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

>>Yunji: LET'S GO TO YOU.

DO YOU THINK THAT THE COUNCIL IS DOING ENOUGH ON THIS AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY AS MAYOR?

>> LET ME JUST FIRST START.

I INITIATED HOUSING BEEN A MAJOR PASSION OF MINE.

7 YEARS ON THE COUNCIL.

YEARS BEFORE, OFFERED MECHANISMS HELP PUT PEOPLE IN HOME.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND.

COUNTY FIRST TIME BUYER'S FUND.

ATTACK THE PROBLEM USING MULTIPRONGED APPROACH.

EXPAND INVENTORY.

SOME OF MY IDEAS, PARTNERING WITH DEVELOPERS.

EXPAND INVENTORY.

BUILDING ON COUNTY OWNED PROPERTY.

THAT'S WHERE THE EXPENSE LIES.

IT'S IN THE LAND.

MAYBE GO VERTICAL AND NETWORK WITH A LOT OF COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS BUT I THINK WE CAN AT LEAST SLOW DOWN THIS RUN AWAY TRAIN.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE BRAIN DRAIN.

WE'RE LOSING A LOT OF TALENTED PEOPLE TO THE MAINLAND.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR CITIZENS.

IF WE DON'T ADDRESS THIS CRISIS ASASP.

CERTAINLY, THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM ISOLATE TO DO JUST MAUI COUNTY.

IT'S ALL OVER.

I THINK THIS COUNCIL HAS BEEN MOVING FORWARD AND I THINK WORKING COHESIVELY, THAT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL WAS SO IMPORTANT TO REACH OUR GOALS OF ADDRESSING HOUSING CRISIS.

>>Yunji: HOW WOULD YOU ATTACK HOUSING CRISIS ON MAUI.

>> AVERAGE PRICE IS $1.2 MILLION.

WHICH MEANS THERE ARE HOMES THAT ARE EVEN HIGHER THAN THAT.

AWAY WITH DO DIFFERENTLY, KAMA'AINA HOUSING.

FOCUS IS ON WHO IS GETTING THE HOME.

NOT HOW MUCH THE COST OF THE HOME IS.

THINK WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, PEOPLE FOCUS ON THE PRICE OF THE HOME.

WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON MAUI.

WHO IS BUYING THOSE HOMES.

WHO GETTING INTO THE HOMES?

NO DOUBT, EFFORTS MADE BUT COST OF HOUSING IS SO EXPENSIVE.

TWO ISSUES COME UP TIME AND AGAIN ON MAUI.

IS WHERE TO BUILD A HOUSE.

AND WHO DO SELL THE HOUSE TO.

WHERE TO BUILD IT MEANS FOCUSING ON INVENTORY.

WHERE OUR APPROPRIATE PLACES TO BUILD.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT DRIVE PRICES UP.

WHEN YOU BUILD A HOME IN A PLACE THAT'S NOT APPROPRIATE, END UP SPENDING TIME AND MONEY TRYING TO DEAL WITH THAT ISSUE.

THAT GET PASSED ON TO THE HOME BUYER.

MY THEORY, THOUGHT IS WE SHOULD HAVE INVENTORY OF APPROPRIATE PLACES.

WE SHOULD CONSIDER HAVING PEOPLE WHO BUY HOMES HAVE A HOMEOWNERS EXEMPTION.

IN OTHER WORDS, THEY CAN SHOW THAT THEY'RE A RESIDENT OF THE ISLAND OF MAUI BEFORE THEY CAN PURCHASE THAT HOME.

COUNTY SHOULD ALSO BE PUTTING IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

AS THEY DO IN MOST MUNICIPALITIES.

NOT BEEN THE CASE IN THE PAST.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY SHOULD BE DOING.

>>Yunji: AND MAYOR VICTORINO, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW TO LOWER COST OF HOUSING AND TRY TO MAKE IT MORE AFFORDABLE FOR RESIDENTS OF MAUI.

>> WE'VE BEGUN BY PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH DEVELOPERS TO MAKE SURE THAT NECESSARY INVENTORY IS BUILT WORKFORCE HOUSING.

WE NEED INFRASTRUCTURE AND COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO DOING THAT TO THE PROPERTY LINES ALL OF THESE VARIOUS WORKFORCE HOUSING AND AFFORDABLE RENTALS.

WE HAVE PRODUCED ALMOST 1500 UNITS OVER THE LAST 3‑AND‑A‑HALF YEARS.

ALL OVER THE ISLAND.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE GIVE A WIDE ARRAY OF HOUSING.

DONATED LAND TO THE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL STAFF AND MEDICAL PROFESSORS AND IN A HALE O MAUI FOR POLICE AND FIRE.

AWAY CALL THOSE THAT ARE IN THE GAP GROUP.

IN THE COUNCIL HAS CONCENTRATED ON THE 60% AND MORE, WHICH IS FINE.

WE NEED THAT.

WE NEED RIGHT OF WAY OF HOMES FOR OUR POLICE, FIRE, PROFESSORS THAT ARE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT CANNOT AFFORD THE 1.2 MILLION.

OR WHAT THEY SEE NOW.

AROUND A MILLION DOLLARS.

AND CAN'T AFFORD TO GO INTO THOSE GAP, LOWER INCOME BRACKETS EITHER.

IT HAS TO BE DONE.

WORKING THAT WITH AMEN GROUP, WORKS WITH DEVELOPERS TO MAKE SURE A LOT OF THE NECESSARY STARTING POINTS I ARE TAKEN CARE OF.

WE HAVE A CULTURAL SPECIAL NOW WE BROUGHT IN TO TAKE CARE OF CULTURAL ISSUES SO WE DON'T HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THAT ON THE BACK END.

THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN VERY PROACTIVE AND WE HAVE 3500 UNITS IN THE PIPELINE THAT WE'RE GOING TO START.

GOING TO BREAK GROUND ON 346 APARTMENTS HERE IN WAILUKU.

ON AUGUST 8TH.

SO I'M PROUD OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO AND WORKING WITH THE COUNCIL, AND SOME OF THEIR PLANS, HAS BEEN VERY REWARDING.

>>Yunji: I WANT TO BRING IN ANOTHER QUESTION.

WE APPRECIATE ALL THE VIEWERS ALREADY WRITING IN.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO WRITE IN.

CALL IN AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO ASK THE CANDIDATES TONIGHT.

THIS ONE GOES TO YOU FROM MIKE WAILUKU.

PROPOSAL AT THE COUNCIL, TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS CURRENT LEVEL ESSENTIALLY PERMANENT MORATORIUM.

HOW DOES EACH CANDIDATE FEEL ABOUT THAT?

WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT?

PUSH TO LOWER IMPACT OF TOURISM BY LOWERING THE AVAILABLE ROOMS OR AT KEEPING THEM WHERE THEY ARE.

>> DON'T THINK ANYONE IS ADVOCATING FOR MORE HOTELS.

WAY TO CAP TOURISM, CAP ACTIVITIES FOR CERTAIN PROGRAM.

FOR EXAMPLE YOU HAVE TO HAVE A RESERVATIONS GO TO HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK.

CONSIDER CAPPING ACTIVITIES.

AS FAR AS MORATORIUM, I DON'T KNOW IT WOULD ACHIEVE THE GOAL SET OUT TO DO.

WHICH WAS TO LOWER TOURISTS OR I GUESS DISCOURAGE TOURISTS FROM COMING TO MAUI.

WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THE IMPACT THIS HAS.

LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO RELY ON THEIR LIVELIHOOD, RELEASES ON TOURISM.

NOW, WE KNOW THAT'S TYPES OF JOBS THAT COME FROM THIS PROGRAM, PEOPLE GET PAID.

USUALLY HAVE TO WORK 2 OR 3 JOBS IN ORDER DO THAT KIND OF WORK.

BUTS THEIR WORK.

IT IS THEIR JOB.

WE SHOULD CONSIDER SERIOUSLY IMPACTS SOME OF THIS WILL HAVE IF WE, I DON'T THINK ANYONE WOULD DISAGREE.

WE HAVE ENOUGH HOTELS ON MAUI.

SHOULDN'T HAVE ANY MORE HOTELS.

>>Yunji: YOUR THOUGHTS?

SHOULD BE MADE PERMANENT?

>> IF IT WORKS IN CONJUNCTION WITH DIVERSIFYING OUR ECONOMY.

THAT'S GOING TO BE REALLY KEY TO THIS BECAUSE IF WE CAP IT RIGHT NOW, NOT ELIMINATING ANY JOBS.

GET THAT STRAIGHT.

WE'RE NOT ALLOWING FUTURE JOBS.

WE WILL BE EXPANDING TOURISM INDUSTRY.

I DON'T KNOW ANY OTHER WAY TO CAP THE TOURISM NUMBERS TO KEEP THEM WITHIN THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE MAUI ISLAND PLAN.

WE HAVE MAUI ISLAND PLAN THAT SAYS, THERE SHOULD BE X AMOUNT OF TOURISTS PER RESIDENCE ON THE ISLAND.

WE'VE GONE OVER THAT NUMBER.

SO THE ONLY WAY TO CAP THAT TO GET THAT NUMBER, MORE REASONABLE, SO WE DON'T HAVE OUR ENVIRONMENT TRAMPLED ON, INFRASTRUCTURE OVERUSED IS TO CAP THE ACCOMMODATION.

PEOPLE MAKE ACCOMMODATIONS BEFORE THEY GET HERE.

NO ONE SHOWS UP HERE.

LOOKS FOR A HOTEL ROOM.

IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT.

COUNCIL HAS FUNDED IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR EXPANDING ECONOMY AND DIVERSIFYING IT.

SO WE CAN HAVE OTHER JOBS.

THAT IS REALLY WHAT HE NEED FOR NEXT GENERATION.

NOT JUST AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHY PEOPLE ARE LEAVING THE ISLAND.

ONE OF THE REASONS IS YOUNG PEOPLE GO OFF TO COLLEGE.

COME BACK HERE.

THERE ARE NO FULL‑TIME FAMILY WAGE EARNING JOBS IN THEIR FIELD.

IN TECHNOLOGY OR FILM OR HEALTH CARE OR SOME OF THE THINGS THEY REALLY WANT TO DO WHEN THEY GET BACK HERE.

SO EXPANDING INTO THOSE OTHER, DIVERSIFYING INTO OTHER AREAS LIKE WE'VE BEEN DOING WITH AGRICULTURE, THIS COUNCIL HAS PUT A LOT OF MONEY AND A LOT OF INVESTMENT INTO AGRICULTURE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THAT IS GOING TO GIVE US THE LEVEL OF JOBS THAT WE NEED AND KIND OF HAVE TO WORK HAND IN HAND.

BECAUSE YOU CAN'T CONTINUE TO LET TOURISM OVERRIDE OUR ECONOMY AND STILL GROW THE REST OF OUR ECONOMY.

WE NEED TO HAVE A BALANCE THERE.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR IN THIS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS CAPPING NUMBER OF HOTELS ON MAUI NOW AND NOT ALLOWING FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT IN THIS AREA.

>> I AGREE WE HAVE AMPLE NUMBER OF ROOMS AT THIS TIME.

ALTHOUGH, MAUI COUNTY HAVE LESS ROOMS TODAY THAN THEY HAD BACK IN 2000.

ALMOST 1500 LESS ROOMS THAN WE HAD IN 2000.

STARTED THE NEW CENTURY.

HOWEVER, WITH THAT BEING SAID, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY DIVERSIFIES ITSELF BY GOING INTO HEALTH CARE WELLNESS AND ECHO TOURISM.

AREAS THAT WE HAVE ALL TALKED ABOUT.

SEEING SOME OF RESIDUAL EFFECT.

LANAI, MR. ELLISON HAS BUILT A HEALTH COMPLEX.

FOR ELITIST.

PEOPLE THAT HAVE A LOT OF MONEY.

WE IS CAN DO A SIMPLE ON MAUI COUNTY.

CENTER OF WELLNESS FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII.

HAVE ALL THE TOOLS.

WHAT HAPPENS TOO, BUILD THIS WELLNESS, ALSO BRING IN EQUIPMENT THAT LOCALS, RESIDENTS GET TO BENEFIT.

DON'T HAVE TO GO TO OAHU FOR EVERY TIME WE NEED CERTAIN TYPE OF TEST.

LIKE MY MRI'S OR CAT SCANS AND STUFF.

THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> THESE ARE VERY IMPORTANT ISSUES.

AGAIN, WITH AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY, ESPECIALLY BROADBAND, WORKING REAL HARD WITH THE BROADBAND HUGH TOY MAKE SURE WE CAN EXPAND THE HORIZONS BECAUSE IF SOMETHING THIS PANDEMIC HAS TAUGHT US, WE CAN.

DO A LOT OF SALES TO POP UP MAKEKE KAMA'AINA FIRST.

MADE IN MAUI.

WE CAN DO IT VIRTUALLY SO WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE COME HERE.

LOOKING TO BYPRODUCT.

TAKEN BY ONLINE.

BUY IT FROM OUR LOCAL RESIDENTS.

LOCAL VENDORS.

>>Yunji: LET'S GET TO YOU.

ON THIS QUESTION.

OF CAPPING NUMBER OF HOTELS ON THE ISLAND.

>> I SUPPORTED MORATORIUM BECAUSE I THINK DEVELOPMENT WE NEED NOW IS ATTAIN HOUSING FOR OUR OUGHT DENSE W DON'T NEED ANY HOTELS AT THIS TIME.

>> WHERE ARE WE GOING TO HOUSE THESE EMPLOYEES?

CREATE BIGGER COMPETITION FOR RENTALS AND HOUSING.

SO TO ME, MAKES SENSE AT THIS POINT IN TIME TO SLOW DOWN THE PROVERBIAL RUN AWAY TRAIN.

GOT LOOK AT THE ISSUES OF WATER.

WHERE ARE WE GOING TO GET THE WATER FROM?

THAT AND ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE DISCUSSED, WE'VE GOT RESPECTED OUR RESIDENTS QUALITY OF LIFE.

HAVING GROWN UP IN MAUI, AND CAN PROBABLY RELATE TO THIS.

WE EXPERIENCE A VERY, VERY DIFFERENT MAUI BACK IN THE DAY.

BUT NOW, WE HAVE TRAFFIC.

NOT AT THE LEVELS OF OAHU.

NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE.

EVEN AT THE AIRPORT, AND THE OVERTOURISM ISSUE.

THAT IS ONE REASON WHY I SUPPORT THE MORITORIUM.

AS WELL.

TO TAKE THAT PAUSE.

TO SEE HOW WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS OVER TOURISM.

BECAUSE WE HAVE TO RESPECT OUR RESIDENTS QUALITY OF LIFE.

IF WE CAN GET SOME REVENUE FROM THE TOURISM INDUSTRY TO HELP OFFSET OUR COSTS TO ADDRESS INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS AT OUR PARKS AND ROADS AND SO FORTH, I THINK THAT IS ONE ROAD WE NEED TO TAKE.

WE'VE GOT RESPECT RESIDENTS CONCERNS ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE.

>>Yunji: BUILDING ON THAT, MR. MAYOR, IF YOU WOULD ANSWER THE NEXT QUESTION FIRST.

FROM PAT ON MAKAWAO.

ISSUE OF WATER FOR ANY NEW DEVELOPMENT.

WHAT PAT WANTS TO KNOW.

IF ELECTED, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT THE WATER SITUATION ESPECIALLY UPCOUNTRY?

YOU HAVE PEOPLE WEIGHT FOR YEARS ON THE WATER METER LIST TRYING TO GET A WATER METER TO BUILD THEIR PROPERTY.

WE KNOW WATER IS AN ISSUE ON EACH AND EVERY ISLAND.

MAUI OF COURSE HAS THAT AS WELL.

WHAT DO YOU SAY TO PAT IN MAKAWAO TONIGHT ABOUT THE LONG WAIT THEY'RE EXPERIENCEENING UPCOUNTRY MAUI AND WATER OVERALL?

>> UPCOUNTRY AREA, WE NEED TO DEVELOP COUNTY WELLS.

WE HAVE NOT DEVELOPED ANY WELLS SINCE PO'OKELA BACK IN 2000.

IT'S BEEN OVER 20 YEARS SINCE WE DEVELOPED ANY NEW SOURCES OF WATER BY THE COUNTY.

HAD PRIVATE DEVELOPERS DO IT.

VERY LITTLE BACK AT THE END.

WE ALSO HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE WORK WITH EACH MAUI AND OTHER SOURCES THAT SUPPLY OUR WATER FOR UPCOUNTRY BECAUSE SURFACE WATER.

SURFACE WATER DRY EVERY SO OFTEN, ESPECIALLY WE DON'T HAVE RAIN.

BUILDING MORE RESERVOIRS IS PART OF CHALLENGE BECAUSE OF THE RESTRICTIONS THAT THE STATE PUT OUT THERE.

MORE IMPORTANT, LEARNING TO USE OUR RUN WATER IN AREAS THAT WE CAN.

THAT'S WHY CENTRAL MAUI, BUILDING THE NEW CENTRAL AWAY WATER TREATMENT PLANT WHICH WILL ONCE COMPLETED, AND DIVERT MOST OF THE SEWER OR WASTEWATER TO THE PLANT TO CENTRAL PLANT.

PRODUCE BETWEEN 10 AND 12 MILLION‑GALLONS OF WATER EACH AND EVERY DAY FOR AGRICULTURE.

REDUCE THE DEPENDENCE ON EAST MAUI.

MANY FACETS.

COUNTY HAS TO BE IN THE LEAD ON THAT WE HOPE THAT STATE WILL ALLOW US TO TAKE THAT LEAD WITH ALSO THE REGIONAL AUTHORITIES THAT THE COUNCIL HAS PUT ON THE BALLOT.

I FAVOR THAT WITH THE QUESTION IS WHAT IS IN THE DETAILS, DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS.

I NEED TO KNOW THE DETAILS BEFORE WE FIRMLY MAKE COMMITMENT.

I KNOW WE ARE LOOKING AT WORKING WITH EAST MAUI.

MET WITH THE PEOPLE OUT THERE.

CONTINUE TO MEET WITH VARIOUS GROUPS.

>>Yunji: WHAT DO YOU SAY TO PAT IN MAKAWAO ON THE WATER ISSUE.

>> NOT A NEW ISSUE.

ONGOING ISSUE.

GONE ON FOR YEARS AND YEARS.

HEARING PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THIS AS IF THERE'S A NEW ISSUE TO DEAL WITH.

WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING AS I UNDERSTAND, THE WATER PROBLEM YOU EVER COUNTRY, IF YOU ARE ON LIST AND YOU LIVE IN THE CERTAIN PART OF THE TOWN, YOU'RE GOING TO GET CHARGED FOR THE TRANSMISSION LINE THAT GOES THROUGH YOUR PROPERTY.

MAY BE OTHER PEOPLE ALONG THAT ROUTE.

THAT COULD BENEFIT FROM THAT.

BUT THEY GOT TO WAIT THEIR TURN BEFORE THEY CAN GET THEIRS.

IT MAKE SENSE TO ME THAT WE DO A SYSTEM WHERE WHOEVER IS NEXT ON THE LIST, WHO IS ON THAT LINE, THEY ALL, HUI TOGETHER AND BENEFIT FROM THAT.

BECAUSE IT'S DISCOURAGING FOR THE PERSON AT THE END TO HAVE TO PAY THIS AMOUNT THAT ENDS UP, IT CAN BE IN HIGH NUMBERS.

>> HEARD AS MUCH AS $200,000 FOR SOMEBODY TO INSTALL THAT.

PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD THAT.

IF THEY HUI TOGETHER, THEY CAN.

WHATEVER ANCIENT SYSTEM SAYING YOU HAVE TO WORK YOUR TERM, MAKES SENSE TO PUT LINE IN FOR EVERYBODY AT THE SAME TIME.

MAKES SENSE TO DEVELOPING MORE WELLS.

THAT IS AGAIN NOT A NEW THING.

COULD HAVE BEEN DONE FOUR YEARS AGO, TEN YEARS, 20 YEARS AGO.

BEING TALKED ABOUT NOW.

THE ISSUES THAT UPCOUNTRY PEOPLE FACE IS WHEN THEY WATCH OTHER DEVELOPMENTS MADE, OTHER HOME PROJECTS BEING BUILT, AND THERE'S ISN'T.

USUALLY THOSE FOLKS CAN FIND WATER ON THEIR PROPERTY AND GET IT FROM SOMEWHERE.

I THINK FOR DROUGHT PRONED AREA, WE SHOULD MANDATE WATER CATCH.

SYSTEMS.

COUNTY HAS ANOTHER RULE I'M TOLD YOU CAN'T HAVE THE WATER CATCHMENT AND BE HOOKED ON THE COUNTY WATER AT THE SAME TIME.

GOOD REASON.

HEALTH REASONS FOR THAT.

SHOULD HAVE DUAL SYSTEMS.

ALLOW PEOPLE WHO ARE IN DROUGHT SITUATIONS TO HAVE A CATCHMENT AND ALLOW THEM TO HAVE THAT FOR THEIR ANIMALS AGRICULTURE.

TO WASH THEIR CARS.

AND USE THE DRINKING WATER IN THEIR HOMES.

ALSO NEED TO THINK ABOUT HAVING DUEL WATER SYSTEMS.

ONE WATER SYSTEM COMES IN FOR SANITATION IN YOUR HOME AND ANOTHER FOR WASTEWATER.

RECYCLE THAT.

NOT USE OUR DRINKING WATER FOR WASTEWATER.

>>Yunji: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE WATER ISSUE?

>> ON TOP ADDED TO THE DISCUSSION, ALSO NEED TO REPAIR INFRASTRUCTURE.

THAT'S SO IMPORTANT.

COUNCIL GIVEN MAYOR AND WATER DEPARTMENT THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO ADDRESS INFRASTRUCTURE CONCERNS AND STORAGE CONCERNS.

BUT THAT'S NOT ENOUGH.

WITH THE WHOLE ISSUANCE METERS, SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE HUED OR RELOOKED AT AT.

CONSIDER HIRE OUTSIDE CONSULTANT AND LOOK AT OTHER COMMUNITIES EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM.

DOES SEEM UNFAIR.

HOW COME SO‑AND‑SO GOT AHEAD OF THE LINE BEFORE I DO?

I UNDERSTAND THE POLICIES IF YOU'RE READY TO BUILD AN YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND GET YOUR WATER METERS ISSUED.

AS WAS MENTIONED EARLIER.

SOMETIMES THE HOW THE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE GIVEN FOR ONE RECIPIENT IN TERMS OF YOU GOT DO THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND BEAR THE BURDEN FOR EVERYBODY ELSE.

IT SEEMS SYSTEMATICALLY VERY UNFAIR.

I WOULD AS MAYOR WANT TO RELOOK AT THE SYSTEM.

MAYBE MANAGEMENT ISSUE OF HOW THE METERS ARE BEING DOLED OUT.

LONG EXISTING PROBLEM.

BEING PART OF LEGISLATIVE BRANCH, I HAVE NO AUTHORITY TO WANT TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM.

CERTAINLY, AUTHORITY OF MAYOR AND HIS OR HER DIRECTORS.

DEFINITELY WOULD LOOK AT REVAMPING SYSTEM.

AT LEAST LOOKING WHAT OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE DOING, WITH THE SIMILAR PROBLEM.

PROVIDE FUNDING OR MAKE POLICY AND YOU'RE NOT IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE SEAT TO BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN.

I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IF YOU PRIORITIZE SOMETHING, IT'S GOING TO GET DONE.

AND I WOULD PRIORITIZE WATER USE.

MIXTURE OF THINGS THAT HAVE TO HAPPEN.

CERTAINLY CATCHMENT IS ONE OPTION AND DRILLING WELLS.

FOUR YEARS AGO, MY FIRST TERM, SIX YEARS AGO, TALKING ABOUT WATER STORAGE.

AND STORM WATER STORAGE.

WE HAVE TIMES WHEN HE HAVE TOO MUCH WATER.

AND ALL IT DOES RUN DOWN THE HILL AND POLLUTE THE OCEAN.

WITH WHY AREN'T WE CAPTURING THAT WATER WHEN IT'S ABUNDANT AND SAVING IT FOR WHEN WE NEED IT LATER.

NEEDS TO BE A PRIORITY.

HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING IN THE PAST FEW YEARS FROM THE ADMINISTRATION UPDATE ON WHERE WE'RE AT WITH THE WATER METERS.

I THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE, IF WE TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT IT, POSSIBLY HIRE SOMEONE LIKE THIS COUNCIL HAS DONE, TO CREATED COMPREHENSIVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN, TO CREATE A CREATIVE ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION PLAN MAYBE WE NEIDHARDT A CONSULTANT TO CREATE PLAN GETTING WATER TO UPCOUNTRY FOLKS.

BIG BELIEVER, STRONG SUPPORTER OF THE WATER AUTHORITY BECAUSE WE NEED TO GET CONTROL OF OUR OWN WATER DELIVERY SYSTEMS.

AND WHETHER THE COUNTY RUNS TO OURSELVES OR HIRE COMMUNITY OWNED BUSINESS OR PRIVATE MANAGEMENT COMPANY TO RUN IT, IT SHOULD BE UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE COUNTY WHICH IS THE PEOPLE OF MAUI.

AND WE'LLABLE ABLE TO TRACK THE WATER BETTER.

BE ABLE TO FIX LEAKS.

FIRST TERM I WENT TO A WATER, EAST MAUI WATER WORKSHOP THAT WAS TWO DAYS LONG AND IT WAS REPORTED THAT THERE IS 35 TO 40% LEAKAGE IN THE EMI SYSTEM.

THE FOLKS RUNNING IT WERE OKAY.

THAT'S NORMAL.

WELL, TO ME, AS A BUSINESS PERSON, IF YOU HAVE 35 TO 40% LEAKAGE OF INVENTORY THAT'S NOT OKAY AND YOU CAN'T STAY IN BUSINESS THAT WAY.

ALL OF THESE THINGS NEED TO BE LOOKED AT.

GRAY WATER REUSE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT.

TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS IN WASTEWATER.

FIRST ONE OF THIS REGIONAL WASTEWATER RECLAMATION PROJECT THAT I'VE GOT FUNDED FOR WITH THE HELP OF MY COLLEAGUE AND OUR COUNCIL FOR MA'ALAEA.

WAY OF TAKING WASTEWATER, KEEPING IT OUT OF THE INJECTION WELL, CLEANING IT UP AND PUTTING IT BACK ON THE LAND FOR AGRICULTURE.

THOSE ARE SOME OTHER THINGS MOVED AROUND.

IT'S MODULAR.

MOBILE.

SO WE COULD USE, IF THIS WORKS THE WAY WE EXPECT IT TO WORK IN MA'ALAEA, IT COULD BE ANSWER FOR NOT JUST WATER DELIVERY UPCOUNTRY, BUT ALL THE CESSPOOLS.

REPLACEMENT HUGE PROBLEM.

>>Yunji: I'M GOING TO STOP YOU THERE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND WE HAVE VERY, CANDIDATES WITH A LOT OF IDEAS.

ASK ALL THE CANDIDATE TO TRY TO KEEP THEIR RESPONSES LITTLE MORE BRIEF.

BECAUSE WE WANT TO GET TO AS MANY ISSUES AS POSSIBLE.

I WANT TO GET THIS ONE FROM FAITH.

SOMETHING THAT ALL THE ISLANDS ARE EXPERIENCED AS WELL.

AND FACEBOOK SAYS, NO HOW WILL THESE CANDIDATES ADDRESS HOUSELESS, HOMELESS PROBLEM.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BEST WAY TO TACKLE THIS ISSUE?

IN THE NEAR TERM.

>> CERTAINLY ONE OF THE MORE TOUGHER QUESTIONS, VERY COMPLEX ISSUE, BUT I THINK IT STARTS FIRST WITH ACQUIRING LAND.

WORKING WITH LARGE LANDOWNERS.

WHERE WE CAN BUILD FOR EXAMPLE TINY HOMES OR OTHER FORMS OF SHELTER.

SHIPPING CONTAINERS.

I LIKE THE MODEL OF WHAT HAS BEEN DONE OUT IN WAIANAE.

I THINK HAVING A COMMUNITY OUT THERE WHERE THEY CAN POLICE FOLKS UNSHELTERED CAN POLICE THEMSELVES.

I THINK THAT IS ONE ROUTE TO TAKE.

CERTAINLY WE GOT TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.

I AM ALSO REALLY IN FAVOR OF, SUBSTITUTE TEACHER FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII.

I HAVE STUDENTS THAT LIVE OUT OF THEIR CARS WITH THEIR PARENTS.

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST NEEDS ARE THEY NEED CHARGING STATIONS.

OR AREAS WHERE THEY CAN GET WI‑FI DO THEIR HOMEWORK.

OPEN TO OPENING UP SOME OF OUR COMMUNITIES CENTERS AS A PLACE WHERE PARENTS CAN TAKE THEIR KIDS TO GET WI‑FI.

OR GET THEIR PHONES CHARGED UP AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT.

THAT IS ONE WAY CAN HELP.

CERTAINLY, THROWING MONEY AT IT WILL HELP.

ALSO NEED TO HAVE PEOPLE'S ATTITUDES CHANGE ABOUT HOW VIEW UNSHELTERED.

ESPECIALLY WORKING HOMELESS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THINGS LIKE GAS PRICES AND EVERYTHING GOING UP, THAT REALLY HITS HARD ON PEOPLE WHO ARE THE WORK UNSHELTERED.

COUNTY GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO WORK WITH STATE AND EVERYONE ELSE IN PRIVATE BUSINESS TO ADDRESS THIS THING.

TOGETHER.

IT CAN'T JUST BE ONLY RESPONSIBILITY OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

WE NEED TO BE OPEN TO NEW IDEAS ESPECIALLY ADMINISTRATION.

WE CAN'T ALWAYS SAY NO.

WE ALWAYS HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO LOOK AT YES, WE CAN.

>>Yunji: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOMELESSLESS AND HOW TO ADDRESS IT?

>> STARTED WORKING ON HOMELESSNESS WHEN I FIRST BECAME A COUNCILMEMBER.

CAME OUT OF TWO MEETINGS, FUNDING MOBILE HYGIENE UNIT.

GOT COUPLE OF COMMUNITIES ON MAUI.

NEED TO PUT MORE OF THOSE SERVICES AROUND.

PROVIDE BATHROOM AND SHOWERS AND CLOSED ONCE.

>> DON'T HAVE TO SHOWER OPPOSITE BEACH SHOWER.

CHARGES STATIONS.

PROFESSIONAL HELP PEOPLE THAT RUN THEM AND CAN DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH HOUSELESS PEOPLE TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT DIFFERENT REASONS WHY PEOPLE ARE HOUSELESS.

WHETHER YOU NEED JOB COUNSELOR ON MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE OBJECT DRUG REHAB OR OTHER ISSUES, MYRIAD OF ISSUES NEED ADDRESSING AND THEY NEED BEFORE YOU CAN EVEN REFER PEOPLE TO SERVICES YOU NEED TO DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP AND THAT TRUST WITH THEM.

I WAS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL BOARDMEMBER OF SHARE YAMANA.

ONE OF OUR LOCALLY CREATED HOMELESS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.

LISA DARCY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THAT ORGANIZATION, ACTUALLY HAS GONE OUT AND LIVED WITH HOUSELESS PEOPLE FOR WEEKS AT A TIME.

BRINGING PEOPLE LIKE THAT INTO GOVERNMENT WHO TRULY UNDERSTAND THE SITUATION PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH, HAVE SPENT COUNTLESS HOUR IS NOT JUST LIVING WITH THEM, BUT COUNSELING THEM, HELPING REFER THEM, TALKING WITH THEM ABOUT THEIR ISSUES.

IF THEY'RE NOT CHOOSING WHAT KIND OF HELP DO THEY NEED.

I GOT FUNDED WITH COUNCIL COLLEAGUE AND REST OF THE COUNCIL, FINDING ISSUES THAT CAME OUT OF THE OUR COMMUNITY DISCUSSIONS WAS HOUSELESS PEOPLE LIVING THEIR CARS NEED A SAFE PLACE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT.

I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET THIS DONE SINCE FOUR YEARS AGO.

IT HASN'T BEEN A PRIORITY OF THE ADMINISTRATION BACK THEN.

BUT THIS IS, IT'S NOT A FIX, BUT IT'S A WAY FOR THEM TO GET THROUGH THE NIGHT TO, HOMELESS PEOPLE WHO WORK AND STILL GO TO SCHOOL.

GO SCHOOL.

THEY NEED A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP.

HEARD STORIES HOW THAT EFFECTS THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

A LOT OF THINGS LIKE THAT WE CAN DO.

JUST AGAIN, MATTER OF PRIORITIZING AND HAVING THAT COMPASSION.

>> SHORT‑TERM SOLUTION IN MY MIND PEOPLE HAVE OPERABLE CARS THAT WORK DURING THE DAY, TO UTILIZE OUR FORMER RENTAL CAR LOTS IN KAHULUI DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AIRPORTS DIVISION.

FENCED‑IN PARKING LOT WITH A LITTLE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING.

HAVING SECURITY AT THE GATE.

CAN'T WALK IN.

CAR THAT WORKS.

GET IN THERE, PROVIDE SHOWERS.

PLACES WHERE PEOPLE CAN WASH THEIR LAUNDRY.

WHEN SOMEBODY GETS SHOWER AND WASHES THEIR LAUNDRY, RESTORING DIGNITY.

GIVE THEM A PLACE TO PLUG IN THEIR ELECTRICAL OUTLETS.

BRING IN TRANSITION COUNSELORS.

MAYBE SOMEBODY NEEDS TO GET A DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT, DENTAL APPOINTMENT.

NEED TO RENEW DRIVER'S LICENSE.

MAYBE YOU CAN START TALKING ABOUT HOUSING.

GETTING THEM INTO TRANSITION HOUSING.

SO TO ME, PRACTICAL IDEA.

GOT A SPACE FOR THEM.

LOTS NOT BEING USED OR OTHER PURPOSE WAS LIVING IN THEIR CARS.

ALREADY DOING THIS.

GIVING THEM A SAFE SPACE.

IN THE MORNING, DRIVE OUT AND GO DO SOMETHING ELSE.

LONGTERM SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS IS HOUSING.

THERE'S NO OTHER WAY AROUND IT.

THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH.

ALL OF IS THIS RELATED TO THE HIGH COST OF LIVING, HIGH COST OF HOUSING.

FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY IN THE MARGINS.

LAST THING I WOULD SAY ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY IS PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS NEED STORAGE.

REASONS SOMEBODY DOESN'T GO APPOINTMENT IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE ALL OF THEIR POSSESSIONS IN A CART IN FRONT THEM.

DON'T TRUST LEAVING IT THERE.

GO SOMEWHERE, COME BACK, IT WILL BE GONE.

HELP GET THEM STORAGE, SOMEWHERE THEY WILL DONATE OR COUNTY CAN HELP FUND IT, WHEN AT THE CAN PUT THEIR THINGS AWAY, GO TO APPOINTMENTS, BE INTERVIEWS.

LIMITED BY ALL OF THEIR POSSESSIONS.

>>Yunji: THOUGHTS ON HOMELESSNESS?

>> MANY IDEAS COVERED.

MAUI COUNTY, HALE O KOLOA FAMILY LIFE CENTER.

SERVE THIS COMMUNITY FOR MANY YEARS.

HOMES IN WAIALE PARK.

TEMPORARY PLACEMENT.

DOING SOME OF THOSE LIKE OUT IN WAIANAE VILLAGE KAULAHE HAS THEIR FACILITIES.

GOOD HYGIENE VERY IMPORTANT.

SAFE PLACES TO SLEEP IN.

ABSOLUTELY.

THEY HAVE TO BE SAFE SPACE IT'S NOT CONGREGATING GETTING CRIME AND OTHER ISSUES AROUND THESE AREAS.

>> PROVEN TO BE A CHALLENGE.

YOU KNOW, ONE THE BIGGEST AREAS THAT I'VE ALREADY WORKED AND NOW REALLY MAKING A BIG PUSH IN.

OUR CHURCHES.

PARKING LOTS.

THEY'RE WILLING TO TAKE ON SOME OF THIS.

SO THERE'S SOME THINGS THAT ARE MOVING RIGHT NOW.

THAT I BELIEVE WILL BE A BIG ASSISTANCE.

UNFORTUNATELY, AIRPORT THEY USE A LOT OF THOSE FACILITIES THAT WAS MENTIONED.

RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE CARS AND OTHER EQUIPMENTS STORED IN THERE.

AND THEREFORE GOING TO BE FOR OTHER MEANS AND USAGE.

THAT WOULD BE SHORT‑TERM FOR SOLUTION.

BUT SOME OF OUR PARKS MAY BE SOMETHING WE COULD CONSIDER.

THE TROUBLE IS PUBLIC AT LARGE DON'T WANT THEIR PARKS BEING OVERRUN OVERNIGHT BY PEOPLE THAT THEY CAN USE THAT, THEY CAN'T GO FISHING.

THEY CAN'T GO AND ENJOY THE PARK THEMSELVES.

WE KNOW, IT'S A CHANGE IN ATTITUDE.

CHANGE IN WHAT HE WITH ALL HAVE TO WORK WITH.

I THINK MAUI COUNTY LIKE ALL THE OTHER ONES SEEN REDUCTION IN HOMELESSNESS AND CONTINUE TO WORK IN THAT DIRECTION.

I THINK COUNCIL AND OTHERS ALL THE AGENCIES THAT MAKE IT POSSIBLE.

THEY WORK VERY HARD.

WRAPAROUND SERVICES IS SEW VERY IMPORTANT.

THANK YOU.

>>Yunji: THANK YOU.

WE TALKED ABOUT SOME ISSUES THAT REALLY AFFECT PEOPLE ON ALL THE ISLANDS.

THAT ONE IS UNIQUE TO THE COUNTY.

DAVID SAYS, IF ELECTED, HOW WILL EACH CANDIDATE SHARE THE‑HOW WOULD YOU DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF AXIS DEER.

POSE THAT TO YOU FIRST.

>> WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO RIGHT NOW, WITH PROVIDING FENCING, IS KEEPING THEM OUT OF CERTAIN AREAS.

BUT THEN THAT PUSHES THEM INTO OTHER AREAS.

IT BECOMES A PROBLEM.

SOMEONE FIXES THEIR PROBLEM, BECOMES PROBLEM FOR SOMEBODY ELSE.

WE NEED TO CULL THE HERD.

PROBABLY GOING TO NEED EXPERT ADVICE FOR THAT.

WE HAVE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AT THE COUNTY LEVEL.

THAT IS JUST STARTING UP.

SO HOPEFULLY, I HAVE EXPERIENCE IN WORKING WITH USDA, WHERE I GO AS MAYOR.

TRY TO WORK WITH UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CANNOT JUST CULL THE HERD, BUT HOW WE CAN GET THE OTHER PART OF IT, PART THAT PEOPLE ARE HUNTING, WE HAVE A LOT OF LOCAL HUNTERS.

OUR VENISON STATEWIDE AXIS DEER BEST EATING VENISON IN THE WORLD.

WE CAN'T GET IT TO MARKET.

ONLY ONE COMPANY ON MAUI THAT ACTUALLY CAN GET USDA CERTIFICATION TO SELL TO RESTAURANTS AND STORES AND SO NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO HELP LOCAL HUNTERS GET THAT COULD BE ANOTHER ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

IT ALSO COULD BE ANSWER TO FOOD SECURITY.

LIKE 70,000 HEAD OF AXIS DEER RUNNING AROUND OUR ISLAND.

IT'S GOOD EATING DEER.

SO WE NEED FOR FIND THAT BALANCE BETWEEN CULLING THE HERD SO WE DON'T HAVE THEM IN OUR BACKYARDS EATING OUR GARDENS AND FRUIT TREES.

WE CAN MAKE USE OF ONES THAT ARE BEING HUNTED AND BEING USED AS FOOD SOURCE RIGHT NOW.

>>Yunji: HOW DO YOU TACKLE AXIS DEER ISSUE?

>> ON TOP OF WHAT ALREADY SAID, I THINK ALSO LEARN FROM THE PEOPLE OF MOLOKAI.

DEALT WITH DEER MORE SO THAN ANYONE ELSE IN THE PAST.

I THINK DEER MANAGEMENT WE CAN LEARN FROM THEM.

SEE THIS AS OPPORTUNITY, FOOD SOURCE.

WE ALL TALK ABOUT FOOD SUSTAINABILITY.

I WOULD SUPPORT EXPANDING OUR AGRICULTURE PARKS AND DO MORE PROCESSING PLANTS IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF ISLAND.

SO USE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY AND SOMETIMES I WAS TAUGHT IN TIMES OF CRISIS, WHEN WE NEED TO RISE UP.

WHEN OUR BEST NEEDS TO SHOW.

SO CERTAINLY WE CAN BRING IN THE EXPERTS.

TALK TO LOCAL HUNTERS THAT INCLUDES THAT INSIGHT.

MORE SO, ABOUT THE MANAGEMENT AND MAKING SURE TO MINIMIZE DAMAGE THAT THE DEER ARE DOING AS WELL.

SO IT'S ANOTHER ONE THOSE CRISIS BUT AGAIN, SOMETIMES CRISIS CAN BE MADE INTO AN OPPORTUNITY.

THAT CAN BE A POSITIVE OUTCOMFORT COMMUNITY.

>>Yunji: MR. MAYOR, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE DEER ISSUE ON YOUR COUNTY?

>> AS OTHERS HAVE SAID, THERE ARE MANY, MANY SOLUTIONS OUT THERE THAT WE KEEP WORKING TOWARDS.

WE ARE WORK WITH THE U.S.D.A.

RIGHT NOW.

SOME OF THE PROGRAMS FOR OUR NEW AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT.

I KNOW AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT IS ONE FOR AVOCATION, MENTORING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

OF FARMING AND RANCHING.

RANCHING AXIS DEER CAN BE A BIG ONE.

MOBILE SLAUGHTERHOUSES USD APPROVED AND OUT THERE WE SO CAN MOVE AROUND WHERE THE HERDS ARE AND HAVE SLAUGHTERERS AT THOSE LOCATIONS FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES.

BIG NEED FOR FOOD IN THIS COMMUNITY.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE AREAS AREAS.

WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE WE WORK SYSTEMATICALLY, AREA BY AREA SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THESE HERDS WITH MOVED INTO AREA WHERE CAN HE MITIGATE THE NUMBERS AND REALLY UTILIZE THE MEAT FOR COMMERCIAL AS WELL AS OUR RESIDENTS.

>> BEEN SOMETHING WE'VE TALKED ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME.

CRISIS ON MAUI.

PROBLEM WITH THE DEER IS OF COURSE THEY EAT THE WHAT'S BEEN GROWN BY FARMERS.

EAT GRASS THAT IS INTEND FOR THE RANCHERS.

THEY INVOLVE ACCIDENTS WITH MOTORIST AND THREATEN OUR WATERSHED.

LOTS OF REASONS WHY IT'S ABUNDANCE SUPPLY.

HELP OUR ECONOMY.

SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE DEVELOPING OUR WORKFORCE AROUND.

AS EVERYONE ALREADY SAID, IMPROVE OUR PROCESSING.

BUTCHERING.

HAVING MOBILE SLAUGHTERHOUSES.

HAVE THEM ON EACH THE COUNTY ALREADY.

WE NEED TO EXPAND THAT.

ALSO NEED TO CONVINCE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO HAVE INSPECTORS FULL‑TIME ON MAUI.

NEW MEXICO WE GET THIS UNDER CONTROL.

I'VE BEEN SEE SAYING 70,000.

THAT'S THE NUMBER I WAS GIVEN PREVIOUSLY.

TODAY TOLD NUMBER IS CLOSER TO 60 TO 65,000.

WENT DOWN A COUPLE THOUSAND.

20,000 IS MANAGEABLE AMOUNT PER ISLAND.

BIGGEST THING WE CANNOT AFFORD, LET ANIMALS GET INTO THE WATERSHED.

ONE REASON.

BENEFITS EVERYONE IF WE CAN DEVELOP IT IN THE FOOD.

BUSINESS.

WE CAN PROVIDE IT FOR OUR NEEDY.

CAN ALSO USE THAT FOR DOG FOOD.

WHAT A LOT OF HUNTERS NOTICE.

DO IT ALREADY WITH OUR DOGS.

>> MAIN SHELTER, MAIN EXPENSE IS DOG FOOD.

A LOT OF WIN‑WIN.

HELPS OUR ENVIRONMENT.

WE WIN ON ALL COUNTS.

>>Yunji: THREE QUESTIONS HAVE TO DO WITH HEALTH CARE.

I'M GOING TO READ ALL THREE.

ISSUE FOR MANY PEOPLE.

LEHUA SAYS, HOW DO THE CANDIDATES FEEL ABOUT GETTING AND BUILDING ANOTHER HOSPITAL ON MAUI SINCE WE ONLY HAVE ONE.

WHAT IS THEIR STANCE ON MAUI HOSPITAL AND THE STRAIN ON DOCTORS AND BRIDGET SAYS TO ALL CANDIDATES.

ANOTHER HOSPITAL ON MAUI A PRIORITY.

IF SO, HOW WILL YOU ACCOMPLISH THAT?

HOW WILL YOU KEEP OUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ON MAUI?

KEEP THIS BRIEF IF WE COULD.

>> GOOD QUESTION.

WE DEFINITELY NEED ANOTHER HOSPITAL IN WEST MAUI.

IT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOR YEARS BUT I GUESS PLANS FELL THROUGH.

PRIVATE OWNER AND SURE MAYBE PERMIT PROCESS.

PROBLEMS MUCH I WOULD DEFINITELY MAKE A PRIORITY.

AND ALSO, I THINK ONE IMPORTANT THING THAT I'M LOOK AT, IS TO GROW OUR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS HERE IN MAUI COUNTY.

AS WE ALL KNOW, IT'S EXPENSIVE TO SEND OUR KIDS OFF ISLAND TO GO SCHOOL.

I WOULD LOOK AT PARTNERING WITH OUTSIDE AGENCIES OR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS TO DEVELOP TRAINING PROGRAMS RIGHT HERE IN MAUI COUNTY.

SO SORT OF DEVELOPING A FARM SYSTEM OF GETTING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE EDUCATED, TO FILL SOME AREAS OF CRITICAL NEED AND HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.

ESPECIALLY FOR KUPUNA LIKE MYSELF.

GOING TO NEED A LOT OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS DOWN THE ROAD AS MORE PEOPLE ARE LIVING LONGER.

THAT IS ONE TYPE OF PARTNERSHIP I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT IN TERMS OF FILLING THE VOID OF HAVING OUR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AND PHYSICAL THERAPY.

HAVING HOSPITAL IN WEST MAUI WOULD BE A PRIORITY.

>>Yunji: YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOSPITAL ISSUE?

>> SHOULDN'T LET PERFECT BE THE ENEMY OF GOOD.

SHOULDN'T BE SHOOT FOR A HOSPITAL NECESSARY IF THAT'S GOING TO TAKE TOO MUCH ROOM.

EMERGENCY ROOM FACILITIES 24‑HOUR, 24‑7 OPERATION ON THE WEST SIDE, MAYBE EVEN SOUTH MAUI, MIGHT BE THE ONE.

WHERE WE CAN HAVE EMERGENCY ROOM FACILITIES SMALLER.

MAYBE NOT NECESSARILY A FULL‑FLEDGED HOSPITAL.

TRYING DO THAT HAS PROVEN TO BE HAS NOT WORKED.

>> SO MAYBE WE SHOOT FOR SOMETHING SMALLER THAT WE CAN, I THINK PEOPLE WEST MAUI WOULD LOVE HAVING THAT.

ESPECIALLY PARTLY SOMETIMES CLOSED BECAUSE OF ACCIDENTS AND FIRES.

DO NEED A FACILITY THERE.

AT LEAST FOR EMERGENCY ROOM.

WE WOULD HAVE TO PARTNER WITH SOME OTHER AGENCIES TO THAT MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

BUT I THINK THAT WOULD BE A PRIORITY FOR PROBABLY ANY OF US HERE.

>>Yunji: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE HOSPITAL ISSUE ON MAUI?

>> WEST MAUI DOES NEED A ANOTHER FACILITY WHETHER IT'S FOR ACUTE CARE OR INITIAL TRAUMA CARE.

AND MAYBE SOUTH MAUI.

WE LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE GOING HERE.

FIRST OF ALL, COLLEGE TEAMED ONE SOME OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS WITH CNA PROGRAM THE CAREER PATHS BEING SET FOR OUR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.

I HAVE TWO NEPHEWS EVERYBODY ONE IS GOING TO BE ONCOLOGIST AND ONE IS GOING TO BE A FULL‑FLEDGED PHYSICIAN.

BOTH OF THEM HAVE WORKED VERY HARD BUT THEY WORKED IN THE LOCAL SYSTEM.

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

AT HILO AND MANOA.

AND NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US EXPAND HERE.

NOT ONLY HAVE CULINARY AND NOT ONLY AGRICULTURE, BUT WELLNESS PROGRAM THAT I BELIEVE COULD ATTRACT QUALITY DOCTOR AND NURSES AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND REALLY UP OUR GAME AS FAR AS AWAY HAVE AVAILABLE TO US RESIDENTS OF MAUI COUNTY.

EQUIPMENT IS ALSO NEEDED.

SEND PEOPLE OFF ISLAND LIKE YOU MENTIONED.

HELP US IN THIS AREA.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE A GOOD TRACK NOW.

MOVING FORWARD AND WELLNESS AND HEALTH CARE IS GOING TO BE A REAL BIG PUSH FOR THE COUNTY OF MAUI.

AN WE HAVE THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS BEING INSTITUTED RIGHT NOW.

SO IN FIVE TO TEN YEARS, WE CAN ACCOMMODATE NEEDS OF MAUI COUNTY.

I WOULD SUPPORT ANOTHER HOSPITAL ON MAUI.

I THINK IT'S NECESSARY.

THERE HAVE BEEN PUSHES FOR SOUTH MAUI AND WEST MAUI.

WEST MAUI IS LITTLE MORE REMOTE.

SO SOMETHING HAPPENS ON THAT ONE ROAD, TO WEST MAUI, WE'RE STUCK.

I THINK THAT THAT ISSUE FOR THE STATE WITH FUNDING.

WORKS WITH THE STATE AT COMMUNITY MEMBER.

PART OF FOLKS WORKING WITH OUR STATE LEGISLATORS ON THAT FOR FUNDING.

>> AS A MARY WOULD SUPPORT ANOTHER HOSPITAL.

I SUPPORT AS A COUNCILMEMBER EXPANSION OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS AND WE HAVE BEEN THE COUNTY HAS BEEN PARTNERING WITH U.H.

MAUI COLLEGE ON THAT.

ALSO BEEN PARTNERING WITH HALE MAKUA SENIOR FACILITY THAT STARTING A PROGRAM WHERE THEY CAN BRING IN FOLKS WHO ARE TRAINING IN THE HEALTH CARE, TAKING CLASSES TO ACTUALLY START WORKING IN POSITION OF HEALTH CARE TO DECIDE IF THEY REALLY WANT THOSE POSITIONS AS A LIFELONG CAREER.

OR NOT.

AND TO GIVE THEM A KIND OF JUMP START ON THAT CAREER.

LIKE WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

WHEN THEY WERE BRINGING IN YOUNG DOCTORS.

SO DEFINITELY A LOT OF PARTNERING GOING ON.

HEALTH CARE IS AS MORE OF A STATE ISSUE THAN A COUNTY ISSUE.

I WOULD DEFINITELY SUPPORT THOSE ISSUES AS MAYOR.

>>Yunji: THIS QUESTION IS COMING FROM MIGUEL.

MOST MAYORAL CANDIDATES SAY THEY WILL CREATE MORE JOBS.

THE PROBLEM NOT ENOUGH JOBS.

BUSINESSES ARE SHORTHAND THE.

WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO HELP EMPLOYERS NEEDS OF BUSINESSES IN MAUI?

>> WE NEED TO HAVE MORE MANOA MENTORING AND INTENT SHIP PROGRAMS.

HEALTH CARE, CONSIDER PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS.

DON'T HAVE TO HAVE FULL‑FLEDGED DOCTORS ON MAUI.

WE COULD CONSIDER STARTING PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS PROGRAMS LIKE NURSING AND WELLNESS.

I THINK MENTORING AND INTERNSHIP IS KIND OF IMPRESSIVE.

PRODUCT OF MENTORING.

1984, WORKED PROSECUTOR OFFICE ON MAUI, FIRST YEAR LAW STUDENT FOR THE SUMMER.

VOLUNTARY POSITION.

BUT I LEARNED THAT IS THE KIND OF WORK I WANTED TO DO.

I KNOW THIS WOULD WORK FOR MAUI PEOPLE.

GET THEM OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, INTO THE DIFFERENT FIELDS THEY MIGHT WANT TO BE ATTRACTED TO.

IVF THEM WORK TO DO DURING CHRISTMAS BREAKS.

SUMMER BREAKS.

WE'RE GOING TO BE COMPETING AGAINST OTHER PEOPLE FROM COLLEGE TOWNS THAT WHEREVER THEY'RE ATTENDING, NEED TO GET THEM ON MAUI INTO MENTOR, INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS AND BUILD AND GROW OUR WORKFORCE FROM WITHIN.

WHEN WE GET UPSET, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH WORKERS, IN A PARTICULAR AREA, WE HAVE TO ASK YOUR OURSELVES WHAT HAVE WE DONE TO GROW THAT OURSELVES?

I THINK WE CAN DO IT.

FOR ME, ANY COUNTY AGENCY GETS A GRANT FROM THE COUNTY I THINK SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO HAVE A MENTORING PROGRAM.

>>Yunji: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS ONE?

>> WELL, MENTORING IS ONE FACTOR.

THE OTHER IS TRAINING AND DEVELOPING OF WORKFORCE.

WE HAVE A NEW ERA COMING.

WE HAVE BEEN MOVING WITH THAT WITH OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

AND RECENTLY EARLIER THIS YEAR, WON A NATIONAL AWARD FOR IT.

SO I'M PROUD OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH.

LOOKING AT WHAT THE NEW ERA IS.

AUTOMATION.

EVEN AGRICULTURE IS BECOMING MORE.

COLLEGE GET A DEGREE.

TRADES WERE HURTING BIG TIME.

NOW, WE'RE PARTNERING UP AND MENTORING WITH TRADE UNIONS AND OTHERS TO MAKE SURE THAT'S TRADES HAVE THE NECESSARY APPRENTICE PROGRAMS AND HELPING THEM IN THIS AREA.

HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY MAKING SURE THAT THE CAREER PATH IN HOSPITALITY.

ALL OF THESE AREAS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AS WELLNESS, HEALTH CARE, HOSPITALITY, AGRICULTURE, AND AREA OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP, WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST ENTREPRENEURS PROGRAMS HERE WITH THE PROGRAM WITH MAUI ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

MEDB, HAS GREAT PROGRAMS ALSO.

WE HAVE A WEALTH OF OPPORTUNITIES.

MATTER NOW TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE COORDINATE THE STEM PROGRAM WHICH IS REALLY LED A LOT OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ROBOTIC AND ALL OF THAT, INTO THE FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY.

AND AUTOMATION.

SO WE'RE MOVING ON.

WE KEEP PARTNERING WITH THE STATE AND OTHERS TO MAKE SURE THIS HAPPENS.

>>Yunji: MISS KING?

>> HAVE A DIFFERENT TAKE ON THE PROBLEM.

I THINK MENTORING IS GREAT.

BUT I DON'T THINK THAT'S OUR PROBLEM.

OUR PROBLEM PEOPLE AREN'T GOING BACK TO WORK AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

AS A BUSINESS PERSON, WE HAVE PROBLEMS WE DIDN'T HAVE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND SO I THINK FIRST THING WE'VE GOT TO FIND OUT WHY PEOPLE AREN'T COMING BACK TO WORK.

I SUSPECT MAIN REASON IS THE PAY.

IF YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR CHILD CARE, HARDEST THING TO FIND RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

PEOPLE DON'T WANT GO INTO OTHER PEOPLE'S HOMES.

MAYBE WE NEED TO GET INVOLVED IN HELPING CHILD CARE.

I'M HOPING THAT WITH THE STATE LEGISLATURE DID IN THIS LAST SESSION, WILL HELP.

BY RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE.

IT WASN'T AGGRESSIVE ENOUGH.

NEEDED MORE AGGRESSIVE BILL.

CAN'T IMAGINE HIRING ANYONE FOR MORE THAN $15 AN HOUR.

MINIMUM WAGE IS GOING TO BE PART OF PROBLEM.

I WOULD CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE FOR HIGHER PAY, HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE.

WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE WHO WERE WORK BACK TO WORK.

FOR SOME REASON, THEY'RE NOT COMING BACK TO WORK.

IT'S HARD TO GET THEM BACK TO WORK WHEN IT COSTS MORE FOR CHILD CARE.

THAN THEY CAN MAKE IN THAT SAME PERIOD.

SO WHETHER WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING LIKE SUPPLEMENT CHILD CARE, OR PROVIDE FREE CHILD CARE AS A COUNTY, TO HELP MAKE THAT HAPPEN, I THINK WE NEED TO DO SOME REAL SOUL SEARCHING AND HUGE SURVEY TO FIND OUT WHY THOSE PEOPLE, PEOPLE THAT WE HAD WORKING BEFORE ARE NOT COMING BACK TO WORK.

>>Yunji: MR. MOLINA, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS?

>> CERTAINLY GREAT SUGGESTIONS MENTIONED BY FELLOW CANDIDATES.

ONE ELEMENT LEFT OUT, HOUSING, EVERYTHING SPINS OFF OF HOUSING.

TALKED TO BUSINESS OWNERS AND LOSING WORKERS BECAUSE CAN'T AFFORD RENTS.

CAN'T AFFORD TO OWN.

SO WHICH IS WHY EVERYTHING SPINS OFF OF THE HOUSING AND WHY WE NEED TO EXPAND OUR INVENTORY.

COUNCIL PROVIDED TAX RELIEF INCENTIVES FOR PROPERTY OWNERS WHO DO LONGTERM RENTALS.

THAT IS ONE WAY WE CAN SORT OF STEM THE TIDE IF YOU WILL.

OF PEOPLE LEAVING THE COUNTY.

YOU NEED HOUSING FOR EMPLOYEES OR HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO STAY HERE IF HE HAVE NO OPPORTUNITY TO BE HOUSED HERE IN MAUI COUNTY.

>> ADD ONE THING.

LEARNED IS PEOPLE ADJUSTED THEMSELVES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

TO THEIR SITUATION.

NOT NECESSARILY BECAUSE THEY HAD CHILDREN OR DIDN'T HAVE CHILDREN.

ADJUSTED THEIR LIFESTYLE.

TO THE WAY THE PANDEMIC'S PLACED DEMANDS ON THEM.

FIGURED OUT A WAY TO LIVE WITH LESS.

PEOPLE BECAME STARTED HOME BUSINESSES.

PEOPLE DID THINGS TO SURVIVE TO MAKE IT THROUGH THERE.

WHEN IT WAS ALL DONE, GOT THROUGH, STILL PARTLY IN IT, PEOPLE FIGURED OUT A WHAT TO JUST THEIR LIFESTYLES.

JUST CHANGED THEIR WAY OF LIVING.

WHAT I THINK HAPPENED.

>>Yunji: ONE SECOND.

TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE ISSUES.

ACTUALLY ONLY HAVE ABOUT TEN MINUTES LEFT.

GET TO YOU AS PEOPLE.

AND WADE WANTS TO KNOW, WHY DO EACH OF YOU THINK YOU ARE MOST QUALIFIED TO BE MAYOR.

HARD TO BE BRIEF WHEN TALKING ABOUT ONE'S SELF.

IN THE INTEREST OF TIME, PLEASE DO.

START WITH YOU.

WHAT MAKES YOU QUALIFIED?

>> WANTED TO ADD MORE.

A LOT OF SENIORS HAVE NOT OR PEOPLE THAT HAVE RETIRED NOT GONE BACK TO WORK FOR FEAR OF COVID.

I WANTED TO MAKE THAT INTO ALL THE OTHER THINGS.

FIRST OF ALL, IN THIS PANDEMIC, PROVEN MY LEADERSHIP TIME IN AND TILE OUT MAKING HARD DECISION FOR THE PEOPLE MAUI COUNTY.

THIS WAS VERY IMPORTANT.

WELL‑BEING AND HEALTH OF OUR COUNTY AND RESIDENTS VERY IMPORTANT.

CAME OUT THE ECONOMIC DOWN TURN, WORKING HARD WITH BUSINESS AND OTHER STATEMENTS OF OUR COMMUNITY, MAKE SURE WE COLLABORATED AND GOT THINGS DONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF MAUI COUNTY.

WE'RE ONE OF THE STRONGEST FINANCIAL COUNTIES IN THE STATE.

WE STAND TALL MANY AREAS.

WE YES WITH HAVE CHALLENGED.UNDER THIS LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION, TAKEN ON EVERY PROBLEM.

FIRES FLOODS, PANDEMIC, OR OTHERWISE, AND MET IT AND CORRECTED IT AND DID OUR BEST TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE WAS TAKING CARE OF.

SO WE TRIED OUR BEST.

>> I BELIEVE WE IN A GOOD PLACE RIGHT NOW.

AND OUR LEADERSHIP WE FEEL THAT WE CAN MOVE THIS COUNTY FORWARD.

WITH MANY OF THE SOLUTIONS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT.

>>Yunji: MISS KING WHAT MAKES YOU QUALIFIED.

>> BEEN ON THE COUNCIL FOR 3 TERMS.

>> ALSO BEEN IN BUSINESS TWO SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSES FOR OVER TOTAL 40 YEARS.

I'M A PERSON WHO IS RESULTS ORIENTED.

AND BEEN A LITTLE FRUSTRATING QUITE FRANKLY SITTING ON THE SIDELINES MAKING POLICY OR GETTING THINGS FUNDED THAT DON'T GET IMPLEMENTED OR ENFORCED.

I'M MOTIVATED FOR THOSE REASONS.

I'M ALSO BEEN INVOLVED IN ALMOST EVERY ISSUE PERSONALLY.

FROM FARMING, WHICH WE'RE DOING PERSONALLY, INVOLVED NUMBER OF THE NONPROFITS EDUCATIONAL, HOMELESS NONPROFITS, FOOD SECURITY, MAUI NUI FOOD ALLIANCE.

>> ON THE BOARD STEERING COMMITTEE FOR THAT ORGANIZATION.

APPOINTED AS STATE MEMBER OF THE HIGH TECH DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

REALLY PUSHING THE ENVELOPE ON CHECK DIVERSIFICATION FROM THE STATE LEVEL INTO TECHNOLOGY.

I ALSO HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME COLLABORATING WITH NUMEROUS OTHER BUSINESSES AND COMPANIES.

FORMER FARM SERVICE AGENCY, BIODIESEL COMPANY EVER MET.

TOLD BY PEOPLE, MOST TRANSPARENT COUNCILMEMBER THAT THERE IS.

PRETTY MUCH WEAR EVERYTHING ON MY SLEEVE AND TELL EVERYBODY THE TRUTH.

I THINK TRANSPARENCY AND COLLABORATION IS A BIG NEED IN OUR ADMINISTRATION.

MOVING FORWARD.

AND PEOPLE ARE ASKING FOR THAT, A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT NEEDS TO BE SHARED.

>>Yunji: WHAT MAKES YOU QUALIFIED?

>> FIRST OF ALL, EXPERIENCE AND PUTTING ASIDE LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS LIKE THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND.

PLASTIC BAG REDUCTION LAW AND FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS FUND.

AUTHORED.

CAME IN THOSE PIECE OF LEGISLATION WERE MADE POSSIBLE WITH INPUT FROM THE PEOPLE.

I'M NOT AFRAID GO OUT THERE AND GET ANSWERS.

I DON'T HAVE AN EGO.

I DID THIS OR THAT.

THE IMPORTANT FOR ME TO ENGAGE EMPOWERING OUR CITIZEN.

>> ALWAYS BEEN A STRONG BELIEVER IN OPEN ACCESSIBLE AND RESPONSIVE GOVERNMENT.

I TAKE THE TERM PUBLIC SERVANT VERY SERIOUSLY.

IMPORTANT TO SERVE YOU THE PUBLIC.

I AM YOUR SERVANT.

MY KULEANA OR RESPONSIBILITY PROVIDE YOU THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE.

AND TO EARN YOUR TRUST WITH INTEGRITY AND OPENNESS AND HONESTY AND JUST BE THERE FOR YOU AND IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO GET PEOPLE ENGAGED.

CITIZENS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DECISION‑MAKING.

IT HELPS ELEVATE OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY SOCIAL ECONOMIC STATUS AND ALSO, PROMOTES PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY.

I'M A STRONG BELIEVER IN THOSE PRINCIPLES.

CARRY THAT WITH ME SHOULD I BE ELECTED MAYOR.

>> SERVED COMMUNITY OVER 35 YEARS ON THE FRONT LINES.

PROSECUTOR 15 YEARS.

8 YEARS, COUNTY PROSECUTOR UNDER 2 DIFFERENT MAYORS.

HEAD OF FIRST DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR STATE OF HAWAII.

HEAD OF THE PRISONS.

2300 EMPLOYEES.

$200 MILLION BUDGET BACK IN 2004.

JUDGE FOR 17 YEARS.

INCLUDING BEING A CHIEF JUDGE.

STARTED MENTAL HEALTH COURT ON MAUI.

SEEN AFTERMATH OF PEOPLE'S POOR DECISIONS ON THE FRONT LINE.

VOTED ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR IN 2001 INDUCTED HIGH SCHOOL HALL OF FAME FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE.

RECEIVED DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN AWARD IN 1999 FROM THE MEN'S MARCH AGAINST VIOLENCE FOR THE WORK ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

2013 SELECTED ALUMNUS HIGH SCHOOL.

FIRST TIME THAT'S HAPPENED FOR ANY NEIGHBOR ISLAND PERSON.

CURRENTLY JURIST FOR THE STATE OF HAWAII.

SO EVERYTHING I WORKED ON, I'VE TRIED TO GET IN THERE, ON THE FRONT LINES.

NOT ON THE SIDE.

BEING INVOLVED IN IT FIRSTHAND.

VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE ISSUES THAT WE FACE ON MAUI.

I THINK I HAVE THE LEADERSHIP TO DO THAT.

>>Yunji: WE HAVE JUST 3 MINUTES.

WE'VE GOT TO KEEP OUR ANSWERS TO ABOUT 30 SECONDS.

HARD.

FUN ONE.

SO IT SHOULDN'T BE TOO HARD.

LAY HAUNANI ON FACEBOOK SAYS, ALOHA.

PUTTING ASIDE THE CHALLENGES AND ISSUES WE HAVE, WHAT DO YOU FEEL MAKES MAUI NO KA OI.

I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

>> WELL, MAUI BEAUTIFUL.

IT'S JUST MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE ON EARTH.

AND THAT'S ONE OF THE AREAS THAT I WOULD FOCUS ON TOO.

AS A ENVIRONMENTALIST.

AND CLIMATE EXPERT.

I'VE BEEN, DELEGATE TO COP 26 BECAUSE OF THE WORK I'VE DONE ON THE CLIMATE ISSUES AND ALSO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER FROM FIRST ONE FROM HAWAII TO THE EPA.

SO I WOULD JUST SAY, THAT'S OUR BIGGEST PRESERVATION ISSUE BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST THE BEAUTY OF MAUI.

BUT IT'S OUR LIFE LINE.

>>Yunji: WHAT MAKES MAUI NO KA OI.

>> PEOPLE.

ALOHA AND JUST GROWING UP IN A BEAUTIFUL ENVIRONMENT AND I'VE BEEN SO BLESSED TO BE IN TWO PROFESSIONS PEOPLE ORIENTED.

TEACHER BEFORE I BECAME AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.

ENGAGEMENT WITH EACH OTHER.

EDUCATIONAL PROCESS.

RECIPROCAL.

WE LEARN FROM EACH OTHER.

IF IT WERE NOT FOR EDUCATION AND POLITICS.

SO MANY PEOPLE I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN.

SIMPLE ANSWER IS BEAUTY OF THE PEOPLE OF MAUI COUNTY.

>> NO QUESTION.

IT'S THE PEOPLE.

PEOPLE AND OUR CULTURE.

WHEN YOU GO TO PARTY, KUPUNA EAT FIRST.

KEIKI EAT FIRST.

PRACTICE OUR CULTURE.

DESPITE BEAUTY OF OUR ISLAND, IT'S THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE US NO KA OI.

>>Yunji: MR. MAYOR, GIVE YOU LAST WORD TONIGHT.

>> ALOHA IS NOT JUST A WORD.

WAY OF LIFE.

WE'VE ALL GROWN UP WITH THAT SO UNIQUE IN THE WAY OUR PEOPLE TREAT OTHERS.

WELCOME PEOPLE HERE.

WHY WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO WORK HARD TO PROVIDE WHAT RESIDENTS NEED.

COST OF COST OF LIVING, HOUSING RAISE THEIR FAMILIES HERE.

VESTED INTEREST.

CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT GRANDCHILDREN.

REALLY EMPHASIZED IN MY MIND WHAT'S SO IMPORTANT TO ALL MAKE SURE THAT MAUI NUI STAYS NO KA OI.

TO ALL OF YOU SAY MAHALO FOR THIS WONDERFUL EVENING.

YOUNG THANK YOU SO MUCH AND COLLEAGUES MAHALO.

>>Yunji: MAHALO FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS, CANDIDATES FOR MAUI COUNTY MAYOR: MAYOR MIKE VICTORINO, COUNCILMEMBER MIKE MOLINA, COUNCILMEMBER KELLY TAKAYA KING, AND RETIRED JUDGE RICHARD BISSEN.

NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, WE WILL FEATURE TWO STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES.

WE WILL HEAR FROM CANDIDATES IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR STATE SENATE DISTRICT 6 ON MAUI AND TWO INCUMBENTS FACING OFF IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR STATE HOUSE DISTRICT 34 ON OAHU.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M YUNJI DE NIES FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI`I, ALOHA!

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