
9/1/22 Maui County Council: South & Makawao General Election
Season 2022 Episode 32 | 56m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Covering the general election races for Maui County Council: South & Makawao.
There were no incumbents in two of the seats up for election in the Maui County Council this election season and now both races are headed to a runoff in November. Nara Boone faces Nohe Uʻu-Hodgins for the seat representing Makawao, Haʻikū and Pāʻia while Tom Cook squares off against Robin Knox for the South Maui seat.
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Insights on PBS Hawaiʻi is a local public television program presented by PBS Hawai'i

9/1/22 Maui County Council: South & Makawao General Election
Season 2022 Episode 32 | 56m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
There were no incumbents in two of the seats up for election in the Maui County Council this election season and now both races are headed to a runoff in November. Nara Boone faces Nohe Uʻu-Hodgins for the seat representing Makawao, Haʻikū and Pāʻia while Tom Cook squares off against Robin Knox for the South Maui seat.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipRESIDENTS OF MAUI COUNTY ARE GRAPPLING WITH PROBLEMS THAT RESONATE ACROSS THE STATE, LIKE HOW TO BUILD MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MANAGING TOURISM, THE DAILY IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND AN OUT‑OF‑CONTROL AXIS DEER POPULATION.
SEVERAL POLITICAL NEWCOMERS WITH IDEAS ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THOSE AND OTHER ISSUES ARE VYING FOR SPOTS ON THE COUNTY COUNCIL.
TONIGHT’S LIVE BROADCAST AND LIVE STREAM OF INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII START NOW.
ALOHA AND WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAI.
I'M DARYL HUFF.
ALL MAUI COUNTY COUNCIL SEATS ARE UP THIS YEAR, BUT THERE WERE FOUR RACES ON THE PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT FOR VOTERS TO DETERMINE WHO WILL FACE OFF IN NOVEMBER.
TWO OF THOSE RACES HAVE NO INCUMBENT AND TONIGHT WE’LL BE SPEAKING TO THE CANDIDATES IN BOTH RACES WHO WERE THE TOP TWO VOTE GETTERS IN THE PRIMARY.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.
YOU CAN EMAIL, CALL OR TWEET YOUR QUESTIONS, AND YOU’LL FIND A LIVE STREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBSHAWAII.ORG AND THE PBS HAWAII FACEBOOK PAGE.
NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.
NOHE UU‑HODGINS IS A CANDIDATE FOR THE MAKAWAO, HAIKU AND PAIA COUNCIL SEAT.
SHE WAS BORN AND RAISED IN PAIA AND CURRENTLY LIVES IN MAKAWAO.
SHE IS A PERMIT EXPEDITER AND ADVISOR AT F&W LAND LLC AND HAS WORKED ON WORKFORCE HOUSING PROJECTS IN HAIKU AND MAUI LANI.
LOOKING TO REPRESENT SOUTH MAUI, WE HAVE ROBIN KNOX.
SHE LIVES IN KIHEI IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST AS WELL THE OWNER OF A SMALL BUSINESS, WATER QUALITY CONSULTING, INC. SHE CURRENTLY SERVES ON THE SOUTH MAUI ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO THE MAUI PLANNING COMMISSION.
NARA BOONE IS RUNNING FOR THE MAKAWAO, HAIKU AND PAIA SEAT.
SHE GREW UP IN HAIKU AND IS A GRADUATE OF ST. ANTHONY HIGH SCHOOL.
SHE IS A PROFESSIONAL SINGER AS WELL AS A VOICE AND MUSIC TEACHER.
TOM COOK IS RUNNING FOR THE SOUTH MAUI SEAT.
HE HAS SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF BOTH THE MAUI CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION AND WALDORF HALEAKALA SCHOOL AND RECENTLY SERVED AS THE COMMUNITY LIASON FOR THE MAUI COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.
MAHALO TO YOU FOR JOINING US START OFF WITH ROBIN.
CLEARLY BIGGEST PROBLEM ON MAUI RIGHT NOW.
WE HEAR ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME.
NUMBERS ARE ASTOUNDING WHAT COSTS TO BUY A HOUSE IN MAUI NOW.
WELL OVER A MILLION DOLLARS.
WITH 790 FOR A CONDO.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE SOLUTION TO THIS AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS ON MAUI?
>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S JUST ONE THING.
I THINK THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THANKS THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TWEAK TO, THERE'S NO ONE SILVER BULLET.
BUT WE SHOULD TRY DIFFERENT WAYS.
WE CAN LOOK AT WHAT MAKES HOUSING EXPENSIVE.
AND TRY TO REDUCE SOME OF THOSE EXPENSES LIKE THE LAND, IS A BIG ONE.
AND YOU COULD HAVE A LAND TRUST.
USE COUNTY OR STATE OWNED LAND.
HAVE LEASEHOLD INSTEAD OF FEE SIMPLE.
SO THERE'S THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH THE LAND.
THERE'S THINGS THAT COULD BE DONE WITH BUILDING MATERIALS AND MY HOPE IS THAT WE'LL HAVE A SHIFT TO LIKE HEMP, SECULAR ECONOMY AND NOT BE IMPORTING SHIPPING THINGS FROM THE MAINLAND.
>>Daryl: TOM COOK, AS A FORMER CURRENT CONTRACTOR, WHAT IS YOUR VIEW ON THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WHAT IS HOLDING IT UP?
>> HOUSING ON MAUI HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR 20 OR 30 YEARS.
INFRASTRUCTURE IS A KEY TO BEING ABLE TO BE ABLE TO DEVELOP THE HOUSING.
THE LAND COSTS BECAUSE OF MAUI'S POPULARITY, AND GLOBALLY, AND REAL ESTATE MARKET, PART OF AMERICA.
ANYBODY CAN COME AND BUY LAND HERE.
SO THEY AUCTION IT UP.
IN THE PAST, COUNTY HAS DEFERRED ALL OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS TO THE DEVELOPERS.
AND FINALLY SEEING THAT IS NOT GOING TO WORK.
I'M AN ADVOCATE OF THE COUNTY DOING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR WATER DEVELOPMENT, WASTEWATER DEVELOPMENT, WITH THE TRANSPORTATION NETWORKS, SO AND UTILIZING BONDING BECAUSE WITH THE BILLION DOLLARS BUDGET, MAUI IS A VERY AFFLUENT ISLAND CURRENTLY.
WE ARE HAVE A VIBRANT TOURISTS INDUSTRY TO A FAULT.
>>Daryl: WHAT IS YOUR FEELING ABOUT HOW TO DEAL WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON MAUI?
>> WELL, I AGREE.
DEFINITELY MULTIFACETED.
THERE OBVIOUSLY OTHERWISE, WOULD HAVE BEEN SOLVED BY NOW.
YES WE NEED DEVELOPMENT.
IT'S GOT TO BE SMART DEVELOPMENT.
I THINK THAT THERE ARE SOME PLACES THAT WE COULD REZONE ALL OF THESE EMPTY BUILDINGS THAT WE HAVE HAPPENING.
MAKE THEM MULTIUSE, LIVE WORK SPACES.
SITUATION WHERE ONE IN FIVE VACATION RENTALS IS EMPTY.
AND THANKFULLY, FINALLY, THOSE HOMEOWNERS THAT MANY DON'T LIVE HERE, WILL BE TAXED AT A HIGHER RATE, HOPEFULLY INCENTIVIZING THEM TO RENT TO LOCAL PEOPLE.
>>Daryl: WHAT IS YOUR THINKING ABOUT IT?
>> I AGREE.
THERE IS NO SILVER BULLET.
SEVERAL THINGS WE CAN DO.
INCLUDING WORKING WITH OUR HOME BUILDERS PROVIDING INFRASTRUCTURE.
UTILITIES.
AT THE SAME TIME, I FEEL IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO DESTIGMATIZE HOUSING IN OUR HOME BUILDERS.
WE ALL NEED SHELTER.
BASIC HUMAN RIGHT.
AND NECESSITY.
>>Daryl: WHEN WE TALK ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, I DO HAVE A QUESTION BY THE WAY FROM JEAN ON EMAIL.
BORN AND RAISED ON ISLAND AND SEEING MANY FRIENDS AND FAMILY LEAVING BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD HOUSING.
WHAT EXPERIENCE DO YOU HAVE THAT WILL IMPROVE MAUI'S CURRENT HOUSING CRISIS?
START AGAIN WITH ROBIN.
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE IN THE PAST THAT GIVES YOU PARTICULAR INSIGHT TO THAT.
>> WELL, INFRASTRUCTURE PIECE, HAVE I WORKED IN WATER AND WASTEWATER AND I AGREE THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT TYPICALLY, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS DO AND OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT COULD DO TO HELP BRING DOWN THE COST.
BUT I THINK WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING INSTEAD OF BUILDING 80% MARKET PRICE AND 20% AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
IF WE KEEP DOING THAT, WE WOULD HAVE TO BUILD 25,000 HOUSES TO GET OUR 5,000 AFFORDABLE HOMES.
SO THAT PUTS A BIG STRESSOR ON OUR RESOURCES.
OUR NATURAL RESOURCES, WATER, AS WELL AS INFRASTRUCTURE.
>>Daryl: DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT?
ARE THERE LAND USE REGULATIONS ON MAUI PREVENTING PEOPLE TO BUILDING.
ON OAHU, NOT ENOUGH LAND.
LAND IS TOO EXPENSIVE.
>> 5% OF OUR LAND IS DEVELOPED.
MAJORITY IS IN AG LAND.
GREAT THING.
IF WE LESSEN SOME OF THE ENTITLEMENT PROCESSES MAKE IT EASIER TO REZONE FOR MULTIFAMILY OR SINGLE FAMILY SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO PROVIDE HOUSING, THAT WOULD BE VERY IMPORTANT.
I'VE HELPED CREATE SOME AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
IT'S A GREAT FEELING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
YOU MENTIONED VACATION RENTALS.
MAUI HAS A LOT OF VACATION RENTALS.
AS I UNDERSTAND IT.
WHOLE COMMUNITIES ARE FULL OF VACATION RENTALS.
HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK THAT NEEDS TO BE CRACKED DOWN ON?
DO YOU FEEL LIKE IT SHOULD BE STRICT AS IT IS ON OAHU WHERE REALLY, EXCEPT FOR A LAND FULL OF RESORT AREAS, NOT ALLOWING ANY RESIDENTIAL VACATION RENTALS?
>> I THINK THAT WOULD BE INCREDIBLE.
SO RIGHT NOW, I USE THIS EXAMPLE.
TWO OF MY SISTERS LIVE VERY CLOSE TO HAIKU SCHOOL.
THEY HAVE VACATION RENTALS ON THREE SIDES OF THEM.
AND THAT SHOULD NOT BE THE CASE.
THOSE HOUSES SHOULD BE FOR OUR LOCAL FAMILIES.
WE ALSO HAVE A SCHOOL BUS DRIVER CRISIS RIGHT NOW.
SHORTAGE.
>> THOSE SHOULD BE FILLED WITH THE FAMILIES KIDS CAN WALK TO SCHOOL.
ALSO INTERRUPT, JUST FEELING OF COMMUNITY.
LATE NIGHT, PARTYING, VACATIONS, ALL OF THAT.
THAT SHOULDN'T NUMBER A RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
>>Daryl: WHERE DO YOU STAND ON THAT?
>> TO ME, KEY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO BUILD HOMES IS WE NEED TO DEVELOP OUR WATER RESOURCES.
LITERALLY HUNDREDS FRIENDS AND FAMILY, HUNDREDS OF PROPERTIES UPCOUNTRY THAT PEOPLE OWN THE LAND, AND THEY COULD BUILD ON IT.
BUT WE'VE HAD A WATER MORATORIUM UP THERE FOR OVER 20 YEARS.
BEEN CONSENT DECREE PREVENTING COUNTY FROM DRILLING TEST WELLS OR TAPPING INTO THE HAIKU AQUIFER.
FOR YEARS.
TIED UP IN LITIGATION.
THAT IS THE MAIN THING.
>>Daryl: LET ME ASK.
SPECIFICALLY ABOUT VACATION RENTALS.
DO YOU FAVOR SEVERE RESTRICTION ON VACATION RENTALS?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE VACATION RENTALS ELIMINATED FROM THE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS.
THE ONES THAT ARE ALL THE ONES THAT ARE ILLEGAL, SOONER.
THE ONES THAT HAVE GOTTEN, GONE THROUGH THE PROCESS, GOTTEN LICENSE, WE SHOULD GIVE THEM FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS NOTICE THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO RENEW THE LICENSE, ELIMINATING VACATION RENTALS AND IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS SO THEY WOULD HAVE TIME TO SHIFT GEARS.
BUT I BELIEVE THAT WAS A MISTAKE IN THAT LEGISLATION AND WE NEED TO CORRECT IT.
>>Daryl: ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO PITCH IN ON THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING QUESTION BEFORE I GO ON?
>> I WOULD LIKE TO TIE THOSE TWO TOGETHER.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THINGS LIKE DOING IN ATLANTA.
WHERE PEOPLE ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO HAVE TWO VACATION RENTALS AND ONE MUST BE PRIMARY RESIDENCE OF THE HOMEOWNER.
LIMIT OFFSHORE.
>>Daryl: I MISUNDERSTOOD WHAT YOU SAID.
PEOPLE HAVE TWO RENTALS BUT ONLY ONE HAS TO BE FULL‑TIME OWNER.
>> OWNER OCCUPIED RENTALS SO THEY MAY RENT OUT A ROOM OR TWO ROOMS OR SOMETHING ELSE.
BUT THEY'RE LIMITED TO TWO.
AND THEN IN OTHER PLACES, THEY'RE INCENTIVIZING HOMEOWNERS TO WITH $3,000 OR $10,000, TO CONVERT THEIR AIRB&B LONGTERM HOUSING.
>>Daryl: TALK ABOUT THE WATER ISSUE THAT TOM BROUGHT UP.
YOU HAVE A SPECIAL INTEREST IN WATER AS ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER.
WHAT IS THE PROBLEM ON MAUI WITH WATER?
WASTEWATER?
DINKING WATER?
FARM WATER?
INDIGENOUS USE OF WATER?
WATER HUGE ISSUE ON MAUI.
WHERE DO YOU SEE THE PROCESS, PROGRESS TOWARDS BETTER MANAGEMENT OF WATER ON MAUI?
>> NUMBER OF PROBLEMS IS PART OF WHY I'M ON MAUI.
PEOPLE ASK ME TO MOVE TO MAUI.
TO HELP OUT WITH ALL OF THIS.
FIRST THING IS THE WATER AUTHORITY.
WE HAVE, GOING TO HAVE CHARTER AMENDMENT THAT WE CAN VOTE ON.
IN NOVEMBER.
TO GIVE AUTHORITY ESTABLISH AN AUTHORITY WHERE MAUI COUNTY COULD HOLD THE LEASES FROM THE STATE.
RATHER THAN MAHI PONO AND AMI, PRIVATE CORPORATIONS AND MAHI PONO FOREIGN CORPORATION.
SO A BIG STEP WOULD BE FOR THE COUNTY TO HAVE CONTROL OF THE WATER RESOURCES.
INFRASTRUCTURE, OBVIOUSLY,.
>>Daryl: WHERE DO YOU SEE, I WANT TO THROW OUT THIS QUESTION ON OUR VIEWERS.
WHAT IDEAS DO PANELIST HAVE TO DEAL WITH WATER SHORTAGE PROBLEM?
LIMIT DEVELOPMENT.
MAKES IT HARDER FOR LOCALS TO GET WATER.
>> HARD FOR LOCALS TO GET WATER.
ABUNDANCE OF WATER.
USE RAINS CONSTANTLY.
DIFFICULTIES GETTING WATER FROM THE SOURCE TO OUR HOMES.
IAO RAINS CONSTANTLY.
WE NEED TO FOCUS GROUND WATER RESOURCE.
COUNTY PEOPLE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE THAT INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE HOUSES.
BONDS.
>>Daryl: GO AHEAD.
WHAT IS THE HOLD‑UP?
OBVIOUS FOR A WHILE.
>> FROM MY PERSPECTIVE OF THE MANY, MANY YEARS, WATER HAS BEEN USED AS A RE‑ESTABLISHED, GROWTH MECHANISM TO PREVENT MAUI FROM BECOMING OVERGROWN.
STOPPED WATER DEVELOPMENT.
THE HAIKU, EAST MAUI GROUP SUED MAUI COUNTY AND MAYOR ARAKAWA IS THE YEARS AGO CONSIGNED CONSENT DECREE.
SHUT OFF ALL THE, REDO THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT.
RE DO EVERYTHING.
ORGANIZED GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE PREVENTING THE COUNTY FROM DEVELOPING ADDITIONAL SOURCE.
IT'S BIGGER THAN.
BUT THAT IS A FUNDAMENTAL FACT.
IT'S CONTINUED THROUGH ALL THE YEARS.
LOCAL COMMUNITIES IS SUFFERING AS A RESULT OF IT.
>>Daryl: LET ME ASK YOU.
DO YOU SEE THE SAME WAY THAT ONE WATER HAS BEEN USED AS LEVERAGE TO PREVENT DEVELOPMENT AND THAT THERE ARE GROUPS ORGANIZED AGAINST MAKING MORE WATER AVAILABLE?
>> I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THAT.
MY PERSPECTIVE ON ALL OF THIS IS WE NEED TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE PLANTATION KIND OF ARCHITECTURE OF OUR SOCIETY.
ESPECIALLY ON MAUI.
I THINK ABOUT ALL OF THE WATER THAT IS THERE.
AS NOHI SAID.
PLENTIFUL.
LOOK FOR STREAMS RUNNING LIKE THEY USED TO.
>> NOT SEEING IT RIGHT NOW.
ALSO THERE'S A LOT OF WATER THAT IS BEING WASTED THROUGH THE EMI SYSTEM NOT BEING KEPT UP.
>>Daryl: WHAT IS EMI.
>> EAST MAUI IRRIGATION SYSTEM.
WATER DELIVERY SYSTEM THAT FOR MANY OF US IS THE ISSUE.
BECAUSE THE WATER ITSELF IS A PUBLIC TRUST.
WITH THIS MAUI NUI WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, THAT SOMETHING TO BE ON THE BALLOT, PROPOSAL, THEN THE COUNTY AND STATE COULD TAKE OVER THIS WATER DELIVERY SYSTEM, THEN WE WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL FUNDING, STATE FUNDING OTHER FUNDING TO UP KEEP THESE SYSTEMS BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, WITH THE EMI, ACTUALLY A LEAKAGE OF 20 TO SOMETIMES I'VE HEARD 40% OF THE WATER.
THAT IS WATER WE COULD BE USING FOR OUR RESIDENCE.
I LIKE TO WEIGH IN ON WHAT TOM SAID.
I DON'T THINK IT'S A GROUP OF PEOPLE ORGANIZED TO USE WATER TO STOP DEVELOPMENT.
I THINK IT'S PEOPLE ORGANIZING TO PROTECT OUR WATER RESOURCES.
AND WHILE I AGREE THAT WE NEED INFRASTRUCTURE, DRILLING A NEW WELL DOESN'T MAKE THERE BE MORE WATER.
DRILLING NEW WELL JUST TAKING MORE WATER OUT.
AND THAT GROUND WATER IS OUR SAVINGS ACCOUNT FOR WATER.
RIGHT NOW, THE CLIMATE IS CHANGING.
IT IS GETTING DRYER.
EVEN IN HAIKU.
EVEN IN IAO VALLEY.
PLANTS ARE STRESSED.
LOOK AT THEM NOW, YOU CAN SEE IT.
AND SO WE NEED TO MANAGE THAT WATER IN A WAY THAT DOESN'T ACT AS IF IT WERE INFINITE.
IT'S NOT INFINITE.
IT'S A FINITE RESOURCE.
>>Daryl: LET ME GO AHEAD, TOM.
BRIEFLY.
>> I CONCUR.
NEEDS TO BE MANAGED RESPONSIBLY.
BUT MAUI HAS APPROXIMATELY 357 MILLION‑GALLONS OF SUSTAINABLE YIELD WATER.
THAT MEANS SUPPOSED TO BE ABLE TO PUMP IT AND NOT DAMAGE IT.
MUCH OF IT EAST MAUI NOT PRACTICAL TO GO.
HAIKU AQUIFER HAS APPROXIMATELY 20 MILLION‑GALLONS PER DAY OF SUSTAINABLE YIELD.
IF YOU USE 10 MILLION‑GALLONS OF THAT, GROUND WATER IS NATURE'S STORAGE SYSTEM.
AND OVERPUMPING IT WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL AND NEGATIVE.
BUT IT'S ALSO OUR HEDGE AGAINST DROUGHT.
GLOBAL WARMING.
>>Daryl: I NEED TO MOVE ALONG.
THERE'S A LOT OF ISSUES ON MAUI.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET TO THEM ALL.
I WANT TO, THIS PROGRAM IS ABOUT A POLITICAL RACE.
SO SOMETIMES UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE POLITICS IS, IS IMPORTANT.
COUPLE OF QUESTIONS HAVE COME IN.
I LIVE IN PUKALANI.
TWO CHILDREN IN WAILUKU AND KAHULUI.
NOT SEEN ANY OF YOU CANDIDATES WALKING IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
WHY SHOULD WE GIVE YOU OUR VOTE IF YOU CAN'T REACH OUT TO US?
MAILERS DO NOTHING FOR ME AND MY OHANA.
ANOTHER QUESTION, HOW WILL YOU INCREASE COLLABORATION INSPIRE MORE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE MAUI POLITICAL PROCESS?
THE REASON I WANT TO MAKE SURE EMPHASIZE IS THAT, MAUI UNUSUAL IN HUGE COUNTY AND ALL THE VOTERS VOTE FOR ALL OF YOU.
REGARDLESS OF WHERE THEY LIVE.
HOW DIFFICULT IS IT CAMPAIGN?
PEOPLE FEEL DISCONNECTED.
I WOULD LIKE YOU TO START WITH THAT?
>> I AGREE.
FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO SAY I CANVAS PUKALANI.
IT'S HUGE.
ONLY DO SO MUCH.
CANVAS KAHULUI.
MY FAMILY HAD MASS CANVASSING IN KAHULUI.
TRY TO HIT SOME OF THOSE AREAS.
VERY LARGE AREA.
AS FAR AS GETTING PEOPLE TO GET INVOLVED, I THINK THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.
I FEEL LIKE HAVING FOUR NEW PEOPLE STEP UP AND GET INVOLVED, HOPEFULLY, CAN TRICKLE DOWN AND HAVE OTHER PEOPLE STEP UP AND GET INVOLVED.
WE CAN HAVE SOME SORT OF ORGANIC TRANSPARENCY AND PARTICIPATION.
>>Daryl: WHAT YOUR READ ON IT?
I MEAN, NONE OF YOU HAVE BEEN POLITICIANS BEFORE.
RIGHT?
WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE BEING OUT THERE CAMPAIGNING.
>> VERY DIFFICULT TO CANVAS THESE VERY LARGE AREAS.
BUT WHAT WE ARE PLANNING IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, IS AT DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES, CENTERS HAVING EVENTS AND THERE HAS BEEN A FEW OF THOSE BEFORE THE PRIMARY.
BUT THERE WILL BE MORE OF THEM BEFORE THE GENERAL ELECTION.
IT REACH OUT AND ESPECIALLY TO FAMILIES, HAVING EVENT WHERE THEY CAN COME AND WAI'ALAE HAVE SOMETHING FOR THE‑WE'LL HAVE SOMETHING FOR THE KEIKI AND COME AND HAVE SOME FOOD AND MEET THE CANDIDATES.
>>Daryl: SOUNDS LIKE OLD‑FASHIONED WAY.
HOW HAVE YOU BEEN DEALING WITH THAT AS A FIRST TIME CANDIDATE AS WELL?
>> INTERESTING.
CHALLENGE.
I HAVE 3 KIDS AN PLUS I TEACH.
SO FINDING TIME FOR ALL OF IT.
I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE TIME‑CONSUMING, TAKE A LOT OF ENERGY.
I DIDN'T KNOW QUITE HOW MUCH.
BUT YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN DOING SIGN‑WAVING.
WE FLEW TO MOLOKAI TO MEET WITH THE PEOPLE THERE.
FANTASTIC.
WE WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT COMMUNITY EVENTS.
I WILL WANT TO GO TO THIS IDEA OF GETTING PEOPLE INVOLVED.
FOR ME, I WORK WITH PEOPLE THAT HAVE TRAUMA IN THEIR VOICES ARE STIFLED.
ADULTS.
WE ALL HAVE OUR DIFFERENT ISSUES IN OUR LIVES.
SOME OF OF THESE ARE REALLY DRAMATIC AN BLEND OUT REST OF YOUR LIFE.
BLEED OUT.
I HAVE A VOICE I'M NOT AFRAID TO USE, I WISH THAT MORE PEOPLE REALIZED HOW POWERFUL WE ARE, EACH INDIVIDUAL.
MONEY DOESN'T VOTE.
>>Daryl: GO TO TOM.
WE TALKED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BACKING THAT PEOPLE ARE GETTING FROM PLACES LIKE THE CARPENTERS UNION THAT YOU WERE ENDORSED BY THEM.
HOW MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE IS MONEY MAKE IN MAUI POLITICS?
>> I THINK IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN ANY POLITICS.
I THINK IT'S MISCONSTRUED THAT PEOPLE WOULD GET A LOT OF MONEY ARE BEING OVERLY INFLUENCED.
ME PERSONALLY, I'VE MADE ANYBODY THAT DONATES MONEY TO ME, FIRST I DON'T REALLY PAY A LOT OF ATTENTION TO IT.
BECAUSE MY CAMPAIGN AND BASICALLY, STRATEGIZING ON HOW TO ADVERTISE ON WHATNOT.
BUT I HAVE A REPUTATION THAT OF COURSE CHARACTER.
GENERAL CONTRACTING COMPANY, FOR HIRE NOT FOR SALE.
STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION, ANY PROJECT, NEVER CHARGE OWNER FOR ANYTHING.
VERY STRAIGHT.
>>Daryl: HOW HAS MONEY PLAYED OUT IN VERY DIFFERENT RACE LIKE THIS?
>> IT'S A HUGE FACTOR.
BECAUSE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE BACKED BY THE BIG MONEY, THERE WILL BE IMMENSE AMOUNT OF ADVERTISING DONE ON THEIR BEHALF AND MANY, MANY OF OUR CITIZENS ON MAUI ARE VOTERS, ARE VERY BUSY WORKING AND THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME TO RESEARCH THE CANDIDATES.
AND EVEN THOUGH SOMEONE WROTE IN, DIDN'T LIKE THOSE CARDS, BUT THAT IS HOW A LOT OF PEOPLE DECIDE.
SO WHEN ONE CANDIDATE HAS A LOT OF MONEY COMING IN, AND SUPPORT LIKE THAT, AND THE OTHER DOESN'T, TO ME, IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A FAIR RACE AND I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE THE MONEY OUT OF POLITICS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE PUBLICLY FUNDED ELECTIONS WHERE EVERYONE HAS THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY.
>>Daryl: IF COULD YOU ALSO ANSWER WHETHER YOU FEEL MONEY MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.
BUT ALSO, HAS MONEY TENDED TO FLOW TO PRODEVELOPMENT CANDIDATES IN MAUI HISTORICALLY?
>> THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION.
MONEY PLAYS A BIG ROLE IN LOCAL POLITICS.
MAUI POLITICS.
AS WE DISCUSSED EARLIER, THREE COUNTIES, THREE ISLANDS.
I MEAN, IN ONE COUNTY.
YOU CAN'T GO EVERYWHERE.
>>Daryl: VERY EXPENSIVE.
>> VERY EXPENSIVE.
MAILERS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE.
EVEN KNOW NOT EVERYBODY LIKES THEM.
I THINK EVERY SIDE, OF IS A SIDE, HAS SOME MONEY COMING IN.
USUALLY IS A LOT OF MONEY.
IN THE DEVELOPMENTS SIDE.
IF THAT'S WHAT WANT TO CALL IT.
MONEY ON BOTH SIDES OF ISSUE FOR SURE.
>>Daryl: I GOT TO QUESTION COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SUBJECT.
AXIS DEER.
CONSIDER SELLING DEER MEET TO NEIGHBOR ISLANDS.
>> HOW ABOUT SELLING DEER MEAT TO OUR ISLANDS.
CREATING THAT FOOD SUSTAINABILITY FOR ALL OF US?
>>Daryl: WHAT IS THE ISSUE THERE.
>> MANY DIFFERENT ISSUES.
ONE IS THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE USDA APPROVAL TO SELL THE MEAT.
AND MUST BE BUTCHERED WITHIN TWO HOURS.
IT MUST BE HUMAN KILL.
NOT INHUMAN.
HUMANE KILL.
I COULD BE WRONG ON THIS.
ONE SHOT TO THE HEAD OR TO THE HEART.
MUST BE PROCESSED WITHIN 2 HOURS.
SO IF WE HAD MORE MOBILE USDA CERTIFIED PROCESSING, FACILITIES, AVAILABLE, THAT WOULD MAKE AN INCREDIBLE DIFFERENCE.
ALSO THE ISSUE OF PUBLIC LANDS VERSUS PRIVATE.
AS FAR AS HUNTING GOES.
AND SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT IF WE START HUNTING THE DEER, WE ARE TAKING AWAY FROM THEIR FOOD SOURCE.
SO THERE IS RESISTANCE ON THAT END AS WELL.
MULTIFASTED.
>>Daryl: ESTABLISHED HUNTERS.
>> NO.
NOT NECESSARILY.
NATIVE HAWAIIANS.
OTHER PEOPLE.
>>Daryl: WHAT DO YOU THINK AXIS DEER, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT PROBLEM AND HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT?
>>I WOULD LIKE TO TURN PROBLEM INTO A RESOURCE.
I HATE IT WHEN I HEAR ABOUT ERADICATION EFFORTS WHERE THEY SHOOT THEM FROM HELICOPTERS AND CARCASSES ARE LEFT OUT AND POLLUTE THE WATERSHED AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
I THINK WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE IT A FOOD RESOURCE.
WHATEVER IT INVOLVES.
GET THE U.S.D.A., GET THE MOBILE SLAUGHTERHOUSE GOING.
BECAUSE IT IS A RESOURCE.
AND IF THE SHIP STOPS COMING WE HAD A RECENT EXPERIENCE TO REMIND US THAT THAT COULD HAPPEN, AND ALL OF OUR FOOD IS BEING SHIPPED IN, MORE THAN 85% OF OUR FOOD COMES FROM OFF ISLAND.
IT COULD BE A BIG PART OF OUR FOOD SECURITY IF WE COULD ACCESS THAT AS A FOOD SOURCE.
IT IS ULUPALAKUA RANCH DOES HAVE A FOOD PROCESSING.
FDA.
DOING IT FOR SEVERAL HUNDRED ANIMALS A WEEK.
AND SELLING IT TO THE SCHOOLS OR WHATNOT.
THIS IS THE PROBLEM.
THERE'S SO MANY DEER, AND THEY'RE BASICALLY, IT'S IMPACTING CATTLE INDUSTRY BECAUSE THEY'RE CHEWING GRASS DOWN DIRT.
SUPER ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD, DUST BLOWING OFF THE TOPSOIL, SOIL EROSION.
MULTIPLY OUT OF CONTROL.
RESOURCE.
DO A MAJOR CAPTURE MITIGATION BECAUSE IT IS ON OF THE WORST ENVIRONMENTAL INVASIVE SPECIES HAZARDS ON MAUI RIGHT NOW.
WORST.
>> I DON'T REALLY DISAGREE WITH ANYBODY HERE.
ON THAT ISSUE.
DEER IN MY YARD EVERY SINGLE DAY.
THEY EAT MY LEAVES TI LEAVES.
FRUIT.
AVOCADOS.
EVERYTHING.
DEER WILL EAT EVERYTHING.
I DON'T DISAGREE WE NEED TO SEE IT AS A FOOD SOURCE.
ULUPALAKUA RANCH HAS A MOBILE MEAT PROCESSING FACILITY AND WE SHOULD DO MORE TO SUPPORT THAT.
>>Daryl: DO YOU AGREE WITH ERADICATION TYPE PROGRAM?
>> I WOULD LOVE NOT TO SEE FOOD GO TO WASTE.
I DON'T THINK IT'S RESPECTFUL TO THE ANIMAL.
BUT WE DO NEED DO SOMETHING NOW.
THEY DO INCREASE FAIRLY QUICKLY.
>>Daryl: GEORGE ASKS, WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO ABOUT ACCESS TO PUBLIC WATER WAYS AND BEACHES?
DEVELOPMENT ON SOUTH MAUI HAS MADE IT HARD FOR LOCALS TO ACCESS PUBLIC BEACHES.
I THINK YOU AND TOM ARE BOTH RUNNING FOR THE SOUTH MAUI DISTRICT.
WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE AND HOW BAD IS IT AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
>> WELL, LATEST SITUATION, LATEST SOLUTION THAT BEING DISCUSSED IS TO HAVE PAID PARKING FOR VISITORS AND FREE PARKING FOR RESIDENTS.
KIHEI IN PARTICULAR GETS A LOT OF THE TOURISM TRAFFIC AND YEAH, IF YOU DON'T GET TO BEACH REALLY EARLY, THERE IS NO PARKING.
HARD FOR FAMILIES TO GO ON HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS WHEN THEY'RE OFF WORK TO GO TO THE BEACH WITH THEIR KIDS.
SO YOU KNOW, THERE'S SOME CONTROLS BEING CONSIDERED LIKE NOT LETTING VISITORS GO TO THE BEACH BEFORE 10:00 A.M. ALL OF THIS IS JUST BEGINNING TO BE DISCUSSED.
SO WE DON'T KNOW HOW THAT IS GOING TO PLAY OUT YET.
THERE ARE A LOT OF CONCERNS YOU KNOW, EVEN ABOUT THE FREE PARKING FOR LOCALS IF THERE WOULD BE ENOUGH FREE PARKING COMPARED TO THE PAID PARKING.
>>Daryl: REMINDS ME, IS PARKING THE MAIN ISSUE WITH BEACH ACCESS?
>> IT REALLY IS.
THERE IS PRETTY GOOD BEACH ACCESS, PRETTY GOOD ENFORCEMENT OF HAVING BEACH ACCESS.
BUT THE PARKING IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO PARK, REALLY CAN'T ACCESS IT.
>>Daryl: ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT, I CONCUR.
I THINK THERE IS VACANT PROPERTIES THAT COULD BE UTILIZED AS PARKING LOTS ON THE MAUKA SIDE OF SOUTH KIHEI ROAD AREAS THAT IF THE COUNTY WAS PROACTIVE CONTACTING OWNERS, WORKING WITH ALL THE DIFFERENT GROUPS AN SAYING, THIS WHAT WE WANT TO DO IN THIS AREA.
PEOPLE AGREEING.
AND NOT FIGHTING EACH OTHER.
WE COULD PROVIDE MORE PARKING.
I THINK THAT THE LOCALS ON MAUI HAVE REALLY BEEN, THERE'S NO PLACE GO ANY MORE.
WEST SIDE, THOUSAND PEAKS, AREAS WHERE FULL ON CAMPGROUNDS WAIANAPANAPA WITH CARETAKER AND LOCALS ONLY, AND I MEAN, I'M TALKING ABOUT 100 ACRES.
>>Daryl: MY EXPERIENCE WITH MAUI, SORRY, USUALLY AS A VISITOR.
HAVEN'T SPENT A LOT OF TIME THERE.
DRIVES ME CRAZY EVEN AS A VISITOR, YOU'VE GOT HUGE RESORT AREAS AS OPPOSED TO HERE ON OAHU, HOTEL, HOTEL, HOTEL.
THEY HAVE PARKING LOTS.
YOU COULD GENERALLY FIND PARKING.
>> LIVE NEAR KO OLINA.
WHAT YOU DESCRIBED IT.
8:00 IN THE MORNING.
PARK SPOTS ARE GONE.
CANNOT GET TO THE BEACHES.
IS THIS A PRIVATE PROPERTY VERSUS PUBLIC ACCESS ISSUE THAT IS DEVELOPED?
>> I THINK SO.
I KNOW THAT SOUTH MAUI.
I'M THINKING ABOUT THE NORTH SHORE.
THINKING ABOUT WHERE I GREW UP.
I CAN'T GO DOWN TO PAUWELA LIGHTHOUSE.
CAN'T GO TO THE BAY.
ALL SHORELINE ALL BEEN PRIVATIZED.
WE NEED TO HAVE MORE GREEN WAITS AND OPEN SPACES PURCHASED BY THE COUNTY FOR THE COMMUNE, FISHING SPOTS.
ALL OF IT.
COMMUNITY.
WAIHEE RIDGE, SON'S GRANDMOTHER ASHES UP THERE.
THEY DIDN'T CAN'T EVER GO.
HUGE FENCE WITH BARBED WIRE AT THE TOP.
IT'S PRIVATIZATION AND AS TOM SAID, NO WAY FOR US GO.
JUST BEING SQUEEZED.
>>Daryl: DO YOU SEE THIS THE SAME WAY?
MATTER OF THE GOVERNMENT HAVING TO STEP IN AND SAY, OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE CAN ACCESS THESE AREAS?
>> YES.
I LIKE OUR NEW COUNTY'S PARKS IDEA.
I THINK OUR COUNTY NEEDS BETTER PROVIDE PARKS FOR OUR LOCAL RESIDENTS AS WELL AS SOME OF OUR VISITORS.
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRIVATE PROPERTY.
WE CAN'T TRESPASS.
AS A HAWAIIAN I HAVE RIGHTS TO GOT BEACH AND PRACTICE CULTURE AS ALL HAWAIIANS DO.
BUT IT IS A PROBLEM.
FOR SURE.
>>Daryl: IS THIS ABOUT OVERTOURISM THOUGH?
I MEAN, WE'VE GOT I THINK I SAW TODAY, SOMETHING LIKE 26,000 PEOPLE COME IN MAUI'S AIRPORT EVERY DAY.
THAT IS LEVEL IT WAS COMING IN HONOLULU AIRPORT.
NOT TOO LONG AGO.
MORE ABOUT TOO MANY TOURISTS ON MAUI?
>> MAUI NEEDS MITIGATED TOURISM.
MANAGE ITS TOURISM.
I DON'T THINK THAT THE HOTEL MORATORIUM OR THE CAPS THAT THE LEGISLATIVE THINGS AREN'T NECESSARILY SOLUTIONS.
KEEPING THEM, KEEPING THEM ‑‑ ENCOURAGING THE TOURISTS TO STAY IN THE RESORT AREAS WAS THE WAY MAUI WAS DESIGNED.
AND MAKING EXPENSIVE PARKING, ENFORCING AREAS LIKE HANA HIGHWAY, WHERE THERE'S NO PARKING SIGNS AND CAR IN BETWEEN EACH SIGN, PEOPLE WANT TO COME HERE BECAUSE IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE NOT BAD PEOPLE.
BUT YEAH, WE'RE BEING LOVED TO DEATH AND THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO, COMMUNITY NEEDS TO COME UP WITH PRACTICAL WORKING WAYS THAT WE CAN STILL HAVE OUR VIBRANT INDUSTRY, BUT WE CAN GET BACK OUR ISLAND LIFESTYLE.
>>Daryl: I DIDN'T REALLY HEAR A SPECIFIC, I MEAN, DO YOU THINK THERE'S TOO MANY TOURISTS ON MAUI.
>> YES, I THINK THERE'S TOO MANY TOURISTS.
WE HAVE A GOAL IN THE MAUI ISLAND PLAN THAT THERE NOT BE MORE THAN ONE TOURISTS FOR EVERY THREE RESIDENTS.
RIGHT NOW, I THINK WE'RE AT 50% TOURISTS ON ANY ONE DAY.
TO CONTROL IT, WE DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER IT A LOT OF THINGS.
>>Daryl: I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT.
UNDERSTAND THAT.
ON OAHU, HAVEN'T HAD THAT KIND OF DISCUSSION.
ACTUALLY HAVE A PLAN THAT SAYS, ONLY SUPPOSED TO BE ONE TOURISTS FOR EVERY 3 RESIDENTS.
YOU'RE ALREADY AT TWO TOURISTS FOR EVERY FOUR RESIDENTS.
>> CORRECT.
WE CAN DEBATE THE STATISTICS.
>>Daryl: STICK WITH ROBIN ON THAT.
IF YOU'VE GOT A PLAN THAT SAYS THIS IS WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE, ALREADY PASSED IT, WHAT SHOULD HAVE HAPPEN AND WHAT STILL CAN HAPPEN?
TO MEET GOAL OF THAT PLAN?
>> WELL, ONLY A FEW THINGS THAT COUNTY REALLY HAS CONTROL OVER.
PARKING IS ONE OF THEM LAND USE.
HAVING A MORATORIUM ON NEW VISITOR LODGING.
WE CAN'T STOP THE AIRPLANES FROM COMING.
WE COULD CONTROL HOW MANY RENTAL CARS THERE ARE.
WE COULD DO THINGS TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO STAY IN THE RESORT AREAS.
I THINK WE COULD DO A LOT WITH MASS TRANSIT CUT DOWN WITH SOME OF THE IMPACTS OF TOURISM BY NOT HAVING SO MANY CARS ON ROAD.
>>Daryl: WHAT LEVERS DO YOU THINK WOULD WORK?
>> THAT'S A REALLY REALLY HARD QUESTION.
BECAUSE WE CANNOT CONTROL THE TOURISTS COMING IN.
UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS A FEDERALLY MANDATED AIRPORT.
WE DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER THAT.
>>Daryl: LET ME FOLLOW UP WITH SOMEBODY THAT ROBIN SUGGESTED.
CONTROL HOW MANY RENTAL CARS THERE ARE.
IS THAT REALLY SOMETHING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
>> WELL, DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE PULLED BACK A LOT OF OUR RENTAL CARS.
WE SAW OUR LOCAL PEOPLE RESIDENTS OF MAUI, GETTING INVOLVED IN SOMETHING LIKE TURO AND RENTING OUT THOSE CARS.
>>Daryl: MAKE A LOT OF MONEY.
MAKE MAKING GOOD MONEY.
FIND A WAY TO ACCOMMODATE VISITORS.
NEED TO REALISTIC MANAGE OUR TOURISM.
>>Daryl: SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS THAT YOU WOULD PROPOSE.
>> SUCH A HARD ONE.
I DON'T DISAGREE WITH THE PARK.
REALLY GREAT.
RESERVATIONS SYSTEM LIKE PLACES FOR WAIANAPANAPA, HALEAKALA, NATIONAL PARK.
I LIKE RESERVATIONS SYSTEMS.
I LIKE THE PARKING SYSTEM.
I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD, WE SHOULD TRY TO KEEP OUR TOURISTS IN OUR RESIDENTS RESORT AREAS SO WE CAN REAP AS MUCH TAX BENEFITS AS WE CAN.
>>Daryl: YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE OVERTOURISM?
>> I THINK WHAT THE PANDEMIC DEMONSTRATED WAS BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFULFULLY GLARING REALITY THAT WE HAVE FAR TOO MANY RENTAL CARS ON OUR ISLANDS.
MAUI IN PARTICULAR.
IT WAS MINDBOGGLING TO DRIVE THE AIRPORT ROAD AND HAVE SOMEBODY IN THE PASSENGER SEE THE FILMING FOR LIKE 2 MINUTES.
ALL JUST RENTAL CARS PARKED IN THE FIELDS.
IT'S TOO MUCH.
THE IMPACT ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE RESIDENTS FROM GETTING FROM HAIKU TO LAHAINA TOOK 45 MINUTES.
NOT AN HOUR‑AND‑A‑HALF.
>>Daryl: HOW DO YOU LIVE WITH THE RENTAL CARS?
WHAT IS THE ACTUAL LEGISLATION THAT WOULD BE NECESSARY.
>> I'M NOT SURE.
SOMETHING WE CAN FIND OUT.
WE COULD LIMIT.
PERHAPS THAT SOMETHING THAT WE DIVERSIFY OUR ECONOMY AND ALLOW A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TOUR TURO CARS FROM OUR RESIDENTS TO MAKE THAT MONEY AS WELL.
>>Daryl: CIRCLE BACK TO TOM COOK.
I DIDN'T PUSH YOU ON THIS AND I WILL NOW.
WHAT LEVER DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST VALUABLE LEVER IN CONTROLLING MANAGING TOURISTS?
>> I THINK THE REASON WE'RE FEELING SUCH A HUGE IMPACT IN TOURISM IS BECAUSE WE'RE SO CONSTRAINED IN OUR HOUSING AND WHERE WE LIVE AND OUR TRANSPORTATION EVERYTHING.
MAUI HASN'T GROWN.
WE HAVEN'T BUILT ANY ROADS.
OBVIOUSLY HAVE A SHORTAGE OF HOUSING.
WHEN THEY REDID THE AIRPORT ROAD, DAIRY ROAD BECAME USABLE.
I'M NOT SAYING THAT MORE ‑‑ I'M SAYING, SOLUTION ISN'T MORE GROWTH IN ITSELF.
BUT THE SOLUTION IS IF LOCALS AREN'T SO PACKED TOGETHER, AND THAT WE HAVE NEIGHBORHOODS AND PLACES TO GO, DRIVE DOWN AT NIGHT, MOST KIHEI AT LEAST, AND WAIHEE SIDE ROAD IS LINED WITH CARS.
THE REASON IT'S LINED WITH CAR, EVERYBODY IS LIVING THE GARAGE, LIVING IN A HOUSE.
>>Daryl: PEOPLE HAVE PLENTY CARS TOO.
>> I'M JUST SAYING.
PEOPLE NEED HOUSING.
SO CURRENT FIXING OUR HOUSING SITUATION IS GOING TO MAKE THE INTENSITY OF THE TOURISM LESS.
>>Daryl: ANYONE HAVE A LAST WORD ON TOURISM?
I'M GOING TO MOVE ON THEN.
>> ONE THING TO SAY.
>>Daryl: SHORT.
>> OKAY.
THE RATIO OF TOURIST IS DISTORTED BECAUSE THEY'RE CONSIDERING ALL SECOND HOMES AS VISITORS.
NOT PART‑TIME RESIDENTS.
>>Daryl: VERY BIG ISSUE ON MAUI.
WHAT SHOULD MAUI COUNTY DO ABOUT SEA LEVEL RISE AND IN QUESTION DOESN'T JUST GO TO THE ROADS AND STUFF THAT YOU ALREADY SEE INUNDATED.
ALSO, HARDENING OF SHORELINES AND SO ON.
SO WHAT DO YOU THINK?
START WITH SPECIFIC THING.
DO YOU FEEL LIKE PEOPLE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO BUILD SEA WALLS TO PROTECT THEIR PROPERTIES OR SHOULD THEY JUST GET USED TO THE IDEA GOING TO HAVE BACK OFF THE SHORELINE?
DO YOU HAVE THAT ISSUE MUCH ON MAUI?
>> YES.
MY UNDERSTANDING OF SEA WALLS IMPACT SURROUNDING AREA IN A DETRIMENTAL WAY.
EROSION HAPPENS.
EXPONENTIAL RATE.
PEOPLE NEED TO GET USED TO SHORELINE PROPERTIES GETTING A LITTLE SMALLER.
WE ALSO NEED TO SHIFT SO MUCH OF NOT JUST OUR ROADS, BUILDING HIGHER AND ALL OF THAT.
STOP ALL THE BUILDING ON THE SHORELINES THAT ARE SO CLOSE TO THE OCEAN.
DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME.
OUR WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES IN KAHULUI IS GOING TO BE MOVED INLAND.
YEAH.
>>Daryl: AS A PERMIT EXPEDITER, YOU MUST RUN INTO THIS ALL THE TIME.
I KNOW ON OAHU, TALKING ABOUT MOVING THE SETBACK ON SHORELINE PROPERTIES TO 60 FEET.
OR MORE THAN THAT.
IS THAT SOMETHING THAT EXISTS ON MAUI STRONG WAY?
DOES IT NEED TO BE STRONGER TO PROTECT THE SHORELINE.
>> WE HAVE A SHORELINE SETBACK RULE.
DEPENDS HOW WIDE YOUR PROPERTY IS, HOW FAR BACK THE PROPERTY IS, WHERE THE SHORELINE SETBACK IS DETERMINED.
YES.
IT IS BEING DISCUSSED MOVE IT BACK FURTHER.
BUT THAT IS ALWAYS IN THE WORKS.
I DON'T AGREE WITH SEA WALLS.
I'M FROM PAIA.
WE HAVE FAMILY LAND WHERE OUR NEIGHBOR BUILT A SEA WALL AND OUR PROPERTY GOT NEGATIVELY IMPACTED.
WHICH IS WHAT HAPPENS.
NO, I DON'T AGREE WITH SEA WALLS.
WE DO NEED TO PREPARE FOR THE INEVITABLE AND START THINKING ABOUT MOVING MAUKA SLOWLY.
>>Daryl: TOM, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT.
>> NOT AN ADVOCATE SEA WALLS.
BASICALLY PROTECTING ONE PROPERTY AND DAMAGING ANOTHER PROPERTY.
I THINK THAT SEA LEVEL RISE OPPORTUNITY TO COMMUNITY TO REVIEW COMMUNITY PLAN AND URBAN GROWTH BOUNDARIES AND REZONE LAND INLAND SO THAT WE CAN STRATEGICALLY BUILD AND MOVE THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND HOPEFULLY EXPAND BUILD MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING WHILE WE'RE DOING IT.
>> NO SEA WALLS.
SEA WALLS PROTECT ONE PROPERTY AND DAMAGE NATURAL SYSTEM WHILE IT IMPACTS OTHER PROPERTIES.
WE DO HAVE TO HAVE MANAGED RETREAT.
WE HAVE TO GET OUR ROADS, ALL OF OUR WASTEWATER COLLECTION SYSTEM, ARE ON THE SHORELINE, KAHULUI TREATMENT PLANT TOO CLOSE TO THE SEA.
SO ALL OF THAT GOT TO MOVE BACK.
IT MAKES NO SENSE TO BUILD NEAR THE SHORELINE AT THIS POINT IN TIME.
YEAH, WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE INEVITABLE, SEA IS RISING.
>>Daryl: DID I GO TO YOU ON THIS QUESTION?
>> YEAH.
STARTED WITH ME.
>>Daryl: SORRY.
SO FIRST QUESTION IS, WHAT SOLUTIONS DO YOU SEE FOR THE HOMELESS HOUSELESS AND THOSE STRUGGLE, HOW BIG IS THAT ON MAUI AND COUNTY BEEN EFFECTIVE IN MITIGATING IT.
>> BIG PROBLEM.
SAD PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH , COMPASSION.
DELIBERATE.
PAIA, SEVERAL HOMELESS PEOPLE.
NOT TOO LONG AGO, STARTED FIRE THAT DAMAGED ABOUT 300 SOME ODD ACRES.
RIGHT NOW, MAUI COUNTY NEEDS TO PARTNER BETTER WITH OUR STATE AND OUR NONPROFITS.
PROVIDE MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES.
AND REALLY GET THE PEOPLE TREATMENT THEY NEED TO GET BETTER.
>>Daryl: YOU LOOK VERY SAD ABOUT THIS QUESTION.
>> IT IS SAD.
>> IT IS.
THAT'S SO FUNNY.
I DIDN'T REALIZE I WAS SAD.
IT COMES DOWN, I THINK TO THE QUALITY OF LIFE.
AND OUR QUALITY OF LIFE IS BEING DESTROYED.
AND IT IS OUR MENTAL HEALTH BECAUSE OF THE STRESS OF TRYING TO SURVIVE, RIGHT NOW, THE DRUG ADDICTION THAT LEADS TO HOMELESSNESS OR HOUSELESSNESS, IS ALONG WITH THAT, I'M IN THE POSITION MYSELF, I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR A HOME FOR MONTHS.
AND I CAN'T FIND ONE FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY.
AND IT'S NOT THAT THEY'RE NOT THERE.
BUT THE PRICES MAKE THEM UNATTAINABLE.
3 BEDROOM SHOULD NOT BE ADVERTISED FOR 37, 45,000, OR HUNDRED DOLLARS A MONTH, CAN'T HAVE ANY PETS.
WOULD PREFER ONE TO THREE TENANTS ONLY.
IT'S RIDICULOUS.
BUT IT'S ALL WRAPPED TOGETHER.
YES, NEED WRAPAROUND SERVICES FOR OUR HOUSELESS.
AND THERE ARE SO MANY MORE PEOPLE THAN WE KNOW.
I RAN INTO A PROMINENT FIGURE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO SAYS, SHE HAS 14 FAMILY MEMBERS LIVING IN HER HOUSE.
WE ARE IN A CRISIS.
WE ARE IN A CRISIS MODE.
AND WE'RE DISCUSSING TOURISTS.
WE NEED TO FOCUS ON OUR FAMILIES.
>>Daryl: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ROBIN?
>> WELL, HOMELESS PEOPLE NEED IS HOUSING.
I THINK WE NEED TO BE FLEXIBLE ON WHAT KIND OF HOUSING BECAUSE OF THE URGENCY THAT PEOPLE NEED SHELTER.
SO WE COULD DO, THEY HAD CALL THEM PALLET HOUSES DURING COVID.
SMALL DWELLINGS FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE.
WE COULD DO MOBILE HOMES WHICH ISN'T POPULAR.
BUT IT IS QUICK.
AND EXPENSIVE AND COULD GET PEOPLE IN HOUSES.
ONE OF THE BIG THINGS WE NEED MORE SHELTER BEDS.
SOCIAL SERVICES MORE DRUG ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH.
LOWER THE BAR ON GETTING INTO THE SHELTERS THAT ARE AVAILABLE.
THERE'S SO MANY RULES.
YOU CAN'T BE AN ADDICT.
CAN'T BE ALCOHOLIC.
CAN'T HAVE A DOG.
THEY WANT TO SPLIT FAMILIES UP SOMETIMES.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR I.D.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE ALL OF YOUR PAPERWORK.
THESE ARE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES FOR PEOPLE ESPECIALLY IF THEY'VE BEEN CHRONICALLY HOMELESS.
>>Daryl: YOUR THOUGHTS?
>> I HAVE A LOT OF COMPASSION.
MY 8 MONTHS IN THE ADMINISTRATION, I LEARN A LOT, THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND HUMANS CONCERNS HOUSING FIRST PROGRAM.
WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE GOVERNMENT ARE ADVOCATING.
WHICH ELIMINATES NEED TO HAVE ID.
ELIMINATES BARRIERS PREVIOUSLY PREVENTED PEOPLE QUALIFIED FOR A HOUSE.
IF YOU CAN GET IN A HOUSE, EASIER TO GET CLEAN AND HAVE YOUR SELF‑ESTEEM AND DIGNITY BACK.
CONTINUE WITH THE POLICY.
WE CAN BUILD A LOT OF STUFF QUICK.
WE HAVE TO HAVE THE SOCIAL AND POLITICAL WILL DO IT.
>>Daryl: WHAT ABOUT RENT CONTROL?
HARD FOR LOCALS TO LIVE ON MAUI.
THAT'S FROM JONATHAN IN KIHEI.
HEARD TALKED ABOUT ON MAUI.
IS THERE ANY FACILITY TO THAT?
>> THAT'S A TOUGH ISSUE.
I WOULD LIKE, FIRST RENT CONTROL.
DO AWAY WITH THE ILLEGAL VACATION RENTAL.
>> SO THAT THAT INVENTORY IS AVAILABLE.
OTHER THING IS LET PEOPLE LIGHTEN UP AND LET PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY UPCOUNTRY, WE NEED TO HAVE I THINK WE NEED ZONING FOR MORE URBAN AREAS AND COUNTRY, THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT TELLS YOU WHAT SIZE FENCE YOU CAN HAVE ON A FARM AND WHAT YOU DO.
UPCOUNTRY, YOU COULD HAVE A LOT OF HOUSING FOR A LOT OF LOCAL FAMILIES.
AND A LOT OF PEOPLE.
IF THEY WOULD JUST LIGHTEN UP AND LET PEOPLE BUILD STUFF.
>>Daryl: PERMITTING ISSUE, IS THERE PLACES THAT PEOPLE COULD BE BUILDING NOW THAT THEY'RE NOT?
>> YEAH.
DEFINITELY.
I DON'T DISAGREE.
SO WE HAVE BIG PARCELS AT MINIMUM, NEED TO BE TWO ACRES.
IF WE COULD ALLOW A THIRD AG DWELLING AND A ALLOW PEOPLE TO MAKE MOVER OWN HOUSING AND HOUSE THEIR OWN MEMBERS.
HOMELESS IS AN ISSUE.
HIDDEN HOMELESS.
CARS LINED ON THE SIDE OF ROAD BECAUSE WE'RE LIVING WITH EACH OTHER AND CAN'T AFFORD TO MOVE OUT.
>>Daryl: WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?
QUESTION ABOUT RENT CONTROL.
BUT ALSO, SEEMS LIKE IDEA OF THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE.
ALSO BIG ISSUE.
>> WELL, I DO THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE AG LAND.
AS POTENTIAL PLACE TO BUILD.
ESPECIALLY MARGINAL AG LAND.
IN KIHEI, REALLY DRY RANCH LAND.
THAT IS ADJACENT TO THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.
SO IT'S CLOSE TO INFRASTRUCTURE.
AND THERE'S NO MORE SPACE TO BUILD MAKAI OF THE HIGHWAY.
SO IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANY MORE BUILDING IN KIHEI, I WOULD SAY THAT IT GOES MAUKA.
WITH REGARDS TO RENT CONTROL, I KNOW NOT A POPULAR IDEA.
BUT I THINK IT'S NEEDED.
I PERSONALLY HAD FOUR RENTALS IN A ROW WHERE THE LANDLORD RAISED THE LAND MORE THAN A THOUSAND DOLLARS A MONTH.
WITH NO NOTICE.
LIKE BY THE WAY, 30 DAY, YOUR RENT IS GOING TO GO UP A THOUSAND DOLLARS A MONTH.
SO I THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE HOUSING SITUATION TO CHARGE EXORBITANT RENTS.
>>Daryl: SOUND LIKE YOU'RE EXPERIENCING THAT YOURSELF.
>> YEAH.
>>Daryl: HOW WOULD RENT CONTROL WORK IN A PLACE LIKE MAUI, DO YOU THINK?
>> I'M NOT SURE.
I KNOW IT'S GOT ITS PROS AND CONS DEPENDING ON WHO YOU TALK TO.
I DEFINITELY THINK SHOULD BE LOOKED AT.
I KNOW THAT WE CANNOT CONTROL A BUSINESS ON THE LAND BUT WE CAN CONTROL LAND USE.
REGULATE LAND USE.
PERHAPS SOMETHING THAT WE COULD DO.
I REMEMBER THERE USED TO BE A TIME YOU COULD LOOK AT THE SUGGESTED RENTS PER ROOM.
OF A HOUSE.
THAT IS KIND OF THE AREA MEDIA INCOME OR THE AMI HAS KIND OF SKYROCKETED BECAUSE WE HAVE THIS INFLUX OF TECH PEOPLE AND EVERYTHING WITH ALL OF THIS MONEY.
THAT ARE MAKING IT SO THAT IT DOESN'T SEEM CRAZY TO HAVE THE RENTS SO HIGH.
BUT I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE ONE WAY IS TO ADJUST THE AMI TO WHAT THE RESIDENTS YOU HAVE TO AND MAKE THOSE THE RECOMMENDED RENTALS.
>>Daryl: CHANGE THE SUBJECT AGAIN.
I'LL START WITH YOU.
WHERE IS THE CLIMATE SITUATION ON MAUI NOW?
SEEMS LIKE THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF HIGH PROFILE KIND OF CRAZY STUFF THAT IS HAPPENED AS WELL AS SOME CONTROVERSY ABOUT THE MANAGEMENT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
HOW DO YOU SEE SITUATION WITH SAFETY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT?
>> WELL, I SEE CRIME RISING.
CRIME ON THE INCREASE.
AND THE KINDS OF CRIME THAT WE DIDN'T USED TO SEE ON MAUI, GUN VIOLENCE A LOT OF CRAZY STUFF WITH OTHER KINDS OF WEAPONS TOO.
EVEN WITH VEHICLES.
I THINK A LOT OF THAT IS RESULT OF THE STRESS THAT PEOPLE ARE UNDER.
IF THEY DON'T HAVE HOUSING, IF EVEN IF THEY HAVE A JOB THEY CAN'T AFFORD HOUSING, YOU KNOW, THIS IS ONE OF THE KIND OF STRESSORS THAT CAN LEAD PEOPLE TO DRUG ABUSE AND OTHER THINGS.
AND THEN THEY CAN GO DOWN THAT ROAD.
BUT YEAH, THE CRIME IS DEFINITELY INCREASING ON MAUI.
WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT CONCERNS ME THE MOST IS HOW MANY MISSING PEOPLE WE HAVE ON MAUI.
WE HAVE SO MANY UNSOLVED MISSING PERSONS CASES.
AND THAT IS REALLY DISTURBING.
MAYBE WE NEED A SPECIAL UNIT FOR THAT.
>>Daryl: YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE CRIME?
DO PEOPLE ASK YOU A LOT ABOUT THAT WHEN YOU'RE CAMPAIGNING?
>> NOT THAT MUCH.
I KNOW THAT ACTUALLY, I THINK WE HAVE A SURPRISINGLY SMALL AMOUNT OF CRIME LIKE WHERE WE LIVE IN KIHEI, SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD.
I FEEL SAFE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
WE LOCK OUR DOORS BECAUSE DON'T WANT TO BE FOOLISH EASY THEFT.
WITH THE AMOUNT OF HOMELESSNESS AND ATTENTION OF THE LACK OF HOUSING AND TOURISM AND EVERYTHING, I THINK MAUI IS FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE A BIG CRIME ISSUE.
I THINK WE'RE PRIMED.
IF WE DON'T START ADDRESSING SOME OF THESE ISSUES, IT'S GOING TO GET WORSE.
>> I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE HAD AN UPTICK IN SOME SOME CRIME.
MULTIPART‑FACETED SOLUTIONS.
WE DON'T HAVE OUR POLICE OFFICERS STAFF WHERE IT SHOULD BE.
FEW HUNDRED SHORT.
I DON'T FEEL LIKE WE HAVE ENOUGH MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES TO HELP WITH SOME OF THESE PEOPLE.
IT IS NOT THAT PEOPLE ARE JUST COMMITTING CRIMES.
USUALLY, THERE IS SOME SORT OF DRUG ABUSE INVOLVED.
IDENTIFY THE ROOT PROBLEM.
>>Daryl: HOW IS THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESOURCES ON MAUI?
>> WE HAVE ALOHA HOUSE.
MENTAL HEALTH KOKUA.
WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH.
WE DON'T.
AND THEY'RE TRYING SO HARD.
I MEAN, SUCH A HEARTBREAK JOB.
REALLY ARE TRYING.
WE DO NEED MORE.
>>Daryl: WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CRIME.
>> VERY CLOSE TO TWO PRETTY DRAMATIC THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN HAIKU IN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTH.
ONE FAMILY MEMBER, 75‑YEAR‑OLD FAMILY MEMBER WAS BEATEN VERY SEVERELY AND HAD FACIAL FRACTURES.
PERSON DID IT TO HIM, 8, 9 DAYS LATER ENDED UP MURDERING SOMEONE.
AND UNFORTUNATELY, WELL, THAT WAS ONE SITUATION.
THEN THERE WAS A SHOOTING WHERE I GREW UP, 200‑YARDS FROM MY FAMILY HOME.
LAST WEEK.
SO I THINK THERE IS AN UPTICK.
BOTH OF THOSE SITUATIONS WERE MENTAL HEALTH THINGS, AND DRUG ADDICTION THINGS.
I KNOW THE POLICE ARE UNDERSTAFFED.
MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS ARE UNDER STAFFED.
KAISER IS HAVING A STRIKE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS FOR THE DEMAND THAT IS OUT THERE.
IT GOES WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE.
HOUSING FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS.
>>Daryl: COMING BACK TO THE SAME THING.
NO ONE CAN AFFORD TO LIVE THERE.
>> YEAH.
>>Daryl: TOM, I HAVE A FEELING I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO SAY.
LET YOU SAY IT.
WHAT IS THE COST OF LIVING DRIVER ON MAUI?
HOUSING, RIGHT?
OR IS IT OTHER THINGS TOO.
>> IT'S HOUSING.
WE'RE THE MOST REMOTE LAND MASS ON THE PLANET.
HAWAII IS EXPENSIVE.
MAUI IS EXTRA EXPENSIVE.
DATABASE, WHO OWNS HOMES?
LOCALLY HOMES?
PEOPLE JACK UP RENT.
THAT'S ALL TAX RECORDS.
I THINK HAVING SOME TRANSPARENCY OF HOMEOWNERSHIP, WHO IS INVESTED IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WHO IS SIMPLY EXPLOITING OUR COMMUNITY.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> I DO BELIEVE, I DON'T WANT TO BEAT IT TO DEATH, BUILDING MORE HOMES AND NEIGHBORHOODS.
NOT JUST HOMES, BUT NEIGHBORHOODS.
REVITALIZING INDUSTRIAL AREA KAHULUI FOR APARTMENTS.
>> USING MARGINAL AG LANDS BUILDING HOMES I CONCUR MAUI COUNTY, KIHEI, PASTURE LAND, PART OF CONTROLLED RETREAT.
AND IT'S LIKE, THERE ARE SOLUTION.
WE JUST NEED TO WORK TOGETHER.
>>Daryl: ADVANCE MORE TO DIVERSITY OF THE COMMUNITY.
HOW DIVERSE IS THE ECONOMY ON MAUI?
IS IT JUST SO SERVICE ORIENTED THAT'S NOT GOING TO GENERATE THE KIND OF INCOME PEOPLE NEED IS THE DIVERSITY OF THE ECONOMY ISSUE ON MAUI.
>> IT IS.
WE SAW DURING THE PANDEMIC SHUTDOWN, HOW BIG OF AN ISSUE IT IS.
NEVER A GOOD IDEA TO PUT ALL OF YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET.
OLD SAYING THAT HAS SOME GOOD REASON BEHIND IT.
SO WE DO NEED TO DIVERSIFY AND OFTEN PEOPLE ASK ME, WHAT CAN REPLACE TOURISM?
WELL, IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR ONE THING, TO REPLACE TOURISM, YOU'RE MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE AGAIN.
WE NEED MULTIPLE THINGS.
I THINK GROWING HEMP FOR FUEL AND FOOD, AND BID BUILDING MATERIALS WOULD BE A GREAT DIVERSIFICATION.
>> >>Daryl: NEXT THREE OF YOU ON THE VERY QUESTION.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS A BIG THING THAT COULD, IF NOT REPLACED TOURISM, AT LEAST PROVIDE FOR JOBS.
>> THAT'S A BIG QUESTION.
AS ROBIN SAID, DON'T THINK ONE THING CAN EVER DO IT.
BUT WHAT I THINK WOULD BE IMPORTANT IS IF WITH YOUR COUNTY AND OUR PERMITTING SYSTEM JUST BECAME A LITTLE BIT MORE BUSINESS‑FRIENDLY AND REALISTIC.
ALLOW PRIVATE SECTOR TO THRIVE AND WE COULD HAVE SOME ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION.
ONE JOB AT A TIME.
>>Daryl: WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT ABOUT SOMETHING THAT COULD PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL DIFFERENT JOB.
>> RECOGNIZE HOW ABUNDANT OUR ISLANDS ARE.
FORGOT WITH SHIPPING ALL THE STUFF THERE.
GO BACK TO NATIVE HAWAIIAN PRACTICE.
ECO WATER, DISTRIBUTION, PLANTS, A LOT, WE NEED MORE TREES TO HELP WITH CLIMATE CHANGE AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
GET OUR TOURISTS WORKING IN TARO PATCHES.
WORKING IN FISH PONDS.
MAYBE GO ON DEER HUNTS, WHATEVER.
HELPS US AND GET FOOD SUSTAINABILITY GOING.
WE NEED ENGINEERS.
>> WE NEED TEACHERS.
WE NEIGHBORHOOD NURSES.
HAVE ALL OF THAT, EVERYTHING WE SHIP IN TO GET WORKERS, EVEN CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.
TRAINED THOSE PEOPLE HERE IN MAUI COUNTY.
>>Daryl: WE'VE ONLY GOT ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT HERE.
HOW DO YOU DO THAT?
>> I THINK ONE THING IN THE FUTURE, THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT IS GOING TO HELP US IS THE MORE ELECTRIFIED WE HAVE AND THE LESS FUEL OIL WE IMPORT, OUR COMMUNITIES ARE GOING TO HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF CAPITAL GOING TO STAY HERE.
THAT'S SOMETHING THAT I DON'T HEAR PEOPLE TALK ABOUT.
THAT'S GOING TO GIVE US MONEY THAT WE NEED TO DO TO BUILD AND REVITALIZE OUR COMMUNITY.
IF WE BUILD HOMES AND INFRASTRUCTURE WE NEED, WE HAVE 15 YEARS WORTH OF WORK THAT OUR YOUTH AND EVERYBODY, IT'S REALLY DIVERSIFIED.
NOT JUST CARPENTERS AND CONSTRUCTION PEOPLE.
DEVELOP OUR COMMUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY, THAT IS A DIVERSIFICATION.
>>Daryl: DO YOU HAVE ONE THOUGHT?
ONLY GOT 15 SECONDS.
>> LAST THOUGHT IS THAT WE CANNOT EXCEED THE CAPACITY OF THE ISLAND TO SUPPORT PEOPLE.
WATER IS MORE SCARCE RESOURCE THAN IT WAS IN THE PAST.
SO IS LAND.
WE HAVE TO BALANCE THE VISITORS COMING WITH THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THIS THERE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH.
MAHALO TO YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT AND WE THANK OUR GUESTS, NOHE UU‑HODGINS AND NARA BOONE, CANDIDATES LOOKING TO REPRESENT MAKAWAO, HAIKU AND PAIA AT THE MAUI COUNTY COUNCIL.
AND ROBIN KNOX AND TOM COOK, CANDIDATES FOR THE COUNCIL’S SOUTH MAUI DISTRICT.
NEXT WEEK ON INSIGHTS, WE FEATURE CANDIDATES FOR TWO RACES: MATT WEYER AND MAKUAKAI ROTHMAN WHO ARE RUNNING FOR HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2.
AND GIL RIVIERE AND BRENTON AWA, CANDIDATES FOR STATE SENATE DISTRICT 23.
PLEASE JOIN US THEN.
I’M DARYL HUFF FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII, ALOHA!

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