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Netra Halperin – Maui County Council, Kahului

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

We need to find creative solutions for the economy where money can stay on the island, instead of being driven by off-island ownership of resorts. Community involvement and ownership of economic resources is key in this process. I think it’s important that the people’s goals for Molokai are kept intact.

Zoning changes are a significant way in which we can help the economy. We need to make zoning fit the community needs, instead of community development being constrained by zoning designations. I have co-founded the Maui Sustainable Farmer’s Coalition, which is designed to support local farmers and bring about zoning changes that are modeled after a traditional neighborhood design rather than block zoning.

One thing that sets me apart from my opponent is my position on conditional use permits, which often prohibit home businesses and other enterprises that would boost local economy. I am against the conditional use permit policy because I think it is a waste of time and money. The county council needs to exercise its full power for the public good.

As a county council member, I would bring my experience owning small businesses in fields like real estate and tourism as well as extensive community involvement working as a child and family therapist with such organizations as Women Helping Women, Aloha House, and Maui Youth and Family Services.

I would bring common sense to the table, and I think it’s important that council members fully commit themselves and prepare and educate themselves on the issues placed before them. I also see testifiers as a huge resource, a wealth of knowledge that council members should listen to and utilize more in the decision-making process.

Michael Howden – County Council (Upcountry)

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

As a member of the Maui County Board of Water Supply, I see water as the core issue on Molokai. We need to return water to being a public trust. Molokai needs their voice to be heard on the Board of Water Supply. There needs to be a lot of maintenance and storage updates for Molokai water, and I believe that if the Department of Water Supply just supplied the materials, the people of Molokai would do the work themselves. I see the county’s exercise of eminent domain as key to the water solution.

I think that the amount of water going to Monsanto on Molokai is a detriment to the community and the island’s water supply. As an alternative to Monsanto’s employment opportunities, I propose the organic seed industry. We need biodiversity, and seed production would allow for a successful economy of micro-enterprise.

I have lived and worked on farms, and have a lot of experience in the field of permaculture. I see a need for a real political will to address the issues of water and sustainable resources, and there currently seems to be a real reluctance to engage with the community at large.

I have a different relationship to the `aina than all the other candidates currently running. I have a love of the land and a fearlessness and willingness to engage when it comes to community rights. Gladys Baisa has been in favor of many issues that the people haven’t been in favor of, and I think it’s important to listen to what the community wants. I also feel that she leans too heavily on tourism as an economic solution.

As voters go to the polls, I hope they take the chance to embrace change and look for viable and enduring solutions. It will require sacrifices for all of us. We need to listen and be willing to sacrifice for good of others, and right now we only seem willing to sacrifice for corporations rather than building a community that will help everyone.

Gladys Baisa – Maui County Council, Upcountry (Incumbent)

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

My top issues are the economy, jobs, and social services. I am aware that there are many others but these are the issues I think we need to address as priorities. With the downturn in the economy, businesses are hurting, people and being laid off or having their hours reduced and the result of this is having a very negative effect on our economy.

Less income means less taxes being paid to the County, and lost jobs. Lost jobs means loss of not only income, but medical benefits and other social impacts. My fear is that there is talk about reducing funding for the nonprofit service providers just when they are going to be needed more than ever.

Being a very unique island, Molokai presents a challenging situation. The residents have clearly articulated their desire to "Keep Molokai, Molokai".  With that in mind, economic development must be done with that idea foremost. Projects must fit the local lifestyle and not impact the culture and mores of the island negatively.

I believe that Molokai is capable of charting its own destiny. I support letting the residents of Molokai decide its future to the maximum extent possible. In the short term, the County of Maui can assist with support like the ferry subsidies, HONI program for assistance with water bills, and other assistance like MEO transportation and other social service programs.

I am a high energy Type A personality. I am very business oriented with strong ties to social services, economic development, and service to the community. My opponent is much quieter, low key, and appears to be concerned mostly with environmental issues and sustainability.

I would like Molokai residents to remember that in order for Molokai to receive the support and help needed, they must elect a team of experienced elected officials who are familiar with Molokai and the needs and desires of its people. I believe I am one of those persons.

Sol Kaho`ohalahala – Maui County Council, Lanai

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

I consider jobs, food production and energy as the most important issues for Maui Nui. I am interested in creating new jobs for us through food production and a clean renewable energy future.  By working with our local families to grow and produce healthy food crops we can rise to a level of self-reliance, self- sufficiency and sustainability.

Government can provide incentives, technical assistance, agricultural resources, assistance and subsidies to help our families and communities to reconsider farming as a future direction.  Grow locally, buy locally; support locally and live locally - this is the island way. This idea is not new to Moloka'i but it needs to be encouraged and supported by government.

Developing a clean renewable energy future is a necessary and vital component which can make us independent fossil fuels.  Aside from the impacts we face from global warming and sea level rise, we are the most isolated islands located in the largest ocean on earth.  Focusing on renewable energy will help create jobs for the installation, maintenance and care of all manners of the industry.  This will enable us to continue our sustainability and our ability to live and survive in our islands of Maui Nui.

I will put forth policies to support and provide the incentives and programs to bring short and long term solutions.  These critical times provide us with opportunities and alternative directions.

My knowledge of government processes at both the County of Maui and the State of Hawaii levels, the experience of being a Councilmember and a State Legislator, being a collaborator and leader in community work and organizing and the ability to be a visionary for the betterment of our island people.  The distinction is clear, and my accomplishments speak for themselves.

Working with you to find solutions that will be good for Molokai in a manner that is transparent, inclusive and honest are the things that I offer as your Lanai Councilmember.  I look forward to representing you on the Maui County Council.  Mahalo and Aloha.

John Blumer-Buell – State Senate 6th District (East Maui-Molokai-Lanai-Kahoolawe)

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

The biggest issue for Molokai is self-determination. Molokai needs to determine its own future with regards to land use planning and natural resource issues. How can you create this within the system? Can Molokai become its own county? A constitutional amendment, would allow people to choose. If people want Molokai want to become its own county, I would support the process.

I really admire the Molokai community for standing up for what is pono. I have watched every La`au hearing on Akaku and I support people of Molokai against this development.
I have also been following Molokai’s hopes to buy Molokai Ranch in order to create wind farms. If this would make the island economically independent, this is something we should all consider seriously.

With regards to an economic plan for Molokai, I strongly believe the people of Molokai know what’s best. It’s up to the creativity of the people to inspire appropriate economic development. A good place to start would be to provide essential human needs which include control of the water so that people can grow their own food crops. The state and county should support subsistence because Molokai is in best position to realize a subsistence-based economy. Molokai represents a unique opportunity because it has not been over-developed.

In 1995, I helped facilitate the transfer of the state owned and operated Hana Medical Center to the Hana Community. Kalani deceitfully privatized the health center and has been a supporter of their proposed $26 – $52 million tax-payer funded health and wellness village – I completely oppose that. I continue to advocate giving control of Hana’s health needs back to community – Hana deserves better.

If elected, I will be on Molokai once a month to meet with people to work on Molokai’s preferred future. The people of Molokai have been successfully informing rest of state about themselves - people all over Hana know about Molokai issues. It is through better communication that things change and while I can offer good advice, it is the people who know best.

John Ornellas – Maui County Council, Lanai

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

As neighbors, in just the last two weeks we’ve faced tremendous uncertainty with respect to our economy and jobs for our people. All we would need and ask for is a decent and stable job for each of our people so that we can send our kids to school, put food on the table, and keep a roof over our heads. With my resolve and determination, I would hope to tackle our county’s economic concerns.

Here’s what we must do together to stimulate our economy and bring it back for the good of the people of Maui, Molokai and Lanai: 1. Accelerate construction of affordable housing. 2. Invest our resources into improvements of our infrastructure. 3. Increase support for and communication with our visitor industry entities. 4. Advocate for the development of more water sources and. 5. Assert the growth of natural, sustainable and alternative forms of energy.

I want to thank the people of Maui County for their vote of confidence this primary election and I will work hard to do the following: Preserve the rights of citizens to a transparent and open government. Support the completion and development of the General Plan of the County of Maui. Ensure that small-business permitting process is not too burdensome, but is efficient and service-friendly. Ensure that our residents’ working-families are not over-taxed. Support programs for our senior citizens and those who are disadvantaged. Reduce our reliance on oil and work on alternative clean-energy resources. Support the development of existing surface water in Central Maui, balancing it with an adequate stream flow. Ensure the preservation of our unique historical and cultural resources—keeping it’s small-town, old-fashioned, and “local charm” character.

We need to work together as a community to solve our common challenges and bring confidence back to our now-ailing economy and in our public servants. With your help, support, and especially your vote for this coming November 4th general election, I hope to have the honor of serving you as your county councilmember for this upcoming term. Mahalo nui loa, John Ornellas

Mike Molina – Maui County Council, Makawao-Haiku-Paia (Incumbant)

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

We have to boost the economy of Maui County because if we keep business strong, those revenues can be used to help Molokai. Everything is connected.

Another way to boost the economy for Molokai is working with the visitor industry on neighboring islands to put together attractive travel packages. We want to stimulate people to come to Molokai, but we have to do it on a small scale, with no large operations like cruise ships. We need to make Molokai something special that people can visit and enjoy.

We need to stimulate sustainable jobs, as well as address housing opportunities and services such as drug rehabilitation programs on Molokai. I think it’s important to keep the youth on the island, and as a former teacher, youth and education are areas I think are necessary to fund.

Budget cuts are inevitable in these tough economic times, but the County needs to see how we can tighten our own budget first. Sometimes in the worst of times, the best comes out. We need to look at lowering water rates to stimulate economy through agriculture, as well as marketing local products.

I am a veteran, and have long been involved community service projects. Candidates need to prove themselves long before they decide to run for office, and show a familiarity with the issues and people they will be working for. I am not working for just one issue, but have a broad range of concerns from the environment to affordable housing.

When choosing who you want to vote for, think about those members who are experienced, who have an open door policy, who will be a responsible candidate, and who don’t discriminate. I encourage residents to call candidates to talk to them personally and ask questions.

Joe Pontanilla – Maui County Council, Kahului (Incumbent)

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

I think economy is the number one issue in this election. We always talk about the food chain, and the way I perceive business is a work force chain. Primary sources of employment such as tourism and construction drive Maui County, offering support to smaller businesses, and money keeps moving in a cycle.

On the County Council, we try to do our part by moving capitol improvement projects forward, such as the fire station on Molokai. Construction of fire station improvements and the new Parks facility will open up labor opportunities for Molokai residents.

Unemployment breeds social ills, so creating jobs is a top priority for me. We need to be aware of social services that will help residents address unemployment. In terms of employment opportunities, landfill improvements and road resurfacing are a couple examples of jobs that could be utilized on Molokai.

Budget cuts will have to occur but core services like police and fire get first priority. The County needs to look to its own budget, and then look to government inefficiencies and vacancies before cutting funding from other organizations. But Maui County provides more dollars than any other county in the nation.

What sets me apart in this election is my good understanding of what Molokai and Lanai needs and the issues the people are facing. I used to be manager for the phone company on Maui, Molokai and Lanai, and so I have a working knowledge of all three islands. It’s important to take into account Molokai and Lanai as well as Maui when examining budget needs and county plans. It’s also important for candidates to have an open door policy to be accessible to residents.

As you decide who to vote for this election, you should look at the candidate’s record and what they’ve done for the county. Another important aspect of this job is representing the entire district, and taking all three islands into account.

Bill Medeiros – Maui County Council, East Maui (Incumbent)

Monday, November 3rd, 2008

On Molokai it’s important to listen to the community and their concerns, recommendations and solutions. These things are important for officials to hear. As a council member we look to members from each district to get idea of where that district is going.

In regards to the economy, the County is considering how to be sure we have money in the budget for infrastructure; building infrastructure will provide work for businesses and people who live here. There is a lot of infrastructure that needs to be replaced like wastewater systems that were installed in early 1970’s and are now starting to give out.

I worked for county for 31 years before retiring and being elected to the County Council. In the last budget we put in 20 million for water and wastewater systems, which, along with highways, are among our highest priorities. This is an excellent means of revitalizing local economy.
 
We need to be creative to come up with ways to revitalize economy as whole. Bed and breakfast ordinances will be completed shortly, as will ordinances for short-term rentals (transient vacation rentals). We are currently trying to incorporate clauses from the Molokai Planning Commission into the county-wide ordinance.

Healthcare is another big issue. I recently helped bring dialysis treatment services to Hana. I also got Medicare to approve payments in Hana. I am also working on the Maui adult daycare agency where we are planning to rebuild elderly housing using donated acres. These are projects that affect the quality of life.

An advantage I offer residents is a good awareness of our lifestyle in Hawaii. Look at my reelection campaign and candidacy as someone who can relate to the concerns on Molokai because we have same needs in Hana, and the same cultural background. Molokai people can be assured that I have a firm understanding of their needs.