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I hated our last mayor, Apana, and disslike our current mayor. I don't hate him as a person (I know him personally - he just attended my grandmother's 90th birthday party) - it is just that he could have a stronger environmental policy. He made Rob Parsons, a member of the Green Party, a part of his cabinet. I think you just have to trust me on this one - Awakawa is much better than Apana.
Apana, the Democrat, had no environmental policy at all for the county of Maui. Even though we were going through heavy sprawl, he had no plan to deal with it. He also had no interest in curbing growth of any sort of growth. He had no plan to deal with the impending water crisis on Maui. Who were his major campaign contributors? Mostly developers like Everett Dowling (former UH regent).
Who is this Rob Parsons? Well in 2002 during the primary election, Rob Parsons, a Green ran on the primary ticket alongside Democrat Apana and Republican Arakawa. Although Parsons lost the primary, a sizable amount of Maui voters voted for him - enough to put the runoff election in a tossup. No major party candidate could deciecively win without the support of Parson voters. Members of the Green party suddendly became "swing voters". Both candidates tried to woo environmentalists with their "Green Agenda". Well, it was Arakawa who won in the end - he received the endorsement of Rob Parsons. The reason why so many liberals voted for Parsons was because of their opposistion to the Apana administration. Besides, Arakawa had a noted record working on water conservation on Maui.
During the next mayoral election, I would not be suprised if a Green and a Republican went at it in the runoff election.
Don't look at the council in terms of their political parties - look at their political philosophies.
Jo Anne Johnson - Represents West Maui (Lahaina, Naplili) Moderate/Liberal on Social Issues, Conservative Conservationist (wants to protect the environment, the spokesperson for environmentalists on Maui). Wanted to impose a 3 year moratorium on construction in South and West Maui. She ran on the Republican ticket but shares none of the values the party espouses.
Wayne Nishiki - represents Kihei, Ma'alaea. Outgoing council member, cannot run again. Social Conservative but also a Conservative Conservationist. Born and Raised on Maui - wanted to protect the land he grew up on. Endorsed Mike Gabbard. Did run as a Republican initially - still a Republican.
Danny Mateo - from Moloka'i. Votes jobs over the environment any day. Does support the environment ocassionally Ran as a Democrat - big union person.
Goro Hokama - represents Lana'i. I view him as very irritating - cuts taxes and is very pro-growth. Could care less about the environment. I think he ran as a Republicans.
Dain Kane - represents Wailuku, Wai'ehu. Ran as a Democrat, but will vote for jobs over the environment any day. BIG UNION PERSON.
Robert (I don't know his last name) - represents Hana. I am not sure what his posistions are.
Charmaine Tavares - Upcountry, Pukalani, Kula, Makawao - very irritating - Republican, pro-growth, only cares about her own district.
I view all of the County Council members as pro-rich (save Jo Anne and Wayne Nishiki).
If you want to protect the environment of Maui for the future, Google "Maui Tommorrow". They are truly a grassroots organization.
There are three hot button issues on Maui: Traffic, the Environment, and Housing Prices. Jobs are not even on the radar here - most have one. The only problem is that they are not high paying enough. People with low incomes have not even been able to purchase a small house due to the speculation in the market. I want this bubble to pop - the median price of a home here on Maui is 500,000 dollars. Although it will hurt the local economy, it is necessary - there needs to be a reality check in the market and SOON.
Expect environmentalists to turn out 'en masse' this November for the County Council elections - we are still bitter over the Makena development project.
Note - I voted for Arakawa because he had the better environmental policy. He is the only Republican I ever voted for.
If it ever came between a Green and a Republican, definetly the Green. If it ever came between a Democrat and a Republican, I would choose the one with the better environmental policy. Jobs are really a non-issue for me.
As for subsidized transportation, there is only so much the county can do. We have many new transportation projects on the island of Maui, but most of them deal with highway expansion. I supported it, but I believe that any new expansion of transporation on Maui should be in the form of mass transit. Joe Souki, the Pro-Tempore Speaker of the House is the Chairman of the Transporation Committee in the State House and was probably the one that secured the funds for the highway expansion. Did I ever mention that he was a real estate agent?
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