Mayor Michael Victorino checks in with Jason … running again – 2022

• [00:00 → 00:51]
  Introduction and Context
  Jason Schwartz, host of Maui Neutral Zone, welcomes Mayor Mike Victorino during the final days of his mayoral campaign, approximately nine days before the election. The conversation sets the stage for an in-depth discussion about current issues, accomplishments, and future plans for Maui County. Victorino acknowledges the challenge of balancing his political duties with the ongoing responsibilities of his mayoral role.
• [00:51 → 02:37]
  Daily Operations and Housing Initiatives
  Mayor Victorino details a typical day filled with meetings and projects, emphasizing housing development. A key upcoming project in Wailuku aims to add 200 housing units featuring solar water heating and water-efficient fixtures (e.g., low-flow toilets). The goal is to build green, affordable housing with purchase prices kept in the $400,000–$500,000 range and rentals aligned with Area Median Income (AMI) guidelines. This initiative reflects a commitment to sustainability and accessibility in housing.
• [02:37 → 04:21]
  Experience and Reflection on Maui’s Growth
  Victorino reflects on his 30-plus years in Maui, noting his early involvement in county fairs and community service. He acknowledges public sentiment that the county’s response to growth and challenges has sometimes been perceived as “too little, too late.” Despite this, he expresses confidence in the direction taken, particularly in diversifying Maui’s economy beyond tourism and hospitality.
• [04:21 → 06:36]
  COVID-19 Response and Community Support
  Mayor Victorino highlights the administration’s rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns starting March 2020. The county allocated $99 million early on to aid residents before federal CARES Act and American Rescue Plan funds arrived. Key community efforts included:
• Food drives distributing over 8 million pounds of food in 18 months, involving churches, nonprofits, and business partners.
• Ongoing rental and utility assistance through federal funds, offering up to three months back rent and three months forward rent.
  Victorino encourages residents in need to contact the Office of Housing and Human Concerns for assistance.
• [06:36 → 09:31]
  Sustainability Efforts: Water and Renewable Energy
  Victorino discusses major infrastructure updates addressing water and energy:
• A new wastewater treatment plant is under construction near Waiehu to serve Central Maui, replacing an outdated 1970s plant in Kahului.
• This plant will produce 12–15 million gallons of R1 water daily(highly treated recycled water suitable for irrigation and non-potable uses).
• He explains the concept of R1 water, comparing it to Singapore’s model where 35% of potable water consumption is sourced from treated wastewater.
• The county plans to expand R1 water use for agriculture, parks, and housing developments to reduce potable water demand.
• Mayor Victorino highlights a large solar farm project on Kuilani Highway that will supply 16% of Maui’s firm power needs, increasing the county’s renewable energy capacity from 51% to approximately 75%.
• Advances in solar technology and battery storage now provide “firm power” reliability, overcoming past challenges with intermittent solar energy.
• [09:31 → 15:05]
  Housing Development and Water Conservation Strategies
  Current housing pipeline highlights:
  | Project/Area | Units Under Construction | Units in Final Stages | Notes |
  |———————|————————-|———————-|——————————–|
  | Various projects | 742 | 5,200 | Includes Atherton (1,500 units), Puanani (200 units), Pet Brothers (200 units) |

Water conservation measures include:

• Mandating low-flow fixtures on all new construction.
• County facilities retrofitted to save an estimated 78 million gallons of water annually.
• Potential savings of 1.6 billion gallons over 20 years by expanding water-saving technologies.
• Reduction of household water use from approximately 600 gallons per day to 350–400 gallons per day.
• [15:05 → 18:42]
  Economic Diversification, Job Creation, and Agriculture
  Mayor Victorino prioritizes:
• Job creation in technology, wellness, and healthcare, aiming to attract medical professionals and healthcare workers who also need affordable housing.
• Supporting local agriculture by assisting longstanding family farms (e.g., Sakura, Otani, Koga, Yamamori families) with regenerative crop practices and access to grants through the Department of Agriculture.
• Exploring creative housing solutions, including tiny homes and potentially more vertical housing (3–4 stories) to maximize limited land without high-rise density like Oahu’s Kakaako.
  Victorino emphasizes sustainability and preserving Maui’s cultural identity (“kuleana”) while responding to population and economic pressures.
• [18:42 → 22:54]
  Homelessness and Temporary Housing Solutions
  Victorino acknowledges the persistent homelessness challenge and the upcoming removal of pallet homes (temporary shelters) at the end of the year. He notes:
• Negotiations are underway for alternative sites to provide pallet homes and hygiene stations on private property, coupled with wraparound services (medical, mental health, substance abuse support).
• The difficulty lies in addressing individuals who refuse services, complicating efforts to provide stable housing.
• Victorino stresses the importance of decent living conditions for all residents regardless of origin.
• [22:54 → 26:55]
  Food Security and Environmental Stewardship
• Victorino underscores the importance of food security and local self-sustainability, especially in light of supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by the pandemic.
• The county’s environmental priorities include:
  • Preserving beaches and parks for residents by restricting commercial activities on Sundays and holidays.
  • Implementing “Park Maui” initiatives to provide free parking for residents and paid parking for visitors, with revenues reinvested to maintain and improve public spaces.
  • Efforts to protect Hawaiian cultural heritage and open spaces by acquiring beachfront parks and connecting them under county stewardship.
• Wastewater reuse (R1 water) also supports ecological health by reducing potable water extraction and aiding aquifer recharge, with natural soil filtration processes lasting 25–50 years.
• [26:55 → 31:22]
  Workforce Development and Economic Challenges
• The county is partnering with the community college to develop career pathways in healthcare, wellness, and construction trades.
• Concerns are raised about workforce shortages, especially in skilled trades and critical roles like CDL drivers, affecting essential services (e.g., school bus operations).
• Despite inflation and rising costs (gas, food), Victorino’s administration has minimized fee increases, including lowering real property taxes for primary residences.
• The mayor emphasizes the goal of creating livable wages, job opportunities, and affordable housing to retain residents and prevent outmigration.
• [31:22 → 33:40]
  Closing Remarks and Election Appeal
  Mayor Victorino reaffirms his commitment to Maui’s people and sustainable development. He asks voters for four more years to:
• Complete ongoing housing projects.
• Advance infrastructure improvements in water, energy, and parks.
• Continue economic diversification and workforce development.
  He highlights a proven track record of leadership focused on community welfare rather than partisan politics or divisiveness.

Key Insights and Summary

• Housing remains the top priority, with a robust pipeline of over 6,000 units at various stages of development, emphasizing affordability and sustainability (solar, water efficiency).
• Water sustainability initiatives include a new R1 water treatment plant producing up to 15 million gallons daily and aggressive water conservation efforts saving millions of gallons annually.
• Renewable energy goals are ambitious, targeting 75% renewable firm power supply through large-scale solar farms and advanced battery storage.
• Economic diversification efforts focus on healthcare, technology, and trades workforce development, addressing labor shortages and attracting residents to stay or return.
• Homelessness management involves temporary housing, wraparound social services, and navigating complex community challenges.
• Environmental protection balances resident access and cultural preservation with sustainable park and beach management.
• The administration’s COVID-19 response was swift and impactful, distributing millions of pounds of food and providing rental assistance.
• Mayor Victorino appeals for voter support to continue completing these projects and securing Maui’s future with a focus on sustainability, community, and resilience.

Timeline of Major Initiatives

Definitions and Technical Terms

FAQ

Q: What is the biggest housing challenge for Maui?
A: Balancing affordability with sustainable, green building practices while ensuring adequate infrastructure like water supply.

Q: How is Maui addressing water shortages?
A: Through building a new wastewater treatment plant to produce R1 water for irrigation and non-potable uses, plus enforcing water-saving fixtures in new construction.

Q: What progress has been made in renewable energy?
A: Maui has reached 51% renewable firm power and aims to increase to 75% with a new large solar farm and battery storage systems.

Q: How is homelessness being addressed?
A: Through temporary pallet homes, hygiene stations, wraparound services, and ongoing negotiations for new shelter sites.

Q: How does the administration support economic recovery post-COVID?
A: By distributing food, providing rental and utility assistance, fostering job training programs, and promoting economic diversification outside tourism.

This summary reflects the comprehensive discussion with Mayor Mike Victorino focused on Maui’s immediate and long-term needs across housing, water, energy, economy, and social services as he campaigns for re-election.

Summary

The video features an in-depth interview with Mayor Mike Victorino of Maui County, conducted by Jason Schwartz on the show “Maui Neutral Zone.” The conversation centers on Maui’s current challenges and future plans, with a strong focus on housing, infrastructure, renewable energy, economic diversification, and community well-being. Mayor Victorino discusses his ongoing efforts to address affordable housing shortages by supporting new developments, incorporating green technologies like solar power and water-saving fixtures, and modernizing wastewater treatment with a new plant producing highly treated R1 water for agricultural and other non-potable uses. He emphasizes the importance of sustainability, balancing growth with preservation of Hawaiian culture and natural resources, and providing workforce development to support new industries such as healthcare and technology. The mayor also reflects on past achievements and current projects, stressing the need for continued leadership to see these initiatives through. He highlights collaboration with the county council and community organizations, and acknowledges the persistent issues of homelessness and food security. Overall, Victorino paints a hopeful vision for Maui’s future, calling on voters to support his re-election to maintain momentum on these critical programs.

Highlights

• [02:01] Mayor Victorino discusses a new affordable housing project in Wailuku with 200 units featuring solar water fixtures.
• [04:53] ️ Over 8 million pounds of food were distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic through county and community partnerships.
• [08:47] A new wastewater treatment plant is being built to produce 12-15 million gallons of R1 treated water daily for agriculture and housing.
• [10:37] ☀️ The upcoming solar farm on Kuilani Highway will generate 16% of Maui’s firm power, increasing renewable energy capacity to 75%.
• [13:21] ️ Hundreds of affordable housing units are underway or in final stages, with a focus on water conservation and sustainable construction.
• [21:17] Efforts to preserve Hawaiian culture and protect beach parks include resident-only access on weekends and holidays.
• [28:44] ️ Workforce development initiatives are underway to fill gaps in trades and healthcare, including collaboration with Maui College.

Key Insights

• [02:37] Affordable Housing as a Core Priority: Mayor Victorino’s administration is actively facilitating the construction of affordable rental and ownership housing aimed at keeping prices within the $400,000-$500,000 range. This is critical for maintaining Maui’s workforce and preventing displacement due to skyrocketing costs. The integration of green technologies such as solar water heaters and low-flow fixtures also demonstrates a commitment to sustainable, future-proof housing. This dual focus on affordability and sustainability reflects a holistic approach to community resilience.
• [04:53] Community Collaboration in Crisis Response: The mayor highlighted the rapid mobilization of food drives and financial assistance during the COVID-19 shutdowns. The distribution of over 8 million pounds of food, supported by churches, nonprofits, and businesses, underscores the importance of local partnerships in addressing social crises. This also reflects the administration’s proactive stance on social welfare and its capacity to pivot resources quickly to meet emergent needs.
• [08:47] Innovative Water Management Through R1 Water Use: The construction of a new wastewater treatment plant capable of producing R1 water signals a strategic shift toward water sustainability. R1 water, a highly treated recycled water, can be used for agriculture and other non-potable purposes, easing the strain on Maui’s limited potable water supply. Drawing parallels to Singapore