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Jason Schwartz interviews EVE CLUTE on August 9, 2010 in Kaanapali, West Maui. Eve is a candidate for the West Maui residency seat of the County Council. Eve has a strong background as a “get it done” person who has assisted Maui greatly through her attitudes and ACTIONs over the last 25 years.
Summary & Transcript Below…
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The host warmly welcomes Eve Clute, a well-known environmental advocate in West Maui who is running for the county council seat. The introduction stresses that voters from all over Maui County, including Lanai and Molokai, can vote for Eve if they resonate with her platform. The host expresses personal admiration, noting a long-standing relationship with Eve and her significant contributions to Maui’s environmental movement. 
- [03:23 → 05:20] Eve Clute’s Background in Environmental Health and Public Service
Eve recounts her arrival in Maui in 1975 and her early environmental advocacy inspired by Steve Moser, a medical doctor and environmentalist. Both shared a public health educational background, which shaped Eve’s career. She became a cancer specialist after completing advanced study and an internship at the Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Returning to Maui, she focused on researching pesticides, cancer prevalence, and public health risks, developing programs to aid those affected by illness and to prevent further health issues. - [05:20 → 06:55] Public Health Challenges: Cancer Rates and Holistic Healing
Eve highlights that Maui’s cancer rates, specifically breast, cervical, skin, and colon cancers, exceed the national average. She supports patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation who need a clean environment for recovery. Alongside her medical expertise, Eve shares her holistic health background, including training as a massage therapist at the Esalen Institute and pioneering the legitimization of massage therapy on Maui by founding the first massage school and separating the profession from its stigma as adult entertainment. This work contributed to job creation and the expansion of complementary health services on the island. 
- [06:55 → 08:29] Council Aspirations and Experience with Joanne Johnson
Eve articulates the relevance of her public health expertise to county council responsibilities, which include oversight of clean water, sewage, zoning, and creating healthy living environments. She references her role as an executive assistant to former council member Joanne Johnson, a five-term advocate known for environmental efforts. Eve expresses intent to continue and build upon the groundwork laid by Johnson, especially regarding infrastructure and sustainable development decisions. - [08:29 → 10:31] Understanding GPAC and Its Role in Development Planning
The conversation explains the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC), which guides land use and growth planning for Maui County. The General Plan determines where new developments can occur and whether growth should concentrate in existing urban areas like Lahaina, Paia, or Haiku, or spread into rural zones. GPAC spent three years gathering public input to identify preferred growth patterns. However, final decisions on major developments will be made by the 2011 county council, highlighting the importance of voter involvement and council representation. 
- [10:31 → 12:54] Preserving West Maui’s Natural Beauty and Opposition to Inappropriate Development
Eve stresses her 35-year commitment to protecting West Maui’s environment from overdevelopment. She discusses opposition to a proposed 200-windmill installation on Lanai’s pristine ocean beach, which many residents oppose due to potential economic and environmental harm. Eve advocates for prudent siting of renewable energy projects to avoid sacrificing natural beauty and community values. She underscores the council’s role in listening to community voices and making environmentally responsible decisions. - [12:54 → 14:34] West Maui Hospital Site Relocation and Infrastructure Considerations
Eve shares her involvement on the West Maui Hospital Committee for over a decade, helping to secure approval for a new hospital project. The hospital’s original location above the Civic Center was deemed financially impractical due to $13 million in infrastructure costs needed for roads and utilities. Through advocacy and engagement with the county council and engineers, the site was moved closer to Kaanapali, where existing infrastructure like roads, water, and sewage connections reduce costs and environmental impact. This success story exemplifies practical, collaborative governance. - [14:34 → 16:31] Environmental Advocacy: Addressing Algae Blooms and Sewage Issues
Eve recounts her role as “algae queen” in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when she spearheaded efforts to investigate harmful algae blooms caused by sewage spills into the ocean. She secured federal funding and worked with the EPA, state Department of Health, and local government to replace faulty sewage pipes with a $25 million infrastructure upgrade under Mayor Linda Lingle’s administration. This multi-agency cooperation successfully eliminated the algae problem from West Maui beaches, showcasing Eve’s ability to drive effective environmental solutions. 
- [16:31 → 19:46] Economic Development: Jobs, Small Business, and the Role of Arts & Culture
Addressing the critical issue of jobs, Eve highlights a recent federal program injecting $30 billion into small banks to stimulate lending to small businesses and entrepreneurs, including home-based enterprises. She expresses optimism about economic recovery driven by tourism and new business ventures. The host raises concern about the decline in music and arts, essential cultural elements that attract visitors and enrich the community. Eve responds by describing local sustainability groups that integrate music, arts, and environmental education in festivals and events, enhancing public engagement through fun and creative outreach. - [19:46 → 26:44] Community Education, Organic Farming, and Sustainability Initiatives
Eve discusses her role as a Department of Education-licensed reading specialist and her involvement in creating hands-on school gardens, such as at Princess Nahana School, where students learn organic farming by planting bananas and vegetables. She highlights the importance of nutrition in public health and the ripple effect of children encouraging family gardening. The county’s community plans include provisions for community gardens, utilizing fallow lands formerly used for sugarcane and pineapple production. She notes the establishment of a 200-acre organic farm in Napili that supplies local markets, demonstrating a growing sustainable agriculture sector. Eve also emphasizes composting initiatives and green waste recycling efforts, critical for supporting organic food production and soil health. - [26:44 → 29:23] Food Distribution Networks and Agricultural Conferences
Eve describes attending a county-funded agricultural conference that inspired the creation of a nonprofit focused on improving the distribution of local food across Maui. The initiative aims to shorten the time from farm to market, enabling fresh produce from remote areas like Kīpahulu and Hana to reach nearby markets efficiently, reducing travel burdens on farmers. This network also benefits restaurants struggling to maintain a steady supply of local produce. The development of refrigerated transport and strategic logistics is key to supporting local farmers and enhancing food security on the island. - [29:23 → 31:21] Sewage Concerns: Injection Wells and Public Health Risks
Eve addresses a critical environmental and public health issue involving injection wells, which dispose of treated sewage deep into lava rock aquifers. Research from the University of Hawaii reveals sewage seeps contaminating ocean waters, posing health risks including MRSA infections among divers and swimmers. MRSA is a dangerous antibiotic-resistant staph infection. Eve advocates for upgrading sewage treatment technology to primary treatment levels, reducing harmful bacteria and viruses before disposal. She cautions against using treated sewage for irrigation due to potential bacterial contamination, stressing the need for advanced treatment to protect public health. 
- [31:21 → 36:33] Effective Advocacy and Commitment to Results
Eve’s communication style is highlighted as accessible and action-oriented, enabling public understanding and motivating community engagement. She emphasizes the necessity of long-term dedication, noting that environmental achievements can take years or decades of persistent effort. Her approach combines research, public outreach, collaboration with experts, and active participation in government task forces. She stresses the importance of hope and feasibility in messaging, ensuring that plans are financially, technologically, and culturally appropriate for Maui. This comprehensive approach fosters trust and progress. - [36:33 → 38:03] Water Rights and Infrastructure Challenges
Eve praises former council member Michelle Anderson’s “Show Me the Water” bill, which requires proof of sustainable water availability before approving development. She underscores the serious water supply problems facing Molokai, including legal disputes and skyrocketing water costs that threaten residents’ basic needs. Eve commits to addressing similar challenges on Maui to guarantee clean water access for all homes and developments, maintaining community well-being and preventing Molokai’s hardships from recurring. - [38:03 → 40:14] Infrastructure Funding through Community Facilities Districts
Eve explains a financial model called Community Facilities Districts (CFDs), where developers and home buyers share the upfront costs of infrastructure—roads, water, sewage, schools—within new developments. This approach ensures that infrastructure is built before housing occupancy, relieving the county from initial expenses and aligning buyer interest with project completion and quality. Eve supports applying this model to upcoming GPAC-driven developments, balancing growth with fiscal responsibility and accountability. - [40:14 → 41:43] Closing Endorsement and Voter Encouragement
The host expresses strong confidence in Eve’s qualifications, experience, and dedication, encouraging voters across all Maui County islands to support her in the upcoming primary election. The conversation closes with heartfelt thanks and hopes for Eve’s success in advancing environmental health and sustainable development on the council. - [41:43 → 43:45] Closing Reprise: Unlocking Hope and Collective Action
The transcript ends with a reprise of the opening hopeful anthem, reinforcing the core message that unlocking hope within each person is essential to achieving positive change and healing for the community. The repeated call serves as an inspirational bookend, inviting all listeners to participate in building a better future.
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- Core Themes and Key Insights
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- Environmental and Public Health Integration: Eve Clute’s unique combination of medical expertise and environmental activism positions her as a well-rounded candidate able to address complex issues such as cancer rates linked to environmental factors, sewage contamination, and sustainable land use.
- Community Engagement and Education: Emphasis on grassroots involvement through school gardens, sustainability festivals, and local agriculture initiatives highlights the importance of educating and empowering residents for lasting change.
- Infrastructure and Growth Management: The discussion of GPAC, water rights, and infrastructure financing reveals a pragmatic approach to managing Maui’s growth while protecting natural resources and public health.
- Long-Term Commitment and Effective Advocacy:Eve’s decades-long dedication illustrates that environmental progress requires persistence, research, collaboration, and clear communication to succeed.
- Economic and Cultural Revitalization: Linking job creation with support for small businesses, arts, and culture underscores a holistic vision for Maui’s future that balances economic prosperity with community values and environmental stewardship.
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- Keywords
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Hope, Environmental Health, Public Health, Maui County Council, GPAC, Infrastructure, Cancer Prevention, Sewage Injection Wells, Algae Blooms, Sustainability, Organic Farming, Community Gardens, Water Rights, Economic Development, Small Business, Arts and Culture, Advocacy, Long-Term Commitment, Community Facilities Districts, Food Distribution, Renewable Energy, Windmills, Environmental Justice, Education, Public Engagement.
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- FAQ
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Q: What is GPAC and why is it important?
A: GPAC (General Plan Advisory Committee) guides land use and development planning in Maui County, deciding where growth should occur and what infrastructure is needed. The county council will approve or reject these plans.
Q: How does Eve Clute’s background support her council candidacy?
A: Eve’s expertise in public health, cancer research, environmental advocacy, and community engagement equips her to address complex issues like clean water, sewage management, and sustainable development effectively.
Q: What are the main environmental concerns discussed?
A: High cancer rates linked to pesticides, sewage contamination through injection wells, opposition to inappropriate windmill development, and preservation of natural areas are primary concerns.
Q: How does Eve propose funding infrastructure for new developments?
A: Through Community Facilities Districts, where development costs for roads, water, and sewage are shared among homebuyers and developers upfront, ensuring infrastructure is in place before occupancy.
Q: What role do arts and culture play in the community vision?
A: Arts and culture are vital for tourism, community identity, and education. Integrating music and arts with sustainability efforts helps engage the public and create economic opportunities.
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key messages and detailed insights conveyed throughout the transcript, preserving the original structure and thematic flow to facilitate clear understanding.
Aloha! Hi Maui. Welcome to another Up Close and Personal 2010. 2010.
02:58
We have a very special guest. In West Maui, many people know Eve Clute. Eve is running for the county council seat. But all of you, no matter where you’re living, whether you’re on Lanai or Molokai or anywhere in Maui, you can vote for Eve Clute if what you hear is what you love. I know and love this lady.
03:23
two decades. I mean, that sounds amazing. How could you be 23 and I know you for two decades already? Eve has been as strong a supporter of our environment in Maui as anybody that I have ever met. In fact, I think you were one of my early inspirations here in Maui. Welcome to our show. Thank you. What got you started in all this stuff, in politics and environment?
03:50
When I came to Maui in 1975, I met the late Steve Moser, who was a medical doctor and a very strong environmentalist. It was important to him to preserve the land, clean water and clean air for everyone to be healthy.
04:08
And I jumped on Steve’s bandwagon, and I’ve been doing that work ever since. Steve and I went to college together, and we got our master’s in public health. I went on to UH and got my doctorate in public health and went forward with my internship at the Institute of Health.
04:31
in Bethesda, Maryland, where I became a cancer specialist. I came back to Maui and looked at pesticides, looked at the health of the people, saw the amount of cancer that was occurring here, and began to do a great deal of research and have been developing programs for people who are getting sick and trying to prevent more illness on the island. Well, you know, it’s interesting, not that interesting you say that,
05:01
Here in 2010, more people that I’ve seen have been dying of cancer here than I thought it was extremely high numbers. Are we above the national average? We are above the national average in breast cancer, cervical cancer, skin cancer, and colon cancer.
05:20
those are our top cancers and i’m taking care of people right now that are going through chemo going through radiation who need our support and need a clean environment so that they can get healthy and stay healthy so you have a health background are you a nurse as well i know you as a massage therapist right when i first came to maui i was a massage therapist studied at the
05:47
Esalen Institute in California, Big Sur, where we did body, mind and soul, holistic health and the healing arts. When I came to Maui, massage was really adult entertainment and I went and got on the board of Massage in Honolulu and started separating
06:11
massage therapy from adult entertainment and was very successful in doing that. And as you know, I started the first massage school here on Maui, started an industry. It was perfect timing because my school
06:26
was Department of Education approved in 1982 and that’s when all the hotels started opening up in Ka’anapali and everybody got hired and then the naturopaths came and chiropractors came and they started hiring massage therapists and it was a wonderful way for me to to contribute and give back to Maui by making massage therapy legitimate getting people work getting people certified and licensed
06:55
And I am thrilled to still be able to do the work myself, even though I’m busy as a doctor of public health. Massage is still one of my great loves. So let me ask a question. As such a knowledgeable person about public health, what do you hope to be able to contribute in your role on council?
07:21
Well, as you know, the County Council deals with clean water, sewage, they deal with zoning so people can live in healthy environments. So everything that I do is part of what a member of the County Council needs to know. All those big books that they carry around.
07:41
Right. All are dealing with the environment, with the health of the community, with making sure people live in healthy places, and that’s what public health is all about. Well, I’m sure, knowing Joanne Johnson, who was on
08:02
for five terms and being such a strong advocate. That was probably one of the reasons I didn’t see you running is because you probably were failing a line to a lot of things that she’s been doing. Totally. I was her executive assistant in 2007, so I was behind the scenes doing a great deal of work. Oh, that’s good to hear. With Joanne and supporting a lot of her ideas.
08:29
and want to continue with those ideas. One of the bigger issues right now is infrastructure. It’s always been a problem, but with the GPAC coming forward and the 2011 Council will be making those decisions on what developments will be going in. Do you guys know what GPAC is? Let’s make sure they know. That’s the General Plan, right? We have the General Plan. We’re going to do it again.
08:58
And with things moving forward, go ahead. I just want to be sure they understand. What the general plan does is it says where you can build. And the question is, do you want Lahaina and Oluwalu, Haiku, the cities that are already
09:19
you know, have buildings and schools and hospitals and healthcare places and highways built to them. Do you want to grow those cities even larger? Those towns? Do you want them to get bigger? Do you want Pai’ia to get bigger?
09:36
or do you want to spread out? And the areas in between Oluwalu and Lahaina, do you want to develop that? Do you want to develop between Paia and Kipahulu? I mean, what is it that is the will of the people? That is really what we’re looking at on the council. And GPAC spent three years asking the people, looking at
10:03
the areas of growth and coming to various conclusions. At this point, none of the decisions have been made on the geographic locations for the build out or the big condos and the big developments that are in the works. So it will be the 2011 council, the newly elected council, that’s going to approve or disapprove of those developments.
10:31
I see. Good reason to be involved. Yes, yes. Are there any specifics that you would like to share that you know our audience would be specifically interested in? In terms of growth? You know, I’m sure that as you’ve been watching things, there are areas that you would say, well, I think it’s really important
10:58
Because I know that you probably have lots of opinions that are sort of, I want to say, very natural. You’ve been very much a part of the fabric here in West Maui. When I spoke to other candidates and individuals, people that are in the know, know Eve Klute, because you’ve been such a strong advocate for so long. So I’m just wondering, you know, we’re standing right now in a coffee plantation. I guess this is a plantation.
11:27
around us is a very different kind of a building. I guess we were going to have a different kind of housing thing and things have changed in time. Any feelings about things that we’re standing in or where you want to… Well, I have spent the last 35 years trying to preserve the beauty of this area and not have it overdeveloped. The
11:51
Conservation lands need to be preserved. We know on Lanai there is an EIS that will put in 200 windmills on a beautiful ocean beach. And the people of Lanai don’t want that. And that’s something that entire group here in Maui County need to support and understand.
12:17
what’s going on lanai because to take a natural beautiful place and change it so dramatically may be a detriment to the economy over there and we need to look at that so there are plenty of places to put windmills and so you’re saying why take a beautiful spot like that
12:37
and lose it forever in its natural beauty and availability for all of us. Right. And that’s what the people of Lanai are saying. And I think as a representative on the council, part of your job is to listen to the people. One of the things that I feel very proud about
12:54
is being on the West Maui Hospital Committee for the last 11 years. And we were able to find a wonderful group who wants to now build the West Maui Hospital. They did get their CON approved.
13:12
will be in this area where we’re standing to build the hospital, which will hopefully go in March of 2011. That is their hopeful start date. Now, the original location for the hospital was above the Civic Center. And what they discovered was it would cost $13 million in infrastructure costs to even get the area ready.
13:42
before they started building, which would have been a $70 million project in addition to $13 million. And I went to the county council and I explained to them the importance of not zoning the area above the Civic Center. And as it turns out, the engineer then came forward and said, yes, it’s not the proper place for our hospital. And then they’ve moved it now in an area closer to Kaanapali, which feels
14:12
Right. It’s near water. It’s near sewage hookup. It’s already on a road. So everything is in place. We don’t need to add more traffic lights or more roads. The other place would have been millions of dollars of roads. And that spot there is already a crowded junction, if you will, for…
14:34
all that stuff so that’s great yeah so we were able to work together with the county council and they understood and the company understood and now we have a beautiful new location for our hospital in west maui um other areas that i would like to you know i know that because one represents all the islands you were talking about lanai any other things that i think of you really i mean when i remember the algae bloom
15:04
I mean, that’s where I got introduced to the Maui environmental movement. And you were so aware of stuff that maybe it sounds like in this hospital situation the same. You’re kind of on it. You can save a lot of the challenges of the investigation because you’ve done a lot of it.
15:24
I’m glad you brought up the algae situation. I was algae queen between 1989 and 1995. When the algae blooms started to occur, I brought in the EPA, the Department of Health, and I went to Congress and I went and sat with Senator Inouye’s staff and was able to get $2 million.
15:46
to study and look at where the algae blooms are coming from. And we found out there were sewage spills going directly into the ocean, which was feeding the algae. And Linda Lingle was mayor at that time, and she was smart enough to find $25 million in the budget
16:04
replaced all of those sewage pipes and the algae is no longer in West Maui beaches. So we had a very successful outcome working with everybody in government from federal, state, local and we fixed that problem. Never to return. The algae has not returned and we have kept the beaches clean. That’s a great one. Thank you, thank you.
16:31
Um, jobs. I mean, if I were to pick one issue on the lips of most everyone, I would jobs. Any thoughts on jobs? Well, fortunately, June 29, 2010, just about a month ago, federal government came up with a plan to bring, let me think, $30 billion to all the small banks
16:59
that will now be lending money to small businesses, entrepreneurs, home-based businesses, which will upstart the economy. People can be creative, work at home, follow their dreams, and bring beautiful new ideas
17:22
products and services to the people who are visiting Maui. We’re very lucky that our tourist industry has returned. We’re having a great summer, and now we have an opportunity to give to those tourists and our fellow citizens and make money at the same time, especially with this money now available from the federal government.
17:49
to bring new businesses to light. And I’m very, very excited about that. Well, I hope that we can see that happen here. So it also probably means there’ll be money for some of these businesses to be hiring some of the people that aren’t quite ready for being in business. That’s right. It will stimulate employees, which will be making more than a living wage because there will be plenty of money to bring prosperity to employees and employers alike.
18:19
That’s good. The thing that I haven’t seen, I’m going to give you my plug, I haven’t seen enough music and art. It’s as if the places have cut down on probably one of the important reasons people come here for the culture and the art and the music.
18:37
I hope that everyone will start seeing more of that, because that to me is really important. I’m glad you brought that up. We have some very enterprising young people on the island. I am fortunate enough to be part of the West Maui Sustainability Group, and there are four groups now, Upcountry, Kihei, West Maui.
19:03
maybe that’s it maybe it’s just three there’s three of us now three or four of us and one wild card well there’s and the sustainability groups are now having music concerts and festivals to bring the word about
19:20
recycling and sustainability and reuse and all those important environmental green ways of living to the public with music and art and fun and I think people learn best when they’re having fun and they’ll take those ideas home and they’ll use them and so the next festivals we will let everybody know and hopefully on Jason’s show
19:46
Well, you know, I’m going to let you know because I have a, what do they say? It’s in my craw. In 1991, when I got here in 88, I started the Maui Arts and Music Association to promote art, music, and culture and educate people about environmental solutions. And for
20:06
two decades what they’re now beginning to do with festivals they’re missing a couple of pieces which we won’t talk about now but it needs to be an economic engine to create jobs and we’ll save that for another show many of you know what i’m talking about but the thing that needs to happen is to create a revenue stream to create more music and art jobs environmental jobs and create a self-sustainability model like i’ve been talking about for two decades
20:36
It’s people like you in a place to be able to support it.
20:41
And we know there are other candidates running, even a former hotel general manager is running. People that are aware of the importance of the aloha and sharing it with people, because that can raise so much in awareness and in money to get our island to be better and better and better. And maybe not have to burden the government to provide that money, because it will come willingly from people enjoying music and art.
21:07
so anyway I’m really happy to hear that you’re in touch with all that stuff yes I’m gonna take a quick second because I want to see Eve you can see that her face I can see that your face there is a little bit dark so I’m gonna move the camera watch this that was easy you know if I can see it’d be easy
21:32
You do so much, you know, some of the things that you do are directly council-related, and I know our audience would like to hear about that. But I think that you’re a multifaceted woman. Maybe you want to share some of the things you’ve been doing here in the schools, because I’ve been hearing a lot about that.
21:50
I’m a Department of Education licensed teacher. I’m a reading specialist. That was something I got myself in the 1970s. I love teaching reading and getting people to learn and understand what’s going on.
22:08
And one of the things that we just did at Princess Nahana School here in West Maui is we started a student-run hands-on garden. Yesterday I had my hands in mud planting 30 banana cakeys and working with environmentally ornamental plants, digging holes and putting in the mulch and
22:38
creating a healthy, organically grown bananas and plants. And now the students, all they have to do is water and weed and appreciate the fact that they can grow things with their own hands. And then when the bananas are ready,
22:54
They know that where food comes from. Then we will add raised beds and have beets and corn and carrots and onions and all the variety of foods that the students can then learn how to grow and eat nutritiously. And that is a very important way to be healthy is you’ve got to eat good food. And probably you’ll get them going home and saying, hey, mom, hey, dad, let’s plant here. Yes, backyard gardens. That’s a very good thing.
23:24
Now, the one good thing about the county council is every community plan has community gardens added to it. Now, you may be aware in West Maui, we have 3,000 acres of fallow sugarcane land that has gone out of production and probably another 2,000 acres.
23:49
acres of pineapple land that has gone out of production and my land in pine has graciously provided community garden space and
24:02
The ability for employees of My Atlanta Pine to go in and grow their own food, and they’re doing it, and their gardens are beautiful. There’s a 200-acre organic farm now in Napili, which is selling its food in the health food stores and in the grocery stores, and it’s doing very well.
24:22
bringing healthy food to people is such an important thing we’re learning about using worms to eat or rotted vegetables to make compost we’re learning about compost we’re creating a compost site in West Maui where all the landscapers can come with all their green waste and we can turn that into a
24:45
nutrient for the soil where we can grow our organic foods. So, again, another thing for Jason to fill you in on in the future. Well, you know, I want Maui to hear this. And what Eve just shared is really wonderful. In fact, to know who’s behind the organic farm and realize that people that, you know, are not really Mauians to begin with have put their time and dollars in to help that project go.
25:15
And you would never have thought, I’m not going to get into the politics of it all, because I think that the most important thing I always like is there are people that have made a lot of money that are recognizing Maui is a place to be doing this, that we’re a great self-sustainability model, and we should be promoting and sharing what we’re doing with the world.
25:38
Not only can people come here to have a great suntan and a beautiful beach, but they can come see some of the solutions that we are implementing right here, right here where we live. That’s really, really good. Also, just jumping in, we ought to remember that these are things to do and not only talk about and to spread because
25:58
It was in the early 90s, there was another composting operation on the other side that didn’t yet have public support that came and went. So we want to be really sure that the things that are happening now, we really support them. And we support them through our time and effort and through our money and through everything we do. It’s really important for all of you to be involved, to be involved to vote,
26:24
Remember, you can vote for all the members no matter where you live. Even though you see West Maui candidate, that’s one of your council people. You see, so that’s really important. And for all these programs, it’s really important to get off the couch and get involved and be part of everything that’s going on.
26:44
Let me share one more wonderful thing that the county council has done. They funded the agricultural conference of which I attended. It was a five-day conference. There were about 30 core people and 15 farmers that came and people from the mainland. And everyone shared and networked. I was so inspired that what I came away with
27:13
is a distribution of food from Kīpahulu and Hana to the markets of Olinda, Pukalani, so that it would only take two hours to drive from
27:34
the place the food was grown to the place that’s now going to be used in the restaurants and sold in the stores. And when I mentioned that to the group, I had a woman from the mainland say, oh, I’ll tell you all about refrigerated cars and trucks and what you need to do and containers and how you do it. So I learned about that. And then we got a nonprofit group together, which will now hire a driver, get that truck over to these
28:04
far away farms bring the food in to local areas and then when they’re done with the Kīpahulu food then the group from Olinda can bring their food into Wailuku and then the Waiehu farmers can bring their food into Kihei and the distribution will be such that people in Kīpahulu aren’t going to try and bring their food to Lahaina. It’s just too far to travel and there’s no need to do it. We can find markets nearby
28:32
We can get that food from farm to market in a reasonable short time where the food stays fresh and the market are welcoming this food. I bet. And the restaurants are telling me, oh, well, we run out of lettuce or we run out of root vegetables. Where can we get a supply that we can rely on? Well, we now have farms that are producing this food. And our key is distribution.
29:01
getting that food to the market and that’s something that came out of this wonderful farm conference and many other things as well and but that was the one that i was most excited about is distribution of food around the island i think that’s great too i’m really glad to hear you know it’s it’s really
29:23
Amazing to me that it’s taken so long. But here we are. What do they say? We have to have our backs pushed up against the wall before we do. But it’s the time to doing. And when it’s time to doing, I have always recognized you are there. I mean, I’ve had admiration for you for two decades. I mean, that’s something to say. Like I say, I don’t know how you do it and stay 23. But it’s just been really a pleasure to know and share with you over the years.
29:54
Any other issues? I know I could go off into many subjects, but I think that what I like doing is really see where your passion might be. What things that you would like to be able to contribute to the mix, if you will. Any things around this island that you would like to specifically address?
30:15
Injection wells and sewage obviously are something I’ve been working on for a number of years. And we now know through very well established UH studies that there are seeps of sewage that are coming through the ocean floor.
30:38
after the injection wells took the sewage down into lava rock and through the water table and into the underground ocean to think that bacteria is still alive and our divers are getting MRSA which is a type of
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illness that makes bubbles under the skin. It’s staph infection, but it’s a staph infection that does not easily get cured from normal antibiotics, not penicillin, not tetracycline. And if we lose the ability to control
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this particular kind of staff, anyone who gets MRSA can get infected very badly and we don’t want that to happen. We are looking very much now at finding ways to clean up that sewage. A lot of it is secondary treated and we want to get it into
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primary treated, it’ll cost a lot of money, but there’s new technology, there’s ways to do it that can clean that sewage so it will not contaminate the ocean, the swimmers, the paddlers, the divers, all the fishermen. We don’t want anyone getting sick and we want that sewage cleaned up. Now there’s been a movement towards stopping injection wells and then putting that cleaned up sewage water on the land.
32:13
well the same problem is going to exist you’re not going to clean it a hundred percent there’s going to be bacteria and viruses that are going to stay alive and i don’t want golfers reaching down picking up their ball and then getting you know mercer or some kind of bacteria on their skin wiping the sweat off their forehead breathing it in getting sick from that or someone picking a plumeria plant that had been watered from the sewage
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treated water and then all of a sudden they’re contaminated with bacteria so the the real key here is to to use the new technology and clean the sewage as much as we can afford so that it is usable and can be used for irrigation without causing anyone to get sick well another thing i would like to bring up which i think is just again i want people to know
33:13
As much as you’ve been an environmentalist, your delivery has been accepted. A lot of people find that
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You talk in a way that the information is digested and people take action after hearing your words. I’m a great example. I’ve been talking about stuff and people don’t hear me. I can talk for decades. But you’ve actually been able to accomplish things with the work that you’ve been doing. So once again, I think that’s a very strong suit to have and you’ve got that.
33:49
Jason, I don’t just talk. I’m out there digging the trenches. I’m writing letters to the editor. I’m writing articles in the newspaper. I’m researching. I’m going to UH. I’m talking to experts. I’m getting information. I’m updating information. I’m getting more clear on what needs to be done. I go to the different environmental groups. I share with them. I am a nonstop spokesperson for some of these issues.
34:17
And that’s what it takes. It can take 2 to 15 years to get one thing done. And unless you’re willing to commit that time, dedicate your full attention to it, you are not going to be heard. And you’ve got to be out there at the sewage treatment plant talking to the engineers, talking to the environmental management people, talking to all these task force that the mayor has. And
34:45
together at some point there’s a synergy and people start getting it and they start seeing that it is doable. I think there has to be hope in every message. There has to be a way that people can agree that things can be done that will work.
35:02
And that means the government knowing they can afford to do it, the engineers knowing they can create the technology, the people to run it who have the knowledge and the skill and the expertise to maintain and keep the service going. Unless you have all of those components in place,
35:26
the action does not happen. So I make sure I cover all my bases and I have the answers to the people who say, well, what about this? And how are you going to do that? And where’s the money coming from? I have the answers because I look and I research and I ask the same questions.
35:43
And I ask, I probably ask more questions than anybody I know. And when I get the answers, I kind of make sense out of it and try to make sure that it fits Maui. This is the problem that we have. Things that work in California, things that work in Alaska may not work here. We have to always figure out
36:06
what do we have to modify how do we have to change things so that it fits our culture our lifestyle our financial abilities our technology skills once you’ve learned and figured all that out then you can present a plan a package that makes sense to people and on the receiving end on council i’m sure that your wisdom is going to find and
36:33
be able to assist the council in getting clear answers so we can move forward.
36:40
Yes. I thoroughly admire what Michelle Anderson did with the Show Me the Water bill. She researched and asked questions and presented a totally understandable and acceptable process to make sure that there’s water for any development
37:03
into perpetuity so that people who are living in their homes have water. We’re seeing this problem on Molokai. Molokai has spent a million dollars
37:17
in legal fees trying to decide who’s supposed to provide water for the people. Their water bills have gone up four times the original cost. This is not how we want people in our county to live or to live in fear of not having their basic essentials. Clean water has to be part of our living, of our community, of our home.
37:43
That’s something that Molokai is not finding that they have. And as a council member, I would love to help remedy Molokai’s problem and to make sure that problem doesn’t happen here and that we have clean water for every home that is built here. Well, I can tell you that…
38:03
If you sit on a council seat, I will be comfortable in knowing that things are being addressed and that no stone is left unturned to do good for our island. I really want to thank you for all that you’ve given and where you’re going with this. You know, like I say, I don’t know how you stay so eternally youthful and with so much energy, but it seems to be that it’s just your passion because you really believe in all that you’re…
38:32
talking about and doing all these years. I appreciate it. And if I may have a final word on this. Oh, sure. When I talk about cost, one of the things that scares everybody is the cost of infrastructure. And there is a tool that can be used and modified on Maui called community facilities. This is a way where the developer
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tags on the cost of the roads, schools, water, sewage hookups, everything that community needs.
39:09
onto the cost of the house and it’s shared among everybody who is in that development and that money is collected first and then the roads and the sewage hookups and the water hookups are done first before the first house is built and the county doesn’t pay for it it’s paid for by the person buying the house
39:31
which means the shared interest is there. That person is committed to buying that house once they put up that kind of upfront money. And they’re going to be watching to make sure that things are done right. And I am very much looking forward to using this approach
39:52
As we look at the new GPAC developments coming online, we want to make sure that each development has all the vital necessities and can pay for those things up front and has the buyers to make it happen. So again, there’s always two, three, four, five things.
40:14
that need to come together before one thing can happen. And we have to make sure we cover our bases, and I want to be there to make sure that those things get covered. Gotcha. You know, I really have appreciated the time you spent here with us, Eve. It’s a long, long time that we’ve been grooming people like you to go on council that are already armed with the knowledge of how to go about this process.
40:44
to make this a better place where you’ve been looking at so many of these issues i really feel that your role would be a very welcome one there on council and i hope that all of you out there who are looking at candidates give serious consideration to eve clute no matter if you live in molokai or lanai or hana or kahalui or wailuku you get to vote for all the candidates and
41:12
Eve Clute is a great candidate, and I hope that you will give her serious consideration here on primary election day. September 18th. Coming up soon. And God willing, we’ll see you in the run for the final there coming in November. Thank you very much for joining us, Eve. Thank you. Aloha. Aloha. And thank you for joining us.
