Mayor MIKE VICTORINO in 2018 Race

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Jason Schwartz talks with Michael (Mike) Victorino, candidate for Mayor of Maui County in just 8 days. Mike shares in a way that a debate or forum doesn’t provide. Jason asks some questions from those gathered from a few friends… 10-29-2018

Summary & Transcript

1.      Interview with Mike Victorino on Maui’s Neutral Zone Radio Show

1. 1. 1. 1. [00:00 → 02:19] Introduction and Context

• The show, hosted by Jason Schwartz on KAKU 88.5 FM (The Voice of Maui), introduces the political guest, Mike Victorino, who is running for mayor of Maui County.
• The episode is timely, airing about eight days before the local mayoral election, and focuses on key community issues such as water, housing, and local governance.
• Jason sets the tone as spontaneous and conversational, emphasizing the importance of hearing from candidates directly on issues affecting Maui.

1. 1. 1. 1. [02:19 → 07:15] Mike Victorino’s Background and Motivation for Running

• Mike Victorino reflects on his long history of community service spanning over 45 years, highlighting roles such as PTA, Little League, Soccer, Water Board, School Advisory Council, and Maui County Council.
• He moved to Maui in 1973 and has witnessed the island’s evolution from an agricultural to a hospitality-driven economy.
• Victorino emphasizes continuity and service, explaining that his mayoral run is a natural extension of his dedication to the community.
• He stresses the importance of protecting Maui’s natural resources, including water and land, while acknowledging the inevitability of population growth (about 4% annually).
• Affordability is a major concern: many young people leave Maui due to high living costs. Victorino advocates for sustainable growth and reviving local food systems reminiscent of the past, promoting self-sufficiency.
• His vision is a Maui that balances pristine natural beauty with livability for residents and families.

1. 1. 1. 1. [07:15 → 14:47] Political Climate, Community Values, and Collaboration

• Jason discusses the divisiveness in Maui politics, noting that though candidates may be grouped or graded, they are individuals with different values and approaches.
• Victorino is recognized for his ability to work with diverse groups and listen genuinely to the people.
• Homelessness and housing affordability are urgent issues. Victorino acknowledges the presence of working homeless individuals and criticizes the current administration’s reluctance to listen to alternative solutions.
• He highlights the “Ohana spirit” — a familial, community-oriented value system — and stresses the need for unity despite ideological differences.
• Victorino rejects mainland-style political divisiveness, advocating for cooperation across Maui’s various communities (Lahaina, Lanai, Molokai, Upcountry, Wailuku).
• He underscores the resilience of Maui’s people, especially in times of disaster, and the importance of inclusivity and respect for newcomers learning the local culture.
• The concept of shared resources, especially water, is emphasized as critical for long-term sustainability.
• Victorino commits to listening and engaging openly, contrasting himself with typical political posturing.

1. 1. 1. 1. [14:47 → 21:18] Addressing Key Issues: Housing, Homelessness, and Affordability

• Victorino proposes concrete affordable housing targets: three-bedroom homes priced at $300–$350k, and rental apartments at $500–$900/month.
• He acknowledges longstanding delays in affordable housing development, attributing them partly to environmental concerns and the need to protect land and water resources.
• He supports growing edible, non-invasive crops and sustainable agricultural practices to bolster local food security.
• Victorino is open to innovative technologies and solutions, including renewable energy and water generation methods.
• He stresses the need to balance economic impact with community benefits, aiming to lower the cost of living rather than increase it.
• He expresses willingness to collaborate with experts, nonprofits, and diverse stakeholders to implement realistic and sustainable solutions.

1. 1. 1. 1. [21:18 → 27:03] Transparency, Government Accountability, and Engagement

• Victorino stresses transparency in government processes, including appointments to boards and commissions.
• He emphasizes the importance of open public participation in decision-making.
• He shares his experience working collaboratively with various groups, including hemp and energy communities, to promote innovative approaches.
• The conversation transitions to a short sponsor break and public service announcements related to safety and community involvement.

1. 1. 1. 1. [27:03 → 36:19] Budget Committee, Litigation, and County Finances

• Victorino explains the budgeting and decision-making process within the Maui County Council, clarifying that no single member controls the council’s actions.
• He discusses a specific controversial litigation case involving real property tax challenges and retroactive tax assessments related to timeshare properties.
• The council’s approach is to protect taxpayers’ interests and act prudently regarding settlements and legal battles.
• Money for potential judgments is set aside in escrow and cannot be used until cases are resolved.
• Victorino insists there has been no illegal or improper conduct by the council and believes the legal challenges have been sensationalized.
• He underscores the importance of clear communication and transparency to avoid politicization of such issues.

1. 1. 1. 1. [36:19 → 44:09] Waste-to-Energy Contract and Environmental Concerns

• Victorino openly criticizes delays and inefficiencies in Maui’s waste-to-energy project, promising a thorough review of the contract and project viability if elected mayor.
• He expresses willingness to explore other sustainable waste management technologies.
• His past involvement in a 2007 task force on waste-to-energy included visits to advanced facilities in mainland U.S. cities.
• Victorino supports integrating Hawaiian cultural values holistically with environmental and economic initiatives.
• He commits to listening to experts and community members for innovative solutions that are technologically feasible and environmentally sound.

1. 1. 1. 1. [44:09 → 50:08] Hawaiian Culture and Community Inclusion

• Victorino plans to establish an advisory council representing Hawaiian cultural practitioners to ensure their voice and concerns are integrated into county governance.
• He acknowledges that Hawaiian culture has long been marginalized but believes it holds key environmental and societal solutions.
• He supports mandating cultural practitioners’ presence during construction projects to protect Hawaiian burial sites (Evy).
• Victorino is open to ongoing dialogue with Hawaiian groups to prevent cultural and environmental damage.
• He advocates for sustainable building practices, including mandating each new development to have independent water and power systems.

1. 1. 1. 1. [50:08 → 56:50] Development, Housing, Transportation, and Final Campaign Message

• Victorino emphasizes that development must prioritize affordable housing for Maui’s workforce, noting a critical shortage of workers in hospitality, retail, and other sectors.
• He illustrates the daily struggles of working residents who earn decent wages but cannot afford housing.
• He supports enforcing laws to convert illegal short-term vacation rentals back into long-term rentals and backing strong penalties via charter amendments.
• Victorino advocates multi-pronged solutions: enforcement, building affordable housing near jobs, and promoting alternative transportation like biking and bus systems.
• He suggests rental prices should be capped for affordability, with programs like “rent-to-buy” to help families build equity.
• Victorino stresses the need for unity, collaboration, and compromise among Maui’s diverse communities for sustainable progress.
• He closes by asking for voter support, reiterating his vision of balanced growth grounded in local values and inclusive governance to make Maui a better place for all residents.
• He thanks the host and audience, urging everyone to vote on November 6.

1. 1. 1. Key Insights:

• Mike Victorino positions himself as a seasoned community servant with deep roots and a long track record in Maui.
• His campaign focuses on affordable housing, sustainable growth, environmental protection, and cultural inclusion.
• He emphasizes collaboration over divisiveness, aiming to bridge ideological divides.
• Transparency, government accountability, and community engagement are core themes.
• Victorino acknowledges complex challenges but expresses optimism about achievable solutions through inclusive leadership.
• Hawaiian culture and values are central to his vision for balanced development.
• He is pragmatic, blending respect for tradition with openness to innovation and new technologies.
• Victorino’s messaging consistently centers on serving all residents fairly, especially the “little guy,” and fostering a resilient, unified Maui community.

1. 1. 1. Keywords:

Maui County, Mike Victorino, mayoral election, affordable housing, homelessness, sustainability, Hawaiian culture, community values, environmental protection, collaboration, transparency, government accountability, water resources, local economy, renewable energy, cultural preservation, public engagement, development regulation, short-term rentals, transportation, waste-to-energy, community unity.

This summary captures the detailed conversation from the interview, preserving the structure and flow of topics as presented in the original video transcript. It highlights Victorino’s perspectives, proposals, and commitments while reflecting the concerns and aspirations of Maui County residents.

Transcript

00:00

talking loud and clear ghatak aku FM org slash donate today and give and don’t miss to Katie Monday’s live at 3 p.m. on kak you 88.5 FM the voice of Maui yeah exactly just team seconds we’ll be on the air hey aku 88.5 FM the voice of Maui is to not reflect the views of kak you ikkaku Maui community media its staff or board members good morning it’s one day at 11 a.m. I’m Jason Schwartz and you’re here on the neutral zone [Music] a man sold away [Music] his hand [Music] [Applause]

01:33

[Music] while on the fly we have a program director and chief honcho here shaggy Jenkins you’ll see them coming in and out but I have a guest here on my show this is Jason Schwartz we’re on kak u 88.5 FM radio tune in if you’re on your phone you can tell Alexa to go to tune in kak u I do that at home we’re on Facebook live and a little later you’ll be on Maui neutral zone comm and why would you do that because we’ve had interviews with all kinds of people about issues here in Maui County

02:19

and the world and with two weeks well I guess less ten days before the election exactly eight days eight days I said to myself you know this is a show that I don’t do things premeditated I’m very spontaneous in many ways and I brought on I thought guests that talked about issues we’re talking about water and all kinds of stuff but we have a guest a political guest this week someone that many of you but probably all of you know many of you know Mike Victorino welcome to our show Mike is running for the mayor role in

02:55

Maui County thank you for Jason it’s a real pleasure to be here with you thank you you know I remember long ago when you had started serving and started running and you were a new candidate and you came and we did an interview at your place long ago and we haven’t had a chance to sit like this and probably 15 years maybe something like that well it’s been a while then a walk in a while yes sir and you know I’ve been places you’ve been places and here we come we have this I think is a interesting year

03:32

2018 it was I can’t hardly believe it 24 years ago I ran for mayor as a Green Party candidate against Linda Lingle remember her oh and gore oh-ho , okay and my platforms were pretty much the same as I stand on now and Here I am now it’s 24 years later and you’re running I remember sitting with alan arakawa around the pool in Molokai and there were visions of a future and we all had a common vision and I like to say you know come in 2020 we hopefully have 20/20 vision a-absolutely and we all work together as

04:10

one and we’re not divided and the one thing that I know about Mike Victorino is you have been I want to say before there was people saying that the people’s candidate knew Michael Victorino was always out there with people and listened and what I always notice about you is you actually listen and you my lady friend Dario said you were the only candidate that actually asked for her vote and she was so impressed with the fact that you’re a genuine person who’s really there you know and you take each moment what made

04:48

you think you wanted to run for mayor I mean you’ve been on council and what mayor’s a unique role I mean I I thought why does Guzman and Ella Cochran decide they have a seat at the table of the round table here and we’re all working together why would they want to give up that seat to run for mayor is their can maybe you can kind of inform me what do you hope to do as mayor of Maui County well thank you again Jason for those comments and you know I feel that you’ve humbled me in and that’s the way I am a

05:22

person that feels that we’re here to serve the people of the Maui County I have lived here pretty much all my adult life moved here in 1973 but spent many of my summers with my maternal grandparents because my mom was born and raised here in Maui so I saw the evolution why do people want a ryan for mayor for me it’s real simple a continuum of service that I have done for the past 45 years what are you talking back in the days when PTA little league soccer of serving on other boards and commissions

05:58

Water Board school Advisory Council my years on this island has been meant mentored around service understanding the people’s needs yes I don’t think I can satisfy everybody but the vast majority of us have a lot of common issues we want to protect our aina we want to protect the water we want to protect the AHA systems you want to protect all of these these these great parts of our lives yet growth is coming if we did nothing more than just had Maui’s deaths versus birds we still have

06:39

about a 4 percent increase we have a lot of young users and young and people leaving the island because they can’t afford to live here so what can we do to make that affordability come back in a win housing with our food other areas sustainable lifestyle is something I grew up with we didn’t go to the supermarket for food we had it in our back yard or our neighbor’s backyard and we shared and we survived that way and so can that kind of system be recreated I believe it can be to a certain degree we can all work

07:15

together to make Maui what I believe the Maui we all want beautiful pristine but yet but yet have some growth for our residents who want to live and raise their families here well I like to think we can do all that in one self-sustained independent way you know I when I think of what’s going on in this election Mike Victorino wasn’t in council and so I’ve saw the grades being given to candidates that were on the council a fcg I don’t think there was a G but it’s because of issues and you know when I

08:02

think that there were candidates reviewed and then they made like look like that’s a voting block Ellie Cochran and all these different people while all those different people I like some of those people mm-hmm and I think I hope that the public understands these are individuals there’s no group that’s working together they’re not doing things together as a group if you like Trinette tratado or if you like Claire Carol or Alika you can still like Mike Victorino Mike Victorino seems to be I

08:39

want to say we’ve worked with all kinds of people you worked at the fair thing you’ve been working with all kinds of people from all kind all kinds of stations in life you can’t help but notice when you go down Tala maja that there are homeless people that really need your help right now yes absolutely and there are people that are working that are homeless trying to figure it out and there’s all kinds of answers in my opinion the current regime hasn’t been open to listening to people in our

09:14

community that have alternatives I think and I think when I think of you that’s why I think that’s why you’re here because you didn’t you’re not somebody that’s hiding behind anything I mean putting words into your mouth but you know I have questions I asked a few people for questions I thought you know when Chivo Johnson talks you know he has questions for you and Brian Perry and Wendy oh sure you have a forum tomorrow night that’s correct debates up in and kula I’m not Kula Axia

09:44

King Kekaulike high school and I’m very honored to say that the National Honor Society students of King Cocola he along with Maui News and others have put up together a presidential debate a debate that I think we all will be debating ideas what we feel and where we want to take Maui County what is different between you and Ellie Cochran if I was in a person who loved all the values that are embraced by when you saw the pono people we’re talking about housing environment water things that I don’t think of you as an opponent

10:23

do you think of you as someone who’s what makes you different than Ellie what what is that difference it’s always difficult for me to speak about someone else and myself okay so let’s say we leave Ellie as Ellie Cochran as people know her and talk about my victory you know okay okay for me I said in many of my forums and public appearances I bring to the table more than 45 years of service to this community that’s my number one thing I bring to the table working with all segments you mentioned

11:02

the County Fair and that is working with federal state county agencies businesses nonprofits in all aspects of our community the Maracana the money a fair kind of encapsulates that you know it’s it’s a four-day event that does so much good for so many groups in this community I know many of the nonprofit’s that is their number one largest fundraiser of the year for them and so it does a lot of good things for a lot of great organizations it also gives Maui at opportunity to get back together to reminisce to look back

11:42

and also look forward you know Maui has changed from an agricultural economy to a hospitality economy right we’ve changed and so we have learned to adapt to it and for the good and bad of it all we are now embarking on how we can make all of these groups of individuals to come together to collaborate I don’t like to be divisive I like to collaborate I like to work with people you know that you talk about it like it’s different groups but I keep thinking that if we start from values that’s the reason I call this the

12:26

neutral zone yes I’m not political I actually don’t care if you or Ellie are the mayor meaning my values will be the same and I’ll stand up for the same things exactly the same whether you’re the mayor or whether you’re the guy that just ran for mayor you have people that support you and what you are talking about you’re not going home you’re involved in our community absolutely and let me say I have a vested stake in Maui County it’s the future of our people my family family members who have lived

13:00

here for multi generations how did things get out of hand and let me step back you know you mentioned about different groups I think it’s different ideologies it’s not a matter of different groups it’s ideology in attacking parties and it’s sad because that’s you know come from mainland politics and and and I see it coming in from outside coming into our community I mean there was a day when we grew up and we had respect for each other we could agree to disagree we would veer many argue out points but

13:33

once he was sitting done we went to the same churches the same stores is that what we still do and we still need to do that and not have this you know disruptive something’s like someone’s trying to diminish the community and create us into different groups I love what the Ohana feeling has always been in our we are one family we’re an island County we’re an island state and we need to paddle the canoe together no matter what happens when good things we work together when disasters happen we come together and we

14:10

work to make sure we take care of what’s needed and you’ve seen that boat in Lahaina at the different disasters we had recently out in I smile we also we saw that on the Big Island when they had the lava flows and hurricanes and other disasters right Kauai the big rains we come together as a community statewide locally and countywide and so I really feel we have something so wonderful here is the Ohana spirit always working together always keeping mindful of the fact that we are resilient and we need to always stay

14:47

close to each other my mother-in-law used to have a famous scene she’s to always tell us love each other love one another because we’d love you caught you can overcome any problem in life and if you think about it that’s pretty universal you know that’s a great place to come from I come from the same place some don’t show it but I mean it gets down to if we come and have an intention to do something that’s right to help everyone great when I hear groups talking about tourism and local

15:27

as separate I think we have to really realize we all have the same resources we’re on an island we have to make balance the tourism will go away if there’s no freshwater and if all the rooms are filled and the locals can’t afford to live there because the prices are too high this the whole thing is gonna go crazy so you are walking into the seat are inheriting a hot potato and it’s not a hot potato well it no what do you don’t think so no I I believe it’s something that by

15:59

collaborating with the community bringing us together and working our differences and finding common sustainable solutions guess what we will come back together we’ve always never been far apart but more so now and and and let me say it in this other way Jason we’ve had a lot of new people that come here we embrace that our style is always to embrace newcomers to have them understand our culture with the respect from them they came here and they understand and learn our culture just like we will

16:35

learn them we’ll learn about them what they are all about respect is something we all earn and work together to get but more importantly I think our local values have always been sharing you go to somebody’s house for a dinner or for our event you always take something that’s the local style should we walk into somebody’s house you take your slippers and shoes off you never walk in with your shoes right that’s local value various ethnicities who have come here various cultures have intertwined so

17:07

much that Hawaii has become the real melting pot of the Pacific and we have an opportunity to sustain that we’re are fooled where our means of living together okay water I mean we need to share but share in a respectful manner not it’s about me it has to be about we all of us understanding our differences you you talk like you’re like I would if I was making a speech because you’re talking in general and you do good at this because I know we share the same values and we have great ideas but it

17:48

always gets down to you know the Nitty Gritty of stuff absolutely absolutely and that’s what I’ll hopefully talk because yeah we can talk in a comfortable way because I have no like I say it’s not that I don’t have an interest like it says the neutral zone it’s anything but neutral I’m not neutral but I hope here we can talk about things like when I hear the word ho , and I hear the word Arakawa and I suddenly hear people coming at me and talking to me about what’s going on

18:20

with them and the monies and and off-island why are they interested then they include your name then they have a Budget Committee thing that’s going on resort gate and I have questions that people I ask what do you want to ask my count Victorino it’s very interesting people I think what I have some questions that be willing to answer this I can no I know you’re that to me that’s that is what I like about you that is my favorite thing about you because if I have a question they’re not going to shy away from my

18:53

question you’re here to resolve this because you’re interested in everyone dad I remember when we were sitting at the Realtors I I’m a realtor although I’m inactive at the moment okay the Realtors were having candidates and you sat at our table when the GMO thing was gonna be voted on and you wanted the people to vote I remember very similarly you very much are you know a believer in things and I like that and I don’t want you being put in my mind I don’t want you being portrayed as the evil one do

19:27

you feel it Mike Victorino is controlled by anybody absolutely none you get money well why do they give you money believe they believe in the message they believe that I will work for all of the people of Maui Maui County what are you the little fella or the big company or the landowner every one of us have a stake and I want to make sure first of all the little guy is never lost in the conversation I am their voice to make sure they never never lose that opportunity to speak up and have their rights protected but also looking

20:03

at how we can work together so it’s important that we look at Maui as a entire county not just segmented okay we’re not fragmented we’re accounting and what I want to see what is lanai Hana Molokai upcountry Lahaina here I don’t care where we are looking at we’re one community and what happens in Lahaina affects maka wha what happens in lanai affects Wailuku we all have a cause and effect that we need to always be willing to work together to find solutions I don’t doubt that even at all

20:43

and I know that’s in your heart the problems that we see around this county I mean we could go down a list okay hey you know and Palsy let’s start with that I think that that’s a good probably the it resonates to the top of everybody’s homelessness being a separate category right housing housing debt you know I put a what I call a price line now I’m not just talking about what’s truly affordable I’m saying what should be affordable I’m saying that a 3-bedroom 2bath 2-car garage home at selling with

21:18

single-family dwelling should be 300 less 350 down not more less I’m saying you can get a one-bedroom two-bedroom apartment if you’re renting it should be 5 to 750 no more than $900 a month you know so I’m great now how do we do that or many of it oh I know it’s possible that’s why I were wondering that’s why I asked my original question why have things stalled over these years what is the reason I believe there’s been a couple of issues that have stalled a lot of our projects installed a lot of the

21:59

what I call development in the sense of true affordable development some of it is the fact that we’re afraid that we will inhibit or hurt the environment which I am all for we’ve got to protect our near shore waters our water systems our rivers all of the INA and whatever flows through the aina needs to be protected we’ve not done the job I believe we should do and part of my administration is to make sure that job is completed that we protect the aina how do we protect the aina putting in

22:33

crops that can grow that are not inhibitive or invasive to our society to our islands that’s important edible crops crops that we can live off of when you’re talking about this yeah I am it’s not that I don’t respect what you say but I know to me if I had Ellie Cochran here she would she be saying the same things meaning that I want to be able to get past them we we agree we need more food we need to get the water systems better you have any ideas on how to do this do you know how to how to approach how are

23:11

we gonna deal with it Anna Jia energiya there are overtime on a contract Oh half a million dollars to the county people are wondering what’s happening with that there’s still emissions coming off all kinds of lingering questions you do I hoping hoping that we’ll go be transparent on that absolutely okay and cuz I’ve seen things that are hundred percent renewable that won’t cost the county anything and I had an we right in DC to had Stuart stand here I really like him I think that he is and Mike

23:44

Miyamoto really have a really conscientious at what they’re doing yet I saw Ellie Cochran and them having a quarrel about stuff you know and then I see Gladys paisa I’m just throwing stuff out right then she’s in the water department people say what does she know about water and then I have all kinds of water experts talking about the injection wells and the the sewers and all kinds of you here at all yes and you as mayor now you got all it’s like a million places all happening at once how

24:17

how are you thinking to unravel this a you open to talking to experts and bringing in outside like I know I would have no more building except if you can provide your own water I’ve seen systems that take water out of the air right I saw them yesterday two days ago that in other words I’ve seen things that can treat crops using hydrogen that they get from water guy and cool as a machine right that means we don’t need no pesticides things that can be really important technology that we can do in

24:49

our crops here grow all kinds of things do we have any kind of open forums about I’m really bringing this up to in some ways to say we have all the solutions here but we keep spreading if we can talk about crops that are not inhibited and right I understand those things but are we gonna get it together to get an action plan I mean somehow I feel like that’s what I see there are a lot of good plans out there even from like the ponent I say the pono network they have really good ideas when

25:24

I was the green guy and I walked up to Goro hakama running against me and I gave him my platform yeah he said to me there are a lot of good ideas here I’m gonna use them and I said good I’m not here to depose you I’m here to give you things to be doing to make things better do you feel you have that quality to be able to do that absolutely I’m very receptive you know that I’m open and I want to make sure that we have a reward everyone an opportunity to be at the table to give them an owl to

25:59

give their their ideas and there are a number of factors that make ideas work first of all implementation secondly the economic impact you know I want programs that help our community lessen the cost of living here not something that’s going to increase the cost of living here so I would be why I’d be very open to many ideas in this respect and I have worked with people that are in the hemp community and other communities that really have brought some fantastic ideas forward and now it’s to sit there with

26:33

them and be very transparent just like I want to be transparent with boards and commissions I said I’d like to make sure that that’s open to the public so they can see the various people that apply so that we pick good people but going back to what we’re saying experts I need them at the table to help us but willing to look at both sides and work out compromises where they’re needed we’re gonna come right back to this we’re gonna take a break for kak you I’m here with Mike Victorino on the neutral

27:03

zone here in Maui let’s see what’s on the sponsor list here [Music] looking for the play button these playing I’m not hearing it is anyone hearing it someone tell me what’s going on would you please it’s in gravy Show Wednesdays they say that car crashes happen too slow the reality is that crashes happened fast there’s no time to think and no time to check if your child is in the right car seat car crashes are a leading killer of children 1 to 13 are your kids in the right seat for their age and size

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course this hands-on class will teach you everything you need to know about studio production from set design and operating the cameras to audio video switching the next TV studio class begins on October 22nd 2018 so visit ikkaku org or call eight seven one five five five four and sign up today what a Maui I’m Suzanne KN your host of the malazan show here on ka k you 88.5 FM the voice of Maui please join me in my incredible guests every Wednesday at T p.m. for fun and informative conversation sexuality

29:44

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30:23

through Thursdays live in 1 p.m. on a 8.5 fm the voice of Maui okay I think we’re back I want to thank my present sponsors the Maui miracle org and also cash for gold comma in a known loan that Mike did you know that combine alone cash for gold is my sponsor these past three months yes and also the Maui miracle so you can see the amount of miracle is a group that goes through values and then they lead you to the pono network and so the people that listen to this show I hope they’re interested in values and when you talk

31:06

about local values that’s how I know you I know that you care about everyone and you really you want when you’re making decisions when you’re sitting on counsel and you have to make decisions some of the decisions that we’ve seen that are happened you were here sort of like at the budget committee what happened there well in the budget committee when something was deferred that has big penalty when those monies get spent who makes those this is that something that you’d look at again and say maybe I do

31:39

it different or did you control it or how does that work well no one council member controls the council you know so let’s say we’re all nine individuals who are informed of whatever the circumstances may be talking about some kind of litigation or something of that nature and then we are in we are in executive session many time given more details on what this all means not only to the individual the company but also what it means to the county and that’s important to understand it’s your taxpayer money we’re

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protecting and I can see in many cases we made decisions based upon the value and the merit of the case and how we try to award if we award anything or we’re going to fight it are we going to defer it and get more information so there were many circumstances that led to our decision making process so it’s not something you come and do overnight so a lot of people get this this this feeling that is the county working for me I can see the council’s I worked on through the ten years I was there

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all of the people involved and no matter who they were I can say they were there for your best interests and I can say I was and they were all all the other eight members of the committee of the whole and they had different names of it policy and litigation and on all of us always look for the best resolve of a case that would benefit the people of Maui County so I guess I’d say I want to bring this up on because I know in recently a you know here you see it in the news and things certainly coming out

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here where sandy Baz told these guys at the Cathy at the budget committee Rikki Hokama and Allan and I guess in you as part of the committee but about this case that was a hundred sixty million dollars then it was probably sixty million dollars with the timeshare people there was some kind of fee that they didn’t think was fair they thought it was punitive well I think let me clarify that Allan is the mayor and the rest of the council members were informed of certain and I cannot go into details because there was an executive

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session that was held but it was where when a group of taxpayers felt it wasn’t fair and how they were being taxed they challenged us they went to litigation they challenged us and unbeknownst to us and unbeknownst to real property tax upon looking at the challenges we found that we had actually in the real property tax division they claimed we under charge them and then we went after them for retro tax – it’s the afterburn that I’m really wondering yeah well about when it’s now we have to live with

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you know a large judgment against us maybe right well let’s say this way it hasn’t been settled and I believe we have a very strong case I think we did the right thing for the people of Maui County so aren’t usually money’s put aside I don’t know how that works but I know that became an issue of spending of money that otherwise might have been earmarked if real property tax is challenged in tax court or even in our boards in appeal then about 50% of that is set aside it cannot be used

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until the case is resolved so and in most cases we’ve prevailed and so you know we don’t lose the money but the money set aside cannot be used and that way that particular lot of sum of money would be available if the judgment was against us we would have the money at least most of the money to pay for that judgment I don’t see this one or any of the other cases that we’ve had recently that we have done anything illegal improper no no but so is the money there I mean that was the question the monies Desmond

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the money’s there you know what I mean so you know that there’s monies for the these kinds of issues and again I really believe we will prevail the people of Maui County are deserving of this monies and I believe we will end up once everything is set it down we will be vindicated and we will get what is fair for the people of my County ok so you think that it’s been blown up and it’s been sensationalized more than anything else I think sometimes that happens but I believe people should know what’s

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happening out there you know there and and I’ve seen and let’s put it this way I heard this was going to be released as a press release and all that and nothing has come out I mean the person that and a group that you know really is going after all of us now they uni use my name Ricky and Alan however is the entire council that decides on this so why was it other names mentioned that’s fine it becomes politicized yeah so you know it’s cool with me you know I I know what what is right and

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I believe I’ve always done what is right for the people of Maui County and I will never back away from that have you looked closely at this energy of thing this thing going on with the dumped for energy and trying to get rid of waste I’m not too happy with what’s going on okay I’ll leave it at that and when I become mayor that’s one of the first things I’m going to take a good hard look at the whole contract what it means where are we there five years late and getting things done that’s why I’m an

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you know I mean I believe there’s some definite red flags there and I would be very very willing to look at it and say is this really what we need to go in the direction we need to pay you’re open to seeing other things oh absolutely absolutely there’s other I was on that first task force in 2007 with that we’re looking at how we can take Maui’s waste and convert to energy and I went to San Francisco a Hort land and areas that have done a terrific job are far advanced and we are as far as getting

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rid of there and being able to recycle burning energy composting energy everything the whole well I was gonna say they’re one of our question askers that knew about the energy ax thing is a guy from a zero emissions research yes situation there are people that have solutions there are solutions for water we could build on land that you thought you’d have to we can’t build there you have to bring water and no you don’t we can create water right here right out of here so so what we can leave the fields

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as fields what a concept yes what about bringing Hawaiian culture back what about gay you know I’m ball over the map but I’m all over that because we are a holistic look this is everything together I’ve been talking about the same thing for as long as since I ran the first time you and I both know that it takes everyone being happy we got a take down the barriers oh my my I think it’s very important to look at Mike Victorino and say what am I afraid of nothing you should not be afraid of anything with me nothing

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nothing if anything’s going on you’re gonna listen to it all yes and talking about our Hawaiian culture I am in the process now bottom I plan when I get into office is to recognize all the homos that are around the county around the state but more so the county of Maui and have them have representation on an advisory council that will talk and be dealing directly on Hawaiian issues cultural kuleana issues all of the issues so that they have a voice at the table and I think that’s one of the things I’ve heard loud

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and clear from many segments of our community they’ve always been left out and I want to be inclusive I know this sounds you know like very cliches but I really am that type of person you know that when I was at the fair whatever I brought people together I tried to find solutions that everyone could live with and for our culture our Hawaiian culture who has been somewhat relegated to a far corner of our society they have to be at the forefront both for hospitality industry for culture for environment for

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every aspect of our life in these islands the Hawaiian culture has solutions and answers that I believe should be brought at the table and I will make sure that they have representation and we listen we take the time to listen to them and to try to use what they bring forward culturally environmentally and holistically for our lives and they’ll make us all better people okay let’s want to practice for tomorrow I want to say practice with tomorrow well I knew I was gonna be on with you yeah I could talk like this and I can

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talk about all kinds of short but I put it out to a handful of people I put it out to Richard Dan Riley and I put it out to my other sponsors and a couple of people and I said you have any questions asked and so one question of one I thought from dr. joseph kony sort question sure how do you justify disturbing Hawaiian burial sites what’s your hit on all that I believe we should not be the challenged areas a lot of times we don’t find them because they were never mapped out or you know back in the day

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the e V or the bodies were buried and many were very close proximity to where the villages or where the people lived and so today we have disturbed a lot of evey I can tell you within our agricultural community we probably was disturbed a lot of Evy and so I believe we should protect them and in many areas we should honor them and if we can build and maintain that respect for the Evy that exists in a certain area wherever it might be the problem is we have no Maps we have no no real historic premises no where they’re buried now I

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have heard from some of the cultural practitioners that you know we had battles and and warriors fell and we buried them where they fell okay now that’s another issue where was the battle fought what was the magnitude and area and there are people that can give you pretty good answers but no one can be very specific so it’s really difficult if you’re going to build in certain areas until you start moving dirt do you find some of these issues so I would like to mandate a cultural practitioner at all the construction

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site it should be an ordinance that makes sure that they’re there to see it 24 hours 365 so long as this work they’re there to mitigate any change and to stop any construction so that we will make sure that that Evy is properly taken care of and honored and not moved if possible and of course you’d be happy to know about things before any building happened absolutely and again we have a there is a meeting the builder wanted to do condos and a medical facility right next to the new high school and the

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Hawaiian group came out and they talked about the water runoff through here at Kalani a koi and things they knew they seem to know quite a bit more than the current people that are doing all this so you’re open to hearing more about it what absolutely they need to be at the table to share them on our with us and so that we can learn and avoid making mistakes and I’m sure that when you hear me talking about every new construction must have its own water and its own power we’re gonna go

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in the direction to save the only way we can save our planet is by using less resources we can use modern technology and old technology or mix it you’re open to that absolutely okay absolutely I’m just really asking because there are a lot of things I’ve seen and heard that sound like solutions to problems that somehow don’t come up I don’t know why do you know I would I can’t answer you’ve been on council for a while and then you see new council come Alan kosis Alan Arakawa calls this

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the most dysfunctional council is that what kind of a way is that the talk III I don’t want to speak to anybody in what they say that’s their their their kuleana if you want to use that term right I will be working very closely with the council to make sure that ideas that I may have are shared with them and I want to hear their thoughts on it how we can collaborate I mean I I’m a very simple man one thing I’ve learnt a long time ago when you get a group of people together you get five or more people together

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they have differences of opinion I want to listen to that put validity behind of it put facts behind of it and then come up with the best sustainable solution I said this many times and I continue to say it it sounds like rhetoric but really it is the truth is give me a simpler form to work how do we work together if we don’t work together if we don’t collaborate how do we achieve anything you know you know you can chain any other way you want but I truly believe my heart is for the people the

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people have always been a part of my life and I want to continue that I see that and I know I know that about you and I don’t even have any doubt I feel very comfortable in that thank you and that’s what reason you have so much support the way you do yes okay next question let’s see what there’s somebody interesting there’s people that doesn’t like the fact that tax collections were illegal and here’s one yes here’s one other do you think it serves the public interest for politically appointed board

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to adopt rules relating to administration of environmental laws somehow there’s this thing as the Planning Commission is getting the that the planning director have even more power to approve things and do special deals with developers do you have any opinions on that’s the let’s put it in this manner no one entity should have too much power I like checks and balances I think they’re important I’d like to make sure that the council who has the final say most of the development would have the

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final saying all development the Planning Commission has gotten powers vested to them sometimes through the council and through the administration’s and now I try to you know I I feel like trying to reel it in and try to be more specific I feel that you have to have the power by ordinance to enforce law or if you want to enforce a law that it is ordinance or is like the community plan in place by ordinance what I’m really thinking is that they’re talking that the Planning Director will have the

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ability to make deals with developers absolutely not not under my administration I would frown I will work very firmly and if I have a Planning Director that starts doing something like that that person may not be there very long okay and so you don’t mind having checks and balances and penalties because there’s there’s things about I mean those are the kind of conversations that are floating around yeah and wondering that there are things going on to protect the things that are going on we

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should protect the people that are impacted in any change what it’s a development whether it’s a governmental discretion we should have a check in balance so that that person or that individual or that family or that community it’s not impacted or is minimally impacted for that change do you think that back monies that are owed should be paid by real estate developers house absolutely absolutely so there’s like 20 years of all you perhaps think yes I imagine everyone knows this so you’re

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you’re gonna be working toward evening furlough agreements I’ve been sitting around for a while in fact Joe in Johnson and I when I was on the council we worked on getting that stopped and to start collecting and it’s never come together I know some of the council members right now are working on some i some some ordinances to start getting this back deferral agreements paid but again these different remains for made in areas that need to have improvement so these different agreements can be

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utilized to improve like law on appeal on a highway down in the polly how in those areas Kahana to prevent flooding to have better roadways but other areas also have that in South Maui and other areas and I believe we need to enforce our deferred agreements and start working them especially when it comes to our developers who then sometimes take advantage of the situation we’re gonna have to change that and I’m for that okay well I know go back to my original front first question you know I’m a pono

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kind of love guy you know I you might call me from the outside world but I’ve been here thirty years so I figure I’m I’m local now you’ve got in the combine a status right you give you a license and you get the come on a disco is there anything that I should be concerned that Mike is gonna sell us down the river to the good old boys there’s no doubt in my mind that that term does not exist in my vocabulary so when I think of you I think of you I Jason yeah I think of you as somebody who is independent you’ve

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been around and so you know a lot of people and so I’m guessing that a lot of people can feel more comfortable with you say then Ellie who is new and has a reputation of being environmental but they don’t know her so maybe they’re throwing money toward you but if development happens here and they wanted to do more development of more shopping centers are we gonna start refocusing our workers in getting affordable housing and starting to change priorities can you do that as mayor absolutely and we need to make

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that our number one priority is housing rentals as well as two for purchase housing for our residents right now we are crucially short of workers there are many businesses now who are suffering to get enough workers to work in their business and so what are you talking restaurants are you talking small mom-and-pop retail even the hotels are struggling to get enough employees that’s why we have the lowest unemployment rate in the state and we’re across the nation so isn’t it funny how

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they like to tout we have low unemployment that’s because everyone has to work nine jobs and they to survive work jobs to make ends make ends meet let me tell you a quick story please this morning I was giving out pastries coffee and juice and water to the employees from the various hotels who catch the bus down at the War Memorial Stadium okay there’s about seven buses every day we are subsidizing that from the county and then each bus holds 56 people and all seven left pretty full so at least minimum of 50

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people per bus times 7 as 350 people not on the road so even if you divided that in half that’s about 200 cars understand 5 200 cars that are not on the road and yet our roads are surely fairly congested and that this one lady told me and I’ve known this leaf for almost 20 years she tells me Mike you know I’m homeless I go what her and her husband both work but they can’t afford rent you’re right they can’t afford rent and they make good money she told me straight I make seventy thousand a year myself

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that’s not chicken seed that’s not minimum wage but she can’t afford rent without inventory how do we bring down the prices without enforcing our laws and putting short term illegal vacation rentals back into long term rentals how do we enforce well give them incentives so they come back out of that we have an opportunity right now for charter amendment you know that and this charter amendment would be stiff penalties 20,000 up front up to ten thousand dollars a day I read an article just in on Facebook

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that this person was laughing saying I get fifteen hundred dollars a day for my rental and they charge me a thousand dollars that they find well we’re gonna change that here in Maui and I think Mike whiting those were a ton of counsel who brought this forward and it’s on the on the area ballot and I hope people vote for it because I really believe that’s a good tool everything that’s that hammer I’d like to see us half but saying that I go back to this lady but she told me you know Mike I made some

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mistakes I mean that but I’m gonna be out of debt in the next two years please can you make sure housing is available then I said I’m gonna make housing available now we’re gonna work now we’re not going we made it and now you you know yeah huge them so we have to have a multi-pronged attack enforcement is important building is important and building close to their jobs is important the linam the Millennials want to have where they can walk or bike to their their job they don’t mind catching

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a bus to go to their work either they don’t need a car in fact if you look at them now many of them are foregoing cars and doing other means of transportation so it is my responsibility government’s responsibility to make and I make those buildings multifamily units whatever available for rentals and make them first of all very inexpensive Wieck I say a one-bedroom should be five to seven a two-bedroom $7,000 a three-bedroom 11 to maybe 1500 max and that way families can live together work

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together and build their equity and maybe some of that I talked about rent to buy you know someone had rental money aside so that they can get prepared helping them get prepared I know the always running a real fast thing yes sorry sorry Jesus no no please no you’re right um you know I didn’t think I’d have any extra questions I’m gonna post this and I’m gonna give this to you maybe this will be good practice for tomorrow night with all your you know the kind of questions people are asking yes I appreciate that

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the thing that I think is most important I’m gonna give you a couple of minutes to talk Aires for you to know that we’re all one people absolutely and after this election I don’t want to see divisive miss I will work very hard to make sure that that comes true and I know again we’re doing this thinking you’re winning Elly’s doing it thinking she’s winning we’re all winning when we all work together and we solve these problems and if you’re not in the office you can

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still come forward with your positive ideas in fact you probably have less hampering you you can do it in the private sector and I hope that we can work things public and private sector working together in unique ways treats doctors hat my stool has three prong three stool I’ll treat three legs got it private public nonprofits when all of them worked together we have a very strong strong community I believe that it’s been proven in the past and I believe it’s if it’s exists today but

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let me say this we’ve had a lot of things set out there and you have 30 seconds 30 seconds I’m saying in this way my balanced vision local values means I include everyone everyone’s welcome all I ask is that you are willing to compromise to work together to find sustainable positive solutions that help the people of Maui County I ask you for your help in that area Mahalo Jason for your wonderful show and allowing me to speak today god bless you god bless all the people my and please

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vote on November 6 if you haven’t voted or voted early god bless you and aloha thank you for joining us on the neutral zone [Music] the prior views did not reflect the views of kak new culture today