Mike Molina, 2008 Candidate again for Council

no matter where you go no matter what you do take that style with you cuz if you a Mau stying you just live it on an island Mau stying don’t let me down sty don’t let me down sty don’t let me down sty don’t let me down there is sunshine in your heart it’s been with you from the start lift your head look to the heavens then you will feeland new again don’t stop me nowy don’t let me down sty don’t let me down my St don’t let me down my I don’t let me down reach out your hand and help

each other your mother your father your sister and brother there is love in this family pick yourself up and get on your feet Don’t Stop Me Now M stying don’t let me down ma sty don’t let me down ma sty don’t let me down sty don’t let me down sty up country sty sty sty [Music] stying sty sty [Music] sty don’t let me down sty don’t let me down sty don’t let [Music] me stop [Music] [Applause] sty Aloha welcome to another up close and personal here in 2008 we are talking

with Maui County candidates for political office off and we have a real treat today we have a sitting council person Mike Molina aloha aloha Jason glad to be here as always welcome to the show Mike is a representative from which district Are You Now isn’t that a funny thing to say he’s from maaa Haiku Pia District residency cat but if you live in molai he’s your representative too if you live on L he’s your representative too if you’re in Lina or Kei he’s a representative we elect and have nine

Representatives it’s only a residency requirement so if you like Mike Molina no matter where you live in Maui County you can vote for him so remember that I stress that because it’s probably the greatest misunderstood thing you know exactly Jason I’ve had countless and numbers of people tell me who live outside of maaya and ask me can I vote for for you and I tell them of course uh wherever you live in Maui County it’s an atlarge election uh you can vote for any council member that you want so what

that means is it doesn’t matter whether he’s MAA P Hau seat that’s great if you see his name on your ballot you can vote for him that’s bottom line that’s right people say to me oh Joe Bertram he’s district 10 always he’s 11 if you are in that district and you’re voting and you see a name and you want to vote for that name go for it so I just bring that up and stress it because it’s important now you are such an old veteran you’re a young veteran four terms of council already

that is correct time flies when you haven’t fun and it certainly has been an honor to Serve the People it flown cuz I don’t remember what year it was but I’ve been doing these interviews with you for four terms at least right at least I think well my first uh run for public office was back in 1998 if I’m correct okay and at least since 2000 I think this is about our fourth or fifth uh interview session that we right now I hope you’ve been watching because Mike Molina has become an experienced Council guy what

is your role there now uh currently I’m the land chairman and as you uh know land use is one of the more difficult committees on the council anytime you have uh zoning proposals for land and development there’s always controversy and pros and cons I was going to say you’ve probably seen some heat in your D lot of heat over over eight years Jason how have you made your decisions I know that sometimes people think that oh you just came in with a a um a point of view and that’s where you are you listen to a

lot of testimony though don’t you oh definitely I’m before I make any decision I weigh all the facts look at all the information the pros and cons and I think I can pretty much speak for uh most if not all of the council members so everybody looks at all the information carefully and then you ultimately you have to make a decision and sometimes you’re in a no-win situation but as elected leaders you have to make a decision you know what a no-win situation me is that means no matter how you vote someone is going to

not agree with you that’s the nature of politics so you know we all look at campaign spending if someone’s giving you a th000 or $2,000 if that’s enough to sway your vote you know that’s to me that’s a little bit ridiculous in that you know they say follow the money but it’s a tough decision I’ve watched myself and I can’t imagine here we’re going to take a moment break it’s a tough decision to be um determining what to do with all the different factors and

I don’t know that’s why I think I kind of resign to being on television and not sitting in the hot seat I mean it’s a lot easier place to be well yeah I I think you you have to have a passion for serving your community and and you know over time you grow thicker skin but uh I’ve learned to realize it’s not personal and you just do the best you can and it’s it’s a commitment just like what you’re doing Jason is a commitment it’s a great service for the community for to allow

everybody to see us in somewhat of a different light so we all have our own passion and commitments in whatever we undertake well um what is your passion uh can you remember back to when you were first running and why you were doing this and where has it gone and how you see having involved well well let’s uh let me take a uh a step back even further I started from high school I um was brought up with the emphasis of giving back to my community I joined the Leo club which is a I guess a a youth

version of the Lions Club and upon graduation from high school I decided to go out and serve my country I joined the United States Air Force and then the later on the Hawai Air National Guard so I’ve always been had it in instilled in me about service to the community and then later on I got into the teaching profession working with the kids in our public schools which is a a tremendous experience that I thoroughly enjoyed and then later on the opportunity to run for a public office came and we weren’t

successful the first time but we gave it a second try and I’ve been in it ever since and the greatest thing about politics and community service is just the fact that you meet people you hear many many different perspect perspectives just broadens your horizon so that for me is why I’m I’m in office to try and make a difference and giving back to the community well what do you guys want back he’s ready to give back let’s take his um now you live uh up country I bet no matter where you turn there’s a thing

on everyone’s lips and what is it I was going to tell you what it is but I bet you can tell me well there’s uh always the uh agal question of water water that was exactly the one I had in mind that’s right uh you see things getting any better and what do you see happening well I’m I’m certainly hoping that uh we can expedite the process for the issuance of water meters for especially for families who’ve been waiting for years on the on this and I think we also need to upgrade our water transmission

systems uh piping and everything else they pretty old you know 30 40 years old but it’s going to take some money to get these systems upgraded but it’s money that has to be spent in order to provide us the uh uh acceptable level of water service and quality what about uh catchment systems someone told me that to have a catchment system you have to not be on service with a water line or some kind of rule like that well that that’s what I’d heard also but you know I think we need to be open to that I

know on the big island they have C they allow catchment systems in certain areas so I think we need to be open to that as well provided of course uh Department of Health standards on that and you know that’s always a big hurdle that you have to deal with even uh the use of reclaim water should go more in that direction uh the use of gray water um the uh Council dealt with that matter recently uh I think council member bisa brought that up as an issue and it got sent to the state legislature as part of our

legis ative package and at last report we’re still awaiting uh comments and rules from the Department of Health on that so that may become a reality okay that’s so funny when I hear these subjects we’ve been talking about these same things for as many terms as you’ve been in that’s right and then some you know I remember when I started politicking few years even before you things take time to change even when you know what’s right huh and even when it’s especially hard when you’re dealing

with an issue which you have to deal with other uh government agencies the state or the federal so you’re somewhat at the mercy to them before you can actually move with some of the things that you want to see in the community so it’s the whole uh bureaucratic system that sometimes creates a lot of challenges for us in reaching some of our objectives and goals so do you feel like we’re making progress um it depends on what uh subject you’re talking about if you’re talking subject well let’s pick one how

about uh housing um there we go we’re making slow but steady progress uh just the other day the uh affordable housing fund which um I introduced that Charter amendment that set aside the 2% for w property tax right now those monies uh roughly about 8 million have been set aside for the purchase of either land or the purchase of uh units to provide uh low low income housing or housing for people in the 120% group the uh the Gap group so to speak they uh 120% group M doesn’t it sound like a good group what

is that yeah these are the folks that make too much to qualify for you know low lower income housing but they make too much or excuse me too little to afford market rate housing you know these are the folks that are in the blueco collar industries uh teacher like I was once uh policemen firemen those folks who just make just under what what’s needed to afford a market rate home I think that’s a Target group we need to focus on and we’ve already started the process with the affordable

housing fund that’s available also the firsttime home buyers from program which I introduced which is a low interest Loan program so we’ve got some uh additional tools in the toolbox if you will and I if I’m fortunate to be reelected I’m going to look for some other tools to help us address this big gorilla called the affordable housing and also affordable rentals it’s also a big issue right now yeah and um I was going to say don’t get me started cuz I get on myself I’ve been talking about

the same thing since I got here that’s right it’s nice to know that it’s not forgotten but we need such an extraordinary number of units to meet the need things are still going to be higher than we want them to be affordable housing is still questionably affordable and now there’s a group The 120% they’re questionably of the in the middle group you know when you get to retirement age you’ll hear me talk about it on many shows people don’t realize until they realize that it’s too late for them to

do it the slow way they got to think of something spe it gets crazy easy things are expensive and inflation is happening how prepared are you in your world for retirement how prepared are you right now to go buy a house the affordable housing do you find that um you constantly having people coming and asking you about the housing or has it stopped they still asking um people will still call but right now with the situation with our economy um it gets worse because some folks have had their hours cut they got paid off so it makes

it an even bigger challenge to own a home let alone now people trying to find uh places to rent although there are some places available but um you know still rents are are still high for some people well in fact because of this funny real estate market all those High rents which came because the high mortgages created a reason for them to be charging these rents they’re now laying vacant and so they’re lowering their rents and we’re getting more affordable hang on a little bit there’ll

be so much affordable housing you’ll be wondering how come there’s so much housing available that’s cuz people are living in tents that’s right so so maybe because of what’s happening with the market it one of the unintended consequences now you’re creating a lot of you know rentals that are available but sitting vacant but still if people don’t have the means to make their money it’ll be hard to uh you know pay for those RS as it is which is why I learned about uh being self-directed and

learning how to create your own entrepreneurism and self-determination are things we all talk about but you know the more we embrace them the more we’ll be able to figure out what to do and how to help others you know it’s difficult when we don’t have enough of a knowledge base when I sit around and listen to people on the council or in any we watch the Congress right now in the middle of this bailout of the financial system how many of those people really know the impact of what they’re doing to

the Plus or to the minus very few so I think it’s important we all get educated defitely um what about um just because I can’t help but mention it there’s two kinds of of things there’s vacation rental and then there’s bed breakfast now how’s that one going along well well right now the council’s planning committee which is being chaired by council member bisa we’re looking at working on an ordinance for both bed and breakfasts and Transit vacation rentals the major difference

between the two is if you’re applying for a TBR or a Transit vcation rental uh you must live on property uh excuse me uh you don’t have to live on property where’s a bed and breakfast you have to so you guys get that right bed and breakfast means you live there and you got a unit on your property you’re renting it out that seems like an easier thing to have you know a little more leeway with are they being set up as separate bills uh at this point yes uh we’re making a lot of progress on the bed and breakfast

Bill the TVR bill we’re we’re getting close to addressing transient vacation rental that means someone’s here they buy a property with the intention maybe not originally but gets to the point where they want to rent it out and I guess the issue has become that um when they rent it out they don’t know who’s going to be renting it and people in the area can feel a little bit victimized by whoever is coming in there it it’s a a sensitive one it’s a difficult balancing app because um you know you have to

respect the the rights of the residents to preserve their neighborhoods and not let it get turned into a a business Zone if you will um but yet people have there’s property rights and if you want to establish a business uh so long as it doesn’t disrupt a neighborhood you have to also be uh respectful of that as well so it’s it’s one of those situations where it’s almost viewed as almost a no- win situation you know but but you have to deal with it and uh well like you just said you just said you know the

people in the area maybe it’s going to be that uh you give a bundle of rights to the people in the area to determine what’s going to happen in their given area rather than have it mandated from on high on a rule that does everything that’s right well I’m definitely in favor of a process in which the the surrounding uh residents of someone who’s applying for example a TBR that uh their import uh plays a significant part on whether the council approves a conditional use permit for TV a b

breakfast after all these are the folks that are going to have to live with the whatever uh type of business next door to them you know TV B and breakfast so uh TV we think it’s like CDR and dvdr no no no too many acronyms you know that’s we live in a in an initial World TVR transient vacation rental uh you know it’s very clear that loss of tvrs has impacted the economy here uh in a big way and with all that’s going on you know and you know it’s it’s a tough decision I’m very sure that our mayor and the

council uh you know are making the hard decisions you know many times it’s really easy for us to judge someone that’s sitting in a seat and when we don’t agree with what’s going on but I take my hat off to you cuz it’s a major thing to where you’re a beloved teacher everyone loves you suddenly you’re on Council they get out their pistols and they’re ready to shoot you down and the swords s yeah they do I know but you know what it’s uh it’s all still a a a very

positive experience the way I see it I mean like like any job you have your good days and your down days but but I think just the experience of uh hearing all the multiple perspectives and points of you really broadens Your Horizon and uh you know I think you come out a better person for that and U I try to look at things in a positive light and and the the learning process never ends from the day you’re born till the day you die so so uh We’ve decided that this part-time job called the council member

is full-time and then some oh yeah it the pay is considered part do your family know what you look like anymore um you know it’s around election time I think my wife becomes a widow an election you’re Widow you know but I I I take my hat off to her because her and my children they’ve um had to when your your parent is a politician it’s equally tough on them as well because people not only watch the politician they also watch the politicians uh spouse and kids and and knin wood they’ve um you know

kept their nose clean and uh they’ve done their best to uh represent dad well and uh I’m very very fortunate to have a great wife and wonderful kids yeah I know yeah I really enjoyed your wife and fids I um going to just bring up subjects and just because they’re fine I mean they’re on top of my mind uh Transportation now I know we’ve had uh some success with the bus system which I hope is expanding as transportation is kind of kicking in has anyone looked at Transportation corridors has it been

brought up you know I I I did bring that up at at Several of uh in the past and at several candidate forums I think we need to really look for in that area purchase the land now while it’s still somewhat uh reachable in terms of uh paying for it look at what happened at aahu uh not purchasing those Transportation corridors early it’s what a significant factor in you know putting together their rail system or their transportation system that’s a big part part of the cost and we may not think

that we’d ever think of having a rail system here uh again I don’t mean to be boring with it but when I started running politics in 1992 we were talking about monoral and Railways think how much cheaper land was then oh yeah and and you know a rail system to sa from west moli to uh the airport or Central mly I mean you know with with at the the rate the state is going with doing our one elani highway I mean a rail system may be just as feasable so yeah might be good for your grandchildren by the time we get it in

there well they’re grandchildren I don’t know no kidding I remember being in Los Angeles in Los Angeles they have the century freeway and it was um in the 1970s when I’d see all these houses boarded up and sitting there and it seemed like forever but when they needed to put that freeway in they finally got there the cost of land wasn’t as much a consideration and they were able to create what they needed to create so I hope that that stays on the oh yeah on the thing as the old saying

goes Jason time is money the longer you wait the higher things get so and wouldn’t it be nice to have a little vision and think about something before it’s a burning need that’s right it’s like a lot like preventative medicine sort of like uh energy do we have any um I guess we must I was going to say renewable energy you know we see more of it coming into our world well there’s a lot more discussions about it for sure um I know mer tarus is a big proponent of uh renewable energy uh there’s been a

lot of discussion about photov voltaics uh wind power I think upan call po Ranch they’re getting into a partnership with Shell Oil and Ma electric to do some more um uh wind farms up up in that area don’t you love that Shell Oil is now an alternative energy person and while we’re on the subject of oil and gas prices I’ve heard of it yeah you know I I I’m doing my part to make a little more noise about it I think we here in Maui County are really subjected to some gas prices that are in my view very

unfair when you look at the big island why are their gas prices significantly cheaper than Mai County I mean yeah yeah uh last I checked the big island was I think this past Saturday was about $420 for regular what are we paying for regular here about 450 and it I was told that oh it’s because of our high gas tax well we pay 16 cents on the gallon the big island is 8 cents okay so there’s 8 cents there but you’re still looking at a 20 cents close to 20 cents differential and I’ve never been given

that answer correct that answer as to why so I think we need to um collectively make our voices heard about that because I feel it’s not fair that Ma con gets discriminated with some very high gas prices and I I’m not blaming the retailers here I’m looking at maybe possibly the answers lie with the wholesalers the folks who are selling the gas to our retailers so I’d like you to join me Jason and let’s make our voice because we’re still for a while we’re going to be dependent on fossil

fuels with our cars yeah unless we all start using our bicycles that’s true I mean honest the truth is um when looking at the way I’m so glad to see that we’re doing mixed use like mixed use Zoning for example like in kii where laoa and South kii Road it’s not like it’s a New Concept people people in cities they do that and to be able to have someone that can live and have a store in their own property that may be the way small business that is going to be able to survive incorporating smart group

principles smart growth it’s almost like an oxymoron sort of like Military Intelligence right Honest politician ouch ouch all right you got no the fact of the matter is you know it’s it’s a tough thing to be a a politician you know even when you try to be open and transparent people are very accusatory they think that the only reason that you could be making the decision is because someone’s putting the finger on it no like I said earlier you know I look at all the facts and then then you

just go ahead and make your decision and here’s I’m glad you brought that up about transparency just the other day in the planning uh committee um the gpac uh the general plan advisory committee they formed these subcommittees and there was a talk about making these subcommittees close to the public without anyone having the opportunity to at least observe what’s going on and I stated my objections towards that because we all talk about transparency and respecting the Sunshine Law and here we are now

having a subcommittee that’s closing themselves off to the public I had some real concerns with that so I’m hoping the uh the gpac and the planning department sort of got the message from myself and some of the other council members that let’s keep everything transparent and open to the public yeah that way we all know what’s going on you know uh how many of these things again not to be specific but Wella 670 or some of these other building projects when years and years and millions and

millions of dollars have put in been put in by developers where the public because they’re either not aware or not realizing things need to be talking about this stuff way back before people are spending so much money that they have a real reason to see it through because you put them in a position where they’re trapped so it would be nice to see some visioning I hope that the uh the gpac the general plan advisory Council can come up with some long range plans that we stick to and I I know they’re working

really hard and I want to you know thank all all of the other members of the gack people that have been doing it it’s all volunteer right that’s right and and and the general plan is so critical because that’s the the plan that will set the direction for the future as far as infrastructure and the use of our resources so what they’re doing is some pretty serious stuff and I’m sure they would welcome everyone’s opinions and comments on it because once it’s done then it has to go through the mly

Planning Commission and eventually to the council so um it’s important not only the gpac members put give their man input but the you the General Public well and that’s another thing that I’d like to bring up and I bet You’ probably second it these elections are just guidelines and benchmarks in time if you’re not involved and coming out to meetings and being involved in all these things between these twoyear gaps then you’re really not involved this is a full-time deal if you want

yourself to be known you should be known all the time you may have the idea that’s going to make a difference in how the group moves forward we have a community so rich in people and resources with so much knowledge and experience we should never rely on our Council people to have all the answers they’re not our Gods no no some of them may think they are but they’re not our Gods I’m not one of them though but yeah no no elected official has all the answers you know a lot of the like you stated the resource

are out there we got a lot of wonderfully talented people that you know I’m sure we would all appreciate their input and guidance on um you know to to develop a great Community you need all the minds and knowledge put together to create something really good and positive and when you come in front of the council for example and you have all of three minutes to lay out your deal why don’t you go see someone before next true make an appointment with your council member if if you’re your council member is nine people

that’s right you could be in Miki and you say you know I want to see Mike Molina about this cuz I know he’ll be the one that’ll be a that’s the beauty remember we have nine Representatives just another chance to to bring it up again that’s right call your council member or make an appointment if that person does not respond to you or at least give you an appointment remember that come the next election because it’s the duty in my opinion of every elected official to hear every concern no matter

how big or small at least to respond or give some guidance to the constituent and you know I’ve heard of council members who just won’t who refuse to see certain people because of their background I I think in principle that’s a wrong thing because everyone should be treated equally and with respect and at least be given an opportunity to be heard that’s you you guy with the one red nose oh that’s Rudolph the red nose reindeer it’s coming up you know um here we are what almost

the middle of October coming up and by the time you see this it may be justed around the election this is a very important time where those of you who’ve been sitting on the sidelines I hope you’re coming out and making your voice heard and all those of you who’ve registered please vote that’s right make it important no vote no Grumble as they say no vote no Grumble that’s right very important uh what issues have been your passion over these years that you feel you could use

some public input on or anything a couple of my favorit it’s all I spoke of earlier the housing issue also traffic um and resurfacing our roads I’ve always for whatever reason I’ve had a real passion for dealing with r issues uh we we managed to get uh one major issue out in the NorthShore provided some traffic congestion with that little U mini reliever road but the long-term answer is a permanent bypass for the NorthShore and that’s something that I’m I’m working on that certainly must say

whoever has the key to unlock that little reliever Road when it’s locked and I’m in that lane I had more problem getting out of that lane because the gate is locked there needs to be some leave it open would you please leave it open 247 you know so I mean I appreciate what the the land owners concerns but at the same time I think you have to think about the greater good of the community and they have opened it uh made it more accessible to the public over time but you know like you said you could I I I

prefer seeing it open 24/7 and um I guess another reason why people would say to close that road I don’t know if you’ve been in paa in the last couple of weeks but there’s a lot of air there there’s a lot of stores that aren’t open I’m hoping that we all will support our local vendors and there’s a lot of parking now in paa or a lot more than used to be so that’s sort of a double- HED sword you know a lot of parking but what does that tell you about the state of our economy and our small businesses

right so I hope that we all um recognize that we should be supportive of our small businesses here and that’s another thing I’m speaking of small businesses homebased businesses is an issue anything going on with laws there right now I mean that’s a bill in um council member bises committee she’s got some pretty heavy issues in her committies TVR is now the home based uh occupancy Bill uh that is something that we’re going to be addressing in the near future we did deal with it in January

and it will send over to the Planning Commission for comments I believe the bill is back and I think uh we get through with the bed and breakfast TBR matter and I think we’ll go into that particular issue and it’s a very interesting one I think uh we need to provide people opportunities to they want to work out of their homes so long as it’s not disrupted to the neighborhoods traffic noise Etc I think we need to be open to that looking at that option um is there such a thing as a council

blog where people can make comments where there’s sort of a a forum online for ideas you know that’s a good question maybe not aware of a particular blog but you can email your council members with uh your I’m just trying to think of some way that’s um you know sometimes people just don’t come out but they’re at their computers do you live at your computer uh there’s so many ideas and I just know that if I were on Council I would want to have a free and open available information way in advance of

issues and just a weight of I don’t know I would really think that take advantage of the kind of communication links we’ve got especially with the high technology we have now it’s just incredible what we we have at or if I’m on molai and I want to show you my issue that’s going on I take a video put it up online put it into a Blog send word get it out there because that’s another issue with all the work that you’re doing I imagine you don’t do you visit a lot of the other

Islands uh well there’s there’s enough Force to do write here on Maui but whenever we get a chance we go to m me sure you know because you have representatives of and you’re on laai or mikai and maybe I’m creating more work for these Council guys but they’ll love me in the long run that’s right we all love you Jason I don’t know that’s true no you asked the hard question and you bring up some very much much appreciate I’m I really don’t you know if I was asking

hard questions you’d see a little blood on TV I wouldn’t have as many guests I’ve actually had some people who don’t want to come on cuz they think that I like you say I might have a sword but uh I’ve become somewhat known for my funny line oh yeah well time to lay down the swords and come and talk because you may find that that person you think is your adversary is really your friend well I’m I I’m experienced I feel like I’m I’m I’m a piece of Swiss cheese I got so many holes in me from

swords and everything else but uh you know what uh still it’s part of the process and it’s uh we live in a in a in a great system of uh government a democracy and it’s something that I think a lot of folks take take for granted um like yourself i’ I’ve traveled and been to other countries and seen how oppressive governments work uh if you go out and criticize government you know something bad happens to you whereas in America you’re free to say what you have to say knin wood without

any fear of pression from the government so it’s not a perfect system we have but it’s still one if not best system of in the world and uh you know they say think what is it think globally and act locally said it yeah that’s what I I think I flipped it around it’s act locally and think globally but um it’s here it’s right here that really uh everything happens so um I really hope that all of you will come out and find your Council people and speak with them now for newcomers

that are in in this political system you were there once I was there once in fact I guess I’m still there but uh it’s a an exciting time and I hope that no matter who wins an election that all of us can continue to bring our ideas forth to try to make this a better place you you don’t have to be an elected official can make a difference in the world you know that’s that’s the way I see it as a u former school teacher I always used to really emphasize to my students U no matter whether you’re an elected officer

or not get involved and go make a difference because otherwise if you’re going to complain about something and not make an effort don’t complain don’t Grumble are any of your students now old enough to vote oh yeah yeah got a whole bunch of them they’re out there you know and it’s so funny over time um their looks change whereas you sort of stay the same so they’ll recognize you but then I I’ll say hello but I’m thinking now who was that you know but I’m so blessed and thank that I had to work

with some I actually was um doing the thing I’m doing now you know with this financial literacy and I’m sitting there talking to someone there’s a big room and someone from the other side that I didn’t invite is there and they come walking over in their person that brought them is wondering why is he going over there and they come over and they say you may not remember me you were my junior high school substitute you’re Mr Schwarz right kids are so respectful is that something and really

you made an impression their life and I know you’ve done that with your kids I’ve tried my best and I’m really happy to see uh you know a lot of my former students now doing well and um and some of them actually remember some of the lessons that I I taught them some of the things that I forgot and they remembered what I taught them so I’m really impressed I’m glad that something stuff and um they’re leading good lives and um we are all all of us hoping that with what’s going on in our world

right now that we can be leaders and if you see some of that needs some help help them that’s right you see uh something that you need Don’t Be Afraid come and make yourself known not only to your Council people but to all of us we have to learn to be helping each other we have questionable times and we really don’t know my crystal ball is a little hazy but I would say there’s some changes happening and uh we all have to learn that no matter which side of an issue you are on we’re all people

and it’s got to be something that works for everyone and we need to move on you know what whatever tough or difficult issue and as you stated what side you’re on you know we move on after that and still you know work as a community and stay together because we get more done working with each other than working against each other I can keep asking questions but if he is a good question you’re looking for a good question if I was going to ask you a hard question what would it be next question no well I don’t know that

there’s a is there anything that you know that you would like to share about or anything that you feel clarification would be valuable in any way you may not really need it like you say you try to be open and transparent but I want to give you a chance if there’s some subject that while we’ve got a listening and viewing audience that you’d like to share about good or bad oh boy I tell you you know I really wasn’t prepared for question I mean there there’s so many many issues um you and we’ve talked

about some of them already you know the TBR situation the housing situation even development and growth as it is I guess we could focus on that um you know I I I know there’s concerns about growth on the island but unfortunately growth isn’t as long as people are allowed to have babies you will um we’re going to have to deal with it and manage it the best we can and you know you’re going to have more and more proposals for large housing projects down the line but I think it’s important that whoever in

office after me that you know you closely scrutinize every single project and we have to be mindful of our resources uh mindful of our environment um for example the plastic bag band bill which I introduced that’s something that uh helps to keep our environment clean and then we also need to uh deal with water concervation and that manner and other things but you’re uh born and raised here yes I am and and Jason you know for myself I remember for example South Mai you know a lot of wide open

space it was nice that and um of course as time progresses more and more homes come up and and um maybe those who were born here and grew up with me can maybe sort of uh Rel late and that there was some sense of frustration like wow I remember when that we’re going to hang on for just a second oh there’s one of those new things oh flying things a flying thing that’s a big roach maybe his big brother keeping an eye on us I think we’re going to let it go by um yeah I hear you people that live here

that see the open space and they see the change happening and it’s quite a change from what they did I mean I I don’t think Maui will ever get to be like that of Hulu for example I think we’ve learned a lot just by observing what happened to aahu so I think uh as long as we pay close attention to any future proposals and balance the needs of you know housing versus that of preserving a quality of life I think we be okay call me eternal optimist but that’s how I do you’re an eternal optimist yeah you have

to be because I I think if if your your leaders become too pessimistic then what happens to the community then I think um you have to stay stay positive and and and look forward and you know hope there’s nothing wrong with hope yeah and um you know I’ve I’ve now lived in Maui this is 20 years so I hope that those of you here know I’m I’m from Maui you know I’m a Maui guy yeah a lot of people have stood in judgment over the years as time gone not only of me but of everyone that’s come here I I

hope that everyone that’s come here realizes we’re here and we need to honor the host culture and try to keep it alive because a lot of things come here and the the level of change it’s becoming more and more like the mainland I I I’ve always someone once told me uh about within their Community the belief was When in Rome do as the Romans do so I think it’s great that you know we welcome everybody from all different areas but please assimilate with the culture work with everybody and and it

will’ll be okay and that way we prevent any animosity uh you know people who’ve been here a long time versus those who just recently aled well I know I for one would like to see more Hawaiian music ah I love the Hawaiian music now kind of capil some of you guys probably know I have a friend named malono who now lives on mikai who um Mala always let me sing with him but now he has really gone back to his host culture and has been writing in Hawaiian I would really like to see more of the local culture and music and

we’ got so much talent here in Mau tremendous amount of talent we see young folks like AR Helm and then of course you know Willie Kay with his success and Maui’s been winning a lot of those nahoko Awards we got a incredible amount of talent we have a lot of talent and um we want to give the young people a feeling like we’re honoring their culture it is such a nice experience for me when I see a hula Hala and I see people in the group that aren’t only Hawaiian that’s right that’s always a big pleasure that we’re

assimilating people and honoring the host culture and uh it’s it’s nice that people on the mainland when I’m going to the main in this education thing when we bring up Aloha and Hawaiian it is do it dominates their FA light up everyone lights up they all are so appreciative of the the family feeling they get from the people from Hawaii and uh it’s called the spirit of Aloha right that’s right not spirits and Aloha Spirit of that’s right you know a lot of that around here I

want to share with you a funny story uh uh a a person who just recently arrived in Maui told me hey you know this local guy said I’m I’m becoming really good at fitting in with the local culture and he told me that you know he’s not a a a a bra or a bra he just said you’re still a training bra so training bra so the newcomers I guess you’re still males you’d be considered a a training bra if you’ve been here for less than a year but once you get assimilated to the local cult culture then you’ll be a

full-fledged bra you know or brother they say now and if you’re a woman you already come probably with a bra I’m not going there that’s right that’s right I I have Liberties right right um you know it’s always a pleasure to sit with you because you’re very personable and I know that thank you you’ve been really through the trenches here and all kinds of issues what gives you the strength to keep doing it well I think uh you have to U my family um you know I’m I’m I’m

fortunate that uh my family is sometimes my sounding board at home um my uh assistants that I work with in the office I’m very fortunate to have them I’ve got some really hardworking assistants and faith in the above you know I there’s that spiritual need as is that the mayor up on the floor no I know even higher than that even higher I I I think it’s important that uh you know you take time out to to reflect and and appreciate what we have here in Maui County and and whichever um spiritual

being you you worship uh doesn’t matter I think gives gives one a direction One a person Direction and hope and that’s how I I approach life and I take time out to pause and reflect when the day has been a tough one I’ll go down to the ocean or go up to the mountain or just come come here right near the you know the county building and just enjoy what what we have sometimes we forget the little things that make a big difference in our lives and that’s what that that’s what grounds me and keeps me you know

well I’m glad you’re doing it so I don’t have to tell you the truth and there are others that are running and whether they win or lose or whether you win or lose I know that um what it takes is a spirit of cooperation that’s right and uh I’ve never been anywhere in the world where I found um this kind of a level of Aloha I mean there’s something about Maui and mikai and L that is different than anywhere else I’ve ever been and um I’m happy to do my part I appreciate you for

doing thank you and appreciate you for doing all this wonderful work for for the community to uh let the community see elected officials and candidates in a different light very personal way and it’s it’s much appreciated and know when I’m watching the TV if I catch one of your programs with someone else I tune in and watch it’s it’s really a a phenomenon if you will I you I actually am putting a uh challenge out to all of you there this next election that’s coming up we want to see more people

take taking my role I’ve now been doing this five elections and I’ve been waiting for someone or someone’s to get on the television with candidates and sitting elected officials that don’t carry a huge sword meaning let’s bring out people and see what people are all about without trying to knock them down or cut them down uh sometimes these politics around here we don’t bring up issues they say you know that all the stink is under the rug and someday we’ll pick up the rug we

know that but hopefully we can use this kind of a forum here on television to bring out ideas and be a little more gentle and give candidates a little more time to be seen and heard wouldn’t it be wonderful if through one of these shows you suddenly realize that this is an approachable person someone you can actually share your ideas with that politics doesn’t have to be something that’s isolated and separate from ourselves it’s it’s all us I’d like to add to what you say uh you know uh I’ve

had many people come up and tell me God you’re not as bad as uh some of the things I read about you or what the people say you’re very personable and what not and and you know it’s to shows like yours uh I think it it it serves the community in that aspect because even for me before I was a politician I I used to think about you know the politicians before me that oh that person look so you know uh so guarded and and then come to find out when you actually go up and meet them like my

goodness this person look is a very nice person very approachable so the point being is um make your judgment on your own don’t only go by hear s go up and you know make yourselves available that means is if you have groups that endorse different groups it’s nice to know who they endorse but do your own due diligence see who and what you might they may or may not be in agreement with how you feel and just because you know I mean that’s another one I I think people do it for a convenience factor they up

those are the ones I’m going to carry that sheet with me well hopefully this television show has given you an opportunity to get up close and make your own decision excuse me and make your own decision because remember no matter where you are in Maui County you vote for all nine representatives to council and no matter where you are in Maui County Mike Molina can be your Council guy you can choose your Council guy right you can say oh I think this is the guy I want to talk to he’s the one I

want you know and so I really I’m so appreciative when I first started I thought District voting was important and I think it still would be good but I also know there’s a great value in this at large because it means we have nine r representative that’s right no one of them is off the hook because they’re from somewhere else the accountability is to all of us all nine so that’s a good thing I saw our mayor yesterday at u a little lunch and I was walking through and uh I shouldn’t

say but I was stealing fruit salad oh we were at another event in the same place they had strawberries and pineapple all we had was um miso soup I didn’t think that was a good dessert oh it’s okay still tasty though so there was the mayor coming in and um she is working hard you know we all criticize decisions and we all have our own two cents and opinions get on out there and uh be part of this and I think you’ll appreciate no matter what’s going on your involvement will make you feel more satisfied that

you’re shaping the direction of the place that you live and creating a legacy for the future whether or not you’re in office you are the ones you know I’m often brought out to sing We are the world we are the world that’s right it’s a choice that we’re making we can save our own lives or just figure it’s the responsibility of somebody else I think it’s all our own responsibility and opportunity this is the land of the free and the home of the brave if so prove it exercise your right and

opportunity and get out there to vote for the general and you know I was so disappointed to see the turnout for our recent primary election I think it’s important everybody get out there and at least make ma don’t make Maui County uh have the worst showing in terms of vter turnout and for yourself well you said it earlier I thought you say no come out no Grumble no Grumble no Mumble no no vote no Grumble no vote no Grumble no Grumble no stumble whatever here Jason that’s great you know bottom line you know we want you to

be involved whether you win or lose we hope you always win and you always win if you participate and you never win when you just sit on the sideline so if nothing else please get out and vote okay that’s right and stay healthy that’s uh that’s another big important thing your your health and family and being surrounded by friends that’s uh also something very to be mindful of you regardless of what happens with certain issues or elections and if you see a stranger make him a friend that’s right make a difference in

somebody’s life that’s right thank you again for joining me thank you Jason it’s always a pleasure and uh keep up the great work I hope we get a chance to do this again I I hope so too even between elections I I have a standing offer that I’d be welcome if you ever have things that you want to share about I know you have many opportunities in different Arenas but you have an open door here with me a thank you same with me uh my my door has always been open to to everybody to come on in and share out

their concerns and thoughts so so for all uh candidates elected officials keep your doors open and make the opportunity to hear everybody’s concerns whe whether you can solve them you know that’s another thing but at least make the effort to try and help the constituent and be open like you I will thank you thank you all for joining us we hope that you enjoyed Today’s Show and have an opportunity to get up close with Mike Molina thank you so much again Mike pleasure M Jason and Aloha everyone

thank you for watching aloha no matter where you go no matter what you do take that Maui Style with you cuz if you ain’t Maui styling you just living on an [Music] island stying don’t let me down stying don’t let me down stying don’t let me down M Tha don’t let me down there is sunshine in your heart it’s been with you from the Star lift your head look to the heavens then you will feel brand new again don’t stop me now my don’t let me down my St don’t let me down my

don’t let me down B sty don’t let me down reach out your hand and help each other your mother your father your sister and brother there is love in this family pick yourself up and get on your feet Don’t Stop Me Now Mau stying don’t let me down Mau stying don’t let me down stying don’t let me down stying let me down stying country sty sty sty H stying why styling [Music] stying don’t let me down stying let me down stying let me [Music] go St now Mai stying [Music] [Applause]