Mālama I Ke Kai, Mālama I Ke Alanui | Protecting the Sea, Protecting the Road
Kahului is the engine of Maui, yet we are treated like a pass-through.
Our harbor is the lifeline of the island, but the workers who run it are under threat from automation. Our streets are widened for rental cars, while our keiki and kupuna risk their lives just trying to cross to school or the store.
"Infrastructure" isn't just concrete; it’s about who the system is built for. Is it built for the machines? Or is it built for the people?
The Harbor: Modernization, Not Automation
Standing with the ILWU Longshoremen
Kahului Harbor is about to undergo massive state-led modernization. The establishment talks about "efficiency" and "AI logistics." We know what that is code for: Replacing local workers with robots.
We saw what happened at the automated terminals on the mainland. We will not let that happen here.
My Policy: "Human-in-the-Loop" Guarantee
I will condition any County support or zoning permits for Harbor expansion on a strict Anti-Automation Clause:
The Guarantee: Any new crane, logistics system, or gate technology installed at Kahului Harbor must retain a "Human-in-the-Loop" operator requirement.
The Logic: We support upgrading our equipment to make the job safer and faster. But we do not support technology that exists solely to eliminate the union paycheck that supports a local family.
The Solidarity: If the State DOT tries to bypass the ILWU to fully automate our docks, I will use the County’s permitting authority to shut the construction gate.
"Efficiency that costs a father his job isn't progress. It's poverty." — Aunty Carol
Safe Streets: Reclaiming Our Roads
People Before Rental Cars
We are spending millions to widen Puʻunēnē Avenue to move traffic faster. But what about the people walking? Kahului has the highest rate of pedestrian accidents on the island. Our streets are designed like highways, dividing our neighborhoods instead of connecting them.
My Plan: "Safe Routes" for Keiki & Kupuna
The "School Zone" Audit: Immediate funding to install Raised Crosswalks (speed tables) and flashing beacons in front of Maui High, Kahului Elementary, and Lihikai. A painted line is not protection against a distracted tourist.
The "Senior Circuit": Prioritize sidewalk repairs and lighting on the routes connecting Hale Mahaolu to the shopping centers. Our kupuna shouldn't have to walk in the gutter.
Accountability: The Puʻunēnē Avenue Widening Project is scheduled to finish in April 2026. If the contractor is late, I will demand the County enforce maximum penalty fees. No more "sweetheart extensions" for delays.
Water Sovereignty: The "Purple Pipe" Revolution
Stop Wasting Our Most Precious Resource
For years, we have pumped millions of gallons of treated wastewater into injection wells, polluting our reefs and wasting fresh water. Meanwhile, our farmers and parks are thirsty.
The Solution:
We will accelerate the expansion of the R-1 "Purple Pipe" Distribution System in Central Maui.
The Goal: 100% of the wastewater from the Kahului Reclamation Facility must be recycled for irrigation, dust control, and agriculture.
The Bond: Use "Green Bond" financing to pay for the distribution lines to get this water to the parks and farms in Central Maui.
The Result: We stop polluting the ocean and we stop draining our aquifer to water grass.
THE KULEANA PLEDGE
If elected, I promise to:
Defend Union Jobs: I will oppose any Harbor modernization plan that does not include a written guarantee of ILWU staffing levels.
Fix the Sidewalks: Allocate $2 million in my first budget specifically for pedestrian safety repairs in District 8.
Finish the Job: Hold the Administration accountable for finishing the Puʻunēnē Avenue project on time and on budget.