Tavares asks for help with housing, energy, water

The Maui News
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
By ILIMA LOOMIS, Staff Writer

WAILUKU - Mayor Charmaine Tavares gave a low-key pitch to legislators on state money committees Tuesday, saying housing and renewable energy programs would be the county's top priorities in the coming years.

In contrast with her predecessor, former Mayor Alan Arakawa, who often read lengthy and detailed testimony in his annual appeal to state lawmakers, Tavares spoke off the cuff and focused on a few key issues, noting she was in just her 10th working day on the job and was still "sifting through the facts" left to her when she took office.

Her focus on housing was familiar territory to members of the House Finance and Senate Ways and Means committees, who also heard about it from mayors of other counties on Tuesday.

"There's an echo in the room," Tavares said, adding. "Affordable housing is a very high priority."

The county's recently passed work force housing policy should address housing needs for families earning above the median, Tavares said, while newly appointed Housing Commissioner Jo Anne Ridao would focus on facilitating projects aimed for those making below median.

Tax incentives and supporting infrastructure could help those low-end projects get off the ground, Tavares reminded legislators.

Tavares also focused on one of her favorite issues, alternative energy.

"Our second priority for Maui County is in the renewable energy area," she said.

The county needs not just one form of energy technology, but a "menu or smorgasbord" of programs, Tavares said. In particular, she wanted to see the county focus on developing biofuels and energy-producing crops, to take advantage of Maui's agricultural lifestyle and promote sustainability.

In response to questions from committee members, Tavares said the state could support her goal by funding research projects.

"R and D money . . . would be helpful," she said.

In the area of capital improvement projects, Tavares said water systems would continue to be a priority.

"Our focus is on water and water source development," she said.

She urged legislators to continue providing funds to develop a dual waterline Upcountry to deliver nonpotable water to farmers who currently tap the residential water system to water their crops.

Tavares also said she wanted to add more reservoir capacity Upcountry, so the system could catch water during rainy seasons and hold it for times of drought.

"We need more storage Upcountry," she said. "I don't need a study to tell me that."

In other issues, Tavares said she would continue to "implore" legislators to grant at least half of the money collected through uncontested traffic fines to be returned to the county. Currently county policy officers issue citations for traffic and parking violations, but all the money collected goes to the state.

She also asked lawmakers to grant the county more power to pass certain laws through enabling legislation, saying the county is currently "hampered" by having to turn to the state for permission when it needs to act.

"This is a no-cost item to the state," Tavares said.

She asked legislators to focus on recycling programs for Maui County, as well as school repairs and renovations, and "our favorite topic, the Lahaina bypass."

Sen. Roz Baker, D-South Maui, West Maui, asked if the state could count on county support for the projects when it comes to things like building crucial connector roads and expediting permits for construction.

Tavares acknowledged that slow permit review by the county Planning Department has been a "sore spot" for all residents, and said the county should do more to "triage" the process and expedite certain projects before others.

Projects like the Lahaina bypass that provide a substantial public benefit should get special consideration, she said.

"Those should go to the top of the line," she said.

Baker also asked about Tavares' plans for the Maui Bus system, noting that ridership has been steadily increasing.

Tavares said she wanted to move forward with the next planned phase of the system, which involves adding more buses to increase the frequency of existing routes. She also planned to ask for additional service to South and West Maui.

"People want it and they're riding it," she said. "We need to enhance and support what people want."

Sen. J. Kalani English, D-East Maui, Molokai, Lanai, asked what Tavares was doing to reopen the road near Kaupo, closed due to unstable conditions since October's earthquakes.

Tavares said the county was waiting for a final geological report on conditions in the area, and would then meet to come up with a plan.

"That'll be in about a week, I think," she said.

The county would then meet with residents to discuss the plan and possible options with them, she said, noting that the county previously set aside $2 million from its self-insurance fund to cover costs of the repairs.

English also asked Tavares to remember his district of Molokai and Lanai when drafting her administration's budget.

"Please make sure the islands get their fair share," he said.

Tavares said she expected the Maui County Council not to let her forget about Maui's neighboring islands.

"The council chair is from Lanai, and the vice chair is from Molokai, so I better not forget them," she said.