Accomplishments

Action

Paid for by the Charmaine Tavares Campaign

We are continually reminded of the financial challenges that lie before us as individuals and families, as a county and as a nation.  Nevertheless, for every challenge we face, it is important that we take the time to reflect on the successes that have been accomplished in the past three years.  The work has just begun and there is much more to be accomplished.  These are just a few highlights of our successes.

Remaining Fiscally Responsible

1. •Prepared for the downturn in our economy by directing departments to institute budget conservation to realize 16% savings in each of the last two fiscal years
   

2. •Secured over $2 million dollars for the planning and design of a new Emergency Management Center and the Wailuku Municipal Parking Structure
   

3. •Led the effort to apply for more than $30 million dollars in federal stimulus money for infrastructure projects and to help those in need in our community
   

4. •Established a Fiscal Implementation Team (FIT) to review and approve large and/or discretionary expenditures on a countywide basis (e.g., mainland travel, equipment)
   

5. •Implemented employee self-service program, which allows employees to make personnel information changes electronically, reducing paper processing time and the eliminating the cost of printing forms
   

6. •Oversaw the transition to LED traffic signal lighting, which saves the County more than $55,000 in annual electricity costs
   

7. •Facilitated the reduced of energy consumption by the Dept. of Water Supply by adjusting pumping and treatment schedules to off-peak hours; the Department’s successful pilot project has saved the County more than $1 million
   

8. •Pushed for the installation of mechanical and electrical systems that use less electricity, and replaced motors with higher efficiency models in our Wastewater Division, saving over 14,000 barrels of oil annually
   

9. •Saw through the renovation and installation of new energy-efficient membrane technologies at Lahaina and Kamole surface water treatment facilities, reducing operating costs.
   

Expanding Public Transit

1. • Since 2007, secured over $5 million dollars in federal funds that have gone towards getting additional buses for our Maui Bus program.
   

2. •Support the purchase of 84-passenger double decker buses to eliminate the need for passengers to stand.
   

3. •Begun permitting process for bus shelters across the island, including Makawao Avenue, Queen Kaahumanu Center, and South Kihei Road.
   

4. •Launched the “Maui Bus Ambassador” outreach program for youth ages 5-15, to teach them about the benefits of bus ridership
   

5. •Forged partnership with Google Transit so customers can access entire Maui bus system on Google’s website.
   

Harnessing Energy

1. • Brought together two sold-out Energy Expos to showcase new ideas and pave the way toward reaching an ambitious goal of meeting 95% of our energy needs through renewable energy sources by the year 2020
   

2. •Converted a hybrid County vehicle to a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with the help of Maui High School’s nationally recognized automotive program through a partnership with the U.S. Dept. of Energy and the Idaho National Laboratory; this vehicle will provide valuable data to further improve and develop vehicles for broader use
   

3. •Initiated energy storage systems and integration studies designed to enable the increased mix of unlimited wind, solar, and wave energy into the Maui County electric grid
   

4. •Began exploring ways to use the County’s water supply system to generate electricity and create virtual capacity storage through hydroelectric technologies and water pumping demand synchronization.
   

Protecting Our Environment

1. •Started the Mayor’s Reef Task Force in 2008 in support of the International Year of the Reef to provide education to our residents and visitors
   

2. •Opened the Kihei Recycling Center, which features native landscaping, reclaimed water irrigation, and solar lighting
   

3. •Removed 4,000 tons of metal from the Molokai Landfill, and almost 2,500 tons (474 truckloads) of metal from the Hana Landfill
   

4. •Supported the passage of the plastic bag ban bill, which made Maui County the first in the state to ban plastic bags; the new law will go into effect in January 2011
   

5. •Facilitated the donation of over 200 low-flow showerheads and 300+ faucet aerators to a homeless resource center and a low-income housing facility, resulting in 60% reduced water consumption
   

6. •Secured over $1 million in contracts issued for protection of East Maui, West Maui, Leeward Haleakala, and East Molokai watersheds to remove miconia and other invasive weeds, as well as study groundwater and stream water.
   

7. •Oversaw the production of more than 300 one-minute “Malama Maui Nui” radio spots providing valuable information about Hawaii’s natural history and conservation efforts in our County
   

8. •Introduced a resolution supporting safe, effective biological control for Maui County’s forest pests, which the County Council unanimously approved
   

9. •Appointed a community-working group on wastewater reclamation programs that will help us find ways to utilize this important resource.
   

10. •Introduced a resolution supporting safe, effective biological control for Maui County’s forest pests, which the County Council unanimously approved.
    

Improving our Infrastructure

1. •Allocated $122 million for valuable infrastructure improvements, including water source development, water transmission lines, wastewater treatment systems, landfills, roads and drainage projects
   

2. •Oversaw the improvement of water storage tanks to provide additional water storage in Makawao and Haiku
   

3. •Implemented a pavement management system of County roadways to rate and prioritize roadway segments for restoration
   

4. •Entered into agreements with Castle & Cooke, Inc. to establish a recycling center on a one-acre site on Lanai, and convey ownership of the 35-acre Lanai Landfill to the County
   

5. •Completed corridor improvements along Market Street to promote traffic calming and walkability.
   

Investing in People

1. •Appointed the first Mayor’s Council on Health to address the health needs of our community by sponsoring workshops and seminars and by advocating for programs that improve our health and well being
   

2. •Supported the Kamaaina Come Home Program, to encourage Maui’s young people to return to Maui to work in the high tech industry, and the Women in Technology program, to encourage young women to explore science, technology, engineering, and math careers.
   

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