Be Educated
I’M INTERESTED IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE. WHERE DO I START?
Comprised of four islands: Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, and Kahoʻolawe— there is no place like Maui County. But living here comes with significant challenges—ones that could put life here out of reach for our local people. The high cost of living, lack of affordable housing, and an over-dependence on tourism as the primary economic driver, make it really hard on people trying to make ends meet to maintain a decent quality of life in Maui County. Learning about issues that directly impact you allows for a deeper understanding of their root causes and potential solutions, empowering you to advocate for positive change within your community.
THREE ISSUES WE MUST GET RIGHT
HOUSING
It’s a fact. The cost of housing is out of reach for most Maui County residents. Learn why and what can and should be done to create enough homes for us all.
ECONOMY
Living in Maui County requires a strong economy that supports local businesses and provides good-paying jobs. Learn how our economy works here and what we can do to make it work better for all of us.
QUALITY OF LIFE
Our culture, environment, and community are what distinguish us from every other place on Earth. Learn what we must do to preserve our way of life, so we not only survive—but thrive.
By 2030, approximately 7,000 new housing units will be needed to meet housing demand for Maui County. That is less than seven years away.
80% of every dollar spent in Maui County is directly and indirectly generated by the visitor industry – making it the true “economic engine” for the County of Maui.
An estimated $3.2 billion in economic loss is due to climate change-induced structure and land loss.
The scarcity of available land and limited space for development contribute to higher land and construction costs. Lengthy permitting processes and environmental considerations make it even more complicated to develop affordable housing, leading to delays and increased expenses. These factors collectively make it increasingly difficult to build affordable housing in Maui County, exacerbating the housing affordability crisis for the local community.
Maui County needs economic diversity so we aren’t solely dependent on tourism. Relying primarily on tourism as our primary economic driver makes us vulnerable to external factors such as natural disasters, economic downturns, or shifts in travel trends. Diversifying the economy would help create a more stable and resilient foundation by fostering growth in sectors like renewable energy, agriculture, technology, and more, enhancing long-term economic sustainability.
The greatest threat to our quality of life is climate change, but successfully mitigating and adapting to its effects will not be easy. It will require balancing the need for future development with the preservation of the islands’ natural resources, the right policies and strategies to address our vulnerabilities, and significant investment in infrastructure and research.
HOUSING
It’s a fact. The cost of housing is out of reach for most Maui County residents. Learn why and what can and should be done to create enough homes for us all.
By 2030, approximately 7,000 new housing units will be needed to meet housing demand for Maui County. That is less than seven years away.
The scarcity of available land and limited space for development contribute to higher land and construction costs. Lengthy permitting processes and environmental considerations make it even more complicated to develop affordable housing, leading to delays and increased expenses. These factors collectively make it increasingly difficult to build affordable housing in Maui County, exacerbating the housing affordability crisis for the local community.
ECONOMY
Living in Maui County requires a strong economy that supports local businesses and provides good-paying jobs. Learn how our economy works here and what we can do to make it work better for all of us.
80% of every dollar spent in Maui County is directly and indirectly generated by the visitor industry – making it the true “economic engine” for the County of Maui.
Maui County needs economic diversity so we aren’t solely dependent on tourism. Relying primarily on tourism as our primary economic driver makes us vulnerable to external factors such as natural disasters, economic downturns, or shifts in travel trends. Diversifying the economy would help create a more stable and resilient foundation by fostering growth in sectors like renewable energy, agriculture, technology, and more, enhancing long-term economic sustainability.
QUALITY OF LIFE
Our culture, environment, and community are what distinguish us from every other place on Earth. Learn what we must do to preserve our way of life, so we not only survive—but thrive.
An estimated $3.2 billion in economic loss is due to climate change-induced structure and land loss.
The greatest threat to our quality of life is climate change, but successfully mitigating and adapting to its effects will not be easy. It will require balancing the need for future development with the preservation of the islands’ natural resources, the right policies and strategies to address our vulnerabilities, and significant investment in infrastructure and research.