By Mayor Charmaine Tavares,
County of Maui

For many years our county’s construction industry has grown tremendously, and as development continues to meet the needs of our increasing population, building green has risen to the forefront of public awareness. Energy efficient construction that meets LEED and Energy Star standards has been shown to produce energy savings of 20 percent to 50 percent, while claims that a project’s cost can be regained sooner make building green attractive to developers. With lower utility and maintenance costs, improved indoor air quality, and an expected higher resale value, the opportunity to add green development projects to more traditional ones is worth keeping an eye on.

As our islands work toward protecting limited natural resources, building green makes good business sense. It meets the growing demand of savvy home buyers and commercial investors who are interested in a green future – an emerging market in today’s construction industry.

Throughout my ten years as a Maui County Council member, I have been committed to advancing a green future for Maui County. It gives us a broader reach of opportunities while safeguarding our limited resources.

Since I took office as Mayor in January of this year, my administration has been able to make significant progress in a number of other important areas. Upon taking office, I focused my attention on a budget proposal that is practical and responsible. I was pleased with the final results, which addressed community needs while staying within the county’s fiscal means. One of my priorities was to repair and upgrade our county’s long neglected infrastructure. Over $80 million was appropriated for road, wastewater, drainage and water system improvements.

The current budget also includes funds for a new park and police station for South Maui, the fastest growing community in our county. Additional funds for environmental protection, agriculture, renewable energy, and sustainability programs were included to promote a diversified, balanced and sustainable economy, as well as increase our use of renewable energy sources.

Maui County hosted the first Energy Expo, “Green Power, Green Future” in early November, which brought together business, government and community members to showcase current and emerging technologies, and addressed important issues surrounding our county’s renewable energy future. The Expo highlighted ways local companies and residents are reducing their carbon footprint and underscored the urgency for the active pursuit of renewable energy options.

We have made measurable progress in another critical area, affordable housing. An essential need that I have supported throughout my ten years on the Maui County Council prior to becoming Mayor. The first residential workforce housing agreement under the new County of Maui Workforce Housing law was recently signed. The agreement between the county and Pulehu Farm, LLC will bring 17 new affordable units to the Upcountry area, and my administration is currently working on two other affordable housing agreements that will likely be signed by the end of this year.

The pressing need for affordable housing is in direct correlation with the considerable population increase our county has experienced. In a ten-year period from 1980 to 1990, Maui County was the fastest growing county in the state, growing 41.6 percent compared to Oahu’s 9.7 percent, Hawaii County’s 30.7 percent and Kauai’s 30.9 percent.

Although growth percentages were lower in the following ten years from 1990 to 2000, Maui County continued to experience a larger proportion of population increase. During that period Maui County increased by 27.6 percent, while Oahu grew by 4.8 percent, Hawaii County by 23.6 percent, and Kauai County by 14.2 percent. A continuation of this trend would give Maui County a unique opportunity to partner with the construction industry and lead the way to a greener future.

Construction in Maui County generates over $200 million a year and plays a vital role in our economic well-being. We need to continue to explore ways traditional development can incorporate environmentally conscious features, to bring together the best of both worlds.