NAME: James Forrest

AGE: 48

RESIDENCE: Wailuku

OCCUPATION: Environmental Attorney

1. What were the biggest vulnerabilities that the Kula and Lahaina fires exposed, and how would you as a council member work to address those issues? 

Our biggest vulnerability is failed leadership from Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee.  Maui County needs New Leadership that does not take thousands of dollars in campaign donations from Luxury Developers.  I have over 25 years’ experience as an attorney, mostly as a public servant and working for nonprofits.  I have the legal expertise to write laws that put LOCALS 1^st.  

The Kula and Lahaina fires exposed major vulnerabilities in Maui County’s disaster preparedness, communication, and infrastructure. One glaring issue is the lack of timely, coordinated responses to emergencies, which has endangered lives and property. After the 2018 Lahaina fire, Council Chair Alice Lee FAILED to take decisive action despite clear warnings, highlighting a leadership gap in addressing the island’s needs. After 16 years on the Council, it’s time for her to retire and let the next generation of leaders clean up the mess she created. 

As a Council member, I would push for a comprehensive overhaul of our emergency management system. This includes improving communication protocols, ensuring that alerts reach all residents swiftly, and upgrading fire prevention measures. We need to prioritize upgrading infrastructure, such as water systems and evacuation routes, that can mitigate damage in future emergencies. 

It’s time for new leadership that doesn’t just react, but proactively prepares our communities for the growing threats of climate change and wildfires. We need leaders who listen to the concerns of experts and residents alike, and I am committed to being that voice of change on the Council.

2. With so many people in temporary housing situations after the fires, how should we as a county pivot to address the need for affordable housing going forward?

The fires have only intensified the urgent need for affordable housing in Maui County, especially with so many displaced residents now in temporary housing. Unfortunately, Council Chair Alice Lee’s campaign is funded by luxury home developers like Ledcor in Wailea, making it clear that she prioritizes their interests over the needs of local families. These luxury developments not only inflate housing costs but also drain our scarce water supply—resources that should be reserved for affordable housing, not high-end estates.

As a Council member, I will fight to ensure that our water resources and land are used for the benefit of local families, not luxury developers. Maui County needs new leadership—leadership that doesn’t take campaign donations from luxury home developers. I have signed the Our Hawaii Pledge to not accept donations from corporations or developers, and I will work to create policies that prioritize affordable housing projects, streamline approval processes, and ensure that local workers can live in the communities they serve.  I have over 25 years’ experience as an attorney, mostly as a public servant and working for nonprofits.  I have the legal expertise to write laws that put LOCALS 1^st.  

3. What is your stance on Mayor Richard Bissen’s proposal to phase out short-term rentals in Maui County? If it passes, where could we find the funds to replace vacation rental tax revenues?

Mayor Bissen’s proposal to phase out STRs needs improvement to ensure that Maui’s housing stock serves local residents, not tourists, while also protecting our economy.  I would make it better by focusing the effort on incentivizing local ownership of STRs to reverse the current trend where 85% of STR’s on the Minatoya List are owned by nonresidents.  

Maui County should create a property tax structure that incentivizes local ownership of STRs.  The current property tax structure serves the interests of nonresident owners, WHY?  Currently, Council Chair Alice Lee’s campaign is funded by timeshare PACs like ARDA Roc Pac, which prioritize vacation rentals over affordable housing. This has contributed to the housing crisis on Maui, where locals are pushed out by vacationers.  Alice Lee has taken thousands of dollars in campaign donations from Mainland corporations and PACs, and it is all public record.  She files the reports herself; so, she can’t deny it.  Be an educated voter and look up Alice Lee’s campaign contributions on the Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission website.  Hold her accountable, and let’s put an end to outside interest influencing our local elections. 

If a STR phase out is passed, we can replace vacation rental tax revenues by increasing property taxes on large hotels and timeshares, and ensuring that revenue goes to affordable housing and to fund other local needs. Maui deserves new leadership that doesn’t take money from luxury developers or timeshare PACs. I’ll fight for policies that put LOCALS 1st.

4. Many local businesses couldn’t survive the decline in tourism during the pandemic and after the fires. What can the county do to make our economy more resilient and foster the growth of other industries in addition to tourism?

Maui County needs New Leadership that puts local business ahead of luxury hotels.  The pandemic and recent fires revealed the fragility of our economy, especially for local businesses dependent on tourism. Tourism isn’t the enemy, but we must transition to local ownership of hotels to keep profits on Maui. This shift can fuel a circular economy where profits are reinvested locally, benefiting agriculture, renewable energy, and tech sectors. By supporting these industries and promoting local ownership, we can diversify and strengthen our economy. This will ensure that Maui remains resilient and sustainable, reducing reliance on outside interests and promoting prosperity for all residents.

Take a look at the Fogo Island Inn for an example of how tourism isn’t the enemy if you promote local ownership and pay employees a living wage.  The Fogo Island Inn supports the local economy through an innovative “economic nutrition” receipt, which breaks down how much of a guest’s payment stays within the community. This transparency shows how local materials, labor, and suppliers are used, with a large percentage of profits reinvested into local initiatives. By prioritizing local sourcing and employing island residents, the inn creates a sustainable model that keeps wealth circulating within Fogo Island, boosting the community’s economic well-being while preserving cultural and environmental integrity. This model fosters long-term resilience and self-sufficiency for the island’s economy.  It’s time for new leadership with new ideas.  After 16 years on the Council, Alice Lee needs to retire and let the next generation of leaders take over. 

5. Drought, fires, housing projects and large-scale agriculture remind us that water is in short supply and high demand. How can we make sure the county has enough water resources to go around?

Maui’s water supply is in crisis, strained by drought, fires, and luxury housing projects. Unfortunately, luxury hotels and golf courses, which are Maui County’s biggest water users and wasters, fund Council Chair Alice Lee’s campaign. Be an educated voter and look at her voting history.  Alice Lee has voted against local control of water and in favor of private corporations owning our water, which prioritizes corporate interests over community needs.  She voted against the Charter Amendment that created local water authorities like the East Maui Water Authority.  The PEOPLE voted to pass the Charter Amendment by a huge majority.  Then, as Chair of the Council, she delayed the creation of the East Maui Water Authority.  Next, she tried to amend the budget to defund it.  Finally, she raised baseless ethics issues to taint the Executive Director which were dismissed.  Get the picture?  She serves EMI, Alexander & Baldwin, and Mahi Pono not locals, not you. Look at her campaign donations and hold her accountable.

As a Council member, I will fight to raise water rates on hotels and luxury developments to ensure they pay their fair share. Local control of water through public authorities is key to ensuring sustainable management that benefits Maui’s residents, not private corporations. 

Maui needs leaders who will not take money from the very industries causing our water crisis. I am committed to protecting our water resources and ensuring that they are managed in a way that serves LOCALS 1st.

6. The council recently passed a bill that paused the Managed Retreat Fund. However, sea level rise and erosion are still a problem, including at Baldwin Beach Park where the pavilion was removed last month. How can we address eroding shorelines while still making sure housing and other fire-related issues are funded? 

The recent decision to pause the Managed Retreat Fund is short-sighted, especially as sea level rise and erosion continue to threaten areas like Baldwin Beach Park. The removal of the pavilion is a reminder that our shorelines are rapidly disappearing. Unfortunately, luxury hotels and golf courses that fund Council Chair Alice Lee’s campaign fought against the managed retreat, prioritizing short-term profits over long-term environmental solutions.

As a Council member, I will advocate for reinstating the Managed Retreat Fund while ensuring fire recovery and housing projects remain funded. We need a balanced approach that addresses both housing and environmental resilience. This includes allocating resources to relocate vulnerable infrastructure, protecting our beaches and natural habitats, and implementing stricter zoning laws to prevent development in high-risk areas. By ensuring that luxury developments pay their fair share, we can generate the necessary revenue to tackle these issues without sacrificing community needs or environmental protection.

We can create hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue by increasing property taxes on large hotels and timeshares, and ensuring that revenue goes to affordable housing and to fund other local needs. Maui deserves new leadership that doesn’t take money from luxury developers or timeshare PACs that harm our environment to increase their profits. I’ll fight for policies that put LOCALS 1^st and that means protecting our environment and make hotels pay their fair share.

7. What is your stance on the Maui County charter amendments that will appear on the ballot?

Supporting Resolution 24-95 is crucial to ending corruption in Maui politics. This amendment would authorize full-time staff for the Maui County Board of Ethics, enhancing its ability to investigate and hold accountable those who exploit our political system. Currently, 80% of Maui County Council Chair Alice Lee’s corporate and PAC donations come from Honolulu and the mainland, showing that her interests lie with outside developers rather than locals. We need new leadership that prioritizes residents, not luxury developers, and this amendment is a vital step toward restoring integrity in local government. Nuff Already!

I oppose Resolution 24-96, because vacancies on Maui’s boards and commissions are too often filled by pro-development insiders who don’t put locals first. Allowing reappointment for an additional term could further entrench the influence of developers and lead to overdevelopment that harms our communities. We need fresh voices that prioritize Maui’s people and environment, not the same individuals who support luxury development. I can’t support a proposal that might be used by developers to stack these important boards and commissions.

I support Resolution 24-99, because it removes barriers to equitable employment for residents of Molokai and Lana‘i. High travel costs prevent qualified applicants from applying for leadership roles, resulting in unequal opportunities. By aligning the Salary Commission’s authority with the Hawai‘i State Constitution, this amendment ensures fair and consistent salaries, making leadership roles more accessible to all. This ensures our government reflects the interests of all its residents, not just those on Maui Island.