NAME: Yuki Lei Kashiwa Sugimura

AGE: 71 

RESIDENCE: Kula

OCCUPATION: Maui County Council member, Upcountry

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? 

Housing:  Maui had a housing shortage pre 2023 wildfire.  The disaster further exacerbated our housing shortages by urgently needing housing for approximately 2,100 residents who were impacted by the wildfires.   

Evacuation plans: Our communities are asking for evacuation plans in case of another disaster which may require coordination with the State of Hawaii as well as Maui Emergency Management and County departments. 

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?

To address the affordable housing needs, the County already has in place the first time homebuyer program,  established pre-approved building plans to expedite the process of rebuilding, supported an additional ohana dwelling program, expedited building permitting processing.    

Projects that have access to water, entitled and are ready to build, such as Kuikahi Village, Wailuku, Waikapu Country Town and the Department of Hawaiian Home Land projects are projects we should help expedite.  We should also assist State of Hawaii wildfire impacted projects, Front Street and Lahaina Surf rebuild from the Wildfires. 

I have advocated for permanent housing for the wildfire victims, not only temporary housing which is now the focus on wildfire rebuilds.

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?

Your question focuses on some of the challenges with the proposed bill, how do we replace lost real property taxes, through this sweeping legislative change?   In FY 2024 the revenue from STVR was approximately $214M or 40% of the real property tax collected.  We have to replace that loss of possibly cut back basic services to our residents. 

To better understand the impact of this decision, the council is soliciting a study to best understand the impacts of this bill.   The study will include facts and data to allow the council to make a broader decision.

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?

The county of Maui developed with the assistance of the Maui Economic Development the Comprehensive Economic Development Study CEDS report to guide economic resilience and funding.  Through focus groups on every island the following focuses were developed: Agriculture; Construction;  Energy; 

Health and Wellness;  Science, Technology and Innovation; Sports and Recreation.  These subject areas highlighted in the CEDS study will focus economic revitalization for the County and bring federal and state funding. 

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?

We need to find more water sources and expand our opportunities for infrastructure and technology. I am especially focused on Upcountry where we have large ranchers, farmers, Upcountry Farmers Market and our residents.  We are heavily dependent upon surface water and we need more ground water also. 

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? 

This ordinance allowed the  Managed Retreat fund to be paused for three fiscal years to allow these funds to be used towards wildfire mitigation. In the fiscal year 2025 budget, a majority of County Council members voted to support Texas real estate developer Paul Cheng for the Pulelehua project to get the money from the managed retreat fund, saying housing needs are more pressing than protecting the shoreline or moving buildings and infrastructure inland.  

There is a process available which will allow private citizens to fund through their real property taxes “T Groins” or structures in the ocean to mitigate the shoreline erosion.   If approved, the process would also then place Maui County taxpayers responsible for any future liability,  maintenance and repair for mitigation in the future.  Also it was shared we do not have a department of the County that is responsible to maintain  infrastructure in the ocean.    This process has not been used as of this date due to the challenges aforementioned. 

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

I believe that voters need to know they should not leave the ballots blank if they do understand the questions. 

Resolution 24-95, FD1, entitled “PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 10 OF THE REVISED CHARTER OF THE COUNTY OF MAUI (1983), AS AMENDED, TO AUTHORIZE FULL-TIME STAFF FOR THE MAUI COUNTY BOARD OF ETHICS”

I support this:  The Board of Ethics provides a service to the county to ensure transparency and to follow the laws and conduct of the administration, volunteers who serve on boards and commissions and employees who adhere to the standards of our Charter, County Code and Rules and Regulations. This authorization will allow for more oversight of the decisions of the Board of Ethics body. 

Resolution 24-96, CD1, FD1, entitled “PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLES 13 AND 15 OF THE REVISED CHARTER OF THE COUNTY OF MAUI (1983), AS AMENDED, TO ALLOW REAPPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TO ONE SUCCESSIVE TERM”

I support this,  because it is valuable to willing and able board and commission members who are willing to fulfill the responsibility iof the particular commission with Council approval.

Resolution 24-99, FD1, entitled “PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE 8 OF THE REVISED CHARTER OF THE COUNTY OF MAUI (1983), AS AMENDED, TO MAKE THE SALARY COMMISSION’S AUTHORITY CONSISTENT WITH THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAIʻI”

I do not support this.  Must be vetted further with the impacts.