NAME: Nara Boone

AGE: 51

RESIDENCE: Haiku

OCCUPATION: Singer/Voice Teacher/Co-Founder of Maui Housing Hui (Housing Advocacy)

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? 

The wildfires exposed lots of vulnerabilities, not the least of which is the lack of upkeep of large plots of land—allowing invasive, highly flammable grasses and trees to flourish. The privatization of water delivery systems, along with water diversion, making it difficult to access sufficient water supply. Old, termite riddled power poles, some overladen with lines easily blown down. Unqualified personnel in charge of the Emergency Operations Center. No communication capabilities without cell service. Itʻs painful and uncomfortable to recite the shortcomings so Iʻll stop there. As a council member, I will make sure cronyism is out and qualified people are put in positions of importance. I will push for underground utilities (in places not containing ʻiwi kupuna) and above ground in cement culverts or another containment system where necessary. I will work with landowners and the Department of Agriculture to encourage the planting of native species—both for food and fire mitigation. And Iʻll work to make sure county evacuation centers are equipped with at least one satellite phone, emergency generator and water purification system.

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?

There should be no more luxury development allowed, period. Our people need and deserve to be the focus of legislation that puts us first. Rent regulations AND enforcement are necessary to bring down the current rental rates encouraged by FEMAʻs Direct Lease Program. We need our Area Median Income(AMI) adjusted to better reflect the incomes of long term residents, increasing eligibility for “Affordable” and “Workforce” housing projects. We should follow the lead of places like Atlanta, Georgia, where people are allowed to own only two vacation rentals—one of which must be owner occupied. The county should purchase land, lay infrastructure, THEN take bids to build 100% affordable housing projects that stay that way in perpetuity. If any developments have Market Rate homes planned, those are built last. Any new dwellings should be constructed to HUD qualifications. We can grow hemp and bamboo for building, with a processing plant on-island. This would create a drastic reduction in costs. Vacant homes should be taxed at a far higher rate than they are now, disincentivizing off-shore investors. Deed Restricted parcels, with low rents for people at the poverty level, would help half our population. There are numerous other possibilities, of course. The housing crisis was dire before the fires. It will take multiple solutions to get us beyond this point—including immediate legislation—to stop forcing our community out of their homes and off the island.

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?

I am in support of phasing out STRs in Apartment zones. Many of the buildings on the Minatoya List were initially intended as Workforce housing. While it may be possible for some units to be rezoned as Hotel, the vast majority should be returned to our local housing market. The argument that no one will want to live long term in an aging, small one or two bedroom dwelling, with one parking stall and high HOA fees is moot when many are already paying exorbitant rents for overcrowded, multi-generational, 30+ year old homes. The tax revenue will certainly decrease, but the owners of these properties will still be paying some taxes. We could offset the loss with an airport tax for visitors, travel tolls on the road to Hana, parking fees at Hoʻokipa and other beaches, etc…Another possibility would be the county getting a percentage of the proceeds of any sale of said properties. (This would also be beneficial county wide, with the money going towards the Affordable Housing Fund.)

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?

We can focus on fostering a circular economy by investing in our local farmers and planting more of our own food. The county can encourage Eco-Tourism, where visitors give back, plant native species, work in the loʻi (taro patch) and loko iʻa (fishponds), visit food hubs and tropical gardens fed with R-1 reclaimed water. We need to get real about climate change. Maui County could be a leader in Climate Mitigation. We have an abundance of alternative energy sources we could be exploring that will create jobs, while saving our ecosystems. Again, building materials like hemp and bamboo could be grown, processed, then exported, with the right impetus. The Creative Industry of film, television, music, fashion, visual arts, etc…is also a huge opportunity. There is an incredible amount of untapped talent here, though productions often bring in their out-of-state crews. Right now, places like Atlanta and New Zealand offer better tax incentives than Hawaiʻi, making them more lucrative locations to film. The county can work with the state to improve the tax breaks offered. An increase in Trade Schools would be greatly beneficial, especially with the future demand of rebuilding Lahaina and additional housing for our people.

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 must require hotels to use reclaimed water as much as possible—not wasting potable water on golf courses, lawns and other greenery. They should also be charged more for the water used. Currently, farmers pay higher rates than hotels do. Our islandsʻ water is a finite source that mustnʻt be wasted. Recent reports have shown Mauna Kahalawaiʻs Puʻu Kukui, (the second wettest place on Earth), has had a significant decrease in rainfall in the last decade, dropping from nearly 400 inches of rain a year down to about 200 inches. We should all be alarmed. Now is the time to plant native trees to increase precipitation, consider atmospheric water capture and desalination. Now is the time to increase production and usage of R-1 water, to create green firebreaks and replenish our aquifers. Now is the time to realize just “tapping in” to a water source for development or large-scale Ag isnʻt as easy as it sounds. While water is a public trust, private delivery systems have kept much of it from the public. We must safeguard this precious resource, take back control of the water transportation systems and not allow more 30 year leases to outside investors.

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? 

We can address coastal erosion by planting native ground cover where possible and not allowing more sea walls or shoreline hardening. I grew up on the North Shore, when Baldwin Beach had a huge parking lot, numerous Ironwood and Tropical Almond trees, cement picnic tables, bbq pits, a round memorial with a flag pole, swing set, a bathroom and shower next to the pavilion. All of it gone, in my lifetime. Removing the pavilion was necessary, though heartbreaking for many. Managed Retreat will need to happen. Places like South Kihei Road and Honoapiʻilani Highway near Olowalu are prime examples. While the latter is sometimes splashed with waves, Kiheiʻs frequent flooding often results in closing S. Kihei Rd. Restoring the wetlands above the area would help mitigate some of the issue. Naupaka, Vetiver and other sand/soil stabilizing plants could be used for this purpose.

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

I am in support of the charter amendment to provide for full-time staff for the  Maui County Board of Ethics. The Board of Ethics holds an important role and should be well staffed.

I am undecided on the charter amendment to allow reappointment of members of board and commissions to one successive term. While I understand it is difficult to fill vacancies, and taking into account some council members have far exceeded their tenure, I want to learn more before making my decision.

I am in favor of making the salary commissionʻs authority consistent with the Constitution of the State of Hawaiʻi.