Amy Petterson

Infrastructure / Transportation Maui has always struggled between finding a balance between affordable housing and new business infrastructure for local businesses. Petterson proposes construction of more multi-use buildings that can meet both housing and business needs. Environment / Energy Water Bunds (also referred to as Earth Smiles) are shallow, trench-like semi-circles dug into sloped land and are typically 2.5 meters long and 5 meters wide. They are a sustainable, proactive solution to regreening dry, arid-like plains, that can be seen above areas like Kihei and Lahaina, and show results in just six months. Economy Maui needs to create a new agricultural park to make way for more local farmers and locally-grown produce. Environment / Energy Petterson proposes a new program between licensed hunters and land owners to deal with both invasive deer and wild hogs. This plan intends to allow licensed hunters access large pieces of land, farms, ranches, and county property by implementing a county-run program and contractual agreement with landowners. Government Reform The process to get a permit in Maui is very slow, with many waiting at least a year before one is granted. To deal with this, Petterson proposes a new teaching program to train more residents on processing permits and getting them into larger permit offices. Housing The cost of rent has been a contentious issue among residents for decades, with many calling for a cap on rent or a plan to stabilize costs. Petterson agrees with these sentiments, and proposes the creation of both a law and a commission to monitor rental rates and cost increases across the island. Taxes / Budget What Maui needs is to limit how high inflation on property value can rise per year, without residents needing to fight the system for appeals or exceptions. Taxes / Budget To bring back this lost revenue, Petterson wishes to put a larger surcharge on empty vacation homes worth over five million dollars. Lifting more of the tax burden off of Maui’s residents. Social Services The current homeless shelters are not enough to house the growing numbers nor do they provide adequate and humane living conditions for residents in need. Expanding these facilities to work more like apartments gets people off the streets and gives privacy, decency, and the opportunity to truly advance towards a better life.