BRINGING POSITIVE CHANGE TO MAUI COUNTY COUNCIL
LOCALS 1st
VISION &
PRIORITIES
It’s time for NEW LEADERSHIP.
Our resources must be used to support local people and local small businesses, not luxury hotels and vacation home developers.
I’m fighting for 25% Union raises, building back Lahaina for locals, affordable housing for everyone, less regulation for local businesses, important environmental protection, women’s rights and healthcare, financial security for families, and justice for Hawaiians.
LAHAINA
RECOVERY
I am dedicated to helping rebuild Lahaina for locals. That means listening locals and putting their needs first.
AFFORDABLE
HOUSING
Housing is a human right and everyone deserves the dignity and security of having a safe roof over their head.
ENVIRONMENT
I am an environmental attorney that knows how to use the law to preserve and protect our islands for generations to come.
FORREST HAS A PLAN AND THE LEGAL KNOWLEGE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
MAIN STRATEGY:
USE ALL THE POWERS OF MAUI COUNTY TO RAISE MONEY TO HELP LOCALS AFFORD HOUSING AND HEALTHY FOOD.
GOALS:
1. CHANGE RECORD PROFITS FOR HOTELS TO RECORD WAGES FOR WORKERS.
2. CHANGE EMPTY VACATION HOMES FOR THE RICH TO HOUSING FOR LOCALS.
3. USE OUR WATER FOR LOCAL FARMS NOT HOTEL POOLS, GOLF COURSES, AND EMPTY VACATION HOMES.
MAUI COUNTY'S MOST SIGNIFICANT POWER IS TO RAISE MONEY FROM PROPERTY TAXES.
To be clear, I do not support raising any tax on locals. Not local home owners, not local businesses, not local workers.
1st STEP SIGNIFICANTLY RAISE PROPERTY TAXES FOR HOTELS AND PUT THE INCREASED REVENUE IN THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND. This proposal is about fairness. It’s about asking those who are profiting the most from Maui’s economy to contribute their fair share to solving one of its most pressing problems. Hotels have the financial capacity to absorb an increase in property taxes, especially when those funds are earmarked for a purpose that will ultimately benefit everyone, including the hotels themselves. After all, a stable, housed workforce is essential to the long-term success of the tourism industry. Click here for details.
2nd STEP SIGNIFICANTLY RAISE PROPERTY TAXES FOR EMPTY VACATION HOMES FOR THE RICH AND PUT THE INCREASED REVENUE IN THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND. An Empty Homes Tax, also known as a vacant home tax, is an additional property tax placed on properties that are left unoccupied for a significant portion of the year. The primary goal of this tax is to incentivize property owners to rent out their vacant homes or sell them, thereby increasing the availability of housing in the market. Click here for details.
3rd STEP SIGNIFICANTLY RAISE PROPERTY TAX ON "GENTLEMEN'S FARMS" AKA LUXURY HOMES ON AGRICULTURAL LAND THAT DON'T REALLY FARM. PUT THE INCREASE REVENUE IN A FUND TO HELP LOCAL FARMERS.
4th STEP SIGNIFICANTLY RAISE PROPERTY TAXES ON LUXURY HOMES OVER 4000 SQ FEET OWNED BY MULTIMILLIONAIRS AND PUT THE INCREASED REVENUE IN THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUND. Click here for details.
MAUI COUNTY HAS THE POWER TO REGULATE WATER USE AND WATER RATES TO END WASTE AND HELP FARMERS.
1st STEP: SIGNIFICANTLY RAISE WATER RATES FOR HOTELS AND EMPTY VACATION HOMES. Raising water rates on luxury hotels in Maui County can be an effective dual-purpose strategy. It generates much-needed funding for affordable housing while encouraging water conservation among some of the largest water users. Click here for details.
2nd STEP: SIGNIFICANTLY LIMIT WATER USE FOR HOTELS AND EMPTY VACATION HOMES, THE BIGGEST WATER WASTERS. Luxury hotels waste our precious water resources to provide unnecessary extensive amenities such as pools, gardens, golf courses, and frequent laundry services. Locals need water for affordable housing projects and farming. Click here for details.
MEET FORREST
It’s time for NEW, PROFESSIONAL LEADERSHIP.
I offer 20 years’ professional experience as an attorney including service as Legislative Attorney for the Maui County Council and Hawaii House of Representatives. I understand the law and how to use the law to help the people recover from decades of injustice and unfair policies that have harmed hard working local people.
No more CORRUPT POLITICIANS.
“Nuff Already!” Maui County has failed to protect the people. It’s time to thank my opponent for her service and move on to new leadership with new ideas on how to help the people.