Let’s make sure that Maui County’s farmers can succeed.
On the general election ballot, due to hit mailboxes around Maui County in early October, Maui County residents will be able to vote on a total of seven charter amendments. One of those amendments pertains to the creation of a Maui County Department of Agriculture.
The exact wording on the ballot will be:
“Shall the Charter be amended, effective July 1, 2022, to establish a Department of Agriculture to develop a sustainable regional agricultural system for Maui County?”
Maui Tomorrow is in strong support of this amendment, for several reasons:
This new department is intended to help farmers be successful, by advocating for agriculture within the halls of County government. The charter amendment language specifically states that the purpose of the new department will be “to provide advocacy, and not create additional regulatory barriers, on all matters related to agriculture.” This new department will lift burdens on farmers rather than creating them. You can read the Maui County Council resolution here.
A rejuvenated agriculture industry on Maui will:
- provide many jobs in farming and supportive industries
- train new farmers
- help market Maui products
- make us less vulnerable to future economic downturns;
- help to preserve open space and Maui’s rural lifestyle
- increase food self-sufficiency.
Maui Tomorrow urges you to vote “YES!” on the proposed charter amendment to create a Maui County Department of Agriculture.