Page 20 - Living Aloha Magazine 21 May April June 2017

candidate who insisted that A standup paddler, King feels the county can do a much
community plans were better job curbing runoff and pollution damaging our reefs
merely guidelines, that they and degrading water quality at our beaches.
had no force of law and were
overruled by zoning laws. Even before her first day of council service, King
was confronted with a fait accompli in the Nov. 11
Voters thought otherwise and announcement that Mike White had secured votes to be
put a businesswoman with Council Chair for the next two years. On January 2, 2017,
solid credentials on the council. King and the new council minority (which includes Alika
Atay, Elle Cochran and Don Guzman) fought valiantly to
The incumbent had voted to defeat a proposal to change have a more open council, but to no avail; at every turn, the
the county governance model from a mayoralty to one new majority held firm, denying chances for a more open
with a professional county manager. That was another and collegial process.
opportunity for Ms. King to point out that the 2010
Countywide Policy Plan required the council to review other Despite a polarized council, King has fought hard to make sure
systems of governance. key community proposals are funded, environmental issues
are addressed and that property taxes are more equitable.
Again King connected with voters on this issue by arguing
that it would give citizens the accountability that is lacking King’s strong voice on the council has earned her
with Maui’s current system where council members have enthusiastic support across the county. Her years of creative
little control over administrative duties yet must approve work in the renewable energy field, her management
funding requests by the mayor. experience and business acumen are proving valuable
talents as the current council addresses issues that have
King ran a strong campaign advocating for a much more festered for years.
aggressive effort to deal with the long-delayed affordable
housing matter. Homelessness is another concern that she We at Living Aloha Magazine really appreciate that Bob
feels needs far more attention. and Kelly King continue to show that they care personally,
in their business and through political means to make a
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20 INSPIRATION Living Aloha | SUMMER 2017