Farmer Gerry in Kupaʻa Farmʻs nursery built by Rich von Wellsheim of Whispering Winds Farm.
Food security is defined by the USDA as "access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life." How will your platform address food insecurity in Maui County?
2. Please list any initiatives you have supported in Maui County to increase food access and food production that you are proud of:
3. Hawaiʻi imports roughly 85% of our food supply. How will your platform address increasing local food production?
4A. Do you SUPPORT ALL THE THINGs?
Creating County funding mechanisms to support DA BUX Double Up Food Bucks
Increasing local food procurement for Maui County schools
Increasing Farm to School initiatives including school gardens
Pursuing County Farm to Food Bank Funding
Developing regional organic waste and composting services
Restructuring the Department of Water Supply and Department of Wastewater to encourage strategies for conservation, efficient water use, storage, and growing water resources
Increasing the budget for the Maui County Department of Agriculture
Offering subsidies to local farms that have shown the ability to sustain production
Supporting policies that allow for increased affordable housing for farmworkers
Improving policies around hunting and utilizing invasive protein sources
Funding updated shared processing facilities, including slaughterhouses and food hubs
Implementing new inspection policies to reduce the spread of invasive species
Establishing local control of water resources through a Maui County Community Water Authority, with the ability to establish regional community boards
4B. Please Elaborate
Are there other issues, County-wide or within your own residency area, about food security that concern you, and how do you plan to address these issues if elected?