Civil Beat has asked candidates for the Hawaiʻi elections to answer a survey about where they stand on various issues and what their priorities will be if elected.

The following comes from Marvin Moniz, nonpartisan candidate for Maui County Council, Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū District.

His opponents in the Aug. 8 primary election are James Forrest, Randy Konohia, Ashley Lindsey and Alan Lloyd.

Go to Civil Beat’s 2026 Elections Guide for general information, and check out the other candidates on Civil Beatʻs 2026 Hawaiʻi Primary Ballot.

Why are you best suited for the job of council member, and why do you want the job?

Because of my years of managing various crises and challenges in Hawaiʻi from airline bankruptcies, state furloughs, hurricane preparedness, budget challenges, Covid crisis, wildfire, to West Maui and Kula Maui, as well as Kona low storms and overseeing six airports, from managing it to staffing it. The reason why I want this position is because I have contributed to the airlines, state transportation department and numerous agencies local and on the continent. Now I want to contribute to my community.

What is the biggest issue facing Maui County, and what is the first thing you would do to address it in the first six months after being elected?

As we all know, some of the major issues facing Maui are affordable housing and employment with living wages. That said, I would want to take a look at infrastructure issues from roads to sewer systems, water and renewable energy.

Here’s one question from a constituent: What is your position on upcountry speed humps? Would you remove them? Why or why not?

As it relates to the speed bumps, I would want to get more data from how much accidents occurred in that particular area or how much citations were issued in that area as that would determine a safety factor as to why speed bumps may or may not be needed. I believe if a speed bump is installed, and it will save lives, then it would be something to look into. If it’s just because it caused traffic to slow down, I still would want to see data to back that reasoning behind it.

The county now has a law on the books to effectively phase out several thousand vacation rentals in apartment-zoned districts starting in 2029. The companion measure to grandfather in more than half of those properties has since been rejected by all three planning commissions. What would you do as a council member about this?

I would like to sit down and better understand this bill and see what the pros and cons are.

Hawai‘i has a long-stated goal of growing more of its own food. What would you do to further that effort toward increased food sustainability?

I would push for unused state and county land to be leased out and a small cost for residents and or local farmers to grow vegetables, miscellaneous crops, as well as cattle and chicken, etc. The food could be sold to the local community at a reduced cost that would make it affordable for the local community.

The county has been moving forward with plans to bring much more of Maui’s water supply under public ownership instead of private. What steps would you take to get a better handle on Maui’s water future?

Yes, start by allowing the water to be managed by Maui County as well as private partnership on a pilot program. Then, if it goes well then the County of Maui water department could take it over.

Overtourism can degrade the environment, contribute to wear and tear on infrastructure, generate traffic and disrupt neighborhoods. How well is Maui managing the tourism industry that drives its economy? What would you do differently?

I would put a lot of emphasis on smart tourism, having cultural training classes, and videos, and educational information readily available for visitors to the islands. As well as giving them environmental concerns as it relates to what we call Mālama the ʻĀina to take care of our land and it will take care of you. Also, another key component was to be sure we have the resources and if not, we have to maintain a level of tourism and if our infrastructure is there we can always revisit it.

What should Maui County do to get in front of climate change rather than just reacting and adapting to it?

I believe Maui County should look at some other states and some other countries to see how they are preparing for climate change. The time to start looking at this is now before it gets too late and we will need to get more intense studies as to determine how fast and where we need to go with changes that will prepare us going into the future.

Maui has been targeted for enforcement by ICE agents. What will be the position of your office to requests for more cooperation between county law enforcement and federal authorities?

I have worked with numerous law-enforcement agencies over the years and did have some relations with ICE agents as well as other federal officers, local police and state sheriffs. We always had a great relationship and that was established by having open communications. So, that said, we would definitely sit home and share each other’s thoughts, ideas and being sensitive to each other’s jurisdictions. I believe the mutual assistance system where we all partner up is the way to go. It’s a win-win for all.

The $1.6 billion federal Community Block Development Grant is the largest disaster loan in U.S. history, but it falls far short of the estimates for recovery from the 2023 wildfires. What would you do to make those dollars count?

I would like to see the Office of Recovery that is currently helping in distributing these funds and helping a lot of these homebuyers expedite the hiring process so they will have more staff out in the field to put this money to work in a faster way. And bringing smiles to the people’s faces who will be moving into these new homes after experiencing what very few people will ever experience in their life.

The cost of living on Maui continues to remain high. How can county government help working and middle-class people buy homes, pay rent or otherwise afford to live and work on the island?

We need to look at incentives here in Maui from various types of tax credits also reduction in water and electric rates providing that homeowners does its part to use minimum water and minimum electricity as one example. Less gas tax for people have long distance drives.

What is your assessment of programs combating invasive species in Maui Nui and what other measures would you advocate for you in office?

We currently have some eyes and traps at the airport but need to have airlines and vessels that come into the harbor be responsible for additional inspections.