Maui’s new Mayor Richard Bissen known as for wise spending, defined his stance as a nonpartisan, and embraced conventional information in his inaugural deal with on Monday night on the Maui Arts & Cultural Middle’s Citadel Theater.
“For a number of months this previous yr, I had the privilege of assembly individuals all through Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi. My household and I, and our prolonged ʻohana traveled by 11 communities to introduce ourselves and to be taught,” stated Mayor Bissen.
In his travels, Bissen stated he treasured the variety and uniqueness of communities on Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi and Maui.
“As I heard the fervour of every neighborhood, I felt honored that folks shared their tales with me–tales of success, struggles, hope. We face challenges and alternatives so vital and so complicated that it’s going to take a collective willingness and a dedication for all of us to work collectively by them. It’ll require compromise, mutual respect and servant management, striving to hold ahead a optimistic influence for our future generations,” he stated.
Throughout a lot of his marketing campaign, Mayor Bissen described his need to increase a seat to everybody on the desk. “Typically instances it might not even be a desk–it might be a easy lauhala mat, carried to and rolled out wherever it must be. I’m dedicated to bringing that lauhala mat to our communities, our authorities companions, our enterprise sector, our nonprofits, our neighborhood leaders and their organizations. Collectively we’ll work arduous on the issues we are able to agree on to assist our individuals in any approach we are able to. We’ll foster an perspective and an surroundings, working by the difficulties and once more these variations collectively,” stated Bissen.
Maui’s new mayor additionally mentioned his views on fiscal duty. He pointed towards private expertise, having pushed a 1994 Ford Bronco for 26 years. “And sure, I purchased that automotive used like the 2 vehicles that I bought earlier than that. The second factor you must know is I purchased my first model new automotive once I was 57 years outdated. I share that with you so that’s the identical view I maintain on how we handle our county funds–wise and accountable spending to fulfill the broad wants of our companies.”
In his inaugural deal with, Bissen stated that within the political area, being a nonpartisan particular person attracts a lot curiosity. “I simply should say… I don’t assume that both main occasion has all the nice concepts or has made all of the errors. My crew and I’ll give attention to what’s finest for the individuals of Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi,” he stated.
“All too usually we grow to be polarized and lose sight of our function in authorities. We can not lose that focus even when individuals don’t agree with our choices,” stated Mayor Bissen.
Mayor Bissen stated he spent the final yr discussing crucial points resembling housing for Kamaʻāina, sufficient water sources to fulfill the wants for a lot of, and the safety of the surroundings.
“I additionally targeted on accountable planning, and good governance–all issues that can have heightened consideration in my administration and achieved in recognition of the distinctiveness of our islands, regardless of our variations of opinions and life experiences, we are able to nonetheless perform in concord,” stated Mayor Bissen. “The power of 1 in made higher by many.”
“We’re able to go to work–conscious of the wants and needs of our various communities, dedicated to being good stewards and of service to our individuals as we attempt for improved customer support and higher outcomes,” he stated.
Throughout his deal with he stated there are vital local weather change points, an incredible want for meals sovereignty, and steps to take to enhance easy methods to seize and develop renewable and sustainable vitality. He famous that his administration established a brand new Workplace of Innovation to make sure that the county is making advances in these crucial areas.
He stated the generational influence that we wish for our youngsters and grandchildren didn’t begin right this moment.
“As we ponder their future, we all know that this isn’t Day 1. Day 1 existed way back to when the brave first voyagers and wayfarers braved the oceans and used innovation and conventional information to succeed in these shores. Historical information and follow have all the time been right here. We simply haven’t been listening. We will be taught a lot from our kupuna and people steeped in native information,” stated Mayor Bissen.
Bissen stated he doesn’t know if he would describe it as a Hawaiian worldview or not, however he stated he does know he was raised by his Hawaiian dad and mom who helped to form his values and beliefs.
“I consider that the group is extra vital than the person. I consider that kupuna and keiki eat first on the lūʻau and household occasions; that we acknowledge and we greet our elders in public or in non-public out of respect for his or her standing and contribution; and that we present respect to our ʻāina, our sources, and most significantly to one another,” stated Mayor Bissen.
“Thanks once more for the belief and help you’ve given me. I’ll work day-after-day to earn that. Mahalo,” he stated.
