This month, we are launching Holomua Kakou to bring county government to the diverse communities that make up our county.

Whether you live in Hana and drive the winding road to Central Maui, or reside on Molokai or Lanai and are a plane or ferry ride away from the county seat, residents of our many communities should know that they have a voice in their county government and access available to them.

Each community is unique, yet we are connected as one county.

One of the greatest needs we have identified for our county is infrastructure. For our rural communities, that includes important broadband access to provide connectivity that will bring us closer together. Not only could that help connect residents to county government, but it would offer more opportunities for doctor’s appointments, education and employment from home for residents.

We will take the first step on March 15 and 16, when we will run county government from Molokai. On those days, residents can drop in and talk with county staff members from Maui from 8 a.m. to 4 pm. at the conference room at Mitchell Pauole Center in Kaunakakai. We will host a community talk story at the center from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. March 15.

We appreciate how busy our residents are with work and activities, but we hope they will take time to participate.

We look forward to sitting and talking with Molokai residents, hearing their stories and successes and learning how we can work together on challenges we face.

This Holomua Kakou event is the first of many to come that will bring our local government to the people in Maui County throughout our many towns.

During my inauguration, I said that the seat at the table for all in our community might be a simple lauhala mat that can be carried from place to place, island to island.

This month, we roll out the proverbial lauhala mat on Molokai.