Trending
Five changes to Maui County government would make it more responsive to residents' needs and more efficient overall.
First, hire a managing director with direct responsibility for all departments.
Increase director compensation to attract a broader pool of highly qualified candidates.
Hire, rather than appoint, department directors.
Disconnect terms of director employment from electoral politics by basing continued employment on job performance.
Implement quality management techniques while reducing department-siloed thinking and doing.
Hopefully a candidate who understands the dire need for change will step forward at the next mayoral election, will make the case, and lead us to a better future. If we don't improve county government's functioning, younger working residents and families will continue to be faced with the difficult decision of putting up with unaffordable housing or voting with their feet, leaving Maui, and taking up residence on the mainland. Those left behind won't fare well either given the impact unaffordable housing has on ability to hire into essential jobs.
Mark Hyde
Wailea