Letters to the Editor

Letter: Concerned about housing lack for our local families

I am an 81-year-old man who has been concerned about the lack of housing for our local families for the past 35 years.

I grew up in Haiku with my parents and my maternal grandparents living close by. They were the ones who helped me to get an education and life skills so that I could prosper on our beautiful island.

I am wondering why the kupuna of today are not more vocal about the cost of living on Maui, especially for homes.

There are two plans created: One on affordable housing and the other on homelessness, which were paid for by us to give direction of our political leaders, who all talked about affordable housing during the election, but have done very little to build homes affordable for our young families and the future of our people.

We are not speaking our voice for our future generations. Luxury developments get approvals, but where are the affordable homes? I ask my fellow kupuna to join me in speaking to our political leaders with a clear message: Keep our young individuals and families home on Maui.

Implement the plans that were paid with our tax dollars to guide us to end the problem of the high cost of living, especially on housing, so we will not continually lose the next generation to the mainland.

If you want to join me in taking action for our people, send me an email at stanfranco9114@gmail.com.

Stan Franco

Haiku-Pauwela