Posted on: Wednesday, January 3, 2007

Mayor Charmaine Tavares' inaugural address

Yes, this is a new year and for me this spectacular evening heralds my first year as your Mayor. I am honored and humbled to be your Mayor. I view this term as an opportunity for all of us — - for all of us to come together, to find the commonality among us and move together as stewards of Maui County.

Throughout the years and especially during the past few months, it has been a joy to meet and talk with many of you. You have shared your thoughts and feelings about life in general and about specific challenges you and your families face daily. You've shared with me the things you feel are important.

... that we preserve and protect the spectacular beauty and natural resources of our land and water, our open spaces i from the mountains to the sea i streams and rain forests, trees and flowers, sandy beaches and ocean reefs;

... that we find a balance between an economy that is strong enough to provide satisfying jobs to all who want them and a community that includes sufficient housing that is both affordable and livable;

... that we strengthen existing communities and build communities — not just housing i communities that include beautiful parks and recreational facilities;

... that we significantly increase our use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiencies in order to reduce our dependence on expensive offshore fossil fuels and increase our security and self-sufficiency;

... that we diversify our economy through sustainable technologies, agriculture and higher education, while we continue to support our primary economic engine i a visitor industry that is strategically focused and environmentally conscious, one that honors the traditions of our host culture and the many other cultural traditions found in these islands;

... that we expand our public transportation systems to enable more of us to get to work and play without the need of a car i a system that can reduce traffic and help those who cannot drive themselves;

... that we plan for, develop and manage a sustainable domestic water supply for current and future generations;

... that we develop and manage effective public services that meet the needs of our people within fiscally responsible financial systems and environmentally sound operations and practices.

These thoughts and values are diverse i and are complex i but critical to our succeeding as a long-term viable community.

How are we to achieve these lofty goals?

First, we honor and respect each other, old and young, men and women i from all ethnic groups and all economic levels i and we take the time to listen and learn from and value the many perspectives we have here in Maui County.

Next, we continuously appreciate the foundation of our life and work here in Maui County, a foundation that was built by others who have gone before us and who gave us the gift of a unique and extraordinary community. This gift is the result of inspiration and a sense of responsibility for caring for and enriching the lives of others.

Each of us has the responsibility to care for and enrich our community and through our own contributions those who follow us may also enjoy full and productive lives in our County.

Finally, we must realize that it's going to take all of us working together in order to achieve our mutual vision.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, "People acting together as a group can accomplish things which no individual acting alone could every hope to bring about."

Let us act together to make Maui County the best it can be!