For A Better Tomorrow Super PAC Mobilizes for Maui County Council Candidates
A newly established political action committee, For A Better Tomorrow, is making waves in Maui’s upcoming elections by backing three pro-development candidates for the County Council—Tom Cook, Tasha Kama, and Nohe U‘u-Hodgins. With ties to the carpenters union, the super PAC has invested over $290,000 this month to sway the outcome of these pivotal races, which could significantly influence development policies on the island.
The incumbents are facing challengers on November 5: Cook contends with former council member Kelly King, Kama faces Carol Lee Kamekona, and U‘u-Hodgins competes against Nara Boone. A shift in power could favor a faction traditionally against large developments and in favor of more affordable housing—an issue increasingly vital as Maui anticipates substantial growth.
Contributions from the Hawaii Carpenters Market Recovery Program Fund, part of the Pacific Resource Partnership, have equipped For A Better Tomorrow with significant financial resources, including an initial $7.6 million in September. As independent expenditure committees in Hawaii, super PACs like this have no limits on donations or spending, provided there’s no direct coordination with candidate campaigns.
The electoral battle hinges on contrasting visions for the island’s future: one advocating accelerated development, providing jobs for construction industry workers, and the other pushing for environmental protection and sustainable housing solutions. The current council is divided between pro-development advocates, including Cook, Kama, and U‘u-Hodgins, and the opposition slate known as the Ohana candidates.
Testament to the high stakes, the council’s decision-making power extends to influencing zoning changes and county planning. As Maui approaches a significant construction phase with over 6,400 housing units planned, residents are concerned that only a fraction will be affordable, a sentiment echoed by Cook and Kama, who emphasize the necessity of building for local families.
As the election date looms, all eyes are on Maui County Council, aware that the outcome could redefine the region’s developmental landscape.
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