Lose only progressive council majority ever?

Here we are, days away from the 2022 elections, an historic election for Maui County. After years of election gains, we could lose the only progressive council majority we’ve ever had. Gabe Johnson, Keani Rawlins- Fernandez, Shane Sinenci and Tamara Paltin need to be re-elected. Why? Elections have consequences.

In 2014, we had one lone progressive on council, Elle Cochran, when we passed the GMO moratorium after thousands of hours of organizing communities to vote. But because Elle was the only voice of support, and we did not have a progressive mayor or council, they immediately sided with Monsanto and took us to court. Mike Victorino, a council member at the time, famously made a $100 bet the moratorium would lose, betting against us, in favor of Monsanto.

For years, I’ve been writing letters to the editor, testifying, working on campaigns, showing reluctant voters how democracy can make positive changes for community when we vote for candidates who support aloha aina values, and act as protectors of the ‘aina, wai and people of Maui Nei.

I do not support candidates who will be “pay to play” politicians, doing favors for their donors who have paybacks expected. Why else would they donate thousands?

I support candidates who are funded directly by their communities that they represent. Who make decisions that help our working families, our displaced kanaka maoli, small business, and family farmers. But most importantly, they support community control of the water, Charter Amendment 12. This amendment is a direct result of Shane Sinenci’s leadership on this issue. Elections have consequences. Vote for good ones.

Sierra Knight Kula

— Answers to today’s crossword puzzle on Page B5 —