Old Long Since — Happy New Year

love history beIcause

it helps us to better understand the traditions we inherit from previous generations. For as long as I can remember, the song Auld Lang Syne has been the soundtrack for New Year's

Eve. When the clock strikes midnight, it seems to play on cue.

But what does it mean?

Written by Scotland’s famous poet and lyricist, Robert “Rabbie” Burns in 1788, Auld Lang Syne translates into English as “Old Long Since.” Today we’d probably say “the good old days” or in pidgin, “back den.” But the song’s mana’o is closer to “let’s toast to days gone by.”

So, please join me in a toast to days gone by with my final “Our County” column.

When I took the mayor’s oath of office on January 2, 2019, I committed to serving everyone in our great community. I believed then, and I still believe, that it takes all of us to keep Maui County no ka oi. I agree with former Governor David Ige who once told me, “Government is a team sport.”

Today, I publicly thank my team, those in my administration, for stepping up during one of the most challenging times in Maui County’s history. Regardless of position or job description, they did the needed work to keep this community safe and healthy during an unprecedented health and financial crisis. They staffed testing and vaccination clinics, distributed food to thousands of residents, and even dressed up for holiday drive-thrus when families were sheltering at home.

I also acknowledge our dedicated county workers, including our first responders who continued to serve this community during very uncertain times. Our workers built and maintained roads, kept clean water flowing, buses running, improved our parks and public facilities, collected rubbish, delivered needed social services without skipping a beat. They put the “essential” in essential workers.

Mahalo also to Chairwoman Alice Lee and the Maui County Council, who kept doing the people’s work via virtual meetings. We may not have agreed on every single thing, but we accomplished a lot. Together we acquired some 500 acres of land near Waiale for a cultural and natural preserve, 45 acres of important coastal lands including parks and beach parks, a new building for MEMA and more. We budgeted funds for improvements to the Imi Kala Bridge area, and entered into a public-private partnership with Waikapu County Town to exchange more affordable housing for the county taking on the developer’s obligation to build infrastructure. We were able to move ahead with the plans for developing Pulelehua. We formalized plans for Wailuku’s Halau of Oiwi Art, the world’s first purpose-designed home for hula and associated arts. This is just a sample of what we accomplished, in spite of numerous natural disasters, including a global pandemic.

Finally, allow me to praise my family, especially Joycelyn, my wife of 49 years, who supported and cheered me on during my darkest days. During the pandemic that demanded crazy long hours and no days off, she made sure I ate, slept, had clean clothes, and a positive attitude She is truly the First Lady of Maui County.

It feels like time has gone by so quickly since 2019. It’s hard to believe it’s been four years since I became your mayor. Mahalo for the privilege of sharing your lives through achievements and defeats, during tragedies and celebrations, and during the anxiety of uncertainty. I can assure you the aloha spirit is alive and well in the County of Maui.

As we toast the days gone by, let’s also raise a glass to the days to come. In January, Maui County will get a fresh start under new leadership. Regardless of how you voted in November, now is the time for all of us to come together. Our new leaders will have to navigate our canoe through rough waters toward a destination we can’t yet see. Our job as a community is to help them paddle.

As the song says, “We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne.” On behalf of the entire Victorino family, Happy New Year.