Molina launches mayoral campaign

Mike Molina points to three areas that require critical attention: housing, diversifying Maui County’s economy and protecting the environment. His campaign website, www.votemikemolina.com, offers insight into the direction a Molina administration would take to address those needs.
WAILUKU — Mike Molina, who currently holds the Makawao-Haiku-Paia residency seat on the Maui County Council, submitted to the County Clerk’s office his nomination form last week Wednesday, signaling the start of his mayoral campaign.
“I’ve taught in the classrooms of public schools, served my country in the Air Force and Hawaii Air National Guard, and contributed over a decade as an elected official on the council. My family has deep generational roots on Maui, and I’ve never stopped believing that public service is how we can make a difference. We must move our community forward together and use experience and respect to rise above the challenges of recent years,” said Molina.
“Not only is he a council member, Mike is a school teacher and a veteran who really believes in public service,” said Wailuku resident Danny Kanahele. “As a veteran myself, I know the sacrifices it takes to put others ahead of yourself so everyone can succeed. I believe that as mayor, Mike will make our county better. He’s dedicated, humble and always wants to learn how to be better so he can do more to help — all important to have in someone you want leading the way.”
Recognizing the need for affordable housing, Molina worked closely over the years with the community to create the Affordable Housing Fund, which is used today to reduce the cost of much- needed affordable housing projects. To help first-time homebuyers struggling to secure a down payment for a home, he again worked with the community to bring forward a First Time Homebuyers Fund, a down payment assistance program that began in 2008.
As mayor, Molina pledges to continue his longstanding commitment to work with government officials and community stakeholders to meet the housing needs of working families, senior citizens and the unsheltered so that no one is left behind.
His desire to protect the environment resulted in unprecedented legislative action to remove harmful plastic bag use in the county.
“When we started to take action to eliminate the effects plastic bags were having on our landfills and ocean, Mike took the initiative to turn the tide and introduced groundbreaking legislation to ban plastic bags in our county,” said community leader Hannah Bernard. “Over a year ahead of other counties, the new law enabled us to help our environment sooner than later. Someone who can anticipate what our community needs, apply his experience and get it passed into law with the help of government officials and the community is the kind of leader we need right now.”