Mayor Alan Arakawa gave his 2015 State of the County Address on March 10. PHOTO BY THE COUNTY OF MAUI/RYAN PIROS.

KAHULUI – Mayor Alan Arakawa’s 2015 State of the County Address informed a jam-packed audience at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s McCoy Theater on March 10 that, “The state of Maui County is STRONG!”

“We are upgrading everything from our parks to our roads to our computer systems,” he said. “Some of it has taken time, because of challenges, but make no mistake, we’re getting things done.”

Mayor Arakawa addressed the recent increase in our tourism industry, private sector, construction projects and water supply and delivery systems.

Also, several areas of alarm were discussed, such as the financial crisis at Maui Memorial Medical Center and an invasive species problem – little fire ants.

“The future consists of more affordable housing solutions and the issue of homelessness on Maui,” Mayor Arakawa explained.

“I have formed a committee to look into transforming the old Maui High School campus into a residential community for the mentally challenged. It was once a place of learning, but now I hope it can be a place of healing.”

In addition, the mayor reported that Maui County has officially joined the Aloha Plus Challenge – a project that sets a number of sustainability goals for 2030. These include clean energy, local food production, natural resource management, solid waste, climate resilience as well as green jobs and education.

In conclusion, Mayor Arakawa thanked all for helping to make the Maui community “the best in the world.”