Full Name: Trinette K.U. Furtado

Name on Ballot: Trinette K. Furtado

Age: 45

District: Maui: Makawao-Haiku-Paia

Email Address: trinette@furtadoformaui.com

Current Job: Self-employed graphic and web designer

Place of birth: Wailuku

Campaign website: www.furtadoformaui.com

Job history past 10 years:

Self-employed designer/owner of a small business (pono huli designs).

Ever run for public office? If so, when? Outcome?

I have never run for public office.

Other civic experience or community service?

Sierra Club Maui, executive board member (2015-2016); ‘Aha Kauleo State Advisory Board for Ka Papahana/Hawaiian Language Immersion Schools, school/parent rep (2013-2014); ‘Aha Ho‘okō (executive board of ‘Aha Kauleo), Kākau ‘Ōlelo (recording secretary)(2014-2016); Nā Leo Kāko‘o Maui (Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Maui PTA), Hope Pelikikena (vice president)(2010-2013)

Anything else you’d like voters to know about you?

There is no issue I will back away from. I believe that if we commit to working together towards pono for all, there is nothing we can’t accomplish.

What makes you qualified to be a Council member?

I have actually read through the entire Maui County Charter, Maui County General Plan and am familiarizing myself with Community Plans.

I will bring new energy, a different perspective and the collective voice of the people back to county governance and back in charge of our county corporation.

What are your top five priorities for the county?

1) Addressing shortages of affordable housing and shelter.

2) Addressing job losses from the closures of HC&S and Makena Resort.

3) Assist in creation of food hubs/agribusiness locations.

4) Addressing and investigating fraud and unnecessary spending in county departments.

5) Making the county more transparent, accountable and accessible.

What is your one big idea?

One of my many big ideas is to identify and repurpose underutilized county property holdings (land, buildings, etc) into more usable spaces featuring blends of agriculture, affordable housing, shelters and service centers. Our people need food, shelter and support.

What do you think about the proposal to go from a mayor/council form of government to a manager/council form?

I think its a great idea and I’m disappointed that some Council members felt the voting public too simple to choose this for ourselves as a ballot initiative.

Maui County needs someone who has experience and knowledge to run our corporation efficiently and effectively, not a popularly elected person.

What can the Council do to deal with the economic impact from the end of sugar on Maui?

The Council can look at supporting initiatives and ideas that bring or create new businesses within Maui County that not only employ residents but position Maui County as an example of successful sustainability in food security, smart development and engaging, active community input.

Affordable housing is in short supply on Maui. How would you suggest increasing the inventory of affordable housing?

We need to look at a variety of options for increasing inventory. Tiny homes could be placed on vacant lots in tiny communities. In addition, we need to ensure that affordable units be built before or concurrently with new market-priced units in ANY development project requiring affordable units.