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Maui Economy Moving Forward

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At the dedication ceremony for the widened Mokulele Highway on Maui, Governor Lingle shared her optimism for the economic future of the state, with a major focus on Maui County. "Mokulele Highway is an example of what my Administration is accomplishing statewide," the Governor said.

Maui Economy Moving Forward

Governor Lingle and the Seabury Hall engineering team.

Because investment in infrastructure spurs economic growth, as well as jobs, the Lingle-Aiona Administration has taken a proactive approach to improve the State's economy by investing in airports, harbors and highways; enhancing support for small businesses; developing energy independence and pursuing other special projects to bolster the local economy.

Maui's population is expected to grow 49 percent by 2035.  With regard to this projected growth, Governor Lingle said, "We're not going to stop it. So, we need to make it work for us and stay out ahead of the curve."

To this end, Maui remains a focal point of the Administration's efforts and investments. 

More than $115 million of the state's $2.3 billion, 12-year Airports Modernization Plan is targeted to recent or planned improvements at Kahului Airport.  Kahului Harbor, the state's third business harbor, is slated for $202 million in improvements.

Governor Lingle, DOT Director Brennon Morioka (right) and Steve Goodfellow, president, Goodfellow Bros. (left) dedicate Mokulele Highway.

"Our Administration's proactive approach to managing our finances needs to go hand in hand with the proactive practices of Hawai`i's business community," said Governor Lingle as she urged business leaders to adapt to challenges by looking for efficiencies, cutting non-essential costs, exercising entrepreneurial skills, and capitalizing on opportunities.

Governor Lingle also outlined strengths of Maui's economy, including an increase in visitor spending and days and the possibility of additional flights between Maui and Japan, as well as Chinese and Korean markets.

To remain competitive in a global economy, the Governor is focused on fundamentally transforming the state's economy over the long-term through increased energy independence.

In January, the state partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy to launch the Hawai`i Clean Energy Initiative, which seeks to obtain 70 percent of the state's power from clean and renewable energy sources within one generation.

Governor Lingle and the Department of Transportation Maui Division.

The Governor highlighted the progress already taking place on Maui, including the construction of the nation's first wave energy project, a partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to establish a remote wind technology program, and Maui Lani Substation - a $15 million project to increase the efficiency of the state's electricity grid system and use of renewable energy sources. 

A critical focus of the Administration is also the development of the limitless potential of human ingenuity and innovation.

"We need to prepare our young people and workforce for a global economy built on innovation," the Governor said, emphasizing Maui's leadership role as home to Kihei Charter School - the state's first STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) academy.
 
"Students aren't just envisioning the future, they're making it happen," the Governor said.  "Their ingenuity serves as an inspiration and the time to drive down the road of innovation is now."

Students on Seabury Hall's engineering team are already demonstrating this ingenuity through their design and construction of an electric car.  The students stripped the engine, gas tank and exhaust and replaced it with batteries and a large electric motor as part of a school project. 

The students' electric car was one of the first to drive on the newly-dedicated Mokulele Highway.

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