WMTA has provided leadership on a variety of improvements and initiatives designed to alleviate high taxes, improve the viability and safety of the infrastructure, and beautify the community. Our successes include:

PARKS:  

• A $90,000 County grant to beautify Pohaku Park (S-Turn) in Kahana.

• Lobbied for $250,000 in capital improvements to light, fence & resurface the basketball park at the Lahaina Youth Center

INFRASTRUCTURE:  

• Successfully lobbied to get the State of Hawaii to widen Honoapiilani Highway

• Lobbied to fast-track emergency repairs on Honoapiilani highway to repair the Olowalu collapse

• Lobbied for the recent $30 million dollar release for phase 1 of the Lahaina Bypass 

• Lobbied for the creation of the newly established Lahaina Senior Center

• Lobbying for the immediate repairs of Lower Honoapiilani Road, anticipating the start of phase 4 soon to be underway.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS:

• Urging the County to develop a civil defense plan and recruiting volunteers to act as coordinators in the event of an emergency.

• Lobbied for an emergency trailer to be placed next to the Lahaina Fire Station to house emergency supplies such as medicines, food, blankets & medical tools and supplies in case of disaster in Lahaina 

• Lobbied to update Lahaina Civic Center to a full fledged safety shelter capable of handling more than 1 type of disaster

PUBLIC SAFETY:  

• Spearheaded the effort in building and maintaining the fire/ambulance station in Napili in 1992, until the state was ready and able to operate it. 

• Successfully lobbied for $85,000 to purchase two emergency vehicles to aid in transport of the H.I.T.T. team ( Highway Incident Traffic Team) to minimize lengthy road closures as well as be a first response to moving wrecked vehicles from roadways. 

• Spearheading constant support for Police and Fire Department purchases for tools to make our local heroes more efficient and to help protect and save lives 

• Successfully lobbied for the return of Maui County's Air Ambulance system, currently up and running.

TAX RELIEF:  

• Taking the bite out of your property tax bill -NO TAX RATE HIKE since WMTA'S 1988 public service campaign on the issue!

• Lobbied in support of increasing the Tax Breaker amount to allow for additional relief for homeowners 

• Constant lobbying for the decrease of property taxes.

TAX RELIEF

• Saved each West Maui taxpayer more than $100 per year in property taxes since 1981 through continuous lobbying for conservative budgets and low tax rates.
  
• Lobbied successfully for the return of the TAT to Maui County from the State General Fund.
  
• Campaigned to remove the property tax "rebate" system in 1985-86.
  
• Created the informational brochure "Property Taxes: Assessments, Appeals, Your Rights and Responsibilities" to familiarize members with the tax process.

INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS

WMTA has successfully lobbied for:

• the immediate repair of the collapse at Olowalu to ensure the safety of all motorists on the island.
  
• the installation of signs at all County parks to ensure recognition and awareness.
  
• the installation of a container placed next to the Lahaina Fire Station for the storage of medical supplies for west Maui shelters.
  
• the widening of the Honoapiilani Highway from Lahaina to Kaanapali and from Kaanapali to the Honokowai Stream.
  
• the funding and comprehensive improvement of the West Maui wastewater reclamation system.
  
• maintaining existing restrictions at West Maui Airport.
  
• funding the Lower Road improvements now under construction.
  
• increased parks and public space maintenance.
  
• the Front Street improvement plan.
  
• funding for the Lower Honoapiilani Road resurfacing in 1974 and 1984.

WMTA has:

• Supported funding for a pump/ladder truck for the Lahaina Fire Station.
  
• Spearheaded the lobbying and fundraising effort for the Napili Fire Station/Ambulance Center, and built it (lowering fire insurance rates for all of West Maui).
  
• Lobbied the State Department of Health to study West Maui's algae bloom problems and develop solutions.
  
• Worked with County Civil Defense Administration to publish a Disaster Preparedness Plan and implement the West Maui emergency volunteer program.
  
• Supported State appropriation for a feasibility study of a West Maui trauma/hospital facility; and private efforts to develop an urgent care center in West Maui.
  
• Lobbied for the expansion of the Lahaina community police program, including new hires for West Maui.

WMTA:

• Sponsors annual candidate forums to dialogue with candidates for county, state and federal elective offices.
  
• Actively promotes and assists in, establishing pollution prevention programs for West Maui hotels, condominiums and businesses.
  
• Publishes a monthly column in the Lahaina News to help inform the community on current issues.
  
• Organized the Lahaina Town Action Committee (LAC) in 1988 to help preserve the historic uniqueness of Lahaina.
  
• Participates on the West Maui Watershed Management Advisory Committee; Mayor's West Maui Advisory Committee; Maui Long Range Transportation Plan - Citizens Advisory Committee; West Maui Executive Committee, Maui Chamber of Commerce; West Maui Youth Center and Lahainaluna PTSA... (this is a partial list).