New Carpenters Union Super PAC Spends Big Money on Maui Council Race

A new political action committee affiliated with the carpenters union spent more than $290,000 this month to influence the outcome of three Maui County Council elections, seats that could determine the future of development on an island on the cusp of major redevelopment. effort.

For a Better Future, a new super PAC formed less than two months ago, sent mailers to voters on Maui in support of the re-election of Tom Cook, Tasha Kama and Nohe U’u-Hodgins, who are seen as pro-development. majority on the council.

Cook will face former council member Kelly King on Nov. 5. Kama will compete against Carol Lee Kamekona. U’u-Hodgins’ rival is Nara Boone.

The defeat of either incumbent candidate would tip the scales in favor of the political faction on the council that generally opposes large development projects and favors a greater share of affordable housing.

For a Better Future also paid for advertising to support candidates on Kauai, Hawaii Island and two legislative elections. according to reports filed with the Hawaii Campaign Expenditure Commission.

Known in Hawaii as independent spending committees, super PACs like For a Better Future have no limits on the amount of donations they are allowed to receive from a single source and no limits on what they can spend on support or opposition. political candidates.

The only stipulation is that the super PAC cannot coordinate its advertising with candidates’ campaigns.

For A Better Tomorrow is financially supported by the Hawaii Carpenters Market Recovery Program Fund, which is affiliated with the Pacific Resource Partnership. The fund receives money from contractors who hire workers represented by the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters. The Foundation created “For a Better Future” with Contribution of $7.6 million in September.

Groups associated with the carpenters union spent significant amounts of money in 2018 and 2022 to influence the gubernatorial and lieutenant governor elections. Two years ago, these groups also began participating in races for county council positions.

“Like many other working-class families, our members are deeply concerned about the future of our islands,” Sean Newcamp, chairman of For a Better Future, said in a written statement. “We want affordable housing, a living wage, retirement security and a quality of life that ensures Hawaii remains a place where we, our keiki and future generations can thrive.”

While there is general consensus on issues such as Lahaina revitalization efforts, the County Council tends to be more divided on how to approach new development projects.

The council is divided into five members who are considered more pro-development and four others who run from a list called Ohana candidates and who tend to prioritize environmental protection, among other things.

The board includes Cook, Kama and Uu-Hodgins, as well as Yuki Lei Sugimura, who oversees the district’s finances and chairs the board’s budget committee, and board Chair Alice Lee.

Current Ohana candidates include Tamara Paltin, Kiani Rawlins-Fernandez, Gabe Johnson and Shane Sinensi. Johnson and Sinenci are unopposed in the general election.

Ohana’s group took control of the council in 2018 but lost power in 2022 when Kelly King and Mike Molina left to run for mayor. During those years, concerns about the county’s use of injection wells and other environmental issues clearly illustrated the division among council members.

Now the gap is over.

“The main point of contention is growth versus degrowth,” said Dick Mayer, a retired economics professor and longtime Maui political commentator.

More construction means more jobs for carpenters and other construction industry professionals.

Maintaining the status quo on the board could mean smoother development for developers in the future. If control reverts to the Ohana group, new developments are likely to meet resistance and the council will be more likely to push developers towards more affordable properties, Mayer said.

For A Better Tomorrow paid more than $289,000 for advertising in support of Cook, Kama and U’u-Hodgins. Separately, the company spent more than $80,000 on advertising in support of Kama and Hawaii County Councilman Matt Kaneali-Kleinfelder, according to the agency. election communication report filed October 3.

On Maui, Kama benefited the most from For a Better Future program spending.

She won the Kahului seat in 2022, beating her opponent by just 9 percentage points. It was one of the closest races that year.

Kama said she is pleased to receive support this election season.

“I was very grateful that the super committee supported me,” Kama said. “Sometimes you don’t know what they’re going to do on a day-to-day basis.”

Cook is also seen by many as vulnerable. He beat former council member Kelly King by just 144 votes in the primary. Cook also said he was grateful for the support.

“I’m more of a carpenter than a politician,” he said.

Cook and Kama said they believe developers and workers in the construction industry have a bad reputation.

“People want us to build affordable homes for local people,” Cook said. “But the people who can actually do it are criticized. I don’t understand this.

Most eyes were on Cook’s spot in South Maui. It is also an area where several major development projects are in the pipeline.

More than 6,400 apartments are planned for development in South Maui in the coming years, according to Mayer’s presentation.

Residents angry about the lack of affordable housing in these complexes point to a project called Honuaula, formerly known as Wailea 670. Of the 1,150 units included in the development, 288 are slated to be affordable to comply with county codes that require 25 percent of new construction to be dedicated to workforce housing.

On Maui, affordable housing is defined as housing designed for those earning less than 140% of the area median income, which for a family of four is about $168,000 per year.

The council could require developers to produce more affordable units. It also has the authority to approve zoning changes or community plan amendments that are necessary to move projects forward.

The council also appoints members of county boards, such as the planning commission, which makes recommendations to the council and mayor regarding proposed developments.

“Can they stop their development? I don’t know if they can.” – Mike Moran, former President Kihei Community Associationsaid about Oana’s candidates. “But they can slow it down, make it more difficult.”

While most Super PAC spending has focused on pro-growth candidates, Ohana candidates are receiving some outside support.

Super PAC Maui Pono Network spent $1,000 on advertising in support of the Ohana list. Group reported raising $16,000 this election cycle, which began in 2022.

The group, made up mostly of Maui residents, also raised $13,500 to send out the “Save Maui Vote Guide,” which, in addition to supporting Ohana’s list, also supports Sen. Angus McKelvey and Reps. Therese Amato, Elle Cochran and Mahina Poepo.

WITHivil Beat’s coverage of Maui County is supported in part by a grant from the Nuestro Futuro Foundation.

This story was supported by funding from the Data-Driven Reporting Project. The Data Driven Reporting Project is funded by the Google News Initiative in partnership with Northwestern University | Medill.