Forsyth, Shaina

Forsyth, Shaina

Office Seeking: State Senator, District 6 (South and West Maui)

Party: Democrat
Website: shainaforsythformaui.com

Food security is defined by the USDA as "access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life." How will your platform address food insecurity in Maui County?

I plan to support legislation that will help our local farmers and local agriculture industry. We need to increase the amount of locally produced food. This will ensure that fresh and healthy food is more readily available to residents of Maui Nui. This can reduce costs, and will make us more sustainable.

I also plan to support State and County programs for feeding the homeless, as well as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Finally, there are many great programs, such as the Maui Nui Food Alliance, Da Bux Double Up Food Bucks, and the Hawaii Good Food Alliance that work hard every day to increase food security to the residents of Maui Nui. I will support their efforts.

Please list any initiatives you have supported in Maui County to increase food access and food production that you are proud of:

I have volunteered to make meals and distribute them at the Ka Hale A Ke Ola homeless shelter in Lahaina. Also, during the height of the pandemic, Montage Kapalua Bay provided free meals to furloughed employees. I work on the management team and participated in planning and distributing these meals.

Hawaiʻi imports roughly 85% of our food supply. How will your platform address increasing local food production?

I plan to support legislation and funding for local agriculture and local farmers, so that we can bring more food production back to our islands. In recent history, the Kingdom of Hawaii was self-sustainable with food production. I believe we can work toward that again.

Please indicate your position on the following policies:

1. Creating County funding mechanisms to support DA BUX Double Up Food Bucks. SUPPORT

2. Increasing local food procurement for Maui County schools. SUPPORT

3. Increasing Farm to School initiatives including school gardens. SUPPORT

4. Pursuing County Farm to Food Bank Funding. SUPPORT

5. Developing regional organic waste and composting services. SUPPORT

6. Restructuring the Department of Water Supply and Department of Wastewater to encourage strategies for conservation, efficient water use, storage, and growing water resources. SUPPORT

7. Increasing the budget for the Maui County Department of Agriculture. SUPPORT

8. Offering subsidies to local farms that have shown the ability to sustain production. SUPPORT

9. Supporting policies that allow for increased affordable housing for farmworkers. SUPPORT

10. Improving policies around hunting and utilizing invasive protein sources. SUPPORT

11. Funding updated shared processing facilities, including slaughterhouses and food hubs. SUPPORT

12. Implementing new inspection policies to reduce the spread of invasive species. SUPPORT

13. Establishing local control of water resources through a Maui County Community Water Authority, with the ability to establish regional community boards. REQUEST FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please elaborate on any of your above positions here.

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Are there other issues, County-wide or within your own residency area, about food security that concern you, and how do you plan to address these issues if elected?

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