Quality of Life Principles

Position Statements

RAM's Board of Directors has adopted a political vision statement that we call our "Quality of Life" program. RAM will be actively advocating for this Quality of Life program in County Council legislation and Department rule-making as specific issues are addressed. RAM will compare specific legislation and rule-making against our Quality of Life vision statement.

We have identified five principles that, when used as a guide in public policy decisions, will nurture stronger communities on Maui regardless of size or location. Those principles call for:

1. Building Better Communities: Quality of life means living in a robust community with a wide variety of local employment opportunities and commercial enterprise, good schools, safe neighborhoods, high-quality public services, efficient transportation systems, and an infrastructure that keeps pace with growth.
   
2. Ensuring Economic Vitality: Quality of life starts with a good job. Economic development increases the number of jobs, the tax base, purchasing power, diversity, and the availability of goods and services. These factors make community improvement possible.
   
3. Providing Housing Opportunities: Quality of life means having an affordable roof over your head. All citizens should be able to find safe, suitable, and affordable housing near where they work, shop, and play.
   
4. Preserving Our Environment: Quality of life means having access to parks and open space. Conservation and wise use of natural resources and critical areas lead to more parks, open space, and preserve our unique natural environment.
   
5. Protecting Property Owners: Quality of life means you are protected. A strong economy depends upon preserving the right to freely own, use, and transfer real property, a cornerstone upon which this nation was founded.

Notice that these Principles depend on one another. A General Plan and Community Plans that ignores one Principle will struggle to achieve their aims, and may fail in several other areas. Specific policies will undoubtedly vary according to local circumstances, but the Principles of good community are the same throughout Maui. As RAM adopts positions on specific issues, we will present them in terms of how they fit our Quality of Life mission statement program.