Alan D. Kaufman

Full Name: Alan D. Kaufman

Name on Ballot: Alan D. Kaufman

Age: 66

District: Makawao/Haiku/Paia

Email Address: alankaufmandvm@gmail.com

Current Job: Veterinarian

Place of birth: New Jersey

Campaign website: facebook.com/KaufmanForCouncil

Job history past 10 years:

Dr. Kaufman has provided veterinary services for the past 40 years to farmers and ranchers from the Big Island to Niihau and from Hana to Molokai and Lanai.

Ever run for public office? If so, when? Outcome? Never

Other civic experience or community service?

Board of Veterinary Examiners 2012-2016

Cameron Center, Board of Directors 2010-2016 (President 2013-2014)

Kula Elementary School PTA (President ‘94-’95, ‘95-’96)

Kula Community Association (President, 1996, 1997, 2007)

Maui County Public Safety Commission, (Vice Chairman, 1998-2001)

Maui County Board of Ethics, 2004-2009, (Chairman 2007-2009) Maui County Subcommittee on the Zoo & Botanical Garden, 1995 Maui Cattlemen’s Association and Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, Maui Community College Instructor: The Horse Course ‘94, ‘95, ‘98 Hawaii State Education Improvement Plan: GOALS 2000 ‘94/’95

Anything else you’d like voters to know about you?

Without a voice on the County Council, the agricultural community throughout Maui County risks being further marginalized and ignored. Working with farmers and ranchers throughout Maui Nui, Dr. Kaufman listens to and understands the community he will represent.

What makes you qualified to be a Council member?

Working with the agricultural community throughout Maui County for the past 40 years provides me with unique perspective. Every Council person brings perspective to their service, but no one with an extensive agricultural background serves. With that, and with my history of community service, I can serve and serve well.

What are your top five priorities for the county?

1. District voting so our island communities can best know and better select their elected officials.

2. Water, a public trust, providing for agriculture which provides for our people.

3. Provision of social services including homelessness.

4. Eliminate rhetoric from the Council/Mayor relationship.

5. To disagree with respect.

What is your one big idea?

How we disagree with each other is as important as the things about which we disagree. Our elected officials need to work together rather than produce rhetoric.

What do you think about the proposal to go from a mayor/council form of government to a manager/council form?

Given that both the committee tasked with this issue and the Council were split by 5/4 votes shows how evenly divided we are. Either form can function well or terribly, depending on who we elect. That is why I support district voting.

What can the Council do to deal with the economic impact from the end of sugar on Maui?

We are fortunate that sugar is closing when unemployment is low and the economy strong. Each individual will determine their future based on their strengths, desires and opportunities available. State government has taken steps to extend existing programs. Council can help by listening to those needing assistance, then acting.

Affordable housing is in short supply on Maui. How would you suggest increasing the inventory of affordable housing?

Housing remains an issue because of the perpetual mismatch between supply and demand. Decades ago ohana housing was created to address the problem. That has helped. The Tiny House Movement is a relatively new idea that can be a partial solution. More new ideas are needed.