Running for: 11th District Representative

Occupation: President, Greenways Maui

MAUI TIME WEEKLY: Why should people vote for you?







JOE BERTRAM III: I've lived

and been active in the South Maui community for 40 years. I've been

involved in many of South Kihei's issues, such as the Kihei Greenway

and South Maui heritage corridor. I've been South Maui's representative

on the Maui planning commission. Basically, I've been "at it." I'm

looking forward to taking my communities' issues to the state level.





What's the biggest problem facing your district?







Transitioning from an auto-centric community plan to a walking plan.

We need more paths and trails to reconnect us to the natural

experience. And we have a great opportunity with all our open space.





With regards to that space, do you think it is time for a moratorium on land development?







Not so much a moratorium as a redirection. It's more a matter of

managing development and bringing in more compact, high-density,

transit-oriented development. Plan A is "Stop Everything," and that's

not gonna happen. So plan B is to create healthy, sustainable

communities. We don't want to be sprawled. Let's accommodate people in

a way that's beautiful and compact, like we used to live. We'll also

need a better bus system, and likely a light rail system as well.





What are your feelings on Hawaiian Sovereignty?







I think it's great! We need more of that. I hope and pray for them

to pull it together. Our coastal trail—we call it the Eddie Foo

project—is being developed as a Hawaiian walking trail. We're

replanting native plants. The Hawaiian culture was a walking culture,

and this will be an opportunity for them to reconnect to the `aina.





Okay, how about the proposed Superferry?







Alternative transportation.







George W. Bush?







The Devil!







Land Development?







Necessary evil.







What's the most difficult thing that ever happened to you?







Running for office. I've had to overcome my fear of being in the

public eye. It can be hard having a public persona of who you are.





And what's the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you?







Gosh, there's so many. I try to forget, but probably getting kicked

out of Seabury Hall. It wasn't my fault—I was accused of dealing

marijuana. I hadn't been, but it was out of my control.





What's the last book you read?







I don't really read books. I guess the Hawai`i 2060 Manifesto, the state manifesto plan.







What's your favorite thing about Maui?







Well, it's Maui! Even driving here, which can be tiring, is

enjoyable because of the beautiful scenery. I never get tired of the

mana. It keeps me alive. I couldn't give it up for anything. MTW