Sustainable Communities are Not New to Maui Maui is an island of small towns and communities, each separate and distinct. Pa‘ia, Makawao, Wailuku, Lana‘i City, and Lahaina Town are good examples of sustainable communities that provide residents with their daily needs and services while maintaining their small-town character. Until recently, these communities were surrounded by large tracts of agricultural land and open space. Historically, our host Hawaiian culture demonstrated how to build sustainable communities that respect natural resources through the ahupua‘a system. The Hawaiians developed the ahupua‘a land management system in order to balance the needs of the environment, community, and economy. Over the past few decades grass roots planning efforts in Maui County, such as Decisions Maui, Focus Maui Nui, and other events, have reiterated that our residents desire to balance stewardship of natural resources with community and economic needs. Preserving Maui's small towns and communities ensures that communities will be here for generations to come. By utilizing sustainable values and principles from the past and listening to Maui's residents, Olowalu Town hopes to balance the needs of Maui's growing families while maintaining our island's character and respecting the natural resources.

	Grass Roots Planning The Olowalu Talk Story values are very similar to other resident responses from successful community-wide grass roots efforts over the past several decades on Maui including: Focus Maui Nui (2004): A public planning effort that produced the community's goals, desires, and needs regarding the future of Maui County. The "Recommended Strategies" and "Core Values" are being utilized to help guide the update of the County's General Plan. Decisions Maui (1990): A grass roots planning effort, which produced core community values and priorities, ultimately helped to guide the update of Maui County's 1990 General Plan. County of Maui Benchmark Study (2002): A household survey of residents county-wide which revealed seven top concerns for the county and local families. Maui County Vision for Smart Growth (2001): Conducted by the Smart Growth Advisory Committee; produced 12 guiding principles to help achieve the smart growth vision. Many overlapping themes and values identified in the above noted efforts included stewardship of natural and cultural resources, local self-sufficiency, respect for cultural traditions and history, and compassion and wisdom in decision-making.

	Olowalu Talk Story Values The Olowalu Talk Story Planning Workshop attracted 1,350 participants. The workshops asked the community to help design a small town at Olowalu. Through surveys and general discussions, the Talk Story participants confirmed that the following values and principles should help guide the Olowalu Town planning process: Protect the environment Preserve culture Improve infrastructure Address water needs Build affordable housing Improve public facilities Strengthen island economy Preserve and enhance shoreline access