I. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH/COUNTY MONITORING SYSTEMS

The Maui Chamber of Commerce wishes to encourage those public agencies who have statutory responsibility for monitoring the air, water, and waste management sectors to allocate the resources equipment and personnel to carry out their mission.

Supporting Statement

The monitoring of air and water, as well as providing modern sewage disposal systems, is an external component of the community infrastructure which is vital to the business community. The Department of Health should pay particular attention to the monitoring of the water supply system so that any new contaminants which might enter the water supply can be detected early, isolated and prevented from further incursion.

II. EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY

The Maui Chamber of Commerce urges all employers to become knowledgeable about factors which influence an employee’s productivity. It is the Chamber’s belief that employers and employees have a mutual interest in promoting a healthy, drug free lifestyle which will ensure the employee’s ability to carry out their work in a productive way.

Supporting Statement

The Maui Chamber of Commerce stresses that employers should become familiar with and utilize a variety of employee assistance programs, including health promotion, drug free workplace programs, and wellness programs. These programs are designed to assist both the employer and the employee to create a healthy and more efficient work environment and to resolve non-work related issues which may be adversely influencing employee performance. The Maui Chamber of Commerce will assist members to bring these programs to their business in a fair, cost-effective and confidential manner. We also believe these programs should stress issues such as the importance of adequate nutrition, moderation of alcohol intake, and prevention of substance abuse, all within the context of maintaining the health and safety of the employee.

III. NONPROFIT HUMAN SERVICES

The Maui Chamber of Commerce encourages its members to fully support nonprofit human services agencies in their fund raising activities.

Supporting Statement

The Maui Chamber of Commerce understands that the Federal budget process has had a profound impact on the nonprofit human service delivery system. Declining funding sources and the increased cost of operations have made it difficult for special services to be provided. These services directly affect the health and well-being of the people of Maui. Therefore, in view of the declining funds available to support the nonprofit human services industry, it is important that all Chamber members realize that they play an important role in assisting in the funding of these agencies. The health and well-being of a community can be directly correlated with the ability of the private sector to support those private agencies providing direct care services to people. The Chamber of Commerce urges all its members and the community at large to accept this responsibility and work to actively provide the funding necessary for these nonprofit agencies to carry out their missions to take an active role of volunteerism, to serve in an advisory capacity, and through financial support.

IV. LONG TERM CARE

A. The Maui Chamber of Commerce acknowledges that our aging population requires special care services and supports the efforts of local agencies. Making information available to the community and promoting the support of care services should be a part of the health care system.

Supporting Statement

Long term care, assisted living and rehabilitative services are acknowledged as a critical part of the health care system. Hawaii has the longest life expectancy in the country, and the nation as a whole is experiencing the largest increase in the percentage of aging citizens in history. There is also a noted increase in non-age related health episode requiring nursing care and rehabilitation.

The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the growth of quality long-term care and rehabilitative services for the County of Maui through a knowledge of such services and a sharing of information to members and families.

B. The Maui Chamber of Commerce supports the promotion of responsible financial planning that provides for individual personal future care.

Supporting Statement

The decrease in Medicaid and Medicare payments demands that individuals and professional advisors create plans that insure payment for a continuum of care through insurance and/or personal financial planning. Failing to do so puts a tremendous burden on the provider and our total monetary system.