Meet our members

Diego Torres

What makes you feel good about your community?

“My family immigrated to Maui from Mexico when I was just three years old. Maui has, since then, become my home; here is where I have experienced all the highs and lows of my life. I have attended school here, grown up with all my friends here and my experiences have all blossomed from the sturdy foundation that is my community.

Thus, it has become inevitable that Maui has become a part of me. I look around and as my senses absorb this familiar environment, peace, joy, and a phenomenal sense of security enters my soul. I am proud of the unique Hawaiian culture that I’ve learned about. My community has its special beauty, culture and problems and it feels good to learn more and more about them.”

What are you concerned about in your community?

“I am concerned that there is too much development for tourists here when I heard the plan to build a golf course by Honolua Bay, one of the most beautiful and crucial places for surfers, I could not believe it. Traffic and overpopulation conflicts are worsening with the years, mainly due to all the development going on. We need to deal with it and take initiative to do something and resolve this conflict. Otherwise we will be destroying Maui’s natural beauty, and in the future, Maui could become an unsanitary and overcrowded island filled with health and environmental problems.”

What do you hope to gain from the Focus Maui Nui Youth Alliance experience?

“I hope to learn about Maui County and what we can do to create a sustainable and healthy future. I hope to be a part of an alliance that is concerned about the environment and the community and advocated good values and virtues which every productive member of society should have. I hope to get involved in activities and projects that contribute to our community.”