From: Richard C Smith

Date: Friday, April 28, 2006 2:20 PM

Subject: Re: Demographics

Friday Morning

HI Joe,

In response to your question about demographics ... Let me just share a few of the top of my head.  Maui is the “ICE” capital of the pacific.  Law enforcement here says approximately 85% of all crime here is related the the drug ICE and supporting the habit.

Dysfuntional homes are the norm here.  Multi generations living in one house due to the outrageous cost of housing ... And living.  The median price of a house on Maui is now over $800,000.  But the average person here works in hotels and such at not much more than above minimum wages.  Most people have a second job ... Or third.

Pregnancy outside of wedlock is not even considered unusual here ... Nor seen by most people as a problem.  The number of teenage pregnancies is alarming.

So many cultures here, living so close together ... All with their “own way” of doing things ... Cultural habits and practices.  All the normal “religions” are here ... plus demagog worship of the Hawaiians who are choosing the old Hawaiian way ... Fictious gods and goddesses.  That all contributes to confusion and chaos.

The educational system here is broken big time.  The standards are made lower and lower to keep passing any and everyone.  There’s no discipline in the classrooms ... And no support from administration.  The locals here speak “pigeon” ... Which is extremely poor and broken English.  Instead of How are you?  It’s “How you stay?”  Instead of “I’m finished” its “all pow”.

Welcome to paradise.

Gasoline is $3.67 per gallon.  Milk is $7 a gallon.  A loaf of bread is $3+.  Everything here cost more ... Car insurance ... House insurance.  Cars have the normal sticker on them at car dealers and then beside them on the window is a second sticker.  It says, “Additional Dealer Markups”.  It’s supposedly due to the cost of doing business in Hawaii.  It varies depending on the model of the car and varies from $1500 to $5500 dollars.  We not only have uninsured motorist insurance here ... But Hawaii requires the purchase of “under insured motorists” insurance.  Just another way to rip the people off.

Where as you can get on a Southwest or Frontier or other discount jet on the mainland and go across the country for $99-150.  Here in Paradise we pay between $150 to $200 to take a 20  minute flight to another island.  We see the television ads for Denny’s advertising the original grand slam and other specials for $2.99 to $5.99.  But here is paradise you’ll pay $11.99 and up for that very same meal ... At Denny’s.  Yes ... This is paradise.

Now ... Having said all that ... because that’s what you were asking for ... the average person you’ll meet here is friendly and warm.  They are good people just like the people on the mainland.   They have the same problems we do ... They are sinners just like you and me.  They need Christ ... Just like you and me.  They want a better life ... Just like you and me.  They love their children ... Just like you and me.  They are created in the image of God ... Just like you and me.  And Jesus Christ died to save them ... Just as He did for you and me.

Hope this answers your question about demographics and paradise.

Note: Pastor Rich is the senior Pastor at Valley Isle Fellowship in Maui, Hawaii