MONITORING AND EVALUATION

Chapter 9: Monitoring and Evaluation

A single day of freezing weather is not enough to create three feet of ice. ~ Chinese Proverb

⬚ figure Agricultural Fields of the Central Plains.

T he Maui Island Plan is just that – a plan of action. It rests with all of us to see that we travel the long road ahead with our vision lighting the way, and our every step along the path monitored and evaluated to ensure we are moving ever closer to our ultimate goal. For that we need predesigned and designated measurement tools. We need prearranged benchmarks to test the effectiveness of our actions. We need courage to move forward into the future, we need commitment to hold to our values, and we need the patience to wait for the fruits of our labor. This Chapter outlines a comprehensive strategy to monitor the attainment of the MIP’s goals and objectives, moving us ever closer to our vision of the future.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

How will we know if quality of life is improving on Maui? Some actions proposed will have perceivable impacts in the short term, while others will take much longer to develop, fund, and implement. The Monitoring and Evaluation Program described in this chapter establishes a strategy to track the implementation, evaluate the effectiveness of policies and programs, monitor the quality of life on Maui, and allow for periodic program adjustments. This strategy includes establishing and monitoring performance indicators to help implementing agencies attain planned outcomes.

The MIP’s indicators provide the foundation for the Monitoring and Evaluation Program. Specific benchmarks should be used to measure progress in the implementation of MIP policies and actions. Physical, environmental, cultural, and socio-economic indicators are used to assess the overall quality-of-life on Maui.

The Department of Planning will oversee the Monitoring and Evaluation Program, which will include the preparation of the Monitoring Report. The Department may modify or add indicators, as needed, to track the impacts of plan implementation. The Department will prepare a monitoring report to report on the progress of plan implementation and provide a portrait of the quality of life on Maui.

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Agricultural fields near Pukalani.

Benchmarks to Measure Progress

Benchmarks will be developed for major proposed programs and actions such as the TDR/PDR program, updating the 1984 Cultural Resources Management Plan for Maui, and amending the County Zoning Code. Benchmarks are established targets that track the phases of implementation and should be clear, realistic, include a time element, and be measurable, if possible. For example, benchmarks for the TDR/PDR program might include: 1) Fully implement TDR/PDR program by 2010; 2) 1,000 acres of prime agricultural resource land preserved in perpetuity by 2015; and 3) 5,000 acres of prime agricultural resource land preserved in perpetuity by 2030.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

The Department of Planning will coordinate with the appropriate agencies and program specialists to establish benchmarks for major programs and initiatives. The benchmarks will be set following adoption of the MIP; analysis of the benchmarks will be provided in the Monitoring Report. This analysis will reveal whether benchmarks are being exceeded, attained, or not being met. Periodic monitoring provides the opportunity to consider the need for new or revised strategies or implementation measures. Benchmarks may also be revised as necessary in response to periodic program evaluations.

Quality of Life Indicators

The Department of Planning will monitor a core set of indicators. Table 9-1 includes a core set of 36 indicators that could be used to monitor progress toward achieving the goals and objectives of the MIP. Many indicators identified in this plan have been borrowed from existing plans, programs and reports, and are based on available and reliable data to ensure their usefulness throughout the planning horizon. However, they can be modified and updated as new data becomes available.

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Pāpalaua Beach, Lahaina.

Furthermore, the quality of life indicators are intended to represent a range of measurements across the various chapters of the MIP. The indicators are regional in nature to focus on the island as a whole, rather than individual communities. Where possible, commonly used indicators have been chosen in order to facilitate comparisons between Maui and other jurisdictions. The indicators are grouped by the following three thematic areas and nine categories:

These core indicators not only provide a snapshot of the quality of life on Maui, but also track the progress of key issues that the MIP intends to address. Table 9-2 articulates how the indicators relate to the MIP goals and details appropriate sources of data.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

Monitoring and Evaluation Program Management

The Monitoring and Evaluation Program is a comprehensive and dynamic tool designed to track plan implementation throughout the 2030 planning horizon. Active and ongoing management of the program is essential for ensuring its usefulness and success. The Department of Planning will manage and update the Monitoring and Evaluation Program and initiate adjustments to the program as needed.

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Coral reef at Ukumehame.

Monitoring Report

The Department of Planning will complete the Monitoring Report, which will report on the established quality of life indicators and the status of implementing MIP programs against established benchmarks. The report will discuss the significance and findings of each indicator and will address emerging indicator trends to provide a snapshot of the quality of life on Maui.

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Paniolos herding cattle at Thompson Ranch, Keokea.

The report will document the changes in the core indicators, provide analysis as to the observable trends, and assess the progress towards the plan’s goals. In this report, core indicators can be augmented by additional data and indicators. An example is Indicator 15, which tracks “Dollars Spent per day per Visitor”; this can be used to assess the economic value of tourism and can be supplemented by data on Hotel Occupancy Rates, the total number of Hotel Rooms, Time Shares, Vacation Rental Condos, and Bed and Breakfast accommodations. In addition, the report will examine the progress made on the various benchmarks. Comparing actual achievements with established milestones will help in determining whether community desires are being attained, exceeded, or not being met within the established timeframe. It is intended that the General Plan Monitoring Report serve as a “report card” for plan implementation and identify successes, weaknesses, and strategies for improvement.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

Table 9 – 1: Core Indicators

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

Table 9 – 2: MIP Performance and Quality of Life Indicators : Goals Association and Potential Data Sources

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

Table 9 – 2: MIP Performance and Quality of Life Indicators : Goals Association and Potential Data Sources

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

Table 9 – 2: MIP Performance and Quality of Life Indicators : Goals Association and Potential Data Sources