Have GIS, Will Travel: Using GIS as an Interactive Decision Support Tool in Community Meetings

Author: Bill Medeiros
Organization: County of Maui

250 South High Street
Wailuku, HI 96793
USA

Phone: (808) 270-7735
Fax: (808) 270-7634
makule@maui.net

The Maui Planning Department is the lead planning agency for the County of Maui, Hawaii. The County is made up of four major islands: Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kahoolawe. This presents special problems in providing accurate land information at community meetings. In 1996, the department opted for portability in developing a laptop-based GIS to support its community planning program. After many meetings and much travel over land and sea, GIS has become an integral part of the County's planning process. This paper will document the sometimes bumpy road to interactive GIS.