Free Beer Proposed by Maui Mayor Candidate to Combat High Inflation

A candidate for mayor of Maui County, who happens to look almost exactly like the classic TV character “Tattoo,” has proposed an unprecedented perk for residents to deal with record-high inflation: free beer.

Hector Villanueva, a cousin of “Fantasy Island” actor Herve Villechaize, said aside from the government’s typical financial assistance packages, elected leaders should take it a step further and do something to help address anxiety caused by the inflation.

Enter cold suds for Maui locals.

“Everyone talks about outrageous gas prices and how expensive it is to buy food, if you can find any,” said Villanueva. “But no one is discussing the real damage caused by this inflation crisis, and that is mental health.

“Therefore, I propose a free 12-pack of domestic beer per week for qualified Maui County residents, age 21 and older, of course.”

Villanueva said he would bring the perk before the County Council immediately upon taking office, so it could be considered and then included in the budget for the next fiscal year.

Other candidates for the mayor’s seat were cool to the idea.

[Editor’s Note: Unlike Mega Media like CNN, MSNBC, the New York Times, Washington Post, and other ginormous money-making news monsters, the policy of Maui Insight is to cover elections in straight-up journalism fashion. Considering this, you will never see Maui Insight insert our opinion into news pieces. Instead we offer every candidate an opportunity to opine on issues. We believe our readers are smart enough to digest the information and make decisions for themselves.]

Here is what each candidate said in response to Villanueva’s free-beer proposal.

“It’s a bad idea,” said current Mayor Michael Victorino, who is running for re-election.

“That’s a really, really bad idea,” said Richard Bissen, the recently retired judge who's now among quite the crowd of hopefuls wishing to replace Victorino.

“Uh, I don’t think so,” said candidate Cullan H. M. M. Bell.

“Yeah, that's a big NO,” stated Kimberly Brown.

“I don’t see how the government could make that work,” said Alana Kay.

“Do we have a budget impact report on this?” queried Kelly T. King.

Said Jonah M. Lion, “No way could government could make this happen.”

“No, and … No,” said candidate Michael Molina.

Only a single candidate, John F. Alakai, was on the fence about free beer for inflation.

“First off, what brand?” he asked. “And, I wonder how we would work out that inclusion thing with the beer. I would be adamant that people of all races and genders, and all walks of life and stuff, get an equal amount of beer.”

Villanueva remains undeterred.

“They’re all just mad that I announced first, and that I look just like an adorable old character from ‘Fantasy Island,’ ” he said. “But in this uncertain and challenging environment on island, we need fresh ideas, which seem to be totally absent this election. We can change that with fresh beer.

“And all those empty bottles would really help the homeless,” Villanueva said. “It would be a huge boost to our recycling centers.

Villanueva, 51, is a distant cousin of actor Villachaize, who played the elfin character Tattoo on the popular television series "Fantasy Island" in the late 1970s and early '80s.

He announced his Maui mayor candidacy in October at Kahului Airport by pointing up toward the sky and saying firmly, "It's all about da plane! da plane!" ~ a take on the late actor's famous line that opened each "Fantasy Island" episode.

At that time, Villanueva considered boosting tourism a top priority for the island in the pandemic recovery phase. However he says he’s softened his stance since the lines have gotten so long for him at Foodland.

Now he believes it is imperative to improve and protect the mental health of Mauians as we battle through the highest inflation we have seen since the Carter Administration.

Villanueva also favors a study to figure out why the speed bumps at OGG are so vicious, and an emergency response plan in case drivers get stuck in roundabouts.

A lifelong Maui resident, Villanueva grew up in Haiku before settling in Kihei. Today he makes a living managing vacation rentals.