Situational Analysis

This SWOT was developed through the feedback of approximately 500 community participants of focus groups, surveys, an open house event, a Wailuku arts leadership huaka'i and District Plan Advisory Committee meetings from Feb 3 - June 23, 2022. Trends are in bold and will be addressed in the Plan's goals & objectives as our work continues. A Wailuku Arts District Management Plan draft will be submitted to the County of Maui by the end of calendar year 2022, per our project timetable. 
STRENGTHS
  • The area hosts a core concentration of performing arts that have already organized as Wailuku Performing Arts Alliance
  • Exciting collection of place-based public art created through community consultations/ storytelling
  • Its central location promotes accessibility
  • Strong sense of identity, community, and collaboration
  • Concentration of well-established, well-known, and well-loved arts organizations, artists, and studios
  • Pre-existing national investment (MAPA + ST*BA) of vision and merit-based arts advancement
  • An established, well-coordinated community event that was very well attended (proof of concept): First Friday
  • Presence of food & beverage establishments with which to coordinate pre-and post-event patronage
  • Clean & Safe
  • Diversity, both within our community and through the diversity of art offerings
  • Strong momentum (e.g. parking structure)
  • District size accommodates a walkable, friendly area 
  • Wailuku's history as a gathering place for the islands. We're just one link in a long chain of arts experiences that come from Wailuku
WEAKNESSES
  • Uncoordinated scheduling (Bursts of activity vs. consistency)
  • Uncoordinated marketing
  • No central hub of communications for Wailuku players (e.g. grassroots Mother's Day planning)
  • Similar donor base may create competition
  • No common long-term vision yet for the future of arts in Wailuku
  • Unofficial coordinated interaction with public sector (including police, government services, elected officials) for things like: emptying and maintaining trash cans, sweeping, banner installation and maintenance, event lighting maintenance and timers, landscaping and irrigation timers, weeding, occasional graffiti removal, removing handbills from light poles, power washing. 
  • Funding for the arts is not prioritized (in general)
  • Safety
  • No venue geared toward orchestra or dance performance (e.g. acoustics, lack of piano/ logistics to move one in and out, no wings)
  • No communal art gallery (for music + visual arts pop-up opportunities)
  • Parking

OPPORTUNITIES
  • Amplify Wailuku's unique story and identity as it relates to Island/ County/ State/ County/ Globe
  • Infusion of co-branded/ District marketing exposure
  • Maui attracts art buyers & audience members that can benefit from increased promotion
  • New H.O.A. complex (amphitheater, space rental, parking)
  • Improved infrastructure
  • Increased economic stimulation and interest in the area following Wailuku Redevelopment Area improvements (i.e. more opportunities for coordination with businesses, restaurants, and potential purveyors of the arts)
  • Expand/ develop First Friday ("make every day First Friday") with additional neighborhood events and quarterly themes for all tenants to interpret/ celebrate, as well as a "Signature" annual Wailuku event
  • Centralized information hub & point-of-contact ("District Coordinator/ Manager") for Wailuku activities, events, specials, news
  • Cross-pollination amongst art forms and programs throughout Wailuku 
  • "Opportunity Zone" benefits (ending soon!)
  • More arts opportunities = more jobs created
  • Spaces for more food & beverage establishments
  • Community demand for safe, affordable, locally-driven events and spaces and support for local artists
  • Opportunities to honor and preserve culture and history in Wailuku/ community demand to uplift and support culturally significant art forms
THREATS
  • Sustainable funding
  • Economic downturns
  • Tourism impacts/mitigation
  • Frequently changing political climate (elections every two (County Council) & four (Mayor) yrs.)
  • Gentrification​
  • Commercialization (I would love to flesh this one out with the group)
  • Cost of safety needs (tax payer impacts)
  • Cultural exploitation/ insensitivity
  • Competition for limited space (and associated price impacts)
  • ​Exclusivity
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