Tracking indicators of natural environment quality provides information that protects people from the negative effects of an unhealthy environment.  Ecosystem services provide us with our food and water, purify our air, and preserve nature itself, giving Maui's residents the opportunity to enjoy open spaces.

The social environment comprises economic development, population and community dynamics, and the preservation of our cultural heritage.  In recent times, Maui has undergone significant changes as it transitioned from a plantation society to a tourist destination.  To preserve the quality of life on Maui, economic and social progress must be linked to each other and to cultural preservation