Deferred maintenance may appear to reduce short-term costs, but in reality it creates compounding financial and operational risk. Our recently published article explores how preventive maintenance, resilient engineering, and lifecycle-focused asset management reduce long-term costs, extend system performance, and improve operational reliability. It also examines the unique challenges of maintaining facilities in Hawaii, where corrosion, climate, logistics, and high construction costs demand a more strategic engineering approach focused on durability, resilience, and long-term value.