Aloha Council Members,

I am humbled by your dedication during the Budgeted sessions. I stayed up with you, for most of the evening on Friday. Our community should be proud of what you do for them.

I’m Aunty Mopsy, one of the facilitators of Hui Malama Pā'ia (volunteer residents and merchant organization). Our community has sat idle for a long time and the pandemic has opened our eyes in coming forward to take care of our Kuleana in Pā'ia. Mahalo for giving us the opportunity to be involve in those decisions.

Our Council Member, Mike Molina has a proposal before you for $400,000 to assist in creating a temporary parking area located on the map of the Baldwin Beach Plan. The final Draft has not been approved for the BBP and we know that it will take a while before it becomes a reality.

When the surf is up on the north shore, residents from all over come to surf. Unfortunately, signs went up, "No Parking", where residents and visitors parked. The uproar of no parking availability became a huge issue, especially when our residents were issued citations. How can we provide a solution so that our residence in our own community as well as others from other communities are able to fine parking to enjoy the surf, or picnic, or bring your Keiki for a swim.

Mahalo to Kai Nishiki, Parks and Recreation, Karla Peters and CM Molina for embracing this proposal that is before you of $400,000. We have the support of the residents and merchants of Hui Malama Pā'ia to assist in anyway we can.

Mahalo, Aunty Mopsy
(Francine Aarona)

Testimony: County Budget Hearings

I am a teacher at Waiheʻe School. My 1st-grade students have had the opportunity in the past to learn about the importance of soils and water quality from the staff of the Maui Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we were unable to work with The Soil and Water Conservation District this year. However, the SWCD did not give up and tried to come up with a solution to make this program happen for our students. They showed diligence to find a solution for our unique situation throughout COVID-19. We decided to put this learning program on hold this year due to the difficult adjustments and uncertainty that this school year brought, but we were excited to work with them during the 2021-2022 school year when things settled down.

When they were able to come to our school, it was a very unique opportunity that my students have enjoyed for 2 years. The SWCD went above and beyond in order to provide meaningful science activities that our students do not usually get to experience in first grade. They were exposed to the importance of soil, water runoff, and how soil is essential to all types of life. They continued to talk about what they have learned about soil and water quality throughout the school year showing that their presentation was meaningful to our students.

While the conservation districts are most often associated with the preparation and approval of conservation plans, their scope of work is much broader. Their activities include a variety of education and outreach programs. By funding the SWCDs, you contribute to their capacity to carry out these tasks and their ability to provide educational opportunities to our youth.

Your support for continued funding for the SWCDs is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Monica Kramp
Waiheʻe School
First Grade Teacher

Testimonies received from BFED Committee.

I am speaking on behalf of myself. However, I feel that I am representing a large group of surfers and body boarders who love to ride the waves at Paia Bay during the winter. You may not know this but Paia Bay is one of the most popular body boarding spots on the island of Maui. Many of the users are drivers but younger than 21. Parking is extremely limited when the surf is up. Councilmember Mike Molina, Community Member Kai Nishiki, Hui Malama Paia and Parks Department Director Karla Peters have come up with a parking solution. I would like the council to fund the $400,000 temporary Baldwin Beach Plan parking proposal that Mike Molina has brought before you.
Thank you Marcy Martin, Paia

Please Support Flat Funding for the Pa'ia Youth & Cultural Center in the next fiscal year

Aloha Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee,

My name is Billy Jalbert,

I am the president of the board of PYCC, a Paia resident and business owner and a parent!

PYCC is a north shore institution that has made Paia a better, cleaner and safer place for all! Year in and year out PYCC has helped build our community through our youth, whether in the programs that educate and nourish our youth to specific events like Beachfest. Many folks take PYCC for granted. We are truly grateful that the County Council does not and we genuinely appreciate your support.

2020 was a trying year for many throughout the world and on Maui. PYCC proved to be an incredible resource / haven for many youth during the pandemic. They say in hard times, the best demonstrate their value more than ever. PYCC did so.

We understand Covid did a job on the budget and will continue to pose challenges for many years. That said, PYCC demonstrated its value and need to the community more than ever in 2020. We hope that you will keep our funding steady for the next fiscal year!

Mahalo nui loa,

Billy Jalbert
President
Paia Youth Council, Inc.

Aloha Budget, Finance and Economic Committee;
Mahalo for allowing testimony. My name is Nicole Hokoana and I am writing to express my support for designating funds needed for the Interim Parking Lot for Lower Paia. As you well know, Paia is a popular destination among both locals and visitors. When the surf is up, the lower parking lot is filled quickly; with no shoulder parking allowed anymore, surfers are getting ticketed for parking on the shoulder. The shoulder parking creates a safety concern for families and children using the bike path. It is not uncommon to see cars driving along the bike path to get around vehicles. I think it is also important to state that this parking should be for beach access, not shopping/dining purposes. Largely, the municipal parking lot and the lots on Baldwin Avenue are for shopping/dining and store access. This lot should be designated for beach access.

The Interim Parking Lot Proposal will alleviate some of the need for parking and will also increase the safety of the small space. Further, in this testimony I would like to express support for charging non-residents for their use of the parking spaces. The fees charged to non-residents for use of parking could be designated to security, services for unsheltered populations that live around the municipal parking, cleaning and maintenance.

Mahalo for allowing me to share my testimony in support of the Interim Parking Lot Proposal and associated parking fees to visitors who use the lot to access the beach.

Nicole H.

Eddie Tam Playground

Dear Maui County Counselors,

I am a resident of Haiku and grew up going to school in Upcountry Maui. I am writing to encourage you to put funding toward building a playground at Eddie Tam in 2022. I have plenty of friends and family with toddlers who would greatly benefit from having a playground nearby that is specifically designed for kids in an older age bracket. The only other playgrounds available in the area are at least 15 minutes away and designed for kids 5+. Public playgrounds give kids the ability to socialize, exercise, and build a sense of community from a young age. Please allocate funds to move this project forward! I will look forward to bringing my kids here one day.

Thank you so much for your consideration. I appreciate all your hard work on planning this budget!

All the best,
Natalia Rogers

Please Support Flat Funding for the Pa'ia Youth & Cultural Center in the next fiscal year

Aloha Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee,

I am writing a request to support flat funding for the Pa'ia Youth & Cultural Center for the next fiscal year because of how incredibly important this program is to the community. I know I am but one voice; however, my one voice also represents the many other families that utilize this important program.

I am a single mother of 2 children who have enrolled in the program. Before finding this gem of a program my children spent several hours home alone while I worked to support us. I often worried about their well being while I was gone and it caused me great stress. In turn, they spent that time alone playing video games, watching TV or doing chores when they should have been outside being normal children.

Since enrolling both my children into the program they have made many friends. They look forward to seeing their friends, their instructors, and playing games. Games include pool, 4 square, ping pong, football or basketball. All of the youth are out and enjoying physical activities instead of more screen time. The Youth Center emphasizes cooperation, team work, kind words, in addition to independence. They are encouraged to participate in friendly competition as well such as pull up contests, surfing competitions, skateboarding, and races.

This program offers a unique variety of things to learn as well. There is a large industrial kitchen where kids can learn cooking skills and get food if they are hungry. They can purchase food or work clean up or helpful tasks for snacks made. There is a radio station that plays live during the open hours that children can take turns learning what it takes to put music on the radio, DJ skills, the importance of announcing the songs, how to work the controls of the radio board and advertising.

My children have personally come home more confident in their skills with what they learn. Both have come home excited they painted a painting on canvas, their first time using such a medium.

My daughter took skills she learned there to make a piece of art that looks professional. She has also utilized the personal instruction from Peter the singing/recording expert. I have seen her singing go from mediocre to outstanding. She spends time in there recording her singing as it is her dream to become a professional singer. But I lacked the finances or ability to provide her with lessons or that type of recording ability. She also loves to cook in the big kitchen and learn new techniques or recipes. In addition to singing they offer other arts such as photography and videography with professional equipment, that, were it not for the Pa'ia Youth Cultural Center, they would never be able to experience or utilize equipment like this.

My son was so shy on his first day attending. He stood awkwardly out watching the kids. I was worried about him. But the other children recognized this and included him in games where he soon has started making friends. He runs in to join his friends when he is dropped off. He has started trying new things, new games, and even joining in competitions to improve his physical skills. He has started to learn video editing and voice editing in the computer/singing room. Instead of talking about being a video game pro as many kids are now talking about he's starting to talk about being a photographer, music editor or even a professional chef depending on the day. He gets out into the water where he used to be timid and now drives under the waves with no fear. He sings and dances and plays games without his shy demeanor holding him back any longer. His confidence in himself is through the roof since joining the program!

In summary, the Pa'ia Youth and Cultural Center is an invaluable program for the community to have. It's building skills for our community's children to set them forth on a positive path that will change the future of this island. Not only does this program help keep my children from being alone or being in the streets, it provides peace of mind for us parents, positive role models and activities for our children, new skills or confidence to try new things, and reinforced independence with proper guidance. I have seen both my children become brighter, happier and more curious everytime they attend. Aloha was given to them when they arrived and they pass Aloha on in the community. Pa'ia Youth and Cultural Center is not merely a program, it's a place of learning, a place to become better people and a place that is home. It's more than instructors and kids. Its ohana. So I ask you please give Flat Funding to Pa'ia Youth Cultural Center to continue to invest in the future of the community of Maui.

Cordially yours,
Tiffany Rangel

Pycc funding

Hello please keep funding pycc it is a very special place for many children and their families.
Thank you.

Anna Blanch

Please Support Flat Funding for the Pa'ia Youth & Cultural Center in the next fiscal year

Aloha Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee,

My Name is Paula Daian and I am a mother of two daughters currently attending PYCC.
I just want to say that PYCC is an amazing place and I have only the best to say about all the staff members and their programs.

This year 2020 was a very difficult year for all. All around the world our Keikis are suffering the consecuences of living in unpresedented times.
PYCC is an Oasis of Love, friendship and personal development. I really appreciate everything PYCC is giving to our kids and our community.

I am here in support with anything I can to help PYCC , our community and our children

All The best

Paula Daian
808 2144276

Please Support Flat Funding for the Pa'ia Youth & Cultural Center in the next fiscal year

Aloha Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee,

My Name is Kim Hack I am the owner of Kimos rent a car and a father of two daughters currently attending PYCC.

I am sending this email in full support of PYCC and I want to ask Maui County to please authorize the expansion of the cultural center and the funding needed.

Mahalo for your consideration.

Kim Hack
Kimo's Rent A Car

https://kimosrentacar.com

Testimony for 2022 Parks and Recreation Budget

My name is Lauren Bailie and I am a resident of Upcountry Maui (specifically Makawao). I am a licensed social worker and mom to a 2.5 year old daughter. I am writing this testimony in support of including funding in the 2022 budget for a playground at Eddie Tam.

During this pandemic getting outdoors has been a lifeline for my daughter and myself. As an owner of an "essential" business my husband worked throughout the shutdown leaving me scrambling to figure out how to entertain a young toddler on my own. As soon as I felt safe in our understanding of the virus I began to bring her to Giggle Hill playground and once I learned about it, the recently built playground in Kula. Both of these are a significant drive from our house in either direction but it was worth it as they provided us with some semblance of normalcy and a way to get out some energy.

When I heard about the idea to build a playground closer to our home I was thrilled. Eddie Tam is a central location in Makawao and a playground there would provide the community with a safe place to bring our children. Please consider allocating funds to move this forward. It would be a wonderful resource for parents!

Thank you for your consideration and your time in reading this testimony. I appreciate all your hard work.

Mahalo,
Lauren Bailie

Aloha Maui County Councilors,
I am a Maui resident and a parent of a 1-year-old. I am writing to encourage you to include funding for a playground at Eddie Tam in the 2022 budget. There are currently no public playgrounds in Makawao for our keiki, and all of the playground within 15 minutes have signs that state they are designed for children aged 5+. Upcountry parents and keiki would really benefit from this enhancement of Eddie Tam! Please allocate funds to move this project forward. Thank you very much for your consideration and hard work on this year's budget!

Aloha,
Madison Furlong

Honorable Chair Rawlins-Fernandez and members of BFED:
Summary:
Napili Bay and Beach Foundation, Inc. (NBBF) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization formed in late 2006 with a mission of protecting and improving the health of Napili beach and bay. We respectfully request here a grant of $67,000.00 from the SMA Revolving Funds account, which will allow us to complete the unfunded part of our overall project to replace public beach access structures at the south end of Napili Beach.
NBBF has been working since early 2019 to remediate the damage to public beach access path, stairs, and beach shower destroyed by coastal erosion over a two year period: 2017 - 2019. An estimated 50,000 - 60,000 residents and Maui visitors/year use this public access point to Napili Beach.

The overall project includes removal of all old concrete structures and replacement of same with well engineered stairs, above-grade path, and beach shower that are made with more resilient materials, more appropriate for these types of beach access structures along Maui’s coastlines. Private donations have been used to pay for new architectural plans that are more resilient to coastal erosion processes and to spare the headland from further erosion. All plans and County SMA permits are now in place, also privately funded.

NBBF applied for, and has just received approval of a County grant for $49,000.00 to cover costs of demolition of the old concrete stair debris and the other old concrete structures that contribute to headland erosion. We have also received a Hawaii State Grant in Aid of $75,000.00 to rebuild the new set of resilient public beach access stairs.

An additional request for funds to complete construction of a new public beach shower with a raingarden to appropriately handle shower drainage is in process. The old public beach shower (1980’s) was drained with a simple PVC pipe running out through the headland to the beach area, which contributed to the headland erosion and to pollution of the bay waters (e.g. sunscreens, other skincare products).
So what is left, and why are we requesting $67,000.00 from the SMA Revolving Funds? Due to the destruction of the old concrete beach access stairs in July, 2019, coastal geologist Tara Owens recommended that new stairs be moved slightly mauka and tucked into the headland to protect them from further wave run-up damage due to sea level rise. This meant re-routing traffic over the top of the headland to the point where new stairs will be located. While this is SAFE for beachgoers to traverse, it is causing further damage to the headland due to all the foot traffic. Thus, the new design has a new portion of the beach access path that will be constructed of TREX type decking and be ‘above grade’ to spare the headland from further damage. Collateral damage from this foot traffic is to water quality in Napili Bay as coastal erosion increases sediment in the water, further impairing coral/reef health. We have WQ data from Hui O Ka Wai Ola that show this is the case. (available on request)
Financial overview of the project, which has been a private, County and State collaboration :

Private contributions $80,000.00 (Includes loan of $25K and $25K in kind project management)
State contributions $75,000.00
County contributions $49,000.00 granted ($14,274.00 requested OED)
SMA Revolving Fund $67,000.00 requested today

WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO RAISE REST OF FUNDING TO DO
Construction of new above grade path to spare more headland erosion by foot traffic

NBBF will have old concrete debris removed, new stairs installed this Summer. IF the small OED grant is made, we will also have the new beach shower and rain garden installed at same time.
With the funding from SMA Revolving Fund, we can complete the above grade access path, and spare further destruction of the headland and further impairment of water quality at Napili Bay.
Mahalo nui loa for your consideration.
Pat

Pat B. Lindquist, President Gregg Nelson, Vice-President Nane Aluli, Secretary

Norm Runyan, Director Jamie Lung-Ke’o, Director Tano Taitano, Director