Aloha Budget Chair and Committee,
My name is James Buika, Planner in the Planning Department and resident of Wailuku.
My testimony relevant to the Public Works Dept budget is for one Council member to consider adding at least $300,000 to the Public Works Dept budget to be earmarked as a public contribution to the Affordable Housing Project, Wailuku Rental Apartments Projects, passed by CC in November 2018. The purpose of the money would be to preserve expansive harbor, north shore, and Haleakala scenic views that will be blocked by the two most mauka planned apartment buildings along Honoapi'ilani Hwy at Kuikahi Rd, opposite Foodland at vacant lot. The money would be for additional grading plans and actual grading to lower the two subject buildings that will stand 25 feet above highway grade and block a physical length of 366 feet of a 900 foot highway frontage. Note that I did email more detailed testimony to all Council Members on 3/23/21, addressed to CM Gabe Johnson and Director Rowena Dagdag-Andaya for consideration. Since the project has not started, I urge you to address the current scenic view impacts via public dollar contribution to preserve this magnificent view for generations to come.
Mahalo for your hard work, dedication, and time commitment to the people of Maui County. I can be reached at 808-283-8636. Jim Buika Wailluku

Hi,

I’m writing to voice my support for dedicated funding for a grant writer for the Department of Agriculture, under the Office of the Mayor. A grant writer dedicated to the department in this year's budget will be crucial to ensuring the Department is off to a great start and that we are able to secure funds—outside of local taxpayers’ dollars—to support our agricultural system's needs.

The food and import shortages our island faced in the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the global financial crisis were a small glimpse into the very real challenges at hand. We are at a pivotal point in ensuring a sustainable and food sovereign future for Maui’s communities, and including a grant writer for the new Department of Agriculture will serve these interests.

Please do what’s right for us all.

Mahalo for your time and consideration,

Lily

Lily Diamond
www.lilydiamond.com

Pa'ia Youth & Cultural Center

Aloha Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee,

PYCC has been a blessing for my daughter and our family. She is 13 years old and has an extremely rough year at home due to family issues. Without the support that this place provides including the staff staff and her many friends she has met there, I don’t know where she would even be today emotionally! Being able to go have fun and learn and do her school work away from the home, has helped her through some very hard times. PYCC has also been so helpful and such a great resource for after school care when she would normally be home alone.
We love this place!!!

Sincerely, Jacqueline Hofmann