Budget proposal for Ma'alaea wastewater conveyance system

In support of County Budget proposal to "Earmark up to $4,000,000 for a wastewater conveyance system connecting Ma`alaea to an offsite wastewater treatment facility"

Aloha, to Maui County Council,
I have owned a condominium in Ma'alaea for over 20 years. I am writing to ask your support in allocating funds to assist the community in its effort to rid itself of private wastewater treatment facilities and injection wells for wastewater disposal.

A group of concerned Ma'alaea property owners and businesses has been pursuing the potential for a regional wastewater treatment plant for several years. A private consortium has offered to construct a modern, environmentally friendly, wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) on a cost-competitive "pay for service" basis. A private landowner has made a verbal offer to provide a site for the treatment plant. The only major piece missing from this plan are the funds to construct and operate a conveyance system to transport wastes from the community to the nearby WWTF site.

As a coastal community, it is critical that Ma'alaea discontinue the current waste treating and disposal practices, which are a contributor to the impaired status of Ma'alaea Bay. The health of the Bay has a direct impact on the communities of Ma'alaea, Kihei and Wailea, as well as other residents and visitors who use the Bay for recreation. In summary, this funding will benefit not just Ma'alaea, but also a large segment of the Maui population and its visitor industry, by improving the health of Ma'alaea Bay. It is time for Maui County to assist in bringing long-overdue, waste treatment services to the Ma'alaea community.

Thank you for your support for this funding.
Sincerely,
Lyndon Ibele

Aloha Mr. Molina and Council Members,

I support us having a toddler playground by the Eddie Tam gym area in Makawao. What a wonderful add it would be!

Thank you to everyone for your help.

From,
Mama Iris

My toddler loves outdoors and a toddler playground upcountry would be so great for her development!

I am writing in support of Council Vice-Chair Rawlins-Fernandez’s priority proposal #33 to fund workforce development in renewable energy on Molokai. Thank you for the opportunity of a grant of $200,000 to support the much needed programs/services we need for resource ownership and development. Though we have over 50% native Hawaiians on our island, we have very little property/land ownership, with 84% of our land controlled by 7 individuals or corporations who do not live here and are basically unconcerned about the protection and preservation of our environment and culture.

Ho`ahu Energy Cooperative Molokai (HECM) was born out of grassroots efforts to shape our island’s energy future through community developed and owned renewable energy projects. We seek to develop renewable energy projects that put our community needs for access, ownership and benefits of renewable energy to unserved and/or underserved groups oppressed by little or no access to electricity and unaffordable rates that are the highest in the nation.

We plan to prepare our youth and others through training programs and workforce development. Makaha Learning Center in partnership with HECM will supplement on-island construction curriculum to build capacity to develop our proposed energy projects.They offer national certification and a variety of programs offering the skills we will need. We will also, working with Arizona State University micro-grid training program, train Molokai participants in design, installation, maintenance and management of microgrid and nanogrid projects.

HECM has carefully selected development partners in alignment with our “for-benefit” vision who bring a successful history of working with similar projects and indigenous peoples all over the world. They bring the experience we need to achieve success. We are working to bring energy justice and equity by working on deploying standalone microgrids that can serve such groups as the Hawaiian homesteaders who currently do not have energy infrastructure. Our bid for community-based renewable energy projects aims to bring lower costs to low income households and renters. Our objectives are sustainability, affordability, resiliency and energy independence/sovereignty. Our vision is to have 100% of Molokai electricity meet the requirements of being renewable and able to be developed and maintained by our local trained workforce.

Artice Swingle
Molokai resident and community representative

I support the idea of a toddler playground in Makawao. I feel it is much needed and would be great for the community and kids. There is a dog park but no safe fun place for children to play. Please consider this much needed development in your budget.

Mahalo
Alana Dandrea

Please consider a toddler playground at Eddie Tam. Mahalo.

Aloha Councilmembers,

A keiki playground would be such a gift to Makawao town- it’s the one thing we are missing! Please consider the positive impact on our community by utilizing the area and budget for our small keikis recreational use.
Mahalo,
Sammi Cesere
Makawao resident (and Mom)

Hi Councilmembers,

Thank you so much for your hard work on this budget!

Please support Councilmember Molina's "Conditional Prioritie" of $60,000 from PA funds to move forward with building a toddler playground at Eddie Tam.
Parks Director Peters says "The Department recommends design funding in FY 2022 followed by construction funding in FY 2023. An appropriate request for design funding would be $60,000 which would include the structure, fall surfacing and ADA access."
Makawao/Pukalani/Kula has $249,814.80 available for appropriation for FY2022 in the Parks Assessment Fund.
Considering that there are funds available and a void of Toddler Playgrounds in this Community Plan Area (as well as anywhere else in the East district) and no playgrounds at all in Makawao, this is a great way to use the PA funds.

Mahalo,
Arianna Feinberg

Testimonies received from BFED Committee.