Testimony in Strong Support of Funding for the Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art (“HOA”)
Aloha mai kākou,
My name is Cathy Yago and I was born and raised in Kahului, Maui. Mahalo for the opportunity to testify in strong support of funding for the Hālau of ʻŌiwi Arts in the proposed FY 2023 budget.
The Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art would provide long-overdue support for the culture and practitioners that make our home so special. Hula – a constitutionally protected traditional and customary practice – is not only integral to Kānaka Maoli, but the culture of Maui County, as well. It is a nexus for so many of our ʻŌiwi arts and practices to thrive. Over many decades, Hālau Hula and Kumu Hula have contributed to our community. They recognize the importance of environmental stewardship, educate ʻohana from keiki to kūpuna, tell and celebrate the stories of our home, sing of its beauty, and bring both joy and pride to our larger community. Cultural practitioners like Kumu Hula are experts and leaders of our community. The Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art would support and celebrate these arts and practices.
An investment in Hula is ultimately an investment in community. Our island once again has the chance to be a leader for our state and global community. Providing a space dedicated to and designed through the lens of Hula creates a visible and reliable space for education, performance, preservation, and excellence of art and culture in our own home. Further, as a cultural center for our community and the world, the Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art will foster pilina, inspire connection, and uphold cultural excellence.
This space is not only an investment for the near future but will have lasting impacts on our community identity for generations to come. Mahalo for your service to our island home. Please vote to support full funding of the Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art.
Aloha mai kākou,
My name is Sanna Ka’uhane and I’m testifying today on behalf of Hui Nā Mamo Aloha ʻĀina o Honokōhau. We are a 501C3 based in Honokōhau valley in west Maui. We have requested open space funds to purchase an ocean front parcel of land in our valley before it gets put on the private market. We are also partnering with Hawai’i Land Trust (HLT) to see this project through. Our Hui focuses greatly on lo’i restoration, resource preservation ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and education. We also provide educational outreach to all of our Lahaina Immersion keiki. From pūnana Leo to Lahainaluna, these haumāna huakaʻi out to the valley and we provide them with a space to practice their culture and use their language outside of the classroom. This connection is extremely important and we will be growing our program so that these keiki can be hosted on a regular basis. Acquisition of this parcel will allow us a much needed permanent space to offer these valuable cultural and educational experiences to our Lahaina Keiki not to mention help to put an important ocean front parcel of land in conservation. As you know, Lahaina is running out of open spaces for kanaka to make this connection, please help us save this parcel for west mauis future ʻōiwi leaders!
Mahalo
My name is Sanna Ka’uhane and I’m testifying today on behalf of Hui Nā Mamo Aloha ʻĀina o Honokōhau. We are a 501C3 based in Honokōhau valley in west Maui. We have requested open space funds to purchase an ocean front parcel of land in our valley before it gets put on the private market. We are also partnering with Hawai’i Land Trust (HLT) to see this project through. Our Hui focuses greatly on lo’i restoration, resource preservation ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and education. We also provide educational outreach to all of our Lahaina Immersion keiki. From pūnana Leo to Lahainaluna, these haumāna huakaʻi out to the valley and we provide them with a space to practice their culture and use their language outside of the classroom. This connection is extremely important and we will be growing our program so that these keiki can be hosted on a regular basis. Acquisition of this parcel will allow us a much needed permanent space to offer these valuable cultural and educational experiences to our Lahaina Keiki not to mention help to put an important ocean front parcel of land in conservation. As you know, Lahaina is running out of open spaces for kanaka to make this connection, please help us save this parcel for west mauis future ʻōiwi leaders!
Mahalo
I, Charlotte Seales (Kaahanui) born and raised here on Molokai. My husband and I are in our 70's and live on east side of the island. We are on a 1/2 acre, and need to up keep. Back in March 22 we had a yard person come to weed eat, what a relief for us.
My husband not able to work in the yard like before days. I am ready to ask again in a few months.
some of interest for us.
yard cleaning (2 hours)
hair cut
basic computer skills
lomilomi
virtual classes (helpful topics) which is convenient and I don't have to drive 36 miles r/t
Ku'ulei keeps us kupuna on the wa'a of what is available and free to choose what we need. They have
a system in place to have balance and able to serve as many kupuna as possible with these services...
Because being kupuna, we all live on a budget --
social security etc. So, Having these Services at no Charge really help Financially and Emotionally, Physically for all of us.
I hope this Program can continue and be Consider in this upcoming
Budget for Molokai........... Mahalo Piha Molokai Nui a Hina
Good morning. My name is Janice Espiritu born and raised on Maui for 24 years and have been a resident of Molokai for 45 years. I would like to extend a heartfelt mahalo to Mayor Victorino for bringing the Molokai Rural Health Association program or what we fondly call the Kupuna program to Molokai. Kuulei Arce, the supervisor of the program has done an outstanding job offering quality activities such as zoom classes where we enhance our baking and cooking skills, gardening, even computer education classes where we have the opportunity to purchase our own laptop computers for $50. We are offered free house cleaning, yard service, podiatry and optometry services and haircuts. They blessed us during the holiday season with a goodie basket of certificates and homemade products from our Molokai vendors.
This program has been a God send to the Molokai seniors where it grew from 100 participants to 600 today. The services are wonderful but the classes offered online are life changing. We need the Kupuna program and hopefully funds will be available for it to continue even if we need to pay a small fee ourselves, it is worth it.
We don’t receive or ask for much, however, this is one program I can genuinely say, has been successful and beneficial not only for seniors but our entire community.
Thank you for listening and may you have a beautiful and blessed day. Aloha!
Good morning. My name is Janice Espiritu born and raised on Maui for 24 years and have been a resident of Molokai for 45 years. I would like to extend a heartfelt mahalo to Mayor Victorino for bringing the Molokai Rural Health Association program or what we fondly call the Kupuna program to Molokai. Kuulei Arce, the supervisor of the program has done an outstanding job offering quality activities such as zoom classes where we enhance our baking and cooking skills, gardening, even computer education classes where we have the opportunity to purchase our own laptop computers for $50. We are offered free house cleaning, yard service, podiatry and optometry services and haircuts. They blessed us during the holiday season with a goodie basket of certificates and homemade products from our Molokai vendors.
This program has been a God send to the Molokai seniors where it grew from 100 participants to 600 today. The services are wonderful but the classes offered online are life changing. We need the Kupuna program and hopefully funds will be available for it to continue even if we need to pay a small fee ourselves, it is worth it.
We don’t receive or ask for much, however, this is one program I can genuinely say, has been successful and beneficial not only for seniors but our entire community.
Thank you for listening and may you have a beautiful and blessed day. Aloha!
MOLOKAI RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Funding
The Office of Economic Development:
Mahalo for this Kupuna program and services that have been much needed on Molokai. Born and raised on Molokai, I have had problems getting a haircut. My hairdressers have either retired, on medical leave with carpal tunnel or moved off island. My sister, Claudia, and I were so happy and grateful to have our haircuts.
My husband, John, and I have done massages as well, and really appreciate this service. We know a lot of kupunas were happy for the services around the house and yard.
Being on our island of Molokai, we are so grateful for this needed Kupuna program and services. We request for the Mayor's fiscal year 2023 budget to include funding for our Kupuna Program and services on Molokai.
Mahalo,
John "Longie" & Lorna Dudoit
Claudia Kamai
PH: (808)336-0763
I would like to submit testimony in support of the great work & resource the MOLOKAI RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION.
As a caregiver for Mom & Husband, these services provide a much needed help for our family. The Staff of Kuulei & Pilahi keep us very well informed and reminders as need.
I would like to submit my testimony of SUPPORT to continue to. fund this much need service for our residents. As a client I truly appreciate what they provide as I am not able to do a few things as before. I enjoy working with their staff as well.
Dear Mayor,
I wanted to ask that you include in your budget funds to support the Molokai Rural Health Community Association. The work done in our community by this group have helped me. I have lived on Molokai since 1987, married a native Molokai man, worked and retired. My husband died last year and the offerings to Kupuna by the Molokai Rural Health Community Association, MEO, Maui Food Bank have made my life better.
Thank you.
Kathy E Sears-Tancayo
Aloha, we, Norman and Hokunani DeCosta participates in the Molokai Kupuna Program. The kupunas on Molokai do not have the luxury of the many different kupuna programs available on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. This program has been a blessing for us and I am sure so many other kupunas on Molokai. The program has provided us with a wide variety of services that enhances our daily lives. From, housecleaning to grocery shopping to even learning some basic computer skills. All the people involved in this program are dedicated to reaching out to us, via phone, emails or even home visits. We need this program. This program has proven to be a must needed program on Molokai.
We want to give a Mahalo nui to the Molokai Rural Health Community Association and the County of Maui for funding the Kupuna Program. It has been amazing for myself and my husband as well as so many other Kupuna on Molokai. Thanks to this program, I had a haircut for the first time since the onset of the pandemic. We have also benefited from a visit to the pediatrist and massage therapy. My husband is so thankful for the help in the yard as it has been getting more difficult to keep up the weed-walking as he ages. Most of the services offered are needed but oftentimes neglected. It is so nice to have a program that arranges services and makes it easy for us to participate. We have been very pleased with the care and professionalism we have experienced and hope that the Kupuna will continue to be blessed with this valuable program.
RE: Adaptations Dance Theater, Proposed Fiscal Year Budget 2023
Aloha Chair and Council Members,
My name is Ali McKeon Pineo and I am the co-artistic director for Adaptations Dance Theater (ADT). I’d like to begin by offering my sincere gratitude to the County of Maui for including ADT in its budget for 2023.
I am a born and raised Wailuku girl who has recently returned back home after 13 years of living in California. I moved off island in 2007 to attend university and to later, dance professionally with a ballet company in the Bay Area. I visited home often, in large part due to the opportunities provided by ADT and their signature Bring it Home vision, which aims to provide a professional dance home to contemporary dancers on Maui and to literally, bring home Maui-bred dancers and choreographers currently pursuing professional dance careers on the mainland.
Choreographing new works and performing for the Bring it Home concert has been the highlight of my professional career. Those experiences affirmed my deep yearning to move back home, to be near family, and to continue making art with and for the vibrant, ever-evolving Maui community that raised me. One year after moving back, I was asked to join the artistic team as co-artistic director, and hope to perpetuate this company’s mission to cultivate a space for high level contemporary dance work on Maui.
As ADT comes up on its ten year anniversary, we strive to continue to bring compelling, meaningful dance work and educational programming to the diverse Maui community. We remain grounded in and inspired by our mission to bring Maui dancers home in hopes that someday, they too can envision moving back, knowing their artistic lives will flourish here. Thank you for supporting our work to keep our community in-tact through dance-making.
Sincerely,
Ali McKeon Pineo
Co-Artistic Director, Adaptations Dance Theater
RE: A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF MAUI FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2022 TO JUNE 30, 2023 - Hālau of 'Ōiwi Art
Aloha,
My name is Mona Kea. I strongly support the funding of Hālau of 'Ōiwi Art by the County of Maui. This much-needed center will serve as an important gathering place for the study, practice, celebration, and perpetuation of hula and other ʻōiwi arts and practices.
We need to support these culturally important arts for all of our generations, all residents, and visitors who appreciate what makes this place beautiful and special. We know that when we support culture, we support the people of that culture.
Please Kokua to provide as much support to this project as possible so that this center may be an asset to all for many generations to come.
RE: A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF MAUI FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2022 TO JUNE 30, 2023 - Hālau of 'Ōiwi Art
Aloha Chair Rawlins-Fernandez, Vice-Chair Paltin and Members of the Committee:
My name is Lahela Aiwohi, I'm with the Hawai'i Hotel Alliance (HHA), born and raised on Maui, and now a resident of Waiohuli Homestead in Kula. I am submitting testimony in SUPPORT for the funding of Hālau of 'Ōiwi Art.
Growing up, I was surrounded by a family that embraced our Hawaiian culture and thrived on learning more about its richness and its beauty to be able to teach not just 'ohana, but other kanaka as well. More importantly, it was to instill and educate nā keiki of the battles that we, as kanaka, have gone through and the importance of knowing and understanding what we, as Hawaiians, stand for and exemplify.
Through generations, we have seen hula bring harmony to a world of constant chaos. Hula has been embraced by countries all over the world. As bombs go off and gun shells explode, a Ukranian hula dancer recently explained how the art has been able to to provide some peace of mind and calmness for her and her family while the war is ongoing literally in their backyard. How great would it be for Maui County to construct and bring forth a building to perpetuate hula and various arts for which hula serves as a nexus.
As a Hawaiian, I am excited to see this in the budget proposal and to have our county be the first in the state to create such a place in assuring this valuable source of our culture can continue in a space that will provide growth, education, exhibits, activities, and events. I understand that this is a large investment, but I'm also aware of the empowerment this will provide for our kupuna, kumu hula, nā keiki, and future generations.
The Hawai'i Hotel Alliance fully supports the funding of Hālau of 'Ōiwi Art. As the hotel industry incorporates the Hawaiian culture in our hotels, we would love to see a centralized hub in Wailuku, Maui as a place to have hula and the varied 'ōiwi arts flourish.
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony and for your service on the Maui County Council.
Mahalo,
Lahela Aiwohi
Hawai'i Hotel Alliance
808.463.4200
Regarding the Mayor's FY2023 Budget Proposal: I strongly support funding programs under the direction of Maui Nui Marine Resource Council to educate visitors about protecting coral reefs ($100,000). I see visitors playing on and near reefs with no knowledge of the harm they are doing with their feet. Visitors need to know how delicate coral reef life is and how much they can do to protect and preserve it.
I also strongly support environmental protection programs conducted by Maui Nui Marine Resource Council to fund ocean water quality monitoring, reef friendly landscaping outreach, bioremediation with oysters, programs to prevent sediment runoff from Pohakea Watershed, and more ($250,000). These will help protect marine life in Ma'alaea Bay.
I strongly support funding to complete the acquisition of lands in the Pohakea Watershed, TMK (3) 6-001-018 ($700,000). We need to protect and restore marine life in Ma'alaea Bay, and increasing open space above the bay will limit harmful sediment runoff and contribute to healthier marine life.
Testimony in Strong Support of Funding for the Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art (“HOA”)
Aloha mai kākou,
My name is Cathy Yago and I was born and raised in Kahului, Maui. Mahalo for the opportunity to testify in strong support of funding for the Hālau of ʻŌiwi Arts in the proposed FY 2023 budget.
The Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art would provide long-overdue support for the culture and practitioners that make our home so special. Hula – a constitutionally protected traditional and customary practice – is not only integral to Kānaka Maoli, but the culture of Maui County, as well. It is a nexus for so many of our ʻŌiwi arts and practices to thrive. Over many decades, Hālau Hula and Kumu Hula have contributed to our community. They recognize the importance of environmental stewardship, educate ʻohana from keiki to kūpuna, tell and celebrate the stories of our home, sing of its beauty, and bring both joy and pride to our larger community. Cultural practitioners like Kumu Hula are experts and leaders of our community. The Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art would support and celebrate these arts and practices.
An investment in Hula is ultimately an investment in community. Our island once again has the chance to be a leader for our state and global community. Providing a space dedicated to and designed through the lens of Hula creates a visible and reliable space for education, performance, preservation, and excellence of art and culture in our own home. Further, as a cultural center for our community and the world, the Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art will foster pilina, inspire connection, and uphold cultural excellence.
This space is not only an investment for the near future but will have lasting impacts on our community identity for generations to come. Mahalo for your service to our island home. Please vote to support full funding of the Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art.
Mahalo nui,
Cathy Yago
Hui Nā Mamo Aloha ʻĀina o Honokōhau
Aloha mai kākou,
My name is Sanna Ka’uhane and I’m testifying today on behalf of Hui Nā Mamo Aloha ʻĀina o Honokōhau. We are a 501C3 based in Honokōhau valley in west Maui. We have requested open space funds to purchase an ocean front parcel of land in our valley before it gets put on the private market. We are also partnering with Hawai’i Land Trust (HLT) to see this project through. Our Hui focuses greatly on lo’i restoration, resource preservation ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and education. We also provide educational outreach to all of our Lahaina Immersion keiki. From pūnana Leo to Lahainaluna, these haumāna huakaʻi out to the valley and we provide them with a space to practice their culture and use their language outside of the classroom. This connection is extremely important and we will be growing our program so that these keiki can be hosted on a regular basis. Acquisition of this parcel will allow us a much needed permanent space to offer these valuable cultural and educational experiences to our Lahaina Keiki not to mention help to put an important ocean front parcel of land in conservation. As you know, Lahaina is running out of open spaces for kanaka to make this connection, please help us save this parcel for west mauis future ʻōiwi leaders!
Mahalo
Sanna Ka'uhane
“Have a nice day!”
Hui Nā Mamo Aloha ʻĀina o Honokōhau
My name is Sanna Ka’uhane and I’m testifying today on behalf of Hui Nā Mamo Aloha ʻĀina o Honokōhau. We are a 501C3 based in Honokōhau valley in west Maui. We have requested open space funds to purchase an ocean front parcel of land in our valley before it gets put on the private market. We are also partnering with Hawai’i Land Trust (HLT) to see this project through. Our Hui focuses greatly on lo’i restoration, resource preservation ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and education. We also provide educational outreach to all of our Lahaina Immersion keiki. From pūnana Leo to Lahainaluna, these haumāna huakaʻi out to the valley and we provide them with a space to practice their culture and use their language outside of the classroom. This connection is extremely important and we will be growing our program so that these keiki can be hosted on a regular basis. Acquisition of this parcel will allow us a much needed permanent space to offer these valuable cultural and educational experiences to our Lahaina Keiki not to mention help to put an important ocean front parcel of land in conservation. As you know, Lahaina is running out of open spaces for kanaka to make this connection, please help us save this parcel for west mauis future ʻōiwi leaders!
Mahalo
Sanna Ka'uhane
“Have a nice day!”
I support the request by Ke Ao Hali'i for $800,000 in the Open Space Fund for the acquisition of TMK 1-4-007:015 in Haneo‘o, Hāna, Maui.
Scott Crawford, Chair
Ke Ao Hali'i
Re. Molokai Rural Health Community Assn
I, Charlotte Seales (Kaahanui) born and raised here on Molokai. My husband and I are in our 70's and live on east side of the island. We are on a 1/2 acre, and need to up keep. Back in March 22 we had a yard person come to weed eat, what a relief for us.
My husband not able to work in the yard like before days. I am ready to ask again in a few months.
some of interest for us.
yard cleaning (2 hours)
hair cut
basic computer skills
lomilomi
virtual classes (helpful topics) which is convenient and I don't have to drive 36 miles r/t
Ku'ulei keeps us kupuna on the wa'a of what is available and free to choose what we need. They have
a system in place to have balance and able to serve as many kupuna as possible with these services...
Because being kupuna, we all live on a budget --
social security etc. So, Having these Services at no Charge really help Financially and Emotionally, Physically for all of us.
I hope this Program can continue and be Consider in this upcoming
Budget for Molokai........... Mahalo Piha Molokai Nui a Hina
Molokai Rural Health Association testimony
Good morning. My name is Janice Espiritu born and raised on Maui for 24 years and have been a resident of Molokai for 45 years. I would like to extend a heartfelt mahalo to Mayor Victorino for bringing the Molokai Rural Health Association program or what we fondly call the Kupuna program to Molokai. Kuulei Arce, the supervisor of the program has done an outstanding job offering quality activities such as zoom classes where we enhance our baking and cooking skills, gardening, even computer education classes where we have the opportunity to purchase our own laptop computers for $50. We are offered free house cleaning, yard service, podiatry and optometry services and haircuts. They blessed us during the holiday season with a goodie basket of certificates and homemade products from our Molokai vendors.
This program has been a God send to the Molokai seniors where it grew from 100 participants to 600 today. The services are wonderful but the classes offered online are life changing. We need the Kupuna program and hopefully funds will be available for it to continue even if we need to pay a small fee ourselves, it is worth it.
We don’t receive or ask for much, however, this is one program I can genuinely say, has been successful and beneficial not only for seniors but our entire community.
Thank you for listening and may you have a beautiful and blessed day. Aloha!
Molokai Rural Health Association testimony
Good morning. My name is Janice Espiritu born and raised on Maui for 24 years and have been a resident of Molokai for 45 years. I would like to extend a heartfelt mahalo to Mayor Victorino for bringing the Molokai Rural Health Association program or what we fondly call the Kupuna program to Molokai. Kuulei Arce, the supervisor of the program has done an outstanding job offering quality activities such as zoom classes where we enhance our baking and cooking skills, gardening, even computer education classes where we have the opportunity to purchase our own laptop computers for $50. We are offered free house cleaning, yard service, podiatry and optometry services and haircuts. They blessed us during the holiday season with a goodie basket of certificates and homemade products from our Molokai vendors.
This program has been a God send to the Molokai seniors where it grew from 100 participants to 600 today. The services are wonderful but the classes offered online are life changing. We need the Kupuna program and hopefully funds will be available for it to continue even if we need to pay a small fee ourselves, it is worth it.
We don’t receive or ask for much, however, this is one program I can genuinely say, has been successful and beneficial not only for seniors but our entire community.
Thank you for listening and may you have a beautiful and blessed day. Aloha!
MOLOKAI RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Funding
The Office of Economic Development:
Mahalo for this Kupuna program and services that have been much needed on Molokai. Born and raised on Molokai, I have had problems getting a haircut. My hairdressers have either retired, on medical leave with carpal tunnel or moved off island. My sister, Claudia, and I were so happy and grateful to have our haircuts.
My husband, John, and I have done massages as well, and really appreciate this service. We know a lot of kupunas were happy for the services around the house and yard.
Being on our island of Molokai, we are so grateful for this needed Kupuna program and services. We request for the Mayor's fiscal year 2023 budget to include funding for our Kupuna Program and services on Molokai.
Mahalo,
John "Longie" & Lorna Dudoit
Claudia Kamai
PH: (808)336-0763
MOLOKAI RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Aloha from Molokai,
I would like to submit testimony in support of the great work & resource the MOLOKAI RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION.
As a caregiver for Mom & Husband, these services provide a much needed help for our family. The Staff of Kuulei & Pilahi keep us very well informed and reminders as need.
With much appreciation,
Lu Ann Mahiki Lankford-Faborito
Molokai rural Health Community Assn
I would like to submit my testimony of SUPPORT to continue to. fund this much need service for our residents. As a client I truly appreciate what they provide as I am not able to do a few things as before. I enjoy working with their staff as well.
Mahalo for your continued support
Kenneth Faborito
MOLOKAI RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
Dear Mayor,
I wanted to ask that you include in your budget funds to support the Molokai Rural Health Community Association. The work done in our community by this group have helped me. I have lived on Molokai since 1987, married a native Molokai man, worked and retired. My husband died last year and the offerings to Kupuna by the Molokai Rural Health Community Association, MEO, Maui Food Bank have made my life better.
Thank you.
Kathy E Sears-Tancayo
Molokai Kupuna Program
Aloha, we, Norman and Hokunani DeCosta participates in the Molokai Kupuna Program. The kupunas on Molokai do not have the luxury of the many different kupuna programs available on Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island. This program has been a blessing for us and I am sure so many other kupunas on Molokai. The program has provided us with a wide variety of services that enhances our daily lives. From, housecleaning to grocery shopping to even learning some basic computer skills. All the people involved in this program are dedicated to reaching out to us, via phone, emails or even home visits. We need this program. This program has proven to be a must needed program on Molokai.
Mahalo nui loa,
Norman DeCosta
Hokunani DeCosta
The Kupuna Program
We want to give a Mahalo nui to the Molokai Rural Health Community Association and the County of Maui for funding the Kupuna Program. It has been amazing for myself and my husband as well as so many other Kupuna on Molokai. Thanks to this program, I had a haircut for the first time since the onset of the pandemic. We have also benefited from a visit to the pediatrist and massage therapy. My husband is so thankful for the help in the yard as it has been getting more difficult to keep up the weed-walking as he ages. Most of the services offered are needed but oftentimes neglected. It is so nice to have a program that arranges services and makes it easy for us to participate. We have been very pleased with the care and professionalism we have experienced and hope that the Kupuna will continue to be blessed with this valuable program.
Mahalo,
Kathleen (and Walter) Mendes.
Ho’olehua, Hawaii
8 April 2022
RE: Adaptations Dance Theater, Proposed Fiscal Year Budget 2023
Aloha Chair and Council Members,
My name is Ali McKeon Pineo and I am the co-artistic director for Adaptations Dance Theater (ADT). I’d like to begin by offering my sincere gratitude to the County of Maui for including ADT in its budget for 2023.
I am a born and raised Wailuku girl who has recently returned back home after 13 years of living in California. I moved off island in 2007 to attend university and to later, dance professionally with a ballet company in the Bay Area. I visited home often, in large part due to the opportunities provided by ADT and their signature Bring it Home vision, which aims to provide a professional dance home to contemporary dancers on Maui and to literally, bring home Maui-bred dancers and choreographers currently pursuing professional dance careers on the mainland.
Choreographing new works and performing for the Bring it Home concert has been the highlight of my professional career. Those experiences affirmed my deep yearning to move back home, to be near family, and to continue making art with and for the vibrant, ever-evolving Maui community that raised me. One year after moving back, I was asked to join the artistic team as co-artistic director, and hope to perpetuate this company’s mission to cultivate a space for high level contemporary dance work on Maui.
As ADT comes up on its ten year anniversary, we strive to continue to bring compelling, meaningful dance work and educational programming to the diverse Maui community. We remain grounded in and inspired by our mission to bring Maui dancers home in hopes that someday, they too can envision moving back, knowing their artistic lives will flourish here. Thank you for supporting our work to keep our community in-tact through dance-making.
Sincerely,
Ali McKeon Pineo
Co-Artistic Director, Adaptations Dance Theater
We support the efforts malama has done in cleaning up the land area in haiku and Pe’ahi!
From: American Resort Development Association of Hawaii (ARDA Hawaii) Re: Testimony in Strong Support of Funding for the Halau of Oiwi Art ("HOA")
RE: A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF MAUI FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2022 TO JUNE 30, 2023 - Hālau of 'Ōiwi Art
Aloha,
My name is Mona Kea. I strongly support the funding of Hālau of 'Ōiwi Art by the County of Maui. This much-needed center will serve as an important gathering place for the study, practice, celebration, and perpetuation of hula and other ʻōiwi arts and practices.
We need to support these culturally important arts for all of our generations, all residents, and visitors who appreciate what makes this place beautiful and special. We know that when we support culture, we support the people of that culture.
Please Kokua to provide as much support to this project as possible so that this center may be an asset to all for many generations to come.
Mahalo,
Mona Kea
Coucilmember Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, Chair
Councilmember Tamara Paltin, Vice-Chair
RE: A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY OF MAUI FOR THE FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 2022 TO JUNE 30, 2023 - Hālau of 'Ōiwi Art
Aloha Chair Rawlins-Fernandez, Vice-Chair Paltin and Members of the Committee:
My name is Lahela Aiwohi, I'm with the Hawai'i Hotel Alliance (HHA), born and raised on Maui, and now a resident of Waiohuli Homestead in Kula. I am submitting testimony in SUPPORT for the funding of Hālau of 'Ōiwi Art.
Growing up, I was surrounded by a family that embraced our Hawaiian culture and thrived on learning more about its richness and its beauty to be able to teach not just 'ohana, but other kanaka as well. More importantly, it was to instill and educate nā keiki of the battles that we, as kanaka, have gone through and the importance of knowing and understanding what we, as Hawaiians, stand for and exemplify.
Through generations, we have seen hula bring harmony to a world of constant chaos. Hula has been embraced by countries all over the world. As bombs go off and gun shells explode, a Ukranian hula dancer recently explained how the art has been able to to provide some peace of mind and calmness for her and her family while the war is ongoing literally in their backyard. How great would it be for Maui County to construct and bring forth a building to perpetuate hula and various arts for which hula serves as a nexus.
As a Hawaiian, I am excited to see this in the budget proposal and to have our county be the first in the state to create such a place in assuring this valuable source of our culture can continue in a space that will provide growth, education, exhibits, activities, and events. I understand that this is a large investment, but I'm also aware of the empowerment this will provide for our kupuna, kumu hula, nā keiki, and future generations.
The Hawai'i Hotel Alliance fully supports the funding of Hālau of 'Ōiwi Art. As the hotel industry incorporates the Hawaiian culture in our hotels, we would love to see a centralized hub in Wailuku, Maui as a place to have hula and the varied 'ōiwi arts flourish.
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit testimony and for your service on the Maui County Council.
Mahalo,
Lahela Aiwohi
Hawai'i Hotel Alliance
808.463.4200
Regarding the Mayor's FY2023 Budget Proposal: I strongly support funding programs under the direction of Maui Nui Marine Resource Council to educate visitors about protecting coral reefs ($100,000). I see visitors playing on and near reefs with no knowledge of the harm they are doing with their feet. Visitors need to know how delicate coral reef life is and how much they can do to protect and preserve it.
I also strongly support environmental protection programs conducted by Maui Nui Marine Resource Council to fund ocean water quality monitoring, reef friendly landscaping outreach, bioremediation with oysters, programs to prevent sediment runoff from Pohakea Watershed, and more ($250,000). These will help protect marine life in Ma'alaea Bay.
I strongly support funding to complete the acquisition of lands in the Pohakea Watershed, TMK (3) 6-001-018 ($700,000). We need to protect and restore marine life in Ma'alaea Bay, and increasing open space above the bay will limit harmful sediment runoff and contribute to healthier marine life.