Aloha country council members,
my name is John Kahawaii, I am in support for Halau of Ō’iwi arts.
Mahalo nui
Have a beautiful aloha Friday

Questions from Maui Nui Marine Resource Council Testimony April 8

Aloha Chair Rawlins-Fernandez, Vice Chair Paltin and members of the Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee:

Mahalo again for the opportunity to testify this morning on behalf of Maui Nui Marine Resource Council. I have answers for the three questions addressed by Councilmembers King, Kama, and Paltin:

1. Will the airport signs about sunscreen be updated with the stricter county law?
Yes, the new budget has funds to update the language.
2. What is the breakdown of the budget with administration, operations, and equipment expenses?
The CCRS budget for the $225,000 is 30% staff labor and the remaining is operations (supplies, monitoring costs, etc). There are no major equipment purchases this year, just small costs for the aqualink buoy, the water quality manta probe, and dive equipment maintenance.
3. Have we thought about economic diversification of growing pearl oysters to help fund our oyster project?
We are permitted for research and educational purposes only. No part of the animal may be used for anything else. Aquaculture for pearl farming would be a completely different permitting process and management outside of our skill set.

Please let us know if you have any additional questions, we are happy to answer them.

Mahalo nui loa,
Jill Wirt

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Jill Wirt (she/her/hers)
Project and Research Coordinator
Maui Nui Marine Resource Council
jill@mauireefs.org
www.mauireefs.org

Molokai Kupuna Services

My husband and I was very fortunate to receive services from your department. We had assistance with housekeeping, massage and grocery shopping provided to us. They have made every effort to reach out to us and their company was awesome too. It made it so much easier and available for us. The meals helped us a lot which we appreciated so much.

I am asking that Molokai receive monies to assist the Molokai people who is struggling or has a hard time doing these services that has been provided for us. We would want to see Josette Mawae-Mollena and Rodney Rodrigues back in the program, we felt very safe and they truly went out of their way to make sure we was alright. And I hope the Meal Program comes back for us, we enjoyed this program a lot.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Gussie Dudoit
Morrency Dudoit
gussiedudoit56@gmail.com

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. Maui 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 Maui 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!”

Good morning chair Keani Rawlins Fernandez, all Council members and all who are in attendance. My name is brandi corpuz and I am from the wetlands of Kihei.

I am an active community member and Executive Director of Rooted KeKahi Me Ka ‘Aina, a community 501c3 nonprofit in Kihei, Molokai and Kukaniloko. I am in support of Kelly Kings budget proposal for south Maui wetlands restoration grants.

Rooted Kekahi Me Ka ‘Aina mission is to grow food and family together through place based education and cultural and traditional practices. We are concerned about our aina, our natural resources, our ohana community and the lack of connection to place that we are experiencing.

Due to water diversions and backfilling of our wetlands, pollution, lack of understanding, lack of education and lack of connection, our entire natural ecosystem has been altered and is in danger in south Maui. There is still a lot of work to be done and this funding is essential for our success. We must be proactive in our community efforts to combat the rapid and obvious decline of our environment.

We have seen extreme flooding, rapid erosion of our aina and beaches, the death of our trees, coral reefs, fish and limu. All of this can be linked back to the devastation and destruction of our wetlands and fresh water systems.

This past year we were blessed to be awarded a grant through Council member Kelly King that has helped us begin to restore and protect our precious resources. We are working collaboratively with other nonprofits, experts, cultural practitioners, community members and government officials to find the best path forward to preserve what we have left for future generations.

We need your financial support to continue our malama efforts and we thank you for your time and consideration.

Aloha, Brandi Corpuz

Aloha. My name is Charla Konohia. Please support the funding for the management of the Hamakualoa Open Space by Malama Hamakua Maui. Although we had some hurdles during the pandemic due to restrictions, as the Vice President of Malama Hamakua Maui as well as a lineal descendant of these lands, there has been so much improvements that we have done to the county Hanakualoa open space preservation. We are gaining momentum in all aspects of the management of the land which is possible because of the funds we get from the OED grant. Please don’t cut our funding. We have been working with Parks & Rec, Public Works, and other organizations to do volunteer cleanups monthly, restoration projects, cultural projects, as well as educational projects. Please continue to support our efforts. Mahalo Nui Loa.

Aloha Chair Rawlins-Fernandez and Members,

I am Jayson Watts, Board Member and Secretary of the Maui County Farm Bureau ("MCFB"), testifying on behalf of the MCFB in support of the Agricultural Promotion and Agricultural Technology Fund to support the MCFB. I apologize; I was present this morning via Blue Jeans; however, I am also testifying at the Legislature this morning and have to jump into that meeting now. Please accept my electronic comments

MCFB supports the Agricultural Promotion and Agricultural Technology Fund, as MCFB's grant would come from this fund. The MCFB grant includes the Maui Coffee Association, Maui Cattlemen's Association, and the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals to support their programs. The grant also provides support for the Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair. This popular event returns this year, showcasing various agencies and organizations, farmers, ranchers, chefs, and educational booths. It also is an essential venue for our 4-H Keiki to learn proper animal welfare, showmanship, and life skills.

The Maui AgFest & 4-H Livestock Fair is a fun-filled day-long family event that provides the community an opportunity to learn and support all sizes and sectors of agriculture and learn how various agencies provide valuable support for a viable industry.

I'd be happy to answer any questions you have.

Mahalo,
Jayson

Jayson M. Watts
Director of External Affairs & Strategic Initiatives | Mahi Pono, LLC
Physical Address: 8401 Pulehu Road, Kahului, Hawaii 96732
Mailing Address: PO Box 1104, Puunene, Hawaii 96784
Phone: (808) 594-9316 | Email: jayson.watts@mahipono.com
Website: www.MahiPono.com

Testimony of Hālau O ʻŌiwi Arts

Aloha mai,

I strongly support the $53m that is being considered to help build the HOA. It will bring so much joy and honor to Wailuku town.
Hula is a source of connection to the past. It is a grounding, traditional practice that helps preserve the history of kānaka. This space will help hālau perfect their craft, so that publicly we can bring honor to Maui County.

There are many other lesser known art forms that are just as intergral, but lesser known and practiced. This could become a place of workshops for lei making, pounding and printing kapa, oli and choir groups, wood carving, and many others.
Having an intentional space to practice will not just bring joy, it will help bring many kānaka closer to each other. It will strengthen the community.

Please affirm the proposed budget for the Hālau o ʻŌiwi Arts!!!

Mahalo nui loa,
Kaylee Keolakuʻumakana Sheller
Wailuku, Maui

Support for Hale Hō‘ike‘ike in the Mayor's Budget

I would like to take a minute to lend my voice to support the budget request for $150,000 for the preservation of the Maui Historical Society/Hale Hō‘ike‘ike at the Bailey House (also affectionately known as "The Bailey House Museum"). This funding would provide so much assistance with the care of this historic site, to maintain our culture, and to perpetuate the history and importance of this not just Maui, but Hawai‘i landmark. As caretakers of the land, artifacts, photographs, and documents entrusted to our care, it is our responsibility to ensure that the cultural knowledge and history that has defined our Maui community will continue to be preserved at Hale Hō‘ike‘ike and continue to be a source of inspiration for future generations.

I would like to share the impact that this place has had on me. I came to Hale Hō‘ike‘ike via a workers' compensation return to work program over five years ago and when the program ended I stayed. Hale Hō‘ike‘ike and the people there are to me the definition of aloha. Always there with a warm smile and aura of generosity the people there are united in their kuleana to educate, preserve, and perpetuate Maui's history and the history of the people who have come to call it home. Personally, it has served as a venue of immersion, education, and personal growth without which I would be a much poorer person today. I started out working in the gift shop without any knowledge and I'd be proud to docent your tour on a Tuesday these days. In between then and now, there have been endless conversations and debates about history, participation and study of both things old and new, and most importantly the forging of a community of individuals concerned mostly with the preservation and perpetuation of Maui's vast and beautiful history.

We as a community must come together to support this invaluable resource that is open to all. Too often are these invaluable cultural resources overlooked. This is a place that truly reflects the beauty of Maui that I know we all love. Without the support of our community its mission is exponentially more difficult. Please come together today to support not only the staff and volunteers of Hale Hō‘ike‘ike, but to support Maui and its history too. For if we do not know where we come from how are we to know where are going?

Mahalo for your consideration,

Michael "Mick" Bursack
Docent/Volunteer
Hale Hō‘ike‘ike at the Bailey House

Funding for Moloka'i Kupuna Program

I began to receive Kupuna Program (KP) benefits in February of this year. I take advantage of the lomi, podiatry and, eventually, haircut services.

Since the Covid shutdown in 2020 I have seen and been involved in providing distance learning instruction to our pre-K through sixth grade students. This was an understandable concern that our school and the DOE did their best to address. However, during the most severe restrictions necessitated by the Covid pandemic, I wondered about our senior, kupuna, population - my peers. Everything that was previously done by travel and visitation came to a screeching halt. Many of us have medical issues that had required travel to O'ahu or Maui; many had routines that included visiting friends and family; many were unable to continue the social and professional contacts that keep us looking forward to each new day.

The Kupuna Program is crucial in providing us access to some of these specialized professional services. Just as importantly, though, the Kupuna Program helps to reintroduce us back into the routines of daily living. The positive effects of offerings like lomi, podiatry and opthamology extend beyond the treatment. The services provided by the Kupuna Program reassure us that we are not forgotten.

I am hopeful that funding from our county will help to keep these vital programs running.

Respectfully,
Glenn Kondo

I am writing to encourage the passing of the 2023 Maui Mayor’s budget, which would help support Moloka’i Rural Health Community Association.

Personally, I am one of the many Kupunas who are recipients of this wonderful Kupuna Program, which would be part of this budget that I am asking you to pass. This program has been such a success for our Kupuna here on Moloka’i, and I want you to know how urgent and necessary it is for this program to continue.

I for one, received a Lomi Lomi massage (twice), that corrected the inability in my neck to have full range of movement. Because of this treatment, that I could never afford on my own, I have now returned to driving again.

The other treatment I received was from a Podiatrist, who explained the problems I have with my feet and directed me to where I could purchase the correct shoes to wear to alleviate the foot pain I was experiencing. This also gives me the freedom to lessen the discomforts that were affecting my ability to be fully mobile again.

Know that our Kupuna Program is so valuable here on Moloka’i, as it has helped so many of our Kupuna, especially those that live alone, and strive to stay independent. We are all so grateful and appreciate all of the benefits we receive from this program. It would mean so much to all of the Kupuna here on Moloka’i to see our program extended to June, 2023.

Mahalo,

Patty Keaweamahi
(808) 783-5959
Keaweamahi@hawaii.rr.com

April 7, 2022

Keani Fernandez

RE: Molokai Rural Health Community Ass.

I am writing to let you know how important the kupuna program on Molokai has been to us and others on Molokai. For many who are on fixed incomes, the services allow them to get help that otherwise they wouldn’t be able to afford.

For some of us, we are physically limited to what we are able to do. It is very helpful to have lawn service available to us. We have also been able to have lomilomi services that help us physically.

Overall this program has been a blessing to the kupunas on Molokai, and I hope that it will be funded again.

Aloha
Jan Place

Subject: Aloha All,i am in support of the Molokai Rural Health community Association and the service they offer to us kupuna on Moloka'i.s they offer to our kupuna in the community.Please consider supporting the association for another year as we kupuna have li...

'Opu'ulani W. Albino

Kupuna Services in Molokai

What a wonderful program and a blessing to kupunas of Molokai. I started services today with a lomi lomi massage which has helped unleash stress and tension as a result of isolation,quarantine and cancelled senior programs during the pandemic. I hope every kupuna in the island take advantage of these services to just feel good and stay healthy.A million Mahalo.

My name is Kapualoke Lightsy and I am a proud hula dancer from the island of Maui. Mahalo for giving this opportunity to express my support for the Halau of Oiwi Arts building.

I support Halau of Oiwi Arts because this center is dedicated to the study, practice, and perpetuation of hula and other ʻōiwi arts and practices. Having been a hula dancer for over 36 years I have seen the struggles na kumu hula have to go through to accommodate their practices. Some are fortunate to have their own place while others are not. And as I continue to grow in hula I still see the same struggles today. Kumu hula and haumana have contributed to our community for decades. Cultural practitioners like kumu hula are experts and leaders of our community. This space would provide long-overdue support for our hawaiian culture and practitioners.

Please support the construction of the Hālau of ʻŌiwi Arts in Wailuku. Providing a space dedicated to our hawaiian culture is an investment for the near future and will have lasting impacts on our communities identity for generations to come. Mahalo for your time.

Aloha,
Kapualoke Lightsy

Aloha
I'm writing in full support for budgeted amount for Malama Hamakua Maui. This will help continue forward movement in creating a positive space to enrich our community. Volunteers efforts to help with removal of trash has excited our community to see this area achieve it's full potential.
Mahalo Nui for your time and consideration.
Lezley Jacintho
Malama Hamakua Maui

April 8, 2022

Adolph Helm Testimony/Molokai Rural Health Community Association
P.O. Box 391
Hoolehua, Hawaii 96729

Maui County Budget Finance and Economic Development Committee

RE: SUPPORT 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.

Aloha Council Chair Rawlins-Fernandez, Vice-Chair Paltin and Fellow Councilmembers,
Mahalo for the opportunity to provide testimony in support of the mayor’s proposed July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 budget proposal. To highlight one allocation request in the budget I would like to see the continuation of support for the Molokai Rural Health Community Association Kupuna Outreach Program and Services. The program creates health and well-being care services that otherwise would be too costly for Kupunas on Molokai to afford.
As a participant in this program the leadership and staff has done an outstanding job in reaching out to the Kupuna community to offer these services. The practices and care they provide is both professional and respectful making the experience for the Kupunas comfortable as well as beneficial.
I humbly ask for your support to approve Mayor Victorino’s proposed July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 budget.

Sincerely,
Adolph Helm

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

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Ali Pineo
Master of Fine Arts '14 | UC Irvine
Bachelor of Arts, English '11 | Stanford University
www.mrswritingcoach.com

Molokai rural health community association

The Kapuna programme has been a great service for me. I was happy to hear they got a second round of funding…. I have benefitted from the haircuts, yard service, and lomi lomi. The gift certificates were much appreciated. The staff has been very helpful and the workers are great.

Wendy vanHeek