WHERE IS THE COUNTY'S $49,523,295 IN REMAINING ARPA FUNDS REPORTED IN THE FY 2023 BUDGET?
In response to a letter sent by the BFED Chair on 4.5.22, on 4.8.22, Finance Director Teruya confirmed in writing that the County has expended only $3,000,000 of its ARPA funds.
As you know, for FY 22, the Council appropriated $52,523,395 in ARPA funds to the Finance Department Budget via Appendix A Part I - Grant Revenues. What has happened to the remaining $49,523,295 in ARPA funds? Assuming the County does not plan to spend the remaining $49 million over the next ten weeks, it appears the overwhelming majority of this money is being carried over to FY 2023. But where is the money reported in the FY 23 Budget?
In response to a direct question from you at the Budget hearing last week, Finance Director Teruya confirmed the Finance Department is not reporting any carryover savings from FY 22 for FY 23. Currently, for FY 22, Appendix A, Part I - Grant Revenues reports $52,253,295 in appropriations in ARPA funds for the Finance Department - $35,000,000 was approved by the Council in June 2021 as part of the FY 2022 budget. The remaining $17,523,295 was approved by the Council in September 2021 as a supplemental appropriation to the FY 22 budget.
The Council and the Mayor appear to have knowingly violated Charter Section 9-9.1 in the approval of the September 2021 supplemental appropriation of $17,523,295 in ARPA-NEU funds. As you know, Charter Section 9-9.1 requires, prior to Council approval of any supplemental appropriation to the FY Budget, that the Mayor provide and the Council receive a Certification of the Availability of Funds requested in the appropriation. For the September 2021 ARPA-NEU supplemental appropriation, it appears no such Mayoral Certification was provided or received. Nor could it have been provided given that County officials knew that only half of the County's ARPA-NEU allocation would be received in FY 2022.
Per the U.S. Treasury guidelines, Counties receive their ARPA and ARPA-NEU allocations in two tranches, at least 12 months apart. Maui County officials did not receive the first tranche of ARPA-NEU funds until 8.12.2021 so clearly the second tranche of $8,761,648 would not be distributed or received until FY 2023 and was absolutely not available for FY 2022.
Due to the failure to provide and receive the Charter required Certification of Availability of Funds, it appears the Mayor requested and the Council approved $17,523,295 as a supplemental appropriation to the FY 2022 even though County officials knew that only half that amount would be available for FY 2022.
Fast forward eight months. Now the Finance Director is reporting that even though the Finance Department has only spent $3,000,000 of its $52,000,000 in ARPA funds for FY 2022, it is not reporting any Carryover Savings for FY 2023.
If the Finance Department is not reporting any carryover savings from FY 22, then where did the remaining $49,523,295 in ARPA money go? For the FY23 Appendix A Part I - Grant Revenues - there is $0 in ARPA funds reported.
Where is the remaining $49,523,295 in ARPA funds reported in the proposed FY 23 Budget. The first page of the FY Budget summarizes all estimated revenue sources, where is the ARPA money?
The residents deserve an explanation and full accounting of the County's $52,523,295 in ARPA funds.
Aloha,
I am writing in support of MEDB. Three of my children have benefitted greatly from their after school STEMworks program at Pukalani School. Some of the classes they took included robotics, coding, and movie-making. The opportunities offered through MEDB STEMworks spark curiosity in topics they may not have been exposed to otherwise. In addition, I believe this has helped to foster a growth mindset and problem-solving attitude within them. As a teacher, I see those same qualities and zeal for learning in many of my students who have participated in the classes. As these classes are available to all students with a variety of different interests and learning styles, it's wonderful to see how students come together and work toward common goals. I hope this program will continue to be supported for years to come.
Mahalo,
Sherry Enriquez
I am writing to support reef protection and education measures both in and amended to the Mayor’s Proposed Budget.
I support funding the Māʻalaea Wastewater Reclamation System (as an amendment to the proposed budget).
I also support the proposed budget allocations for the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council’s Visitor Education Programs and Environmental Protection Programs to fund ocean water quality monitoring, reef friendly landscaping outreach, oyster bioremediation project, projects to prevent sediment runoff from Pohakea Watershed and more.
Aloha Committee Chair Rawlins-Fernandez and Committee Members,
I would like to submit testimony in reference to the Mayor's Proposed Budget FY23.
1. I support the funding needs to help replace Mā'alaea's 24 outdated injection wells with a new system that will improve the ecosystem on our reefs and and allow the coral reefs and all the marine inhabitants to become healthy again.
The Membrane Bioreactors (MBR) proposed to replace the existing system will meet today's water quality standards, cost effective, flexible to scale up and allows new emerging technology to be added cost effectively. Also it is exciting to know that the effluent from an MBR is rated R-1 which is suited for irrigation and agriculture which helps conserve our precious clean water resources for the future. This solution can sustain us for the next 50+ years.
2. Visitor Education Programs - Maui Nui Marine Resource Council ($100,000).
It is critically important to educate visitors about protecting the coral reefs and the quality of the waters in our Maui Nui through social media, online and at our airports.
3. Environmental Protection Programs - Maui Nui Marine Resource Council ($250,000).
It is important to fund ocean water quality monitoring, reef friendly landscaping education, ouster bioremediation projects and projects in general that prevent sediment runoff from Pohakea Watershed and others as they are identified.
Mahalo for the opportunity to contribute to the discussion.
Mike and Judi Nicholson. 231 Nalani St. Makawao, HI 96768
We are in support of replacing Ma'alaea's outdated injection wells with the new MBR technology and consider it much needed to improve the water quality in the harbor, preserve and bring back marine life and protect our fragile environment...already so overstressed by climate change and overuse. We support the research, wisdom and recommendations put forth by Maui Nui Marine Resource Council.
Sincerely, Judi Nicholson
mikeandjudi@prodigy.net
cell: (916) 207-2645
Aloha Committee Chair Rawlins-Fernandez and Committee Members,
I am writing again to encourage you to fund two strategic investments to make huge progress toward fixing injection wells in Maui.
The first is a $9.5 mil investment in a Ma'alaea Regional Wastewater Reclamation System (MRWRS). By installing a cutting-edge Membrane Bioreactor treatment plant and regenerative reuse irrigation, 11 out of the 14 Underground Injection Control Program permittees in Maui Island that use injection wells as their primary disposal method, or 79% or permittees, will no longer use injection wells.
Second, and even more critical, is the need to invest $6 mil as cited by DEM to install ultraviolet light disinfection capability at the Kahului municipal Wastewater Reclamation Facility, where presently over 5,000,000 gallons per day of infected secondary effluent discharges into the ocean via nearshore injection wells at Kanaha Beach Park on the North Shore of Central Maui. With this investment, coupled with pending UV upgrades in Kihei, we can achieve 100% municipal wastewater disinfection in Maui. Right now, only Lahaina has UV disinfection.
Please see a re-post of two background documents supporting the case for UV disinfection in Kahului. I have also included a table summarizing the discharges from Maui's 14 UIC Program injection well permittees. For only $15.5 mil, or around 1% of the projected FY2023 budget, we can eliminate 79% of all injection well permittees, and achieve 100% municipal wastewater disinfection, without delay.
Please vote for Kelly King's amendment to fund the MRWRS, and I implore any Council Member, with Member Kama preferred as she represents Kahului, to make a motion in the Budget Committee to fund a new UV disinfection channel in Kahului, which DEM states will cost $6M. See included .pdf for their FOIA response citing this cost.
Thank you for all your hard work! The endless hours you spend in meetings does not go un-noticed, and is appreciated by the entire community.
Eddie Rodriguez, speaking in support of Maui Economic Opportunity Community Services programs:
After being incarcerated for a few years, I was set to parole as of April 2021. But it wasn't going to be that easy for me to do. You see, my original plans were to go directly to Florida where I am from, where my kids are, my family. I was going to start my life over from there.
But then a terrible pandemic hit us, "CORONA VIRUS". And certain states weren't allowing transfers and unfortunately, Florida was one of them. And so, I had to change my plans. Being forced to stay here in Hawaii, I had no address to parole to.
And that's where, you guys, MEO stepped in. Because of you, I was able to parole to Ka Hale A Ke Ola, the shelter, where you had some units available.
On May 5th, 2021, almost a year ago, I was released and brought to your office. And there I would meet the staff from MEO, who would help me in my transition to society. They would eventually help me to gather my necessities: my ID, bus pass. They gave me a cellphone, some clothes to put on my back. They would help me update my resume, pointed me in directions to look for employment, in which I was able to get hired full time.
They kept in touch with me on a weekly basis. I met them in person a number of times and always kept them updated and informed them if there was any changes. They were kind of like counselors I was
able to talk to them and even vent to them about issues back home. They were there. They helped me stay focused and was always there if I had any questions or concerns.
I was part of the BEST program, the CARES Act program and the Employment program. And while in the program, I was able to put money in my savings account. I sent money to my kids whenever I can. And I still have money in my account. I was given a head start through the help I was provided through MEO.
Let me add that I hate asking for help. I don't like being helped. Normally, I do things on my own my whole life. But I learned to be humble and just accept the help. Take it while I can. It's there for a reason.
And so I did! I took the help. I met some good people with good intentions. And I am GRATEFUL for that!
The help is there. The programs work. But the only way it works is if you yourself is trying. It works but you have to work with it.
Bishop Pahia, Jan Cerizo and Anslem Yazaki were the main ones I dealt with. But I know a lot more people are involved behind the scenes that I don't know. And I didn't forget about you Cassi Yamashita. I want to thank you guys for everything you have personally done for me. I'm doing good for myself. I will keep in touch.
I am Isaiah Mathin and I am a senior at Baldwin High. I support funding for Maui economic development board because they helped provide automotive class which has allowed me to find my passion and something I really enjoy doing. Automotive class is allowing me to gain experience for real jobs in real shops. This class didn't exist when I was a junior transferring from Maui High so when I heard it was starting my senior year I jumped on the opportunity to take the class and I am so glad this school finally opened up the auto program because this class is helping me build my resume and experience. Our teacher Ms. Kahue is really good at teaching me how to do things in the shop, she's both hands-on and hands-off which allows me to find my rhythm and how to do things on my own and room to learn from my small mistakes. This class has helped me find and receive different job offers just from the experience I am gaining from this program. This class is a must have and It would not have been possible for us to have a knowledgeable teacher without the help of MEDB.
Ma’alaea Village Association (MVA) wishes to identify one critical omission from the Mayor’s proposed budget for FY-2023. That omission is $9.5 million in funding for a long-overdue and critically needed, modern, regional wastewater facility for Ma’alaea.
The Ma’alaea community has no regional wastewater treatment facility. Ma’alaea condominiums, businesses, and the state harbor each operate their own treating facilities and injection wells for effluent disposal. None of the existing facilities provides more than primary treatment, resulting in high nutrient loads in injection well effluent and contributing to the impaired status of Ma’alaea Bay.
As the County knows firsthand, effluent disposal through injection wells is drawing increased scrutiny and the practice will someday soon be phased out. A regional treatment facility for Ma’alaea would replace all the private wastewater treatment systems, improve wastewater treatment, eliminate the use of injection wells for disposal, provide recycled water for community landscaping needs and/or agriculture, and thereby reduce consumption of Maui’s precious fresh water supplies.
This need is a critical piece of the mauka-to-makai efforts within the Pohakea Watershed to improve the health of Ma’alaea Bay which is listed by the EPA as an impaired body of water and suffering from severe coral loss. The outdated, private waste-treating systems and injection well effluent, along with agricultural runoff and sedimentation from the Pohakea watershed, have contributed to the severe degradation of reef cover in nearshore ecosystems.
A small, dedicated volunteer committee has been in pursuit of an eco-friendly, state-of-the-art wastewater gathering, treatment and disposal system to serve the needs of the entire Ma’alaea community. The technology exists, with several providers ready to implement a project, and Mahi Pono committing to donate land for siting. However, the funding is lacking.
Over the past three years, the committee (with the support of MVA) has approached County, state, federal and private philanthropic organizations in effort to secure support and funding for this critical infrastructure need. The County however has turned a deaf ear to the community’s pleas, while the Mayor himself proclaims that “Water and Wastewater are critical infrastructure for our County” (March 24, 2022, letter to Honorable Alice L. Lee, Chair and Members of the Maui County Council). Also in a February 11, 2022 article in the Pacific Business News, the mayor is quoted as stating “It’s time for government to return to its obligation to build infrastructure…"
It is indeed past time for the County to provide the capital investment for this critical infrastructure need, which will benefit all the people of Maui for future generations due to the positive impact it will have on the health of Ma’alaea Bay. Maui County Council funding will make this a reality.
I support seeking funding to address wastewater solutions for Maui County.
Bill 73 (2022), entitled “A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE COUNTY OF MAUI TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR A LOAN FROM THE
WHERE IS THE COUNTY'S $49,523,295 IN REMAINING ARPA FUNDS REPORTED IN THE FY 2023 BUDGET?
In response to a letter sent by the BFED Chair on 4.5.22, on 4.8.22, Finance Director Teruya confirmed in writing that the County has expended only $3,000,000 of its ARPA funds.
As you know, for FY 22, the Council appropriated $52,523,395 in ARPA funds to the Finance Department Budget via Appendix A Part I - Grant Revenues. What has happened to the remaining $49,523,295 in ARPA funds? Assuming the County does not plan to spend the remaining $49 million over the next ten weeks, it appears the overwhelming majority of this money is being carried over to FY 2023. But where is the money reported in the FY 23 Budget?
In response to a direct question from you at the Budget hearing last week, Finance Director Teruya confirmed the Finance Department is not reporting any carryover savings from FY 22 for FY 23. Currently, for FY 22, Appendix A, Part I - Grant Revenues reports $52,253,295 in appropriations in ARPA funds for the Finance Department - $35,000,000 was approved by the Council in June 2021 as part of the FY 2022 budget. The remaining $17,523,295 was approved by the Council in September 2021 as a supplemental appropriation to the FY 22 budget.
The Council and the Mayor appear to have knowingly violated Charter Section 9-9.1 in the approval of the September 2021 supplemental appropriation of $17,523,295 in ARPA-NEU funds. As you know, Charter Section 9-9.1 requires, prior to Council approval of any supplemental appropriation to the FY Budget, that the Mayor provide and the Council receive a Certification of the Availability of Funds requested in the appropriation. For the September 2021 ARPA-NEU supplemental appropriation, it appears no such Mayoral Certification was provided or received. Nor could it have been provided given that County officials knew that only half of the County's ARPA-NEU allocation would be received in FY 2022.
Per the U.S. Treasury guidelines, Counties receive their ARPA and ARPA-NEU allocations in two tranches, at least 12 months apart. Maui County officials did not receive the first tranche of ARPA-NEU funds until 8.12.2021 so clearly the second tranche of $8,761,648 would not be distributed or received until FY 2023 and was absolutely not available for FY 2022.
Due to the failure to provide and receive the Charter required Certification of Availability of Funds, it appears the Mayor requested and the Council approved $17,523,295 as a supplemental appropriation to the FY 2022 even though County officials knew that only half that amount would be available for FY 2022.
Fast forward eight months. Now the Finance Director is reporting that even though the Finance Department has only spent $3,000,000 of its $52,000,000 in ARPA funds for FY 2022, it is not reporting any Carryover Savings for FY 2023.
If the Finance Department is not reporting any carryover savings from FY 22, then where did the remaining $49,523,295 in ARPA money go? For the FY23 Appendix A Part I - Grant Revenues - there is $0 in ARPA funds reported.
Where is the remaining $49,523,295 in ARPA funds reported in the proposed FY 23 Budget. The first page of the FY Budget summarizes all estimated revenue sources, where is the ARPA money?
The residents deserve an explanation and full accounting of the County's $52,523,295 in ARPA funds.
Aloha,
I am writing in support of MEDB. Three of my children have benefitted greatly from their after school STEMworks program at Pukalani School. Some of the classes they took included robotics, coding, and movie-making. The opportunities offered through MEDB STEMworks spark curiosity in topics they may not have been exposed to otherwise. In addition, I believe this has helped to foster a growth mindset and problem-solving attitude within them. As a teacher, I see those same qualities and zeal for learning in many of my students who have participated in the classes. As these classes are available to all students with a variety of different interests and learning styles, it's wonderful to see how students come together and work toward common goals. I hope this program will continue to be supported for years to come.
Mahalo,
Sherry Enriquez
Aloha -
I am writing to support reef protection and education measures both in and amended to the Mayor’s Proposed Budget.
I support funding the Māʻalaea Wastewater Reclamation System (as an amendment to the proposed budget).
I also support the proposed budget allocations for the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council’s Visitor Education Programs and Environmental Protection Programs to fund ocean water quality monitoring, reef friendly landscaping outreach, oyster bioremediation project, projects to prevent sediment runoff from Pohakea Watershed and more.
Mahalo nui loa,
Kirstin Weeks
Aloha Committee Chair Rawlins-Fernandez and Committee Members,
I would like to submit testimony in reference to the Mayor's Proposed Budget FY23.
1. I support the funding needs to help replace Mā'alaea's 24 outdated injection wells with a new system that will improve the ecosystem on our reefs and and allow the coral reefs and all the marine inhabitants to become healthy again.
The Membrane Bioreactors (MBR) proposed to replace the existing system will meet today's water quality standards, cost effective, flexible to scale up and allows new emerging technology to be added cost effectively. Also it is exciting to know that the effluent from an MBR is rated R-1 which is suited for irrigation and agriculture which helps conserve our precious clean water resources for the future. This solution can sustain us for the next 50+ years.
2. Visitor Education Programs - Maui Nui Marine Resource Council ($100,000).
It is critically important to educate visitors about protecting the coral reefs and the quality of the waters in our Maui Nui through social media, online and at our airports.
3. Environmental Protection Programs - Maui Nui Marine Resource Council ($250,000).
It is important to fund ocean water quality monitoring, reef friendly landscaping education, ouster bioremediation projects and projects in general that prevent sediment runoff from Pohakea Watershed and others as they are identified.
Mahalo for the opportunity to contribute to the discussion.
Mike and Judi Nicholson. 231 Nalani St. Makawao, HI 96768
We are in support of replacing Ma'alaea's outdated injection wells with the new MBR technology and consider it much needed to improve the water quality in the harbor, preserve and bring back marine life and protect our fragile environment...already so overstressed by climate change and overuse. We support the research, wisdom and recommendations put forth by Maui Nui Marine Resource Council.
Sincerely, Judi Nicholson
mikeandjudi@prodigy.net
cell: (916) 207-2645
Aloha Committee Chair Rawlins-Fernandez and Committee Members,
I am writing again to encourage you to fund two strategic investments to make huge progress toward fixing injection wells in Maui.
The first is a $9.5 mil investment in a Ma'alaea Regional Wastewater Reclamation System (MRWRS). By installing a cutting-edge Membrane Bioreactor treatment plant and regenerative reuse irrigation, 11 out of the 14 Underground Injection Control Program permittees in Maui Island that use injection wells as their primary disposal method, or 79% or permittees, will no longer use injection wells.
Second, and even more critical, is the need to invest $6 mil as cited by DEM to install ultraviolet light disinfection capability at the Kahului municipal Wastewater Reclamation Facility, where presently over 5,000,000 gallons per day of infected secondary effluent discharges into the ocean via nearshore injection wells at Kanaha Beach Park on the North Shore of Central Maui. With this investment, coupled with pending UV upgrades in Kihei, we can achieve 100% municipal wastewater disinfection in Maui. Right now, only Lahaina has UV disinfection.
Please see a re-post of two background documents supporting the case for UV disinfection in Kahului. I have also included a table summarizing the discharges from Maui's 14 UIC Program injection well permittees. For only $15.5 mil, or around 1% of the projected FY2023 budget, we can eliminate 79% of all injection well permittees, and achieve 100% municipal wastewater disinfection, without delay.
Please vote for Kelly King's amendment to fund the MRWRS, and I implore any Council Member, with Member Kama preferred as she represents Kahului, to make a motion in the Budget Committee to fund a new UV disinfection channel in Kahului, which DEM states will cost $6M. See included .pdf for their FOIA response citing this cost.
Thank you for all your hard work! The endless hours you spend in meetings does not go un-noticed, and is appreciated by the entire community.
Aloha, and thank you for receiving my testimony.
Call (808) 757-5984 to discuss.
Sincerely,
Travis Liggett
President, Reef Power LLC
reefpowermaui.com
Instagram.com/reefpowermaui
flushaware.com
Instagram.com/flushaware
Eddie Rodriguez, speaking in support of Maui Economic Opportunity Community Services programs:
After being incarcerated for a few years, I was set to parole as of April 2021. But it wasn't going to be that easy for me to do. You see, my original plans were to go directly to Florida where I am from, where my kids are, my family. I was going to start my life over from there.
But then a terrible pandemic hit us, "CORONA VIRUS". And certain states weren't allowing transfers and unfortunately, Florida was one of them. And so, I had to change my plans. Being forced to stay here in Hawaii, I had no address to parole to.
And that's where, you guys, MEO stepped in. Because of you, I was able to parole to Ka Hale A Ke Ola, the shelter, where you had some units available.
On May 5th, 2021, almost a year ago, I was released and brought to your office. And there I would meet the staff from MEO, who would help me in my transition to society. They would eventually help me to gather my necessities: my ID, bus pass. They gave me a cellphone, some clothes to put on my back. They would help me update my resume, pointed me in directions to look for employment, in which I was able to get hired full time.
They kept in touch with me on a weekly basis. I met them in person a number of times and always kept them updated and informed them if there was any changes. They were kind of like counselors I was
able to talk to them and even vent to them about issues back home. They were there. They helped me stay focused and was always there if I had any questions or concerns.
I was part of the BEST program, the CARES Act program and the Employment program. And while in the program, I was able to put money in my savings account. I sent money to my kids whenever I can. And I still have money in my account. I was given a head start through the help I was provided through MEO.
Let me add that I hate asking for help. I don't like being helped. Normally, I do things on my own my whole life. But I learned to be humble and just accept the help. Take it while I can. It's there for a reason.
And so I did! I took the help. I met some good people with good intentions. And I am GRATEFUL for that!
The help is there. The programs work. But the only way it works is if you yourself is trying. It works but you have to work with it.
Bishop Pahia, Jan Cerizo and Anslem Yazaki were the main ones I dealt with. But I know a lot more people are involved behind the scenes that I don't know. And I didn't forget about you Cassi Yamashita. I want to thank you guys for everything you have personally done for me. I'm doing good for myself. I will keep in touch.
I am Isaiah Mathin and I am a senior at Baldwin High. I support funding for Maui economic development board because they helped provide automotive class which has allowed me to find my passion and something I really enjoy doing. Automotive class is allowing me to gain experience for real jobs in real shops. This class didn't exist when I was a junior transferring from Maui High so when I heard it was starting my senior year I jumped on the opportunity to take the class and I am so glad this school finally opened up the auto program because this class is helping me build my resume and experience. Our teacher Ms. Kahue is really good at teaching me how to do things in the shop, she's both hands-on and hands-off which allows me to find my rhythm and how to do things on my own and room to learn from my small mistakes. This class has helped me find and receive different job offers just from the experience I am gaining from this program. This class is a must have and It would not have been possible for us to have a knowledgeable teacher without the help of MEDB.
Ma’alaea Village Association (MVA) wishes to identify one critical omission from the Mayor’s proposed budget for FY-2023. That omission is $9.5 million in funding for a long-overdue and critically needed, modern, regional wastewater facility for Ma’alaea.
The Ma’alaea community has no regional wastewater treatment facility. Ma’alaea condominiums, businesses, and the state harbor each operate their own treating facilities and injection wells for effluent disposal. None of the existing facilities provides more than primary treatment, resulting in high nutrient loads in injection well effluent and contributing to the impaired status of Ma’alaea Bay.
As the County knows firsthand, effluent disposal through injection wells is drawing increased scrutiny and the practice will someday soon be phased out. A regional treatment facility for Ma’alaea would replace all the private wastewater treatment systems, improve wastewater treatment, eliminate the use of injection wells for disposal, provide recycled water for community landscaping needs and/or agriculture, and thereby reduce consumption of Maui’s precious fresh water supplies.
This need is a critical piece of the mauka-to-makai efforts within the Pohakea Watershed to improve the health of Ma’alaea Bay which is listed by the EPA as an impaired body of water and suffering from severe coral loss. The outdated, private waste-treating systems and injection well effluent, along with agricultural runoff and sedimentation from the Pohakea watershed, have contributed to the severe degradation of reef cover in nearshore ecosystems.
A small, dedicated volunteer committee has been in pursuit of an eco-friendly, state-of-the-art wastewater gathering, treatment and disposal system to serve the needs of the entire Ma’alaea community. The technology exists, with several providers ready to implement a project, and Mahi Pono committing to donate land for siting. However, the funding is lacking.
Over the past three years, the committee (with the support of MVA) has approached County, state, federal and private philanthropic organizations in effort to secure support and funding for this critical infrastructure need. The County however has turned a deaf ear to the community’s pleas, while the Mayor himself proclaims that “Water and Wastewater are critical infrastructure for our County” (March 24, 2022, letter to Honorable Alice L. Lee, Chair and Members of the Maui County Council). Also in a February 11, 2022 article in the Pacific Business News, the mayor is quoted as stating “It’s time for government to return to its obligation to build infrastructure…"
It is indeed past time for the County to provide the capital investment for this critical infrastructure need, which will benefit all the people of Maui for future generations due to the positive impact it will have on the health of Ma’alaea Bay. Maui County Council funding will make this a reality.
I support seeking funding to address wastewater solutions for Maui County.
Bill 73 (2022), entitled “A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR OF THE COUNTY OF MAUI TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT FOR A LOAN FROM THE