GREAT-1(6) Reso 24-10 APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS (RESOLUTION 24-10, RELATING TO THE APPOINTMENT OF KATE BLYSTONE AS PLANNING DIRECTOR) (GREAT-1(6))
From: Micah Kāne, Chief Executive Officer & President - Hawaiʻi Community Foundation
Re: Testimony in Support of Resolution 24-10
Appointment of Kate Blystone as the Planning Director
Tuesday. January 23, 2024, 1:30pm
The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF) supports Resolution 24-10 and the appointment of Kate Blystone as Maui County Planning Director. Most recently, Kate was a member of our HCF team, and helped to lead our House Maui Initiative, seeking to improve housing for Maui residents. Kate’s work helped to advance both housing development – through a focus on infrastructure that supports future housing – as well as preparing Maui families to be ready for housing opportunities – through work with the Financial Opportunity Center. HCF, both as an organization as well as through support of our donors have appreciated the advancements made while Kate was on our team and believe it will lead to much needed future housing opportunities.
Given Kate’s past employment with the Planning Department, we see value in someone leading the Department who has had experience and perspective from both inside and outside of government. With her background as a long-term planner, Kate is able to understand the impacts of such planning on the reality of creating new homes today.
Finally, with the new landscape we are all working in since the August fires, Kate has been a key member of our Maui HCF team working on various aspects of the emergency and interim recovery work. Through our broader work at HCF and the Maui Strong Fund, Kate will bring additional perspective on helping the County look at the long-term efforts needed for its residents.
We at HCF remain committed to Maui County in our efforts to support the County in its housing and other recovery efforts in the years to come.
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support.
To: Maui County Council - GREAT Committee
From: Micah Kāne, Chief Executive Officer & President - Hawaiʻi Community Foundation
Re: Testimony in Support of Resolution 24-10
Appointment of Kate Blystone as the Planning Director
Tuesday. January 23, 2024, 1:30pm
The Hawaiʻi Community Foundation (HCF) supports Resolution 24-10 and the appointment of Kate Blystone as Maui County Planning Director. Most recently, Kate was a member of our HCF team, and helped to lead our House Maui Initiative, seeking to improve housing for Maui residents. Kate’s work helped to advance both housing development – through a focus on infrastructure that supports future housing – as well as preparing Maui families to be ready for housing opportunities – through work with the Financial Opportunity Center. HCF, both as an organization as well as through support of our donors have appreciated the advancements made while Kate was on our team and believe it will lead to much needed future housing opportunities.
Given Kate’s past employment with the Planning Department, we see value in someone leading the Department who has had experience and perspective from both inside and outside of government. With her background as a long-term planner, Kate is able to understand the impacts of such planning on the reality of creating new homes today.
Finally, with the new landscape we are all working in since the August fires, Kate has been a key member of our Maui HCF team working on various aspects of the emergency and interim recovery work. Through our broader work at HCF and the Maui Strong Fund, Kate will bring additional perspective on helping the County look at the long-term efforts needed for its residents.
We at HCF remain committed to Maui County in our efforts to support the County in its housing and other recovery efforts in the years to come.
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support.