From: karlee chong kee <karlee.chongkee@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 2, 2024 7:42:56 PM (UTC-10:00) Hawaii
To: BFED Committee
Subject: Pauwela Parcels

Aloha!

My name is Karlee Chong Kee and I am a resident of haʻikū. I am emailing you folks in regards to the three Pauwela Parcels and requesting for Maui County Council to utilize open space funding for the three parcels to keep the land for our community. This land is very historical to our Hawaiian Culture in which our ancestors were given the lands in kingdom times. These lands also have native planting occurring that were planted by Hawaiian Organizations in which will be able to provide for our people. I hope for the county to approve our request.

Mahalo!
Karlee Chong Kee

Aloha,

My name is Kaleo Ollech I was born and raised in haiku. I am concerned as to what will become of the 3 parcels of land up for sale near k bay. This land and the trails within have always been apart of my life and many others in Maui county, especially the north shore. I ask for the county to purchase said parcels to ensure access is still available for locals and later generations to enjoy. I don’t necessarily what the best use of the land will be but am sure the county and our community can put it to good use for all and prevent further development.

Mahalo for reading

From: CShop <cshop5@yahoo.com>
Sent: Friday, March 29, 2024 11:16 PM
To: Shane M. Sinenci <Shane.Sinenci@mauicounty.us>; Nohe M. Uu-Hodgins <Nohe.Uu-Hodgins@mauicounty.us>; Thomas M. Cook <Thomas.Cook@mauicounty.us>; Gabe Johnson <Gabe.Johnson@mauicounty.us>; Tasha A. Kama <Tasha.Kama@mauicounty.us>; Alice L. Lee <Alice.Lee@mauicounty.us>; Tamara A. Paltin <Tamara.Paltin@mauicounty.us>; Keani N. Rawlins <Keani.Rawlins@mauicounty.us>; Yukilei Sugimura <Yukilei.Sugimura@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Pauwela lighthouse access

Aloha Councilmembers, Please set aside $ to purchase the parcels that are for sale that include the road access from Hana Hwy to the Pauwela lighthouse. Since the County already owns the lighthouse area, it would be a perfect opportunity for the county.
We are already saddened to see how Kamehameha School purchases are now blocking access to coastal areas where they have recently purchased along the North Shore and East Maui. Residents want to have access to the coast and private landowners are no longer granting access. It's sad and the County should help preserve as many open land areas as they can, or at the very least create public way easements for these wonderful ocean access properties!
with respect and aloha,
Cindie Mattox
Makawao, HI

From: Michael <michael@cmschwarz.com>
Sent: Monday, April 1, 2024 9:08 PM
To: Shane M. Sinenci <Shane.Sinenci@mauicounty.us>; Nohe M. Uu-Hodgins <Nohe.Uu-Hodgins@mauicounty.us>; Thomas M. Cook <Thomas.Cook@mauicounty.us>; Gabe Johnson <Gabe.Johnson@mauicounty.us>; Tasha A. Kama <Tasha.Kama@mauicounty.us>; Alice L. Lee <Alice.Lee@mauicounty.us>; Tamara A. Paltin <Tamara.Paltin@mauicounty.us>; Keani N. Rawlins <Keani.Rawlins@mauicounty.us>; Yukilei Sugimura <Yukilei.Sugimura@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Pa'uwela lighthouse access

Aloha ,
I recently was informed that property is for sale along the Pa’uwela lighthouse road. As a resident of Haiku for the last 37 years I am very concerned that the sale of the two lots adjacent to the road and the most makai lot which actually runs across the road might lead to the loss of access to the coast. The community of Haiku uses the Pa’uwela lighthouse road to get to the coast ,the lighthouse and to K bay one of the few accessible bays east of Maliko. The stunning coastline should be open to all the residents of Haiku, so I am suggesting that the County of Maui purchase the three lots TMK 227004050, TMK227004003 and TMK 227004059 as part of its land preservation program. Preserving these properties for public use would enhance the extent of the Hamakualoa Open Space which is already owned by the county and enable future generations to enjoy this awe inspiring coast.
Mahalo for your consideration,
Michael Schwarz

michael@cmschwarz.com

Hello,

My family lives downwind of Holomua road. I would like to preface my comment by saying, we have no problem with houseless people in general and understand each person has a story of struggle whether they moved here without an address or have lived their whole life and now have no where to go.

I am extremely concerned about the fires on Holomua. The location is so hidden from the community, that it provides a hidden safe haven to perform illegal activities that put the community at risk. There have been dozens of fires already this year. The biggest concern is what happens this summer when the fields are dry, the winds are stronger, and other parts of the island may require MFD resources at the same time? Historic Paia town and several neighborhoods, plus a school could be lost. Evacuating Paia residents on 2 lane roads would be extremely challenging as well. I understand the county may not be able to relocate these people and many desire this population to be out of sight and remain where they are but something must be done to ensure there is no longer a fire risk.

Some of my ideas are to have the county closely monitor this area around the clock during the dry season to restrict fires, provide fire extinguishers and fire education, remove flammable cars and garbage, add more fire breaks, provide relocation to those who wish to move, and discourage that location from further population growth.

Also of concern is that the population there needs mental/medical help and their needs can’t be seen on that road. For example, we have had a bleeding person with a head injury from Holomua road hike the field over a mile to our home after dark and knock on our door asking for medical help. If the county is going to keep this population there, I think they should have dedicated staff addressing the medical and mental struggles of the people there before they are walking into residences at night, needing 911, or dying.

I hope they a solution to the fires and the state of the people living there can be found.

Thank you

My name is Shanon McCaffrey. I am a retired R.N. living in Kuau Bayview since 1996. I am also concerned about potential fire hazard and sanitary conditions on Holomua road. I helped the 'HUNGRY HEROS' after the fires, deliver meals to many of the people in the encampments. It was quite shocking how people are living. I support any action to improve this situation and help make our community safer.

Hello,
I'm Rachel and I own a little shop in Paia. I would like to advocate for more parking.
There are approximately 80 small businesses in Paia, and only a very small handful of them have private parking for their employees, or customers.

We did a recent survey, and found there are between 225-275 employees that are going to work every single day in our town, that need parking.

There are only about 40 parking spaces that allow more than 2 + hours, which is in the public lot next to the shell station.

Street parking is only 1-2 hrs, and the small lot by Mana Foods is also 2 hr parking. So you can park there, but risk getting a ticket. Paying for parking by the hour in one of the paid lots, is too expensive for workers.

I have heard some say that the businesses should supply the parking for employees, but I can tell you first-hand, we don't own any of the parking, and are unable to do so.

I would like to propose, making a dedicated parking lot for employees who are working in Paia. It would free up hundreds of spaces in town, so more people can to come to do their grocery shopping, get a haircut, go to the dentist or out for lunch.
Right now it's faster to drive all the way into town to do your shopping than it is to find a place to park in Paia. It shouldn't be this way.

Our little town generates so much revenue for the island, and I think it's more important than ever to support the small businesses here and keep our employees at work.

Thank you

From: spreiter@mauigateway.com <spreiter@mauigateway.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 2, 2024 12:52 PM
To: BFED Committee <BFED.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: 3 oceanfront Pauwela lots

I would like to request Maui County Council to include $6.8 million of Open Space Funding for the three Pauwela Parcels. Do not offer them up for sale. Mahalo
Janet Spreiter, 478 Front Street, Lahaina

Aloha Councilmembers,

As a former employee of the Maui Invasive Species Committee I agree with the other commenters that the situation in Paia, and particularly on Holumua Road, has grown out of control and something, anything, must be done to change course. MISC employees work at nearly all hours of the day and night, going in and out of their base yard at the Old Maui High School to keep the island as safe as possible from fire ants, nocturnal coqui frogs, and other highly damaging invasive species that slip through the importation cracks and threaten the economy and way of life. I know from experience that Holomua Road at 11pm at night is not a place one wants to drive through on their way home from work after a coqui shift, and certainly not a place anyone would want to walk their pet even in the light of day. I have witnessed all manner of foul, inappropriate, and threatening behavior both day and night over the 3 or so years I drove the road daily and saw the encampment grow and spill its elements into Paia town.

Multiple 40 ft dumpster roll-off units have been filled to the maximum with trash deposited on the ground by encampment residents and picked up by County bulldozers and workers. I know it's not unique on Maui but the amount of trash and human waste deposited by homeless residents along Holomua Road is staggering and will likely have consequences for the ecosystem (native seabirds at Hookipa, reef system, etc.) and public health. I called the fire department many times to report fires started along the road during my commute to work at MISC. It's a miracle none of them grew to catastrophic levels that could affect downwind residents, business owners, and visitors in Ku'au and Paia. At one point MISC employees were calling MPD daily to report threatening behavior and road blockages which delayed the invaluable service they perform for the community.

This is now a larger public safety issue in a fire prone area and should be treated as such. Years long efforts have already gone into getting services and assistance options to encampment residents only to be largely met with refusals. Please clean up the area citing all applicable public health and safety laws. There should be plenty of evidence and documentation to support such a move along a public road at this point. At minimum, continue funding and expand the current County Clean and Safe Paia program to Holomua.

With Aloha,
Concerned Maui Resident

From: Frank Finn <frank.finn@adaptivegroup.co <mailto:frank.finn@adaptivegroup.co>>
Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2024 9:58 PM
To: Shane M. Sinenci <Shane.Sinenci@mauicounty.us <mailto:Shane.Sinenci@mauicounty.us>>; Nohe M. Uu-Hodgins <Nohe.Uu-Hodgins@mauicounty.us <mailto:Nohe.Uu-Hodgins@mauicounty.us>>; Thomas M. Cook <Thomas.Cook@mauicounty.us <mailto:Thomas.Cook@mauicounty.us>>; Gabe Johnson <Gabe.Johnson@mauicounty.us <mailto:Gabe.Johnson@mauicounty.us>>; Tasha A. Kama <Tasha.Kama@mauicounty.us <mailto:Tasha.Kama@mauicounty.us>>; Alice L. Lee <Alice.Lee@mauicounty.us <mailto:Alice.Lee@mauicounty.us>>; Tamara A. Paltin <Tamara.Paltin@mauicounty.us <mailto:Tamara.Paltin@mauicounty.us>>; Keani N. Rawlins <Keani.Rawlins@mauicounty.us <mailto:Keani.Rawlins@mauicounty.us>>; Yukilei Sugimura <Yukilei.Sugimura@mauicounty.us <mailto:Yukilei.Sugimura@mauicounty.us>>
Subject: Haiku Resident - Hoping we have a better solution to maintaining Access to Kuiaha Bay And Pauwela Lighthouse

Hello Shane,

I just wanted to reach out regarding the sale of the parcels makai of Haiku Community center. We live on Kauhikoa and regularly take our family and many friends down these coast access roads for community days down Kuiaha Bay.

I was very sad to learn that these parcels were being sold and that they were likely going to be fenced off and closed from public access. We take our children down there to fish, play, and learn about the ocean. We have been down there to help uncles pull nets full of Akole from the surf, who send our families home with coolers full of fish.

I am hopeful that if there is something the county can do to preserve access to these very special areas, that we do everything in our power to do so.

I have heard from several realtors in the area that there are some serious entitlement and easement issues with these parcels that will make them very unattractive to purchasers and that they will not likely sell for the prices they are being offered for. What a great opportunity for the county to step up and approach the sellers of the land with a realistic offer and preserve this space for the community.

Sincerely,

Frank Finn
668 Kauaheahe place
Haiku, HI 96708

Something needs to be done about the old high school road. It's not safe for people to exercise down that road anymore and super sketchy for kids. The fires being set in the dry fields puts thousands at risk. The stolen cars that have ended up there by the usual suspects. It's too many people in one homeless encampment and the over flow of crime in surrounding area is at an increase. The more nothing is done about it the larger the problem grows. Best to handle it now before it turns into something too unmanagable. Please urgently address this situation straight away, mahalo.

Good Morning,
My name is Me-Shell Mijangos, and I've had the privilege of calling Maui my home for over two decades now. As a resident of Paia for the past 14 years and a homeowner, I feel deeply invested in the well-being and safety of our community.

I'm here to address the pressing issue of homelessness and mental health that continues to affect Maui. It's an issue that's not only visible but also pervasive across the island. Without adequate support and resources, our homeless population faces immense challenges, and this, in turn, impacts both residents and tourists.

The situation along Holomua Road is particularly concerning. If left unaddressed, it could lead to serious consequences for our community. From safety concerns for families to the heightened risk of wildfires, the stakes are undeniably high.

I'm here to offer some actionable suggestions that we can begin implementing:
* Continue funding and expand the current County Clean and Safe Paia program to Holomua. Mel Johnson with Aegaeon has proved his service on the land before the public parking lot and with his current contract in Paia. Fund the program to allow his service to clear out and expand the 8hours to 16hours to include Holomua for consistent security and allow him to join county's long term solutions. (Legality issues pose a big question. I am confident with his expertise and experience that he is aware and has solutions to logistically deal with these legality issues in a civil way. You can reach out to him directly to best answer questions.)
* Fund a Holomua gravel or paved bypass road to help traffic congestion, provide an evacuation route and enforce laws.
* Provide local ID unsheltered residents a 5pm-8am monitored gravel camp facility in town for easy resource access.
* Continue educational outreach for residents on how to civilly stop the problem.

By taking these steps, we can begin to address the complex issue of homelessness and mental health on Maui. It's crucial that we come together as a community to tackle this challenge head-on and create a safer, more inclusive environment for all residents.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

With Aloha,
Me-Shell Mijangos

My name is Morgan Rawson, and am a resident of Ku’au. Today, I emphasize our concern about the escalating wildfire threat and safety hazards stemming from the encampment on Holomua. While we acknowledge the broader issue of mental health and homelessness, we urge a swift allocation of funds towards readily available solutions to safeguard the neighborhoods adjacent to this encampment. Our community’s safety depends on it.
1. Expand the County Clean and Safe Paia program to Holomua, utilizing Mel Johnson’s proven expertise and experience to clear and secure the area for 16 hours daily, while ensuring his integration into the county’s long-term solutions.
2. Allocate funds for the construction of a Holomua gravel or paved bypass road to alleviate traffic congestion, establish an evacuation route, and enforce laws effectively.
3. Establish a monitored gravel camp facility in town for unsheltered residents with local ID, operating from 5pm to 8am, to provide easy access to resources.
4. Maintain and enhance educational outreach initiatives for residents to effectively address and mitigate the issue of homelessness in a civil manner.
Thank you for listening to our concerns and resolving the issue at hand.

From: Jodel Edwards <jodeledwards@icloud.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 31, 2024 10:53 AM
To: County Clerk <County.Clerk@mauicounty.us>
Cc: Justin Edwards <logicwins@gmail.com>
Subject: Testimony 4/2 Budget meeting

Aloha,
I am submitting my testimony for the upcoming budget meeting 4/2@6pm@ Paia Community Center. I will also submit once the agenda becomes available via EComment.
Mahalo,
Jodel Edwards



I am Jodel Edwards. We have been Ku’au resident for 10 years and our neighborhood and community is very concerned of our safety and wildfire risk from the lawless, dangerous, and unsanitary Holomua encampment. We propose funding be focused on the quickest and easiest solutions that are already in place.

• Continue funding and expand the current County Clean and Safe Paia program to Holomua. Mel Johnson with Aegaeon has proved his service on the land before the public parking lot and with his current contract in Paia. Fund the program to allow his service to clear out and expand the 8hours to 16hours to include Holomua for consistent security and allow him to join county's long term solutions.
• Fund a Holomua gravel or paved bypass road to help traffic congestion, provide an evacuation route and enforce laws.
• Provide local ID unsheltered residents a 5pm-8am monitored gravel camp facility in town for easy resource access.
• Continue educational outreach for residents on how to stop the problem.
Please consider our proposed solutions to help keep our community safe. Mahalo for listening and resolving our safety and wildfire concerns.
Jodel and Justin

Aloha my name is Anne-Marie Forsythe and I am the Executive Director for Hui No‘eau Visual
Arts Center. Please accept my testimony in support of Hui No‘eau’s Youth & Family Outreach
Programs and Art with Aloha Programs.

I truly believe in the immeasurable power of the arts to support mental health, healing, and
overall well-being. As people work toward rebuilding their homes and their lives, art can help us
feel less alone by providing an opportunity for shared experience and expression. Art teaches
us to notice details, to find beauty where we may not have seen it before, and to connect with
our community and ourselves.

The arts will be more critical now than ever before to support the community’s mental health and
healing. Studies have shown that arts and culture can be key tools in preserving, recovering and
creating new social memory, with positive impacts on community members’ abilities to be
resilient and appropriately engage and participate in their post-disaster lives. Participants in artistic and creative initiatives realize physical and mental health benefits, including stress reduction, increased self- confidence, social cohesion, and community empowerment. Moreover, reports indicate that art can empower disaster survivors to take control of their thoughts, their feelings, and their narratives, and thus to begin the long process of recovery.

Hui No‘eau’s Youth & Family Arts Education Outreach Programs eliminate cost and logistic
barriers to arts participation for more than 8,000 Maui County keiki annually, including keiki on
Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i. In 2023, this included more than 1,500 Lahaina keiki who benefitted from
the Hui’s arts outreach, art supply distributions for Lahaina schools, field trips to the Hui; and
Art2Go Art Kits. Hui Youth Outreach programs are delivered at no charge to participants,
schools, or partner organizations. We are all heartbroken over the devastation the fires on Maui
caused last August and we know how important art for the children affected by the fire is as part
of their continued healing and recovery. I ask the County of Maui to please consider supporting
the Hui’s youth outreach efforts with $50,000 in FY25 so that we can continue this important
work at the same level as in the past.

I would like to share recent testimony from some of our youth participants and community
Partners:

“Our grandson Lahikiola saw the fires as he and his family fled Lahaina. Our family
relocated to Upcountry. It was a difficult transition for Lahikiola, leaving his friends,
school and community. The upcountry community has been so supportive and
welcoming. Lahikiola is thriving, and now that he got involved with the Hui he is so
happy. He looked forward to going to art class every day and was so excited to tell us
what he learned.”

“Hui No‘eau’s amazing teaching artists have been the BEST with our children! The
children always look forward to our weekly in-person art days. Parents have also been
enjoying time spent with their children in the groups, which promotes such healthy
parents and child relationships and precious moments of bonding.” Misty Bannister,
Children’s Services Coordinator, Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers

“Mahalo Hui Noʻeau and Kumulāʻau and Haunani Sing. Hui Noʻeau truly went above and
beyond to fulfill their mission of providing a space for community arts. Not only providing
us the resource, but also going as far as to bring the resource to us. This allowed us to
take part in an otherwise not available opportunity that our keiki and Kumu were
engaged in. Kumulāʻau and Haunani were truly a gift. Their lesson plan, organization,
and execution was pure perfection. Their sincere aloha for the language and works of
our kūpuna helped to support what we are instilling daily in our classrooms. Lastly this
opportunity helped to heal our community through art and culture. The keiki were given
the opportunity to indulge in work that brought them joy in a time where emotions are
high and feelings are raw. It also allowed for our community to come in and see first
hand the resilience of our students and families. Mahalo nui loa for your support and
aloha!” - Kumu Joy Salvador, Kula Kaiapuni O Nahiʻenaʻena

Hui No‘eau’s Art with Aloha Program provides demonstrations, hands-on workshops, art
events, and youth programs with native Hawaiian cultural practitioners. Art with Aloha programs
encourage authentic cultural exchange while inspiring appreciation and understanding of
Hawaiian people, culture, and hana No‘eau (arts). I ask the County of Maui to please consider
supporting the Hui’s Art with Aloha Programs with $50,000 in FY25. I would like to share testimony from some of our recent students:

“Shre (Wilson) really shares the history of Ni‘ihau and its culture and people. She is so
enthusiastic about her subject and passionate about keeping this special cultural art
alive for future generations it is infectious. I can’t wait to take another course with her.”

“I enjoyed meeting the other artists in class and seeing their work and processes. It’s
inspiring to me to work with other creatives. I was also very touched by the three fire
survivors in the class and how they were using their class time to “feel normal” and
create a routine in an otherwise very tumultuous time in their lives.”

“Kekai (Daunhauer)’s passion and expertise were most infusive and inspired us to
experiment on the items we had to make dye coloring and print.”