From: County Clerk <County.Clerk@mauicounty.us>
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 9:11 AM
To: BFED Committee <BFED.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: FW: New testimony for county 2024 budget on behalf of ADT

From: Susan Browne <scbrowne@hawaii.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 9:05 AM
To: County Clerk <County.Clerk@mauicounty.us>
Subject: New testimony for county 2024 budget on behalf of ADT

April 17, 2024 - Haiku, Maui

I am writing in support of the mayor’s line item of $25,000 for Adaptations Dance Theater’s program Bring it Home. My name is Susana Browne, and I am a 40-year resident of Maui with 35 years’ experience in education and the arts. I am also a board member of ADT and have been following them for over 12 years when they became the only home-grown contemporary dance company on Maui. Not only are these Maui dancers highly disciplined, but they are always looking for ways to reach a wider audience and inspire our community to appreciate dance as an art form and encourage youth to pursue dance as a career or a creative expression.
Over the past year, ADT has engaged in several free performances that have reached Mauiʻs community. After the fires in August 2023, their performance at UH Maui College with Maui Public Art Corps brought much needed solace to all of us. Another free performance at the Discovery Garden in Wailuku was geared for children, including those with neurodiversities. My five-year-old grandson was delighted and danced himself when the audience was asked to participate.
Since 2018, the Bring it Home performance has brought Maui raised dancers who are living on the mainland back to present culturally relevant and creative dance to an enthusiastic audience. The 2023 program again was a moment of inspiration and healing after the fires in Lahaina and Kula. Thank you for supporting the arts in our community!


P.O. Box 1002
Haiku, Hi, 96708

From: peggy yott <pegyott@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 9:10 AM
To: BFED Committee <BFED.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Lana'i Feral Animal Control

Dear Councilmembers,

My name is Margaret Yott. I am writing to request that you add $285,000 to the Lāna'i Feral Animal Control line item in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget and award it to the Lanai Cat Sanctuary so they can continue to provide feral cat services on the island.

The Lanai Cat Sanctuary has not only reduced the feral cat population on Lāna'i, but they are a leader in the industry for their progressive approach to saving endangered birds by providing humane solutions for cats predating in protected areas.

Unsterilized female cats in Hawaii that are 6 months or older can have up to 3 litters a year, with 3-5 kittens per litter. Without the Lanai Cat Sanctuary, feral cats would overrun the island of Lāna'i.

If the Lanai Cat Sanctuary does not receive the funding needed to continue accepting all feral and unwanted cats, it will severely impact the progress the island of Lāna'i has made in controlling the feral cat population and protecting the native and endangered birds on the island.

Thank you,
Margaret Yott

Peggy Yott
708.429.4665
pegyott@hotmail.com

From: Mary Di Grande <mmfgso@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 17, 2024 8:28 AM
To: BFED Committee <BFED.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Proposed Fiscal Budget

My name is Mary Di Grande. I am writing to request that you add $285,000 to the Lāna'i Feral Animal Control line item in the Fiscal Year 2025 budget and award it to the Lanai Cat Sanctuary so they can continue to provide feral cat services on the island.

The Lanai Cat Sanctuary has not only reduced the feral cat population on Lāna'i, but they are a leader in the industry for their progressive approach to saving endangered birds by providing humane solutions for cats predating in protected areas.

Unsterilized female cats in Hawaii that are 6 months or older can have up to 3 litters a year, with 3-5 kittens per litter. Without the Lanai Cat Sanctuary, feral cats would overrun the island of Lāna'i.

If the Lanai Cat Sanctuary does not receive the funding needed to continue accepting all feral and unwanted cats, it will severely impact the progress the island of Lāna'i has made in controlling the feral cat population and protecting the native and endangered birds on the island.

Thank you,
Mary Di Grande

From: S418-Norman Montehermoso <s418-norman.montehermoso@k12.hi.us>
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 6:53 PM
To: BFED Committee <BFED.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Testimony in support of Maui Economic Development Board’s Economic Development Grant.

Dear Maui County Mayor and Council,

I am Norman Montehermoso, a senior at Maui High School and team captain of the robotics team. I am pleased to write this testimony in support of the Maui Economic Development Board grant. The Maui Economic Development Board’s grant has given me the opportunity to travel, meet new people, and compete in my high school’s robotics program. Through my high school’s robotics program, I also got to teach younger students more about STEM through working with Lihikai Elementary School, volunteering for the Maui Valley Isle VEX IQ league, which involves students from elementary school to middle school, and presenting in the Maui Matsuri Children’s Festival.

Without the Maui Economic Development Board’s generous financial support, my high school’s robotics team would not be as successful and well-represented within the community, as funding is one of the most important aspects of robotics. We recently competed in the FIRST Robotics Competition Hawai’i Regional where we made it all the way to the finals. The Maui Economic Development Board’s grant has greatly aided us in our endeavors this season and we would not have made it this far without their support.

MEDB has supported all the schools I have attended from grades 6-12 and without their grant, I feel confident to say that I would not have learned more about STEM and STEM careers. In the future, I plan to attend Seattle University, majoring in Mechanical Engineering, and none of my ambitions would exist without MEDB’s grant.

Once again, I am very pleased to write this testimony in support of the Maui Economic Development Board’s grant and would love to see the continuation of this grant in many programs in the county.

Sincerely,
Norman Montehermoso

From: County Clerk <County.Clerk@mauicounty.us>
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 5:40 PM
To: BFED Committee <BFED.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: FW: BFED-1: Support for Maui Nui Botanical Gardens FY2025 Budget Line Item Grant

From: Warren Johnson <warren@kingfisherconsult.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 4:25 PM
To: County Clerk <County.Clerk@mauicounty.us>
Subject: BFED-1: Support for Maui Nui Botanical Gardens FY2025 Budget Line Item Grant

4/16/2024

Warren Johnson
171 Maoli Pl
Paia, HI 96779

Aloha,

I strongly support the full $150,000 line item amount for Maui Nui Botanical Gardens in the FY25 proposed budget. MNBG is a valuable community resource offering important educational opportunities about native flora and culture. For example, we are in the process of replacing introduced vegetation with native plants in our yard. I frequently ask them for recommendations and recently picked up a free plant adapted to Paia’s climate. From a larger perspective, through my volunteer work with the Bishop Museum I learned about the Laukahi Network and Maui Nui Botanical Gardens’ essential role in protecting endangered native plants through their seed bank and cultivation.

Mahalo for your consideration,
Warren

From: Keith Imada <keith.imada@k12.hi.us>
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 3:57 PM
To: BFED Committee <BFED.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Testimony in support of Maui Economic Development Board’s Economic Development Grant

Aloha Esteemed Council members
My name is Keith Imada and I am a STEM Teacher at Maui High School. I am also the STEMworks facilitator and team 2443 Robotics Coach.
I am writing in support of the Maui Economic and Development Board's Economic & Education Development Grant. Through my 30 years of teaching Science and now STEM/Robotics I have found MEDB's STEMworks educational program an invaluable resource and support for my program. They are the community leaders that fund projects and programs to help connect the students at the High School with local professional personnel and groups. They also financially support specific robotics program activities. We could not have sustained our dream of providing our students the rigorous high tech and engineering based competitive robotics program since our humble beginnings in 2006. I do not have enough time nor the space in this email to describe all the opportunities that MEDB's grants and support have provided to the STEM students at Maui High School, but please know that in all of the tragedies that we on Maui have survived, the students and children that we educators all work with will be the reason that Maui communities continue to thrive in the 21st century. We need to continue to provide all students the STEM education needed to make educated decisions in researching, designing and analyzing solutions that will keep our communities Maui Strong and Maui No Ka Oi - Thank-you for your time! Keith Imada - Teacher Maui High School - STEMworks teacher and Robotics Coach

From: Irina Constantinescu <IConstantinescu@BrwnCald.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 2:56 PM
To: BFED Committee <BFED.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Testimony in support of Ka Ipu Kukui Grant under the Maui County Office of Economic Development

Aloha,

As a Maui County resident, a licensed professional engineer, a working mom, and a Ka Ipu Kukui alumna, I would like to encourage the Maui County Council to continue supporting the Ka Ipu Kukui Program.
The knowledge I have gained in the program (10 years ago), has made me a better citizen, has made me love Maui, has made me support our community, and has helped me formed irreplaceable long-lasting bonds with fellows from across socio-economic demographics in the County. It is one of the programs fully dedicated to grow one’s knowledge and love of Maui.

Mahalo for your continued support,

Irina Constantinescu, P.E.
Director, Maui Local Leader
Brown and Caldwell | Wailuku, Maui
IConstantinescu@brwncald.com
T 808.442.3305 | C 808.419.0142

From: jerry@mioat.com <jerry@mioat.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 10:51 AM
To: BFED Committee <BFED.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Testimony in support of Maui Economic Development Boardʻs Economic Development Grant under the Maui County Office of Economic Development.

I am Jerry Isddale, founder of Maui Makers and the Maui Institute of Art and Technology LLC. I am testifying in support of Maui Economic Development Board’s Economic Development Grant (MEDB)) under the Maui County Office of Economic Development (OED). MEDB has been the dominant force in the Maui technology community. It has a wide variety of worthy programs. I have been a participant in their Tech Ohana and several other programs. While it is small contribution, they have been very supportive of our informal Maui Techies monthly gatherings. All of these provide a social connection for our suprisingly large (to some) and vibrant tech community. Their educational and other programs are a large boost to our youth (of all ages).

Jerry Isdale
Maui Institute of Art and Technology LLC
Haiku, Maui
805.338.1996 (cell)
jerry@mioat.com

From: County Clerk <County.Clerk@mauicounty.us>
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2024 7:58 AM
To: BFED Committee <BFED.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: FW: BFED-1

From: Marty Martins <mauimanokane@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2024 5:45 PM
To: County Clerk <County.Clerk@mauicounty.us>
Subject: BFED-1

Support for Maui Nui Botanical Gardens FY2025 Budget Line Item Grant

I support the full $150,000 line item amount for Maui Nui Botanical Gardens in the FY2025 proposed budget.

Respectfully,

Marty Martins
Kīhei

Aloha mmbers of the Budget Committee for 2024. I apologized for not attending your meeting with the the Hana Community. I am dealing with health issues but compelled to express how I want to see my taxes go towards. Before I raised my concerns, I do want to share with you that our people are tired and fed up to attend meetings because they are tired of repeating for three years what is in dire need for their Community and nothing happens. I for one, as a volunteer Executive Director of Hui Laulima O Hana Nonprofit for the Hana Dialysis Home Program, I am so appreciated of your on going support.
Through all of you at the Maui County
level we would not be able to honor our 15 years Anniversary. Together, we have truly made a difference in bringing quality of life to loved ones in dire need of dialyzing at home in Hana. As the only unduplicated service provided in Hana our goal is to provide the utmost care and service to loved ones needing Dialysis treatments in the remote and isolated communities through out the East Maui communites. At the same time I have pleaded help for our Keiki in Hana, who do not have a playground at Pa'ani Mai Park which is under Parks & Recreation County of Maui. It saddens me as a Kupuna and Grandmother that my babies gotta travel all the way from Hana to play at Giggle Hill in Haiku. The other concern is the Helene Hall in Hana, where Maui County holds meetings. Where is our kitchen that came with Helene Hall? A recent party rented the hall and with no kitchen dishes, pots and pans had to be carried to the nearest shower to washed. Every Community on Maui when rented comes with a kitchen, all except Hana! We all pay taxes, but always forgotten in the budget. Please consider Hana, we deserve better.

Mahalo,
Lehua Cosma
Hana

Testimonies received from BFED Committee.

Dear Chair and members,

I would like to submit testimony in support of the Maui Economic Development Boardʻs Economic Development Grant under the Maui County Office of Economic Development. I would also like to provide my support for the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows Leadership Grant.
Throughout my student and professional journey, I have had the privilege of engaging with MEDB in various capacities. From my initial exposure to and training on CAD programs to my attendance at the AMOS conference over the past several years, I have witnessed firsthand the organization's dedication to advancing aerospace education, workforce development, business, and research in Hawaiʻi. As a member of the planning committee for the prior year’s conference Emer-Gen program, I have had the opportunity to contribute to this valuable program that has had a profound impact on students and young professionals pursuing diverse careers in aerospace and related fields.
The Emer-Gen program has served as an invaluable platform for connecting students and young professionals with leaders and experts in the aerospace industry, providing them with mentorship, guidance, and career development opportunities. As an engineer with the Hawaiʻi Space Flight Laboratory at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, I have seen firsthand the positive impact the program has had on our students. The program has not only fostered a sense of community among participants but has also equipped them with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their chosen fields, and opened the door for them into the wider community.

The AMOS conference has been instrumental in facilitating collaborations and partnerships that have led to the acquisition of additional funding for our lab and the University. These resources have enabled us to expand our research capabilities and provide more students with hands-on experience in a variety of aerospace and engineering projects. The conference has served as a catalyst for fostering an aerospace ecosystem in Hawaiʻi, bringing together industry professionals, small businesses, educators, researchers, and government.

In addition, I have also seen firsthand the STEMWorks program, which targets younger students, prove to be highly beneficial. The program provides a foundation for STEM education and inspires students to pursue STEM careers. By providing students with hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and mentorship opportunities, the program cultivates a passion for STEM subjects and encourages students to embrace innovation and problem-solving. Supporting these programs will continue to help our next generation and community become more self-sufficient and provide a brighter future for all of us.
I have also seen firsthand the benefits of the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellows Leadership program and am in staunch support of it. It is an invaluable program which informs, educates, and encourages our emerging leaders. In fact, I would be ecstatic if additional funding would be allocated in the future to provide support for more fellows and an even broader program.

Yosef Ben Gershom
Makawao, HI

I am Brialyn Onodera and I am testifying in support of Maui Economic Development Board’s (MEDB) Economic Development Grant under the Maui County Office of Economic Development. As an engineer on Maui I have participated in outreach events coordinated by MEDB in order to help generate interest in engineering as a career for Maui County youth, especially girls. I appreciate the opportunity, as a female, to serve as a role model and encourage youth to pursue engineering as a career ideally within Maui county. These outreach programs and others that are supported by MEDB helps to serve as that important pipeline that is able to reach middle schoolers and high schoolers in order to help them dream big with the hopes that they too can find engineering careers and serve industries that seek to diversify Maui's economy.

I would also like to add testimony in support of the Ka Ipu Kukui Grant under the County Office of Economic Development. I am a current Ka Ipu Kukui fellow and the program has been extremely valuable in helping me to understand the various issues that impact Maui County and meeting with professionals who are passionate about making impactful change for the betterment of Maui that serves that community and maintains the sense of place that is unique to Maui county. I highly recommend the program to aspiring leaders and professionals and hope to see it supported for the upcoming fiscal year.