RE: Reso 24-77 - 266 Dickenson Street

I support granting 266 Dickenson Street to the Lahaina Community Land Trust. Despite the past controversies surrounding its planning and rezoning during previous sessions, this decision marks a pivotal moment for our community's rejuvenation, particularly in the aftermath of the devastating fires that ravaged Lahaina. By entrusting this property to the Land Trust, we not only preserve its significance in the Historic District, but also herald a new era of thoughtful, community-driven development that prioritizes keeping our local people in Lahaina. It is time to seize this opportunity to honor our heritage, foster resilience, and chart a course toward a vibrant, appropriate future for Lahaina.

From: Maui_County Council_mailbox <county.council@mauicounty.us>
Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2024 2:56 PM
To: BFED Committee <BFED.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: FW: Healing Lahaina with Living Communities - OED Green Building Grant - Please earmark FY25 funds for this project

Forwarding to BFED Committee…

From: Mark Deakos <mark.deakos@regenmaui.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2024 2:40 PM
To: Alice L. Lee <Alice.Lee@mauicounty.us>; Tamara A. Paltin <Tamara.Paltin@mauicounty.us>; Keani N. Rawlins <Keani.Rawlins@mauicounty.us>; Thomas M. Cook <Thomas.Cook@mauicounty.us>; Shane M. Sinenci <Shane.Sinenci@mauicounty.us>; Yukilei Sugimura <Yukilei.Sugimura@mauicounty.us>; Gabe Johnson <Gabe.Johnson@mauicounty.us>; Tasha A. Kama <Tasha.Kama@mauicounty.us>; Nohe M. Uu-Hodgins <Nohe.Uu-Hodgins@mauicounty.us>
Cc: Maui_County Council_mailbox <county.council@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Healing Lahaina with Living Communities - OED Green Building Grant - Please earmark FY25 funds for this project

Aloha CouncilMembers,

I heard some discussion about our grant proposal at yesterday's (April 24) budget hearing. I wanted to clarify a few items:

Grantee: Hawaii Association for Marine Education and Research (HAMER) at West Maui 501 (c) 3

Total Budget: $780K ($56K was originally requested but after learning about existing funds in the FY24 Green Building grant, we put in a proposal for $99K before the April 30 deadline)

Purpose: To build an affordable home for a Lahaina survivor (80% AMI) that showcases Living Building Challenge regenerative concepts (nature restoration, food, net zero energy, net positive water, non-toxic materials, zero waste) can be affordable to everyone. The proposal includes support for UH Maui College in education around regenerative design, paid internships, and tradesmen training through their apprenticeship program.

Timeline: The timeline is 2 years (6 months design, 6 months build, 12 months performance monitoring), dependent on permit acquisitions.
Status:

Status: We are waiting to hear decisions on funding support from the Hawaii Community Foundation (which provides the bulk of the funding support), Maui United Way, Lahaina Rotary, and the County Office of Innovations (Green Building Grant).

Given that funding has not yet been secured, please consider earmarking $56 in the FY25 Green Building budget. If we don’t need it, the budget amount could be reallocated later.

I’m happy to provide testimony if helpful.

Mahalo for your support of this very important project.

Mark

Mark Deakos, PhD
President/Chief Sustainability Officer
Regen Maui

From: County Clerk <County.Clerk@mauicounty.us>
Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2024 1:09 PM
To: BFED Committee <BFED.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: FW: Testimony in support of Councilmember Johnson's proposal to increase DHHC's Human Concerns Grant Subsidy Program

From: Naomi Wick <naomi@mauifarm.org>
Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2024 9:05 AM
To: County Clerk <County.Clerk@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Testimony in support of Councilmember Johnson's proposal to increase DHHC's Human Concerns Grant Subsidy Program

"I'm providing testimony in support of Councilmember Johnson's proposal to increase DHHC's Human Concerns Grant Subsidy Program by $3 million dollars. By extension, I specifically support the increase to The Maui Farm's budget from $279,666 to the requested $313,588."

--
Naomi Wick, Notary
Administrative Specialist

The Maui Farm
P.O. Box 1776
Makawao, HI 96768
(808) 579-8271
naomi@mauifarm.org | www.themauifarm.org

From: County Clerk <County.Clerk@mauicounty.us>
Sent: Thursday, April 25, 2024 7:22:50 AM (UTC-10:00) Hawaii
To: BFED Committee <BFED.Committee@mauicounty.us>
Subject: FW: Strong Support for FY 2025 Mālama Maui Hikina Project


From: mayumi <kaohanaoaa@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2024 7:16 PM
To: County Clerk <County.Clerk@mauicounty.us>
Subject: Strong Support for FY 2025 Mālama Maui Hikina Project

April 19, 2024
Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee Maui County Council 200 South High Street, 7th Floor Wailuku, HI 96793
Subject: Strong Support for FY 2025 Mālama Maui Hikina Project

Aloha Chair Lee and Council Members,

My name is Mayumi Miura, and I am an ‘Aina Steward with Ke Ao Hali’i and the Mālama Hāna Project. I work at Kaihalulu, Waioka, and Wailua, fostering cultural and ecological awareness among visitors to these wahi pana/ sacred sites in East Maui.
For twenty years, I've deepened my connection to Hawaiian culture through hula and oli. Since moving to Hana in 2011, I've developed a particularly strong spiritual bond with the ocean around Ka'uiki.
Through my work as an ‘Aina Steward, I educate visitors about the cultural and ecological significance of these wahi pana. Importantly, I also warn them of potential dangers in the wild environment. Witnessing this cultural connection fosters appreciation and respect for nature and Hawaiian culture among visitors.
Positive Impact on Wāhi Pana and Visitors
I've observed a positive impact on the natural environment thourgh the project. This project raises awareness for everyone, prompting a global reflection on humanity's role in protecting our planet.
I think visitor behavior has been improving, with respect and understanding, it’s also reflected in parking and driving habits
A Ripple Effect for Global Change
I am passionate about creating a ripple effect of environmental awareness spreading outward from Hawaii to the world. I believe the unique ecology and living culture of our islands offer a powerful message for saving our planet.

The positive changes we've witnessed demonstrate the Mālama Maui Hikina project's vital role in protecting Hawaii's wahi pana and ecology. Continued funding is crucial for this project's success.
Mahalo for this opportunity to share my testimony.

Sincerely,
Mayumi Miura

Aloha, Please see my attached testimony with comments for the RPT discussion.

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

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