Here is the **revised testimony** incorporating the transparency concern about leadership connections while keeping the argument focused on priorities and public trust.
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**Testimony Opposing Funding for the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellowship Program – FY2027 Budget (BFED-1)**
I respectfully oppose the proposed **$47,500 allocation of County funds** for the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellowship Program.
Maui County is currently facing serious and measurable problems that directly affect residents. Farmers are telling the Council they cannot even process the animals they raise because basic agricultural infrastructure is missing. Residents are struggling with housing where the **median home price is roughly $1.2 million while median household income is around $100,000**. The county continues to face major bottlenecks involving water infrastructure, permitting delays, and housing supply.
In that environment, every dollar of taxpayer funding should be focused on **programs that produce direct, measurable benefits for the public**. The Ka Ipu Kukui Fellowship Program is a selective leadership development initiative serving a small number of participants each year. While the experience may be valuable for fellows personally, the public has not been presented with clear evidence showing measurable improvements to housing supply, infrastructure capacity, agricultural production, or other core community needs.
There is also a reasonable question about **public perception and transparency**. The program’s leadership includes individuals who have close relationships with current government leadership. When taxpayer funds are directed to a private fellowship program connected to people within the local political network, it raises legitimate questions about priorities and the appearance of favoritism, even if no rules are violated. Public funding decisions should be especially careful to avoid even the perception that insider networks benefit from taxpayer dollars.
Leadership development programs can and do exist across the country without taxpayer subsidy. If the fellowship program provides value to the private sector leaders and organizations involved, it should be able to sustain itself through **private sponsorship, tuition, or philanthropic support** rather than public funding.
At a time when the County of Maui is operating with a government budget approaching **$1.6 billion**, residents reasonably expect public funds to be directed toward **infrastructure, housing supply, agriculture, and essential services**.
For these reasons I urge the Council to **remove funding for the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellowship Program from the FY2027 budget** and redirect those funds toward programs that deliver direct, measurable benefits to the people of Maui County.
I am in support of Bill No. 64. I agree with the County and Mayor that establishing a fee for the use of County-owned electric vehicle , or EV, charging stations in order to offset the cost of electricity that is consumed through the EV charging stations. It has been many years now that electric vehicle drivers have been reaping the benefits of using the "free" stations to fully charge their vehicles on the County's general fund to power up their vehicles. It is time for these EV owners to start contributing to the electric bills on island. I know many people who fill up their electric vehicles around town so they don't have to ever use the electric at their homes and it has been a loop hole for them for many years. Its time that they start contributing back to the County in this way. I am in support of this bill and hope that the council considers it as a positive contribution back to our county funds.
Here is the **revised testimony** incorporating the transparency concern about leadership connections while keeping the argument focused on priorities and public trust.
---
**Testimony Opposing Funding for the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellowship Program – FY2027 Budget (BFED-1)**
I respectfully oppose the proposed **$47,500 allocation of County funds** for the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellowship Program.
Maui County is currently facing serious and measurable problems that directly affect residents. Farmers are telling the Council they cannot even process the animals they raise because basic agricultural infrastructure is missing. Residents are struggling with housing where the **median home price is roughly $1.2 million while median household income is around $100,000**. The county continues to face major bottlenecks involving water infrastructure, permitting delays, and housing supply.
In that environment, every dollar of taxpayer funding should be focused on **programs that produce direct, measurable benefits for the public**. The Ka Ipu Kukui Fellowship Program is a selective leadership development initiative serving a small number of participants each year. While the experience may be valuable for fellows personally, the public has not been presented with clear evidence showing measurable improvements to housing supply, infrastructure capacity, agricultural production, or other core community needs.
There is also a reasonable question about **public perception and transparency**. The program’s leadership includes individuals who have close relationships with current government leadership. When taxpayer funds are directed to a private fellowship program connected to people within the local political network, it raises legitimate questions about priorities and the appearance of favoritism, even if no rules are violated. Public funding decisions should be especially careful to avoid even the perception that insider networks benefit from taxpayer dollars.
Leadership development programs can and do exist across the country without taxpayer subsidy. If the fellowship program provides value to the private sector leaders and organizations involved, it should be able to sustain itself through **private sponsorship, tuition, or philanthropic support** rather than public funding.
At a time when the County of Maui is operating with a government budget approaching **$1.6 billion**, residents reasonably expect public funds to be directed toward **infrastructure, housing supply, agriculture, and essential services**.
For these reasons I urge the Council to **remove funding for the Ka Ipu Kukui Fellowship Program from the FY2027 budget** and redirect those funds toward programs that deliver direct, measurable benefits to the people of Maui County.
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify.
Lore Menin, Kihei Resident
I am in support of Bill No. 64. I agree with the County and Mayor that establishing a fee for the use of County-owned electric vehicle , or EV, charging stations in order to offset the cost of electricity that is consumed through the EV charging stations. It has been many years now that electric vehicle drivers have been reaping the benefits of using the "free" stations to fully charge their vehicles on the County's general fund to power up their vehicles. It is time for these EV owners to start contributing to the electric bills on island. I know many people who fill up their electric vehicles around town so they don't have to ever use the electric at their homes and it has been a loop hole for them for many years. Its time that they start contributing back to the County in this way. I am in support of this bill and hope that the council considers it as a positive contribution back to our county funds.