Aloha, my name is Nakua Konohia-Lind. My family and I live in Koali, Hana. Both sides of my family are from Muolea. The non profit called Na Mamo O Muolea has been a critical component in reviving and maintaining the resources that my kupuna had gathered from. A wahi pana that I can show/teach my own kids the importance of place, people, history and culture. With that being said, I fully support Na Mamo O Muolea in all that they have done for this wahi, all that they continue to do and the plans for the future.
Please consider them when going thru the budget and finance. Be pono and have aloha.
My name is Brian Villiarimo. I am a lineal descendant of Koali/Mu'olea. Me and my 6 siblings grew up fishing, hunting and foraging for sustenance in Mu'olea. The land always took care of us. My 'ohana all support Na Mamo O Mu'olea...because like the name says: We are heirs of Mu'olea.
As a member/volunteer of Na Mamo O Mu'olea for over 20 years, I support whole heartedly and pray the County continues to support Na Mamo by funding because all of the work and expectations of the community and the County is hard...and every time we get hit by a storm or other things that damage the aina..this is the group that has to fix, clean up and make the land productive and safe for all.
Please be pono and support Malama 'Aina.
Thank you,
Brian Villiarimo
Hana Resident and Lineal Descendant of Mu'olea
Aloha
My name is Legario eharis. I’m from Koali , Hana, Maui. I am in full support of Na Mamo o Muolea and the great stewardship and hard work the Group has done over the past years as the land lessee. I humbly ask for the county of Maui for continued grant support to fund the workers, projects so that the place can thrive into the future. Mahalo for your time and consideration, Aloha
Please consider the attached proposed ordinances as food for though for alternative funding pathways that could follow the budget season, to reinforce functional community stability on many levels.
The proposed WAIWAI Act could act as a multi-purpose supplemental strategy to increase funding sources through budgets to help with a triple-challenge: watershed management, keeping kuleana lands in kuleana hands, and increasing resources for a multitudes of community health and material wealth systems, such as food production.
Also, the NANI Act, an ecosystem rights bill, could add to County resources to resolve related ecosystem health challenges by increasing mechanisms for ecosystem restoration funding, collaboration by placing the power of the public trust doctrine in the hands of the people like a metaphorical Hawaiian light saber!
Third, the proposed Hanai Kakou Act could codify the incredible community skillset of emergency housing provision after the 2023 wildfire disaster.
Fourth, making digital citizen initiative petition signature capacity in line with other digital participation measure, well established for court and other government identity and voter registration certifications, which would incrementally place legislative creativity equally into the hands of the disabled, elderly and other functionally impaired folks, who may not be physically ably to gather signatures in person.
Finally, passing a $1.8 mil amendment to fund CBS-1169 design work for reef-safe wastewater disinfection capacity at the Kahului-Wailuku WWRF would pave the road for a donation-based philanthropic mechanism to fund the physical work, which could add new "muscle-memory" that could route very very large levels private philanthropy for other shared goals through Memorandum Of Agreement ordinances. There is simply no limit to the scale of MOA donation. A theoretical MOA single could accept 1000% the Mayor's baseline budget. A $15 bilion MOA could solve most problem our community faces that are only limited by currency. We may not even know why the boats, planes and data stop, which may happen overnight! We as neighbors should start to plan for anything, at any moment, in the model of a functional "ark" a living machine that can operate indefinitely, without resupply.
There is a convergence between pre-colonization values and cutting-edge human space travel concepts of closed ecological life support system (ECLSS) concepts, in line with Buckminster Fuller's concepts of spacecraft earth, and Maui could really benefit from such policies, which are designed to be in line with his concept of a "trim-tab", a seemingly small change in policy that rights the course of our shared living life support system.
Mahalo nui loa,
Travis Liggett, M.S.
travis.liggett@gmail.com
+1(808) 291-9934
Patrick Kauakea Kalaola
Employee of Na Mamo O Mū'olea
(808) 269-1598
Aloha Chair and Committee members,
I support budget requests for Na Mamo O Mū'olea. i have been volunteering at Mū'olea for 15 years on the 'āina. About 5 years ago I started as a part time employee. I am a laborer, farm worker, machine operator and mechanic. Do everything and anything to keep things safe, clean and ready for community and 'ohana use.
If Na Mamo doesn't get funding, can't have anyone on payroll and everything will go down hill. We work really hard and want to mālama 'āina.
I am writing as a member of the Board of Directors for Na Mamo O Mu'olea. I would like to express my support for the budget request submitted by our board president Anna Wailena Pu.
Aloha e Chair and Members of the Maui County Council,
My name is Anna Wailena Pu, a lineal descendant of Mūʻolea and the current President of Nā Mamo o Mūʻolea. I am a mother of two children who not only have ties to this wahi through lineage but also by their names. Just like myself, their Hawaiian names were given to also in turn give back to the ʻāina, to Mūʻolea. I humbly offer this testimony in strong support of funding assistance for the continued stewardship and necessary improvements to the Mūʻolea Preserve.
Nā Mamo o Mūʻolea leases a County-owned parcel of land between Hāna and Kīpahulu. For over 20 years, our organization has mālama this 75-acre preserve for the benefit of the Hāna community, ensuring that its natural and cultural resources remain protected and accessible for generations to come. This ʻāina, purchased through the County Open Space Fund, is a vital space for cultural practice, education, and community connection.
Currently, the Department of Water Supply is in the midst of a construction project involving a water pumping station located at the main entrance of our leased property. This project has significantly impacted access to our ʻāina. Unfortunately, Nā Mamo o Mūʻolea was given no prior notice of this work, nor were we provided the opportunity to offer input on its design, despite the project occurring on land we lease and actively manage.
We have 40 years remaining on our 50-year lease, and we are deeply committed to continuing our stewardship of this important place. However, once the Water Department’s project is completed, we will be required to make substantial alterations to restore and secure our entrance. These improvements will include rebuilding stone walls, installing a new gate, realigning the access road, and restoring appropriate landscaping. These changes are essential to ensure both the safety and accessibility of the preserve for our community.
In addition to the entrance restoration, we face ongoing maintenance needs within the property. Our internal roads and trails, which are critical for access, safety, and management, have been damaged by recent heavy rainfall and require repair.
Nā Mamo o Mūʻolea will be submitting a grant application to support these efforts. We respectfully request your consideration and support in providing funding for this important work. Continued investment in this preserve ensures that the community of Hāna can access, learn from, and care for this cherished ʻāina.
Mahalo nui for your time, consideration, and continued support of community-based stewardship.
Me ka haʻahaʻa,
Anna W. Pu
President, Nā Mamo o Mūʻolea
Claudia Kalaola – Nā Mamo O Mūʻolea – a 501(c)(3) organization - NMOM
Aloha Madam Chair, and members of the Budget Committee,
NMOM is seeking funding in the amount of $60K for the operation costs to support land management efforts, including security, ʻāina restoration efforts, educational workshops, insurance, fencing materials, a water meter and water distribution supplies/equipment, portable toilets, payroll, and other related supplies to continue the work we have done for 20 years on the 75 acre preserve in the Mūʻolea ahupuaʻa.
It is important to note that NMOM has the kuleana to steward and improve this ʻāina per the lease agreement we hold with the County of Maui. The lease agreement is for a term of 50 years (40 years remaining). NMOM was selected by the County to steward this ʻāina, and we have been diligent in all of our efforts, and want to continue our efforts of Mālama ʻĀina.
NMOM will submit a grant application with all of the details for the requested funding.
Mahalo nūnui, for your continued support of this important and historically significant ʻāina.
Claudia Kalaola – Director
Nā Mamo O Mūʻolea
P O Box 115
Hana, HI 96713
(808) 269-2514
wehi@kalaola.com
Aloha Maui County Council
My name is Jan Elliott and I’m writing on behalf of Na Mamo o Muolea in Hana.
I was not able to comment during your meeting in Hana. Na Mamo o Muolea leases a county owned parcel of land between Hana and Kipahulu. We have a 20 year history of managing this 75 acre preserve for the benefit of the Hana
Community. The Department of Water Supply has a water pumping station at the main entrance of this property and they are currently in the middle of a construction project that impacts our entrance. Once their project is complete, we will need to make major alterations to our entrance area in order to assure the security and accessibility of the property. We were given no notice of this water department project beforehand and have had no input into its design , even though it is on land we lease from the County of Maui.We have 40 years remaining on our 50 year lease. We would like to seek funding to rebuild the entrance area once the Water Department project is complete, as it seriously impacts our use of the property. We will need to rebuild stone walls , install a new gate, realign the road , and install new landscaping. This property was purchased using County Open Space Fund and we have received maintenance money for the property in the past. We also need to maintain our internal roads and trails for safety and security purposes. Some of these roads and trails have been damaged by recent heavy rainfalls. We will be submitting a grant application for this purpose and we hope you can provide some funding for this important project. Other members of Na Mamo o Muolea will also testify with detailed budget request
Mahalo
Aloha Chair and Members of the Council,
My name is Rick Dobson. I’ve worked in animal health care on Maui for the past fourteen years, and I’m raising three children here. I’m writing in strong support of Bill 55 and continued funding for Adaptations Dance Theater.
Living on Maui comes with real limitations when it comes to access to professional arts and culture. For many families, including mine, traveling off island to experience live performance just isn’t financially realistic. That’s why having a company like ADT here matters—it brings high-quality, professional contemporary dance directly to our community.
I attended my first ADT performance in 2023, and it was also my first time seeing contemporary dance. It changed how I understood what dance could be. More importantly, it made me realize how important it is that this kind of work exists here on Maui. Since then, I’ve consistently brought my teenagers—and often their friends—to performances. It’s become a meaningful part of their cultural education, and something we can access right here at home.
In a rural and geographically isolated place like Maui, organizations like ADT make a real difference. They contribute to quality of life and help make it possible for families, artists, and young people to stay here. It shows that we don’t have to leave the island to experience or be part of high-level art.
What stands out to me is that ADT is clearly supported by the community it serves. The audiences are local. The impact is local. I’m not part of the arts world—I’m a working parent—but I continue to support ADT because it has had a direct and lasting impact on my family.
I respectfully ask that you support Bill 55 and continue funding for Adaptations Dance Theater. It is an important part of building a strong, connected, and sustainable community here on Maui.
Mahalo for your time and consideration,
Rick Dobson
Aloha, my name is Nakua Konohia-Lind. My family and I live in Koali, Hana. Both sides of my family are from Muolea. The non profit called Na Mamo O Muolea has been a critical component in reviving and maintaining the resources that my kupuna had gathered from. A wahi pana that I can show/teach my own kids the importance of place, people, history and culture. With that being said, I fully support Na Mamo O Muolea in all that they have done for this wahi, all that they continue to do and the plans for the future.
Please consider them when going thru the budget and finance. Be pono and have aloha.
Mahalo, Nakua Konohia-Lind
My name is Brian Villiarimo. I am a lineal descendant of Koali/Mu'olea. Me and my 6 siblings grew up fishing, hunting and foraging for sustenance in Mu'olea. The land always took care of us. My 'ohana all support Na Mamo O Mu'olea...because like the name says: We are heirs of Mu'olea.
As a member/volunteer of Na Mamo O Mu'olea for over 20 years, I support whole heartedly and pray the County continues to support Na Mamo by funding because all of the work and expectations of the community and the County is hard...and every time we get hit by a storm or other things that damage the aina..this is the group that has to fix, clean up and make the land productive and safe for all.
Please be pono and support Malama 'Aina.
Thank you,
Brian Villiarimo
Hana Resident and Lineal Descendant of Mu'olea
Aloha
My name is Legario eharis. I’m from Koali , Hana, Maui. I am in full support of Na Mamo o Muolea and the great stewardship and hard work the Group has done over the past years as the land lessee. I humbly ask for the county of Maui for continued grant support to fund the workers, projects so that the place can thrive into the future. Mahalo for your time and consideration, Aloha
Aloha Chair and Council Members,
Please consider the attached proposed ordinances as food for though for alternative funding pathways that could follow the budget season, to reinforce functional community stability on many levels.
The proposed WAIWAI Act could act as a multi-purpose supplemental strategy to increase funding sources through budgets to help with a triple-challenge: watershed management, keeping kuleana lands in kuleana hands, and increasing resources for a multitudes of community health and material wealth systems, such as food production.
Also, the NANI Act, an ecosystem rights bill, could add to County resources to resolve related ecosystem health challenges by increasing mechanisms for ecosystem restoration funding, collaboration by placing the power of the public trust doctrine in the hands of the people like a metaphorical Hawaiian light saber!
Third, the proposed Hanai Kakou Act could codify the incredible community skillset of emergency housing provision after the 2023 wildfire disaster.
Fourth, making digital citizen initiative petition signature capacity in line with other digital participation measure, well established for court and other government identity and voter registration certifications, which would incrementally place legislative creativity equally into the hands of the disabled, elderly and other functionally impaired folks, who may not be physically ably to gather signatures in person.
Finally, passing a $1.8 mil amendment to fund CBS-1169 design work for reef-safe wastewater disinfection capacity at the Kahului-Wailuku WWRF would pave the road for a donation-based philanthropic mechanism to fund the physical work, which could add new "muscle-memory" that could route very very large levels private philanthropy for other shared goals through Memorandum Of Agreement ordinances. There is simply no limit to the scale of MOA donation. A theoretical MOA single could accept 1000% the Mayor's baseline budget. A $15 bilion MOA could solve most problem our community faces that are only limited by currency. We may not even know why the boats, planes and data stop, which may happen overnight! We as neighbors should start to plan for anything, at any moment, in the model of a functional "ark" a living machine that can operate indefinitely, without resupply.
There is a convergence between pre-colonization values and cutting-edge human space travel concepts of closed ecological life support system (ECLSS) concepts, in line with Buckminster Fuller's concepts of spacecraft earth, and Maui could really benefit from such policies, which are designed to be in line with his concept of a "trim-tab", a seemingly small change in policy that rights the course of our shared living life support system.
Mahalo nui loa,
Travis Liggett, M.S.
travis.liggett@gmail.com
+1(808) 291-9934
Patrick Kauakea Kalaola
Employee of Na Mamo O Mū'olea
(808) 269-1598
Aloha Chair and Committee members,
I support budget requests for Na Mamo O Mū'olea. i have been volunteering at Mū'olea for 15 years on the 'āina. About 5 years ago I started as a part time employee. I am a laborer, farm worker, machine operator and mechanic. Do everything and anything to keep things safe, clean and ready for community and 'ohana use.
If Na Mamo doesn't get funding, can't have anyone on payroll and everything will go down hill. We work really hard and want to mālama 'āina.
Mahalo
Aloha Chair and Members of the Committee,
I am writing as a member of the Board of Directors for Na Mamo O Mu'olea. I would like to express my support for the budget request submitted by our board president Anna Wailena Pu.
Mahalo,
Scott Crawford
Hana
Aloha e Chair and Members of the Maui County Council,
My name is Anna Wailena Pu, a lineal descendant of Mūʻolea and the current President of Nā Mamo o Mūʻolea. I am a mother of two children who not only have ties to this wahi through lineage but also by their names. Just like myself, their Hawaiian names were given to also in turn give back to the ʻāina, to Mūʻolea. I humbly offer this testimony in strong support of funding assistance for the continued stewardship and necessary improvements to the Mūʻolea Preserve.
Nā Mamo o Mūʻolea leases a County-owned parcel of land between Hāna and Kīpahulu. For over 20 years, our organization has mālama this 75-acre preserve for the benefit of the Hāna community, ensuring that its natural and cultural resources remain protected and accessible for generations to come. This ʻāina, purchased through the County Open Space Fund, is a vital space for cultural practice, education, and community connection.
Currently, the Department of Water Supply is in the midst of a construction project involving a water pumping station located at the main entrance of our leased property. This project has significantly impacted access to our ʻāina. Unfortunately, Nā Mamo o Mūʻolea was given no prior notice of this work, nor were we provided the opportunity to offer input on its design, despite the project occurring on land we lease and actively manage.
We have 40 years remaining on our 50-year lease, and we are deeply committed to continuing our stewardship of this important place. However, once the Water Department’s project is completed, we will be required to make substantial alterations to restore and secure our entrance. These improvements will include rebuilding stone walls, installing a new gate, realigning the access road, and restoring appropriate landscaping. These changes are essential to ensure both the safety and accessibility of the preserve for our community.
In addition to the entrance restoration, we face ongoing maintenance needs within the property. Our internal roads and trails, which are critical for access, safety, and management, have been damaged by recent heavy rainfall and require repair.
Nā Mamo o Mūʻolea will be submitting a grant application to support these efforts. We respectfully request your consideration and support in providing funding for this important work. Continued investment in this preserve ensures that the community of Hāna can access, learn from, and care for this cherished ʻāina.
Mahalo nui for your time, consideration, and continued support of community-based stewardship.
Me ka haʻahaʻa,
Anna W. Pu
President, Nā Mamo o Mūʻolea
Claudia Kalaola – Nā Mamo O Mūʻolea – a 501(c)(3) organization - NMOM
Aloha Madam Chair, and members of the Budget Committee,
NMOM is seeking funding in the amount of $60K for the operation costs to support land management efforts, including security, ʻāina restoration efforts, educational workshops, insurance, fencing materials, a water meter and water distribution supplies/equipment, portable toilets, payroll, and other related supplies to continue the work we have done for 20 years on the 75 acre preserve in the Mūʻolea ahupuaʻa.
It is important to note that NMOM has the kuleana to steward and improve this ʻāina per the lease agreement we hold with the County of Maui. The lease agreement is for a term of 50 years (40 years remaining). NMOM was selected by the County to steward this ʻāina, and we have been diligent in all of our efforts, and want to continue our efforts of Mālama ʻĀina.
NMOM will submit a grant application with all of the details for the requested funding.
Mahalo nūnui, for your continued support of this important and historically significant ʻāina.
Claudia Kalaola – Director
Nā Mamo O Mūʻolea
P O Box 115
Hana, HI 96713
(808) 269-2514
wehi@kalaola.com
Aloha Maui County Council
My name is Jan Elliott and I’m writing on behalf of Na Mamo o Muolea in Hana.
I was not able to comment during your meeting in Hana. Na Mamo o Muolea leases a county owned parcel of land between Hana and Kipahulu. We have a 20 year history of managing this 75 acre preserve for the benefit of the Hana
Community. The Department of Water Supply has a water pumping station at the main entrance of this property and they are currently in the middle of a construction project that impacts our entrance. Once their project is complete, we will need to make major alterations to our entrance area in order to assure the security and accessibility of the property. We were given no notice of this water department project beforehand and have had no input into its design , even though it is on land we lease from the County of Maui.We have 40 years remaining on our 50 year lease. We would like to seek funding to rebuild the entrance area once the Water Department project is complete, as it seriously impacts our use of the property. We will need to rebuild stone walls , install a new gate, realign the road , and install new landscaping. This property was purchased using County Open Space Fund and we have received maintenance money for the property in the past. We also need to maintain our internal roads and trails for safety and security purposes. Some of these roads and trails have been damaged by recent heavy rainfalls. We will be submitting a grant application for this purpose and we hope you can provide some funding for this important project. Other members of Na Mamo o Muolea will also testify with detailed budget request
Mahalo
Aloha Chair and Members of the Council,
My name is Rick Dobson. I’ve worked in animal health care on Maui for the past fourteen years, and I’m raising three children here. I’m writing in strong support of Bill 55 and continued funding for Adaptations Dance Theater.
Living on Maui comes with real limitations when it comes to access to professional arts and culture. For many families, including mine, traveling off island to experience live performance just isn’t financially realistic. That’s why having a company like ADT here matters—it brings high-quality, professional contemporary dance directly to our community.
I attended my first ADT performance in 2023, and it was also my first time seeing contemporary dance. It changed how I understood what dance could be. More importantly, it made me realize how important it is that this kind of work exists here on Maui. Since then, I’ve consistently brought my teenagers—and often their friends—to performances. It’s become a meaningful part of their cultural education, and something we can access right here at home.
In a rural and geographically isolated place like Maui, organizations like ADT make a real difference. They contribute to quality of life and help make it possible for families, artists, and young people to stay here. It shows that we don’t have to leave the island to experience or be part of high-level art.
What stands out to me is that ADT is clearly supported by the community it serves. The audiences are local. The impact is local. I’m not part of the arts world—I’m a working parent—but I continue to support ADT because it has had a direct and lasting impact on my family.
I respectfully ask that you support Bill 55 and continue funding for Adaptations Dance Theater. It is an important part of building a strong, connected, and sustainable community here on Maui.
Mahalo for your time and consideration,
Rick Dobson