May 16, 2026
Aloha Chair Johnson and Committee Members,
My name is Saman Dias, and I serve as Chair of the Maui Bicycling League (MBL), a volunteer-led nonprofit organization advocating for safer, healthier, and more resilient communities across Maui County.
I am writing in strong support of Bill 66 and the creation of the Climate Action and Resiliency Revolving Fund for Maui County.
This bill represents an important step toward creating long-term local commitment and accountability around climate resilience, disaster preparedness, public safety, and implementation of community priorities.
One of the key challenges Maui faces today is not simply planning — it is implementation.
Over the years, our community has produced many thoughtful plans, studies, and vision documents. In some cases, projects have even secured significant outside funding. However, implementation often moves far too slowly due to lack of sustained local funding, coordination, staffing capacity, or prioritization.
The Lahaina wildfires made clear that we cannot afford to move at the pace of the past.
We need systems and funding mechanisms that help move projects from planning into action.
The West Maui Greenway is one example. The project has been discussed for decades and now has secured federal RAISE grant funding for Phase 1 because it addresses multiple public priorities simultaneously — active transportation, public health, climate resilience, connectivity, and emergency evacuation redundancy. Yet even with funding in place, implementation remains a slow and challenging process.
Bill 66 can help create the type of sustained local investment and commitment necessary to accelerate implementation of critical resiliency projects countywide.
I also believe this fund positions Maui County proactively in relation to the State’s emerging Green Fee funding initiatives focused on climate resilience and disaster preparedness. By establishing a dedicated local resiliency funding mechanism now, Maui County can better align and leverage future state and federal funding opportunities.
Importantly, the projects envisioned under this bill are not only climate projects — they are investments in community wellbeing, public safety, economic resilience, and quality of life for future generations.
Mahalo to Chair Johnson and the committee for advancing this important conversation and for recognizing the urgency of investing in a more resilient Maui.
Respectfully submitted,
Saman Dias Chair, MBL

To Whom It May Concern:

I support targeted, infrastructure-focused resiliency investments that strengthen Maui County’s physical disaster preparedness and critical infrastructure systems. However, I oppose the creation of broad permanent funding and governance structures without strict oversight, measurable deliverables, clearly defined operational priorities, and transparent public accountability.

Please see the attached testimony further outlining my position and concerns regarding the proposed Climate Action and Resiliency Revolving Fund and related Charter proposal.

Thank you for your consideration.