Budget includes many important appropriations for West Maui
WEST MAUI – As the 2016 fiscal year begins, I would like to take a moment to highlight some of the appropriations that were secured by my office for not only West Maui but Maui as a whole.
To begin with, I would like to thank you all so much for speaking up and letting me know what you would like to see happening here on Maui this fiscal year. I feel honored that so many of you reached out to me to share your needs, wants and desires. I hope you all know that your voice guides each move I make here at the council; I hear your concerns and I work hard to deliver. As with anything, there is always some compromise or sacrifice that must be made in order to achieve what you want, but this year’s budget session was exceptional, and I think that you will all be pleased with the results
My staff and I worked very hard during the budget session this year; we spent countless hours meeting with departments and community organizations and listening to their financial needs in order to bring your vision of Maui to life. After compiling all of those needs, we were able to allocate funds for those projects and items that were of the most importance to our West Maui community and Maui as a whole.
Important 2016 budget allocations include:
Provided $15,000 for the Community Work Day Program (a.k.a. Malama Maui Nui) to conduct monthly recycling events in West Maui;
Provided $25,000 for the Hawaii Farmers Union United-Maui Chapter to continue their great work with the Farm Apprentice Mentoring Program;
Provided $10,000 for the Hawaii Farmers Union United-Maui Chapter to contract for grant writing services to help with the organization’s financial independence;
- Secured funds for Lahaina Boat Day ($25,750);
Provided $10,000 for the Maui Nui Canoe Race to facilitate and organize the event;
Provided $10,000 for the Na Kamehameha Commemorative Pa’u Parade and Ho’olaule’a;
Provided $10,000 for the Aunty Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival;
Granted $178,828 to Lahaina Restoration Foundation, as well as $75,000 to LRF for capital;
Provided $40,000 for an all-terrain vehicle and pick-up truck for the West Maui Aquatics Beaches Program;
Granted $287,500 for West Maui Watershed Protection;
Granted $250,000 for the Pu’u Kukui Watershed Preserve;
Granted $75,000 for the Honokowai/Wahikuli Watershed;
Secured $225,000 for the West Maui Parks System;
Secured $2,000,000 for Lahaina Watershed Flood Control drainage in the West Maui Community Plan area;
Secured $480,000 from Park Assessment Funds for the West Maui Parks System;
Secured $1,000,000 for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consent decree sewer rehabilitation, as well as $1.6 million for Lahaina Wastewater Pump Station No. 3 modifications, $120,000 for Napili Wastewater Pump Station No. 5 modifications, $120,000 for Napili Wastewater Pump Station No. 6 modifications, $80,000 for wastewater lift station modifications at the Sheraton Maui, $1,360,000 for West Maui Recycled Water System expansion and $12,500,000 for Lahaina Wastewater Reclamation Facility Modifications Stage 1A;
Secured $300,000 for remediation at the closed landfill at Olowalu.
As you can see, West Maui has received a lot of funding, and I thank my colleagues on the council for supporting these proposed allocations. Without their votes, these appropriations could not have come to fruition.
This year, I encourage you to get out there and enjoy yourself and your community. Make memories and be thankful for all that we are blessed to have here on Maui. Volunteer, pitch in and most of all, speak up for those things that are really important to you. By continuing to work together, we can facilitate change and make Maui a better place for ourselves and for our future generations.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact my office at (808) 270-5504 or by e-mail at Elle.Cochran@mauicounty.us.