Community Meetings Begin to Discuss Maui’s Budget

Budget Chair Joe Pontanilla (seated left) accepts a copy of last year’s proposed budget from Mayor Alan Arakawa (standing right). File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Today marks the start of a series of community meetings to discuss the county’s 2013-2014 budget.

The meetings are hosted by Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa and his administration in September and October to gather public testimony on the proposed budget. Input from the meetings will be taken into consideration when the administration constructs the fiscal year 2013-2014 budget.

“I encourage people to participate in these community meetings as much as possible,” said Mayor Arakawa. “This is their time to voice their opinions and tell us their priorities for their communities. Putting together the Maui County budget is a process in which everyone should have a part.”

During the meetings, Budget Director Sandy Baz will present projects and initiatives specific to the communities where the meetings are being held.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 6 p.m. at the Kihei Community Center. Also this week, the administration travels to Paia for a 6 p.m. meeting on Thursday at the Paia Community Center.

Meeting times and locations are as follows:

• South Maui: Tuesday, September 11 at 6 p.m.; Kihei Community Center
• Paia/Haiku: Thursday, September 13 at 6 p.m.; Paia Community Center
• East Maui: Monday, September 17 at 5:45 p.m.; Helene Hall
• Upcountry: Wednesday, September 19 at 6 p.m.; Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center
• West Maui: Monday, October 1 at 6 p.m.; Lahaina Civic Center
• Central Maui: Tuesday, October 2 at 5:45 p.m.; Velma Santos Center
• Molokai: Wednesday, October 17 at 5:45 p.m.; Mitchell Pauole Center
• Lanai: Tuesday, October 23 at 5:45 p.m.; Lanai Senior Center

The program office of the Community Development Block Grant will also conduct public hearings preceding select budget community meetings including meetings in East Maui, Molokai, Central Maui and Lanai.

CDBG will gather views and comments relating to the county’s grant application for approximately $1,444,070 from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Community Development Block Grant is a federal program created by Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.  Funds received through the program are intended for housing and community development needs primarily benefiting low and moderate income persons.

For information on the CDBG public hearings, contact the County of Maui CDBG Program Office at 270-7213.