Mayor’s Economic Development Office Releases Grants in Second Half of 2014

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development issued over $4.64 million in grant monies to various local organizations in the second half of 2014. Recipients were selected by their economic impact within Maui County through business and/or jobs created or sustained, as well as improvements to environment, agriculture, business, sports, arts, and culture in the area.

“These economic development grants are a vital way that our tax dollars help create jobs and sustain our local economy,” said Mayor Alan Arakawa. “Funds have helped preserve our environment and open space, support our small businesses, and share our host culture with residents and visitors. I’m pleased to see how far these funds go toward strengthening our community on many levels.”

The following organizations received grants:

Maui High Band Booster Club, $100,000
Rose Parade 2015
Funds helped supplement the band’s expenses to represent Maui for the first time ever in the prestigious 126th Rose Parade on Jan. 1, 2015, in Pasadena, California.

Lahainatown Action Committee, $25,750
Boat Days in Lahaina
Funds supported local entertainment for tourists arriving in Lahaina via Lahaina Harbor.

Lahainatown Action Committee, $10,000
2014 Emma Farden Sharpe Hula Festival
Funds supported the celebration in honor of renowned Lahaina Kuma Hula Emma Farden Sharpe, including a day of hula performances, exhibits, workshops, artisans and a lifetime achievement award.

Lahainatown Action Committee, $15,000
Halloween 2014
Funds contributed to the community-planned event on Halloween night.

Maui Community Theater, $53,045
‘Īao Theater Restoration
Funds helped pay for improvements in safety and aesthetics to the Historic ‘Īao Theater, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Maui County Visitor Association, DBA Maui Visitors Bureau, $3,713,150
Maui Visitors Bureau
Funds were used to help increase visitor numbers and expenditures in Maui County.

Maui Economic Opportunity Inc., $237,000
MEO Business Development Center
Funds helped provide micro-enterprise loans, business planning classes and credit/business consultation services to residents of Maui County.

Moloka‘i Island Foundation, $13,000
Happy Holidays, Moloka‘i Style
Funds were used to promote and carry out this annual community Christmas event on Moloka‘i, including two holiday events on the same day for both visitors and residents.

Na Mamo O Mu‘olea, $11,000
Funds supported the Hana Limu Festival, an annual educational event held at Hāna Bay Beach Park. The event aims to increase awareness of the importance of protecting our shoreline marine ecosystems, with a special focus on limu as a vital element of these ecosystems.

Professional Windsurfers Association, $25,000
Aloha Classic
Funds supported this acclaimed sporting event that attracts journalists and media coverage from around the world. Live internet broadcast of this premier windsurfing event reaches an estimated 500 million viewers.

Tri-Isle Resource Conservation and Development Council Inc., $65,000
Hoaloha Aina
Funds helped protect coastal sand dunes, which in turn help protect the shoreline from high waves and inland flooding, supply beaches with sand and filter pollution and upland runoff.

Tri-Isle Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc., $7,000
Makawao History Museum
Funds were used to pay for four months’ overhead costs for the Makawao History Museum, including rent, security and insurance.

Tri-Isle Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc., $42,436
Festivals of Aloha
Funds supported this important series of cultural events, including parades, street parties, concerts and family activities spanning Maui Nui, with special festivities in Hāna.

Tri-Isle Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc., $15,000
School Gardens – Growing Our Future
Funds helped school garden coordinators plant gardens and provide instruction in organic gardening for students in grades K-8.

West Maui Soil and Water Conservation District, $132,100
Technical and Clerical Support
Funds helped provide clerical and technical assistance to the four soil and water conservation districts on Maui.

For more information about these grants or the grant process in general, call Office of Economic Development Director Teena Rasmussen at (808) 270 -7710.