$5M in Economic Development Grants Released on Maui
The Tri-Isle Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc., received $10,000 to market and sponsor the 51st Annual Makawao 4th of July Parade. File photo: 50th Annual Makawao Paniolo Fourth of July Parade by Debra Lordan
The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development issued more than $5.07 million dollars in grant funds to 48 local organizations during the first half of 2016.
Grantees were selected based on their economic impact within Maui County through business and/or jobs created or sustained. Improvements to Maui County in the areas of environment, agriculture, business, sports, arts, and cultural were also considered.
“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 list of grantees includes the following:
Coqui frog. Photo credit HISC.
University of Hawaiʻi, $1,200,000
Coqui Frog Eradication Project: The purpose of this project is to significantly expand coqui frog control operations in and around Maliko Gulch on Maui’s North shore to ensure the ultimate goal of a coqui-frog free Maui County.
University of Hawaiʻi, $895,000
Maui Invasive Species Project: To detect and control high priority invasive species in Maui County that threaten the island environment, agriculture, economy, and quality of life, while educating the public on invasive species issues.
Maui Economic Development Board, Inc., $730,000
Economic Diversification: To attract, develop and retain technology and innovation cluster businesses in Maui County.
Maui Arts & Cultural Center, $470,000
Parking & Access Improvement: Funds will help the MACC provide safe public access to 250 parking places in Keōpūolani Park.
Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau Federation, $319,793
The 2015-2016 Promotion of Maui’s Agricultural Sector: Will help Maui’s farmers and ranchers to remain competitive, providing marketing and promotional campaigns, educational workshops and professional development programs to help strengthen agriculture in Maui County.
Maui Arts & Cultural Center, $318,270
These funds will support operational activities that nurture and promote sustainable economic development in Maui County while acting as a community gathering place for residents and visitors to build a stronger community.
Maui Nui Botanical Gardens. Photo by Wendy Osher.
Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, $157,590
The public purpose of this project is to increase community use of plants native to Maui County and to help prevent species and cultivar extinction.
Hawaiʻi Maoli, $100,000
Indigenous Crop Biodiversity Festival 2016: This festival will draw together participants from around the world to connect, learn from each other, grow our resources and experience Maui Nui.
University of Hawaiʻi, $100,000
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources: The CTAHR supports activities in Maui County in the area of agriculture, youth development and family services. Many projects are proposed for FY 2016.
University of Hawaiʻi, $72,100
Hawaiʻi Business Research Library: Funds will support the operations of HBRL to promote sustainable economic development and produce the Maui County Data Book.
Maui High students Joseph Burger and David Casayuran finished fourth in the Ford AAA Student Auto Skills Competition held on June 9, 2015 in Michigan.
Maui Economic Development Board, Inc., $45,000
Maui High School Automotive Program Model: The goal of the Maui High School Automotive Program is to sustain the quality of excellence in automotive career technical workforce development training.
ʻAoʻao O Na Loko Iʻa O Maui, $39,985
Koʻieʻie Fishpond Cultural Canoe Tour: The funds will provide Maui residents and visitors an incomparable outrigger canoe paddling experience focused on Native Hawaiian fish ponds.
Maui fishpond photo by Wendy Osher.
Tri-Isle Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc., $35,000
Farm Apprentice Mentoring Program: To mentor new farmers and help them with opportunities and resources to become literate in the wide range of abilities required to become a successful farmer.
University of Hawaiʻi, $35,000
Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project: This project will broaden awareness of seabirds, their habitats and threats that endanger them and engage in activities to protect them and enhance their population and habitats.
University of Hawaiʻi, $34,133
Aquaponics Greenhouse – Operations Start-up: The Spring 2016 start-up of the Kahului campus greenhouse will directly benefit new and existing Maui aquaponic food production agri-business.
Hui O Waʻa Kaulua, $30,000
“Stories of Sustainability”: This project will tie into activities in the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress & Pacific Ocean Summit through the anticipated arrival of the Moana Pasifika voyaging canoes.
Maui County Sister Cities Foundation, Inc., $30,000
MCSCF is poised to strengthen and expand Maui County’s Sister City Relationships throughout the world.
University of Hawaiʻi, $30,000
Maui Accelerator Program: This new program will be the first incubator program in Hawaiʻi focused on supporting food product businesses.
File photo by Wendy Osher.
Hāliʻimaile Pineapple Company, LTD., $25,000
Processing Room Improvements” Resurface the floors and improve drainage for the processing of pineapples to stay compliant.
Ke Ao I Ka Makana Hoehaili, $25,000
Kaʻehu Management Program: Funds will help maintain, restore and protect 64 acres of Kaʻehu Bay located on the coastal wetlands of Paukūkalo.
Kumpang Lānaʻi, $25,000
Fifth Friday Lānaʻi is a community event designed to increase traffic for local businesses and highlight local entertainment with an emphasis on showcasing the arts, food and music.
Malika intervies Bryan Cranston at Maui Film Festival 2016
Maui Economic Development Board, Inc., $25,000
Maui Film Festival: The 17th Annual Film Festival at Wailea is a celebration of film, culinary arts and Hawaiian Culture
Lōhaki Pacific, $22,000
2016 Small Business Revitalization: A series of small grants will be given to small businesses in Hāna and Molokaʻi to help purchase equipment, that would make their operations better, and in which their business can move forward and grow.
Tri-Isle Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc., $22,000
Molokaʻi-Lānaʻi Soil & Water Conservation District: To provide administrative services with a part-time conservation specialist position to the Molokaʻi-Lānaʻi Soil & Water Conservation District.
Ahu Kukui O Molokaʻi, $20,000
Molokaʻi Canoe Festivals Presents-Kulāia: To engage the community and visitors in a culturally-based event about Native Hawaiian values and healthy lifestyle choices.
Hāna Arts, $20,000
Building East Maui’s Economy through Art: The project encompasses a series of programs aimed at building East Maui’s economy through the Arts, which we aim to achieve by diversifying the employment base of this rural, high-need area.
Ka Molokaʻi Makahiki, Inc, $20,000
2016 Ka Molokaʻi Makahiki: Marketing and advertising the event using local service providers, which benefits the local economy.
Festivals of Aloha. Courtesy photo.
Lānaʻi Community Association, $20,000
The Lānaʻi Pineapple Festival: Funds will be used to promote the festival, advertise, and help with operation costs.
Tri-Isle Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc., $20,000
Sustaining Community Access to Kahoʻolawe: The OHUA: Funds will be used to purchase a new trailer, which will ensure safety of the public and increase efficiency of operations for the restorations of Kahoʻolawe.
East Maui Taro Festival. Photo credit: Nicole Schenfeld.
East Maui Taro Festival, $15,000
24th Annual East Maui Taro Festival: An annual Hawaiian cultural event which focuses on taro/kalo as a staple food crop and as the symbolic ancestor of the people.
Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau Federation, $15,000
Molokaʻi Farm Bureau & 4H Farm Fair Expo: County funding will assist in designing, planning and implementing the 2016 4H Livestock Program on Molokaʻi.
Oʻahu Economic Development Board, $15,000
Hawaiʻi Green Growth: The funds will aid in the development and launch of statewide indicators, in clean energy, local food production conservation and other sustainability targets.
Hawaiʻi Tropical Fruit Growers, $11,700
Fruit Propagation and Value Adding: Workshops to encourage product creation and increased revenue for farm/ag community.
Molokaʻi Livestock Cooperative, $10,300
Sustainability & Expansion of Molokaʻi Livestock Cooperative: Increase local consumption of island produced meats, while assisting the co-op in becoming a sustainable, profitable company that serves livestock producers.
Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, $10,000
To sustain and support workforce development in the visitor industry by exposing high school students to various facets of the industry.
Ahupuaʻa O Molokaʻi, $10,000
Molokaʻi Ka Hula Piko: Funds will be used for the assembly of the 25th Molokaʻi Ka Hula Piko event in Molokaʻi, the birthplace of hula, Molokaʻi vendors participate in the 3-day event, strengthening the economy.
LahainaTown Action Committee, $10,000
4th of July Fireworks: Lahaina Town hosts a 4th of July celebration, and this will help to fund the 12-minute firework display.
LahainaTown Action Committee, $10,000
Second Fridays in Lahaina: Lahaina Town hosts a Town Party every second Friday of the month. This grant will help with operation of the event, which includes family activities at Campbell Park on Front Street.
Ma Ka Hana Ka Ike Building Program, $10,000
Mahele Farms: Mahele Farms is a place-based initiative that seeks to build self-sufficiency skills in Hana’s youth and families’ practices, as well as increase our community’s economic viability and resiliency through the stewardship of a highly productive community farm.
Maui Family Support Services, Inc., $10,000
Hāna Infant/Toddler Center Playground Project: To build an outdoor play space or infants and toddlers.
Hāna Limu Festival. File photo credit Manuel Mejia.
Na Mamo O Muʻolea, $10,000
Muʻolea Point Management and Hāna Limu Festival: Funds to be used for ongoing invasive plant removal, campsite improvements, and trail maintenance at Muʻolea Point, along with partially funding the 8th annual Hāna Limu Festival.
Tri-Isle Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc., $10,000
51st Annual Makawao 4th of July Parade: To market and sponsor the cultural parade on the 4th of July in Makawao.
Tri-Isle Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc., $10,000
Maui Small Business Week: Funds will be used to support a week of free business workshops.
Photo credit: Jackie Jean Photography. Courtesy photo from Nā Kamehameha Paʻu Parade.
Tri-Isle Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc., $10,000
Nā Kamehameha Commemorative Pāʻū Parade & Ho‘olaule‘a: Showcase Maui’s non-profits and commercial entities with visitors and locals, while honoring King Kamehameha, through the parade and ho‘olaule‘a.
Kīpahulu ʻOhana Inc., $8,300
Kīpahulu Kitchen Leach Field: The purpose of this grant is to expand the leach field serving the Kīpahulu kitchen.
Hāna Canoe Club, $8,150
2016 Hāna Regatta Project: This is an annual event that brings participants and spectators to the two-day event, which also features local vendors.
Maui Academy of Performing Arts, $5,000
Conceptual drawings for a Black Box Theatre: Project to create conceptual drawings of a 300-seat black box theatre.
Maui County Community Television, Inc., $3,000
Akakū Youth Media Exchange Mentorships and Stipends: Funding will support the cost of mentoring youth and providing them with stipends when they produce stories about small business on Maui and Molokaʻi.
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