#Joe Pontanilla

The Maui County Democratic Party confirmed the list of seven contenders today.

According to Arakawa, his administration will hire both the exiting Council Chair Danny Mateo of Molokai, and the exiting Vice Chair Joe Pontanilla of Kahului.

The $996,000 price tag garnered initial approval by all members, but also drew some reservations by members who say unresolved issues remain.

The fourth in a series of district meetings will be held tonight to discuss the County’s Fiscal Year 2013 Budget. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Pomaikai Elementary School Cafeteria in Kahului.

The public is encouraged to provide testimony or feedback on what they think is important for inclusion in the budget. The first District meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at the Paia Community Center.

The proposed acquisition of 63.7 acres of coastal wetlands in Paukukalo resurfaces again before the Council’s Budget and Finance Committee this week. The county is considering the acquisition of the property for an estimated $996,000.

Members stated that they were uncomfortable with the individuals’ limited knowledge of the island, involvement in the community, and experience.

Two Maui residents filed papers recently becoming the first official candidates from the Valley Isle for the upcoming 2012 Election. The candidate filing deadline is 4:30 p.m. on June 5, 2012.

Maui County Council Member Joe Pontanilla is the latest victim of a vehicle theft on Maui. Pontanilla’s Toyota 4-Runner was stolen from the parking lot of the Maui Beach Hotel on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at around 8:40 p.m.

Fukuyama ran for the West Maui Council seat in 2008 and 2010. He made the move from Lahaina to Kahului earlier this year to care for his 90-year-old mother, who required full-time assistance.

Don Guzman has announced his candidacy for the Maui County Council residency seat of Kahului today.

In addition to the Waiehu Pro Shop concession that underwent renovations, the facility also added 100 new golf carts, and began improvements to the fairways, greens and tees six months ago.

With bus ridership expected to increase to 2.5 million in the next fiscal year, transportation officials say the new hub will help to meet the growing need of the community.

The committee will receive public testimony over the next several weeks from individual communities.

By Wendy Osher In a ballot that is filled with 11 mayoral candidates, three Maui council members and Maui’s OHA representative will return to office without a single challenger.  Council Members Joe Pontanilla of Kahului, Gladys Baisa of Upcountry Maui, and Danny Mateo of Molokai are uncontested in the September Primary election.  Maui’s Trustee for […]

The Maui County Council unanimously passed the FY2010 budget on second and final reading this morning.  The budget is $8.8 million less than the Mayor’s $573 million proposal, which translates to a 1.5% difference. Budget Chair Joe Pontanilla described the budget as austere and tight for both county departments and nonprofits, but also noted the […]

The Maui County Council unanimously passed an amended budget on first reading this afternoon.  Council Chair Danny Mateo said that not everybody got what they wanted, but “during these tough economic times, the bottom line is to live within one’s means and take an efficient approach.” The council reinstated $4 million in funding for road […]

About 200 people showed up for a budget hearing in Lahaina last night, with about 50 of those in attendance, coming forward to testify. West Maui residents asked for increased funding for road repairs, help to reduce rising property taxes rates, and continued funding for social service agencies that are experiencing an increase in clientele […]