#Michael Molina

The Maui ballot continues to take shape as the July 20th deadline for candidate filing nears.  As of Tuesday, 14 people had pulled papers for the Mayor’s race and seven had filed, confirming their candidacy—the most recent of which was Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares who made her run for re-election official on Friday.  In the […]

By Wendy Osher Maui becomes the final county in the state to pass a cell phone ban while driving.  The item passed second and final reading today with seven council members in favor and two members (Michael Victorino and Bill Medeiros) excused. Maui’s bill differs from other counties in that it also specifically restricts drivers […]

By Wendy Osher A cell phone ban bill advanced out of committee today and now moves on to the full council for first and second reading.  Maui is the last county in the state to consider legislation calling for the ban on use of cell phones and other electronic devices while driving. The bill was […]

By Wendy Osher The council’s budget and finance committee spent time yesterday debating grant funding for the Wailuku Main Street Association/Tri–Isle Main St. Resource Center. Council member Michael Molina questioned reasons for repeated cuts noting a 10% cut in each of the last two fiscal years, and a proposed cut of 25% in FY2011.  Budget […]

By Wendy Osher The Maui County Council’s Budget and Finance Committee will begin review of the Mayor’s FY 2011 Budget next week after officially receiving the document from the Mayor today (Monday, March 15, 2010). “The news was certainly sobering in terms of the amount of revenue, or lack thereof that the county will be […]

Posted by Wendy Osher Council Vice Chair Michael Molina is seeking a continued appropriation for affordable housing.  Under a charter amendment approved four years ago, 2% of real property tax revenues go towards building and expansion of affordable housing opportunities for families within very low to moderate income levels. The current amendment expires after this […]

Seven Maui families moved into their own homes, purchased with help from a new County of Maui grant program that assists first-time home buyers with their down-payment and/or closing costs. Mayor Charmaine Tavares and County Council Vice-Chair Michael Molina met recently with the families at the home of Joy and Charles Au of Waihee, who […]

Posted by Wendy Osher Maui Council Vice Chair Michael J. Molina sent legislation to the Council today that would allow individuals across the county to install their own small wind energy systems to produce electricity for personal use. The small energy systems are electric generators, rated at 100 kilowatts or less, that utilize wind energy […]

The county has decided to suspend the acceptance of further applications for its new First-Time Home Buyers Grant Program. The decision was made after receiving an overwhelming response of 320 applications in the first week of announcing the grant program. The program, which began on November 1, was developed to help qualified first time homebuyers […]

By Wendy Osher [flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_4Ts-poUxA /] [flashvideo file=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSpKjS2E_dk /] Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares issued a proclamation at a Veteran’s Day Commemorative Event at the Queen Kaahumanu Center in Kahului today.  The 2009 Maui Veterans Day event was hosted by the Maui Sons & Daughters of Nisei Veterans and included historic displays, memorabilia, and recognition of […]

(By Wendy Osher © 2009) Council Vice Chair Mike Molina is supporting a statewide ban on plastic bags, similar to the one he introduced at the county level last year. The county plastic bag reduction bill is set to go into effect on January 11, 2011, and prohibits the distribution of plastic bags at the […]