County and State Push for Nahiku Community Center

County of Maui logo. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Rodney S. Yap

Maui County and state officials are working together to help start the first community center for the people of Nahiku.

Governor Neil Abercrombie and his staff have released $250,000 in state funds for the design and construction of the Nahiku Community Center.

The county has already contributed $250,000 and have put in for another $280,000 in the fiscal year 2013 budget for a total project budget of $780,000 to get the center built.

“It is always a pleasure to be able to work together with the state for the benefit of the community,” said Mayor Alan Arakawa. “The Nahiku community deserves this center and I’m sure it will be well used by the people of East Maui.”

East Maui Councilmember Bob Carroll added, “Mayor Arakawa’s assistance has been invaluable in moving this concern along.”

Other key officials working to make the community center a reality are Senator Kalani English, Representative Mele Carroll and the entire board of the Nahiku Community Association.

The Maui County Council Budget and Finance committee approved the budget amendment for the county’s contribution on Feb. 14, 2012.  Councilmember Carroll said he expects the bidding process for center construction to begin soon.