Sugimura Continues as Chair of MPO Policy Board

Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura. Courtesy photo.

Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura will continue to serve as chair for the policy board of the Maui Metropolitan Organization, an independent entity that facilitates state and county work on federally funded transportation projects.

County of Maui Department of Transportation Director Marc Takamori will serve as vice chair.

Sugimura has led Maui MPO since January 2019, holds the County Council seat for the upcountry residency area, and chairs the Water, Infrastructure and Transportation Committee.

As chair, Sugimura will lead the establishment, policy-setting and review of MPO plan documents prior to submission to the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration for compliance requirements.

At its last meeting, the policy board discussed support for legislation that can potentially increase funding for Maui’s transportation projects, such as bills that would facilitate establishment of a surcharge on state tax.

In December, the Maui MPO Policy Board approved its long-range transportation plan called Hele Mai Maui 2040. Executed from a rigorous series of community outreach events, consultation with experts and public participation, the plan is a vision for Maui’s transportation needs and opportunities over the next 20 years.

The state established the Maui MPO in 2016 to coordinate transportation planning at all levels of government for the island of Maui. The organization could facilitate the receipt of more than $186 million in federal funding for transportation projects over the next five years.