Mayor’s Office Issues More than $2M in Grants

The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development announced that it has issued more than $2 million dollars in grant monies to various local organizations during the second half of fiscal year 2017.

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 culture 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:

University of Hawaiʻi, $895,000
Maui Invasive Species Project
To detect and control high priority invasive species in Maui County that threatens the island environment, agriculture, economy, and quality of life, while educating the public on invasive species issues.

Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau Federation, $305,000
Promotion of Maui’s Agricultural Sector
Will help Maui’s farmers & ranchers to remain competitive, providing marketing and promotional campaigns, educational workshops, and professional development programs to help strengthen agriculture in Maui County.

University of Hawaiʻi, $300,000
Coqui Frog Eradication Project
Funds for operations of coqui frog control around the Maliko Gulch area.

University of Hawaiʻi, $72,100
Hawaii Business Research Library
Funds will support the operations of HBRL and provide economic research opportunities for businesses through production of an annual Maui County Data Book.

Friends of Old Maui High School, $65,000
Campus Maintenance and Preservation
Funds will be used for preservation, maintenance and repair of buildings and grounds at the Old Maui High School campus in Hamakuapoko.

Maui Community Theater, $53,045
ʻĪao Theater Restoration
Restoration and maintenance for ʻĪao Theater.

Maui Economic Development Board, Inc., $45,000
Maui High School Automotive Program
To sustain the quality of excellence in automotive career technical workforce development training.

Tri-Isle Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc., $37,500
Lānaʻi Building Strength Project
To strengthen the Lānaʻi Chamber organization, economically promote business activities and produce the Lānaʻi Fifth Friday Town Party.

Tri-Isle Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc., $35,000
4-H Upcountry Fair
To support the 4-H Upcountry Fair.

Lohaki Pacific, $32,000
2017 Small Business Revitalization
A series of small matching grants given to small businesses in Lānaʻi and Molokaʻi to help purchase equipment, better operations, and promote business growth.

Kaupo Community Association, Inc., $30,000
Old Kaupo School Restoration
Historic Renovation of the Old Kaupo School for use as Community Center and Southeast Maui Hazard Mitigation and Response Facility.

Lānaʻi Community Association, $20,000
The Lānaʻi Pineapple Festival
Funds will be used to promote the festival and help with production costs.

Maui Olive Company, LLC, $19,000
Propane Generator for Olive Mill
To purchase equipment to initiate a new olive oil industry.

Theatre Theatre Maui, $17,000
West Maui Youth Theater
Provide low-cost and no-cost performance based performing arts training and experience to the youth of West Maui.

University of Hawaiʻi, $15,000
Food Industry X-celerator Program
Assist local food entrepreneurs in growing value-added food manufacturing businesses targeting chefs & restaurateurs.

Tri-Isle Resource Conservation & Development Council, Inc., $11,500
Hoaloha ‘Aina South Maui Volunteers
Continued restoration, maintenance and protection of Kihei dune areas, including native flora and fauna.

Kīpahulu Ohana, Inc., $10,000
Kīpahulu Kitchen Leach Field Expansion
Compressor replacement in walk-in chiller; Tiller for Kapahu Living Farm and other agricultural operations.

Lokahi Pacific, $10,000
Makawao Paniolo Parade
To support the annual Makawao Paniolo Parade.

Molokaʻi Community Service Council, Inc., $10,000
Hiro’s Ohana Grill
Hospitality training for employees.

Something for Somebody, LLC, $10,000
Vendor Program & Product Broker
To promote/support Molokaʻi businesses.

Na Mamo O Muolea, $5,000
Hāna Akule Hui
Partially fund the 8th Annual Hāna Limu Festival. Funding will also go toward ongoing invasive plant removal, campsite improvements and trail maintenance at Muolea Point.

Nisei Veterans Memorial Center, $5,000
Purple Heart Battalion
A two-part exhibit on the 100th Infantry Battalion held at the NVMC open to the public, school groups and visitors.

Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, $3,500
Academy of Hospitality & Tourism
To support students’ introduction to hospitality as a career path.

For more information about these grants or the grant process, call OED Director Teena Rasmussen at (808) 270-7710. For general information, visit here.