$900,000 IN MAUI COUNTY GRANTS AWARDED

(Posted by Wendy OSHER © 2009)

Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares announced the awarding of more than $900,000 in county grants in the areas of workforce development, small business, renewable energy, and the arts-among other disciplines.  The largest allocation of $300,000 goes toward operational activities at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.  Other large appropriations include $275,000 for the Maui Community Care Corps;  $100,000 for watershed protection and threat abatement at the Koolau and Hana Forest Reserves; and $125,000 to the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens for the conservation of rare Hawaiian plants.  A complete list of programs and award distribution is listed below:

● Maui Arts and Culture Center – $300,000 – A Force in Economic Development and Community Building on Maui – funds will be used in support of MACC’s operational activities which serve students and teachers of Maui County, offers life long learning for our citizens and is a gathering place for Maui residents and visitors to build a stronger community.

● University of Hawaii – $275,000 – Maui Community Care Corps – Funds will be used to support administrative activities to develop and implement Maui Community Care Corps; an initiative of the Aging with Aloha Coalition that addresses worker shortage in Maui County by increasing the long-term care workforce and promoting home and community-based services system for older persons and persons with disabilities.

● Tri-Isle Resource Conservation & Development Council – $100,000 – East Maui Watershed Protection – EMWP staff will continue to conduct threat abatement and control programs in the Koolau Forest Reserve, initiate watershed protection efforts in upper Hana Forest Reserve and continue implementing a progressive public outreach program to educate and empower community residents to support and participate in watershed protection efforts.

● Maui Nui Botanical Gardens – $125,000 – Funds will be used for the operation of Maui Nui Botanical Gardens to conserve rare Hawaiian plants.

● University of Hawaii – $60,000 – Maui County Aquaculture Extension Program – Funds will help support an innovative program of research, education and extensive services directed to the improved understanding, management and use of marine resources of the state, region and nation.

● Maui Economic Development Board – $35,000 – Assessment of Molokai Entrepreneurship – Funds will be used for a research assessment of Molokai Entrepreneurship and Small Business opportunities. Report will be accessible to the general public.

● University of Hawaii – $10,000 – Evaluation of Jatropha as a Biofuel Crop – Funds will help with establishment of a Jatropha nursery on the grounds at Maui Community College for multiplication and distribution of seeds and cuttings of diverse genotypes for evaluation throughout the County.

● Tri-Isle Resource Conservation & Development Council – $7,800 – Maui Nui Marine Resource Council – Funds will support a part-time administrative coordinator, council facilitator and speakers for the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council (MNMRC), a broad-base, volunteer community group that provides a public forum for education, advocacy and informed policy-making on sustainable management of Maui’s near-shore marine resources.

● The Lahaina Restoration Foundation – $7,000 – Malama Lahaina Economic Stimulus Project – Funds will be used to promote, coordinate and purchase supplies for Malama Lahaina: A “fix-up, clean-up, educate, celebrate project for Lahaina Town.”

● Arts Education For Children Group – $5,000 – Hawaii Music Legends; Henry Kaleialoha Allen Documentary – Funds will be used to support the costs associated with the completion of the production of a Hawaiian Music Legends film documentary on the life and music of Henry Kaleialoha Allen.

“These grants represent a substantial contribution to many facets of our community, especially our county’s workforce,” said Tavares. “It is crucial in these tough economic times that we support small business and the development of career paths, such as in long-term care, which will grow significantly in coming years,” she said.

The grants were awarded through the County of Maui Office of Economic Development.  In 2008, OED facilitated more than $10 million in grant awards to organizations in Maui County.