Economic Development Office Provides Thousands in Grants to Local Organizations

The Mayor’s Office of Economic Development recently issued more than $254,000 in grants to various local organizations. Grantees were selected based on their economic impact within Maui County through business and/or the jobs they created or sustained.

The office also awarded grants based on an organizationʻs contribution to Maui County in the areas of the environment, agriculture, business, sports, arts, and culture. Mayor Michael Victorino congratulated all of the grantees and said mahalo for all the great work they do for the community.

Below is a list of the grantees:

Maui Economic Development Board – $100,000

Electric vehicle charging stations

The project is to provide funding to create an infrastructure sustainability plan for EV charging stations.

University of Hawaiʻi – $50,000

Maui Nui seabird recovery

The Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Program aims to raise awareness about seabirds and their needs by educating Mauiʻs visitors and residents.

Pacific Whale Foundation – $25,000

Annual Whale Festival

The funding is a collaboration between the Pacific Whale Foundation, Kīhei 4th Friday and the County of Maui, celebrating conservation and our magnificent whale friends for both Maui residents and visitors.

The Nature Conservancy – $25,000

Coral reef conservation

The project conducts a multisite conservation action plan process for coral reef recovery for two sites, Mānele-Hulopo’e on Lāna’i and Honolua-Mokulē’ia on Maui.

Maui County Sister Cities Foundation – $15,000

To promote and implement the Sister Cities Program

The program enhances the relationship between Sister Cities and Maui County around the world with a focus on areas that offer significant opportunities to promote cultural and educational exchanges that create economic partnerships.

Moloka’i Community Services Council – $15,000

Christmas Lights Parade

The funding supports a Merry Moloka’i Christmas by supporting the annual Moloka’i Christmas Light Parade and Ho’olauleʻa for residents and visitors.

African Americans on Maui Association – $7,000

Building cultural bridges

The association will present educational, historical, and entertaining experiences highlighting the African-American culture in a nonviolent, social, and diverse setting.

Cynthia Dystra, DBA: Hawaiian Heritage Farms – $7,000

Processing equipment

To provide equipment to make fresh-roasted Maui macadamia nut products at market value and to more efficiently package value-added snack products.

Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation – $5,000

Annual Hawaiʻi Farmers Union Foundation convention

The foundation will hold a convention to promote membership and will provide educational outreach to the general public to promote soil health and cutting-edge practices in diversified agriculture.

Youth in Motion – $5,000

The Moloka’i Holoka’i

The funding will support the Youth in Motion as it hosts the annual Moloka’i Holoka’i with a weekend of paddling events for both visitors and residents.  

More information about these grants can be found by contacting the Office of Economic Development grants manager Tina Silva at (808) 270-7710.