Sugimura seeks to rename Kula Park in honor of late former Council Chair Gladys Coelho Baisa

Maui County Council Vice-Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura has submitted an application to rename Kula Park as Gladys Coelho Baisa Park, honoring the late former Maui County Council member and Council chair for her decades of service to Maui County and the Upcountry community.

The Maui County Public Works Commission has scheduled the facility naming application as an agenda item for consideration at its Aug. 26 meeting at 1:30 p.m.

“I am honored to submit this application to recognize Gladys Baisa and the extraordinary legacy of service she left to our community,” Sugimura said. “Gladys dedicated so much of her life to serving the people of Maui County. Naming Kula Park in her honor would be a fitting tribute to a woman who remained deeply connected to Kula and Upcountry and committed to listening to residents and serving the community.”

Baisa devoted more than five decades to public service, first through her leadership at Maui Economic Opportunity and later through her service on the Maui County Council, where she represented Upcountry for five terms and served as Council chair. During her career, she advocated for affordable housing, water resources, public safety, recreation, infrastructure and services for residents most in need. Baisa also served as the director of the Maui County Department Water Supply.

Her connection to Kula and Upcountry was particularly strong, according to Sugimura, who holds the Upcountry Council residency seat. Baisa regularly attended Kula Community Association meetings and remained engaged with residents and community organizations. In 2016, the Kula Community Association recognized her with its Mālama Kula Award for her longstanding support of the community and commitment to ensuring Upcountry’s needs were reflected in County decisions.

“Kula Park represents the kind of place that reflects Gladys’s life and values,” Sugimura said. “It is a place where families gather, children play, neighbors connect and generations come together. Honoring Gladys in this way would not simply recognize her years in elected office. It would acknowledge the thousands of lives she touched through her work at Maui Economic Opportunity, in County government and throughout our community.”

Sugimura’s application is supported by letters from community members and organizations, including the Pukalani Community Association. In its letter, the association highlighted Baisa’s longstanding involvement with Upcountry community associations and her dedication to encouraging community leadership and addressing local needs.

Members of the public may provide testimony virtually or in person at the Public Works Department Conference Room, Fourth Floor, Room 434, at the Kalana o Maui Building, 200 South High St., Wailuku. Written testimony may be submitted to the Public Works Commission at public.works@co.maui.hi.us.