#Inflation Reduction Act

To help people review their benefits and choose appropriate plans during the Medicare Open Enrollment, the nonprofit and State of Hawaiʻi Health Insurance Assistance Program will hold a joint workshop on Maui.

US Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) announced Hawai‘i will receive $18.1 million in federal funding to adopt a building performance standard for energy efficiency in commercial buildings.

Hawaiʻi’s remarkable forest birds and the incredible conservation efforts to save them through the Birds, Not Mosquitoes (BNM) partnership are featured in an upcoming documentary entitled, “Vanishing Voices: Saving Our Hawaiian Forest Birds.”  

The funding, which comes from the Inflation Reduction Act, will be used to identify translocation sites for 425 Hawaiian plants and improve their resiliency to climate change.

The Department of the Interior announced Monday a $20 million investment through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to bolster climate resilience in Hawaiʻi.

Gov. Josh Green, M.D., his Federal Funds Team and the Department of Transportation are hosting a federal funds summit from July 16-18 under the governor’s Investing in Hawai‘i’s Future, a collaboration between federal, state and community partners to maximize federal funding for the state.

Starting this weekend, federal and state agencies, local groups and individuals will come together for Hawai‘i Climate Week (March 23 through 31), hosting a series of events that underscores the importance of taking action and supporting efforts to build a climate-ready Hawai’i.

In efforts to make reforestation more affordable and accessible for underserved landowners, American Forests has received a $12 million investment from the USDA Forest Service (USFS).

With almost 500,000 taxpayers in Hawaiʻi expecting a refund this filing season, the Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that recent improvements to “Where’s My Refund?”  on IRS.gov remains the best way to check the status of a refund.

Molokaʻi Sea Farms and Johnny V Enterprises on Maui are among the Hawaiʻi companies that will get a share of $520,302 in Rural Energy for America Program grants from the US Department of Agriculture.

The Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i encourages uninsured Hawai‘i residents who do not qualify for Medicaid to enroll in federal marketplace insurance by Jan. 16, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.

US Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and a Senate delegation will attend the annual UN climate conference, COP28, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

NOAA is investing $17 million from the Inflation Reduction Act in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary to improve the climate resilience of the Kīhei, Maui visitor and community center. The facility’s beachfront location makes it vulnerable to climate change impacts, including upland flooding, powerful storms and sand inundation.

An estimated $3.1 million has been allocated to The Coral Reef Alliance for the restoration and strengthening resilience of Maui Nui Reefs. Thereʻs also $804,000 allocated to the Hawaiian Islands Land Trust for the restoration of loʻi kalo at the Waiheʻe Coastal Dunes and Wetlands Refuge on Maui.

The deadline to sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act is Jan. 15, 2023.

This version of Maui Nowʻs Letters to the Editor include discussion about Upcountry water woes, the crossing of PIʻilani Highway to the new Kīhei High School, over tourism and over development, Inflation Reduction Act, maintenance of the Kīhei Boat Ramp, the Maui County Comprehensive Housing Plan, motorcycle noise and more.