Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee Meeting on FY2027 Budget – April 16, 2026
Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee Meeting on FY2027 Budget – April 16, 2026
The Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee (BFED) met on April 16, 2026, at 1:05 PM to continue deliberations on the proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget for the County of Maui. The meeting focused on the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) budget, public testimony, and council member questions. The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 PM.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Twenty-eight individuals testified at the South Maui residency area meeting (April 14, 2026), expressing support for funding for various organizations including Maui AIDS Foundation, MEO, Maui Green and Beautiful, and others. Requests also included South Maui infrastructure improvements (North-South Collector Road, Wailuku water system, wetland preservation, cove park pollution).
- Ten testifiers spoke at the Lanaʻi residency area meeting (April 15, 2026), supporting continued funding for Maui Economic Opportunity’s Lanaʻi Grown Food Stimulus Program, farmers, boards and commissions, and acquisition/rehabilitation of the First Hawaiian Bank building for a multi-purpose community center.
- Oral testimony during the meeting included:
- Hallie Hunt (Adaptations Dance Theater) requested continued county funding (Bill 55) for the arts, noting the organization doubled programming and provides professional pathways for dancers.
- Allie McKeon (Adaptations Dance Theater) highlighted the organization’s role in creating sustainable jobs and allowing artists to return to Maui.
- Terra Sviako Summers (Mental Health America of Hawaii) described programs reaching 9,280 residents annually, including suicide prevention training and crisis intervention support for Maui Police Department.
- David Whitney, Kalai, and Kugule Prince (Oni Foundation) requested $161,000 ($89,000 from OED and $72,800 from council) for a cultural center and youth ambassador program, emphasizing cultural preservation and workforce development.
- Audrey Tomashiro Kami (ʻŪhai ʻo Haleakalā) supported EPNS green grants for the Nāulu Cloud Revival, a collaborative watershed restoration project. She requested $600,000 for five new positions and seed collection/outplanting.
- William Spence (Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center) supported mayor’s proposed grants ($50,000 for Art with Aloha and $75,000 for youth/family arts), noting 339 students and 10,000 youth served.
- Andrea Buckman (ʻŪhai ʻo Haleakalā) elaborated on the Nāulu Cloud Bridge initiative, requesting $600,000 for capacity building, seed sources, and erosion control to mitigate flooding and fire risks.
- Travis Liggett proposed shifting funding for Kahului Wastewater Reclamation Facility disinfection design to FY2027, suggesting offsets from withdrawing a contested case or MVA grant.
- Scott Warden (Haiku Community Association) advocated for a deep monitoring well at the Haiku test well and continued stream water quality testing.
- Lucien Dinay (Haiku Community Association) supported restoring a $40,000 line item for stream testing, noting partnerships with Division of Aquatic Resources and UH.
- Gretchen Losano supported increased DEM budget requests for composting programs and the Nāulu Cloud Bridge, citing CRB detection and fire mitigation.
- JC Law (Kula) requested a cardboard dumpster at Kula Community Center and an additional trash inspector position, and noted Molokai refuse collection issues.
- Christopher Salem testified about personal experiences with mental health and accountability, supporting mental health funding.
Discussion Items
- DEM Budget Presentation: Director Shane Agawa introduced his team and presented a 13.5% overall budget increase ($124 million in CIP for FY2027 vs. $11 million in FY2026). Key projects: Central Maui Regional Wastewater Reclamation Facility ($128 million), West Maui recycling infrastructure ($3.6 million), organics processing ($2 million), Molokai landfill scale house ($1.7 million), and Lanaʻi landfill office trailer ($1.1 million).
- Operating and Revenue Changes: Administration office budget $3.35 million (including $2.5 million grant for Maʻalaea Village Association). Wastewater operating budget increased by $1.6 million; Solid Waste equipment replacement request up $2.8 million.
- New Positions: Two new recycling specialist positions and one unfunded position from FY2026 to support EPNS division.
- Grant Funding Increases: $1.25 million total increase for environmental protection grants ($800,000), green grants ($600,000), Maui County wetlands ($950,000), and Gold Green West Maui recycling ($240,000).
- Revolving Funds: Sewer fund to fund $10.1 million in CIP; Solid Waste fund $7.2 million; EPNS fund $2 million.
- Rate Increases: Wastewater average 9% increase (single-family from $92.40 to $103.75/month; multifamily from $78.60 to $89.50/month). Solid waste: $1/month increase for Maui and Molokai ($36 to $37), $0.50 for Lanaʻi ($18 to $18.50).
- Council Questions: Members raised concerns about:
- R1 water studies and solar energy at wastewater plants.
- Maʻalaea Village Association funding ($2.5 million in FY2027) and expectations for future county contributions.
- Wetlands grant competitive process and naming of organizations.
- Rate calculation methodology and CIP projects tied to rate increases.
- Inactive vacancies and overtime funding practices.
- Coordination with MIMA on abandoned vehicle removal and fire hazards.
- West Maui materials management infrastructure property selection.
Key Outcomes
- The committee deferred the FY2027 budget item (BFED-1) with no objections, allowing further deliberation.
- Council members were reminded to submit amendment priorities and condition proposals by 4:30 PM on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
- Additional questions for DEM must be submitted to staff by 9:00 AM on April 17, 2026.
- The next BFED meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026, at 9:00 AM, with a presentation from the Department of Finance on real property tax and decisions.
- A public hearing on the FY2027 budget will be held at 6:00 PM on April 16, 2026, in the council chambers, serving as the Wailuku-Kahului residency area meeting. The West Maui residency area meeting is set for April 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM in Lahaina.
Meeting Transcript
Well, the budget finance and economic development committee meeting of April sixteenth, twenty twenty six come to order. It is one oh five PM. I am the Vice Chair of this committee, Colin Petongan, and I will be acting as chair for today's meeting. This online meeting is being conducted in accordance with the Sunshine Law. As a reminder, when your name is called, if you're not in the council chamber, please identify by name who, if anyone is in the room, vehicle, or workspace with you today. Minors do not need to be identified. Committee chair Yuki Leisu Yimura will be joining us a little bit late. Um next up we have Councilmember Tom Cook. Good afternoon, Chair. Welcome all. Councilmember Gabe Johnson. Aloha, Chair, Council members, community members. There's no testifiers at the Lena E District Office, and I'm here and ready to work. Maha. Thank you. Council Chair Alice Lee. Good afternoon, Chair. I'm home. I'm here in my office in the building with my little kitty named Jill Lee. And she's playing with her friend Matilda. Ready to work. Thank you. Councilmember Tamara Paul. Hello, Imala Sheen Living there, Fund of Council Chambers. Councilmember Canny Rollins Fernandez. Aloha chair. Uh, there are currently no testifiers at the Molokai District Office. And uh Mahalo again to Member Johnson and to the community on Lanae for hosting us last night. Councilmember Sheen Tenense. Hello, and good afternoon, Chair. Um, here at my home office, I'm here by myself, and there's no testifiers in Anach. And Councilmember Nohe Lani Uhajans. Good afternoon, Chair, good afternoon, everyone. I'm at my private residence. I do have my husband, William Cole Hodgins home with me now, but he would be leaving shortly to pick up our child from school, and at that time I will have a miniature version of my husband and the big version. Thank you, members. Everybody, please see the last page of the agenda for information on meeting connectivity. Uh thank you, members for attending today's BFE Committee meeting. We have one item on the agenda today that is BFED 1, the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget for the county of Maui. Members, I will be taking testimony after opening comments today. Before we begin, I would like to recognize Council Members Cook and Johnson for comments on the South Maui and Luna E residency area meetings respectively. Member Cook. Thank you, Chair. Uh local council members, uh, and thank you all for coming to our South Maui uh community meeting. Here is a summary containing some testimony highlights for your consideration and use and your recap of BFED day after tomorrow morning. Twenty-eight individuals testified orally. We also received some written testimony. The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. and adjourned at 8 10 p.m. Testifiers express gratitude and support for the funding for a variety of organizations, including Maui AIDS Foundation, wraparound services, including homelessness prevention, sexually transmitted disease education and free testing, insurance assistance, medical clinic, food pantry, housing case management, jail outreach, MEO, Transportation Services, Spanish Translation Services, Head Start, Youth Services.
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