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I write in support of former County Council member and Housing and Human Concerns director Alice Lee for the Wailuku seat on the Maui County Council. I base my recommendation on three personal occasions when I had the privilege of working with her.
My first occasion was when I served as a volunteer on the county's Grant Allocations Committee during her time as Housing Department director. During this period when I served as the chair of this committee, she worked collaboratively with me and provided the leadership that assisted and prepared me for this role.
The next opportunity occurred when I administered a "Welfare-to-Work" federal grant while employed by MEO for this specific purpose. As an ancillary auditing partner to the federal Department of Labor, the county was one of many that comprised this partnership. Again, it was Ms. Lee who provided oversight and recommendations to assist in our successful administration of the program.
The most recent reunion I had with Alice Lee coincided with my volunteer service with Maui United Way's board of directors. It happened because Ms. Lee created a venue through which funds were raised to support the displaced HC&S workers. I served on this independent steering committee with Chair Lee and others from the community. Ms. Lee's ability to secure donations enabled this financial assistance to be successful in helping the HC&S workers.
I therefore strongly concur with Ms. Lee's belief that she can bring a sense of unity, order and collaboration back to the council.
Stephen Kealoha
Pukalani