Mayor Richard Bissen to travel out of state for wildfire summit

Mayor Richard Bissen will be traveling out of the state from Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, to attend a wildfire leadership summit in California.

Mayor Bissen, along with County of Maui Managing Director Josiah Nishita and other County staff, will travel to California to attend the After the Fire USA 2024 Wildfire Leadership Summit. The nonprofit organization After the Fire USA supports wildfire-affected communities as they recover and rebuild. Mayor Bissen will also support economic recovery efforts in Los Angeles led by tourism industry representatives.

Finance Director Marcy Martin will serve as acting mayor when both the managing director and the mayor are absent.

Mayor Bissen is scheduled to return to Maui on Tuesday, Sept. 17.

New Railroad Exhibit at the Sugar Museum

The Sugar Museum presents a new Exhibit “Kahului Railroad and The Claus Spreckels: Hawaii’s First-and Last-Railroad, and the Little Engine That Could.” Join us for the month of September to discover the fascinating world of Maui’s railroads through photo and artifact displays, short documentary films, and a selection of take-home activities for young and old train enthusiasts. Learn about the impact of the railroad system on Hawaii’s sugar industry, and the amazing journey of Kahului Railroad’s locomotive, the “Claus Spreckels.” Exhibit runs through Sept. 30 2024. Museum is open Monday-Thursday 10-2, with last admission at 1 pm. Visit sugarmuseum.com for more information. Thanks to Maui County Office of Economic Opportunity for support of this exhibit.

Rotary Satellite Club of Kihei-Wailea announces E-Cycle fundraiser

The Rotary Satellite Club of Kihei-Wailea is excited to host an e-cycle fundraiser, offering residents and businesses an easy and eco-friendly way to dispose of unwanted electronic items. This event will accept monitors, TVs, computers, and printers, with a donation of $20 per item.

Event Details: We will pick up!

· For Businesses: Sept. 12, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

· For Residential: Sept. 14, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Additional Service: For just $10 more per item, we can wipe out the data from your computers to ensure your information remains secure.

How to Sign Up:

· Use the provided QR codes or links below to sign up for each respective date. o September 12th (Businesses): https://forms.gle/Z7UtBBUtp4oV7T6n8 o September 14th (Residential): https://forms.gle/Ga8D2gUKVEfjxjfFA o For more information, please visit our website at www.rotarymeanbusinessmaui.org or contact us at rotarymeansbusinessmaui.org.

Community invited to Abilities Resource Fair on Sept. 14 at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center

Event will highlight resources for individuals with disabilities

The Maui County Office on Aging invites the community to attend the Abilities Resource Fair on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center in Kahului.

This event will bring together more than 30 local businesses and organizations offering information on services ranging from health, vaccinations, and home care to workforce development and vocational rehabilitation, legal issues, assistive devices and technology, voter education with the County of Maui Elections Division, caregiving and respite services. ASL interpreters will be available.

“This event provides a unique opportunity for individuals with disabilities and their families to connect with local resources and services available in Maui County and throughout the state,” said Rowena Dagdag-Andaya, County Executive on Aging. “It’s also a chance for everyone to come together, share experiences, and discuss the challenges and opportunities we have in creating a more inclusive community in Maui County.”

The event will include entertainment featuring musical performances by Hale Villiarimo, Keoni Darisay and Mika Villaren;a fashion show presentation by Ka Lima O Maui; a comedy routine by the Maui Deaf Friends;and chair exercise activities led by Paula Keele and the EnhanceFitness team. Ed Kanoi will serve as emcee, and hourly door prizes will be given away.

For more information, visit https://www.mauicountyadrc.org or contact the Maui County Office on Aging at (808) 270-7774 or mcoa.adrc@co.maui.hi.us.

Farmers, livestock workers can pre-register for Hawaiʻi Farm and Food Worker Relief Grant Program

In-person payment registration events to be held Sept. 6 to 9 on Maui, Molokaʻi

Eligble farm and livestock workers in Hawaiʻi can pre-register for in-person payment registration events Sept. 6 to 9 for a one-time $600 relief payment under the Hawaiʻi Farm and Food Worker Relief Grant Program.

The grant aims to offset expenses workers incurred due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Farmers and those who worked in the agriculture industry doing farm work for at least one hour between Jan. 27, 2020, and May 11, 2023, may be eligible.

The grant program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the National Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Association (NMSHSA).

In partnership with local stakeholders, NMSHSA will administer four in-person payment registration events on Maui and Molokaʻi.

To ensure a smooth and efficient in-person payment registration process, workers are asked to pre-register for 1 of the 4 in-person events. The exact address and time for each location will be shared upon completion of the pre-registration form.

�–� Molokaʻi

o Date: Monday, Sept. 9, 2024

o 09.09.24 USDA FFWR Ho’olehua Pre-Registration Form

Eligible field workers are farmers and employees engaged in planting, tending and harvesting crops, and post-harvest activities including operation of farm machinery on crop farms. Eligible livestock workers are employees tending livestock, milking cows or caring for poultry including operation of farm machinery on livestock or poultry operations.

Those applying must have the ability to provide proof of identification (U.S. citizenship is not required) and proof of employment.

This program is made possible through a partnership with multiple local organizations including Executive Office on Early Learning, Hawaiʻi Good Food Alliance, Molokaʻi Homestead Farmers Alliance, County of Maui Department of Agriculture, and College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

For more information about the USDA FFWR program, contact the program administrators at info@nmshsa.org or check the Frequently Asked Questions.

Governor Green travels to Japan to strengthen ties with sister cities

Governor Josh Green, M.D., will travel to Japan on Monday, September 2, to engage in cross-cultural exchanges, attend business meetings on behalf of the state of Hawai’i, and sign a sister-state memorandum of understanding. Governor Green will also lead a delegation of local businesses for the Tokyo International Gift Show, meet with the U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, and will meet with leaders from Fukuoka, Ehime and Hiroshima prefectures.

Governor Green is scheduled to return to Honolulu on Wednesday, September 11. Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke will serve as acting Governor from the afternoon of September 2 through the morning of September 11.

Volunteers Wanted for MOC Marine Institute and SHARKastics Reef Cleanup

The Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute (MOCMI) and SHARKastics are excited to host a collaborative reef cleanup along Sugar Beach on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Volunteers will meet at the Keālia Boardwalk and are asked to bring their own snorkel gear, mesh bag (or other receptacle) to collect marine debris, gloves, and any other tools they would like to utilize. The MOCMI team will provide a water cooler for refills and light snacks. All debris that is collected will be sorted and counted on-site, and then re-used, recycled or disposed of properly. The citizen science data gathered from the cleanup will contribute to ongoing marine debris research, a statewide effort partially funded by the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources.

Coral reefs are considered the “rainforests” of the sea due to their diversity and ecological value. They provide food and habitats for over 7,000 species of marine plants and animals, as well as protect shorelines from erosion. Marine debris, such as fishing gear and plastics, are detrimental to the health of the reefs and their inhabitants. In fact, greater than 80% of the Marine Institute’s sea turtle rescues are the result of fishing line entanglements. One of the best ways to mitigate these incidents is to mālama i ke kai (take care of the sea) through community action.

If you are interested in volunteering, please visit https://bit.ly/4dWljMb to RSVP. For more information contact Katie at Katie@mocmarineinstitute.org. Attendees are advised to carpool, if possible, as there is limited parking space available (plus it’s better for the planet!).

For those who are passionate about caring for Maui beaches, but are unable to attend, consider signing up for the MOCMI Honu Hero Program, a self-directed beach clean-up. Another way to help is to add your reef cleanup findings all around Maui to our online database that’s found here: https://www.sharkastics.org/events.html.

Free Ho’oponopono Level 1 Classes

Keala O Kalani is offering free Ho’oponopono Level 1a and Level 1b classes via Zoom on Saturday and Sunday, September 14 and 15, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students who complete the Level 1a class on Saturday may attend Sunday’s class. Ho’oponopono is a self-help process of “making right’ or correcting the problems and stresses in people’s daily lives. It is designed to bring peace, rhythm and balance to one’s life by releasing unwanted negative energies and obstacles. Updated and revised by Kahuna Lapa’au Morrnah Nalamaku Simeona, this ancient Hawaiian problem-solving process has universal application and may be used effectively by anyone, anywhere and at any time – regardless of one’s ethnicity, culture or background. To register, please visit kealaokalani.com. If you have any questions, please email kealaokalanireg@gmail.com.

Baldwin High class of 1972 to celebrate 70th birthday with reunion banquet

The classmates of Baldwin High School’s Class of 1972 will be celebrating their 70th birthday with a reunion banquet at the Maui Beach Elleair Ballroom on Saturday, October 26, 2024. A golf tournament is also being planned for Friday, October 25, along with an activity for non-golfers. All classmates who have not been receiving reunion updates via email are asked to call or text Anne at (808) 870-6182 with your current contact information and with any questions you may have about the reunion.

SBA relocates Maui Outreach Center to County of Maui Office of Recovery-West Office in Maui Gateway

The SBA has relocated its West Maui outreach center to the County of Maui Office of Recovery-West office in Maui Gateway from the Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows.

For the convenience of disaster survivors, the SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center (DLOC) shares space with other local and national government agencies and service providers assisting in the Lahaina recovery effort. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

County announces amended sewer service status for West Maui area

The County of Maui Department of Environmental Management’s (DEM) Wastewater Reclamation Division announced that it has amended the Sewer Service Status from “red,” which indicates a property does not currently have active sewer service, to “green,” meaning the sewer service is active for a property, in the following area:

Seven lots near Kahula Place and the southern end of Lahainaluna Road.

DEM Director Shayne Agawa first announced the updates on Wednesday, August 14, at the Weekly Disaster Recovery Community Update Meeting at Lahaina Civic Center.

Some wastewater infrastructure was damaged during the fires, which cut off wastewater service for many properties in fire-impacted areas. To determine if wastewater service for your home or business is impacted, visit https://www.mauirecovers.org/wastewater and type your address in the search bar on the County of Maui Sewer Service Status interactive map.

DEM anticipates continuing to amend areas in Lahaina impacted by the August 2023 wildfires in coming weeks and months. For questions regarding sewer status, call the Wastewater Reclamation Division at (808) 270-7417.

Kula Community Association to Host Local Candidate Forum on Sept. 11

The Kula Community Association (KCA) is hosting a Candidate Forum on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Kula Community Center. This event will feature candidates running for Senate, House, and Maui County Council offices covering nine races, offering a platform for them to present their views and respond to questions.

“The Kula community, and the broader Upcountry community, want to hear what the candidates have to say. We will happily provide that forum.” said KCA Board President Bobbie Patnode. This forum is a key opportunity for Upcountry residents to hear directly from the candidates who wish to shape the county’s future.

All community members are invited to attend this free event that is open to the public. KCA is committed to promoting informed civic participation and aims to ensure that Upcountry voters have the information they need to make informed decisions at the polls. Light refreshments will be provided.

This Candidate Forum will be streamed live by Akakū to their YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@AkakuMaui/streams.

Organizations invited to apply to administer County’s Lānaʻi-Grown Food Stimulus Program

Application deadline is Sept. 16

Qualified nonprofit and for-profit organizations in Maui County are invited to apply to administer the County of Maui’s Lānaʻi-Grown Food Stimulus Program for the Fiscal Year from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

The awardee will be responsible for administering the $70,000 Maui County-funded program to implement food vouchers for Lānaʻi residents.

Vouchers must be issued at the County Lānaʻi Farmer’s Market and used on the date they are issued for the purchase of locally grown or sourced fresh produce and fruit, edible algae, poi, meat, fish, eggs or honey. Vouchers will be issued to Lānaʻi residents only, with preference given to kūpuna, children or members of a household with kūpuna or children between the ages of 0 and 5.

The deadline to apply to administer the program is Sept. 16, 2024.

To apply or for more information, call (808) 270-8276 or email [agriculture@mauicounty.gov]agriculture@mauicounty.gov.