Riders take a spin on the swings and other attractions during the Maui Fair in October 2018. The Maui News archive photo/Matthew Thayer

Maui may be one step closer to getting its fair back after Tuesday’s committee meeting.

On the agenda for Tuesday’s Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee was Bill 7, a bill to amend the fiscal year 2025 by increasing carryover and savings from the General Fund by $1,500,000, as well as adding a new appropriation entitled “Festivals of Aloha, Inc. for the 2025 Maui County Fair” in the amount of $1,500,000.

In attendance to answer questions was Josiah Nishita, Managing Director with Maui County, Festivals of Aloha Coordinator Daryl Fujiwara, and Maui County Budget Director Lesley Milner.

“We’re definitely excited to do whatever we can to bring this back,” Nishita said.

Nishita said another part of the effort is to make sure they are being inclusive to all people in Maui County.

Tasha Kama, councilmember for the Kahului district, asked if those involved were planning on keeping the traditional special fair day that is for people and children with disabilities.

“In our initial conversations with the county we are considering keeping that same day and time available for everyone that has special needs and keep that tradition going,” Fujiwara said.

Tamara Paltin, councilmember from West Maui, asked about booth distribution, and if organizations may lose their slots if they didn’t get everything in order before the fair.

Fujiwara responded and said they are happy to look into working with vendors on their timeframes, especially those from Lahaina.

Johnson asked if any nonprofits in the budget were going to be cut as a result of the fair, where they may be able to conduct fundraising efforts.

“No. We do not anticipate making any adjustments to grants to our nonprofits as a result of any funds that they might raise at the fair,” Milner said.

Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, representing Molokai, mentioned how much of a challenge it is for Molokai residents to attend the fair, and asked if the $1.5 million would be a “sunk cost.”

Nishita said expenses were a big part of losing the fair in the first place.

“The budget that’s reflected right now is more than what the Maui Fair Alliance did previously, but it’s the nature of all the costs going up significantly throughout that duration,” he said.

Fujiwara said this is the first time the county would be contributing such a large financial investment for the fair. He later mentioned that there are plans in the works to help with transportation for Molokai and Lanai residents.

Nishita said a possible location of the fair may be in the Waikapu area.

Fujiwara said he expects there to be a similar version of the old fair, but it might not be exactly the same. He hopes to support more local businesses moving forward.

There were no testifiers during the Tuesday meeting.

The bill passed in committee with no opposing votes.

For a full look at the bill and the meeting visit mauicounty.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.