October 2020
Aloha!
What a chaotic time this has been for us all. While we welcome the fall season, many in our community are still struggling with a loss of income, food supplies, rent and utility bill payments along with the challenges of helping children navigate their new online learning environment. I am continually praying for you all, and am working hard at the Council to push for funding and policies that will help support our residents, our economy and a healthy environment for Maui Nui. Please feel free to contact my office at 270-5501 with any specific concerns we may be able to help you with, or point you in the right direction for assistance.
Me ke aloha pumehana,
Tasha
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Charting a Course Toward Economic Recovery |
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Photo, left: I was fortunate to enjoy a pre-Covid tour of Uncle George Kahumoku, Jr.'s diversified farming operations in Kahakuloa late last year.
His sustainably-grown fresh produce and value-added products have been a welcome addition to his CSA boxes and online ordering platforms.
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Helping Businesses Adapt to the New Normal |
Small businesses needing assistance with restructuring or re-tooling their business can apply for $5,000-$25,000 in grants from the County's "Adaptability Fund."
A total of $5 million in CARES Act monies has been allocated to help local businesses modify their operations, conduct business safely, and invest in technology to expand online platforms such as e-commerce and web-based marketing, and even pivot business models as needed to be sustainable.
Deadline to apply is November 6, 2020. To view eligibility requirements and application forms, click here.
For a list of services and providers available to assist local small businesses, click here.
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Kahului Lani Senior Rentals Phase I Nears Completion |
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Above: Landscaping is one of the finishing touches of Kahului Lani Phase I as residents begin moving in. |
With residents starting to move in to their new units, Phase I of Kahului Lani Senior Low-Income Rentals is expected to reach 100% occupancy soon.
Thankfully, construction on Phase II is well under way, with infrastructure, foundation and backfill work moving forward on schedule for completion by the end of of 2021.
Eligibility is based on HUD income guidelines, currently at a maximum of $43,080 for one person and $49,200 for two persons (may be subject to change). Residents must be age 55 and older. Applications for Phase II are expected to be available mid-2021.
Rent includes:
- Electricity
- Air Conditioning
- Grounds and Building Maintenance
- Water, Sewer & Trash Collection
- One Reserved Parking Stall (for residents with vehicle)
- Quarterly Pest Control
- Roaming Overnight Security
Amenities include an on-site resident manager, coin-operated laundry facilities, a multi-purpose community room, secure building and two elevators. The residential complex is located in Kahului across Foodland near Queen Kaahumanu Center.
Kahului Lani Phase I and II are being managed by Hale Mahaolu for developer Catholic Charities Housing Development Corporation. For more information, click here.
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Community Meetings Focus on Priorities for FY22 Budget |
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My staff has been monitoring the ongoing Community Budget Meetings to hear directly from the public about their budgetary concerns. If you would like to participate and share your concerns and priorities, either individually or on behalf of an organization, you may do so this evening at the final session:
Thursday, October 22, 2020,
5:30 p.m.: Management; Planning; Personnel
The online meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. via BlueJeans video conferencing:
Phone: 1-408-915-6290, meeting code 143716688
To submit written comments before 10/31/20 using a Community Budget Request Form, click here.
The online budget meetings are being held as Mayor Victorino gathers public input for his budget proposal for the next fiscal year.
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Mayor Victorino and I have a pre-Covid conversation about County matters during an event. |
For more information on the meetings and the budget process, contact the County of Maui Budget Office at 270-7855 or Maui County Budget Office.
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Celebrating Disability Employment Awareness Month |
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At work, it’s what people CAN do that matters.
That’s the simple message behind the Campaign for Disability Employment (CDE), a U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored public awareness campaign during the month of October that highlights the value and talent people with disabilities add to America’s workplaces and economy.
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To view resources for Employers & Job-Seekers, click here.
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Ms. Wheelchair America 2021 Now Seeking Hawaii Entry |
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The Ms. Wheelchair America competition is not a beauty pageant. Rather, it focuses on raising awareness about disabilities, celebrating the accomplishments of women who use wheelchairs and educating society on architectural and attitudinal barriers that impact the disability community.
A contestant to represent Hawaii for the August 2021 competition is now being sought. Applicants:
- Must be a woman
- Must use a wheelchair for 100% of her daily community mobility
- Must be a United States citizen
- Must be at least 21 years of age
- Cannot have held a state title for the Ms. Wheelchair America, Inc. program in any state
- Cannot have competed at a Ms. Wheelchair America National competition previously
- Must be a resident of your state for a minimum of six (6) months prior to the state competition
- Must be available to fulfill the requirements of a state titleholder. These include travel within your state, travel to the national competition, and numerous public appearances
- Must possess good communication skills
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Free or Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Services Available at Maui Humane Society |
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Maui Humane Society offers high quality spay/neuter surgeries, which are currently subsidized by grants so they can be offered to the community at a highly affordable rate ($10 for cats, $20 for dogs of all ages, sizes and genders). Vaccine administration is also available for a small fee.
Maui Humane Society also provides free spay/neuter and microchip implantation for healthy, un-owned feral and community cats.
Traps for this program can be loaned free of charge with a refundable deposit. All community cats will be tipped and microchipped at the time of surgery.
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Call Maui Humane Society to make a spay/neuter appointment at (808) 877-3680 ext. 3, or to view FAQs and other details, visit their website.
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Exercise Your Right to Vote! |
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In what may be one of the most momentous elections of recent history, we are privileged to be afforded the opportunity to cast our ballot. If you have not yet received your ballot in the mail, please call the County Clerk's Office, Elections Division, at (808) 270-7749 to check on the status of your ballot.
Be sure to sign the outside of your ballot envelope, and mail or drop off at one of the official "Places of Deposit," such as the 7th floor of the County building or one of our Maui County Fire Stations on the list. To view both a PDF or interactive map of all ballot drop-off locations around the state, click here. |
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