Recognizing our future young leaders 2022 HHSAA Track and Field Champions & Pukalani Elementary STEM Imagineers

Kaylee Hashimoto Volner, Upcountry athlete and 2022 Island Movers/Hawaii High School Athletic Association State Track and Field Champions

On September 20, the County Council honored the 2022 Hawaii High School Track and Field champions from Maui County, including Seabury Hall’s Kaylee Volner. Volner captured the 3,000-meter run at the HHSAA state championships on May 14, 2022. Also honored were Maui High School’s Kaimana Cantere, who won the 800-meter run, and Baldwin’s Justin Kahalewai and Joseph Randolph, who won the 110-meter hurdles and the 100-meter dash respectively.

Volner is currently a Freshman student-athlete at Santa Clara University. She is currently in her first collegiate Cross Country season and will also be a member of the Track & Field team in the Spring. Congrats and Good luck, Kaylee! Photo: State Rep. Kyle Yamashita, State Rep. Troy Hashimoto, Mrs. Joycelyn Victorino and myself honoring Kaylee at Seabury Hall.

Pukalani Elementary STEM Imagineers, Robotics On Friday, October 7, the County Council honored the Pukalani STEM Imagineers Robotics Team for their outstanding showing at the 2022 Hawaii Vex Robotics Middle School State Championship. The State-level event was held on February 21, 2022 at Kamehameha-Kapalama. Kalama Intermediate School students Brayden Kitagawa, Ashton Senamontry, Aaden Tokushima, Abigail Tomayosa, and Nevin Whener, along with Jarius Vierra-Naleieha of Kamehameha School Maui and Wesley Kosaka of Seabury Hall combined to make two teams that both qualified for the World Championships. The World Championships were held May 3-12 in Dallas, Texas. They were coached by teachers Debbie Hisashima and Jasmine Domingo.

FY 2022 - 2023 Budget, Upcountry The FY2022-2023 Budget began on July 1, 2022. As we approach the mid-year mark, here are some highlights for Upcountry. Department of Housing and Human Concerns A portion of $100,907 for Pediatric Therapies Hawaii - occupational and physical therapy for Upcountry and West Maui minor (portion of monies to be used for a Mediation Services grant as well) Mayor’s Office of Economic Development $140,000 for Economic Development & Cultural Programs $450,000 for the Kula Ag Park to fund UV treatment to meet vegetable cleaning process and environmental clean-up Department of Parks & Recreation $22,000 for a new security system at Upcountry Pool Department of Public Works $150,000 to continue removal of high risk eucalyptus trees (Upcountry) Department of Water Supply $200,000 for Upcountry Maui Well. A grant from the State, administered by DLNR, to develop ground water sources for State of Hawaii projects and the County of Maui New Equipment Purchases Department of Fire & Public Safety Tanker Truck w/ Equipment Capital Improvement Projects Included in $9,780,000 for Countywide Road Resurfacing and Pavement Preservation Lower Kula Road Pavement Reconstruction Pukalani Terrace Subdivision Pavement Reconstruction (Halaulani/Hanalani/Ehilani/Ikalani) $500,000 for Upper Kula Transmission Improvements Replacement/Upgrade of portions of the Upper Kula Trasmission damaged during the 12/05/2021 severe weather event that damaged portions or transmission waterline serving the upper Kula region Included in $4,700,000 for Countywide Water Facility Improvements under the Department of Water Supply Upcountry Treatment Plant Study

Voter guide to the Voter County Charter Amendments

This year’s general election ballot contains 13 proposed amendments to the County Charter. They are complex and I encourage all of you to learn about the proposals via the Charter Commissions’ voter guide that can be accessed here: Voter Guide and via the County Auditor’s financial analysis that can be found here:  County Audit Analysis Water Authority, Charter Amendment In our committee discussion, I voted “NO” on the charter amendment to create a water authority because I believe more comprehensive information is needed before this is enacted. I support the County of Maui's Department of Water Supply to oversee water collection and delivery for our residents. During the charter amendment deliberation, I asked what is the feasibility and cost analysis of this amendment? What is the overall plan? No definitive answers were given.   On October 7, 2022 in The Maui News, the County Auditor said the cost of the water authority amendment is “unknown” due to "yet-to-be-determined factors." The cost to the taxpayers and more important to me, is to not stop water delivery to the 10,324 water users in Upcountry. I urge you to read more and consider the effects of all charter amendments before voting.

Open Space Acquisitions The County recently received 45 acres of park lands and open space via donation from Alexander & Baldwin.  Baldwin Beach Park (Kapukaulua), 17.5 acres  Baby Beach (Wawau Point), 10 acres Shoreline between Mama’s Fish House and Ho‘okipa Beach Park, 3.9 acres 2 parcels adjacent to Hoaloha Park in Kahului, 2.9 acres Rainbow Park on Baldwin Avenue, 2.4 acres Land adjacent to Hana Highway at Maliko Gulch, 1.4 acres Dairy Road Parcels totaling 6.9 acres 

Legislation Bike Tours: On October 20, the Maui County Council passed Bill 145 on second and final reading. In part, Bill 145 places specific parameters on commercial bicycle tours operating in the Makawao-Pukalani-Kula and Paia-Haiku community plan areas. Dockless Vehicles: On October 17, the Infrastructure and Transportation Committee recommended passage of Bill 133 which would prohibit dockless vehicle rentals such as bicycles, scooters, low-speed electric bicycles, electric foot scooter, and other small, wheeled vehicles designed for shared use via GPS. Parking Ambassador Program: On October 17, the Infrastructure and Transportation Committee recommended passage of Bill 116, which would enable the creation of a Parking Ambassador Program for parking enforcement at paid parking zones. Parking zones are not yet established. Bill 116 would allow for a pilot program to create paid parking zones in high traffic areas.

Photo: Hawaiitours.com Bike Tour Legislation Highlights: Businesses may conduct guided and unguided commercial bicycle tours for individuals over the age of 15: From sunrise to sunset only on Haleakala Crater Road from mile marker 3.0 to mile marker 9.5, seven days a week Guided and unguided bicycle tours may not operate on all other areas of Haleakala Crater Road, Haleakala Hwy., and Kekaulike Ave. From 8:00 am to 1:30 pm on Baldwin Ave., with exceptions of certain State Holidays. No more than 10 bicycle tour riders per guided commercial bicycle tour Employee guides must ride at the front of tour groups Riders will be required to sign the Bike Pono Pledge