For Immediate Release:
Press Release by:
Yuki Lei K. Sugimura, Chair
Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee
media@mauicounty.us
Budget committee heads to Kīhei, Pāʻia for evening meetings early next week
WAILUKU, Hawaiʻi (April 11, 2025)—The Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee will hold evening budget meetings in Kīhei on Monday and Pāʻia on Tuesday to seek input on the fiscal year 2026 budget, Chair Yuki Lei K. Sugimura announced today.
Sugimura said for the past several weeks the committee has been holding meetings in the council’s residency areas at night while also having daytime meetings in the Council Chamber. The committee wants to hear from residents about the programs and services they feel should be prioritized in the county’s financial plan for the fiscal year that runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, she said.
“Traveling across Maui County for the evening budget meetings gives us an opportunity to hear about the needs unique to each community,” said Sugimura, who serves as the council’s vice-chair and holds the seat for the Upcountry residency area. “We appreciate everyone who has attended and look forward to continuing the conversation next week.”
The committee is meeting on Molokai tonight at 6 p.m. after meeting in Lahaina last night.
Monday’s meeting for the South Maui residency area will be at 6 p.m. at Kīhei Community Center.
The Makawao-Haʻikū-Pāʻia residency-area budget meeting is on Tuesday night at six at Pāʻia Community Center.
On Thursday at 6 p.m., the council will hold a public hearing on the budget in the Council Chamber. The public hearing will also serve as the evening budget meeting for the Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū and Kahului residency areas.
Sugimura said daytime meetings on the budget will also continue in the Council Chamber next week. On Monday at 9 a.m., the committee will hear from the Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Works.
The Department of Environmental Management is scheduled to present its budget proposal to the committee at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. The committee will hear from the Department of Agriculture and the Office of Council Services on Wednesday at 10 a.m.
In-person and written testimony will be accepted for all meetings. For special accommodations during any of the meetings, call (808) 270-7664 at least three days in advance.
Meeting agendas and more information are available at https://www.mauicounty.us/bfed/.
Photo courtesy of Office of Council Services.
