Oct. 7, 2026, 5 p.m. Velma Santos Community Center To: Maui Department of Management Josiah Nishita, Managing Director Erin Wade, Deputy Managing Director From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: PROPOSED GRANT RULES Aloha Managing Director Nishita, Deputy Managing Director Wade and department staff, The
Each of Hawaii’s four counties levies a property tax on owners of homes, businesses, farms and all other types of property, and those ever-increasing tax bills contribute to the state’s cost of living. So which county residents pay the most in property taxes? The answer depends on the measurement. As
The following commentary was originally published Sept. 21, 2026, in Maui Now under the headline “New rules for awarding county grants could boost transparency, but more action needed.”____________ Maui County appropriates tens of millions of dollars in grants to businesses and nonprofits every year, but the protocols for awarding and monitoring
Hawaii’s four counties offer property tax relief programs for residents who live in the home they own. But many homeowners do not know these programs exist or forget to file for them. Each county provides its application forms online. The deadline to apply for property tax relief in Honolulu and
Hawaii’s four counties fund community services such as police, fire, water and sewer in annual operating budgets that start July 1 of each year. So how much is each county planning to spend in this new fiscal year? Honolulu has the largest budget, at nearly $4 billion. Next is Maui
More than 200 homes have been rebuilt in Lahaina after the devastating 2023 wildfires, but the recovery for commercial and multifamily structures remains bleak, according to Grassroot Institute of Hawaii policy analyst Jonathan Helton. Speaking with H. Hawaii Media radio host Johnny Miro on Sunday, Aug. 2, Helton said work
Aug. 3, 2026, 1:30 p.m. Kalana O Maui Building To: Maui County Council Water and Infrastructure Committee Tom Cook Lee, Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Joe Kent, Executive Vice President RE: Bill 1 (2026) — AMENDING THE WATER AVAILABILITY POLICY ON SUBDIVISION CONSTRUCTION PLANS
July 24, 2026, 9 a.m. Kalana O Maui Building To: Maui County Council Alice Lee, Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura, Vice Chair From: Jonathan Helton, Policy Analyst Grassroot Institute of Hawaii RE: Bill 73 (2026) — ON REVIEWING THE MAUI COUNTY GRANTS PROGRAM Aloha Chair Lee, Vice Chair Sugimura and other
A new Maui County law allows two accessory dwelling units on every residential-zoned lot throughout the county, as long as the property has access to fire, water, wastewater and related infrastructure. Mayor Richard Bissen signed Bill 78 (2026) into law July 8, only a day after the Maui County Council
July 7, 2026, 9 a.m. Kalana O Maui Building To: Maui County Council Alice Lee, Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura, Vice Chair From: Jonathan Helton, Policy Analyst Grassroot Institute of Hawaii RE: Bill 73 (2026) — ON REVIEWING THE MAUI COUNTY GRANTS PROGRAM Aloha Chair Lee, Vice Chair Sugimura and other
Oct. 7, 2026, 5 p.m. Velma Santos Community Center To: Maui Department of Management Josiah Nishita, Managing Director Erin Wade, Deputy Managing Director From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns RE: PROPOSED GRANT RULES Aloha Managing Director Nishita, Deputy Managing Director Wade and department staff, The
Each of Hawaii’s four counties levies a property tax on owners of homes, businesses, farms and all other types of property, and those ever-increasing tax bills contribute to the state’s cost of living. So which county residents pay the most in property taxes? The answer depends on the measurement. As
The following commentary was originally published Sept. 21, 2026, in Maui Now under the headline “New rules for awarding county grants could boost transparency, but more action needed.”____________ Maui County appropriates tens of millions of dollars in grants to businesses and nonprofits every year, but the protocols for awarding and monitoring
Hawaii’s four counties offer property tax relief programs for residents who live in the home they own. But many homeowners do not know these programs exist or forget to file for them. Each county provides its application forms online. The deadline to apply for property tax relief in Honolulu and
Hawaii’s four counties fund community services such as police, fire, water and sewer in annual operating budgets that start July 1 of each year. So how much is each county planning to spend in this new fiscal year? Honolulu has the largest budget, at nearly $4 billion. Next is Maui
More than 200 homes have been rebuilt in Lahaina after the devastating 2023 wildfires, but the recovery for commercial and multifamily structures remains bleak, according to Grassroot Institute of Hawaii policy analyst Jonathan Helton. Speaking with H. Hawaii Media radio host Johnny Miro on Sunday, Aug. 2, Helton said work
Aug. 3, 2026, 1:30 p.m. Kalana O Maui Building To: Maui County Council Water and Infrastructure Committee Tom Cook Lee, Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura, Vice Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Joe Kent, Executive Vice President RE: Bill 1 (2026) — AMENDING THE WATER AVAILABILITY POLICY ON SUBDIVISION CONSTRUCTION PLANS
July 24, 2026, 9 a.m. Kalana O Maui Building To: Maui County Council Alice Lee, Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura, Vice Chair From: Jonathan Helton, Policy Analyst Grassroot Institute of Hawaii RE: Bill 73 (2026) — ON REVIEWING THE MAUI COUNTY GRANTS PROGRAM Aloha Chair Lee, Vice Chair Sugimura and other
A new Maui County law allows two accessory dwelling units on every residential-zoned lot throughout the county, as long as the property has access to fire, water, wastewater and related infrastructure. Mayor Richard Bissen signed Bill 78 (2026) into law July 8, only a day after the Maui County Council
July 7, 2026, 9 a.m. Kalana O Maui Building To: Maui County Council Alice Lee, Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura, Vice Chair From: Jonathan Helton, Policy Analyst Grassroot Institute of Hawaii RE: Bill 73 (2026) — ON REVIEWING THE MAUI COUNTY GRANTS PROGRAM Aloha Chair Lee, Vice Chair Sugimura and other
