Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee (2025-2027) - 2026-04-22
Meeting Intelligence Preview
Meeting Summary
The Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee met on April 22, 2026, to continue reviewing the proposed FY27 budget. Key actions included approving $3 million for the Homestead Community Development Corporation's PARIS affordable rental program (8-1 vote), $1.8 million from water supply carryover savings for airborne electromagnetic data collection to map West Maui aquifers, and $3 million for upcountry wildfire rebuild recovery. The committee also made significant cuts to Parks and Recreation CIP projects totaling approximately $4.45 million, including $3.5 million from the Kamaole 1 Malka parking lot project and $500,000 from countywide fencing improvements.
Key Decisions (11)
PARIS Affordable Rental Program Funding
Added $3 million grant to Homestead Community Development Corporation for the Permanently Affordable Rental Unit Strategy program to purchase single-family or multi-family homes for affordable rentals. The organization currently operates 9 units in Maui County, all occupied by wildfire survivors.
West Maui Aquifer Electromagnetic Data Collection
Appropriated $1.8 million from water supply carryover savings for airborne electromagnetic (AEM) data collection to characterize West Maui groundwater aquifers. Joint project between Maui County Department of Water Supply, University of Hawaii, USGS, and State Commission on Water Resource Management.
Upcountry Wildfire Rebuild Recovery Funding
Added $3 million condition under Office of Recovery for upcountry wildfire rebuild, recovery and mitigation from the August 2023 wildfire. Chair Sugimura to provide white paper with implementation details before first reading.
Hospice Maui Rural Care Funding Increase
Increased Hospice Maui's Caring Close to Home and Rural Hospice and Palliative Care program by $750,000 for a total of $1 million to support rural areas including Molokai that lack hospice facilities.
Maui AIDS Foundation Funding Increase
Added $340,000 to Maui AIDS Foundation under Department of Human Concerns for a total of $700,000 to help offset potential federal funding cuts of $1.5 million and cover increased medication costs.
Lanai Kinaole Healthcare Funding Increase
Increased Lanai Kinaole line item by $425,000 for a total of $600,000 to support healthcare services including cancer fund, chiropractic care, podiatry, massage therapy, physical therapy, transportation, and adult daycare development.
Kamaole 1 Malka Parking Lot Project Removal
Removed $3.5 million ($1.7 million bond fund, $1.8 million park assessment fund) for Kamaole 1 Malka parking lot and restroom project as department indicated it is not shovel-ready and still waiting on permitting.
Parks Countywide Fencing Improvements Reduction
Reduced countywide fencing improvements CIP by $250,000 from $5 million after department indicated they could not realistically complete $5 million worth of fencing improvements in the fiscal year.
Parks Contingency Fund Reduction
Member Cook's proposal to reduce countywide parks facilities contingency fund by $1 million was rejected. The fund currently has $7.15 million for construction cost overruns.
Scouting America Camp Maluhia Capital Improvements
Added $500,000 for Scouting America Aloha Council for capital improvements to Camp Maluhia including road work, pool repairs, cabin roof repairs, and kitchen work.
DHHL Water Infrastructure Conditions
Added conditions for $10 million, $11 million, and $8.3 million in General Excise Tax Fund for DHHL projects including Kalaiola temporary housing water improvements, Wahikuli water transmission line, and Lanai Kayo Ulua project, conditioned on execution of tri-party agreement for transfer of 332 acres from HHFDC to DHHL.
Development Activity (5)
PARIS Affordable Rental Program
9 existing units (3 in Lahaina, 3 in Kihei, 3 in Wailuku) with plans to add ADUs and acquire 2-4 additional units. All current units occupied by Maui wildfire survivors.
Kalaiola Temporary Housing Water Infrastructure
$10 million for permanent water system improvements including 16-inch transmission line from Lahaina Civic Center pump station to Wahikuli Reservoir tank
Villages of Leali'i Land Transfer
Transfer of approximately 332 acres from Hawaii Housing Finance Development Corporation to Department of Hawaiian Homelands for future homestead development, with HHFDC retaining approximately 31 acres for permanent affordable housing
Kayo Ulua Lanai Housing
$8.3 million for shared offsite infrastructure for DHHL future housing projects on Lanai
Maui Land and Pineapple Water System Acquisition
Negotiations ongoing for acquisition of water system assets and potentially land from Maui Land and Pineapple to integrate private water systems into municipal system
Market Signals (5)
Housing Demand
All 9 PARIS affordable rental units in Maui County are occupied by wildfire survivors, demonstrating continued displacement and housing demand from the 2023 fires.
Infrastructure
West Maui faces water source constraints limiting affordable housing development; $1.8 million approved for aquifer mapping to identify new well locations and sustainable yield.
Housing Demand
Lanai's combined DHHL and affordable housing projects are expected to eliminate the island's housing waitlist entirely.
Commercial Demand
Hospice Maui requesting expanded funding for rural areas indicates aging population healthcare infrastructure gaps in Molokai and other rural communities.
Infrastructure
Department of Water Supply pursuing acquisition of Maui Land and Pineapple water system assets and land to consolidate private systems into municipal infrastructure.