Maui Housing Committee Update

NEWS:

The County Council’s Planning Committee on Aug 3 unanimously approved his Waikapu Development Venture 201-H workforce housing project.

The Piilani Promenade (AKA the Kihei Mega Mall)’s Texas-based developer wants to hold a community meeting in September to review their latest plan, which is to include some AH.

The HHFDC just issued on Aug 29 an RFP for the Keawe Street Apartments project, 200 AH rentals in Lahaina near the Lahaina Civic Center. Qualifiers must have no more than 60% AMI. Proposals are due Oct 31.

AGENDA:

1. Discussion of the July 2018 Special Action Team Affordable Rental Housing Report to the legislature. The Governor was sent a composite of this committee’s comments in a letter dated Aug 13, 2018. The committee members were all concerned that the state is looking only at rental housing, and allotting money for fee simple housing. Rental housing is probably the answer for those with incomes below 70% of AMI, mainly because such families cannot make a 20% down payment required by conventional banks. It was suggested that there be a creation of a County Bank to provide down payment funding for residents.

2. Discussion of the new Housing Reports on Policy and Implementation by SMS, presented to the Housing and Human Concerns Comm on Aug 29. All present expressed concern that another report has said what we already know – we need a plan of action to meet the housing needs of all our residents. The conclusory SMS slide said:

“The County has no one in charge of affordable housing, no plan for affordable housing, and no good data on sites, costs, and specific demand levels.”

It was stated that the only way a developer can get a “one-stop-shop” now is to insist on meeting with all department heads at one time. The report called for solving the perpetuity problem with a Land Trust, but it was reported that the only Community Land Trust on Maui, Na Hale O Maui, is not prepared to take on more projects without more funding and staffing.

*Interested in being involved in the Housing Committee? Contact Stan Franco at franco9114@twc.com

 

Maui Mayoral Forum on Housing

Over 150 people attended Maui's Mayoral Forum on Thursday, June 28 at the Valley Isle Fellowship Church in Wailuku.  Pictured here are the 5 candidates (from left to right in middle: Elle Cochran, Mike Victorino, Laurent Zahnd, Don Guzman, and Beau Hawkes) who uniquely answered questions posed, surrounded by Faith Action leaders.

 

Faith Action hosts Pulitzer-Price winning Filipino journalist & national immigration reform Jose Vargas

More than 200 people from Faith Action and our ally organizations gathered for the Hawaii premiere of Documented, a film about the life of Jose Vargas, a Pulitzer Prize winner who is also an undocumented citizen. After the film, we held a reception where Vargas and community leaders led the group in a conversation about the immigration stories of our family. Vargas has offered to allow Faith Action to show the movie on Maui. For more information on Vargas and Documented, see the October 16 FilAm Courier cover story. Hawaii Coalition for Immigration Reform held a large talk story about the future of immigration work in Hawaii earlier in October. We have big plans for the coming year!

 

Faith Action Leader Wins Filipino Chamber of Commerce Award

Faith Action Leader Joyce Afalla wins the Gintong Pamana Leadership Award from the Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce.

The awards dinner was held at Maui Beach Hotel in June. Joyce has worked with Faith Action on Immigration reform for many years. Most recently, Joyce took leadership in Faith Action’s campaign to have the state offer the written drivers test in 11 languages.

 

Faith Action Maui 2014 MLK, Jr. Day Interfaith Service

A leadership team of Faith Action Maui clergy met November 13 to plan for Faith Action's 2014 MLK Day Interfaith Service to be held the evening of Monday, January 20. Rev. Jori Lokboj, the Senior Pastor at the Maui Marshallese Ministry, hosted the breakfast meeting at his home in Kahului and Father Bill Albinger, Rector of Holy Innocents Episcopal Church in Lahaina, chaired the meeting.

The theme of this year’s event will be “Economic Justice For All”, and will raise up scripture on this topic from many faiths. The service will be held at Christ the King in Kahului at 6:00 pm. All are invited.

This year’s keynote speaker is Rev. Walter Brownridge, Dean of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, O’ahu. An active member of Faith Action, Rev. Brownridge has decades of experience working for social justice throughout the United States and South Africa where he served as a Canon at St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town and worked closely with Bishop Desmond Tutu.

Mahalo to all of the Maui Clergy helping to make this interfaith service meaningful for all who care about faith and social justice.

 

Faith Action Maui Celebrates Martin Luther King

More than 230 people attended Faith Action Maui’s 2nd Annual MLK Day Interfaith Service this year at Christ the King. The service celebrated Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and faith. After an opening prayer from CTK Senior Pastor Father Adondee, the service was lead by UCC, Episcopal, Catholic and Methodist leaders from across Maui. This year’s theme was Economic Justice for All.

 

Maui Hosts Annual Monster Mash Halloween Party

This year’s Monster Mash was high-energy family fun! We had Monster Mash Musical Chairs, Gecko Toss, Chef Jo’s Spooky Chili, games prizes, dancing and more at this year’s Monster Mash.

Big Mahalos to St. Theresa Church in Kihei and everyone who helped make this year’s fundraiser a success!

 

Maui Kicks Off Health Care Sign-Ups

A contract was signed with the Hawaii Health Connector on November 1 to begin training Maui Kokua. Trainees will help Maui families navigate their new health insurance options under the Affordable Care Act.

Ten Maui residents began intensive training on November 15 and began public outreach in early December.

Nationally, more than 1 million people have signed up for affordable health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Hawaii’s numbers are lagging, in part because such a high percentage of Hawaii residents already have health insurance under our unique Pre-Paid Health Care Act.

 

New Radio Station

St. Theresa celebrates the opening of Immaculate Heart Radio in Hawaii!  Listen in at 740 AM.