Sustainable Molokai leaders asked the Maui County Budget Committee to continue funding programs that advance local food production, a planned food hub/resiliency center and renewable-energy planning for Molokai.

Tihani Kaalikahi, executive director of Sustainable Molokai, said the organization completed phase 1 of its food hub and resiliency-center planning — including needs assessment, feasibility studies, site selection work and concept design — and requested “a hundred thousand dollars in operational support to sustain and grow our ongoing programs” and support for renewable energy planning across Molokai. Robert N. Shizuma (representing the Molokai Clean Energy Hui and Sustainable Molokai) asked the council to ensure hazard-mitigation planning incorporates prior community outreach and reports, rather than relying primarily on an online survey process by a consultant (Tetra Tech).

Why it matters: Speakers said the work would increase local food production, strengthen food security and advance community-based renewable energy projects. Sustainable Molokai described a “Mahi Aina” cattle-feed pilot and a fast-track solar/renewable project planned at the Kalaupapa/Qualipoo Recreation Center (Qualipoo rec center was named in testimony) and said county support would help unlock further federal funding and implementation steps.

Funding and implementation details: Tanya Mindiha, Sustainable Molokai project manager, asked for $200,000 for Molokai toward staffing and implementation of resiliency hub development and noted small planning grants already secured for renewable-energy analysis. Committee members discussed how prior county-commissioned reports (CRAP — Community Resilience Action Plan — and climate adaptation summaries) could be incorporated into hazard mitigation planning to support FEMA and other funding processes.

No formal county action was taken at the hearing; speakers asked the council to consider recurring resiliency-hub funding and to coordinate with MEMA and emergency-management offices to ensure sustainable, community-led planning and implementation.