We apologize for the last minute reminder of three VERY important meetings happening simultaneously TONIGHT. (Do you ever get the feeling that these things are scheduled this way for a reason?) -Sometimes we feel that way too.

Weʻre going to break them down for you (in no particular order of importance or time of meeting), so that you can best share your manaʻo (thoughts, feelings) where you feel you are able.

BF-70 Meeting – County Council bldg, 8th fl (Council Chambers) at 5pm.

The County Council will be hearing the continuance of the BF-70 hearing. We have been told that no further public testimony will be taken at the meeting, but you can still email the Budget and Finance Committee (Chair Riki Hokama and Vice Chair Mike White) at: bf.committee@mauicounty.us. PLEASE head down and support our farmers. You MUST arrive at the County Bldg no later than 5pm to enter through the main doors, otherwise you will have to use the lower parking garage entrance to get into the bldg.

View the full bill here: http://www.co.maui.hi.us/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/21313

County Manager Special Committee Meeting – UHMC, Pilina Multi-Purpose Room at 5pm

Mayor or Manager? That is the question we could decide for ourselves on our upcoming election ballots for Maui County. We have all experienced the problems and issues of having a mayor who is able to hire directors and deputies to oversee departments that make critical and crucial decisions for all of us OR are in charge of services that we depend on (and PAY FOR). Each mayoral election brings with it huge transition costs, loss of knowledge and shake-ups in those departments we depend on for stability and continuity of services. We need to hire department directors and deputies who have proven experience and meet basic minimum requirements of solid job descriptions. We need to recognize that our County is complex and the way it may have been run decades ago under a mayor-led system might have worked then, but not now. The needs of our county are rapidly changing and we need solid leadership with knowledge and experience in fulfilling the requirements of their job. We need more timely accountability from our departments. We need a better system.

You can submit testimony before the committee in person this evening at 5p, OR you can email your testimony to: Governance.Committee@mauicounty.us.

Water Use Development Plan (WUDP) Meetings – various locations

YOU have the opportunity to help plan the future of water use on Maui. We see how precious water is with the recent struggle in the State House to our very own struggles here of Nā Wai ʻEhā, the Kalo farmers of East Maui and developers blaming lack of water for inability to build required affordable housing.

ALL meetings will be held from 6p-8:30p. See: http://www.co.maui.hi.us for full schedule, FAQs and workshop schedules.

Central Maui – TONIGHT Velma-McWayne Community Center (off Lower Beach Road; aka Wailuku Comm Ctr)

West Maui – NEXT THURSDAY (March 17th) Lāhaina Civic Center

Upcountry – MONDAY (March 21st) Eddie Tam Memorial Center

East Maui – TUESDAY (April 19th) Hāna Community Center – Helene Hall