East Maui residents, take note: Mayor Richard Bissen is bringing the accessible government initiative Holomua Kākou right to your doorsteps next week. For those of you in the rural stretches of Maui County, this could mean better opportunities to make your voices heard without having to travel the distance to county centers. According to a recent announcement, Bissen and his team are setting up shop in East Maui for a two-day stint, aiming to engage directly with the community on home turf.
Specifically, the "Mayor Bissen and Your Team in Your Town" events are scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 20, and Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, you can find the mayor's staff ready to tackle your concerns at Wānanalua Congregational Church's Mother Alice Hall, 10 Hauʻoli Road, Hāna. Mayor Bissen emphasized the significance of such initiatives, saying, "Our residents lead busy lives with work, family and community commitments, and we appreciate the time and valuable insights they share with us," as mentioned on Maui County release.
For those with a taste for evening dialogue, Mayor Bissen will also be holding a community "talk story" on Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Helene Hall Community Center, as per the Maui County. It’s a shot at more informal chitchat, where the concerns of East Maui can be aired in a setting that befits the laid-back atmosphere of a community center soirée. And if you've got a particular bone to pick or an issue to raise, the mayor's office is already taking topics and questions via email at [email protected]
Turning to the practicalities of navigating bureaucracy, the Office of the Mayor has a grant workshop slated for Thursday at Wānanalua Congregational Church, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. County heavy hitters like Chief of Staff Cynthia Lallo and Budget Director Lesley Milner will guide would-be applicants through the ins and outs of grant writing, also, taking questions on the County's grants process.
The Holomua Kākou events are expected to hit Molokaʻi in August and Lānaʻi come September, taking the same brand of accessible local governance on the road to every corner of Maui County.
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