October 25, 2023 |
A delegation from Hawaii, including officials from Maui will meet with officials in Washington D.C. this week to seek further assistance for Maui County since the wildfires.
The primary objective is to evaluate current recovery allocations and to discuss the potential for additional resources to facilitate economic recovery and both immediate and sustainable relief for the county, according to a news release on Tuesday.
Among those in the delegation include Maui County Council Vice Chairwoman Yuki Lei Sugimura, who is also the chairwoman of the council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee.
In a news release, Sugimura said “Our journey towards recovery has been uplifted thanks to the incredible support from the private sector and our sister islands. This endeavor to D.C. is a manifestation of that unity. With heartfelt gratitude, we’re committed to securing what Maui County truly needs.”
The delegation’s primary activities in Washington D.C. include scheduled meetings with Hawaii’s congressional delegation, officials from the Small Business Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Economic Development Administration, Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the White House, and members of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Organizations and leaders represented in the delegation include; Maui County Office of the Mayor, Honolulu City Council, Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Maui Economic Opportunity, Maui United Way, Maui Economic Development Board, Hawaii Community Foundation and ‘Aina Aloha Economic Futures.
Sherry Menor-McNamara, president and CEO of Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, “Maui’s resilience is about more than immediate relief; it’s about a long-term vision to strengthen our economy, safeguard jobs, and rebuild our community. We’re determined to ensure this message resonates in the corridors of Washington.”
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