Mayor Richard T. Bissen, Jr. today presented the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Proposed Budget to Maui County Council, emphasizing the plan’s focus on recovery, long-term resilience and a balanced approach to countywide priorities.

“Over the past year, our community has faced immense challenges — and through strong partnerships with the County Council and our community, we’ve stood united in our shared commitment to serving the people of Maui County,” said Mayor Bissen. “This year’s budget is guided by the theme of kahua — a Hawaiian concept meaning ‘foundation,’ and it is our reminder to care for our people, protect our ʻāina, respect our culture and honor our history.”

Mayor Bissen also announced that for the first time in 100 years, the County of Maui Mayor’s Budget Message will be formally delivered to the County Clerk in both English and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.

“This milestone reflects our continued commitment to cultural restoration and inclusion, and it marks the beginning of our native language being returned to an equal status in Maui County government,” Mayor Bissen said.

The FY 2026 budget process began in September 2024 with eight community meetings held across Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi. These meetings informed key priorities and ensured the budget reflects the needs and voices of residents.

As a result, the proposed county funded budget for the coming year is $1.512 billion. The county also anticipates receiving $357.6 million in grant funds and has allocated $121.2 million in revolving funds to continue the critical work of disaster recovery while also advancing long-term sustainability, improving countywide infrastructure and enhancing quality of life across Maui Nui.

Key FY 2026 proposed budget highlights:

• Real property tax relief: No increases are proposed for any category, with owner-occupied properties seeing a reduction. The minimum tax remains unchanged, and existing exemptions for long-term rentals, kuleana lands and properties destroyed in the August 2023 fires will remain in place.
• Financial health: The County remains in strong fiscal condition with an excellent bond rating. Debt service is projected at $76.5 million — only 6.2% of operating expenditures and well below the County’s self-imposed 10% cap.
• Emergency preparedness: $25 million has been allocated to the Emergency Fund, with plans to explore the creation of a fiscal reserve fund to further strengthen readiness and response capabilities.
• CDBG-DR funding: Maui County has secured $1.6 billion in Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding. The County has six years to deploy these funds, with extensions available. A dedicated team is in place, with 10 key positions filled and 75 applications under review to support 40 additional hires.
• Public safety: Investments include expanded police radio coverage, standardization of the Fire Department fleet, and new MEMA staff positions to improve coordination and community outreach.

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The FY 2026 proposed budget focuses on three core priorities:

1. Kamaʻāina Housing

• Over $40 million in General Excise Tax funding is proposed for water and wastewater infrastructure to support housing.
• $32.5 million (5% of real property tax revenue) is allocated to the Affordable Housing Fund—exceeding the 3% charter minimum.
• Twelve housing projects, totaling 843 units, are proposed for funding in FY 2026.
• A new affordable housing project is planned for Lānaʻi.
• Nearly 620 units were completed last year, with over 1,200 more anticipated within the next two years, not including housing projects to be funded by CDBG-DR.
• Key infrastructure investments include the Waiʻale Road Extension and upgrades to wastewater treatment facilities in Central Maui.

2. Recovery and Well-Being

• Continued support for nonprofit partners providing essential health, education, and social services.
• Funding for the Safe Parking Program and houseless outreach and medical services.
• $1 million for a new shade structure at One Aliʻi Park (Molokaʻi) and $1.1 million for park and ADA improvements in East Maui.
• Transportation initiatives include a new electric bus for Maui Economic Opportunity and funding to assess a potential County-owned ferry system.
• Economic development efforts will expand through investments in diversification, workforce development, education, and research—supporting a sustainable economy for future generations.

3. Cultural and Natural Resources

• Pending federal funding, the County is pursuing acquisition of 423 acres to connect Pōhākea (Mā‘alaea Mauka) to the ocean—supporting reef restoration and stormwater management.
• Collaboration with Mā‘alaea Village Association to plan a regional wastewater system.
• Funding for an Upcountry wastewater study.
• Over $10.5 million in grants proposed for local farming, food production, and animal management.

“This budget is a blueprint for Maui County’s future — grounded in kahua and kuleana,” Mayor Bissen said. “With the support of our Council and a shared commitment to our community, we move forward with unity, purpose and aloha — dedicated to building a stronger Maui Nui for generations to come.”

The full FY 2026 proposed budget is available on the County of Maui website at www.mauicounty.gov/budget. To view the FY 2026 proposed budget presentation online, visit the County of Maui Facebook page or www.akaku.org and click on Channel 53.