Lawmakers hear hundreds of brief GIA pitches as nonprofits seek funds for wildfire recovery, health and youth services

Honolulu — Representatives of dozens of Hawaii nonprofits delivered short, one‑minute presentations to a joint Senate Ways and Means and House Finance informational briefing on Feb. 14, asking lawmakers for state Grant‑in‑Aid (GIA) funding for projects ranging from wildfire recovery on Maui to local health care, food security and youth programs.

The committees heard rapid testimony from in‑person and Zoom participants; hearing staff limited each organization to one minute and directed that there would be no question‑and‑answer period during the briefing because of the volume of applicants. The committee recessed for floor sessions midmorning and reconvened in the afternoon to continue testimony.

The session covered a wide variety of proposals. West Hawaii Community Health Center asked for funds tied to a workforce housing project in Kaʻū; Rescue Tube Foundation asked for money to expand public rescue‑tube installations on beaches; and several Maui‑based arts, cultural and relief organizations made requests tied to recovery from the 2023 wildfires.

"We are a federally qualified community health center serving 1 in 5 people on the Big Island," said Natasha Ala, executive director for West Hawaii Community Health…