Hale Nanea leaders ask county for up to $100,000 to replace aging roof

James Kimo Apana testified on behalf of Aymoku Kavika Kamae and the Road of Kamehameha Maui Kahekili chapter to request county assistance to replace the roof on Hale Nanea, a community building near the harbor used for low‑cost rentals and cultural events.

Nut graf: Apana said the organization relies on volunteers and low rental rates to serve kupuna, veterans and community groups and cannot absorb a full roof replacement. He said several contractor estimates average about $80,000 but that the group requested $100,000 as a contingency to cover unforeseen conditions and price volatility.

Apana told the committee the majority of chapter members are elderly volunteers who maintain the property by hand but cannot perform a full roof replacement. He said if funds are not used, unused money would be returned to the county. Members asked whether the group had explored grants or reimbursement programs and whether the county’s grant programs could be used; Apana said he was primarily requesting committee help to identify funding and that they had not been included in the mayor’s budget because estimates were not submitted in time.

Committee members advised the group to apply to the department grant program (OEV grants; application materials posted on the county website) and asked staff to follow up on whether existing professional services or grant dollars could assist with the work.

Ending: No appropriation was made at the hearing. The committee encouraged the group to submit a formal application through the county grant process and said staff would follow up on possible sources.