County immigrant-services office adds passport photo service, reports 468 applications accepted since Sept. 2024

Deputy Director Jessica Krause and Immigrant Services Program Coordinator Joannu Bernadis told the Maui County What's Up Committee on July 21 that the county's Immigrant Services Division now operates a U.S. passport acceptance facility and began offering on-site passport photo services July 1, 2025.

Bernadis said the division, authorized as a U.S. Department of State passport acceptance facility, accepted 468 passport applications between its start in September 2024 and the committee briefing and that the addition of on-site photo services "enhances our accessibility as a one-stop shop for passport photos and applications." She also said the division is the only non-postal passport acceptance facility on Maui and that staff are trained and authorized to process Department of State forms.

Nut graf: The division has expanded nonlegal assistance and document-navigation services for immigrants, including passport acceptance and a new photo service to reduce travel and paperwork barriers. The office also manages grants that connect residents to legal immigration services through nonprofit partners and is exploring mobile passport services and workforce-development collaborations.

Bernadis described a range of nonlegal supports the division provides: help creating online accounts, submitting payments and case inquiries to USCIS, retrieving immigration entry documents and FOIA requests, arranging appointments, and making referrals to accredited legal-service providers. The division manages two grants: a Pacific Gateway Center grant for access to legal immigration services and a new fiscal-year grant with Maui Roots Reborn focused on immigrant rights and interactions with law enforcement.

On passport specifics, staff said they accept appointments Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., accommodate walk-ins when possible, and have trained staff authorized by the State Department. Passport and related fees provided at the briefing: adult passport book $130; adult passport card $30; expedited processing $60; 1-2 day mailing $22.05; minor passport book $100; minor passport card $15. The immigrant fee for new arrivals (paid to USCIS) is $235, presenters said.

Committee members asked about client privacy, legal referrals and precautions if enforcement agents approach the office. Bernadis said passport applications are sent directly to the U.S. Department of State and that the office does not retain copies of applications. On enforcement concerns, staff said they refer clients to legal partners and promised to follow up on whether the office can adopt policies that would prohibit weapons or require identification for armed agents entering county offices.

Ending: Members requested written follow-up on enforcement-procedure questions and discussed publicizing passport and legal-resource services. Bernadis said the division will continue outreach, explore mobile services, and partner with workforce agencies for job-readiness programs to support immigrant residents' integration.