Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission approves small FY25 budget amendment to reallocate grants

The Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission on Feb. 26, 2025 approved an amendment to its fiscal year 2025 operating budget that increases the operating total by $17,864, a change officials said reflects grant reallocations and the removal of a delayed state contract.

Executive Director Mike said the change reflects adding a Maui County Greens grant “which is about a hundred thousand dollars” and moving that grant’s funding into the ocean program. He told commissioners the Greens grant will increase ocean-program personnel costs by about $45,000 and non-personnel costs by about $55,000.

The amendment also removes anticipated reimbursements from a Department of Health contract for a restoration project that staff said will not be executed this fiscal year. Paul, a restoration program staffer, told commissioners the Department of Health contract remains unsigned and explained the delay: “they were working on water issues over Lahaina” and the agency’s contracting staff were reassigned, making the Kahoʻolawe contract a lower priority.

Staff described the net effect as a $19,000 reduction in personnel reimbursements and about $62,000 in non-personnel reimbursements tied to the DOH contract, producing an overall reduction in restoration-program reimbursables of about $82,000. After accounting for the Greens grant and other adjustments, the budget amendment yields the $17,864 increase.

Commissioner Mata'afa asked how the DOH contract delay affected operations; Paul said staff have redirected time to road maintenance, fire breaks and other work and noted the commission has received plant donations and other in-kind support.

The commission approved the amendment by roll-call vote. Vice Chair Saito, Commissioner Chang, Commissioner Monta Awa and Commissioner Souza voted yes. The motion passed.