Committee recommends $1.5 million in county funds to restart Maui County Fair; budget details to be posted

The Maui County Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee voted 9–0 to recommend passage on first reading of Bill 7, a fiscal‑year 2025 budget amendment to appropriate $1,500,000 in carryover general‑fund savings to Festivals of Aloha Inc. for the 2025 Maui County Fair.

Managing Director Josiah Nishita, speaking for the administration, said the county is partnering with local organizers to restore the fair after a multi‑year hiatus. "We truly wanna make this the county fair and as a part of the overall budget," Nishita said, and thanked the Maui Fair Alliance and many volunteers for prior work on the event.

Nishita and Daryl Fujiwara, the event coordinator assisting the county, told the committee organizers plan to retain core traditions, including a special day for people with disabilities and a parade, while reimagining elements that depend on equipment or vendors no longer available after the pandemic. "We are considering to keep that same day and time available for everyone that had special needs," Fujiwara said.

Budget Director Leslie Milner said the transmittal identifies intended uses including transportation, entertainment and agricultural exhibits and that a detailed budget breakdown would be posted to Granicus and provided to committee members. The administration described higher costs compared with pre‑COVID years — citing increased shipping, replacement of equipment and higher costs for security and specialized ride operators. "The nature of all the costs going up significantly" was a factor in the $1.5 million figure, Nishita said.

Committee members asked how the county will preserve booth continuity for nonprofits, support vendors from fire‑impacted communities such as West Maui, and improve access for residents of Molokai and Lanai. Nishita and Fujiwara said the administration plans to explore charter ferry runs and shuttles to bring neighbor‑island residents to the fair and noted the budget contains allocations for Molokai and Lanai travel. Milner said the county does not anticipate cutting grants to nonprofits because of funds they may raise at the fair.

Members also questioned a $53,000 discrepancy in the draft income/expense spreadsheet. The administration acknowledged a formatting or cell‑entry error and committed to circulating a corrected, balanced budget worksheet the same day.

The motion to recommend passage on first reading was moved and seconded; the committee recorded 9 ayes, 0 nos. Committee members said they expect the administration and Daryl Fujiwara to provide an updated budget and logistics details, and to return with additional information before final council action.

The committee closed public testimony; no members of the public signed up to speak on the item.