Mar 30, 2011 | Community
The Focus Maui Nui process identified the key role of government in responding to community values and needs, and the importance of open, ongoing communication. To promote this dialogue, we continue a series of profiles of newly appointed County Department Directors.
Sandy Baz had to hit the ground running when he took up his appointment as the County’s Budget Director in January this year—he had only a few weeks to prepare incoming Mayor Arakawa’s budget for Fiscal Year 2012, the period running from July 2011 through June 2012. The Mayor presented his Budget proposal in mid-March, and over the coming weeks, the proposal will be deliberated upon by the Council with input from Department Directors, discussed in public hearings attended by the Council across the County, and a final version adopted by June.
Baz’s main responsibility is preparing and administering the County budget. The budget cycle begins in August, when County Departments begin submitting funding requests, and initial public testimony to provide community input takes place in all County planning districts. The Budget Director and staff review, analyze and coordinate Department requests and shape the budget proposal in concert with the Mayor, who sets policy priorities.
Baz was born and raised on Maui and is a graduate of St. Anthony High School. He holds a degree in business management and is a winner of the Pacific Business News “Forty Under 40” award in addition to other leadership awards. As the former Executive Director of MEO, Baz reflects, “I look forward to drawing on my previous experience to improve accountability and specifically to link performance criteria to measurable outcomes. I am enjoying my role of aligning the mission and goals of the County and its Departments with the needs of the community and within the financial resources available.”
Mar 24, 2011 | Environment
Ten things you can do to protect the Environment:
- Buy local
- Car pool to work
- Grow native plants in your yard
- Use biodegradable products whenever possible
- Install rooftop photovoltaic panels for hot water
- Maintain your car, especially if it’s an older model
- Support your local watershed partnership
- Adopt your favorite park and help keep it tidy
- Teach your children to protect the environment
- Turn off lights in unoccupied rooms
What else can we do to protect the environment? Leave us a comment and share your ideas!
Mar 17, 2011 | Environment
PDC World Disaster Alerts app on iPad
Disaster Alert, the free app developed by the Kihei-based Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) for iOS devices (iPhone, iPod touch and iPad) and Google’s Android platform, was featured in an article published today in the online version of USA Today.
A shorter version is expected to appear in the weekend print edition of USA Today. PDC has been advised that the article may be featured on CNN this Sunday, March 10th, at 2.30 p.m. EST.
The article describes the spike in disaster app downloads following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11th. Downloads of PDC’s Disaster Alert tripled from the average of 3,500 downloads per week, and has now reached close to 100,000 downloads, ranked #30 and #41 top free (News) for iPad and iPhone, respectively.
Disaster Alert provides instant access to global “active hazards”, including weather-related disasters, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. The USA Today article quotes PDC Executive Director Ray Shirkhodai: “We harvest and present a lot of data from more than 65 trusted sources and mark those that are potentially dangerous.” The app monitors multiple agencies in real time, and information can be disseminated well ahead of mainstream media broadcasts.
The Disaster Alert app launch was featured in a Focus Maui Nui article published by the Maui News on August 16, 2010.
Mar 16, 2011 | Community, Environment
All volunteers who make a difference in the community by improving the environment deserve recognition, but volunteering every day for ten years and transforming an unkempt coastline into a thriving native ecosystem represents an extraordinary achievement.
Mike Perry, retired Lahaina Postmaster, has been instrumental in transforming 20 acres of Kanaha Beach Park, makai of the airport in Kahului, into a well-cared for habitat that supports diverse native plants and wildlife. Over the years, and with occasional help, Perry has cleared trash, pruned the understory of trees, trimmed back the kiawe, tended the Park’s wetlands, removed invasive weeds – an ongoing, endless chore – and nurtured heritage species that are now protecting the natural dunes.
“The County takes care of the campground in the park and mows the grassy areas, and Maui Community Work Day removes the green waste, but there’s a lot to do. I always welcome help, and there’s a lot that volunteers can learn about a unique environment of native plants growing naturally in a beachfront setting,” says Perry. (Volunteers can reach Perry through Maui Community Work Day). “Because this work does not depend on outside funding or grants, it’s sustainable all the while the voluntary effort continues,” he adds. Many locations around the State benefit from one-time improvement grants and volunteer labor, but Kanaha is special because of Perry’s ever-presence.
Before transforming Kanaha one section at a time, Perry taught himself about native plants. He apprenticed as a volunteer with Maui Community Work Day, the Nature Conservancy, and the Sierra Club, and on environmental projects on Molokai and the Big Island. “Over the years, Kanaha became a pleasant, family-friendly beach park,” observes Sharon Balidoy, coach of Lae`ula O Kai canoe club, which has been based at the park for 20 years. “Mike Perry is a treasure. He is a one-man force who tirelessly works hard and has made a significant difference in our community.”
Mar 14, 2011 | Innovation
Baldwin Robotics team rocked this weekend at the FIRST Robotics Competition’s San Diego Regional tournament by making it to the finals. Although their alliance ultimately lost their final match, they did an outstanding job representing their school and Maui. You can see the final match here. Baldwin is team #2439.
