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Nonprofit group worries Hawaiian cultural events could fall prey to Maui budget cuts

 

A nonprofit organization that holds free Hawaiian cultural festivals is worried those events won’t be able to continue because of county budget cuts, the Maui News reported Thursday.

MauiFEST is among the nonprofits that saw their funding slashed this week after the Maui County Council voted against a plan to double the minimum property tax and was forced to make cuts to offset the lost revenue.

Ken Martinez Burgmaier, a MauiFEST founder, said it is uncertain whether festivals in Hana and on Molokai can continue without the $14,000 from the county budget.

"It would be terrible to stop this festival just cold like this," he said. The organization holds free Hawaiian cultural festivals with films and music in Hana and on Lanai and Molokai.

Hospice Maui saw $250,000 trimmed from the county budget which would have gone toward the construction of a $6 million, 12-bed facility. "We realize there are a lot of needs out there, and ours is one, too," said hospice Executive Director Greg LaGoy.

Maui Visitors Bureau’s funding was cut by $150,000, which could hamper efforts to increase its reach to international markets such as Japan, South Korea and China, said Executive Director Terryl Vencl.

Council members on Tuesday voted to keep the minimum property tax at $150.

Late in the budget process, some farmers and ranchers testified they would be especially impacted by an increase because they pay property taxes on numerous parcels they lease.

The council is expected to approve the $564.7 million budget next month.

 

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