Maui Council addresses dengue, economy

By Christie Wilson
Neighbor Island Editor

WAILUKU, Maui — A Maui County Council committee yesterday took up a proposed bill addressing two issues that are endangering the island's health and well-being: the economic impact of the Sept. 11 East Coast terror attacks and dengue fever.

Mayor James "Kimo" Apana submitted a budget amendment Oct. 8 that would identify $1.5 million in public service company tax revenue for an emergency aid program for workers who lost their jobs or experienced reduced hours in the wake of the terrorist attacks.

Concerned about Maui's battle with the ongoing dengue fever outbreak, council members had decided to amend the request to add spending for public health measures to prevent an epidemic.

The money would come from a $4 million "rainy day" fund the council had left unallocated in the fiscal-year budget.

State health officials reported at yesterday's meeting of the Budget and Finance Committee that they are running a $60,000 deficit in fighting the outbreak and have no available money.

Councilman Alan Arakawa suggested a $1 million addition to the county budget for dengue fever efforts, but council members decided to hold off on approving further financing after Apana told them he would speak with state Health Director Bruce Anderson about boosting state support.

To encourage residents to keep their properties free of mosquito-breeding areas, the committee gave approval for a separate budget amendment that would waive the $6 landfill visit fee.

The committee also voted unanimously to recommend full council approval of the $1.5 million budget amendment for Apana's proposed three-month Hawai'i Emergency Laulima Partnership (HELP) program, to be managed by the nonprofit Maui Economic Opportunity Inc.

The program would provide an estimated 3,000 vouchers averaging $460 each to help financially strapped workers with housing, food, utility and medical expenses.

The council yesterday added the requirement that it receive updates every two weeks on how the money is being spent.