RAM GAD POD - Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura, Upcountry representative and Chair of the Water, Infrastructure, and Transportation Committee

RAM GAD POD

This episode is both an update and an interview. The Interview starts at the 6:50 mark, where I am joined by Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura, Council representative for the Upcountry residency area and Chair of the Water, Infrastructure, and Transportation Committee. Councilmember Sugimura was born and raised in Wailuku, and has been interested in politics since her days as a high school student. Yuki is extremely personable, and she was a delight to talk to. If you enjoy this interview, I highly recommend visiting her at the Upcountry Farmers Marker for her monthly Talk Story with Yuki outreach program.

The update at the start covers the following:

Opportunity to Testify: The Environmental, Agricultural, and Cultural Preservation Committee will be meeting on Tuesday, February 18th, at 1:30 p.m., to discuss a bill restricting the use and sale of single-use plastic disposable foodware. I support this legislation, and I encourage you all to look into it and provide your own testimony on the issue. From a policy standpoint, RAM believes our island’s well being depends on our beaches and RAM supports the maintenance of a robust beach environment as a key to a sustainable long-term plan for Maui. Reducing litter and the proliferation of micro-plastics throughout our island is an important step in protecting our beaches and I commend the County Council for moving in that direction.

West Maui Community Plan - The West Maui Community Plan Advisory Committee has two meetings scheduled for next week. Agendas should be available on the CPAC webpage by the end of this week, but dates are as follow:

• Tuesday, Feb. 18th at 5:30 p.m. in Keopuolani Hall at Waiola Church
• Thursday, Feb. 20th at 5:30 p.m. in the Social Hall at the Lahaina Civic Center

Wailuku Community Association - Upcoming 2020 Annual Wailuku Community Association Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 12th from 5-7 p.m. at the Empanada Lady restaurant. The guest speaker will be Erin Wade discussing the 1st phase of infrastructure updates in Wailuku and alternate parking locations.

Habitat for Humanity 12th Annual Build-A-Thon - Mark your calendars for Friday, Feb. 21st and Saturday, Feb. 22nd for Habitat Maui’s annual Build-a-Thon. The Build-a-Thon is a public awareness and fundraising event. Participants are asked to raise a minimum of $100/person in pledges and spend a day on the construction site helping Habitat build affordable housing in Lahaina. Lunch, snack, and door prizes will be provided, and available times are from 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. To sign up or for more information call [phone] or email [e-mail].