Budget, Finance, and Economic Development (BFED) Committee Meeting of April 25, 2025, PM Session YouTube video by Maui County Council

When the Maui County budget is finalized and we face countless social and economic issues due to a lack of consideration of the imminent environmental, political, and international travel realities, remember who was in charge of the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget:

www.youtube.com/live/GsSRsVS...

Why Today April 30th Should Be a National Holiday Fifty years ago today, on April 30, 1975, Vietnam defeated the United States of America.

From Yesterday:

Why Today April 30th Should Be a National Holiday www.michaelmoore.com/p/why-today-...

Has International Travel to the U.S. Really Collapsed? Despite some ominous signs, a close look at the data shows that travel to the United States is largely holding up — at least so far.

In March 2025, Maui has already seen a 12% decrease in Canadian visitors compared to March '24 (6 months after the Lahaina fires) and a 30% decrease compared to March 2019.

Our Mayor and County Council need to approve a robust budget that prepares for this reality.

www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

PUC's need to better engage the communities they serve. Commissions could allow consumers to comment on regulatory proceedings online or in person, and provide intervenor compensation that covers the legal fees of advocates and stakeholders so that more groups can get involved in ratemaking cases.

Rising utility bills have Americans worried As Trump’s policies threaten to raise utility bills, a new poll finds broad concern over costs — and little knowledge of the regulators that control rates.

Four in five respondents to the poll said they felt powerless to control increasing utility costs. Around 60% — across all political affiliations — said they don’t think their state governments are sufficiently protecting consumers when regulating utilities.
www.canarymedia.com/articles/uti...

Balcony solar took off in Germany. Why not the US? From breaker-masking to voltage mismatches to building safety codes, America’s grid isn’t ready for balcony solar power — yet.

Balcony solar took off in Germany. Why not the US? |

Ofenheusle has worked with other advocates to amend grid safety standards, create simple online registration for plug-in devices, and enshrine renters’ right to balcony solar.
grist.org/energy/balco...