Calling all members and non-members in the Maui wedding and event industry…we need your voices and we need them now! Let Maui County know that the Wedding & Events industry needs their support.
We need support to ensure the $300K slotted to help promote our industry in the proposed budget passes. The Mayor is in support but the council needs to hear from us.
Below are three ways to show up and some resources to help. Feel free to participate in all three and pass this on to your colleagues. The more voices the better! Deadline: ASAP but latest is 4/24/25.
Testify in person
Testifying in person has the most impact! The upcoming dates/times for County Council Budget meetings are listed below.
- Monday, 4/21 at 9AM
- Tuesday, 4/22 at 9AM
- Wednesday, 4/23 at 9AM
- Thursday, 4/24 at 9AM
WHERE: The meetings take place in the Kalana O Maui Building in Wailuku (200 S. High St.) on the 8th floor. If you need information about testifying in person, please reach out to Brian [email protected] or Darren [email protected]
Two Ways to Testify In Writing
Comment
Click the link below to view the scheduled budget meetings. To leave written testimony, “comment” on one of the meetings. Click into a meeting and near the agenda, click the grey “comment” button to leave your testimony.
https://mauicounty.granicusideas.com/meetings
Additionally, you can email your testimony directly to the council (scroll down for addresses)
Resources to make testifying quick and easy!
Ideas for Your Message:
- Tell them your personal story and inform them that each wedding provides a large number of jobs and income.
- The Maui Wedding & Event industry is large, united, and made up primarily of small, locally owned businesses.
- We contribute millions of dollars annually to Maui’s economy and provide employment and opportunity for thousands of residents.
- A significant portion of the income stays on island, directly supporting local families, services, and small businesses.
- Our work supports the vision of regenerative tourism—by encouraging meaningful, respectful, and intentional travel that connects deeply with Maui’s culture, land, and people.
- The industry has endured five extremely difficult years due to the pandemic, economic uncertainty, and the devastating fires. We need your help to recover.
- Maui has a chance to become a model for a values-driven, community-rooted event industry—one that prioritizes cultural respect, environmental stewardship, and authentic connection.
- With your support, we can continue to host significant life events that serve both our community and visitors, and help lead Maui into a resilient, regenerative future.
Sample Message
Pressed for time but still want to help? Here is a sample message. Feel free to copy & customize.
Subject: Support for Maui’s Wedding & Event Industry
Aloha Council Members,
I’m the owner of ___________ and have been in business on Maui for ______years. I’m writing to ask for your support of the Maui Wedding & Event industry. We are a large and united group, made up primarily of small, locally owned businesses that contribute significantly to Maui’s economy.
Our industry brings in millions of dollars annually and provides employment and opportunities for thousands of residents. Importantly, much of this income stays right here in our community, supporting local families and services.
Weddings and events also align with the goals of regenerative tourism—encouraging meaningful, respectful, and intentional travel that fosters deeper connections with place, culture, and community.
After five difficult years—facing the pandemic and the devastating fires—we need your help to recover and continue serving both our community and the visitors who choose Maui for their most significant life moments.
Mahalo for your time and consideration.
Warmly,
[Your Name]
[Your Business + Feel free to mention if you are an MWEA member here]
Email Addresses for Maui County Council
Email addresses of Maui County Council that you should be able to copy & paste into the To: line of an email.
[email protected],[email protected],[email protected],[email protected],[email protected] ,[email protected],[email protected], [email protected], [email protected]