Policy Analyst Monitors Grant Transparency and Governance in Maui County

Jonathan Helton, a policy analyst at the Grassroot Institute, is monitoring grant transparency efforts in Maui County. The county appropriates tens of millions of dollars annually for grants to businesses and nonprofits, but the protocols for awarding and monitoring this funding are described as subjective and opaque. A new law, Ordinance 6015, requires the Maui Department of Management to adopt administrative rules standardizing how county agencies award grants. These proposed rules are currently under review, with a public hearing scheduled for October 7.

The county faces criticism regarding its grant administration, including a lack of an anti-nepotism policy and inadequate fraud-monitoring programs for outside vendors. An audit also noted poor oversight mechanisms for grants awarded during declared emergencies. Council Member Gabe Johnson reported that over 40% of surveyed grant recipients felt decisions were made for personal reasons.