Community Events
February 8, 2022: Rep. Wildberger with Maui Ocean Water Quality Monitoring Program
These environmental heroes have been running a community based water quality monitoring program along leeward Maui since 2016 to test for sediments, nutrients, and other pollutants from land-based sources that might be having a negative impact on our ocean & reef.
January 27, 2022: Rep Wildberger nominated for NCEL 2022 lead
The National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL) has selected me as the 2022 Hawai’i State Lead! This position exemplifies a strong dedication to sound environmental policy in Hawai’i and a demonstrated leadership role within the Caucus. As a state lead, I will exhibit leadership within the Caucus by coordinating relevant in-state events and growing NCEL’s network of legislators to assist in advancing environmental issues. Pictured with Senator Mike Gabbard (left) and Rev. Dr. Gerald Durley. (right) *photo was taken pre COVID-19.*
January 12, 2022: Recognizing Film Commissioners
Senator Baker & Councilmember Rawlins-Fernandez joined Rep Wildberger to acknowledge the important work our Maui and State film commissioners steered during the pandemic bringing $450,000,000 in revenue to the state during lockdown and most importantly, a path to opening up safely.
January 8, 2022: HIEMA Maui Meadows site visit after Dec 5 storm (1/8/2022)
Maui Meadows was heavily impacted by the Kona Low weather system in December. Rep. Wildberger has done several site visits to examine infrastructure damages, including a visit with HIEMA’s Administrator Luke Meyers.
December 3, 2021: Congratulating Troyden Tomooka with a Certificate of Appreciation
Just a small token of appreciation for Troyden Tomooka who has helped thousands of travelers to Maui navigate the Safe Travels Program since the pandemic began. Troyden's kind and sage guidance for both visitors and returning residents had a big impact on our ability to restart our whole economy.
November 24, 2021: Reading to Kihei Elementary Students
Mahalo Library Lady Joanne Lairde and the 4th Graders from Kihei Elementary School for having me as a guest to read this inspiring kids' book this week. Their unvarnished questions are tough yet kind and truly come from a deep sense of inquiry.
August 15, 2021: Wetland Cleanup
a group of 30 volunteers worked to clean-out Invasive s from Kihei's wetland area Mauka of St. Teresa's church. Our wetlands play an important role in preserving our reefs. They need to be preserved, not developed.
July 2, 2021: Maui Disposal Tour
Mahalo Maui Disposal, Arturo & Tracy, Tamara & Cecile and County of Maui for an enlightening and informative tour of Maui’s Solid Waste Systems. We have smart people working on solutions to our waste management. We must invest in our circular economy future.
February 8, 2020: Kihei's Kalama Skate Park Cleanup
The true essence of the "Aloha Spirit" is epitomized by the energetic and enthusiastic efforts of our youth to selflessly assist their fellow citizens in improving the conditions of our community and state. Andrew Beerer, Colin Howell, Matt Sherrell, and Sam Walker painstakingly cleaned Kihei's Kalama Skate Park in time for the 2020 Whale Day festivities when the South Maui community comes together to celebrate the marine life that we are so fortunate to live beside. This monumental feat included shoveling over fifty trash bags, approximately 1,500 lbs. of litter, broken glass, detritus, and debris. Representative Tina Wildberger commends them for their hard work to give back to the community, and extends her warmest aloha and best wishes for continued success in all future endeavors.
October 10, 2019: The Research Corporation of the University of Hawai'i (RCUH ) withdrew its Use Determination Application from the Lana'i Planning Commission -- which was seeking approval to use agricultural lands at Palawai, Lana'i as a second airport for science experiments to be conducted in partnership private global high tech firms.
Hawaiian cultural practitioners, represented by attorneys Lance D. Collins and Bianca Isaki, had petitioned the Commission to intervene in the application and hold a contested case regarding the industrial use of lands zoned and designated agriculture as well as impacts to traditional and customary Native Hawaiian rights.
An environmental assessment had not been completed, and the project received a notice of violation for constructing the second airstrip without county permits or approvals.
Maui News and Civil Beat are working on follow up stories now that the application has been withdrawn. In the meantime, here are their previous articles on this subject for background:
https://www.civilbeat.org/2019/08/giant-drones-over-lanai/
https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2019/07/next-generation-network-may-be-taking-off-on-lanai/
Honoring the family who opened their baby lū'au to fire evacuees
From left: Luis Cardenas Haro, Amalia Haro Arvizu, Kamea Santos Cardenas, Katheleen Cardenas-Haro, Derian Romero Cardenas, Derian Romero Duran, and Rep. Wildberger
Improving traffic in South Maui
Rep Wildberger is currently working with the community, and State DOT & DOE officials to improve traffic signals and pedestrian safety around the new Kihei High School. Stay tuned for updates
Honoring Local Heroes
Rep Wildberger is proud to honor Kihei resident Javier Cantellops along with Troy Helmer, Chris Berquist, and the rest of the team of search & rescue volunteers for their exceptional bravery, selfless perseverance, and herculean efforts to find Amanda Eller, hiker lost for 17 days in Makawao Forest Reserve.
Recognizing Student Achievement
Rep Wildberger with Coach Iokepa Meno (left) and the Kolohe Kids team from Lokelani Intermediate School, who performed admirably and won awards in the 2019 State, National, and Worldwide Robotics competitions.
Keeping our air clean
After receiving several calls from constituent neighbors about fugitive dust from construction at the old Maui Lu location, Rep Wildberger visited the construction site to inquire about mitigation measures. This newly implemented ‘Dust Destroyer’ pushes water into the air to take ambient dirt out of the air before it blows off property. This issue continues to impact neighbors in the community. And, our office is staying in contact with contractors and Dept. of Health CAB.
Celebrating the teachers who shape our keiki
Rep Wildberger was proud to honor these 3rd grade teachers from Kīhei Elementary who recently renewed their national credentials. From Left: Lani Espinoza, Rep Wildberger, Rodney Wade, Kathleen Schaffer-Barr
