Opportunity to Influence Policy: Connect with Council Member Sugimura This Saturday

Executive Brief

Maui small business owners, entrepreneurs, and agricultural producers have a brief window to directly engage with Council Member Yuki Lei Sugimura at the Upcountry Farmers Market this Saturday, January 24th. This early morning opportunity allows for direct input on business-related concerns that could shape local policy.

Opportunity for direct dialogue with a council member on business challenges.
Time-sensitive: Event runs from 7-10 AM on Saturday, Jan 24th.
Action: Prepare specific concerns and questions for the meeting.

The Change

Council Member Yuki Lei Sugimura is holding her 'Talk Story with Yuki Lei' outreach program on Saturday, January 24th, 2026, from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM at the Upcountry Farmers Market. This initiative provides a direct channel for community members, particularly business owners and those involved in agriculture, to voice concerns, ask questions, and offer feedback to their elected representative in an informal setting. The 'Talk Story' format is designed to foster open communication on a range of topics, including those impacting local commerce and the agricultural sector.

While this is an established outreach method, its immediate effect is to present a specific, time-bound opportunity for direct engagement. For businesses operating on Maui, particularly those whose success is tied to local policy and community support, this represents a chance to influence perspectives and potentially shape future decisions by personally conveying their challenges and suggestions.

Who's Affected

This outreach program is particularly relevant to several key business sectors on Maui:

Small Business Operators: Owners of retail shops, restaurants, service providers, and local franchises face daily operational challenges. This includes navigating permit processes, managing rising operating costs (labor, supplies, utilities), and understanding local economic development initiatives. Attending this session offers a chance to directly inform Council Member Sugimura about the real-time impacts of county policies on small business viability. Specific concerns about staffing shortages, cost of goods, or the burden of regulations can be directly communicated.
Entrepreneurs & Startups: Founders and early-stage companies are focused on scaling, securing funding, attracting talent, and navigating the regulatory landscape. This 'Talk Story' event is an opportunity to highlight barriers to growth in Maui's specific economic environment. Entrepreneurs can, for example, discuss the availability of incubator spaces, access to capital for local ventures, or the complexities of business licensing and zoning that might hinder innovation and job creation.
Agriculture & Food Producers: Farmers, ranchers, food processors, and aquaculture operators have unique concerns related to land use, water rights, agricultural labor availability, and market access. This session provides a platform to discuss critical issues such as the impact of zoning on agricultural expansion, the sustainability of water resources for farming, the challenges of competing with imported goods, or the logistics of distributing local products. Direct feedback can inform policy decisions impacting the future of Maui's food security and agricultural economy.

Second-Order Effects

Direct engagement with elected officials, while seemingly localized, can trigger broader economic ripples in Hawaii's constrained island economy. For instance:

Informed Policy → Business Investment: If small business operators successfully convey the impact of specific regulations on their profitability during this 'Talk Story' session, it could lead to policy adjustments. These adjustments might lower barriers to entry or reduce operating costs, thereby encouraging new business formation and expansion.
Agricultural Support → Local Food Security & Supply Chains: Feedback from agricultural producers regarding land use or water rights could influence county planning. Improved agricultural viability can strengthen local food supply chains, reducing reliance on imports and potentially stabilizing food prices for consumers and businesses alike, including restaurants.
Entrepreneurial Environment → Diversified Economy: Entrepreneurs articulating challenges in accessing funding or scaling can prompt discussions on new support programs or regulatory streamlining. A more robust entrepreneurial ecosystem can lead to job diversification beyond traditional sectors like tourism, creating a more resilient local economy.

What to Do

This 'Talk Story' event presents a critical, time-sensitive opportunity for direct advocacy. Given the event's limited window and location, proactive preparation is essential for maximizing impact.

For Small Business Operators:
- Action: Identify 1-2 of your most pressing operational challenges (e.g., staffing, permit delays, cost increases) and formulate concise, data-backed points.
- Action: Prepare specific, actionable suggestions for how Council Member Sugimura or county administration could address these issues. Concrete examples and potential solutions are more effective than general complaints.
- Timing: Plan to arrive early, between 7:00 AM and 7:30 AM, to ensure ample time for discussion before peak market hours.
For Entrepreneurs & Startups:
- Action: Clearly articulate any policy or regulatory hurdles that are impeding your startup's growth or ability to scale on Maui.
- Action: Consider how improved access to resources (e.g., funding, mentorship, specialized facilities) could foster innovation and job creation in the local tech or service sectors.
- Timing: Focus your attendance on the earlier part of the event (7:00 AM - 8:30 AM) to have a better chance of engaging directly.
For Agriculture & Food Producers:
- Action: Bring specific data or examples regarding challenges in land access, water allocation, or market competition that affect your production.
- Action: Be ready to discuss potential policy support that could enhance the sustainability and profitability of local agriculture.
- Timing: Arrive between 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM to ensure your concerns are heard before the event concludes.

Overall Recommendation: Attend the Upcountry Farmers Market between 7:00 AM and 10:00 AM this Saturday, January 24th, with prepared talking points. This is a high-urgency, act-now opportunity to directly influence local policy by voicing your business or agricultural concerns to Council Member Sugimura.