Maui County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Maui County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Wastewater disinfection concerns at Wailuku-Kahului facility
Testifier Travis Lincoln proposed a novel donation-funded model to accelerate 100% R-1 disinfection at the Kihei and Kahului plants, citing elevated fecal bacteria in UIC reports; Mike Moran pressed for clarity on whether South Maui's injection well water is actually UV-treated given poor water quality at Cove Park.
Gulch and drainage-way protection policies
Proposed policies would bar new permanent structures in or within 100 feet of gulches and drainageways, but Public Works Director Molina warned the blanket restriction could kill needed flood mitigation and drainage projects. Deferred for more work.
Protection of Wahi Kupuna and cultural resources
The committee approved policies ensuring Native Hawaiian access to kuleana lands, preserving historic roads like the King's Trail with restoration encouraged where practicable, using Ike Kupuna in development design, and supporting a South Maui cultural center and museum.
Coastal retreat incentives for shoreline properties
The committee is exploring how to help shoreline property owners in the sea-level-rise exposure zone move inland by transferring their water and utility rights to a new parcel — but only for early adopters, not those who hold out and armor the shoreline. It was tabled pending wastewater and water department details.
South Maui gulch flooding and sediment management
Drone footage showed repeated flooding and sediment buildup on the Keahuaiwi, Waiakoa, Kūlanihākoʻi, and Waipuʻilani gulches, flooding homes, businesses, and roads in Kihei. Testifiers said development in flood zones and narrow channelization make it worse, and pushed for wide gulch buffers and wetland preservation.
Climate Action and Resiliency Plan tracking
Gabe Johnson pushed to lock in 20% of TAT revenues — about $13 million a year — for climate resilience, but colleagues said the county already spends $90 million and worried about tying up a shrinking revenue source. The proposal was filed 7-2.
Managed retreat fund and Paia Mantokuji
A testifier opposed a $2.5 million managed retreat fund request by the Paia Mantokuji mission, saying it funds shoreline armoring instead of relocation and comes with state bills seeking environmental exemptions.
Sea level rise and shoreline management retreat
Members debated whether the County should flag properties for rezoning based on sea level rise exposure, flood zones, or shoreline setback — and whether conditions like certified shoreline surveys and managed-retreat removal plans should attach. Storm damage from recent Kona Lows and hurricane swells framed the urgency.
Herbicide use waiver on county roadsides
Public Works says it can't keep up with vegetation by hand along 1,000+ miles of road shoulders and wants a two-year waiver to spot-spray herbicides at intersections, guardrails, and pavement cracks. Members worried about glyphosate, kids on sidewalks, runoff into the ocean, and the $7 million already spent on equipment and staff for nonchemical methods.
Sea-level rise and shoreline protection requirements for new hotel zones
Testifiers clashed over whether sea level rise justifies hotel rezoning or instead demands managed retreat, buyouts, and removal of shoreline structures. Advocates cited the county's hazard mitigation plan ($1.2 billion in at-risk replacement value) and urged conditions like no further shoreline armoring and bonded removal obligations.
Food and Nutrition Security Plan (Bill 98)
Bill 98 writes the county's Food and Nutrition Security Plan into the Maui County Code, requiring a public dashboard tracking progress and five-year plan updates. It's advisory for most purposes but gives the plan permanent legal standing to guide future administrations.
Climate action revolving fund
Chair Johnson proposes dedicating 20% of the county's hotel tax — roughly $14 million a year — to fund the county's Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, possibly via charter amendment. Most members prefer an ordinance, citing bond-rating worries, TAT revenue declines, and flexibility.
Māʻalaea regional wastewater reclamation system
A coalition of Māʻalaea residents, engineers, and water-quality experts packed testimony urging $2.5 million to jumpstart a regional wastewater system replacing injection wells that are degrading Māʻalaea Bay's coral. The project is shovel-ready with $2.5 million already secured and needs county support to close a funding gap.
Mālaea Village injection wells and Maalaea Bay water quality
A 4-4 vote kept (for now) $2.5 million to help Mālaea Village replace polluting injection wells; members wrestled with privatized gains versus a badly degraded bay.
Groundwater monitoring and well accountability
Testifiers pointed out the county doesn't track what private wells pump, even as a drought stretches on — one noted the water director has budgeted for a machine that can see 1,500 feet into the ground to gauge the aquifer. Several asked the committee to require private well owners to report pumping statistics and to defer Bill 1 until that survey is done.
Department of Agriculture expansion
The county's young ag department wants three new full-time positions and expanded grant funding for food security, keiki meal boxes on Molokai, and STEM ag internships. Farmers testified this capacity is critical for food security.
Hamoa/Haneo land acquisition from Open Space Fund ($3M request)
Residents and nonprofits are asking for $3 million from the county's Open Space Fund to buy about 115 acres at Hamoa/Haneo before Ranch Partners LLC can consolidate-resubdivide it into seven five-acre luxury lots — eliminating Kuleana parcels in the process. A legal appeal is pending, a willing-seller letter exists, and an appraisal came in at $3.5 million, with $600,000 in state Legacy Land matching funds just approved.
Kaʻehu Bay land acquisition and disputed title
The county wants to buy 0.41 acres from the LDS Church to fold into the adjacent Kaʻehu conservation area, but the Mayo ʻohana says the church never held clear title and their ancestors never gave the land away. The committee put the purchase on hold pending family-administration talks.