Maui County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Maui County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
HRS Chapter 179D dam and reservoir safety barrier
Member Cook warned that state law makes liability so 'toxic' that detention basins to stop South Maui mud floods aren't being built. The committee agreed to raise it in future legislative lobbying.
Adopt-A-Street litter and stormwater program
Volunteers adopt stretches of road, pick up litter twice a year, and keep trash out of storm drains and the ocean. The county supplies gear and hauls the bags; the program has three groups but capacity for about ten.
Restoring Hawaiian place names and history in the plan
Historian Lucienne de Naie warned that big detention basins and developments are planned over poorly-surveyed archaeological sites — repeating past mistakes like the Wailea hotel zone built atop a major burial ground.
Reviving the Nāulu Cloud Bridge
Restoration and reforestation work spanning leeward Haleakalā to Kahoʻolawe aims to encourage rainfall for the region. The committee wants to see the work in person, which requires closing the meeting to the public because of unexploded ordnance and access limits on the island.
Green Waste Composting in South Maui
Currently South Maui's green waste goes to the landfill while a private facility composts in Waikapū, outside the plan area. The committee converted the action into a policy supporting land-use entitlements for a composting operation within the plan area, and flagged a broader General Plan conversation.
Urban tree canopy and shade equity
South Maui is hot and short on shade, and the committee heard it's an equity issue — wealthy neighborhoods get tree tunnels, North Kihei doesn't. New rules tie development to the county Urban Forest Management Plan until a South Maui tree plan exists, and push for public notice before hazardous tree removal.
Wastewater disinfection and fire-break greenbelt
Travis Liggett pitched a plan to accelerate UV wastewater disinfection and build a reclaimed-water greenbelt firebreak along South Maui — funded, he proposes, by big philanthropy through new "SMILAST" legislation. Councilmember Cook asked him to submit an outline.
Keawanui Fishpond and Kaʻamola Ahupuaʻa Restoration
ʻĀina Momona is restoring the Keawanui Fishpond and managing 437 acres mauka to stop erosion that was killing the pond's fish and smothering the reef. The group is asking the County for help permitting traditional practices and for influence with DLNR on access to rivers and valleys.
Mokuʻula restoration funding from 500 Front Street lot
Money collected at the 500 Front Street lot flows to the Hawaiian Cultural Restoration Revolving Fund for the Mokuʻula/royal complex area. Members flagged that the lot may be lost to restoration plans and asked for written confirmation of how the funding gap gets covered.
Algal turf scrubbing for wastewater nutrient removal
A parade of PhD-level experts testified that algal turf scrubbers — 'freshwater limu' systems — can strip nitrogen and phosphorus from wastewater to levels almost no other technology can reach, and asked the county to adopt the approach to meet stringent ocean water-quality standards.
Solid Waste and Sustainability Fund Uses
DEM is moving the recycling section back into the Solid Waste Division (where every other Hawaii county has it) and asking for $330,000 for cloud-based routing software, plus new equipment. A bill (62) clean up the fund rules to match.
Climate action and resiliency funding (Bills 66 & 67)
Johnson floated two bills to dedicate 20% of the county TAT to climate action and resiliency — either through a new revolving fund (Bill 66) or the existing EPNS fund (Bill 67). Members liked the concept but want public input and committee work before acting.
Kula Agricultural Park CIP funding
Council Member Paltin was surprised to learn the $20 million secured years ago for Kula Ag Park Phase 2 is largely being consumed by reservoir and water line work instead of building the second park. The department will provide a funding spreadsheet.
Ulaino Road conditions and invasive species (little fire ants, banana bunchy top)
Kahanu Garden director Mike Opgenorth reported little fire ants spreading down Ulaino Road and asked the county to rethink the unpaved road — both for safety and to stop invasive species spread. He also flagged banana bunchy top virus threatening Hawaiian banana varieties, pressing for more MISC funding.