Maui County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Maui County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Emergency preparedness for kūpuna and disabled residents
Councilmember Paltin asked whether evacuation transportation for elderly and disabled residents could be strengthened in the plan; Human Concerns described ongoing work with MEO and MIMA, including wheelchair-capable shelter buses used during Hurricane Lala.
Facial recognition technology moratorium question (Bill 112)
The county doesn't own facial recognition tech yet, and Bill 112 would set rules for if it ever does. Several members balked — one wants an outright ban — so action was deferred, and the administration has paused real-time crime center plans in the meantime.
Emergency Shelters and Closures
Maui County just published the official list of emergency shelters and closures, so when a storm or emergency hits you can see exactly where to go and what’s shut down. It’s basic preparedness info—check it before you need it.
Workplace safety and harassment policy review
Vice Chair Paltin asked whether HR rules cover employee safety from the public — referencing a gun incident at a county building and the council's funding of a campus security plan. The team confirmed HR-related safety and violence policies fall within the project's review scope.
Kula Hospital recovery advocacy
The state-run Kula Hospital, housing severely handicapped patients who were relocated to Oahu, isn't a county facility but county leaders are advocating for its repair. About eight patients sent to Oahu are experiencing separation anxiety from family caregivers.
El Niño and hurricane season preparedness
With a Super El Niño forecast, the Office of Recovery is embedding in emergency operations earlier, expanding office space, and building on workforce experience from this disaster. Councilmembers were urged to flag vulnerable spots in their districts and keep communicating with property managers before storms hit.
Board of Ethics Staffing
The five-month-old Ethics office reported it has already outpaced two years of typical output — 62 advisory opinions, 25 complaints closed — and needs two more staff, including a second attorney for contested cases. Funding (Bill 193) passed final reading; the salary-setting bill went to committee.
Board of Ethics continuity
The ethics board just lost its chair and secretary to term limits as it rolls out big new initiatives. Letting members serve one extra five-year term would keep that expertise in place.
Federal HUD policy shift on homelessness funding
HUD restructured Continuum of Care funding on June 1, moving away from Housing First toward transitional housing and treatment requirements. Members and the director flagged concerns about barriers to entry.
Board of Ethics reappointment
The Board of Ethics wants its members reappointable for one successive five-year term without a waiting period, saying it now has full-time staff and multi-year initiatives — lobbyist rules, a nepotism ordinance — that need institutional continuity.
Routing county claims to Corporation Counsel
Right now residents file injury and property damage claims with the County Clerk, who just forwards them along but keeps fielding frustrated claimants' questions. The proposed charter change sends claims directly to Corporation Counsel, but county attorneys say that could conflict them out of representing the county in resulting lawsuits, and Risk Management's office is too small and short-staffed to receive the public.
Loud vehicle sound system fines (Bill 119)
Bill 119 would raise fines for blasting amplified music from vehicles, up to $1,000 for repeat offenses. Police and prosecutors said seizing stereo systems isn't practical, so the forfeiture piece is being dropped. Skeptics note zero citations were issued in 2024, raising questions about whether bigger fines change anything.
Settlement of Charlotte Martin lawsuit against the County
A negligence and vicarious-liability claim against the County over a February 2023 incident between Martin and a vehicle driven by a Maui police officer at Kepaniwai Park. The settlement vote was deferred because the trial moved to 2027.
Clean and Safe program and Holomua Road gates funding
Testifier Lisa Darcy urged the committee to pause over $1 million for the Clean and Safe homeless program — calling it criminalizing rather than solving — and to rethink $750,000 for gates on Holomua Road. Staff noted $4.7 million total is budgeted for houseless programs.
Emergency fund reduction
The emergency fund was cut by $32 million on paper to reflect Kona storm spending already authorized, bringing the balance to about $85.9 million. Johnson also floated shifting $2.4 million to the EPNS fund for the cloud-forest bridge — deferred to revisit.
Hana Business Council resilience hub and MIMA liaison
Heidi Leidelmeier announced the Hana Business Council closed March 27 on 14.57 acres next to the Hana Airport for a long-sought resilience hub, funded by a $1,015,000 federal earmark and county agriculture grants. The county's new East Maui MIMA liaison, Akineki Lynde, is looking for office space in Hana.
Molokai Flood Response and Donation Drive
Members paused budget talk to coordinate help for Molokai flood victims — a donation drive at Queen Kaʻahumanu Center, with needs including shovels, power washers, dehumidifiers, and industrial fans to prevent mold.
Feral chicken control
A 10-week county trapping pilot removed 451 chickens at $30.55 each; a second round is planned, but the state funding for the program was vetoed and the county lacks enforcement authority. Members floated bounties and asked who should own the problem.
Opioid settlement fund allocation
Aloha House asked for $500,000 in opioid settlement money and hasn't heard back; council members want to know if the county can condition its acceptance of settlement funds to direct part of them to treatment centers.
Repeal of social host liability law
Prevention advocates urged the Council not to repeal the ordinance that holds adults accountable for underage drinking parties, asking instead for committee work with police. The bill was tabled until the next meeting.
East Maui police presence and Highway 360 safety
Council Member Sinenci pushed Faith Chase's police commission appointment partly to give East Maui a voice after recent Hāna Highway incidents and chronic officer shortages.