Maui County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Maui County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Fiscal Reserve Fund Proposal
A sharp exchange: Chair Lee and Member Batangan pressed the managing director on whether the administration pads the budget with big carryover savings, noting the emergency fund exists for disasters. Nishita countered that the Council itself has added tens of millions to the budget above the mayor's requests in recent years.
Maui County Kokua Fund for emergency donations (Bill 93)
After the 2023 wildfires, over $140 million in donations went largely to an O'ahu-based nonprofit without Council oversight. Chair Lee's Kokua Fund bill would let the County accept emergency donations directly with quarterly reporting, giving the Council a window into where the money goes.
Structural reform of county boards and commissions
A messy meeting for the Independent Nomination Board process: Faith Chase's police commission bid failed, East Maui water authority nominees were disqualified over license-area rules, and the chair called for repealing the INB provision.
Real property tax review board under strain
Five unpaid volunteers handle up to a thousand tax appeals a year in seven-hour meetings, denying over 95% of appeals. The commission suggests routing simple appeals through a county desk review first and questions whether adjudication should rest on volunteers at all.
Public access to county meeting information
Testifier Jasee Law told the committee he couldn't even find out what the meeting was about, saying residents struggle to keep up with the number of meetings and lack of accessible information. He asked the county to fund public access points in next year's budget.
Financial element requirements under 2.80B.070
Chair Paltin pressed Deputy Corporation Counsel Hopper on whether the plan's TBD costs and deleted revenue policies (like traffic impact fees) satisfy the code; Hopper said it meets minimum requirements but adequacy is the Council's call.
Fiscal plan requirement under Code 2.80B.070
Testifiers Albert Perez and Dick Mayer insisted the code requires a fiscally sound financial program, not just a spending wish list. Deputy Corp Counsel Hopper said the draft meets minimum requirements but the council can demand more precision — including revisiting a CPAC-deleted transportation funding policy (impact fees, rental surcharges).
Public hearing notice publication requirements
Bill 85 would let the county publish hearing notices in any suitable countywide publication instead of requiring a twice-weekly newspaper — saving public money and reaching more readers.
Council oversight of disaster donations
After the 2023 wildfires, over $140 million in donations went largely to an O'ahu-based nonprofit without Council oversight. Chair Lee's Kokua Fund bill would let the County accept emergency donations directly with quarterly reporting, giving the Council a window into where the money goes.
Vehicle Disposal Fee Fund balance and fee adequacy
The $25 vehicle disposal fee has banked roughly $19 million while the program only serves registered vehicle owners. Members and a testifier pushed to expand uses — abandoned cars without known owners, EV battery disposal, neighborhood cleanups — and revisit whether the fee is too high.
Public funding of litigation defense (Martin/Evans and Salem cases)
The County must defend Fire Captain Scott Martin in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Tre' Evans-Dumaran, and the legal bill is growing. The committee backed adding $250,000, bringing the special counsel budget to $450,000, with trial set for June 2027.
County Grant Administration and Management
A survey of grantees found the average wait from application to reimbursement runs about 20 months, with organizations floating advances of up to $1.5 million. The administration's fix: a new grants division in FY27, a simplified small-grants track under $25,000, and pending countywide administrative rules.
Taxicab fares and baggage charges
Taxi operators say Maui's baggage charges are the lowest in the state, and Bill 101 raises the fee to $10 for oversized bags, bikes, surfboards and big pet crates. Enforcement is murky — county code is technically enforced by police, and cruise-ship harbor disputes fall under state DOT and PUC jurisdiction.
County hiring is slow, rigid, and losing candidates
Departments can't fill vacancies fast enough — one applicant applied 16 times before being hired. Members want faster hiring, fewer HR filters between managers and applicants, and flexibility on minimum qualifications and pay steps.
TAT software cost overrun and IT staffing
The county collects about $70 million a year in TAT but has historically lacked tools and staffing to catch people who aren't paying. A new software system launches in October that will finally capture property details, and the department wants a compliance/enforcement arm — but the state has been reluctant to collaborate.
Disclosure rules for county land bought with special funds (Bill 81)
When the county buys land with restricted money like the open space fund and later wants to use it for something else — like affordable housing — the bill would force the county to say so up front, including how the original fund gets made whole. It comes from the West Maui Kaulu Onapili deal, where open space land was partly redirected to housing.
Tourism management fund
The committee cut $150,000 from the $450,000 tourism management fund, keeping $300,000 but conditioning it for visitor education — disaster preparedness for short-term rental guests, invasive species, etiquette, and cultural orientation — instead of promotion.
Royal patent land exemption objections
Testifiers pressed the county to add a Kuleana overlay district that maps and recognizes reserved native tenant property rights dating to the Great Mahele before any land-use approval. They argue current zoning makes these property interests invisible, and some want applicants to prove clear chain of title to allodial land.
Parks facilities excluded from FEMA declaration
The disaster declaration excluded parks facilities and hazard mitigation from FEMA reimbursement — a major gap since parks took real damage. The State has appealed in writing, and Oahu's stronger case may help overturn it; meanwhile the county is getting creative with categories, like treating the Kula gym as a building.
Cost of Government Commission term staggering
Four commission terms expire in 2028 and five in 2029, risking a gutted oversight board. The commission wants it fixed by county code, not a ballot question.
Increased Home and Long-Term Rental Property Tax Exemptions
Bill 181 would raise homeowner and long-term rental exemptions by $100,000 each, costing about $6.3 million in revenue. Critics say the flat exemption gives the biggest dollar breaks to the most expensive properties, and several members want a more targeted approach via rates and tiers.
Johnson Controls Energy Performance Contract Phase 3 Expansion
The county wants to expand its energy-savings contract with a ~$9 million Phase 3 covering solar, roof replacements, and infrastructure — paid off over 20 years from guaranteed energy savings. Members probed what happens if the county backs out ($150,000 owed), who pays for solar panel disposal, and battery backup resilience.
Long-Term Rental Property Tax Exemption
Bill 181 would raise homeowner and long-term rental exemptions by $100,000 each, costing about $6.3 million in revenue. Critics say the flat exemption gives the biggest dollar breaks to the most expensive properties, and several members want a more targeted approach via rates and tiers.
FY 2027 County Budget Proposal
Mayor Bissen's proposed budget raises spending by about $60 million (3.8 percent). West Maui residents say rising taxes and fees are pricing families off the island, and want more scrutiny of spending.
Real property tax reform and exemption measures
The committee learned it can still tweak property tax rates at first reading as long as it stays within posted tier ranges. Members discussed cutting about $218,000 — partly from Camp Maluhia funding — to soften an increase on the commercialized residential (short-term rental) tier.
Fuel Tax Rates for FY 2027
Included in the budget package is a resolution setting county fuel tax rates effective July 1, 2026.
EV Charging Station Fees
A new $1-per-minute idle fee at county-owned EV chargers — starting 10 minutes after your car is done charging — passed 6-3. Supporters say it keeps stalls open; critics called it micromanaging and doubted enforcement.
$195.9M General Obligation Bonds
Bill 57 would let the county borrow nearly $196 million to pay for public improvement projects. Bond debt ultimately gets repaid through county revenues.
Proposed FY 2027 County of Maui Budget
The committee is deep in add-and-cut mode on the Mayor's proposed budget, with about $30 million cut and $40 million added so far — but a $17 million general fund gap still has to be closed, likely through property tax decisions on Friday. What survives these deliberations shapes county services, staffing, and your tax bill.
East Maui nonprofit funding — senior services, MEO, dialysis, youth and cultural programs
The Mayor's budget includes $1 million for a countywide Makahiki program — $850,000 in community grants plus $150,000 marketing. The committee cut the marketing piece to $100,000 after testimony from the Office of ʻŌiwi Resources explaining Makahiki is far more than games.
$195.9 Million General Obligation Bond Authorization
Bill 57 would authorize nearly $196 million in general obligation bonds to pay for county public improvements, a form of long-term borrowing backed by taxpayers.
EV Charging Fees
Bill 64 would establish a fee for using county-owned electric vehicle charging stations to cover the cost of electricity.
General Obligation Bonds ($195.9 million)
Bill 57 would authorize nearly $196 million in general obligation bonds to pay for county public improvements, a form of long-term borrowing backed by taxpayers.
Fiscal Year 2027 County Budget
The committee is gearing up for budget review season, with updated department calendars and standardized question formats posted online. Deliberations begin at the March 17 meeting.
Property tax increases on homestay operators
Crowley also flagged 45-67% property tax rate increases on bed-and-breakfast operators amid a 90% collapse in homestay business.
MEO paratransit, Head Start, and social services
Testifiers praised MEO paratransit (asking for better scheduling and a local West Side route) and MEO Head Start preschool funding, urging the county to keep both programs funded.
Hybrid Lanai Planning Commission meetings
Lanai Planning Commission chair Butch Kima has spent three years asking for in-person/hybrid commission meetings instead of Zoom-only, and asked for targeted funding for travel, housing, and per diem.
Kupuna services: MEO transportation, Kinoole home health
Residents urged continued and deeper funding for MEO's senior transportation and Kinoole home health, saying these low-cost services let kupuna age at home instead of going into nursing homes.
Revolving funds with zero balances
Several revolving funds — economic development/cultural programs, Hawaiian cultural restoration, landscape beautification, and county park special — show $0 balances. Members discussed whether to keep, combine, or sunset them.
Bonding Strategy: Water Revenue Bonds and CFDs
Bond counsel and the county's municipal advisor suggested the county look beyond general obligation bonds — floating water revenue bonds and forming community facilities districts could protect the general fund and preserve borrowing capacity for upcoming water projects.
County and State Economic Outlook for FY2027 and Beyond
Maui's economy leans on U.S. visitors more than ever (87% of arrivals), and the Iran war's oil shock could push inflation toward 3.5% and keep interest rates high. Condo values are already down 23%, which will shrink property tax collections. Diversifying away from tourism remains the long-term challenge.
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Session Preparations
The committee is gearing up for budget review season, with updated department calendars and standardized question formats posted online. Deliberations begin at the March 17 meeting.
Agricultural microgrant accountability and food security
Maui County has poured millions into small farm grants for six years, and the council wants proof it's working. A new data-collection effort will survey past grantees; members questioned whether the grants target the foods the county actually needs instead of relying on 90% imported food.
Department of Planning operations and FY2026 budget
The new Housing Department says it has delivered 800+ affordable homes since July 2024, filled nearly all positions, and runs a growing slate of programs — first-time homebuyer assistance, rental aid, the Molokaʻi deed restriction pilot, and a housing dashboard.
Fee waivers for affordable housing projects (Bill 48)
Members and the Housing Director discussed waiving permit and impact fees for partially affordable projects, with the Affordable Housing Fund backfilling departments that lose the revenue. Bill 48 goes before the full council Friday.
State pension system funded status and county costs
The ERS is only about 63% funded with $14 billion unfunded statewide, and Maui County chips in $65-68 million a year. A state bill could raise the county's police/fire contribution rate from 41% to 44% of salary, and pension spiking cost the county $6.5 million last year.
Sewer rates, carryover savings, and department staffing
Members pressed the department on carryover funds, the recent 9% sewer rate increase, and an 18% vacancy rate that slows projects. The department says carryover goes back into lowering next year's rates and that budget season will clarify project funding.
Recovery Program grants for Native Hawaiian Education Association and Imua Family Services
Bill 29 would send $390,000 to finish renovating the Ke Ola Hou Community Resiliency Center serving Lahaina wildfire survivors, and $758,973 to Imua Family Services, which burned through $1.5 million in donor funds on county-required off-site infrastructure. Members questioned the leased site's long-term value and whether contracts were competitively bid.
Fiscal Year 2027 county budget process
The committee was to plan how it will review the proposed FY 2027 budget — the process that will shape next year's county services, staffing, and spending.
Eight pending tax bills deferred
Bills on wildfire tax relief, a vacant-home tax class, golf course assessments, Upcountry water-list exemptions, and more were all pushed to the committee's next meeting. None were decided, so residents affected by wildfire relief or other measures must keep waiting.