Maui County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Maui County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Proposal for a supplemental fund to offset high initial tax bills
Council Member Gabe Johnson wants the administration to create a fund that would immediately cover the gap between the high non-owner-occupied rate and the owner-occupied rate for new buyers. The Finance Department says that's outside the property tax code and would need new legislation, possibly through housing programs.