Maui County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Maui County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.