Government Relations, Ethics & Transparency Committee Meeting - Dec 3, 2025
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Government Relations, Ethics & Transparency Committee Meeting - December 3, 2025
The Government Relations, Ethics, and Transparency Committee convened on December 3, 2025, to address eight agenda items, including three civil case settlements, the abandonment of an eminent domain action, and two legislative bills. The meeting experienced technical difficulties, including a power outage and internet failure, necessitating a brief recess, followed by lengthy executive sessions for sensitive legal matters. The committee concluded by recommending the approval of three resolutions and the first reading of one bill, while deferring a second bill to gather input from the Commission on Children and Youth regarding the limitations of the Sunshine Law.
Consent Calendar
- Resolution 25-191: Approved the settlement of $57,664.74 for the Bogard claim regarding property damage from a water main break in Kihei.
- Vote: 7 Ayes, 0 Noes, 1 Excuse (Fernandez).
- Resolution 25-192: Approved settlement authority for the Nishiama v. Maui Police discrimination case.
- Vote: 6 Ayes, 0 Noes, 2 Excuse (Lee, Fernandez).
- Resolution 25-196: Approved the settlement of $55,668.18 for the Fale Fale Fine claim regarding a sewer line collapse affecting a commercial gym property.
- Vote: 6 Ayes, 0 Noes, 2 Excuse (Lee, Fernandez).
- Resolution 25-201: Approved settlement efforts regarding the Comar Maui Properties 1 LLC eminent domain abandonment damages.
- Vote: 8 Ayes, 0 Noes.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Tracy Long Wakua Hopua: Expressed regret regarding the police employment discrimination case and offered explicit support for the Maui Police Chief.
- Kalanda Oh Luna Hoomolu: Discussed waste management alternatives, specifically advocating for gasification technology over traditional disposal methods.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 25-191 (Bogard Claim): Members discussed the property's status as a short-term rental and the extent of water damage. Member Pultom inquired about the inclusion of personal property (surfboards) in the valuation.
- Resolution 25-192 (Nishiama Claim): The committee entered executive session to discuss the case strategy. In open session, Member Pultom questioned Assistant Chief Okamoto on internal policies regarding the investigation of rumors concerning employee personal lives and potential consequences for those spreading them.
- Resolution 25-196 (Fale Fale Fine Claim): Deputy Corporation Council Clifton Song explained the claim involved lost rent and water bills due to a sewer collapse. Member Johnson questioned the significant jump in water bills ($48 to $405) during the repair period.
- Resolution 25-201 (Comar Properties): Deputy Corporation Council Christian Tarnstrom explained the county abandoned an eminent domain action for the Lahaina debris site, triggering statutory abandonment damages. Member Pultom questioned the policy implications of abandoning eminent domain before taking possession.
- Bill 105-2025 (Alternate Members): The bill was presented to allow alternate members to fill midterm vacancies on boards and commissions. The committee noted this would apply to the HANA Advisory Committee and Public Works boards.
- Bill 118-2025 (Commission on Children and Youth): A debate ensued regarding the disbandment of the commission.
- Member Pultom: Expressed concern that the Sunshine Law makes the formal commission an "unwieldy beast" that hinders effective work, arguing the original intent (grant distribution) was never fulfilled.
- Member Johnson: Expressed full support for retaining the commission, citing their current work on homelessness and youth issues, and suggested expanding membership to include youth aged 14-24.
- Member Rollins Fernandez: Suggested deferring the disbandment to consult with the commission members directly to understand if they feel hamstrung by the Sunshine Law and how they might proceed informally.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 25-191: Motion to recommend adoption carried (7-0-1). The item moves to Full Council.
- Resolution 25-192: Motion to recommend adoption carried (6-0-2). The item moves to Full Council.
- Resolution 25-196: Motion to recommend adoption carried (6-0-2). The item moves to Full Council.
- Resolution 25-201: Motion to recommend adoption carried (8-0). The item moves to Full Council.
- Bill 105-2025: Motion to recommend passage on first reading carried (8-0-0). The item moves to Full Council.
- Bill 118-2025: Motion to defer the item carried (0 objections). The committee will send correspondence to the Commission on Children and Youth to gather their input on disbandment or alternative informal structures before reconsidering.
Meeting Transcript
Good morning, everyone. Well, the government relations ethics and transparency committee meeting of December 3rd, 2025. Please come to order. It is nine oh seven AM. I'm your chair, Nohelani Uhodins. Members, in accordance with the sunshine law, please identify by name who, if anyone, is in the work vehicle or workspace with you today. Minors do not need to be identified. Let's begin with committee vice chair, member Pulton. Thank you. Councilmember Gabe Johnson, aloha kakahyaka. Aloha, Chair, Councilmembers, committee members. There's no testifiers at the night district office, and I'm here in ready to work, Mall. Um, Mamma Johnson, you would match on the sixth floor. They're having Spirit Week, and they're having their sweaters today. So yes, perfect. You look wonderful. Council Chair, Alice Lee. Councilmember Rollins Fernandez. Oh, I saw her face. Perfect. I'm at my private residence. Alone here. Happy birthday to our first office baby, Ava Craig. Oh, happy. I'll go grab my sweater. Yay, so cute. Thanks for sharing that. Councilmember Shane Sinancy. Alohayaka. Uh, baby Eva. Yes, happy birthday. And members, Suki Mora is excused for now. I've been asked to make an announcement that there is Cone and Makes Sushi, and I'm back for I was gonna say the council members, but then that'd be rude. So I guess everybody on this side of the floor on the blue carpet. From Corporation Council, we have with us Thomas Covey, Deputy Corporation Council. I don't see Abby. Oh, hi, Abby. Are you gonna be with us for a later? Um, then please come join us now. Thank you. Abby Hoke. We also have with us um Josiah Nishita, Managing Director, uh Kimo Langraft, Deputy Director of Water Supply. Shane Agawa, Deputy Um Director of Environmental Manager Management, Jody Oshida, Boards and Commissions liaison, and assistant Greg Chief Okomodo. Um, sorry, assistant chief Greg Okamoto, messed that up. Maui police department, our committee staff include Maria Leon, committee secretary, Casey Apotakayama, senior legislative analyst, Clarissa McDonald, legislative analyst, Peter Hanano, legislative attorney, Lei Denine and Jean Poccupala, Council assist uh services assistance clerk. Please see the last page of the agenda for information on meeting connectivity. Testifiers wanting to provide testimony should sign up in the lobby. Join on the online meeting via the teams link or call into the phone number noted on today's agenda. Written testimonies encouraged and can be submitted via the e-comment link at Maui County.us backslash agendas as well. Under the sunshine law, the chair will receive oral testimony for agenda items at the beginning of the meeting and as the item is called up.
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