Maui County Council Meeting Summary, December 5, 2025

The Maui County Council convened on December 5, 2025, establishing a quorum with six voting members present and one excused. The meeting featured opening remarks from Councilmember Tom Cook focusing on themes of faith, hope, and gratitude following recent personal and professional stressors. A ceremonial resolution was postponed due to a recent accident. The council reviewed committee reports regarding tax reforms, water infrastructure, and economic development zones, while addressing public concerns about neighborhood safety and the commercial recovery of Lahaina.

Consent Calendar

• The ceremonial resolution for a donation was postponed due to an accident.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bobby Kalavi (residence of 26 Ayahi Place) expressed safety concerns regarding a blind turn on Ayahi Place, noting that large dump trailers left parking on the grass shoulder obstruct visibility and nearly caused a collision with a county rubbish truck. He requested a review of the area for safety improvements. Councilmember Rollins Fernandez suggested physical obstructions, such as stones, as a potential solution, though Kalavi had not personally spoken to the neighbor about parking.
• Marcy Martin (Director of Finance) testified in full support of Bill 171 to extend property tax relief for properties damaged by the August 2023 wildfires. She stated the Department of Finance supports the bill as is without amendments and confirmed public outreach would be provided upon passage.
• Leslie Milner (Budget Director) provided testimony in support of Bill 179 (additional funding for the Department of Police via Highway Safety Grants) and Bill 180 (funding for Lokahi Pacific for Kulani High School activities). She clarified that the Department would be available to answer administrative questions during deliberation.
• Jonathan Hilton (Grassroots Institute of Hawaii) expressed support for the property tax waiver in Bill 171, noting it would assist residents in rebuilding. He stated he was interested in learning about a potential amendment proposed by Councilmember Poulton to ensure the bill's effectiveness.
• Jade Rojas Latisi (Director of OED) offered support for CR 25-72, recommending the designation of a proposed enterprise zone for a 20-year period. She highlighted successful community outreach in West Maui and emphasized the urgency of meeting the April 30th state deadline.
• McKinley Eads urged the Council to pass Bill 171 but strongly expressed concern that commercial property owners are being "forgotten" and face unique challenges, including regulatory delays and a lack of grants. He stated that without changes, commercial properties may not have certificates of occupancy by 2028.
• Tom Crowley expressed support for the real property tax reform committee reports. He supported the "circuit-breaker" program in Bill 170 and the extension of tax relief in Bill 171, though he raised concerns about the administrative implementation of the latter regarding title cleanups versus actual sales. He also expressed support for Bill 169 regarding Community Land Trusts but recommended a simplification where only the building value is taxed for properties owned by trusts.
• James Langford testified regarding tax bills, suggesting a software solution on Facebook to mitigate budget shortfalls and referencing specific bill numbers (e.g., Bill 160). He offered to share details for the Council to review.
• Unidentified Testifier (appearing late) expressed concern regarding the frequent cancellations of the Cultural Resources Commission and the Housing Solutions committee due to lack of quorum. Additionally, they inquired about the material of water bottles donated in Resolution 25-219, asking if they were made of metal rather than plastic.

Discussion Items

• Safety on Ayahi Place: Councilmembers discussed adding physical obstructions (stones, balloons) to the no-parking ordinance for Bill 175. Councilmember Poulton suggested consulting Public Works for expert recommendations on obstructions that do not block sightlines further.
• Bill 171 (Tax Relief): Councilmember Poulton circulated an amendment to restrict tax relief exemptions for properties sold via warranty deeds after the fire, distinguishing them from "title cleanups" (court-ordered transfers between family members). Director Martin indicated that while restricting new owners is a valid long-term goal, administering such a restriction immediately is difficult; she agreed to provide quarterly updates on the bill's administration. Councilmember Rollins Fernandez confirmed the bill was developed specifically in response to concerns from the commercial property sector.
• Bill 169 (Land Trusts): Following testimony from Tom Crowley regarding the complexity of assessing properties with shared equity deed restrictions, Councilmember Rollins Fernandez clarified that the bill brings parity to properties whose deed restrictions are not currently enforced by the county. Director Martin confirmed the ordinance provides adequate guidance for the Real Property Assessment Division to implement the program without necessitating changes to the bill text.
• Bill 2522 (Joint Use Development): Councilmember Cook explained that the resolution refers a proposed bill to the Lanai, Maui, and Molokai Planning Commissions to allow adjoining lots to be developed as a single entity, a measure deemed critical for the efficient rebuilding of Lahaina.

Key Outcomes

• Committee Report 25-83 / Bill 170 (Income-Based Tax Credit): Approved on first reading with 7 ayes; establishes an income-based circuit breaker for qualified homeowners where taxes exceed 2% of household income.
• Committee Report 25-84 / Bill 171 (Wildfire Tax Exemption Extension): Approved on first reading with 7 ayes; extends temporary tax exemptions for wildfire-affected properties through June 30, 2028.
• Committee Report 25-85 / Bill 169 (Shared Equity Tax Valuation): Approved on first reading with 7 ayes; allows the Director of Finance to consider resale restricted prices when assessing shared equity properties.
• Committee Report 25-86 / Bill 160 (Wai 'Ohai Water Initiative): Approved on first reading with 7 ayes; authorizes the mayor to enter intergovernmental agreements for the Wai 'Ohai Fresh Water Initiative.
• Resolution 25-219: Adopted with 7 ayes (after amendment); amended to reflect 363 water bottles (corrected from 372) donated by 100%. The bottles were confirmed to be large and metal.
• Resolution 25-220: Adopted with 7 ayes; approves the 2026 High East State Association of Counties legislative package for all four counties.
• Resolution 25-222: Adopted with 7 ayes; refers the joint use development bill to the planning commissions.
• Bill 175: Passed on first reading with 7 ayes; prohibits parking on the west side of Ayahi Place for 175 feet to improve safety.
• Bill 179: Passed on first reading with 7 ayes; increases the Department of Police appropriation by $495,000 for Highway Safety Grants.
• Bill 180: Passed on first reading with 7 ayes; adds $15,000 for Lokahi Pacific to support Kulani High School activities.
• Second and Final Reading: Bills 136, 137, 150, 151, 152, 172, 173, and 174 were approved unanimously on second and final reading with 7 ayes; these bills cover bond issuances, water supply grants, senior housing appropriations, and economic development program adjustments.
• Committee Report 25-72: Adopted with 7 ayes; recommends the adoption of Resolution 25-193 (West Maui Enterprise Zone designation). Resolution 25-194 (Maui Countywide) was noted as previously adopted.
• Procedural Note: A discrepancy was noted in the transcript regarding the date of the meeting (Councilmember Cook's opening remarks stated December 5th, while the transcript header and some procedural references mentioned December 5th and 8th; the summary reflects the date stated in the spoken opening remarks).
• Next Steps: The Finance Director will provide quarterly updates on the administration of Bill 171. Public Works will be consulted regarding physical safety obstructions for Bill 175.