Maui County Council Meeting Summary - December 19, 2025

The Maui County Council convened on December 19, 2025, at 9:03 AM, adopting a solemn and celebratory tone with opening remarks honoring the legacy of the late Lawrence Cabanilla, followed by public testimony, budget amendments, and extensive deliberation on housing and zoning legislation. The meeting concluded by tabling the contentious resolution regarding new H3/H4 hotel districts to allow for further committee discussion before final action.

Consent Calendar

• Committee Report 25-87 through 25-91 recommending adoption of settlements and a bill on alternate members for boards/commissions was approved unanimously (8-0).
• Resolution 25-223 appointing Max Sai to the Police Commission was amended to place his name on Exhibit C for disapproval; the amendment and main motion as amended carried 8-0.
• Resolution 25-224 accepting a $250 donation from CNS Wholesale Grocers LLC for the Department of OEV Resources was approved 8-0.
• Resolution 25-228 extending the term of the Special Committee on Real Property Tax Reform was approved 8-0.
• Resolution 25-231 authorizing special counsel for the Lahaina Wastewater Facility NPDES permit was approved 8-0.
• Resolution 25-232 urging state action for PEG media funding was approved 8-0.
• Bill 182 (OEV Resources donation appropriation) approved on first reading 8-0.
• Bill 183 (West Maui height limits) approved on first reading 8-0.
• Bills 184 through 191 and Bill 193 (Budget amendments for Parks, Transportation, Police, Firefighters, Board of Ethics, etc.) approved on first reading 8-0.
• Bill 194 (County Council vacancies) approved on first reading 8-0.
• Bill 160 CD1 (Wai Maoli Freshwater Initiative) approved on second/final reading 8-0.
• Bills 169, 170, and 171 CD1 (Valuations, Tax Credit, Wildfire Tax Relief) approved on second/final reading 8-0.
• Bills 175 and 179 (Police/Transportation funding) approved on second/final reading 8-0.
• Bill 180 (Lokahi Pacific grant) approved on second/final reading 8-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Reverend Genshohara Hara & Maya Hara: Spoke in honor of Lawrence Cabanilla, describing him as a "hero" and "icon" whose family's dedication makes the Lahaina Jodo Mission Oboan Festival possible.
• Mikey Burke: Expressed deep emotional gratitude, recounting how Cabanilla taught the community to be "strong like bamboo" (flexible, not rigid) rather than an oak tree.
• Mahina Martin (Director of Public Affairs): Stated Mayor Bisson held Cabanilla in "deep aloha" and recounted how Cabanilla consistently held the community accountable for faith and respect during post-fire meetings.
• John Smith (Recovery Administrator): Publicly thanked Cabanilla for his commitment and strength, stating he gained "resolution" from Cabanilla's example.
• Travis O'Connell (Grandson): Delivered a speech stating his grandfather "was a staple" in his life, teaching him that "you can do it" and that life is about taking the "honest way" rather than shortcuts.
• Laura Nokitaki (Office of Ethics): Testified in favor of increasing the Board of Ethics staff from three to five positions, citing 55 informal advisory opinions issued in four months and an urgent need for a second attorney to ensure independence.
• Owen Gray: Urged the Council to vote in favor of Resolution 25-230 and fully adopt the Temporary Investigative Group (TIG) recommendations for H3/H4 zoning.
• Jay April: Expressed support for Resolution 25-232, explaining that public access media (Akaku) is under threat as cable providers (Spectrum) claim public rights of way without paying rent, and urging the state to protect PEG funding.
• John Smith (Testifier on Bill 183): Expressed full support for Bill 183, stating the alignment of the community plan with zoning will allow the developer to increase affordable housing units from 143 to 240.
• Brian Whitman: Offered observations supporting the Council's housing efforts, suggesting pre-approved building plans and design contests as immediate solutions.
• Greg Rilski: Stated support for the TIG report but expressed concern that properties are being considered for conversion without unanimous owner consent; stated he did not want his properties (in A1/A2 zones) to be converted to hotel zones if owners do not want it.
• Dan McKenna: Expressed encouragement and full support for the TIG report and Resolution 25-230.
• Caitlin Miller (Maui Vacation Rental Association): Expressed conditional support for the referral to planning commissions, emphasizing the need to ensure zoning changes do not have unintended consequences on housing.
• Jonathan Heiton (Grassroots Institute): Expressed support for Bill 183 but requested an amendment to allow rebuilding of all structures taller than 35 feet, not just public/quasi-public ones, noting the current draft limits this.
• Kainashiki (Testifier): Requested that Resolution 25-230 be referred to a Council committee prior to the Planning Commission to allow for full deliberation and a comprehensive proposal, arguing the community was not involved in TIG discussions.
• McKinley Eads: Expressed strong support for Bill 171 (tax relief extension) and Bill 183 (height limits), noting zero commercial properties have been rebuilt.
• Tom Crowley: Offered condolences to the Cabanilla family; expressed support for Bill 171 and the referral of Resolution 25-230, suggesting clear criteria should be established for rezoning based on historical tax records.

Discussion Items

• H3/H4 Zoning (Resolution 25-230): Council debated the referral of H3/H4 hotel district zoning to the Planning Commissions. Member Paulton moved to amend the bill to require shoreline access, parking, a 10% profit contribution to a managed retreat fund, and suspended Rule 19 to allow final action. Member Cook argued the bill was not ready and lacked support from residents of the affected complexes.
• Committee Referral Debate: Multiple members (Johnson, Rollins Fernandez, Paulton, Senancy) argued they were not part of the private TIG meetings and did not have enough time or information to make informed decisions. They pushed to send the item to a committee (DRIP or HOU) for a full 7B discussion before sending to Planning. Member Uu Hodgins argued against reopening the issue and supported sending it to Planning to meet the 120-day timeline.
• Planning Director Testimony: Director Blystone clarified that transmitting the item by January 9th is required to have it heard at the last February meeting of the Planning Commissions; delaying would push the timeline to March.
• Procedural Deadlock: Without six votes (including the Rule 19 suspension vote), the resolution could not pass. The Council voted to table the item to a future meeting (scheduled for January 7, with a committee meeting on January 5) rather than vote it down or pass it without amendments.

Key Outcomes

• Table Motion: Resolution 25-230 (H3/H4 zoning) was tabled until the next scheduled Council meeting on January 7, 2025, with a committee meeting (DRIP) scheduled for January 5, 2025, to allow for further deliberation and amendment.
• Appointments: Resolutions 25-223 (Sai to Police Commission) was denied; Resolutions 25-229 (Butello to Water Supply) and 25-234 (Ellison to Water Supply) were adopted/filed.
• Taxes & Budget: Bills 170 and 171 (tax credit and fire relief) and various budget amendments (Bills 182-193) passed unanimously on first or second reading.
• Legislation: Bill 194 (Council vacancies) passed on first reading to codify the existing vacancy process.
• Adjournment with Song: The meeting adjourned with the traditional Hawaiian song."