Maui County WASUP Committee Meeting: Eviction Mediation & Human Trafficking Prevention - January 26, 2026
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Maui County WASUP Committee Meeting: Eviction Mediation & Human Trafficking Prevention - January 26, 2026
The Maui County Water, Social Services, and Parks (WASUP) Committee met on Monday, January 26, 2026, at 9:02 AM under Chair Shane Senense. The committee discussed two major items: an update on the eviction mediation process under Acts 202 and 278, and child abuse and human trafficking prevention in Maui County. Both items were deferred without objection after presentations, public testimony, and extensive discussion.
Designation of Resources
- For WhatsApp 115 (eviction mediation): Bavon Bowers, Executive Director of Maui Mediation Services, designated as resource under Rule 18A.
- For WhatsApp 116 (child abuse/human trafficking): Deb Marwa (Ho'Okaika Partnership) and Kayla Kutaka (Parents and Children Together) designated as resources.
Public Comments & Testimony
- WhatsApp 115 (Eviction Mediation): No oral testimony was offered. Chair closed testimony after a countdown.
- WhatsApp 116 (Child Abuse & Human Trafficking):
- Kristen Mills (member of Ho'Okaika Partnership) testified in person emphasizing the lifelong impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the need for building resiliency skills across the lifespan. She noted that ACEs underlie many chronic diseases and that community trauma (e.g., wildfires, homelessness) compounds home-based ACEs.
- James Langford testified via Teams, sharing personal experiences of alleged corruption and cover-ups related to human trafficking in Maui County. He stated he had been blackmailed and threatened after reporting trafficking at a property managed by Paramount Hotels LLC. He called for truth and accountability, offering to collaborate with council members and providers.
Discussion Items
1. Update on Eviction Mediation and Related Social Services (WhatsApp 1, Parent 15)
- Bavon Bowers (Maui Mediation Services) presented data from Act 202 (effective Feb 5, 2025 – Feb 5, 2026): 653 cases opened, 336 proceeded to mediation, with an 80% agreement rate. Of 232 lead tenants requesting mediation, 129 were impacted by the 2023 Maui wildfires. Income data showed 48 households earning <$10,000, 57 earning $10k–$30k, 60 earning $30k–$50k, 32 earning $50k–$80k, 7 earning $80k–$100k, and 6 earning >$100k. Only 13 tenants reported receiving rental assistance. Act 278 (a statewide two-year pilot) begins Feb 5–6, 2026, with a shorter 10-day tenant response period.
- Mr. DeLima (Judiciary) reported that the judiciary is updating its website and documents to implement Act 278 and will have materials available online and in-person by Feb 4.
- Ms. Kopwiki Santos (Office of Wellness and Resilience) noted her office will help disseminate information to the community, including through bi-weekly meetings with survivor-focused organizations.
- Mr. Watanabe (Legal Aid Society) expressed concern about the 10-day timeline and lack of rental assistance, noting that tenants often miss deadlines. He clarified that FEMA housing contracts fall under different rules, often negating tenant rights.
- Council discussion focused on the need for legal representation for tenants, tracking of eviction outcomes, rental assistance gaps, and the importance of public education. Members explored potential county support for mediation services and rental assistance programs.
2. Child Abuse and Human Trafficking Prevention in Maui County (WhatsApp 1, Parent 16)
- Deb Marwa (Ho'Okaika Partnership) presented on child abuse prevention. She noted that founded child abuse reports in Maui County were almost halved between 2020 and 2023, but nearly 1 in 5 adults experienced 4+ ACEs before age 18. The partnership uses a protective factors framework (e.g., show Keiki aloha, talking is teaching) and provides navigation services (161 families served in 2025 by one part-time navigator). Funding from the county ($175,000/year) was delayed, causing a service gap; the contract was received only 10 days prior to the meeting, with plans to restore full-time staffing in February 2026.
- Kayla Kutaka (Parents and Children Together) presented on human trafficking in Maui County. Key statistics: 80,000 online ads posted annually in Hawaii; 24% of trafficking victims are on Maui (vs. 11% of state population); 64% of victims identified as part-Hawaiian; 25% of victims were trafficked by a family member; 70% were trafficked while homeless; average age of first trafficking experience is 11. She noted only 19 arrests statewide for trafficking (2014–2020) and one federal conviction in 10 years. PACT operates Maui County's Trafficking Victim Assistance Program, providing case management, crisis response, and training. She emphasized the need for prevention, culturally grounded approaches, and improved data tracking.
- Council questions addressed the role of bullying, school safety, housing insecurity, and the need for survivor-informed services. Members discussed the lack of youth shelters on Maui for trafficked youth, the importance of peer support (e.g., Youth Line), and the challenges of family-based trafficking within local culture.
Key Outcomes
- Deferral of Items: Both agenda items (WhatsApp 1, Parent 15 and Parent 16) were deferred without objection, meaning no immediate action was taken; discussion will continue at a future meeting.
- Follow-Up Requests:
- Member Batangan requested a 7B discussion on county rental assistance programs and convening stakeholders.
- Members asked for written data from Bavon Bowers on household income, rent amounts, and months behind on rent.
- Vice Chair Johnson expressed concern about the six-month delay in funding for Ho'Okaika Partnership and asked for specific budget needs for 2027.
- The committee chair encouraged outreach materials from Maui Mediation to be shared with the public via council channels.
- No votes were taken. The meeting adjourned at 11:32 AM.
Meeting Transcript
Of Monday, January 26, 2026, please come to order. It is 902. I'm Shane Senense, your committee chair. Mahalo members for uh joining us this morning. And just for uh as a reminder for members of the public to please silence your cell phones or any noise-making devices. Uh members uh in accordance with the sunshine law. If you're not in the council chamber, please identify by name who, if anyone is in the room, vehicle or workspace with you today, and minors do not need to be identified. Uh please see the last page of the agenda for information on meeting connectivity. Um joining us this morning, we have committee vice chair Gabe Johnson. Aloha kakayaka. Aloha and good morning, Chair, Council members, committee members. There's no testifiers here at the Lanae District. I'm alone on my side of the office in this beautiful day where the birds are singing and the dogs are snoring. So I'm here and ready to work, Chair. Great. Mahalo for joining us this Monday morning. Uh also joining us uh in the chambers. We have uh member Kawanoya Batangan. Aloha and good morning. Aloha, good morning, Chair. Uh also joining us this morning in the chambers. We have uh member Tom Cook. Aloha kakayaka. Alohayaka, good morning and um looking forward to your meeting. There's currently no testifiers in Kihi, but our staff is there. Thank you. Mahalo for joining us. Uh we're still waiting on Chair Lee, who uh join us in a little bit. Also in the chambers, we have Councilmember Tamara Palten, aloha kayaka aloha kakayaka kaku uhalo. Uh also uh online we see uh member Kiani Rollins Fernandez, aloha kakayaka yaoi aloha kayaka ka call. I'm Malukainuya Hina. I'm at my private residence alone here on there are currently non-testifiers at the Monkai District Office. Mahalo Chair. Mahalo for joining us. Um member Yukile Sugimura is excused this for this morning's meeting, and we'll also await member uh Uuu Hodgins. She'll join us in a little bit. Uh from the Department of Human Concerns, we have Miss Jessica Krause, acting uh department director, and she'll be joining us for the second item, first item, both. Okay. From the Department of Housing, uh we have Miss Cassie Yamashita, uh, our county housing program administrator, uh joining us also this morning from the council floor. We have uh Miss Murakami, our deputy corporation counsel. Good morning. Good morning, Chair. Morning, and our uh committee staff members helping to conduct this morning's meeting. We have Miss Griselda Paranata, aloha, Ms. Clarissa McDonald, good morning, uh Miss Ellen McKinley, Miss Megan Moniz, Miss Lei Denine, and Miss Janine Pokipala. Welcome everyone. Uh members on today's item. We have two items. An update on the eviction mediation and related social services, WhatsApp one parent 15, and our second item, child abuse and human trafficking prevention in Maui County. What's up item one, parent 16?
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