Maui County Council Disaster Recovery Committee Meeting - January 28, 2026
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Maui County Council Disaster Recovery, International Affairs and Planning Committee Meeting - January 28, 2026
The Disaster Recovery, International Affairs and Planning Committee of the Maui County Council met on January 28, 2026, at 9:00 AM. The meeting addressed two main agenda items: a resolution to accept a donation of emergency communication equipment (DRIP-21) and a presentation on the social host liability ordinance (DRIP-99). The committee voted to approve the donation resolution with amendments and later held an executive session to discuss constitutional concerns regarding the social host ordinance. No votes were taken on the social host item, which will be considered at the February 6 council meeting.
DRIP-21: Resolution 26-5 – Acceptance of Compact Rapid Deployable Towers (CRDs)
- The resolution authorizes acceptance of a one-year loan of four compact rapid deployable towers (CRDs) from ST Comms Inc. via AT&T FirstNet for use by the Department of Fire and Public Safety. The equipment includes one large CRD (size of a golf cart) for Maui and two smaller suitcase-sized units for Molokai and Lanai, intended to provide emergency cell coverage during disasters.
- Public Testimony: Don Adam James asked why this equipment was chosen over options used during the 2023 wildfires and about the decision-making process for disaster funds. Jim Langford testified on Teams regarding HRS 92-4 and requested an executive session.
- Discussion: Committee members asked about costs (none for use; replacement costs: $34,999 for mini CRDs, $98,999 for CRD), deployment timeline (within one hour), storage locations (fire stations), compatibility with existing FirstNet devices, and the difference from Starlink. The fire department explained the equipment provides priority and preemption for first responders on the network. The committee adopted a CD1 version clarifying that the resolution accepts only the use donation and does not imply consent to the attached agreement's terms. The motion to replace with CD1 passed 8-0-1 (Councilmember Sugimura excused), and the main motion as amended also passed 8-0-1.
- Key Outcomes: Resolution 26-5 adopted with CD1 amendments. The donation acceptance will proceed; the council has no authority over the underlying contract.
DRIP-99: Social Host Liability Ordinance (Chapter 9.40) – 7B Presentation
- This item stemmed from a required two-year review of the ordinance, which took effect September 1, 2021. The Maui Police Department (MPD) raised concerns about enforceability and constitutionality, leading to the introduction of Bill 17-2026 to repeal Chapter 9.40. The bill was tabled to allow this discussion.
- Opening Remarks: Deputy Corporation Counsel Tom Colby advised that constitutional discussions should occur in executive session. MPD Chief John Pelletier stated the ordinance has never been enforced, supports repeal, and noted an existing criminal statute (misdemeanor) for similar offenses. He expressed intent to work with HI5 (Maui Coalition for Drug for Youth) on preventive education. Prosecuting Attorney Chad Kumagai deferred constitutional comments to executive session.
- Public Testimony: Rick Collins (Director, Maui Coalition for Drug for Youth) opposed repeal, arguing the civil law provides deterrence for underage drinking parties. He cited an independent legal analysis that the law is enforceable and expressed willingness to collaborate on alternative strategies. Jim Langford again referenced HRS 92-4 and requested an executive session with supporting documents.
- Discussion: Councilmembers noted the ordinance does not apply to Molokai and Lanai. Questions were raised about the definition of responsible parties (e.g., hotel renters vs. owners), enforcement challenges, and the constitutionality. Multiple members supported an executive session to hear legal advice.
- Executive Session: The committee unanimously (9-0) voted to go into executive session under HRS 92-5(a)(4) and (a)(6) to consult with legal counsel on the county's liabilities and public safety matters. Participants included all council members, Corporation Counsel, Prosecuting Attorney, MPD Chief and Deputy Chief, and OCS staff. After the session, Legislative Attorney Carla Nakata summarized that the committee discussed rights and liabilities related to the ordinance and reviewed the chief's letter. No further action was taken.
- Key Outcomes: No vote was taken on the repeal. The committee noted that the vote on Bill 17-2026 will occur at the February 6, 2026 council meeting. The meeting adjourned at 11:08 AM following the executive session summary.
Meeting Transcript
With a disaster recovery, international affairs and planning committee come to order. The time is now nine A.M. If everyone can please silence their cell phones or any noise making devices that will help our cause. Ready to work. Aloha Jill. And we also have committee member Keani Rollins Fernandez. Aloha Kakayaka. Aloha Kakayaka Kako. My Molo Kainuya Hina. I'm at my private residence alone here. And there are currently no testifiers at the Molakai District Office. Mahalaj. Thank you. And we also have committee member Shane Sinansi. Aloha Kakayaka. Alohayaka chair. If someone could let me in the meeting, I'd thank you. Apologies, Member Senancy. It looks like you're in the meeting, but I can come over to assist. Okay, thank you. Thank you. And um, I'm not sure where Member Sugi Mura is, but she might be on her way or not. Not sure. Anyways, moving on. This meeting of the Disaster Recovery International Affairs and Planning Committee of the Maui County Council is located on the traditional Aina of Kanaka Oebi, who never ceded their sovereignty to the United States. We recognize that her Majesty Queen Lili O'Kalani yielded the Hawaiian kingdom to the U.S. Inderex under threat of violence to avoid the bloodshed of her people. We further recognize that Hawaii remains an illegally occupied nation state by the U.S. as documented in a 2021 scholarly article for the National Lawyers Guild Review by Andrew Reed, a junct professor of law at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Generations of Kanaka Maui and their knowledge systems have sustainably cared for Hawaii and continue to do so. We are grateful to occupy the space and learn the ways in which we can contribute. As a committee, we seek to support the varied strategies that the indigenous peoples of Hawaii are using to protect their land and their communities and commit to dedicating time and resources to working in solidarity. From the administration today, as resources, we have communications coordinator from the Department of Fire and Public Safety, Paul McLeod for DRIP 21. Um Assistant Chief of the Department of Police, Joy Medares for DRIP 99. Um prosecuting attorney, Andrew Martin from the Department of Prosecuting Attorney, Chad Kumagai, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney from the Department of Prosecuting Attorney, Deputy Corporation Councils. We have three today, because we're that special, I guess. Um we got Mr. Mike Hopper overall, Mr. Tom Colby for the um social host liability, and Miss Christy Trenholm for the fire uh department donation item. Um other resources that we have available are Elizabeth Gregg, First Net Solutions Consultant ATT, and that's for DRIP 21. Members, without objection, I will designate Miss Greg as a resource person under Rule 18A of the rules of the council. Miss Greg has worked with the Department of Fire and Public Safety as the first net representative to improve the county's cellular capability and broadband coverage during major incidents. Thank you. Our committee staff today. We have senior committee secretary Yvette Boutelier, legislative analysts Gerald Jarrett Pasqua and Kioni Hurdle, legislative attorney Carla Nakata and Assistant Clerk Jean Poquipala. So for we're gonna be spending the day together. Thank you, folks. Um our first agenda has two items that will be um for decision making. That's why we kind of split the agenda up into decision making and uh presentations. Um DRIP 21 is a resolution 265 authorizing acceptance of a donation of compact rapid deployable towers from ST comms Inc.
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