Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee Meeting – January 28, 2026
STREAMING COPY IN PREPARATION — RECORDING AVAILABLE FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE
Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee Meeting – January 28, 2026
Note: The meeting transcript states the date as January 27, 2026, but the user-provided date for this summary is January 28, 2026. This discrepancy is noted per accuracy rules.
The Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee convened at 1:39 p.m. under new Chair Kalonaro Batungin. The meeting addressed two resolutions: a settlement for a wrongful death lawsuit (Resolution 25-214) and the appointment of special counsel for a police arbitration (Resolution 25-218). Both items were discussed in open session, moved to executive session for confidential legal consultation, and subsequently recommended for adoption by the full council. No public testimony was offered.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No members of the public signed up to testify at the beginning of the meeting or for either agenda item. Oral testimony was closed without objection; written testimony remained open.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 25-214 – Settlement of Estate of Matthew Louis Pereira v. County of Maui: Deputy Corporation Counsel Glenn Pascual described a December 13, 2020 motorcycle vs. truck collision at Dairy Road and Hukilike Street in Kahului. The motorcyclist, Matthew Pereira, died from head injuries; the truck driver, Patrick Ventura, tested positive for methamphetamine, was uninsured, and later convicted of negligent homicide. The county was named as a defendant because it owns Hukilike Street, with allegations of obstructed sight lines. Other defendants are the State of Hawaii, Alexander & Baldwin, and Ventura. A mediated settlement was reached in November 2025, subject to council approval, ahead of a February 2, 2026 trial date. Councilmembers asked about the county's role, the number of parties, and the road's condition at the time of the accident. The committee then voted to enter executive session under HRS §92-5(a)(4) and (a)(8) to discuss legal liabilities and confidential settlement terms.
- Resolution 25-218 – Designation of Hawaii County Corporation Counsel as Special Counsel (SHOPO Arbitration): Deputy Corporation Counsel Kristen Tarnstrom explained that the Department of Corporation Counsel is conflicted out of an arbitration grievance between SHOPO and the Maui Police Department (case M-2022-021). The Hawaii County Corporation Counsel has agreed to serve as special counsel at no fee, only covering travel costs. Deputy Chief Wade Mayeda stated MPD is not opposed. Councilmember Tamara Paulton clarified the scope of executive session, and Councilmember Keani Rollins Fernandez requested strict adherence to discussing only the conflict, not case details. The committee voted to enter executive session under the same statutory provisions.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 25-214: After the executive session (2:07–2:33 p.m.), Legislative Attorney Peter Hanano summarized the discussion as "settlement efforts to date and pros and cons of settlement before going to trial." The committee voted 6–0 (with three members excused) to recommend adoption of the resolution, including any non-substantive revisions. The item moves to the full council.
- Resolution 25-218: Following a second executive session (2:55–3:10 p.m.), the summary noted the committee discussed "the county's duties and liabilities and the necessity of requiring special counsel." The committee voted 8–0 (with one excused) to recommend adoption, including any non-substantive revisions. The item moves to the full council.
- The meeting adjourned at 3:12 p.m.
Meeting Transcript
Well, the government relations ethics and transparency committee meeting of January 27, 2026, come to order. It is 139 p.m. I'm your chair, Calonar Batungin, and this is my first time chairing a county council committee meeting. It's an honor to be here. Um it being great, I brought with me my own Gavel today. This is a piece of the Berlin Wall. So I was born in 1989, and two geopolitical events of significance happened that year. One was the Berlin Wall coming down. The other was Tiananmen Square. And so in my lifetime, I've seen the trajectories of two different people go on in two wildly different directions. And that has stuck with me. And the lessons from being in both Germany and China and seeing how free and prosperous they are, has stuck with me. So as I take the helm of this committee, focusing on government relations, ethics, and transparency, I just wanted to pause and acknowledge where I'm coming from and my hopes for what we can achieve together in this committee. With that, members, in accordance with the Sunshine Law, please identify by name who, if anyone, is in the room, vehicle or workplace with you today. Aloha Chair. Thank you so much for sharing that with us. I am very excited to see you up there, although I miss this committee and this committee staff so much. But I'm so happy for you, and I'm happy for us. Um real quick, if I could, today is my grandma's uh 87th birthday. So happy birthday, Grandma U. Thank you. Councilmember Tom Cook. Good afternoon, Chair. Um, thank you for sharing that. Um 1989 was an important time for me. That's when I got my general contractor's license. So just sharing. Um, I'm really looking forward to the meeting, and um yeah, I'm glad that you're here doing it, and welcome. Thank you. Uh Councilmember Gabe Johnton is excused. Council Chair Alice Lee. Well, good afternoon, Chair. Um, looking forward to your meeting. Congratulations. Thank you. And um, let's see, in 1989, I was starting my first year on the council. Wow. Yeah. Thank you. Councilmember Tamara Paulton. Excused for now. Councilmember Keani Rollins Fernandez. I am at my private residence alone. Um, but I will be joined by my uh two children who are minors and potentially my husband, who's not a minor, uh, Maken Fernandez. Um maybe around like 2 30 is usually when they come home. Uh, and there are currently no testifiers at the Molokai District Office, and how old no to No Hai's Tutu uh Councilmember Shane Tenentia. We in a law chair and congratulations on your uh first uh meeting uh here at my home office. I'm here by myself at Oli La Hanao to No Hay's Tutu Hine, and in 1989, I was four years out of high school. Where were you in 1989? Uh Councilmember Yukile Sugimura is excused.
openpublica.com