Committee Debates Limited Meeting on Kahoolawe for Naulu Cloud Bridge Revival
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Committee Debates Limited Meeting on Kahoolawe for Naulu Cloud Bridge Revival
On January 30, 2026, the Agriculture Diversification, Environment, and Public Transportation Committee of Maui County met to consider two agenda items aimed at reviving the Naulu Cloud Bridge on Kahoolawe. The primary purpose was to vote on holding a limited meeting on the island, citing health, safety, and practicality concerns. The committee unanimously approved the motions and deferred the items pending final arrangements.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Royal House of Hawaii (testifier): Opposed the limited meeting and the project, arguing that Kahoolawe is Royal Patent Alodio title land belonging to descendants and heirs, who have not been contacted. The testifier stated the meeting must be public and that the land should be prioritized for descendants first, then other Hawaiians, and finally the public. They expressed concern that the County is participating in illegal occupation.
- James Langford (testifier): Expressed excitement about the committee's visit to Kahoolawe, framing the cloud bridge as a spiritual opportunity and a smart way to address climate impacts like melting Arctic ice caps. He urged council members to develop empathy and spiritual connection during the visit, emphasizing that the public needs to be informed.
Discussion Items
- Limited Meeting on Kahoolawe (Item 1): Chair Johnson explained the statutory requirements under HRS §92-3.1(a) for a limited meeting, where public access is restricted or closed. He cited dangerous conditions (unexploded ordnance, harsh environment, remote location) and impracticalities (need for liability waivers, boat transport requiring swimming, weak Wi-Fi) as reasons. Executive Director Mike Nahoopi of the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission confirmed visitors must be escorted by trained access guides, travel is via ATV on rough terrain, and facilities are basic with no ADA access.
- Scheduling and Video Recording Waiver (Items 2 & 3): The committee considered a second motion on the necessity of the site inspection and public attendance impracticability (citing ADA issues, liability waivers, and limited facilities), and a third motion to waive the video recording requirement due to charging limitations and safety concerns.
Key Outcomes
- Motion 1 (Necessity and Danger): Motion carried 6-0. The committee determined that a limited meeting on Kahoolawe is necessary and the location is dangerous to public health/safety due to unexploded ordnance, harsh environment, limited facilities, and lack of emergency services.
- Motion 2 (Necessity and Impracticability): Motion carried 6-0. The committee found that public attendance is impractical due to ADA issues, required liability waivers and fees, hazardous conditions, and limited transportation and communication infrastructure.
- Motion 3 (Video Recording Waiver): Motion carried 5-0 (one member excused). The committee waived the video recording requirement because of limited power sources, the need for staff to take handwritten notes, and dangerous terrain for filming.
- Deferral: Chair Johnson deferred both agenda items, noting that a memo with travel details (including the proposed date of February 12, 2026) would be forthcoming.
Meeting Transcript
Okay. It looks like we're about ready, and we're gonna call a kaku. Members, here's the countdown for Akaku. Five, four, three, two, one. Go. Good afternoon. Will the agriculture diversification environment and public transportation committee meeting of January thirtieth, twenty twenty six? Please come to border. The time is now one thirty three p.m. three p.m. members in accordance with Sunshine Law. If you're not in the Council Chamber County, please identify it. Miners do not need to be identified. Also, please see the last page on the agenda for information on meeting connectivity. Remind remind yourselves to all silence your cell phones. I am Gabe Johnson, your committee chair. Also joining us today is Vice Chair Sinense, Aloha Council member. I see you there. Yes, it is. Welcome aboard. Thank you, Chair. Next, we have committee member Tom Cook. Aloha. Hello, uh, Chair. Good afternoon. Uh, there's no currently no testifiers in the key office. Great, thank you for that. Moving on to Council Chair Alice Lee, Aloha Council member. Hi, Chair. Aloha, everyone. I'm here alone in my workspace. Okay, great. Of course, uh, committee member Tamara Poulton is a member, but she's excused today. Following up, we have committee member Noelani U Hodgins, Aloha Council member. Aloha, Chair. I'm alone in my personal vehicle for the next twenty-six-ish minutes, and then I will be on the road, and I will be listening and following along. Okay, next we are our non-voting committee members. Of course, they're always welcome. Today joining us is Councilmember Keanu Rollins Fernand. Fernandez Aloha Council member. Aloha Chair. Um joining from my private residence on Molokai. Uh there are two minor children here. Um, and there will be an adult joining me, my husband Makena Fernandez, uh, shortly. Uh, and we currently have no testifiers at the Molokai District Office. Mahalo for having me. Of course. Uh, and of course, Councilmember Yukile Sugimer is always welcome. Uh from our administration, we have corporation counsel, Adrian Rice Snyder, Deputy Corporation Counsel. Uh okay, and then we have uh resource personnel.
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