Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee Meeting – February 10, 2026

The Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee, chaired by Vice Chair Nohelani Uu Hodgins (acting for Chair Batangan), met on February 10, 2026, to consider the mayor's nominations to 34 positions on various county boards, commissions, and committees (Resolutions 26-18 through 26-34). The meeting began at 1:41 PM and adjourned at 5:13 PM. The council's 30-day deadline to approve or disapprove the nominations is March 2, 2026. No votes were taken; the resolutions will be placed on the February 18, 2026, full council agenda for floor action.

Public Comments & Testimony

• One individual, JC Law from Kulaoka Wa Choaho, testified at the beginning of the meeting. He expressed gratitude to the committee and staff, noted that he had reviewed the nominations, and specifically supported John Howley Thomas Tomoso (nominee for the Board of Ethics), stating he had met Tomoso at church and described him as “bonus.” No other oral testimony was offered.

Discussion Items

• Commission on Persons with Disabilities (Resolution 26-30): Nominees Frank Barbosa (new) and Linda Popolo (reappointment, absent). Barbosa, born with a disability, emphasized safety concerns for disabled persons, including dangerous roads, inadequate transportation, and long waits for paratransit. He pledged to attend meetings if transportation is available. Members expressed support, noting his passion and community advocacy. Popolo was praised for her work with the Hayes Foundation and family caregiving.
• Animal Control Board (Resolution 26-18): Nominees Wendy Hornak (new) and James Rensberger (reappointment, absent). Hornak, founder of a nonprofit for affordable spay/neuter, described her work with Maui Humane Society and stressed the need for education on animal control issues. She confirmed she could attend meetings. Rensberger was not present; his reappointment was noted.
• Board of Ethics (Resolution 26-19): Nominees Brian Tanaka (new) and Johnito “Hawli” Tomoso (new). Tanaka, an injury lawyer, said he had reviewed board minutes and meetings, understands the quasi-judicial role, and can commit to monthly meetings. Tomoso, a retired county employee, priest, and social worker, spoke of his previous service on the Commission on Ethics under Mayor Lingle and his commitment to morality and ethics. Both were well received.
• Civil Service Commission (Resolution 26-20): Nominee Sarah Pajimola (reappointment, absent). Members noted her dedication and past service; no questions.
• Commission on Children and Youth (Resolution 26-21): Nominees Kaila Kutaka (reappointment) and Romi Medeiros (reappointment). Kutaka, a special education teacher and behavioral health clinician, highlighted her work elevating youth voices and strengthening mandated reporting awareness. Medeiros, from Maui Family Support Services, leads youth drug-prevention programs. Both were supported.
• Conservation Planning Committee (Resolution 26-22): Nominee Michelle Lingold (reappointment, absent). Noted as a reappointment; no questions.
• Council on Aging (Resolution 26-23): Nominees: reappointees Heather Room Durham (present) and Susan Park (absent); new nominees Belle Cox (present via Teams), King Van Nostrand (present, introduced late), and Monica Rabella (also nominee for Real Property Tax Review Board). Durham, a retired nurse, volunteers at senior centers and works with Hobby Unicode. Cox, a retired naval officer, reviewed the commission's needs assessment. Van Nostrand, executive director of Naho Aloha, stressed listening to seniors and addressing rural transportation and food access. Rabella, a retired CPA, was also heard earlier. All expressed commitment to attendance.
• Fire and Public Safety Commission (Resolution 26-24): Nominee Daryl Periboro (new). Periboro, a CERT volunteer and mentor, discussed his experience post-Lahaina fire and his willingness to review budgets and oversee MEMA. He pledged to attend monthly meetings.
• Housing Advisory Board (Resolution 26-25): Nominee Bill Curtis (reappointment). Curtis, a general contractor, noted the board had not yet met due to lack of quorum and pending policy legislation. He suggested streamlining permitting and pre-approved house plans. Members supported his reappointment.
• Independent Nomination Board (Resolution 26-26): Nominees Dwight Burns (reappointment), Gina Gormley (reappointment, absent), and Chad Viella (reappointment). Burns, retired, described the board's intensive interview process and commitment to finding qualified volunteers. Viella, a two-year member, asked for patience as the board gains momentum and noted recruitment efforts at community events. Both were supported.
• Lana‘i Planning Commission (Resolution 26-27): Nominee David Leon (new). Leon, a remote worker in food systems, spoke about balancing development with cultural and environmental stewardship. He acknowledged the influence of the island’s majority landowner (Larry Ellison) and expressed interest in ecological solutions over desalination. He committed to learning the Coastal Zone Management Act and sea level rise projections.
• Liquor Control Adjudication Board (Resolution 26-28): Nominee Dustin Kaleopu (reappointment). Kaleopu, a Lahaina native, said he learned about quasi-judicial processes and public health. No questions.
• Liquor Control Commission (Resolution 26-29): Nominee Christine Kahialani Silva (new). Silva, a former bartender and military spouse, expressed willingness to learn about liquor license applications and streamline processes. She supports investigating Narcan in establishments. Members appreciated her industry perspective.
• Maui Redevelopment Agency (MRA) (Resolution 26-31): Nominee Stanford Linus (reappointment). Linus, a fifth-generation Kanaka Maoli, emphasized preserving culture, especially in the historic Wailuku district. He opposed height increases beyond coconut tree level. Members supported his reappointment.
• Maui Planning Commission (Resolution 26-32): Nominees Kiaka Kamae (new) and Prentice Ray Noel Patel (new). Kamae, a drywall taper and union representative, stressed balance between development and cultural stewardship, acknowledging the need for housing while protecting burial sites. Patel, a field representative for carpenters, said he would bring a middle-ground perspective and is willing to obtain an ethics advisory opinion. Both were questioned about potential conflicts of interest and their lack of prior board service.
• Police Commission (Resolution 26-33): Nominee Shakley Rafeto (new). Rafeto, a retired circuit court judge and drug court founder, provided detailed data on 2025 arrests (9,760 total, including 2 murders, 109 sexual assaults, 448 aggravated assaults). He highlighted the commission's need for an independent investigator and his ability to contribute to oversight and public trust. Members strongly supported his nomination.
• Public Works Commission (Resolution 26-34): Nominees Jeremy Delos Reyes (reappointment, absent) and Brian Onodera (new). Onodera, a mechanical engineer at the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope, committed to attending meetings and cited his professional engineering license and Ka Ipu Kukui program experience. Members supported his nomination.
• Real Property Tax Review Board (Resolution 26-35): Nominee Monica Rabella (new). Rabella, a retired CPA with 40 years of tax experience, said she was familiar with the board's appeal process. She also serves on the Council on Aging. She committed to attendance.
• Salary Commission (Resolution 26-36): Nominee Kavella Schultz (new). Schultz, general manager of Green Kachamano Center, noted the salary commission was not her first choice but she agreed to serve. Members supported her.

Key Outcomes

• No votes were taken during the committee meeting. All resolutions were deferred to the February 18, 2026, full council meeting for floor action. The council's statutory deadline to act on the nominations is March 2, 2026.
• The committee noted that several nominees were absent, including Linda Popolo, James Rensberger, Sarah Pajimola, Michelle Lingold, Susan Park (Council on Aging), Gina Gormley, and Jeremy Delos Reyes. Their reappointments will be considered by the full council.
• Staff (Yukari Murakami) is to follow up on inconsistent application versions and missing confidential forms; members may schedule appointments to review redacted information.
• The committee will also address the need for advisory opinions from the Board of Ethics for nominees with potential conflicts (e.g., Kiaka Kamae and Prentice Patel).
• The meeting was adjourned at 5:13 PM.