Maui County Council Committee Meeting Confirms Planning and Human Concerns Directors – March 10, 2026
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Maui County Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee Meeting – March 10, 2026
The committee met on March 10, 2026, at 1:31 p.m. under the chairmanship of Councilmember Colin Ibatungan to consider and vote on two mayoral appointments: Jackie Takakura as Director of Planning and Maggie Willis as Director of Human Concerns. Both appointments were recommended for approval by the full council after extensive testimony, questioning, and debate.
Public Comments & Testimony
- On the Planning Director appointment: Nicole Huganen, Sam Small, Christopher Salem, and others testified regarding the 45-foot Nepeele structure (Greg Brown house), alleging it was permitted as an 8-bedroom single-family home but is actually a 12-bedroom duplex with two kitchens, two entrances, and two electrical systems. Testifiers claimed the permit was obtained using false information and that the previous planning director handled compliance behind closed doors rather than issuing a public notice of violation. Christopher Salem stated that the county will receive $169,000 in back taxes as a result of his investigation. One testifier, J.C. Law, expressed broad support for Ms. Takakura, noting he saw her in action at a planning meeting and thought she did a "pretty good job."
- On the Human Concerns Director appointment: Nicole Huganen (Maui Rapid Response) expressed support for Maggie Willis, noting her vision aligns with community-based housing justice. Lisa Darcy (Share Your Mana) expressed caution, stating that Maui is built on relationships and that coming from the mainland presents a hurdle; she questioned how the nominee would address the county’s constitutional harm to unhoused people. Kahala Johnson, Richard Bloom (former Santa Monica mayor), Leepi Shimkada (L.A. County Department of Homeless Services), Moe Kava Akoa (Holomua Outreach), and Julie DeRose all spoke in strong support of Ms. Willis, emphasizing her collaborative leadership, integrity, and experience. One testifier from the Royal House of Hawaii called for return of land to Native Hawaiians as the greatest human concern.
Discussion Items
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Appointment of Jackie Takakura as Planning Director: Mayor Bissen introduced Ms. Takakura, highlighting her 27-year county career, including roles as deputy planning director and long-range division program administrator. Ms. Takakura described her background and priorities: expediting Lahaina rebuilding permits, advancing housing reforms (e.g., allowing two ADUs in residential/rural districts), completing the South Maui Community Plan, updating Title 19, and improving interdepartmental coordination. Councilmembers questioned her on:
- How she would balance the director’s approval authority with community input (she said she would rely on staff expertise and consult with the mayor’s office and corporation counsel for contentious items).
- Goals for the department (finishing community plans, updating land use inventory, continuing Title 19 updates).
- Measuring success: "getting these projects done" – e.g., resolutions approved, community plan milestones reached.
- How she would work with other departments (regular meetings already occurring with water, public works, OEV resources).
- The recovery coordination directive (RCD 6) that moved historic district permits from commission to administrative review; she acknowledged the Cultural Resources Commission had not yet been formally briefed on the directive. She defined "like for like" as same use, with up to 10% change allowed.
- Her interpretation of the wetlands overlay map (supportive of further discussion).
- The Greg Brown house: said no open violations currently exist; if a complaint is filed, the department will investigate.
- Housing affordability: freeing up zoning districts, expediting infrastructure permitting, working with DHHL.
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Appointment of Maggie Willis as Human Concerns Director: Mayor Bissen acknowledged concerns about Willis not being local but argued that homelessness requires specialized expertise. Managing Director Nishita noted a waiver of HRS Section 78-1 (residency requirement) was submitted because of the position’s highly specialized nature. Ms. Willis described her 20 years of experience designing homelessness and housing programs, including diversion, multi-use facilities, and benefits advocacy. She committed to:
- Developing a strategic plan for homelessness with the community.
- Strengthening collaboration across service providers and between government and grassroots organizations.
- Prioritizing recovery, including the Safe Places to Park program.
- Ensuring contracts measure outcomes, not just presence.
- Leaning on OEV Resources for culturally grounded approaches.
Councilmembers questioned her on:
- How she would verify outreach contractors are serving the population (outcome-based accountability, not just tracking field time).
- Bill 11 (regulating sweeps): she expressed concern that legislation can be too rigid but said she would work with Councilmember Johnson on better approaches.
- Housing First model: she said it works for a narrow population and that options are needed.
- Her 100-day plan: meeting staff, service providers, and community members to listen before making decisions.
- How she would implement indigenous-led approaches (relying on OEV Resources for cultural guidance).
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 26-38 (Planning Director): The committee voted 9-0 to recommend approval of Jackie Takakura as Planning Director. The motion was made by Vice Chair Hodgins, seconded by Councilmember Cook, and passed unanimously. The appointment moves to the full council.
- Resolution 26-39 (Human Concerns Director): The committee voted 8-1 to recommend approval of Maggie Willis as Director of Human Concerns. Chair Ibatungan voted no, citing unresolved concerns over the legal waiver of HRS 78-1. Councilmembers Johnson and Sugimura voted yes "with reservations." The motion was made by Chair Lee, seconded by Councilmember Cook. A non-substantive revision was noted correcting the nominee’s middle initial from T to Y. The appointment moves to the full council.
- Executive session: The committee did not go into executive session; Corporation Counsel answered questions on the HRS 78-1 waiver in open session.
Meeting Transcript
Well, the government relations, ethics and transparency committee meeting of March 10, 2026, come to order. It is 131 p.m. I am your chair, Colin Ibatungan. Members, in accordance with the Sunshine Law, please identify by name who, if anyone, is in the room, vehicle or workspace with you today. Minors do not need to be identified. Committee vice chair, Nohilani Uuu Hodgins. Good morning. Good afternoon, Chair. Good afternoon, everyone. Councilmember Tom Cook. Good afternoon, Chair. Councilmember Gabe Johnson. Hello, Chair. Council members, committee members, there's no testifiers at the Lanay District Office, and I'm here and ready to work. Thank you. Thank you. Council Chair Alice Lee. Good afternoon, Chair Shalom. I'm here in my workspace alone. Thank you. Thank you. Councilmember Tamara Paltin. Aloha Wina La Kaku, uh streaming live in direct from the council chambers. And I'll turn on my camera when it gets any good. Cool. Thank you. Uh, Councilmember Kani Rollins Fernandez is excused. Councilmember Shane Tenenti. I just see her popping on, Chair, but aloha a ween alo. Thank you, Councilmember. And Councilmember Yuki Lee Sugimura. Good afternoon, and looking forward to a productive meeting. Thank you. I guess we'll circle back to Councilmember Kani Rollins Fernandez. Aloha chair. Alohawena la Kako. My Molo Kainoya Hina. I am at my private residence here with um my daughter. There are currently no testifiers. Thank you. From the corporate from Corporation Council, we have with us Kayla Brough. Good afternoon, Chair. We also have with us the mayor, managing director, and the mayor's appointees for planning director and director of human concerns. As well as our great committee staff. Good afternoon, everyone. Jackie has dedicated more than two decades of service to Maui County government, beginning her career with the county in 1998. Over the years, she has served in both the Department of Water Supply and the Department of Planning, gaining a deep understanding of how our land use decisions intersect with infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and community development. Within the planning department, Jackie has worked in the zoning and enforcement division, served as deputy planning director, and most recently as the long-range division planning program administrator. Through these roles, she's demonstrated strong leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate complex issues while keeping the needs of our community at the forefront. One of Jackie's greatest strengths is her ability to see the big picture while remaining focused on the steps needed to move important work forward.
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