Maui County Council Water, Social Services, and Parks Committee Meeting - March 18, 2026
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Maui County Council Water, Social Services, and Parks Committee Meeting - March 18, 2026
The committee met to review two items: the continuum of care for substance abuse provided by Aloha House (Maui Behavioral Health Resources) and the operational and budgetary review of the East Maui Water Authority for fiscal year 2026. The meeting included presentations, public testimony, and council questions.
Public Comments & Testimony
- For the first item, JC Law testified, expressing support for Aloha House's work and raising concerns about the coordinated entry system for homeless individuals, including the need for proper identification documents.
- For the second item, JC Law testified again, emphasizing the importance of water infrastructure in East Maui and expressing trust in Director Young. The Royal House of Hawaii testified, advocating for recognition of original royal patents and land titles in East Maui, and questioning whether the authority will research land claims.
Discussion Items
- Continuum of Care for Substance Abuse (Aloha House): Nicole Hokoana, CEO of Maui Behavioral Health Resources, presented the operations of Aloha House, including its medically monitored withdrawal management program and residential treatment. She highlighted the program's partnership with the emergency department since 2000, its 24/7 nursing staff, and its role as a safety net. Hokoana noted that the program has operated with flat funding from the county and state for over a decade, while costs have risen, leading to a $500,000 annual gap. She reported that the program is 85% Medicaid-funded and discussed the impact of federal Medicaid cuts (the "Big Beautiful Bill"), including increased documentation requirements (proof of citizenship, residency, work history) and delays in enrollment. Council members asked about success rates (approximately 60-70% transition from detox to residential), the opioid settlement fund, and the need for additional funding. Acting Director of Human Concerns Jessica Krause confirmed that county grants can fund payroll.
- Operational and Budgetary Review of East Maui Water Authority: Director Young and grant coordinator Leslie Tamarabucci presented the authority's FY 2026 budget, including nine staff positions (eight positions filled, one in recruitment). The budget includes $75,000 for a community grant program, which awarded five grants to community-based stewardship projects in the license area. Young discussed the authority's strategic planning process, which included 12 community meetings and 2 field trips, and coordination with the Department of Water Supply and DLNR on infrastructure acquisition. Council members inquired about grant oversight, the need for a larger grant program, and the status of the strategic plan and lease negotiations with DLNR. Young noted that the authority is seeking federal funding through programs like the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's impact investing program.
Key Outcomes
- The committee unanimously approved (without objection) designating Nicole Hokoana as a resource under Rule 18A for the first item, and Leslie Tamarabucci as a resource for the second item.
- Both agenda items were deferred without objection, pending further review.
- The committee expressed support for Aloha House's funding needs and encouraged Director Young to continue developing the grant program and strategic plan.
- The committee requested that the administration provide more information on the opioid settlement fund and its potential allocation to treatment centers.
Meeting Transcript
It is now 10.04 and Mahalo for the late start. We kind of clearing all the cobwebs, literally, figuratively. I'm Shane Senensi, your committee chair. Mahalo members for taking the time to attend this meeting. As a quick reminder for members of the public to please silence your cell phones or any noise-making devices. Members in accordance with the sunshine law. If you're not in the council chamber, please identify by name who, if anyone is in the room, vehicle workspace with you today, and minors do not need to be identified. Joining us this morning, we have committee vice chair Gabe Johnson. Aloha and good morning. Aloha and good morning, Chair, Council members. Can you remember there's no testifiers here at the Lanae District Office? I'm alone on my side of the office with my snoring dog and my chirping birds outside. So I'm here and ready to work. Mahalo Chair. All right, great. Welcome, Hoku. Uh also joining us in the chamber is Councilmember Kawanoe Batanga. Good morning, Chair. Morning. Thanks for being here. Also in the chambers, we have Councilmember Tom Cook. Aloha and good morning. Aloha, good morning, Chair. There's currently no testifiers in the Kehi office, but we have staff on standby and looking forward to your meeting. Welcome, Kihey office. Oh, she's logging on. Okay, we'll come back to her. Uh joining us in the chambers, uh, Councilmember Tamara Poulton. Aloha and good morning. Aloha Kakahakaku, she mean live in direct from the council chambers. Mahalo for being here. Um uh uh I presume Member Rollins Fernandez is in Molucci or somewhere in the world. She'll let us know. Uh aloha kakah chair, aloha kakakayaka kaku. My Molo Kay Noya Hina. Uh with uh background from Lanae. Oh uh I'm at my private residence. Um I have my um daughter with me. She's uh under the weather, so if you see me speaking with anyone, that's who it is. Uh and they're currently in Northfire's uh at the Molokai District Office. Mahalo Chair. Hi from the Cedar Room and Lana'i Hotel. Welcome. That's it. I do see Chair Lee now. Aloha and welcome. Aloha Chair. I'm here alone in my workspace. I'll be here today because my kitty is undergoing surgery today, so I have to be on call for her. But I am on call for you as well.
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