Water and Infrastructure Committee Meeting – May 18, 2026
Water and Infrastructure Committee Meeting – May 18, 2026
The Maui County Water and Infrastructure Committee convened on May 18, 2026, at 1:33 PM to discuss two items: a water system development fee restructuring (Bill 76) and a parking prohibition for three Kahului streets (Bill 49). Both items were deferred after discussion and public testimony.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Bill 76: Tom Crowley testified in support of the shift to average daily demand methodology but requested clearer explanation of how the new fee translates to actual costs for single-family dwellings and accessory units.
- Bill 49: Lisa Darcy (Share Your Mana) opposed the bill, urging the committee to pause and address root causes of vehicle residency, citing lack of safe parking alternatives and ongoing litigation. Faith Chase opposed the bill, arguing it criminalizes survival without providing safe alternatives, and noted the county's failure to establish safe sleeping/parking programs despite active lawsuits.
Discussion Items
Bill 76 – Water System Development Fee Restructuring
- The Department of Water Supply presented proposed amendments to shift the fee calculation from meter size to average daily demand, using "equivalent single dwelling" (ESD) as a unit (300 gallons/day). The bill updates terminology, allows fee deferrals for affordable/workforce housing, and adds an exemption for legally connected properties.
- Councilmembers questioned the fee's impact on different user types, enforcement of usage estimates, and the timeline for phasing in increases (2–3% annually after three years). Corporation counsel noted potential legal constraints (Nollan/Dolan) on differentiating fees by land use.
- A request was made for future proposals of this magnitude to be briefed before inclusion in the budget.
Bill 49 – Parking Prohibition on Lehuakona, Alamakani, and Oheikani Streets
- Councilmember Batangan introduced the bill (originally sponsored by Councilmember Kama) to ban overnight parking (6 PM–6 AM) to allow police enforcement of existing, unenforceable rules. The area had experienced impacts from vehicle dwelling.
- No department representatives were present. Councilmembers debated the lack of safe parking alternatives, outdated references in the bill text, and the need for coordination with the Department of Human Concerns. Several members expressed support for deferring until a safe parking program is operational.
Key Outcomes
- Bill 76: Deferred with no objection. No vote taken; discussion to continue at a future meeting.
- Bill 49: Deferred by motion (Senansi/Sugi-mora, seconded by Batangan). The item will be rescheduled with participation from Public Works, Police, and Human Concerns, and the bill text will be updated to remove outdated references.
- The committee adjourned at 3:18 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Will the Water and Infrastructure Committee of May eighteenth, twenty twenty six please come to order. The time is now one thirty three PM. May I ask that all participants please silence all noise making devices. I would also like to ask the department representatives who have joined online to please also turn on your cameras when it's your time to speak. Councilmember Alice Lee. District opens and Councilmember Noholane Uu Hodgins. I believe she's gonna log in in a bit. From the administration, we are joined today by representatives from the following departments: Department of Water Supply, Police, Public Works, and Corporation Council. From OCS, we're also assisted by our committee staff. Please see the last page of the agenda for information on connecting connectivity. Good afternoon, everyone. We have two items on today's agenda. Y 1 print 9 relates to the discussion on Bill 76 2026 relating to the water system development fee. Y 23 relates to amending section 10 48 040, Maui County Code on parking prohibitions for certain streets and highways. Members, if there are no objections, I would like to take testimony after receiving opening comments on one on Y 1 9 and Y 23. Thank you, members. Let's begin. Under Rule 7B, the committee intends to receive a presentation from the Department of Water Supply on Bill 76 and to discuss the bill. Bill 76 proposes to restructure the water system development fee by shifting the calculation methodology from meter size to average daily demand. This ensures the fee more accurately reflects the project's actual impact on the county's water source storage and transmission infrastructure. The bill introduces the equivalence equivalent single dwelling, other, as a standardized unit of measurement and modernizes the terminology by defining the fee as extraction. These updates align with the county code with the industry standards and current budget ordinances while ensuring applicants are not charged multiple times for the same impact. Additionally, the proposal provides flexibility by allowing for deferred payments in specific instances to help ease near-term cash flow for developers. Bill 76 passed first reading at the May 15th, 2026 council meeting and is scheduled for second and final reading on June 5th, 2026. At this time, would the department like to introduce themselves and provide any opening comments or presentations? Department. Let's pause for a minute. I want to introduce and welcome Councilmember Gabe Johnson from Lanai. Thank you, Chair. Good afternoon, everybody. Happy to be here in uh online, alone in my side or in my office. Sorry, low chat lagged here today. Um testifiers at the Lanay District Office, and I'm here and ready to work. Thank you, Chair. Thanks. I'd also like to welcome Councilmember Nohilani Hodgins. Good afternoon, Chair. Good afternoon, everyone. Um, I'm in my personal vehicle right now waiting to pick my son out for a school. I will be listening, but my surface will be a little spotty, but I will be listening at the I will be at my personal residence about 2 30 2 45. The better connection. Thank you. So I interrupted water director. I didn't hear what he said. Okay. Good afternoon, Chair. This is uh John Stoppelbean, Director of Water. Um, I'm just gonna turn it over to James to James Jensen, who's in the chamber, and I'll also be making a presentation that when you're ready for that. Thank you. Thank you, sir.
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