Maui County Government Relations, Ethics, and Transparency Committee Meeting — May 19, 2026

The Government Relations, Ethics, and Transparency Committee of the Maui County Council met on May 19, 2026, at 1:34 PM. The meeting was called to order by Chair Colin Batongan. Two resolutions were on the agenda: Resolution 26-81 regarding a settlement for Charlotte Martin vs. the County of Maui, and Resolution 26-82 authorizing additional compensation for special counsel Myers Nave related to wildfire litigation. Due to the postponement of the underlying trial, Resolution 26-81 was deferred. Resolution 26-82 was approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of meeting minutes from previous meetings. (No actions taken.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public testimony was offered for either agenda item. Written testimony remains accepted.

Discussion Items

Resolution 26-81 – Settlement for Charlotte Martin vs. County of Maui

• Councilmember Gabe Johnson noted his late arrival due to jet lag from travel to Japan. The Corporation Counsel stated that the trial, originally scheduled for June 8, 2026, has been postponed to June 2027, making the resolution no longer time-sensitive. The Deputy Corporation Counsel responsible was unavailable, so the item was deferred by the Chair without objection.

Resolution 26-82 – Additional Compensation for Special Counsel Myers Nave (Wildfire Litigation)

• Corporation Counsel Takayasu explained that Myers Nave, a Los Angeles law firm, was hired to assist with litigation related to the August 2023 Maui wildfires. The County has terminated that relationship. The resolution seeks $240,000 to cover unpaid bills from a period when the County’s excess insurance carrier, Safety National, initially reduced coverage. The original amount was $854,000; Safety National agreed to pay $521,000, and the County deducted another $93,000, leaving the $240,000 balance. Safety National is now covering all defense costs, having paid approximately $3 million to date. The County’s total spent on outside counsel for wildfire litigation is $500,000 to Myers Nave and $444,000 to McCorriston Miller Mukai LLP of Honolulu.
• Questions from members:
  • Councilmember Nohe Uʻu-Hodgins asked about total spending and whether Safety National would cover future costs. (Yes, Safety National covers all defense costs; this is the final payment.)
  • Councilmember Tom Cook clarified that Safety National’s litigation guidelines, which restrict multiple attorneys per conference call, were the reason for the reduced coverage. (The guidelines were in small print.)
  • Councilmember Gabe Johnson asked if further funds would be requested. (No.)
  • Councilmember Tamara Paltin sought clarification on whether Myers Nave represented the County as defendant or plaintiff. (Only as defendant; Baron & Budd represented the County as plaintiff.)
  • Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura asked if this was part of a global settlement. (It covers litigation leading to the settlement, including mediations and court hearings.)
  • Chair Batongan noted that the resolution’s language references “current and anticipated legal actions,” but all billings are for past services.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 26-81 (Charlotte Martin settlement): Deferred without objection. Reason: trial postponed to June 2027; Deputy Corporation Counsel unavailable.
• Resolution 26-82 (Myers Nave compensation): Approved with a vote of 8 ayes (one excusal: Council Chair Alice Lee). The resolution moves to the full Council.
• Chair Batongan noted that all litigation funding requests from the Corporation Counsel during the budget session have been addressed.
• Meeting adjourned at 1:56 PM.