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Record of Proceedings

Maui County Council Water Committee Discusses Noise Violation Fines on May 21, 2026

County Council & Committees — Thursday, May 21, 2026
BodyMaui County, Hawaii
SessionCounty Council & Committees
DateThursday, May 21, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 56:49
Transcript — Verbatim
8:01

Aloha we in Allah and welcome to the Thursday, May twenty first, twenty twenty six What's up committee meeting.

8:07

I'm Shane Sin.

8:08

It's your committee chair.

8:09

It is now one thirty eight in the PM.

8:12

Mallow members were taking the time to attend this special meeting as a reminder for members of the public to please silence your phones or any noise-making devices.

8:23

Members in accordance with the Sunshine Law.

8:25

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.

8:42

Joining us this afternoon, we have committee vice chair Gabe Johnson.

8:47

Aloha, good afternoon.

9:04

And I'm here and ready to work.

8:51

Thank you, Chair, Council members, committee members, there's no testifiers at the night district office.

9:08

Um also uh we have uh both uh co committee members Batangan and Cook are excused for this afternoon's meeting.

9:19

Um joining us in the chamber is uh is Chair Alice Lee.

9:24

Aloha.

9:25

Aloha, Chair, thank you.

9:28

Also joining us today is Councilmember Tamara Palten.

9:32

Aloha, we lost, you mean I'm in the right from the council chambers.

9:26

Thanks for being here.

9:38

Also excused from the meeting today is both Council members Keanu Rollins Fernandez and uh member Sugimura, I believe they're at a a separate conference uh this afternoon.

9:50

Uh but joining us online um is Councilmember Nohilani Uuhajans.

9:56

Aloha.

9:57

Aloha chair.

9:58

Aloha.

9:59

Aloha chair, aloha everyone.

10:01

I'm at my private residence alone for maybe the next um hour or so until my family comes home after school.

10:12

Okay, thanks for joining us.

10:13

What time's the graduation tonight?

10:17

It starts at five, but traffic gets a little crazy, so I should probably head over four-ish or so.

10:25

Yeah.

10:26

Maybe before that.

10:27

Thanks for the remote.

10:28

And it's raining, so I have to figure out how to dress warm and yeah, and it's out in the field, so I don't know.

10:37

Gonna have to wash my rain jacket, I think.

10:39

Uh King Kao Kekaulike High School.

10:42

Yes, I think.

10:43

Okay, you heard it right here.

10:45

Everybody, leave early and bring bring a raincoat.

10:50

Uh from the administration, we have Sergeant Ryan Ellers.

10:54

Uh, he's from the vehicle homicide unit traffic section, and he'll be joining us online.

11:00

Uh joining us uh this afternoon in the chambers, we have district court supervising deputy prosecuting attorney Anderson Toshima.

11:08

Welcome.

11:11

Uh uh from the Corporation Council, we we have Deputy Corporation Council Adrian Rifsnyder.

11:17

Welcome.

11:19

Uh and also members, we have our WhatsApp committee staff with us this afternoon.

11:24

Good afternoon, everyone.

11:27

Members, we have one item on today's item, Bill 119 2025, penalties for prohibited noise violations.

11:35

What's up?

11:36

Uh nine.

11:38

Um Steph, is there anyone wishing to testify to Bill 119?

11:44

Yes, Chair.

11:45

So far, we have one individual signed up to testify.

11:48

Let's begin with public testimony or oral testimony via phone or video conference, will be accepted in accordance with the sunshine law.

11:55

Testimony can occur at the beginning of the meeting but cannot be limited to the start of the meeting.

12:00

Uh the chair will receive oral testimony for agenda items at the beginning of the meeting, and as the item is called up on the agenda.

12:06

Testifiers wanting to provide video or audio testimony should sign up in the chamber.

12:11

Join the online meeting via the teams ink or link or call in the phone number noted on today's agenda.

12:18

For individuals wishing to testify via Teams, please raise your hand by clicking on the raise your hand button.

12:24

And for those calling in, please follow the prompts via phone star five to raise and lower your hand, and star six to mute and unmute.

12:32

Uh staff will add names to the testifier list in the order of testifiers sign up or raise their hands.

12:38

And for those on team, staff will lower your hand once your name is added.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Safety█████████████████████████████████████████████76%
Procedural██████████████24%
Summary of Proceedings

Maui County Council Water Committee Discusses Noise Violation Fines on May 21, 2026

The Maui County Council's Water, Social Services, and Parks (What's Up) Committee met on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 1:38 PM to consider Bill 119 (2025), which proposes increased fines for prohibited vehicle noise violations involving amplified sound systems. The committee heard testimony from one public testifier, discussed enforcement concerns with the Maui Police Department and the Prosecuting Attorney's office, and ultimately voted to discharge the bill to the full council for further consideration.

Consent Calendar

  • No consent calendar items were considered.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Holly Stalker (anonymous, testifying from South Maui residency office): Expressed general support for the bill's intent to address noise from loud car stereos, particularly in Kihei and Wailuku. Raised concerns about potential infringement on freedom of speech (e.g., using a bullhorn outside county buildings) and asked if community service could be an alternative to fines for low-income individuals.

Discussion Items

  • Bill 119 (2025) – Penalties for Prohibited Noise Violations:
    • Purpose: To amend Section 9.36.040 of the Maui County Code to increase fines and establish penalties, including possible forfeiture of sound amplification systems, for prohibited vehicle noise violations.
    • Background: The committee previously discussed the bill on October 20, 2025, but deferred it due to concerns from MPD and the Prosecuting Attorney about the feasibility of forfeiture.
    • Proposed Amendments (CD1): Chair Sin's proposed CD1 removes forfeiture for third offenses and increases fines: first offense from $100 to $250, second offense from $200 to $500, third offense remains at $1,000 (the maximum allowed under state law for these violations).
    • MPD Feedback (Sergeant Ryan Ellers): Supported removing forfeiture due to logistical challenges (e.g., broad definition of sound system, inconsistent enforcement, need for special court proceedings and auctions). Supported increasing monetary fines as a simpler deterrent.
    • Prosecuting Attorney Feedback (Deputy Prosecutor Anderson Toshima): Supported the bill's intent and the amended proposal to remove forfeiture. Noted that unpaid fines can halt driver's license renewal at the DMV, creating an effective enforcement mechanism without jail time.
    • Committee Members' Positions:
      • Chair Sin: Facilitated discussion, clarified the bill focuses on amplified sound systems (not mufflers), and asked clarifying questions about fine enforcement.
      • Chair Lee (introducer): Strongly supported the bill, citing noise issues in Wailuku and Kehalani. Suggested MPD use social media, press releases, and possibly audio-equipped cameras at traffic lights for enforcement.
      • Vice Chair Johnson: Opposed the bill, calling it a "footloose bill" and a low priority. Expressed concern that unpaid fines could lead to license suspension, then driving without a license (a criminal offense with possible jail). Argued that behavioral change should start at home, not through government fines.
      • Member Poulten: Expressed skepticism, noting the bill may be a "paper tiger" if enforcement is rare. Asked about citation frequency (MPD reported zero citations in 2024 for similar violations under Title 10, but those were for mufflers, not amplified sound). Noted fines go to the state, not the county. Still willing to move the bill forward.
      • Member Uu-Hajjens: Expressed understanding of the nuisance of loud music and supported the bill, noting that loud sound systems are expensive and fines are appropriate. Questioned logistics of forfeiture and supported sticking with fines.
    • Director of Council Services (David Rotts): Explained committee options: a majority vote can recommend discharge to the full council, or the council chair can place the bill on a council agenda for a motion to discharge.

Key Outcomes

  • Motion: Chair Lee moved to discharge Bill 119 (2025) from the committee to the full council. Member Uu-Hajjens seconded.
  • Vote: 5-0 in favor (Chair Sin, Vice Chair Johnson, Member Lee, Member Poulten, Member Uu-Hajjens). Councilmembers Batangan, Cook, Sugimura, and Rollins-Fernandez were excused.
  • Next Steps: The bill will be transmitted to the full Maui County Council for further consideration and debate.

Meeting Transcript

Aloha we in Allah and welcome to the Thursday, May twenty first, twenty twenty six What's up committee meeting. I'm Shane Sin. It's your committee chair. It is now one thirty eight in the PM. Mallow members were taking the time to attend this special meeting as a reminder for members of the public to please silence your 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 afternoon, we have committee vice chair Gabe Johnson. Aloha, good afternoon. And I'm here and ready to work. Thank you, Chair, Council members, committee members, there's no testifiers at the night district office. Um also uh we have uh both uh co committee members Batangan and Cook are excused for this afternoon's meeting. Um joining us in the chamber is uh is Chair Alice Lee. Aloha. Aloha, Chair, thank you. Also joining us today is Councilmember Tamara Palten. Aloha, we lost, you mean I'm in the right from the council chambers. Thanks for being here. Also excused from the meeting today is both Council members Keanu Rollins Fernandez and uh member Sugimura, I believe they're at a a separate conference uh this afternoon. Uh but joining us online um is Councilmember Nohilani Uuhajans. Aloha. Aloha chair. Aloha. Aloha chair, aloha everyone. I'm at my private residence alone for maybe the next um hour or so until my family comes home after school. Okay, thanks for joining us. What time's the graduation tonight? It starts at five, but traffic gets a little crazy, so I should probably head over four-ish or so. Yeah. Maybe before that. Thanks for the remote. And it's raining, so I have to figure out how to dress warm and yeah, and it's out in the field, so I don't know. Gonna have to wash my rain jacket, I think. Uh King Kao Kekaulike High School. Yes, I think. Okay, you heard it right here. Everybody, leave early and bring bring a raincoat. Uh from the administration, we have Sergeant Ryan Ellers. Uh, he's from the vehicle homicide unit traffic section, and he'll be joining us online. Uh joining us uh this afternoon in the chambers, we have district court supervising deputy prosecuting attorney Anderson Toshima. Welcome. Uh uh from the Corporation Council, we we have Deputy Corporation Council Adrian Rifsnyder. Welcome. Uh and also members, we have our WhatsApp committee staff with us this afternoon. Good afternoon, everyone. Members, we have one item on today's item, Bill 119 2025, penalties for prohibited noise violations. What's up? Uh nine. Um Steph, is there anyone wishing to testify to Bill 119? Yes, Chair.

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