Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee Meeting - June 2, 2026

The Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee met on June 2, 2026, at 1:46 PM, with Vice Chair Nohelani Uuhajans acting as chair in the absence of Chair Batangan. The committee considered 14 proposed charter amendments, one of which (Resolution 25-135) had already been adopted. The meeting focused on the first seven resolutions related to the Office of the County Clerk. The meeting lasted approximately 2 hours and 47 minutes, recessing at 4:33 PM to reconvene on June 16, 2026, at 1:30 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Lauren Akitake, Executive Director and Legal Counsel to the Maui County Board of Ethics, testified in support of Resolution 2695, which proposes a charter amendment allowing reappointment of Board of Ethics members for one successive term without an intervening waiting period. She emphasized the board's expanded workload, need for institutional knowledge, and ongoing policy initiatives (nepotism ordinance, lobbyist rules). She answered questions about the total term length (10 years) and the board's quasi-judicial nature.
• Mike Moran, testifying for the Kīhei Community Association, spoke in support of Resolution 2687, which would fund climate action and resilience planning. He highlighted the need for walkable, bikeable communities and improved north-south connectivity, especially after Kona Low damage.
• Kai Nashiki testified in support of Resolution 24-100 (use of open space fund for safety and clean-up) and Resolution 2687. He noted the need for dedicated funding for climate resilience, suggested either ordinance or charter amendment, and urged guardrails to ensure funds are spent on appropriate priorities such as beach protection rather than shoreline hardening.

Discussion Items

• Resolution 25-215 (Notice and Conduct of Public Hearings): Proposed eliminating the requirement to publish notices in a newspaper and replacing "public hearing" with "public meeting" to comply with state law. Deputy Corporation Counsel Colby raised concerns about conflicting state statutes (HRS 1-28.5 and 46-2) and the distinction between hearings and meetings. After discussion, the item was deferred to combine with Resolution 25-217 for the June 16 meeting.
• Resolution 25-216 (Standardizing Deadlines for Petitions): Proposed standardizing the timeframes for processing voter initiative, recall, and charter amendment petitions to 45 days for initial review and 30 days for supplementary petition review. The County Clerk explained the need due to increased voter registration (e.g., 10,509 signatures required for initiatives). The resolution passed on first reading with a 6-0-3 vote (Councilmembers Cook, Sugimura, and Batangan excused). Members requested that the ballot question include the current and proposed deadlines and a brief explanation of the clerk's workload.
• Resolution 25-217 (Computation of Time): Proposed specifying that time periods exclude the first day and include the last, unless the last day is a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday. Some members suggested achieving this via code amendment rather than charter amendment. The item was deferred to combine with Resolution 25-215.
• Resolution 26-61 (Processing of Claims): Proposed directing claims for personal injury or property damage directly to Corporation Counsel instead of the County Clerk. The Clerk argued the current process confuses the public and burdens her small staff. Corporation Counsel raised concerns about attorneys becoming witnesses and logistical issues (no public reception area). The item was deferred for further discussion on June 16.
• Resolution 26-94 (Publishing Digest of Bills): Proposed publishing the digest of council bills online instead of in a newspaper. Since it overlapped with Resolution 25-215, the committee voted to file it (6-0-3).
• Resolution 26-85 (Removing English Translation of State Motto): Proposed removing the English translation of the Hawaiian state motto from the charter preamble, allowing the original phrase to stand alone. Councilmember Fernandez explained that no direct translation captures the full meaning. The resolution passed on first reading (6-0-3).
• Resolution 24-100 (Use of Open Space Fund for Fuel Hazard Removal): Proposed authorizing use of the open space fund for regular removal of fuel hazards to minimize wildfire risk. The sponsor, Councilmember, chose to file the resolution, noting that the council has addressed maintenance through the budget and that too many proposals would overwhelm voters. The motion to file passed (6-0-3).

Key Outcomes

• Resolution 25-216: Passed on first reading (6-0-3). The ballot question will be revised to include specific day changes and a brief explanation of the clerk's responsibilities.
• Resolution 26-85: Passed on first reading (6-0-3).
• Resolution 26-94: Filed (6-0-3).
• Resolution 24-100: Filed (6-0-3).
• Resolution 25-215: Deferred to June 16, to be combined with Resolution 25-217.
• Resolution 25-217: Deferred to June 16, to be combined with Resolution 25-215.
• Resolution 26-61: Deferred to June 16 for further discussion.
• The meeting was recessed to 1:30 PM on June 16, 2026, to continue consideration of the remaining charter amendments.