Maui County BFED Committee Meeting – August 4, 2026
Maui County Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee Meeting – August 4, 2026
The Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee of the Maui County Council met on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 9:04 a.m. via Teams and in the Finance Conference Room, Kalana O Maui Building, Wailuku. Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura presided. The committee considered three agenda items: a resolution to authorize the acquisition of water system assets from Launiupoko Water Co., Inc. and Olowalu Water Company, Inc. for up to $6 million; a discussion-only item on taxicab rates of fare and baggage charges; and Bill 101 (2026) to update taxicab baggage and equipment charges. Members present: Tom Cook, Gabe Johnson, Alice L. Lee, Tamara Paltin, Keani N.W. Rawlins-Fernandez, Shane M. Sinenci (excused partway), Nohelani U‘u-Hodgins, Kauanoe Batangan, and Chair Sugimura. Managing Director, Deputy Director of Water Supply Landgraf, Director of Finance Marcy Martin, and other resource personnel participated.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Water system acquisition (Resolution 26-116): No public testimony was offered despite a last call. A potential testifier named Jonas did not connect.
- Taxicab items: One member of the public testified as a citizen of the Hawaiian kingdom, asking that native Hawaiians and Kanaka Maoli be exempt from any new taxicab fees. No other testimony was received.
Discussion Items
1. Resolution 26-116 – Acquisition of Water System Assets (Launiupoko & Olowalu)
The committee discussed the proposed $6 million purchase of two water systems. Deputy Director Landgraf, Managing Director, and resource persons (including Corollo Engineering’s Felicia James and appraiser Zach Wright) answered questions about pipe materials (ductile iron, C900 PVC, copper), the condition of the snake and pig reservoirs, water availability (approximately 200,000 gallons per day portable in each system), operating costs and revenues (Launiupoko: $879,664 cost vs. $2,561,044 revenue; Olowalu: $671,554 cost vs. $734,363 revenue), and the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) process for approving the sale. Members asked about encumbrances, leaks, backup flow prevention, fire hydrant hardening, and whether the County would be obligated to serve existing customers. Managing Director clarified there is no requirement to continue existing contracts, but the PUC will evaluate the County’s ability to provide service. Chair Lee expressed concern about the county’s financial condition and wanted to hear from the Board of Water Supply, which is scheduled to meet later in the week on related TIG report matters. Other members (Paltin, Johnson, Rawlins-Fernandez, U‘u-Hodgins, Cook, Batangan) supported the acquisition, citing public control over water, the systems’ operating surplus, and the willingness of the seller. The managing director noted that delaying could affect the seller’s timeline. A motion to recommend adoption of Resolution 26-116 was made by Member Paltin and seconded by Member Rawlins-Fernandez.
2. Taxicab Rates and Baggage Charges – Discussion (BFED-20(30))
The committee reviewed the Director of Finance’s biennial report on taxicab rates. Director Martin and DMBL Administrator Lito Villa stated no concerns. Member Johnson inquired about enforcement of rates, particularly at harbors. Discussion revealed that harbors are under state jurisdiction and that PUC-licensed operators and taxicabs have different licenses. No legislative action was taken on this item.
3. Bill 101 (2026) – Taxicab Baggage and Equipment Charges
Bill 101 proposes to increase the general baggage charge from $0.50 to $1.00 per piece per trip and add a $10 charge for oversized or heavy items (e.g., large pet crates, bicycles, surfboards, items over 50 pounds). Member Paltin offered two amendments: (1) change the permissive language “may be added” to “applies” for clarity; (2) change “more than 50 pounds” to “50 pounds or more” to align with airline overweight stickers. The amendments were seconded and adopted unanimously with Member Sinenci excused. The committee then voted on the main motion as amended.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 26-116 – Motion to recommend adoption to the full Council passed 7-1-1 (Ayes: Cook, Johnson, Paltin, Rawlins-Fernandez, U‘u-Hodgins, Batangan, Sugimura; No: Lee; Excused: Sinenci). The resolution now proceeds to the Council for first reading.
- Taxicab rates discussion – No action taken; information only.
- Bill 101 (2026) – Motion to pass the bill on first reading, as amended, passed 8-0-1 (Ayes: Cook, Johnson, Lee, Paltin, Rawlins-Fernandez, U‘u-Hodgins, Batangan, Sugimura; Excused: Sinenci). The bill will be transmitted to the Council chair’s committee for further consideration.
- The meeting adjourned at 10:50 a.m.
Meeting Transcript
Welcome to the budget finance economic development. I mean it's now nine or four AM. My name is Yuki May Sudemore. I'm the chair of this committee and like to welcome everyone for being here. This meeting is being um conducted at Sunshine Thought as a reminder when you need this one. If you're not in this finance conference room, which is everybody except Tamara Fulton, please identify who's with the road vehicle or workspace. I'm alone in the workspace. Can you hear us? No, he can't hear us. Member John, there. Can you hear us? Can you hear him? I can hear you. Can you hear me? Yes, we can hear you. Okay. Good morning. Um, Sheridan. Good morning. Uh, if you're going to Kenya after the primary, you can say hello to everybody by saying who jumba. I'm here alone in my workspace and uh looking forward to your meeting. Thank you. Did you say who jumba? Who jumba? You jumba? Yeah. All right. Member Romans Fernandez, John Bob. Not me, Jamba. Just kidding. My Molo Kainuya Hina. I'm at my private residence alone in my workspace right now. But my two minor children will be walking around, I'm sure. Uh on their last day of summer. Uh school starts tomorrow. Uh, there are no testifiers at the Bulkai District Office. Okay, um, member U Hodgins. Good morning, Chair. Good morning, everyone. Who Jamba? My husband is home. He's an adult. Um, my oldest son is also home, and he's an adult, but I also have three minors as member Rollins Fernandez said. It is a last day of summer, so everyone is living their last summer best days until tomorrow's reality hits them hard. They gotta wake up for school. Thank you. No, and um, I guess you too, because I know you're always driving everybody around. So good morning, member who hosts and member Johnson. Can you hear us now? Yes, I can.
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