GREAT Committee Meeting Summary – August 18, 2026: Three Litigation Resolutions
Government Relations, Ethics, and Transparency Committee Meeting – August 18, 2026
The Government Relations, Ethics, and Transparency (GREAT) Committee of the Maui County Council met on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at 1:35 PM at the Kalana O Maui Building in Wailuku, with remote participation via Microsoft Teams. The meeting was chaired by Councilmember Kauanoe Batangan and addressed three resolutions authorizing additional compensation for special counsel in two lawsuits and approval of a settlement agreement with the Hawaii Fire Fighters Association. The committee voted to recommend adoption of all three resolutions after executive sessions on the first two items. Vice Chair Nohelani U‘u-Hodgins recused herself from the second item. Councilmember Shane Sinenci was excused. Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura left at 3:30 PM.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Resolution 26-131 (Evans v. Martin): Jesse Long testified, expressing support for both sides but stating the family should receive “10 times more” than the lawyers are making. He also voiced appreciation for Deputy Fire Chief Fujioka. James Langford urged the committee to obtain an ethical review from the ethics committee before expending additional funds.
- Resolution 26-133 (Fire Fighters Settlement): Jesse Long testified again, opposing general pay raises for firefighters who he considered not “PONO.” Testifier Mochure, Maui Division Chair for the fire department, strongly supported the resolution, calling it “instrumental” for recruitment and retention. James Langford seconded that support and emphasized the need for mental health and childcare resources for firefighters.
- Resolution 26-132 (Salem v. County of Maui): Catherine Splint protested the additional $75,000 in legal fees and demanded an investigation into the developer (48A LLC) for failing to complete SMA permit requirements, including a fire hydrant. She stated that the county is suing the wrong party. A representative of the Royal Patent Kingdom testified that subdivision lands belong to original title holders and that heirs have not been contacted. Christopher Salem, the plaintiff in the case, testified that he is willing to settle with the county, accused corporation counsel of concealing facts, and highlighted what he called a long history of misconduct by county officials. He urged the council to investigate and settle rather than continue litigation.
Discussion Items
- Resolution 26-131 – Additional Compensation for Special Counsel ES&A, Inc. (Evans v. Martin): Deputy Corporation Counsel Glenn Pasqual requested a $250,000 increase (from $200,000 to $450,000) for defending Captain Scott Martin in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Chelsea Evans. Trial is set for June 7, 2027. The committee spent about 35 minutes in executive session (2:10 PM to 2:45 PM) to consult with legal counsel on confidential matters. Special counsel Isaac Rao was excluded from the executive session because he does not represent the county.
- Resolution 26-133 – Settlement Authorization (Hawaii Fire Fighters Association): Deputy Corporation Counsel Jared Gores presented a settlement of two prohibited practice complaints arising from an interest arbitration award dated March 26, 2026. Key terms: continue step movements for Unit 11 employees (July 1, 2025–June 30, 2029); add 1.5% salary increases on top of the 2.5% arbitration award for FY 2027 and FY 2028 (totaling 4% each year); extend the drug and alcohol testing MOU through June 30, 2029, with no unilateral withdrawal. Both sides will dismiss complaints with prejudice. The committee went into executive session from 3:18 PM to 3:55 PM to discuss specific terms and financial impact.
- Resolution 26-132 – Additional Compensation for Special Counsel Kobayashi Sugita & Goda, LLP (Salem v. County of Maui): Deputy Corporation Counsel Gores requested an additional $75,000 (for a total of $1,000,000) to cover post-judgment motions, reconsideration proceedings, a motion to recover costs (over $88,000 awarded to the county), and a potential appeal to the Hawaii Intermediate Court of Appeals. Craig Shikuma of KSG confirmed that the court dismissed all of Salem’s claims with prejudice. Councilmember Johnson expressed concern that the office had incurred obligations exceeding appropriations despite prior warnings. No executive session was held for this item due to time constraints; the committee moved directly to a vote.
Key Outcomes
- Resolution 26-131 – Motion to recommend adoption (with non-substantive revisions) passed 8-0 (Councilmember Sinenci excused). The committee authorized a total compensation of $450,000 for ES&A, Inc.
- Resolution 26-133 – Motion to recommend adoption passed 6-0 (Councilmembers Sugimura and Sinenci excused; Vice Chair U‘u-Hodgins abstained due to recusal). The settlement agreement was approved, avoiding litigation of prohibited practice complaints.
- Resolution 26-132 – Motion to recommend adoption passed 7-0 (Councilmember Sinenci excused). The committee authorized an additional $75,000, raising the total compensation for Kobayashi Sugita & Goda, LLP to $1,000,000.
The meeting adjourned at 4:28 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Sorry, that was me. That was me. Okay, so I don't have to unmute the speaker. Okay. Well, the government relations ethics and transparency committee meeting of August 18, 2026 come to order. It is 135 p.m. I am your chair, Colin Abatun. Members. In accordance with the Sunshine Law, please identify by name who, if anyone is in the Rome Vehicle or X Peace with you today. Minor do not need to be identified. Committee Vice Chair No Hidani quad. Good afternoon, Chair. Good afternoon, everyone. I'm still at my parents, uh, private residence. Um couple things for me, Chair. I'm going to have to take this meeting on my phone for a little bit as I pick up my son from elementary school. And then I will be recusing myself for the second item on your agenda as it relates to the arbitration for the firefighters' contracts. But I will be on for the first and third. Thank you. Understood. Thank you, Vice Chair. Councilmember Tom Cook. Good afternoon, Chair. Good afternoon. Councilmember Gabe Johnson. Aloha Chair, Councilmembers, committee members. There's no testifiers at the Lanahi District Office. And I'm alone on my side of the office with a snoring dog. Thank you. No testfire is here ready to work. Thank you, Member Johnson. Council Chair Alice Lee. Hello, Oman from Jamaica. I'm here in my workspace, and um no one's here except my little kitty cat snoring. She snores like a dog. Uh thank you very much. Chair, Councilmember Tamara Paulton. Aloha Limala and Elol Kakole. Uh Shimilamin direct from my kitchen table in Lapili. I have with me one adult human male. Um George Viera and two minor canines who shall remain unnamed. Thank you, Member Halton. Is Councilmember Rollins Fernandez with us running? Okay, she will be joining us shortly. Councilmember Shane Sensei is excused. Councilmember Yukile Sugimora. Good afternoon, Chair. Um looking forward to this meeting. I'm gonna have to leave for a 330 meeting, and I'm in a private office. Thank you.
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