Maui County Disaster Recovery, International Affairs, and Planning Committee Meeting – September 15, 2026

The Disaster Recovery, International Affairs, and Planning (DRIP) Committee of the Maui County Council met on September 15, 2026, to discuss Bill 108 (2026), which would update the South Maui Community Plan. The committee focused on Section 2 (Policy Framework), beginning with transportation policies (Goal 2.1) and continuing into safe, healthy, livable communities (Goal 2.2). The meeting included public testimony, discussion of proposed amendments, and votes on several policy changes. A main motion to recommend passage of Bill 108 on first reading was made and seconded, with work continuing through amendments section by section. The meeting adjourned in recess until September 16, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Multiple testifiers expressed that the plan was being rushed and that the public had insufficient time to review and respond. Some noted that the process has been ongoing since 2020–2021, but many residents only learned of the final details recently.
• Kay Anderson alerted the committee that the Wailea Golf description in the plan is outdated; the Maui Planning Commission approved a revised Wailea Golf plan in March 2025, but the current draft still contains the old version.
• Travis Liggett proposed the SMILAST framework to allow large philanthropic donations for wastewater disinfection, irrigation reuse, and a greenbelt firebreak along South Maui.
• Lucianne Dinay criticized the inability to copy text from the draft plan and urged clearer, enforceable language (e.g., changing “encourage” to “require”) for infrastructure policies.
• Nick Drance demanded an immediate moratorium on large-scale coastal zoning variances until an evacuation capacity study is completed and concurrency management is codified.
• Robin Knox asked for facilitated community meetings with both in-person and remote capacity to improve public engagement.
• Albert Perez (Maui Tomorrow Foundation) urged rejection of 3,500 additional housing units, stating South Maui already has 4,500 entitled units and needs infrastructure for existing residents first.
• Doug Ballard argued that growth must pay for itself through impact fees and called for reinstating concurrency language in the plan.
• Other testifiers raised concerns about cumulative impacts, lack of a financial plan, evacuation routes, and the need for housing for local residents rather than luxury investor units.

Discussion Items

• The committee established a process to work through the plan section by section, with a main motion on the whole plan and amendments considered as they arise. No straw polling or consensus decisions were used; the draft stands unless amended.
• For Section 2.1 (Transportation), the committee debated several policies:
  • Policy 2.1.1: Kept “measurably efficient” (as added by CPAC) and added cross-reference to implementing actions 105A and 105B. Motion passed 7-0-2.
  • Policy 2.1.2: Kept “and implement” and cross-referenced actions 112–115. Passed 7-0-2.
  • Policy 2.1.3: Amended to include “when practicable” and delete “all.” Passed 6-0-3.
  • Policy 2.1.5: Set a 50-foot landscaped setback for undeveloped parcels along Piʻilani Highway, with a pedestrian/bike path where possible. Passed 5-0-4.
  • Policies 2.1.6 and 2.1.7 were combined: “For all new or redesigned intersections, a roundabout must be considered instead.” Passed 5-0-4.
  • Policy 2.1.8: Adopted recommended language broadening to “including affordable and workforce housing projects.” Passed 5-1-3.
  • Policy 2.1.10: Added reference to implementing action 102. Passed 5-0-4.
  • Policy 2.1.12: Amended to include “including in and around the Lipoa Business District.” Passed 5-0-4.
  • Policy 2.1.16: Added “to the extent practicable.” Passed 6-0-3.
• Section 2.1 was closed for later revision; the committee noted they may add policies on evacuation routes or coastal retreat later.
• The committee then began Section 2.2 (Safe, Healthy, Livable Communities). Amendments included:
  • Policy 2.2.2: Changed “may” to “should” regarding funding for park maintenance. Passed 6-0-3.
  • Policy 2.2.9: Changed “a hālau space” to “hālau spaces.” Passed 6-0-3.
  • Policy 2.2.11: Added “cultural sites” to protections. Passed 6-0-3.
  • Policy 2.2.12: Split into two policies (2.2.12 on native trees/plants; 2.2.13 on preservation of native seed banks). Passed 6-0-3.
• Corporation Counsel advised that the committee has broad discretion to amend the plan without sending changes back to the Planning Commission, and that only a simple majority is needed (not two-thirds).
• The committee deferred executive session until more members are present.

Key Outcomes

• Main motion to recommend passage of Bill 108 on first reading was made by Member Shane Sinenci and seconded by Member Yuki Lei Sugimura. Discussion and amendments proceeded under that motion.
• Multiple amendments were adopted as detailed above, with votes recorded for each.
• The committee will continue review on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., starting with the remainder of Section 2.2.
• The committee directed staff to correlate implementing actions with policies and to renumber policies/actions as a non-substantive change.
• Written testimony remains open; oral testimony will be taken at the start of each subsequent meeting.