11 Members Identified for Special Committee on New County Governance

The County Committee on Public and Intergovernmental Affairs today identified 11 individuals to serve on a special committee tasked with studying and providing recommendations on a county manager form of governance.

Under the structure, there would be an appointed county manager post, instead of Maui’s current governance which is headed by a mayor.

The list of nominees identified for inclusion on the special committee are:

• Doreen “Pua” Canto (Upcountry);
• Tony Takitani (Wailuku/Waiheʻe/Waikapū);
• Tamara Paltin (West Maui);
• Renee-May “Kehau” Filimoeʻatu (Kahului);
• Ray Phillips (South Maui);
• Jonathan Starr (East Maui);
• Paula Friel (Molokaʻi);
• Kay Okamoto (Lānaʻi);
• Kimo Haynes Jr. (Makawao/Haʻikū/Pāʻia);
• Dave DeLeon (At Large); and
• Madge Schaefer (At Large).

The council committee decided against including a non-voting council member on the special committee despite recommendations from Corporation Counsel.  The council attorney advised that the council rules cover council members, and questioned if a committee made up of entirely non council members would still be covered.

“Having a council member on this committee is really inappropriate,” said East Maui council member Robert Carroll.  “It is not what we should do.  It is not what the public wants, I can assure you.  How would you like it if the mayor was a non-voting member over there,” said Carroll during Wednesday’s meeting.

The committee ended up voting 8-1 in favor of a committee without council representation.

The special committee would be established from the date of the resolution for 180 days.  The deadline could be extended by the council in the form of a resolution if more time is needed.

Committee Chair Michael Victorino said the item will be forwarded to the Maui County Council and is expected to surface for discussion on Friday, Nov. 20, 2015.