#Maui County Council
Maui Council deadlocks on resolution for new hotel zoning districts
The Maui County Council reached a standstill Friday over a resolution intended to implement key recommendations of a Temporary Investigative Group aimed at implementing the phase-out of transient vacation rentals in apartment-zoned districts.
Conservationists want to restore cloud bridge that once brought rain to leeward Haleakalā, Kaho‘olawe
To bring back the cloud bridge requires restoring the forests that disappeared due to wild animals, ranching and the U.S. military’s bombing of Kaho’olawe.
Op-Ed: Height-limit rule limits scope of Lahaina rebuilding
Op-Ed: Jonathan Helton with the Grassroots Institute of Hawaiʻi comments on a bill coming up before the Maui Council on Friday that would exempt from the county zoning height limits certain properties that were destroyed by the August 2023 fires. He urges that the Council broaden the scope of the measure to include all affected property owners.
Mayor Bissen signs Bill 9 into law; says it will restore housing availability for residents
Mayor Richard Bissen today signed Bill 9 into law after Maui County Council approved the measure on second and final reading, marking what he calls “a historic step toward restoring housing availability for residents” and “realigning zoning policy with its original residential purpose.”
Mayor Bissen signs Bill 9 into law, shortly after 5-3 final passage by Maui Council
The Maui County Council members passed Bill 9 on second and final reading Monday by the same 5-3 vote that advanced the controversial measure earlier this month. Later Monday, Mayor Richard Bissen signed the bill into law. Bissen introduced the measure to phase out transient vacation rentals in apartment-zoned districts in May 2024. While the […]
Civil rights protest set for Thursday to oppose ICE and FBI activities on Maui
A local civil rights activist group plans to hold a protest rally from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday outside the Kalana O Maui Building in Wailuku, calling on county leaders to reject federal law enforcement partnerships and adopt what organizers describe as “protective legislation” for Maui. Organized by members of Maui Indivisible and allied community […]
Maui Council advances tax relief extension for Lahaina wildfire survivors
The Maui County Council unanimously passed a bill on first reading Friday that would extend real property tax relief for Lahaina wildfire survivors through June 2028. Bill 171 seeks to assist property owners whose lands remain unoccupiable. It also helps those who are undergoing active rebuilding following the August 2023 wildfires. The measure targets properties […]
Maui Council passes vacation rental phase-out bill on first reading with 5-3 vote
The Maui County Council passed the contentious Bill 9 on first reading Monday, advancing a measure that would phase out thousands of transient vacation rentals currently operating in apartment-zoned districts, mostly in South and West Maui. The measure passed by a vote of 5-3 following a daylong meeting that included hours of emotional public testimony […]
Council deadlocks on Kama successor; decision moves to Mayor Bissen
The Maui County Council failed to reach a majority decision Tuesday afternoon in appointing a successor to the late Council Member Natalie “Tasha” Kama, effectively handing the selection authority to Mayor Richard Bissen.
Maui Council advances plan to secure low-interest loans for water infrastructure projects
The Maui County Council has advanced a plan to secure nearly $64.5 million in low-interest state loans for water infrastructure projects needed as part of recovery from the disastrous August 2023 wildfires.
Kahului Council candidates interviewed; contrasts emerge in policies, philosophy and personalities
Differing personalities, philosophies and policy positions surfaced Thursday afternoon as Maui County Council members interviewed three applicants vying to fill the unexpired term of the late Council Member Natalie “Tasha” Kama.
Community divides over swing vote successor for late Council Member Tasha Kama
The Maui County Council heard more than two hours of passionate and divided testimony Thursday morning regarding the appointment of a successor to the Kahului residency seat left vacant by the passing of Council Member Natalie “Tasha” Kama. The Council is considering three applicants for the remainder of the 2025-2027 term: Virgilio “Leo” R. Agcolicol, […]
‘Small in stature, huge in presence’: Maui bids aloha to Council Member Tasha Kama
Tears, laughter and the soaring voices of 31 grandchildren filled the Castle Theater on Wednesday morning to celebrate a life of love, service and faith as Maui bid farewell to Maui County Council Member Natalie “Tasha” Kama.
Maui Council explores ways to reduce alarming rate of ocean drownings
Maui County faces a disproportionately high rate of ocean drowning fatalities, driven largely by the high number of visitors lured by the ocean’s beauty but unprepared for its hidden dangers.
Maui Board of Ethics declines action on complaints against Council Member Tom Cook
The Maui County Board of Ethics voted 6-0 Wednesday to decline processing two new complaints against Council Member Tom Cook, finding the identical allegations lacked foundational requirements for a formal hearing.
Maui Council gives final approval for Wailuku Executive Center purchase
The Maui County Council has given final approval to public acquisition of the four-story Wailuku Executive Center for $10 million to buy and renovate the property as the new headquarters for the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney.
Pulelehua zoning condition amendment gains Council committee approval, despite West Maui water scarcity concerns
A Maui County Council committee tried to breathe life Wednesday into the languishing 304-acre Pulelehua development in West Maui, a “shovel ready” housing project with the promise of hundreds of affordable units but long dying of thirst. Chaired by West Maui Council Member Tamara Paltin, the Disaster Recovery, International Affairs and Planning Committee voted 7-1, […]
Maui Council adopts dual track Kahului seat vacancy process, clashes over Bill 9 delay
The official process of nomination will begin soon, with a special Council meeting and public hearing scheduled for Nov. 20 to consider nominees. Applications and financial disclosure statements from Kahului residents seeking the seat are due no later than noon Nov. 10. Council members’ nominations are due 9 a.m. Nov. 20. A final vote is slated to be taken on the deadline day, Nov. 25.
From losing her home to chairing Maui housing committee: Tasha Kama leaned on faith and family
The late council member’s personal struggles to find housing and the fact that some of her kids had to move off island drove her passion for affordable housing, her family says.
Maui Council sets Nov. 3 special meeting to establish process for filling Kahului vacancy
The Maui County Council will hold a special meeting at 9 a.m. Nov. 3 — and take public testimony — to establish a process to fill the Kahului residency seat vacancy left Sunday by the death of Council Member Natalie “Tasha” Kama.
