Maui Charter Commission Approves Four Planning Proposals

The Maui Charter Commission continued its year-long evaluation of proposed charter amendments at a virtual meeting last week with the approval of four proposals under Theme G – Planning.  

Another approved proposal adjusts timelines for the community plan process and reviews, and also identifies the Maui Island Plan in the Charter.  

By a narrow margin, the Commission declined to adopt a proposal that would have enabled residents to enforce any provision of the general plan, which includes the Maui Island Plan and community plans, in the courts.

At the Charter Commission’s next meeting on Nov. 18 from 9 am to 3 pm, proposals will be considered under Theme H – Police and Theme I – Executive Branch (Other than Police and Planning). Public testimony and discussion will first focus on the three proposals aimed at increasing public accountability while establishing the Police Commission as an independent citizen oversight board. The Commission also will evaluate proposals calling for increased minimum requirements for the position of Police Chief.

The public can also testify on the second agenda item, the Executive Branch, which holds the executive power of the County.  It includes the Mayor, all County departments from Corporation Counsel to Board of Water Supply, Parks and Recreation, and many more. There are 30 proposals to be considered on this theme.

One proposal seeks the creation of an independent selection committee for executive branch department heads and a uniform removal process for those County employees. The restructuring of the departments of Liquor Control and Housing and Human Concerns is up for consideration, as is a proposal establishing the managing director as a non-partisan county chief executive. In all, the Charter Commissions is set to deliberate on thirty proposals related to the Executive Branch.

The Maui Charter Commission is made up of 11 citizens who are nearing the end of a year-long review of the County Charter, which takes place every 10 years. The goal is to improve County government by looking for problems or deficiencies in the way the County now operates or seeking new ways to improve the system of local government by amending the County Charter.

The Charter Commission continues to encourage public input on the remaining topics. The community is urged to visit the Commission website http://www.mauicounty.gov/CharterCommission and learn about upcoming proposals, as well as those already adopted. 

During Charter Commission meetings, the public can provide testimony via video or telephone on scheduled agenda items.  Agenda items are subject to cancellation and are taken up in the order listed, as time permits. Written testimony can be submitted at any time via email to  [email protected].  To ensure timely distribution to the Commissioners, it should be submitted at least two business days prior to the meetings. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, public meetings are held online via BlueJeans. For more information and to join Maui Charter Commission meetings via BlueJeans follow the link on the Commission website http://www.mauicounty.gov/CharterCommission.