Maui Government Structure Change Voted Down

Maui Councilmember Michael Victorino. Photo courtesy Office of Council Services.

The county manager form of government charter amendment question will not be included on November’s general election ballot.

Councilmembers voted 5-4 against the change in government structure after a recessed full day committee discussion on Monday, where members of the public came to testify.

The committee considered a recommendation from the Special Committee on County Governance, endorsing a county manager form of government where a managing director would be appointed by the council to function as the county’s chief operating officer, with an elected ceremonial mayor.

Committee chair Michael Victorino said there were a lot of legal and administrative questions that were raised, which members tried to address within a very limited time-frame.

Victorino said members of the Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee expressed discomfort in rushing out a proposal that has not been fully vetted that could expose the county to potential operational conflicts and legal issues.

He said the proposal is not “dead” but instead was deferred, which means the council may consider the item further if it gets referred to them next term.

The committee will reconvene on Tuesday, July 5 at 9 a.m. in the Council Chamber to consider other proposed charter amendments.

Councilmembers Gladys Baisa, Robert Carroll, Don Couch, Stacy Crivello and Riki Hokama voted against the measure, while Councilmembers Elle Cochran, Don Guzman, Mike White and Victorino voted for the change in government structure.