Ask the Mayor: Applying to Maui County’s Boards and Commissions

Mayor Michael Victorino answers some of the most-asked questions submitted to his office staff.

Q: Mayor, could you please help me with my question. I’m interested in applying for one of Maui County’s Boards and Commissions, but I’m not sure which one and I don’t know what the requirements are (if any). Also, when is the deadline and how do I apply?

A: Mahalo for your question and interest! I cannot stress how important our Boards, Councils, Commissions and Committees are to Maui County. Many are essential to County operations, providing oversight and leadership for our departments and community.

There are a variety of County Charter requirements for each of these bodies, but these are tracked and fulfilled by my office. For example, the Council on Aging requires at least eight seniors and the Urban Design Review Board requires two architects, one land architect, two civil engineers and one person from Molokai and another from Lanai. This is a true balancing act for my staff and is led by well-respected Community Liaison Gladys Baisa.

There are no major requirements to volunteer for a board or commission, but the one thing I want to strongly communicate is that attendance is critical. If you commit to joining a council or committee, I ask you to make every effort to attend every meeting. This is a prominent position in our community and we should treat it with the appropriate level of respect.

We are looking for the next group of leaders to bring fresh perspectives and new ideas for Maui County. I implore our residents to use this opportunity to leverage their talents, degrees and experience toward helping Maui County grow into a healthier and better community for all people.

We have 42 vacancies across all of the County boards, councils, commissions and committees. The application deadline is Nov. 15, 2019.

Responsibilities include hearing public testimony and reviewing policies and standards. Panel members also make recommendations and decisions that impact Maui County. Positions are appointed by the Mayor, confirmed by the Maui County Council and have terms lasting two to five years.

Applications are being accepted for the following:

The Urban Design Review Board; the Maui County Arborist Committee; the Maui County Cultural Resources Commission; the Board of Ethics; the Board of Variances and Appeals; the Commission on Persons with Disabilities; the Council on Aging; the Fire and Public Safety Commission; the Hana Advisory Committee; the Kula Agricultural Park Committee; the Lanai Planning Commission; the Liquor Control Adjudication Board; the Liquor Control Commission; the Maui Planning Commission; the Police Commission; the Affirmative Action Advisory Council; the Civil Service Commission; the Commission on Children and Youth; the Maui Redevelopment Agency; and the Real Property Tax Review Board.

Anyone interested in serving on a board or commission should first apply online. Paper applications are available at the County Building in the Mayor’s Office on the 9th floor, and in the Information Booth in the main lobby; at Council Services offices on Molokai and Lanai and in Hana; and at all Parks and Recreation Permit offices (Wailuku, Makawao, Lahaina, Kihei, Hana, Molokai and Lanai). Paper applications should be mailed to: Mayor Michael Victorino, County of Maui, 200 S. High St., Ninth Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793, or faxed to (808) 270-7870. For more information, call 270-8211.

Want to Ask the Mayor? Submit your Maui County related questions to Mayor Michael Victorino by emailing askthemayor@mauicounty.gov, by phone at 270-7855, or by mail at 200 S. High St., ninth floor, Wailuku 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column; to request a personal response to a concern, email mayors.office@mauicounty.gov.