Maui Charter Commission Discussing Planning & Police at Nov. 4 Meeting

The Maui Charter Commission will receive testimony and discuss the remaining 10 proposed charter amendment under Theme G – Planning and also consider Theme H- Police at its next regular online meeting on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 9 am.

Several competing proposals seek to modify the general and community planning processes and redefine deadlines for land use decisions and review. Another proposal would make community plan policies enforceable in court.  

Supporting a call for more local representation in the planning process, the Commission already adopted several proposals that, if approved by voters in the 2022 election, will significantly reshape future Planning Department procedures. 

Under Theme H – Police, there are three similar proposals aimed at increasing public accountability by establishing the Police Commission as an independent citizen oversight board. Two other proposals call for increasing the minimum requirements for the position of Police Chief. 

Finally, if time allows, the Commission will begin taking public testimony on Theme I – Executive Branch (Other than Police and Planning). The Executive Branch is where the executive power of the County lies. It includes the Mayor, all County departments from Corporation Counsel to Water Supply, Parks and Recreation, and many more.

Various suggestions seek to create an independent selection committee for executive branch department heads and to restructure the Liquor Control Department. A proposal establishing the managing director as a non-partisan county chief executive is also among the thirty proposals under consideration.

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 these 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.