#alice lee
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 […]
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.
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.
First reading of Bill 9 on TVRs in apartment districts scheduled for Dec. 1
The bill that would phase out transient vacation rental uses in the apartment zoning districts is being scheduled for a special council meeting Dec. 1 at 9 a.m., Council Chair Alice L. Lee announced today.
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.
Bill 9’s first reading to be scheduled after council fills vacancy
Maui County Council Chair Alice L. Lee announced that first reading of the bill to phase out transient vacation rentals in Apartment Districts will be scheduled for a council meeting hopefully in December while the council turns its attention to filling the vacancy created by the passing of Council Member Tasha Kama.
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.
Deep sadness: Council Member Tasha Kama dies Sunday night
Maui County Council Member Tasha Kama died at 9:25 p.m. Sunday, surrounded by her loved ones, according to a family statement posted on the Kahului council member’s Facebook page. She was 73.
Maui Council gives final approval for revisions to County workforce housing policy
Maui County Council members voted 6-2 Friday, with Council Chair Alice Lee and Vice Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura dissenting and Council Member Tasha Kama absent, on a bill to increase deed restriction requirements to maintain County-subsidized workforce affordable housing.
Maui Council panel eyes allowing thousands of vacation rentals to operate in new hotel zoning
The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee deferred action Thursday on recommendations for phasing out thousands of apartment-zoned short-term vacation rentals, shifting its focus instead to a proposal that would allow more than 4,500 current vacation rental units to continue operating legally. The committee plans to advance legislation to establish H-3 and H-4 hotel zoning […]
Maui Council panel pauses deliberations on TIG recommendations, focus shifts to new hotel zoning
The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee recessed a discussion Wednesday after a brief deliberation on the path forward for Bill 9, which aims to phase out thousands of short-term rentals in apartment-zoned districts to free up housing for residents.
Maui residents file Sunshine Law complaint against County Council over Waiʻehu housing vote
Waiʻehu community members who oppose the 119-unit Hale Mahaolu Ke Kahua affordable housing project have escalated their fight, filing a formal Sunshine Law complaint against the Maui County Council.
Out of ashes, home again: Kaiāulu o Kūku‘ia grand opening celebrated
The grand opening and blessing of Kaiāulu o Kūku‘ia Thursday morning marked an emotional milestone in West Maui’s recovery, becoming the first newly built, permanent multifamily affordable housing project to open for local families since the August 2023 wildfires. The complex includes Hawai‘i’s first Bezos Academy preschool.
Maui Council files bill on police response to Hawai‘i Army National Guard alarms
The Maui County Council filed a bill Friday that would have authorized the mayor to enter into an interdepartmental agreement allowing the Maui Police Department to respond to alarms at Hawai‘i Army National Guard facilities.
