#Government relations ethics and transparency committee

The Maui County Council’s Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee will discuss Board of Ethics’ legislative priorities during a meeting set to begin at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, committee Chair Kauanoe Batangan announced Friday. Discussion topics will include legislative proposals on penalties, nepotism and lobbying. Tuesday’s meeting is part of the committee’s ongoing efforts to “strive […]

The report identified two key findings: inadequate anti-fraud controls and the absence of a countywide fraud complaint process. The study found $21 million in “direct pay” transactions by the Department of Water Supply that bypass standard procurement. The upcoming 2027 Audit Plan also includes a review of private jet travel provided to county employees.

The Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee will meet Monday at 9 a.m. to receive comments from the county’s special counsel on the status of the wrongful-termination lawsuit filed this spring by former county official Leo Caires, Committee Chair Kauanoe Batangan announced today.

The Maui County Council’s ongoing review of 14 proposed charter amendments continued Tuesday, with members balking at a proposal to set aside 20% of the County’s annual transient accommodations tax revenue to fund climate plan initiatives.

Kauanoe Batangan began his term on the Maui County Council Monday morning, stepping into the Kahului residency seat held by the late Council Member Tasha Kama, a fulfillment of her final wish for him to succeed her.

Maui County Council members unanimously gave initial approval Tuesday to a measure that would establish paid parking zones at South Maui beach parks, a move to give residents first priority access to some of the island’s most popular beaches.

Maui County Council members unanimously approved today a resolution authorizing a global settlement of all wildfire litigation filed against the county for wrongful deaths, injuries and property damage stemming from the Aug. 8-9 wildfires in Lahaina and Upcountry.

Maui County Council members voted today to confirm Lori Tsuhako as director of the Department of Human Concerns, which will be separated from its Housing Division beginning July 1.

Department of Housing and Human Concerns Director Lori Tsuhako faced critics Tuesday who questioned her responsiveness, accessibility and management of homelessness in Maui County. But she nevertheless won support for her confirmation as Department of Human Concerns director from a majority of Maui County Council members.

Kate Blystone won a recommendation for confirmation as Department of Planning director in an 8-1 vote Tuesday afternoon from the Maui County Council’s Government Relations, Ethics and Government Transparency Committee.

Council member Nohe Uʻu-Hodgins announced that the Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee has canceled its meeting planned for today (Nov. 14) at 1:30 p.m. to allow council members to attend the 22nd Annual Native Hawaiian Convention. The committee planned to discuss Resolution 23-194, developing a comprehensive recovery and resiliency plan in response to the August wildfires, and is rescheduling the item for Nov. 28, she said.

The applicant said he worked directly with the Planning Department for more than two years during the SMA and building permit review process, with concessions made as well as changes to the design of the home at the request of the department.