#saumalu mataafa
Maui Council committee recommends passage of property transparency bill, updated on TAT collection system
The Maui County Council’s Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee unanimously advanced a bill Tuesday requiring greater transparency in county land use, while also receiving an update on the upcoming overhaul of the county’s transient accommodation tax collection system.
Council Housing and Land Use Committee advances bill to preserve workforce housing
Members of the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee recommended passage of Bill 40 on Wednesday to maintain affordable housing through extended deed restrictions while giving the county more options to preserve workforce units. The measure made it through committee by a vote of 8-0, with one excused, Council Chair Alice Lee. The […]
Council panel moves ahead with Kahului housing project, sparks debate over water availability
A unanimous vote by the Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee to advance an affordable housing project in Kahului drew criticism Wednesday from West Maui Council Member Tamara Paltin. She found it “disgusting” that Maui County and developers found a way – through a water availability exemption – to make water available for […]
‘Wasted opportunity?’ Maui Council questions post-wildfire pivot on homeless plan
Maui County taxpayers spent $240,000 for a “homeless strategic plan,” but that’s not what they got. On Monday, officials told Maui County Council members that the county’s all-hands-on-deck response to the devastating August 2023 wildfires made creating that plan “infeasible,” leading instead to a “community-informed report” titled “Recommendations to Address Homelessness in Maui County.” Now, […]
Council Budget Committee questions unspent appropriations from Affordable Housing Fund
The Maui County Council’s Budget and Finance Committee has questions about nearly $12 million in unspent and unencumbered funds in the County’s Affordable Housing Fund. According to a March 3 letter from Budget Director Lesley Milner, additional funds are now available for a 120-unit apartment rental project on nearly 15 acres of County-owned land in […]
Rebuilding hundreds of affordable housing units burned in Lahaina fire is key priority of county’s recovery plan
The long-awaited draft plan, released last week, also calls for improving communication networks, expanding evacuation routes and boosting emergency response technology and staffing.
Council confirms new Housing, ‘Ōiwi Resources and Finance directors
The Maui County Council unanimously confirmed on Tuesday three new department heads, two to departments newly created by voters in Maui County Charter amendments in 2022.
Council digs into details on ‘shovel ready’ Lahaina housing projects
Maui County Council members looked for ways Thursday for developers to move forward with construction of two Lahaina affordable housing projects that residents have pinned hopes on as being “shovel-ready,” but nevertheless face significant obstacles.
Ka Ipu Kukui fellows explore challenges of building resilience in Maui County
Sixteen fellows of the 2024 Ka Ipu Kukui cohort gathered recently to address building resilience for Maui County, a challenge that’s all the more daunting in the wake of the August wildfires.
$4.9 million county grant sought to cover rising building costs for Kīhei housing project
ʻĀina Lani Pacific is seeking a Maui County grant of more than $4.9 million to help pay for steeply rising construction costs projected for the developer’s 28-home Kilohana Makai project in Kīhei.
‘The Greatest Showman’ wins grand prize at The Shops at Wailea’ Halloween Spooktacular
Local and visiting keiki enjoyed a celebration-filled Halloween Spooktacular, provided by The Shops at Wailea on Sunday, Oct. 29. The Shops hosted a frightening costume contest, where more than 1,000 guests entered to win prizes.
Maui Deputy directors named to Ag, Housing, Transportation, Environmental Management, Public Works and Finance
Mayor-elect Richard Bissen announced the appointments of: Kauanoe Batangan, Deputy Director of Department of Transportation; Koa Hewahewa, Deputy Director, Department of Agriculture; Saumalu Mataafa, Deputy Director of Department of Housing & Human Concerns; Robert Schmidt, Deputy Director, Department of Environmental Management; Wendy Taomoto, Deputy Director of Department of Public Works; and Steve Tesoro, Deputy Director of Department of Finance