#tamara paltin
Maui Police Department aims for funding for staff shortages, law enforcement modernization
The Maui Police Department is requesting a $12.2 million budget increase next fiscal year, or 11.6% more than this year, to address staffing shortages and modernize public safety technology across Maui County.
Maui Emergency Management Agency taking ‘posture forward’ stance in emergency activations
The Maui Emergency Management Agency is seeking more robust resources to address a climate-change-fueled surge in emergency activations caused by frequent wildfires and severe kona low storms.
Council Budget Committee chair calls for fiscal discipline amid rising costs of living
Maui County Council Member Yuki Lei Sugimura called for a “disciplined” fiscal year 2027 budget Monday, citing the strain high gas and grocery prices have placed on local residents. Sugimura, who chairs the Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee, said the move is necessary as inflation continues to squeeze household pocketbooks across the islands. “Our […]
Maui Council cheers gold medal wrestlers, then wrestles with an affordable housing project refund
The Maui County Council celebrated local high school wrestling champions Thursday before grappling with a contentious request for an affordable housing project refund.
Economist warns council of vulnerable economy ahead of budget deliberations
University of Hawaiʻi economist Carl Bonham warned Maui County Council members Wednesday that a stagnant job market and a precarious reliance on wealthy tourists leave the county vulnerable as it begins annual budget deliberations.
Maui Council confirms directors of Planning and Human Concerns departments
The Maui County Council voted 8-0 Friday to confirm Jacky Takakura as planning director and 6-2 to appoint Margaret Willis as director of the Department of Human Concerns.
Planning Department navigates ‘relentless’ workload amid staffing shortages
Maui County planners are managing a “relentless” amount of work, including permit applications for Lahaina rebuilding, while operating with 15 staff vacancies, acting Planning Director Jacky Takakura told Maui County Council members Wednesday.
Controversial $13M Nāpili home now offering partial ownership to buyers
The eight-bedroom, 12.5-bathroom home, which for years spurred community criticism over its size and potential use as a vacation rental, is offering 25% shares for $3.55 million apiece.
West Maui private pool interim ban advances to the mayor for final consideration
The Maui County Council passed a bill on second and final reading Friday to enact a temporary ban on new private swimming pools in West Maui, a measure intended to conserve water for housing and wildfire recovery efforts.
Factory-built housing bill stirs debate: Cost versus durability for wildfire survivor housing
The Maui County Council passed a bill on first reading Friday that would allow for factory-built housing in the Lahaina burn zone, a measure intended to accelerate housing recovery for survivors of the August 2023 wildfires.
Bill to accelerate property tax relief hits speed bump
A proposal to provide expedited property tax relief to local homebuyers stalled Tuesday after Maui County finance officials cautioned that the county’s tax system is designed to be “retroactive” and cannot easily handle mid-year adjustments for now.
#propertytax #Maui
Maui County Council committee to review real property tax exemption reforms
The Maui County Council’s Special Committee on Real Property Tax Reform will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the Council Chambers to consider legislation aimed at easing the tax burden for residents and streamlining exemption deadlines.
Maui Council advances interim ban on new private pools in West Maui
The Maui County Council advanced a bill aimed at water conservation in arid West Maui by imposing an interim ban on new private swimming pools.
Maui Council sends new hotel zoning for vacation rentals to planning commissions
Maui County Council members voted 8-1 Wednesday to move forward with a proposal to create new hotel zoning districts for thousands of vacation rentals, a measure designed to soften the economic blow of the county’s controversial short-term rental phase-out. The approval of Resolution 25-230 refers a proposed bill to the Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi planning […]
Proposal for new hotel zoning for vacation rentals deferred in Housing and Land Use Committee
The Maui County Council’s Housing and Land Use Committee on Monday deferred action on the creation of new hotel zoning districts following an executive session that lasted over an hour.
Maui Council deadlocks on resolution for new hotel zoning districts
The Maui County Council reached a standstill Friday over a resolution intended to implement key recommendations of a Temporary Investigative Group aimed at implementing the phase-out of transient vacation rentals in apartment-zoned districts.
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 advances tax relief extension for Lahaina wildfire survivors
The Maui County Council unanimously passed a bill on first reading Friday that would extend real property tax relief for Lahaina wildfire survivors through June 2028. Bill 171 seeks to assist property owners whose lands remain unoccupiable. It also helps those who are undergoing active rebuilding following the August 2023 wildfires. The measure targets properties […]
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 […]
