#Tasha Kama
Maui Council honors kumu hula Iola Balubar for 50 years of excellence in hula
The Maui County Council unanimously adopted a resolution Friday morning in the Council Chambers honoring kumu hula Iola Balubar for 50 years of excellence in hula and her dedication to the Maui community.
Kauanoe Batangan officially sworn in as Maui County Council member; Committee memberships assigned
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 Council set for leadership reorganization on Jan. 5
The Maui County Council will consider a reorganization of its leadership and committee chairs during a special meeting at 9 a.m. Monday in the Council Chambers.
Mayor appoints Batangan to fill Maui Council vacancy for Kahului residency
Maui Mayor Richard Bissen announced the appointment of Kauanoe Batangan to fill the Maui County Council Kahului residency seat left vacant by the passing of Council Member Tasha Kama in October. Batangan will officially assume office on Jan. 1, 2026, due to transitional time over the holidays.
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 […]
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, […]
Flag guidance issued in honor of Maui Council Member Kama and Former Vice President Cheney
Gov. Josh Green has ordered the flags of the United States and the state of Hawaiʻi to continue to be flown at half-staff at all state offices, state agencies and all Hawaiʻi National Guard facilities until sunset on Thursday, Nov. 20, in honor of Maui County Council Member Tasha Kama and former Vice President Dick Cheney. Funeral services for Kama will take place on Nov. 19, and for Cheney on Nov. 20.
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.
Three names surface on list to fill vacant council seat for Kahului residency area
Councilmembers will choose from a list of three names when seeking to fill the council vacancy for the Kahului residency area at a special meeting planned to start Nov. 20 and conclude by Nov. 25, the Office of Council Services announced.
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.
Carol Lee Kamekona announces 2026 Maui County Council run
Aunty “NTY” Carol Lee Kamekona, a retired 22-year US Navy and Navy Reserve veteran and longtime community organizer, announced Thursday her intent to run for Maui County Council in 2026.
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.
Final request: Kama asks Council to consider appointing Kauanoe Batangan as her successor
Seven-year Maui County Council Member Natalie “Tasha” Kama, who died Sunday night at Maui Memorial Medical Center, has asked fellow council members to appoint Kauanoe Batangan to serve out the remainder of her term. “In her final request to the Maui County Council, she humbly asked that Kauanoe Batangan, an experienced and distinguished public servant, […]
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 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.
Affordable housing deed extension bill revived after near-death experience
Maui County Council members killed a bill aimed at maintaining affordable workforce housing when they failed to muster a fifth vote needed for passage, even after the measure passed unanimously out of committee 8-0 last month. After a tense debate, however, they abruptly resurrected the bill by invoking a rarely used “vote for reconsideration.” In […]
