WAILUKU, MAUI, HAWAII – A bill amending parking restrictions at the Old Wailuku Post Office passed today on first reading with a 5-3 vote. The bill repeals a section in the Maui County Code, which placed parking restrictions on the Old Wailuku Post Office’s parking lot before the demolition.
Councilmembers Riki Hokama, Mike White and Michael Victorino did not support the measure. Councilmember Don Guzman was excused from today’s meeting.
“The Council has authorized an investigation on the Old Wailuku Post Office and my concern is this action may affect the investigation,” said Hokama. “I cannot support the motion at this time.”
Councilmembers White and Victorino did not provide an explanation for their vote.
The bill advanced to the full Council from the Infrastructure and Environmental Management (“IEM”) Committee, chaired by Councilmember Elle Cochran.
“I support the investigation and respect Mr. Hokama’s opinion, a lot,” Cochran argued. “This (bill) won’t hinder the investigation in any way.”
Since the post office and the designated parking stalls have been demolished, the parking restrictions in the bill are obsolete.
The same bill also amends the Maui County Code to delete the current time restriction on parking stalls on the Kaohu Street side of the County Building. The restriction became unnecessary because the Director of Public Works has designated the stalls for County vehicles.
Other parking related bills from the Infrastructure and Environmental Management Committee passed first reading, including a bill to prohibit parking on both sides of Onaona Street in Wailuku and a bill to prohibit parking on Front Street from Honoapiilani Highway to Shaw Street in Lahaina.
IEM Committee Chair Elle Cochran wrote in detail about these parking issues in the Chair’s 3 Minutes for The Maui News.
The Council also passed on first reading a bill that will give real property owners the option to receive their tax assessment notices via electronic means. If implemented, postage and printing costs for the County will be significantly reduced.
A request for a Council investigation relating to subdivision deferral arrangements from Chris Salem was referred to the Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee, chaired by Councilmember Riki Hokama. Salem is represented by Cain & Herren A Law Corp.
Other bills advancing to second and final reading include an amendment to the FY 2014 Budget adding $130,750 to the UH Sea Grant College Program. The grant will be used to establish reconstruction guidelines and protocols that could be quickly implemented following a major coastal storm event. Funding will help to expedite the recovery of the coastal community and mitigate the risk of long-term damage to sensitive coastal ecosystems.
Councilmember Michael Victorino reported on the July 26 Executive Committee meeting of the Hawaii State Association of Counties that was held on Maui in the Council’s committee room.
“I want to thank Council Chair Gladys Baisa and Mayor Alan Arakawa for joining the HSAC Executive meeting,” said Victorino. “No vote was made during the meeting, but we will continue our discussion on possibly creating a ‘legislative person’ to assist us in our lobbying efforts.”
The Hawaii State Association of Counties Executive Committee considered the hiring of a legislative liaison to lobby for county initiatives during the 2014 Hawaii State Legislative Session.
The Council referred a request by Councilmember Victorino to consider a proposed Water Conservation Plan to the Water Resources (“WR”) Committee.
Also referred to the WR Committee was a communication from Lynn P. McCrory, Senior V.P. of Governmental Affairs of Pulama Lanai, requesting to make a presentation on the proposed Desalination Facility for the island of Lanai. Pulama Lanai is the rebranded image for Lanai Resorts and began doing business for the Lanai community starting July 2013.
Other communications referred to standing committees include a bill from the Department of Finance to appropriate an additional $50,000 to award a contract to Pacific Concrete Cutting & Coring, Inc. for the demolition and disposal of personal property at Montana Beach Condominium Apt. A.
The Council presented a resolution to Sacred Hearts School on its 150th Anniversary. The school’s principal, Susan L. Hendricks, accepted the resolution today. Sacred Hearts School is the oldest elementary school in West Maui.
The school will have an alumni homecoming and a special celebration at its 41st annual Bazaar on March 1 and 2.
The Council also accepted a resolution dedicating a road widening lot for the D.T. Hill Subdivision, adjacent to Laie Drive in Makawao.
Boards and Commissions
Several communications from Mayor Alan Arakawa informed the Council about resignations and new appointments for Boards and Commissions.
Joseph Kanahuna has resigned from the Maui County Arborist Committee and the Mayor has appointed Gerald Yoza to replace him. Cynthia Santiago was appointed by the Mayor to replace Dennyse Grace on the Committee on the Status of Women. The Council needs to approve the nominees within 60 days.
Other resignations include Rhiannon R.T. Chandler from the Maui County Cultural Resources Commission and Andrew Carson from the Urban Design Review Board. The Mayor needs to submit a nominee for approval to the Council within 30 days.
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