• News
  • Agendas
  • Councilmembers
    • Tom Cook
    • Gabe Johnson
    • Tasha Kama
    • Alice L. Lee
    • Tamara Paltin
    • Keani Rawlins-Fernandez
    • Shane Sinenci
    • Yuki Lei Sugimura
    • Nohe Uʻu-Hodgins
  • Committees
    • Agriculture, Diversification, Environment, and Public Transportation Committee (ADEPT)
    • Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee (BFED)
    • Disaster, Resilience, International Affairs, and Planning Committee (DRIP)
    • Efficiency Solutions and Circular Systems Committee (ESCS)
    • Government, Relations, Ethics, and Transparency Committee (GREAT)
    • Housing and Land Use Committee (HLU)
    • Water and Infrastructure Committee (WAI)
    • Water Authority, Social Services, and Parks Committee (WASSP)
  • Testify
    • eComment: The best option for submitting written testimony to Council committees.
    • Agenda Email Alerts
  • Council Meetings
  • Resources
    • 2023 Council Calendar
    • Maui County Kākou: Civic Engagement Video Series
    • PRESS RELEASES
    • General announcements
    • Planning Commission Referrals
    • Council Residency Area Offices
    • HEALTHCARE RESOURCES
    • Public Safety
    • Request for Proposals
    • Solicitations
    • Audits
    • Training and Professional Development Reports
  • Elections
    • Elections Division
    • Elections Division (Ilokano)
      • Contact
  • FAQ

mauicounty.us.

  • FacebookFacebook
  • TwitterTwitter
  • InstagramInstagram
  • News
  • Agendas
  • Councilmembers
    • Tom Cook
    • Gabe Johnson
    • Tasha Kama
    • Alice L. Lee
    • Tamara Paltin
    • Keani Rawlins-Fernandez
    • Shane Sinenci
    • Yuki Lei Sugimura
    • Nohe Uʻu-Hodgins
  • Committees
    • Agriculture, Diversification, Environment, and Public Transportation Committee (ADEPT)
    • Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee (BFED)
    • Disaster, Resilience, International Affairs, and Planning Committee (DRIP)
    • Efficiency Solutions and Circular Systems Committee (ESCS)
    • Government, Relations, Ethics, and Transparency Committee (GREAT)
    • Housing and Land Use Committee (HLU)
    • Water and Infrastructure Committee (WAI)
    • Water Authority, Social Services, and Parks Committee (WASSP)
  • Testify
    • eComment: The best option for submitting written testimony to Council committees.
    • Agenda Email Alerts
  • Council Meetings
  • Resources
    • 2023 Council Calendar
    • Maui County Kākou: Civic Engagement Video Series
    • PRESS RELEASES
    • General announcements
    • Planning Commission Referrals
    • Council Residency Area Offices
    • HEALTHCARE RESOURCES
    • Public Safety
    • Request for Proposals
    • Solicitations
    • Audits
    • Training and Professional Development Reports
  • Elections
    • Elections Division
    • Elections Division (Ilokano)
      • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Laws & Resolutions
  • Maui County Charter
  • Maui County Code
  • Council’s 3 Minutes
  • Countywide Policy Plan
  • Office of Council Services
  • MauiCounty.gov
  • Public Record Requests
    • Latest Stories

      What is new?

    • County budget meeting Friday night on Molokai

      March 29, 2023

    • West Maui to hold first evening budget meeting Thursday

      March 28, 2023

Chair's 3 Minutes · Council Meeting · Hawaii State Association of Counties · Human Services · Land Use · National Association of Counties · Planning

Foundation set for a promising new year

  • by Alison Stewart
  • December 30, 2013

Published in The Maui News Dec. 29, 2013
By ROBERT CARROLL, for The Maui News

As we reach the midway point of the 2013-2015 term, now is an appropriate time to review the County Council’s activities over the last year and preview some of what’s ahead.

On Dec. 20, the council unanimously authorized the purchase of 186 acres at Launiupoko in West Maui. Public testimony proved to be invaluable in the decision-making, as many requested for preservation and public use of the property.

As recommended by the Land Use Committee, which I chair, the council approved construction of 56 affordable-housing units in Waikapu. My committee may consider another “fast-track” affordable-housing application, this time in West Maui, early in the new year.

Legislation to support animal control was enacted in November. The bill was vetted by Council Member Stacy Crivello’s committee, which has jurisdiction over housing and transportation policy, as well as human (and animal) services.

The council named a county facility in East Maui as David Kanaloa Kaho’okele Jr. Nahiku Community Center, and a park in Waihee after former Council Member Richard “Pablo” Caldito Sr. Council Member Don Guzman shepherded these bills through his committee, which has jurisdiction over the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Council Member Elle Cochran’s infrastructure committee enacted several ordinances relating to roadway safety this year, to establish crosswalks in Paia and Wailuku, and prohibit parking on certain parts of Front Street in Lahaina.

In Council Member Don Couch’s Planning Committee, work continues on a proposed home business bill intended to empower entrepreneurs while respecting neighborhoods’ character. The committee also worked this year on several ordinances to update the zoning code.

Council Member Michael Victorino’s Water Resources Committee continues the painstaking task of developing ordinances to govern the Department of Water Supply’s operations.

He also serves as treasurer in the Hawaii State Association of Counties Executive Committee, which has recently been meeting with the Hawaii Council of Mayors with an eye toward promoting county interests in the state legislative session, which starts Jan. 15. The 2013 HSAC conference held on Kauai last spring fostered relationships among council members throughout all four counties.

This year, Maui County Council Chair Gladys Baisa initiated regular meetings of the four county council chairs for the first time. The leaders of the councils face many of the same issues and have found it beneficial to craft solutions together.

Some council members attended the National Association of Counties annual conference in Texas over the summer, where Council Member Riki Hokama was inducted as first vice president. Other council members have taken leadership roles with NACo to facilitate idea sharing among county officials and to ensure counties’ voices are heard in Congress.

Council Member Hokama’s policy committee will review a slate of nominees for county boards early in 2014. The application deadline is Tuesday.

The council approved an annual budget of $559 million in June, through the hard work of Council Member Mike White’s Budget and Finance Committee. The fiscal year 2013 budget reflects a balancing of important policy goals, including maintaining fiscal prudence and investing in Maui County’s people and places.

We have seen significant infrastructure improvements such as the Waikamoi flume, several major new park facilities and the grand opening of the Kihei police station.

As we look forward to the new year, your council will continue to craft legislation to uphold the public’s interest and improve the quality of life in Maui County.

Hau’oli Makahiki Hou!

* Robert Carroll holds the County Council seat for the East Maui residency area. He’s vice chair of the council and chair of the Land Use Committee. “Chair’s 3 Minutes” is a weekly column to explain the latest news on county legislative matters.

# # #

Tweet

Tags: animal controlDavid Kanaloa Kaho’okele Jr.HSACNACoRichard Pablo Caldito Sr.zoning

  • Previous story Quality legislation is the gift that keeps on giving
  • Next story Public input sought on proposed Front Street fast-track affordable housing project

    Related Posts

  • Open data Opening doors with open data August 2, 2014
  • Hirono Congressional delegation briefed on county issues March 14, 2016
  • Height Limit Proposed bill to define height limit of buildings on Maui County October 8, 2013
  • Hawaii State Capitol State bills considered for counties’ 2017 package September 6, 2016
  • Webcast meetings

  • Sign up for email updates

    Click here to receive e-newsletters, agendas and other updates by email.

  • Video

  • Announcements

    • Watch the Civic Engagement Video Series: Maui County Kākou
    • Notice to attorneys and law firms interested in providing services to the Council 
    • WE’RE HIRING: LEGISLATIVE ATTORNEY
  • Quick links

    • 2023 Council Calendar
    • 2023 State Legislative Session
    • 2023-2025 Communication Log
    • 2023-2025 Resolution Log
    • 2023-2025 Bill Log
    • Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Session
    • Transient Accommodations Tax
    • Civic Engagement Video Series
    • How To Testify
    • List of Councilmembers
    • 2023 Council Inauguration
    • Affordable Housing Reports
    • Training and Development Reports
    • Procurement Awards and Exemptions
    • East Maui Regional Community Board Applications
    • West Maui Community Plan
    • Molokai Community Plan Update
    • Lānaʻi Community Plan Update
    • Social Media Policy

    Questions? Email:
    media@mauicounty.us

  • Get the latest news @mauicounty on Twitter.

    Tweets by @mauicounty
  • Official Facebook page

    • Track documents online

      Less Paper Initiative: Files, videos of Maui County Council me...

      Posted by Maui County Council on Sunday, March 20, 2016
    • Recent Posts

      • County budget meeting Friday night on Molokai
      • West Maui to hold first evening budget meeting Thursday
      • WE’RE HIRING: PROJECT ASSIGNMENT SPECIALIST
      • Council committee accepting East Maui Regional Community Board applications
      • Council tradition of evening budget meetings throughout the county to return starting March 30
    • Sign up for email updates

      Click here to receive e-newsletters, agendas and other updates by email.

    • Help

      If you are having a technical problem viewing our content, please email us at county.council@mauicounty.us and let us know how we can improve the site. Mahalo!

    • Categories

    • FacebookFacebook
    • TwitterTwitter
    • InstagramInstagram

    © Maui County Council • All rights reserved