(MAUI, HI.) – With tensions consistently on the rise, residents question their trust in their local government at the last Maui council meeting on Feb. 18. More and more locals voice their concerns about the us versus them mentality that has been consuming recent meetings.
Residents' patience is running thin after multiple council meetings haven’t addressed the real issues at hand. Residents feel the council dances around answers and never provides solid opinions. The council meeting covered the basics such as processing numerous resolutions for board nominations, budget amendments, and intergovernmental agreements, but residents still believe heavy issues are not being addressed.
The main issues that were finally brought up in this meeting were concerns about independence of the Board of Ethics and the application of building height limits in Lahaina as seen in the meeting summary by OpGov.News.
"The debate over Lahaina's building height limit reaffirms the 30-foot cap for single-family homes, which would make the 45-foot structure owned by Greg Brown in Napili illegal," Sam Small, a local Maui activist says.
"The council has halted its investigation into Brown's permit, and millions of taxpayer dollars have already been spent on related litigation. I believe a renewed investigation is necessary to restore the public's trust.”
Photo Credit: Maui County
The council had previously voted 9-0 in favor of an investigation into how the Brown structure even got an approved permit for the 45-foot structure but it was soon extinguished and never followed up on. If that investigation had been completed, Small shares that millions of tax payers dollars could have been spared.
“We are now rebuilding Lahaina—trust matters, and transparency matters,” Small says. “If a 45-foot single-family home could be approved in Napili, what confidence do residents have in these height limits or in the council that is supposed to enforce them?”
The other issue that Sam Small brought up was the intimidation of council members by the Corporation Counsel. He states that this undermines the independence of the counsel and calls for the resignation of the Ethics's Director.
“The Board of Ethics is avoiding difficult issues by labeling them as ‘outside its authority,’” Christopher Salem, fellow resident states. “Corporation Counsel continues to have too much influence, even as the Office of Information Practices investigates Sunshine Law violations. The council needs to clearly define the Board’s authority and investigate both the Brown residence and the Ethics Board. Right now, it feels like the council is giving in to intimidation and failing to support whistleblowers.”
Photo Credit: Maui County
Throughout the past couple of months, city council meetings have been filled with tension and outright criticism for the council and decisions, or lack thereof being made.
The water billing crisis has been a constant that seems to have come to a standstill with a lack of answers to resident’s questions. Locals consistently notice a change of subject or lack of progress on many promises made by the government.
Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, was also recognized for its 116th anniversary. Also, honoring Aloha Council scouters was adopted unanimously by council members following testimonies highlighting the organization’s community impact and need for Camp Maluia’s dining hall
rebuild.
To add or to correct any information in this report, please contact me at allyson.w@lead4earth.org and leave a comment below.
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