[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6579958,"mediaKeyId","3184484-8040ef85244d84201e22b23deace4a9a","parentId",3184484,"title","Council honors Maui Economic Opportunity on 60th anniversary; extends condolences for civic leader Jonathan Starr","audioSeconds",1570,"startMs",783000,"endMs",2353000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3184484-8040ef85244d84201e22b23deace4a9a&start=783&end=2353","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3184484-8040ef85244d84201e22b23deace4a9a/thumbnail_783000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6579958/Maui-County/Hawaii/Council-honors-Maui-Economic-Opportunity-on-60th-anniversary-extends-condolences-for-civic-leader-Jonathan-Starr","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579958-490060c7b7a94418f21bd4bad682a3e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770890106&Signature=QoIyWM6eGRKoQz21hZWX~Y2vVYsmVFnjO9iyW-RwKd6ZK78vPeZOnsCiP~ABidbE1c~ALAp~IeNPvlfbRkDGStkUhaMzpoz~u14Y-vb8kZB-vlNQogemteDJukmBtkWvgt2bPnR9WaUMJy2o3~iZgyN~goVmiSYmRZ8-V9IOoeiwYXXW6Y-nxY9sbKDTwyXqZW~Jj7uLl9UnYtYhnrl8W1Q4e~q~-FFoUg5t3TJJFCns~UesMtiHeTxk1TbaSZns63QLYizQUkx4RaDfvmSKayVXX2ebPy~nmbiko0vb5~kDfrDAAiuS~78z63YMoBOgR-xJEiS2RfMeg4k63OF~gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maui County","date","2025-05-02T00:00:00Z","article","The Maui County Council on May 2 adopted ceremonial resolutions recognizing May 2025 as Community Action Month and congratulating Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. (MEO) on its 60th anniversary, and separately extending condolences to the family of local civic leader Jonathan Starr.

MEO CEO Debbie Kabibi and multiple MEO directors testified in support of the recognition, thanking the council for decades of support for community action services that span Head Start, kupuna programming, transportation, job services and disaster response. Council members praised MEO’s role in the county, including its responses during the 2023 wildfires and the COVID‑19 pandemic, and repeatedly described the agency as a vital community resource across Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

The council adopted the MEO recognition resolution by unanimous vote (nine ayes, zero nos). Later in the meeting the council also adopted a resolution extending condolences to the family of Jonathan Starr, a longtime volunteer and civic leader, again with unanimous support; a family representative accepted the adopted resolution in the gallery and described Starr’s varied life and civic service.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 25‑101 recognizing MEO — adopted (9 ayes, 0 nos); Resolution 25‑102 extending condolences to the family of Jonathan Starr — adopted (9 ayes, 0 nos).

What’s next: Certified copies of both resolutions will be transmitted to the named recipients listed in each adopted resolution.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Maui County - Council of the County of Maui on 2025-05-02 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting - May 02, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council adopted resolutions recognizing Maui Economic Opportunity’s 60th anniversary and extending condolences to the family of longtime civic leader Jonathan Starr; both measures passed with unanimous support at the May 2 meeting.","taxTitle","Maui County, Hawaii","taxId",12846,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":42,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6579961,"Council backs intent to acquire Molokai properties, signals up to $30M appropriation",8300000,9870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3184484-8040ef85244d84201e22b23deace4a9a&start=8300&end=9870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3184484-8040ef85244d84201e22b23deace4a9a/thumbnail_8300000.jpg","/articles/6579961/Maui-County/Hawaii/Council-backs-intent-to-acquire-Molokai-properties-signals-up-to-30M-appropriation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579961-58fdf3bcc9fb5168f664d8fc47591d9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770890106&Signature=onj6VqijqPVHu2-ENddSL3YgDidRqpD6bZVxoWw-ixPy3-LYD~GyP04sMTtwWdXWV13oF1DTGB8ctEQMLkAUh5YjV7d87WBhXw4H-tr~lw0Xa3e7lZIFMDxsolTj1UyxLyQq-yIdvf87dbVO9~07Lh1CaSkJkMx6C2ONNtFxYNtKFTzR48g2wjAwMcKkW64J7hJ~vOVfJmbRQEGQoAzYctptHsvCLTKfv53~TBKzabuhlNU0nMfTcB2NPAngL1UWCQ0uB5hFvAgxUO4CaL1xB1M5d9MTkV70nSfF5iSBqYmpC21p2s2xHDt73P~hVI2k~KlOEpPzMG90StZfVUg5pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On May 2 the Maui County Council adopted a resolution expressing support for the county’s intent to acquire real property in Kanekakai and elsewhere on Molokai and to execute a memorandum of understanding with the Molokai Heritage Trust to pursue those acquisitions.

The resolution frames the effort as a response to community goals for restoring local stewardship and ensuring county facilities that serve Molokai residents are held in perpetuity for public use. The council’s text says many community facilities on Molokai are currently held under lease and could be vulnerable to future changes in private ownership or lease terms.

The resolution does not itself purchase property; rather it states the council’s intent — subject to later legislative action — to appropriate at least $30 million toward acquiring properties used by county facilities and other lands of interest to Molokai. Administration staff and Molokai representatives told the council that further steps would include appraisals, formal negotiations and subsequent individual acquisition approvals and appropriations.

Councilmembers emphasized the resolution is an expression of intent to begin a process of acquisition and partnership with Molokai Heritage Trust. The item passed on a recorded vote with seven ayes and two members excused.

What’s next: The county and Molokai Heritage Trust will pursue a memorandum of understanding, complete appraisals and report back to the council. Any acquisition and appropriation will require later council action and funding approvals.","The Maui County Council adopted a resolution supporting the county’s intent to work with Molokai Heritage Trust on acquiring properties used for county services and other Molokai lands of public interest, and signaled intent to appropriate up to $30 million subject to later legislative action.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6579965,"Council approves $500,000 recognition for Komohana Hale rebuild planning; housing timeline discussed",3455,3669000,7124000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3184484-8040ef85244d84201e22b23deace4a9a&start=3669&end=7124","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3184484-8040ef85244d84201e22b23deace4a9a/thumbnail_3669000.jpg","/articles/6579965/Maui-County/Hawaii/Council-approves-500000-recognition-for-Komohana-Hale-rebuild-planning-housing-timeline-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579965-3cc08df1b9c68f6f1a79d3199abe4a78/orig.mp4?Expires=1770890106&Signature=Vj-cGiixOGqH5UGDmTu~DgxwgicbPYPk3iwWO6mAGl1su17fl~-5e5hB5ooa56HDKQHwo9db7fPbya4iZ~BeWBU~e979AT6R-DjvztEP~NS5w5b9qTZwYXZb0jr-CdjMl1UK3K2PsSMgA4NhZoR13hKEA1VgLDUUv~feuj54bMOr9oZojqtTUX2HSLJAlXzL5QF0FFjbOVJKwtIu7rR44ANLr2uNzOJg7Luj11hPzFNxtHQT9Xqs232zSoJU9WH5Twl7CFV66ggwj86umfgRZcnaWLWBfXGRMMeYHbjoIymn4bqN~mpePrRvjlVIMMvrsQSxkh2MNvQaTmFEPn44zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Maui County Council passed a first‑reading budget amendment on May 2 to recognize $500,000 in insurance proceeds for predevelopment planning of Komohana Hale Apartments, a multifamily housing project damaged in the August 2023 wildfires.

The funds will pay for consultant services to support planning and design work that the Department of Housing said is needed before construction can proceed. Deputy staff told the council the county received approximately $5.45 million in insurance proceeds related to Komohana Hale; the $500,000 item before the council is an initial tranche to fund predevelopment work, including planning, design and community input. The department said early conversations with Department of Environmental Management and the Department of Water Supply indicated initial support to transfer water and wastewater capacity to the Komohana site, which would allow the county to explore options for adding density on the parcel.

Housing staff said they can start procurement for a consultant immediately if the council recognizes the funds and approves first reading, with a goal of finishing planning and design in about six to nine months and returning for funding of construction in a later fiscal year; an earliest construction start was tentatively described as fiscal year 2027.

Councilmember questions focused on timeline, the potential to add density to Komohana Hale versus rebuilding in place, and the longer‑term disposition of the adjacent Lahaina Crossroads property. Housing said Lahaina Crossroads did not receive insurance proceeds because the county did not have insurance for that parcel; discussions with parks and other county departments about Lahaina Crossroads are still preliminary.

The council passed Bill 59 on first reading by vote: eight ayes, one member excused.

What’s next: Housing will pursue consultant procurement for planning and design; the department expects to return with additional budget requests for construction once planning is complete.","Council approved a budget amendment to recognize $500,000 in insurance proceeds for predevelopment consulting on Komohana Hale Apartments, which were damaged in the August 2023 wildfires; housing department gave a planning timeline and goal for construction funding in a later fiscal year.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6579971,"Maui Council opposes Young Brothers temporary rate increase and urges PUC to seek alternatives",6972,2403000,9375000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3184484-8040ef85244d84201e22b23deace4a9a&start=2403&end=9375","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3184484-8040ef85244d84201e22b23deace4a9a/thumbnail_2403000.jpg","/articles/6579971/Maui-County/Hawaii/Maui-Council-opposes-Young-Brothers-temporary-rate-increase-and-urges-PUC-to-seek-alternatives","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579971-7ff4314cf5cae08f5ca88794fe433ed1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770890106&Signature=Hw3HFhvC-25DWCQT2vkDlRMzdK6VjQBTrW7vvfi80rXTkx8O8aMejJq5V5Ag~Q1Ca~yPn2UJJ6s7OmsxB9ld-V0gqrRi0HI2UXp97hr07pz7LHyYX0z-70NTk7k8Ya6XRPqn3GD1W9LRdfIqw7kb6SovUYaYzhauGxGTGjFtAxLbH6u8frTCQIFA1qqMGefm~t-AP14Afx~i3z1dLm-gWHy7HCYVazzzO20JJAm2IEpOpHD~z3DdTE4EdEw5m7C1egwLtKCv-INccwLOLIBt5vREUfn63M187LyL8UXqgynw6UVXnBPLiah5HYuVeDatFSj4tnz4t1d7D1kdSnKo6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Maui County Council on May 2 adopted a resolution opposing a proposed increase in inter‑island shipping rates by Young Brothers LLC and urged the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to seek alternatives that would avoid relying solely on rate hikes.

The measure cites Young Brothers’ April filings seeking a large revenue increase, references the company’s previous emergency rate action and subsequent audit, and notes concerns raised by the state Division of Consumer Advocacy. The resolution calls attention to the risk higher shipping rates pose to residents’ cost of living, island farmers, small businesses and the ongoing recovery and rebuilding work in West Maui.

Jay Anna, Young Brothers’ president, joined the council online and answered members’ questions about the company’s finances, investments in barges and port equipment, local employment and regulatory timelines. Anna said the company has invested in infrastructure — including a barge dedicated to Molokai and Lanai and a short‑tension system for Lanai — and argued a temporary increase was needed to avoid projected operating losses, citing a projected $18 million loss for 2025 if no relief is provided.

Testimony opposing the increase came from Molokai and other neighbor‑island residents and community leaders, who said higher freight costs would raise the price of food, medicine and construction materials and would especially harm isolated communities. Several speakers urged state and federal actors to examine the wider regulatory and marketplace framework, including the Jones Act and harbor fees, and to identify relief that would not directly transfer costs to island consumers.

The council’s resolution asks Young Brothers to reconsider the proposed increase and requests the PUC consider other options to stabilize costs. The council adopted the resolution by roll call: seven ayes, one no, and one member excused.

What’s next: The PUC process remains the venue for final rate decisions; the council said it will transmit the resolution to the PUC, the state attorney general, the governor and others named in its text.","The council adopted a resolution opposing Young Brothers’ proposed temporary shipping rate increases and urged the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to explore alternatives to protect island consumers and small businesses.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6579974,"Maui Council confirms Pelekia Kona to Board of Water Supply amid broad public support",1331,3693000,5024000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3184484-8040ef85244d84201e22b23deace4a9a&start=3693&end=5024","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3184484-8040ef85244d84201e22b23deace4a9a/thumbnail_3693000.jpg","/articles/6579974/Maui-County/Hawaii/Maui-Council-confirms-Pelekia-Kona-to-Board-of-Water-Supply-amid-broad-public-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6579974-e7b59df6ac8c9766110fd036d084628a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770890106&Signature=YrqzBOdiHC2bDs8kDtZYNJGCEI5bnApoBiZa3ThGwZ5EVZ0mBpyyDNcOTEU5vpN6YELsLmGA-HisLGHRw2NBN3Coq7ok9R24JSN77d4YJU2HdLE26JZUu2~HW2EO5dZROb1WG4ToNng9D-9eyMf~uPYksTRdoPoSLQqsxmkJTlJ5oE1HnYe3JAGAauh-9tZms32KsHd49bR8IE7~~PLl4TAG6s0eF7dxbZW9LcQSPOLPgI9xpbXl6v2nmpAF0hkTyJm6lqITXa4AE0mtGSkfS1fa61tF~0T0Aw3-xT9sZDaCDQ3Clhbf8j~fNRi3iTnXlPgTcRbBX3C6zz5EYLgSqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Maui County Council on May 2 unanimously moved to nominate and approve Pelekia (Pele) Kona to the county Board of Water Supply to fill a term expiring March 31, 2027.

Council members cited Kona’s community ties, experience with kalo farming and traditional water stewardship, and wide public support during a lengthy public-testimony period that included residents, cultural practitioners and nonprofit leaders from across the islands.

The nomination was announced on the council floor under county charter and code authorities that allow the council to make appointments when the independent nomination board and the mayor have not completed required steps. Councilmember Tamara Paulton read the resolution and noted the appointment was time-sensitive. Dozens of people testified in favor of Kona in person and online, stressing his ancestral knowledge of water, experience with Lahaina Strong and community stewardship efforts.

Supporters described Kona as a generational voice for Kanaka Maoli stewardship and urged the council to confirm him as West Maui and island-wide water policy moves forward. Testimony came from a mix of community leaders and residents, including Paul Carter, Zeke Kalua, Kyo Mailani Hana P. Hirata, Deandre Makakoa, Katie Austin, Julene Lee, Robin Smith and Caroline Kamikona, among others. Several speakers referenced recent proceedings before the Commission on Water Resource Management and called for local leadership in decisions about groundwater and surface-water allocation.

Council discussion emphasized both Kona’s local ties and the need for board members who can help guide water policy during ongoing work around West Maui’s water management. Members noted Kona’s presence in the gallery and his prior community service, and several members spoke in personal support before the roll call.

The council recorded the appointment as passed with seven ayes and two members excused.

What’s next: Kona will serve on the Board of Water Supply through March 31, 2027. The council transmitted certified copies of the appointment to the mayor, the independent nomination board, the corporation counsel and the director of water supply as the resolution directed.","The Maui County Council voted to nominate and approve Pelekia (Pele) Kona to the Board of Water Supply to fill a vacancy through March 31, 2027, after extensive public testimony supporting his cultural and local water stewardship background.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council honors Maui Economic Opportunity on 60th anniversary; extends condolences for civic leader Jonathan Starr

Council backs intent to acquire Molokai properties, signals up to $30M appropriation

Council approves $500,000 recognition for Komohana Hale rebuild planning; housing timeline discussed

Maui Council opposes Young Brothers temporary rate increase and urges PUC to seek alternatives

Maui Council confirms Pelekia Kona to Board of Water Supply amid broad public support