[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6455421,"mediaKeyId","5836967-9de068120bf217a4f8e3e8ca7b0cc73b","parentId",5836967,"title","Maui County Council adopts resolutions, advances budget and zoning measures in packed September 26 meeting","audioSeconds",8067,"startMs",1669000,"endMs",9736000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5836967-9de068120bf217a4f8e3e8ca7b0cc73b&start=1669&end=9736","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5836967-9de068120bf217a4f8e3e8ca7b0cc73b/thumbnail_1669000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6455421/Maui-County/Hawaii/Maui-County-Council-adopts-resolutions-advances-budget-and-zoning-measures-in-packed-September-26-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455421-356ce6d43e88fd4a8983be70e459d296/orig.mp4?Expires=1770524267&Signature=Qit3XywLc~J7g-u-KWXZn28q92v8-MCGYWiw4B53B3SXRbU-TzQz5kF8KTWhTaKc1p5pzsBjd0BPUP3nr68E9LC7bSGSZEzB0HywoWJmeWoY7Jcwiy0P5L5VZaK2EvQNHhwGnd-mpgAkRDYtwrcfsBy~EMlPQhDBcfoA6gl2F5auLaMUs2aQodJg4Q3fRh2EhLzryusaniAO98vKzeyrEsfRaS63LBZpcw9NZOeQgaHBPukFZ5oHnEsDnbjQifux5~E3ens1yjQ5e5TSFR9sP4a~oBZDRvNVj7hhbWtYtFNyfv25uK3GtBS2-79Wv-8pmFTq~Wv-rMFm-GnVq2zpgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maui County","date","2025-09-26T00:00:00Z","article","The Maui County Council on Sept. 26 approved a slate of ceremonial resolutions, personnel appointments and budget and zoning items during a meeting that ran through routine business and several public testimonies.

Members adopted Resolution 25‑181 recognizing September 2025 as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Resolution 25‑185 recognizing Sept. 21 as Peace Day (each carried by 8 ayes, 1 excused). The council also took action on multiple first‑reading budget and administrative bills, passed several items on second reading and referred conditional zoning and recovery matters to standing committees and the Planning Commission.

Why it matters: The votes enact symbolic recognitions that county staff must transmit to named organizations and free up follow‑on procedural work on budget reallocations, recovery grants and rezoning requests tied to wildfire recovery. Several of the fiscal items provide short‑term funding or redirect existing appropriations to community resiliency, cultural recovery and event support.

Key actions and outcomes (selected):
- Resolution 25‑181 (Childhood Cancer Awareness Month): Adopted, 8 ayes, 1 excused. Certified copies directed to local and state organizations named in the resolution.
- Resolution 25‑185 (Peace Day): Adopted, 8 ayes, 1 excused.
- Bill 129 (ordinance allowing Board of Ethics investigator and administrative assistant to be filled part time, pro rata pay): Passed on first reading (roll call recorded; motion carried).
- Bill 133 (budget amendment shifting $15,000 into Aloha Classic marketing/event line): Passed on first reading.
- Bill 134 (MEMA reallocation to community resiliency hub grants): Passed on first reading.
- Bill 135 (National Trust grant $10,000 for Lahaina Royal Complex master planning): Passed on first reading.
- Bill 120 (Hana Health state land‑use boundary amendment): Passed on second and final reading to permit a workforce housing/clinic project in Hana (vote carried).
- Resolution 25‑180 (referring conditional change in zoning for Lahaina United Methodist Church to the Planning Commission): Approved for referral; the council amended the draft language to strike “all” and insert “several” to reflect that not every structure on the property burned.
- Resolution 25‑176 (urging increased enforcement and public awareness of Hawaii’s helmet laws): Adopted.
- Appointments: Resolution 25‑175 (appointment of Joseph Kepa as Hawaiian language communications specialist) and Resolutions 25‑182/25‑183 (appointments to civil‑service seats) were approved and transmitted as required.

Meeting context and next steps: Several items passed on first reading and will return for additional readings or for implementation steps (e.g., plan updates, grant agreements, referrals to planning or other committees). The Lahaina rezoning referral begins the commission review process; council members noted funding time limits tied to recovery grants and urged expedited review.

The council closed after a brief series of district notices and member reports.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Maui County - Council of the County of Maui on 2025-09-26 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Maui County Council on Sept. 26 adopted a set of ceremonial resolutions, advanced several budget and recovery‑related bills on first reading and referred rezoning and recovery matters to committees and the Planning Commission.","taxTitle","Maui County, Hawaii","taxId",12846,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455407,"Lahaina United Methodist Church rezoning referred to Planning Commission amid recovery funding deadline",3721,3439000,7160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5836967-9de068120bf217a4f8e3e8ca7b0cc73b&start=3439&end=7160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5836967-9de068120bf217a4f8e3e8ca7b0cc73b/thumbnail_3439000.jpg","/articles/6455407/Maui-County/Hawaii/Lahaina-United-Methodist-Church-rezoning-referred-to-Planning-Commission-amid-recovery-funding-deadline","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455407-9e3630d9194a43a412488889d9be98a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770524267&Signature=T4zMW4bC-yKLg0QIJUa2UxWdi7x~b9eA4-WRRnSN1CZI3e3grv4G2Rh-TOyl4qYQFjXqmY0uCCK3rqXlxC8MmyN6E6IpepdBbu3zu-MUQO7kF~Sb5BAH26FdEegcWBirgy0SzvnU7kMZeSLVJAoh7y21JxGZKaJZQfr9KbgPxWgz1r~anWzJco8~qx0WdQw6Jjq-IMVikEJfHvbmlhivgXjSCyzSwPPD0LpHdyWFLjFy~apFfp084ZIKINcFpN2Cgr16JPXjiep6WMy8SVuwcu58CwTSBA0g4wn7HcgbTrFw8kV~RZoD6KmjwDqtpwAV25tAkNpu8cuK06FUfgpS5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Maui County Council on Sept. 26 moved to refer a proposed conditional change in zoning for two adjoining parcels owned by Lahaina United Methodist Church to the Planning Commission for review. Councilmembers approved an amendment to the referral language to replace the word “all” with “several,” reflecting testimony that some structures on the property survived the August 2023 wildfires.

Nut graf: Church leaders said they seek public‑quasi public zoning to accommodate community uses — including temporary volunteer housing, meeting spaces and office space — and noted some recovery funding the church is pursuing will expire in early 2027, making a timely review important.

What applicants told the council
- Kim Willenbrink and Pastor John Crew described the church’s history (congregation established in 1896; main church building constructed in 1922), noted some structures remain, and said the congregation plans temporary pavilions, volunteer dormitories and to restore historic architectural elements as part of recovery.
- Pastor Crew said the church owns about 3.25 acres and plans to use the property to support community rebuilding, including volunteer lodging and office spaces, and requested the rezoning be expedited because recovery funding deadlines are looming.

Council action and next steps
- Member Poulton moved to refer the conditional rezoning for the two parcels (approx. 3.255 acres) to the Planning Commission and proposed a friendly amendment to change “all” to “several” in the resolution; the amendment and the referral were approved.
- The council directed staff to forward the matter to the Planning Department; members asked for an expedited Planning Commission review in light of grant expiration dates.

Ending: The referral begins the Planning Commission process; the church and county staff will coordinate surveys, temporary permits and community outreach as part of the next steps.","The council voted to refer a conditional change in zoning for the Lahaina United Methodist Church property to the Planning Commission and amended the resolution language to reflect that several — not all — buildings burned in the 2023 fires.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455412,"Board of Ethics expands staff; council advances ordinance allowing part‑time investigator pay",2226,3169000,5395000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5836967-9de068120bf217a4f8e3e8ca7b0cc73b&start=3169&end=5395","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5836967-9de068120bf217a4f8e3e8ca7b0cc73b/thumbnail_3169000.jpg","/articles/6455412/Maui-County/Hawaii/Board-of-Ethics-expands-staff-council-advances-ordinance-allowing-parttime-investigator-pay","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455412-0072fb52a77e0d88c98d3d630403eee8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770524267&Signature=SEdK3CLJXdnC4~IGeEHyHKjZmJSNH2IcJbmDUWXljXqqENUyXFcKlW8Zc~3lMRYcuULD6eIu5-q2eK7Wsd4YQXNbyJ3jUXulFLaG3B~Ezf04bEDvny55HWGQtw7U4SL7nE9Pg91PAc8dTahfhtN6UJqUGo5PRKPA4yhQgLEL1EgkTbMmUxFsASf1AyNf5drYyhA2Zp1097X3rXaSsP61hW4SvGsOj4wkVUGvxa7VJEp7sC5acRzGI1~61CLE8vshqlUvdHSHhSlVmayogTpsZR2xH1ZFqhpJARvaIYgvlLYNjAPCr1axLv7AfKlaT3-LSyHcndWWRFzTvK3SMit79A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lauren Akitake, executive director and legal counsel to the Board of Ethics, told the council on Sept. 26 that the board recently hired an assistant and an investigator under a DM‑89 emergency hire and that the additional staff have substantially increased the office’s ability to provide timely informal advisory opinions and intake for community complaints.

Nut graf: To match that staffing flexibility, the council passed Bill 129 on first reading to permit the Board of Ethics positions (investigator and administrative assistant) to be filled on a part‑time basis and paid on a pro rata basis.

Key points from testimony and discussion
- Akitake reported 17 informal advisory opinions in eight weeks after staff additions, compared with one opinion in the month prior to her arrival. She said calls often involve educating callers about the board’s jurisdiction and directing them to the appropriate resource.
- Akitake introduced her new assistant, Rissa Tam Ho, and investigator, Gail Raikes, and said a rules revision and survey of county and community needs are forthcoming.
- Council moved Bill 129 (first reading) to amend county code to permit pro rata pay for part‑time investigator and assistant positions. The council voted to pass the bill on first reading; a second reading will be scheduled.

What it means: The ordinance change enables pay and appointment flexibility for the Board of Ethics so it can maintain investigative capacity without requiring full‑time hires. Akitake and the board cited immediate need for timely ethics guidance in the community and said the investigator role will be active and substantive.","Board of Ethics executive director Lauren Akitake reported new hires and higher demand for ethics advisories; the council passed Bill 129 on first reading to allow the investigator and administrative assistant posts to be filled part time and paid pro rata.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455416,"Council urges stronger enforcement and outreach on helmet laws after local crash fatalities",3362,3995000,7357000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5836967-9de068120bf217a4f8e3e8ca7b0cc73b&start=3995&end=7357","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5836967-9de068120bf217a4f8e3e8ca7b0cc73b/thumbnail_3995000.jpg","/articles/6455416/Maui-County/Hawaii/Council-urges-stronger-enforcement-and-outreach-on-helmet-laws-after-local-crash-fatalities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455416-6b3a9bd610a96c9c4b83f4fd41610972/orig.mp4?Expires=1770524267&Signature=H42U1NC-d0w1LruFHDBsEjtqYMoB46-d6lWkMfETdgUUXzA3cU38MuNb8zWzZ8Y4c~ghCnW7IDZVAcgW-3hLEF4g5RtGiTYzTXfGWHCqOrCbT1zgWMaZQCCzJxzz3C-NCsckRh~xnhVUFqTySNG1ZfJl7SMvWCyaQXOG-bkJY4wFQI-LA4VSXESP7bblJb5ihktEIRWQyiJZcpQJ898gaMrjCQ~Nq32FrcJHBmsvsK8IIEVd4iqCsR169gs~I~CrF0bvUaTekCbUHjmzaBT~cSDyFBg3~U1jSJ1Fb0K9cbGo5OiRaCzxglUYc9~xE30etjD1bLMdU81LCSG1NlIgng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Maui County Council on Sept. 26 adopted Resolution 25‑176 urging the Maui Police Department to step up enforcement and public education about Hawaii’s helmet requirements for a range of vehicles after several recent serious and fatal crashes.

Nut graf: The resolution cites local crash reports and state statutes governing helmets for motorcycles, mopeds, ATVs, scooters and bicycles, and was prompted in part by public testimony from family members of crash victims who urged the council to act.

What was said and what happened
- The resolution text, read into the record by the clerk, cites several local incidents and studies showing increased odds of fatal injury for unhelmeted riders. It urges the police department to increase enforcement and public awareness and requests certified copies be sent to the police chief, the police commission and the prosecuting attorney.
- Public testimony was strongly emotional and specific: Anela Lono Kaino told the council she lost her 14‑year‑old brother in an ATV crash and urged stronger helmet mandates and enforcement; Cynthia Day, who identified herself as the boy’s great‑aunt, urged better education and enforcement in Hana where children ride frequently without helmets.
- Member Senency moved the resolution; after discussion it carried (council reported 8 ayes, 1 excused). The council noted school fall breaks and the need to target outreach toward youth and parents.

Discussion vs. action: The council’s action is a nonbinding request to law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities rather than a change to county ordinance. The resolution asks county and public safety officials to increase both enforcement and outreach; no new county funding was included in the text.

Ending: Council members praised families for speaking and asked staff and police to coordinate outreach and enforcement plans ahead of school breaks and community events.","Following emotional testimony from families who lost relatives in crashes, the Maui County Council adopted a resolution urging the police department to increase enforcement and public awareness of Hawaii helmet laws for motorcycles, mopeds, e‑bikes and similar vehicles.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Maui County Council adopts resolutions, advances budget and zoning measures in packed September 26 meeting

Lahaina United Methodist Church rezoning referred to Planning Commission amid recovery funding deadline

Board of Ethics expands staff; council advances ordinance allowing part‑time investigator pay

Council urges stronger enforcement and outreach on helmet laws after local crash fatalities