The Maui County Council reconvened on September 26, 2025, at 10:03 AM, continuing its regular meeting with a focus on public testimony regarding agenda items. The session began with the introduction of Lauren Akitake, the executive director and legal counsel for the Board of Ethics, who addressed Resolution 25-179 and Bill 129 concerning the hiring of a part-time investigator and setting their salary.

Akitake expressed gratitude for the council's previous approval of her assistant's salary and the emergency hire of the investigator, noting that both positions were filled promptly, resulting in a fully staffed team dedicated to enhancing the Board of Ethics' capabilities. She introduced her assistant, Rissa Tam Ho, and the new investigator, Gail Raikes, commending their commitment to the board's mission.

Akitake reported significant progress in her role, having provided 17 informal advisory opinions in eight weeks, a notable increase from just one the previous month. These opinions addressed various issues, including conflicts of interest and urgent matters arising before commission meetings. She highlighted the emotional nature of some community complaints, emphasizing the importance of educating the public about the board's functions and processes.

The Board of Ethics is also undertaking a substantial revision of its rules, with 42 changes modeled after the Hawaii State Ethics Commission's guidelines developed over the past 50 years. A notice regarding this revision was published in the Star Advertiser, and a special meeting is scheduled for October 22 to discuss the proposed changes.

Looking ahead, Akitake outlined her plans for the first 100 days in office, which include meetings with each council member and the mayor, as well as conducting a survey to gather feedback from the county and community. Additionally, the board aims to update its lobbyist rules, extend its jurisdiction over former employees to six years, and review gift rules, with plans to include questions in the upcoming survey to assess community opinions on these matters.