On Oct. 10 the Maui County Council approved two related items to staff the Board of Ethics: Bill 129 (an ordinance amendment allowing the Board of Ethics investigator and administrative assistant to be hired on a part-time and pro rata basis) and Resolution 25-179 FD1 (setting the investigator’s annual salary pro rata at Step J for a 19-hour week).

Lauren Akitake, executive director and legal counsel to the Board of Ethics, testified in support of both measures. She told the council the board is now fully staffed with the investigator and an assistant and described workload and operational improvements the staffing will enable: “I’m here to testify in support of resolution 25-179 and bill 129 regarding hiring our investigator part time and setting her salary.” Akitake also said the office is moving to streamline financial disclosure reviews and other procedures.

Council Member Uhu Hodgins moved to substitute Bill 129 with an FD1 version clarifying pro rata calculations; the motion to substitute was seconded and adopted. The main motions—substituted Bill 129 on second and final reading and Resolution 25-179 FD1 setting the pro rata salary at $48,005.40—were adopted by the council. Vote tallies recorded six ayes and three members excused on both measures.

Ending

Both actions formalize staffing and pay for the Board of Ethics investigator and allow the positions to be filled on a part-time pro rata basis; councilors asked that staff continue to provide updates as the office implements procedural changes to speed disclosure reviews.