Committee approves $10 million for county purchase, renovation of 24 North Church Street in Wailuku

The Maui County Budget, Finance & Economic Development Committee voted to recommend first reading of two bills and adoption of a resolution that would authorize the county to acquire and renovate 24 North Church Street in Wailuku and appropriate up to $10,000,000 in bond funds for the purchase and initial work.

The measure, introduced as Bill Nos. 103 and 104 (2025) and Resolution 25‑173, would appropriate up to $10 million, which the administration said includes up to $9.5 million for purchase and roughly $500,000 for closing costs and initial work such as replacing a chiller, a fresh‑air intake system and the main fire alarm panel. The administration told the committee the agreed purchase price is $9.5 million and that the property appraisal came in a little over $8.9 million.

The committee’s action moves the measures to council for first reading. Chair Yuki Le Sugimura opened the item and asked the administration to present details. Managing Director Josiah Nishita called the building “the Takatani Building” and said the county considers it a strategic asset in Wailuku town, noting the agreed purchase price was “9 and a half million, which is roughly about 5 to 6% over appraised value.”

Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Martin urged the county to consolidate his office’s staff into a single facility. Martin said Maui’s Department of the Prosecuting Attorney has never been fully colocated, and the physical separation has hurt morale and case work. “The overwhelming number 1 answer” from anonymous staff surveys, he said, was the desire for a building that brings everyone together and supports “the work that we do is vital to the safety of this community.”

County staff described due diligence and renovation planning. Dan Shupack, County Capital Improvement Program coordinator, said the property condition assessment lists improvements across a 12‑year maintenance cycle and identified immediate priorities including ADA accessibility evaluations and life‑safety systems. Staff said hazardous‑materials testing will be performed before major renovations even though the building’s age does not suggest asbestos or lead paint.

Tony Takitani, listed in the record as owner through ATAK Investments LLC, addressed the committee and said he and his family are prepared to proceed with the sale. The committee and staff discussed an escrow mechanism that would allow some renovation work to be contracted and paid from escrow so work can proceed without delaying closing; escrow would release funds after county inspection and acceptance.

Members asked about tenant transitions. Staff said the county is aware of existing leases and month‑to‑month tenants and is working with landlords and commercial real‑estate agents to relocate or accommodate those tenants as the county moves prosecuting‑attorney staff in. Director of Finance Marcy Martin and Guy Hiranaka (Finance) said the county has identified potential alternative leased spaces and would coordinate moves to reduce disruption. Committee members also discussed using the old courthouse — historically a crowded but architecturally significant building — for Department of Personnel Services after relocation.

Public testimony included a 3‑minute comment from JC Law of Kula, who said he attended the site visit, raised concerns about legal‑aid office space and said he saw cardboard in an office dumpster and asked that a recycling area be considered. The speaker also asked the county to include community members in a blessing or opening when the building is ready.

The committee voted to recommend passage on first reading of Bill 103 (2025) and Bill 104 (2025) and to adopt Resolution 25‑173 with non‑substantive revisions. The recorded tally for the committee vote was seven yes, motion carries; three members were excused. The committee and the seller said they were agreeable to a closing date later than the October 31 date in existing documents; the seller indicated November 30 would be acceptable.

Why it matters: The acquisition would consolidate the county’s prosecuting‑attorney functions into a single Wailuku facility for the first time in the department’s history, potentially reducing leased‑space costs and improving inter‑office coordination for case work and victim services.

What’s next: The committee will forward a committee report and the bills to the full County Council for first reading; staff said they will supply the committee with documentation of the escrow/repair arrangement prior to first reading.