Committee recommends first reading of bill to join FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force

The Maui County Budget, Finance & Economic Development Committee on Sept. 5, 2025, recommended passage on first reading of Bill 92, an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter an intergovernmental agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Honolulu Division, to participate in the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).

The committee vote on the motion to recommend first reading carried, 7 yes, 1 no, with 1 member excused.

Deputy Chief Wade Maeda of the Maui Police Department said the county has had an intergovernmental agreement with the FBI’s Honolulu field office since 2002 and that the JTTF is a multijurisdictional intelligence‑sharing effort. “This task force…consists of federal agencies and state and local county counterparts,” Maeda said. He described the unit as voluntary, without money exchanged, and focused on preventing and vetting potential terrorist threats. “The members of the task force have to be vetted…they must maintain a secret clearance,” Maeda said.

Committee members raised civil‑liberties and command questions. Member Tamara Paulton asked whether the JTTF could be used against people exercising First Amendment rights; Maeda replied, “We support First Amendment constitutional rights…those groups will not be targeted,” and said the task force acts only when there is specific criminal intent to harm people in Hawaii. Several members, including Keoni Rollins Fernandez and Shane Sanencie, expressed distrust of federal agencies and concern about federal involvement; Maeda said the Maui Police Department retains discretion and can withdraw from the memorandum of understanding if the county decides to do so.

Corporation Counsel Christina Toshikio told the committee there is no monetary cost to the agreement. The committee record also noted written questions and the department’s responses filed in Granicus items 4 and 7.

In public comment, speaker JC Law questioned whether terrorism was a likely threat to Hawaii and described a personal concern about a past arrest record. “I was accused of being a terrorist…that I have to pay $30 to get it erased from my record,” the testifier said.

The motion recommending first reading was made by Member Tom Cook and seconded by Committee Vice Chair Tasha Kama. The committee’s roll call produced seven yes votes, one no and one excuse. The recommendation advances the bill to the council for consideration on first reading.

The agreement formalizes MPD’s role in the JTTF and, according to Maeda, the department expects to continue annual renewals of the memorandum and to participate in monthly intelligence meetings. The MPD described the JTTF as an intelligence‑sharing and planning body, not a federal enforcement unit that would usurp local command.

Members and staff flagged the Sunshine Law and public‑meeting rules at the start of the session; corporation counsel confirmed the committee’s review complied with procedural requirements, and no fiscal impact to the county general fund was reported during the discussion.

Looking ahead, committee members said they want continued oversight and clarity about what triggers federal notifications and how the MPD will protect constitutional rights while participating in the task force.