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Maui County Council OKs settlement to pay firefighters temporary COVID hazard pay
Summary
The Maui County Council voted to authorize a settlement to pay temporary hazard pay to Bargaining Unit 11 firefighters for work during the COVID-19 emergency. The measure, supported by testimony from Hawaii Firefighters Association leaders, was funded in the FY2026 budget and administration officials said they would work to expedite payouts.
The Maui County Council on July 25 voted to authorize a settlement to pay temporary hazard pay to Bargaining Unit 11 firefighters for work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution, No. 25-150, was moved from the floor by Vice Chair Yuki Lehi Sugimura and seconded by Councilmember Shane Sennancy and passed by recorded tally of five yes votes with one recusal and three members excused.
The resolution authorizes processing of hazard-pay payments included in the county’s FY2026 budget. Several representatives of the Hawaii Firefighters Association (HFFA) urged passage during public testimony. “I am Kanoa Shannon, Maui division chair for Hawaii Firefighters Association. I’m representing about 300 firefighters for our department. I’m in strong support of resolution No. 25-150,” said Kanoa Shannon. Jeremy Irvine, an HFFA executive board member, testified: “I arise in strong support of resolution number 25-150, authorizing the settlement of our temporary hazard pay. Your firefighters… were the first responders during COVID, literally in the homes, in the businesses all day every day.” Fire Captain Jay Fujita likewise urged approval, recounting firefighters’ early pandemic work going into homes and responding under uncertain conditions.
Managing Director Josiah Nishita and Director of Housing Richard Mitchell (speaking in their administrative capacities) said funding for the settlement was included in the adopted FY2026 budget and that the administration expected the appropriation would cover amounts due under the negotiated settlement. Nishita told the council the administration hoped to get funds to eligible personnel prior to the holidays and estimated the council-provided funding would be sufficient to cover the amounts related to the settlement.
Council discussion included a recusal noted on the record. The vote outcome as read during the meeting was five in favor, one recusal and three excused (names for the recusal and excused members were read on the record during the roll call and vote). The council instructed the administration to proceed with processing payments.
The settlement addresses hazard-pay claims for work during the COVID-19 emergency; the resolution does not change salary schedules or other contract terms outside the temporary hazard-pay settlement. The council’s action follows months of bargaining and a membership ratification process reported by HFFA speakers.
Members of the public and union leaders said the compensation is overdue; the administration described the mechanics of implementation and timing. The council’s approval allows the county to begin administrative processing for payment distribution to eligible firefighters.
