© 2024 Hawaiʻi Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Maui County Council Chair Calls For More Collaboration With Mayor Moving Forward

Maui County Council

The chair of the Maui County Council is hoping for more collaboration between Mayor Mike Victorino's office and the council.

This comes after Mayor Victorino gave his first State of the County address last night at the King Kekaulike High School Performing Arts Center in Pukalani.

During his speech, he touched on agriculture in Central Maui, water use, and affordable housing. But he gave few details about how his administration will adress these issues.

Council Chair Kelly King says the mayor talked about the major topics in the county, but has one main concern. "I think where we're still falling short is the collaboration part," said King. "Because a lot of those things that he mentioned, I don't believe that we've been in real collaboration with the administration on.

"You know, I've talked to council members who have had a meeting, and felt like things moved ahead then without them - without further input."

King says her concern is in no way a criticism of Victorino, and that it's still early in his tenure as mayor.

Victorino has installed several of his candidates to head county departments as temporary fill-ins, despite the council's rejection of them as permanent directors. The council has also opposed Victorino's temporary appointments, saying they go against the County Charter. But the mayor maintains the charter enables him to name his candidates as heads of county departments on an interim basis.

You can find a copy of Mayor Mike Victorino's State of the County address below:

Casey Harlow was an HPR reporter and occasionally filled in as local host of Morning Edition and All Things Considered.
Related Stories