Maui County Council

More than a year and a half of contentious discussion over short-term rentals in Maui County is nearing a final decision. HPR’s Catherine Cluett Pactol has more.

The Maui County Council continues to weigh a bill that would phase out about half of vacation rentals. In the first reading of the measure, councilmembers voted 5-3 in favor Monday.

Maui County Councilmember Natalie "Tasha" Kama died Sunday night at Maui Memorial Medical Center. She was 73.

A Maui decision over whether to phase out certain vacation rental units has drawn controversy and division within the community. HPR's Catherine Cluett Pactol reports on a discussion over free speech that arose in a recent hearing.

Maui Mayor Richard Bissen wants to increase the number of rental units available for locals. Opponents say that would hurt tourism and local jobs.

On Tuesday the council voted on a final version of Bill 41, which details a county budget that’s about $46 million bigger than what Mayor Richard Bissen initially proposed in March.

The Maui County bill would act as a so-called “trigger ban” that would only go into effect if a state tobacco ban were suspended or repealed. The state’s preemption law overrides county-level mandates, although opponents say county officials are more equipped to regulate tobacco.

As union negotiations are ongoing with Maui Health System and Kaiser Permanente for more than 900 health care employees on Maui and Lānaʻi, the Maui County Council passed a resolution supporting them in their requests for higher pay and safe staffing ratios.

Former Maui County Council Chair Kelly King along with 30 other voters are contesting the general election following her loss to Tom Cook. She wants to see the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court invalidate the results and order a new election.

The Maui County Council is considering a measure asking the state Legislature to allow all types of birthing practices in Hawaiʻi. This comes after a 2019 state law that established a licensing structure for midwives. However, it limits traditional birthing methods.