Maui council seeks settlement approval in high-stakes case

During a recent meeting of the Government Relations, Ethics, and Transparency Committee, key discussions centered around legal matters involving the County of Maui. The session began with introductions from the corporation counsel, including Deputy Corporation Counsel Glenn Pasqual and Assistant Chief Wade Maeda from the Hawaii Police Department.

After a brief recess for an executive session, the committee reconvened to address settlement efforts and the rights and liabilities of the county. The chair, after confirming no further discussions were needed, announced that the committee would defer certain matters to a follow-up meeting scheduled for Friday.

Among the resolutions discussed was Resolution 24-71, which seeks to authorize an additional $325,000 in compensation for special counsel Kobayashi, Sugita, and Gouda LLP. This brings the total compensation for their representation in a civil case against the county to $450,000. Deputy Corporation Counsel John Gores introduced Craig Shikuma from the special counsel firm, who is prepared to address any questions regarding the case.

The meeting highlighted the ongoing legal challenges faced by the county and the financial implications of securing specialized legal representation. Further discussions and decisions are expected in the upcoming meeting.