The Maui County Council convened on August 13, 2025, for a public hearing focused on bills 171 and 172, amid discussions surrounding ethics complaints and procedural clarifications. The meeting began with procedural announcements, including a brief recess to address technical issues with a testifier's video connection.

Leslie Izkiewicz, a South Maui resident and attorney, was the first testifier after the recess. He expressed his concerns regarding a pending ethics complaint against Council Member Tom Cook, asserting that Cook has a conflict of interest that should prevent him from voting on the bills in question. Izkiewicz emphasized the importance of adhering to ethical standards and urged the council to table the votes on the bills until the ethics matter is resolved.

The council members engaged in a lengthy discussion about the appropriateness of allowing testimony on non-agendized items, particularly concerning the ethics complaint. Some members expressed support for allowing public testimony, emphasizing the need for community voices to be heard, while others argued for sticking strictly to the agenda to maintain order and focus.

Council Member Cook acknowledged the distress caused by the ongoing ethics discussions but stated that the focus should remain on the bills themselves rather than personal matters. The council's legal counsel provided clarification on the Sunshine Law, indicating that while testifiers could discuss non-agendized items, council members should refrain from deliberating on those topics.

As the meeting progressed, the council members reiterated their commitment to allowing public testimony while navigating the complexities of ethics and procedural rules. The session highlighted the ongoing tension between maintaining decorum and ensuring that community concerns are addressed in the legislative process.

The meeting concluded with a reminder for council members to remain patient and disciplined, allowing testifiers to express their opinions while reserving deliberation for later stages of the process. The council is expected to continue discussions on the bills in future sessions, with the ethics complaint against Cook remaining a significant point of contention.