A heated discussion unfolded during the Maui County Agriculture, Diversification, Environment, and Public Transportation Committee meeting on June 5, 2025, as community members voiced their concerns over a proposed bill affecting food trucks and lunch wagons in Hana.

Local resident Lynn passionately argued for the inclusion of the Hana Advisory Committee in the decision-making process, emphasizing the need for community input before any regulations are finalized. "We cannot always come to look at this... so I strongly advise that this bill use Dalton's guideline," she stated, highlighting the importance of local oversight in the bill's development.

Lynn raised critical points about the challenges faced by Hana residents, particularly regarding land use and the existing Aina Kupuna tax exemption, which restricts certain business activities on native Hawaiian land. She urged the committee to consider these factors, stating, "We can't build or put a lunch wagon on our land... that is number 1 to think about."

The discussion also touched on the operational hours for food trucks, with Lynn advocating for a time limit to minimize disturbances to local residents. "We don't wanna have things going on at 10:00 at night," she insisted, stressing the need for balance between business operations and community peace.

Georgia Pinsky, another testifier, added a different perspective, advocating for food trucks as a viable option for farmers to increase their income without the hefty investment required for a traditional restaurant. "Farming is a full-time side hustle... we need to allow farmers to do that with a food truck for a much reduced cost," she explained, underscoring the economic potential of food trucks in the agricultural sector.

As the meeting progressed, it became clear that the proposed bill would require careful consideration and adjustments to address the unique needs of the Hana community. The committee's next steps will likely involve further discussions with local stakeholders to ensure that any regulations support both economic opportunities and community well-being.