[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6475389,"mediaKeyId","5734425-57bb905d0c23975abbce96cc50817711","parentId",5734425,"title","Maui Council backs Hawaii County’s call to pause bombing at Pohakuloa, urges state coordination on cleanup and cultural review","audioSeconds",399,"startMs",6020000,"endMs",6419000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5734425-57bb905d0c23975abbce96cc50817711&start=6020&end=6419","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5734425-57bb905d0c23975abbce96cc50817711/thumbnail_6020000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6475389/Maui-County/Hawaii/Maui-Council-backs-Hawaii-Countys-call-to-pause-bombing-at-Pohakuloa-urges-state-coordination-on-cleanup-and-cultural-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475389-1dd7e43665feee7807d3661be1c782c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452968&Signature=DnsGV3qQ7jN5sNgBBayp4SwJbSH~6NMY8nt5xg8lIzavtfauZIZ1E8JSGhFQe1tP~51jhtripc1ajoYf7RwNOobFOWEHZE5WqeAi4wUqV9qxTPCyaTOscJxW16zBN2bpz3aFSUNdL~4ACUsoVQweDFXH-VyUp0VWSAAeKRBSSS6Eu-T5HBW-a~tk5x~D35q1-KFvsA-y8B3RphEeCli0hvrRmiWa2O5-KHFtVnTtp4hD5y-4ULPyxBrmb4poAY6RLoV56OSKm0T3wjxUHEXKQgoSmMMwvoBjmWVcawxa2zOBmkG1yr9IWHAgBgpR8smdhQkG8flZx9lPvp5yGzaiVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maui County","date","2025-09-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Maui County Council voted Sept. 8, 2025, to support Hawaii County Council Resolution 234-25 and to urge the State of Hawaii to request that the U.S. military cease bombing activities at the Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii Island until full legal, environmental and cultural reviews are completed.

The council’s Resolution 25-172 asks the state to reject new land swaps or leases and to prioritize cleanup, monitoring and a Kapa'akai (traditional and customary rights) analysis of the training area. The measure cites the May 9, 2025, Board of Land and Natural Resources action declining to accept the Army’s final environmental impact statement for land retention at Pohakuloa; the county resolution also recalls prior intercounty solidarity on environmental hazards such as the Red Hill fuel facility.

Supporters argued the military’s activities have caused contamination and posed risks to cultural resources and native Hawaiian practices. Testifiers and several council members described potential long-term environmental and health effects, raised calls for cleanup and for the state to exercise caution before renewing or extending leases or allowing land swaps. Kainalo Kamanu and others described firsthand experiences of military training impacts and urged respect for constitutional protections of native Hawaiian cultural practices.

Council member Kenny Rollins Fernandez framed the action as a display of intercounty solidarity and urged the governor and state legislators to press for full remediation and culturally informed review. The resolution calls for coordination among state agencies, the County of Hawaii, native Hawaiian organizations and federal agencies to make remediation “transparent, enforceable and responsive to community-identified needs.”

The motion passed by recorded vote with a majority; two members were noted as excused. The council instructed the clerk to transmit certified copies of the resolution to the governor, state legislators, the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the mayors of Hawaii and Maui counties.

Clarifying details: the council resolution refers to the BLNR vote on May 9, 2025, which the resolution cited as finding the Army’s final EIS inadequate for reasons including incomplete biological inventories and insufficient consultation with native Hawaiian stakeholders; it also referenced broader legal and constitutional duties to protect natural resources and native rights.

Next steps: the council’s action is an urging resolution to support Hawaii County’s position and to press the state to require additional environmental and cultural review and to avoid land transactions or eminent domain actions at Pohakuloa until the issues are resolved.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Maui County - Council of the County of Maui on 2025-09-08 9:00 AM - Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","By a recorded vote the Maui County Council approved Resolution 25-172 supporting Hawaii County’s request that the state ask the U.S. military to cease bombing at the Pohakuloa Training Area and to require full environmental and cultural reviews before any new leases or land swaps.","taxTitle","Maui County, Hawaii","taxId",12846,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6475394,"Council sets salaries, approves hires for Board of Ethics amid staffing push",2581,1891000,4472000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5734425-57bb905d0c23975abbce96cc50817711&start=1891&end=4472","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5734425-57bb905d0c23975abbce96cc50817711/thumbnail_1891000.jpg","/articles/6475394/Maui-County/Hawaii/Council-sets-salaries-approves-hires-for-Board-of-Ethics-amid-staffing-push","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475394-f2febfa7d70a335fd3d049d9f0c7b75b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452968&Signature=a~ucTOJM-33cK4712xcU54QwdTsgQMhSNZHeAwX9B4IkjyFHaTviicn9mC0rNS7UDDtJTp3VDdaa~1M21nOM3jRff4i-etF2PTRZiJdVman9OfXxKJmtvKmPNJrT4nScVU7QNQCgC6J01qi6fK1a3KxJb5zKDVEOXJA3dVphFPr-H92xRkqRnVRRFWzjIqpO7xnIdXyNCu-6VjGxLWOgHddb9OOVzqtv1~enSWwMg3W28VZeZLnMMM3USyrqXMBDYdDNQMSOGqa6V7HOL~07s~2ZCmg1NUfdDbBSkmI5X~u6iJje6Tqnc4kwD41Yu74KilWUZuno4gI4nCqigIhaWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Maui County Council on Sept. 8, 2025, adopted resolutions to set salaries and approve an initial staffing structure for the newly created Board of Ethics. The council passed Resolution 25-169 setting the annual salary for the administrative assistant position and Resolution 25-170 setting the investigator salary, and approved a substitute version of the investigator resolution to allow immediate hiring under a temporary classification while an ordinance to authorize part-time employment proceeds.

Lauren Akitake, executive director and legal counsel to the board of ethics, told the council she is currently “a one-woman show” and that the board needs staff immediately to process complaints, advisory opinions, and financial disclosures, and to produce outreach and training materials. Managing Director Josiah Nishita and Akitake explained that an accompanying ordinance would allow the investigator to be hired part time later, but that temporary classification was needed now to onboard a candidate with relevant experience.

Board staffing and compensation were presented as necessary to make the ethics office operational. Council members expressed support and asked logistical questions about timelines for budget adjustments; the administration said any further funding changes would be handled through a later budget amendment once audits and savings are recognized.

The council adopted the salary and appointment resolutions unanimously. Resolution 25-169 set the administrative assistant’s annual salary at $71,016 effective Sept. 1, 2025. Resolution 25-170 (as substituted) set the investigator’s salary at the requested step and authorized hiring under the specified classification effective Sept. 9, 2025.

Clarifying details: the board of ethics was described as a quasi-judicial body that will process complaints, advisory opinions and financial disclosure statements; Akitake said the office will revise rules and provide training starting in October. The council was told the staffing would be supported in the existing budget and that the administration plans a budget amendment later in the fiscal year to recognize savings and allocate funds if needed.

Next steps: the council’s formal salary-setting acts allow the Board of Ethics to onboard its first staff. The administration and board said they will follow up with ordinance language to authorize part-time hires and will return to council with any necessary budget amendments.","Maui County Council approved salaries and appointments to staff its newly created Board of Ethics, setting an administrative assistant salary and approving an investigator hire as requested by the board’s executive director.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6475399,"Council urges water director to exempt Pulelehua phase 1 from availability policy as West Maui housing delay draws criticism",600,4438000,5038000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5734425-57bb905d0c23975abbce96cc50817711&start=4438&end=5038","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5734425-57bb905d0c23975abbce96cc50817711/thumbnail_4438000.jpg","/articles/6475399/Maui-County/Hawaii/Council-urges-water-director-to-exempt-Pulelehua-phase-1-from-availability-policy-as-West-Maui-housing-delay-draws-criticism","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475399-1bb397d42f3f50f953949e5e77a8f2b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452968&Signature=f7Gndon8a4r7nPY0QyU9sT-5mzeNNNtlmXf~22aDO8z-1QF~GuCWoCWbv6gRgFWlf10p3yITagxRk0eXW6Vg0G5PfDccms9YeXJ-oBrpA05X5KXWjy7VcrEDcIJi79xC1DyDDG0oz8JAVaOTremZYBemFL873Wmwvu7mgmnvQJeWJTOtZeFCinGXt84DY-myEVhD~u576aKVKlwsNo8AEPFmtVpc1V0XwStlcnKm2WnX2PEzaXsOXz4gZMEN5FqsEEtA-U16YNkTJumvD64QbgkWhpZReBqWHYMYMxx2j2ZYf5rOaPNPCdJsYKHMt--CzTqFg~ZdQ5nnTUuRzgPcTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Maui County Council on Sept. 8, 2025, adopted Resolution 25-171 urging the Department of Water Supply to find that phase 1 of the Pulelehua project in West Maui is exempt from the county’s water availability policy, a step proponents said is needed to advance a 240-unit, 100%-affordable first phase of a larger 800-unit project.

Council members and public testifiers framed the action as urgent recovery work following the August 2023 wildfires. Kai Nishiki of Maui Nui Resilience Uhui told the council that hundreds of fire-affected families remain displaced and that Pulelehua is a fully entitled site that could deliver affordable homes quickly.

The resolution cites a 2019 Hawaii housing planning study and FEMA program timelines to argue for expedited action; it asks the water director to negotiate with private well owners and water service providers to allocate additional storage and reach equitable outcomes. Proponents said the county has previously applied the same exemption to other projects and urged consistent application.

Opponents and cautious council members noted constraints. Vice Chair Yuki Lee Sugimura said Seawater/Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM) and state processes play a central role in allocations in West Maui’s water management area and cautioned that the county alone cannot commit new uses without coordination. Several council members sought and secured an amendment transmitting the resolution also to the Commission on Water Resource Management to ensure coordination and consistency across state and county authorities.

Council debate balanced a demonstrated housing need against legal and technical limits on water allocations. Supporters argued the exemption is narrowly tailored to phase 1 (100% affordable), would help unlock federal and private financing, and could speed housing for displaced residents. Council members also expressed concern about perceived delays in other West Maui projects and asked the administration to be proactive in reaching solutions.

The council adopted the resolution with an amendment to include the state water commission among recipients; the motion passed in the final roll call (majority in favor with two members recorded as excused). The resolution transmits copies to the Department of Water Supply, the Board of Water Supply, the Commission on Water Resource Management, and the mayor.

Clarifying details: the resolution identifies Pulelehua phase 1 as 240 rental units that are 100% affordable and references the project’s earlier entitlements; it points to FEMA and other timelines that proponents say make rapid housing essential. The resolution asks the Department of Water Supply to seek additional storage and to negotiate with private well owners or water service companies where appropriate.

Next steps: the resolution is an urging measure; it asks the water director to consider an exemption and to work with water providers. It does not itself alter water law or guarantee allocation; the director and state agencies retain legal authority over water-use decisions.","Maui County Council passed Resolution 25-171 asking the Department of Water Supply to find phase 1 of the Pulelehua project exempt from the county’s water availability policy, citing West Maui’s post-fire housing emergency and the project’s 240-unit, 100%-affordable phase.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6475402,"Maui Council approves exemptions for Ke Kahua (Waiʻahu) affordable housing amid disputes over title and cultural claims",9869,1711000,11580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5734425-57bb905d0c23975abbce96cc50817711&start=1711&end=11580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5734425-57bb905d0c23975abbce96cc50817711/thumbnail_1711000.jpg","/articles/6475402/Maui-County/Hawaii/Maui-Council-approves-exemptions-for-Ke-Kahua-Waiʻahu-affordable-housing-amid-disputes-over-title-and-cultural-claims","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475402-2e681c8f8f45836225268317994db64f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452968&Signature=TdH0S4YHfIN5s-49LV4pdd~Rxfhnw5tUN7IoaEfiEVsHkR26G5iZGoVk0n4fgefPVYJXkICmfC~nqA7z7M0VxosONlNGyGII3qCCZ9wg~A~qDdgnDo-m0K1ZGbAOkrHsHy-16OWrv07KzkiGuxi65-RR5NXuKVT7inEb7yNVUk3uVFjJCMrrfPH-PzlrGx80KMN5~~sLqq9-dumZzNZKF9PUkFvWDo5F8gaVoZCNVlan~woUq4kKMvgT2~00qWRaNXOCmx5Br9cP5y~C766rC7ZxnrmLBE3WNZp-6R8R4mRwvohh2yZkNIPG~8eI5jCniEVvxAqbU6yHB8bZRfio3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Maui County Council approved Resolution 25-167 on Sept. 8, 2025, authorizing exemptions from parts of Maui County Code for the Hale Maha Olu–Ke Kahua affordable housing project in the Waiʻahu area, with a final 5-4 vote after an amendment limiting how project interests could be transferred.

Supporters, including representatives of housing and social service groups, argued the project will add needed affordable units in a county facing severe housing shortages. Paul Tonneson, a child advocate, said he has seen people sleeping in cars and called projects like Ke Kahua “tremendously impactful” for families and survivors of domestic violence seeking stability.

Opponents — many of them identifying as lineal descendants of families with historical ties to the Waiʻahu area — urged delay and committee review. Testifiers raised three recurring concerns: whether Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) has clear title to the parcel, the presence of iwi (ancestral remains) and kupuna burial sites, and whether the surrounding infrastructure (water, roadways and school capacity) can support the development.

“Something smells,” said Bridal Saracen, vice president of the Waihi Community Association, noting the project was approved in 2022 but had seen no ground-breaking and warning the housing might not remain affordable if costs have risen since approval. Several other speakers echoed concerns about clear title and water access. Ruben Ignacio, a retired Hale Maha Olu staffer, said waitlists for existing affordable housing can run five to 10 years and urged the council to make the process “easier, not more difficult.”

Lineal descendants repeatedly invoked historical documents and court filings. Several speakers, including Joycelyn Costa and Kainilo Kamanu, asked the council to refer the item back to committee to allow a fuller review of cultural- and title-related evidence and to protect traditional and customary rights under Article XII, Section 7 of the Hawaii Constitution.

Developers and project proponents told the council they needed the council action to secure financing. At the meeting, developer representatives said the change the council was being asked to approve would allow the financing structure to proceed while the landowner (MEO) would remain the land lessor. The council amended the resolution’s exemption wording to explicitly allow a leasehold interest in the project to be transferred while providing that “Maui Economic Opportunity Inc. remains the land lessor.” That amendment was added to address concerns raised during public testimony about transfers of ownership of improvements on the land.

Council debate focused on balancing the urgent local housing need with the public testimony about title and cultural claims. Members emphasized that the county does not determine land title and that disputes generally are resolved in court, but several members said they were mindful of community concerns and wanted clear guarantees that cultural practices and any discovered iwi would be protected during development.

The final vote on the resolution as amended was 5 in favor and 4 opposed. The council also adopted a companion amendment to limit the scope of transfers of leasehold interests and to require that MEO remain the land lessor.

The project and exemptions approved by the council remain subject to the terms approved in the measure and to any other legal or regulatory steps required for development, including archaeological monitoring and any further judicial actions regarding title. Proponents said they expect to proceed with financing steps; opponents said they were considering next steps for protecting cultural and ancestral interests.

Clarifying details: the project has been on the county’s approvals pathway since 2022, testifiers said; opponents argued that no ground has been broken since approval. Witnesses raised water and traffic capacity as substantive concerns and said prior analyses may be void or outdated. Testimony referenced a MEO deed dated in the 2000s and a claim that litigation and court findings leave potential title issues unresolved.

Next steps: the project’s backers said they will continue to pursue permits and financing; several lineal descendants urged additional committee-level review and said they will pursue protections for access and cultural practices. The county’s role is limited to land-use exemptions and financial approvals; questions about legal title remain matters for the courts.","The Maui County Council approved Resolution 25-167, granting exemptions tied to an affordable housing project in Waiʻahu despite testimony from multiple lineal descendants and community members who questioned clear title and raised cultural, water and traffic concerns. The vote was close at 5-4 after an amendment restricting transfer language.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Maui Council backs Hawaii County’s call to pause bombing at Pohakuloa, urges state coordination on cleanup and cultural review

Council sets salaries, approves hires for Board of Ethics amid staffing push

Council urges water director to exempt Pulelehua phase 1 from availability policy as West Maui housing delay draws criticism

Maui Council approves exemptions for Ke Kahua (Waiʻahu) affordable housing amid disputes over title and cultural claims