Resident proposes establishing a Sister City relationship between Maui and Siena, Italy

At the residency meeting a resident proposed that Maui County establish a Sister City relationship with Siena, Italy, and described contacts she said she had already pursued with Sister Cities International and local Siena officials.

The speaker, identifying herself as Rachel Hauoli Machiko Ota, said she had spoken with leaders at Sister Cities International and with a Siena municipal contact and recommended initial program exchanges such as youth exchange, municipal best‑practice exchanges and cultural delegation visits. She told the committee she would pursue mayoral engagement and noted the formal process typically begins with mayoral correspondence and a resolution from the council.

Council members advised the speaker that the next step is to work with the mayor’s office; if the mayor pursues a sister‑city agreement it would come to the council as a resolution for formal action.

The request was made as public testimony and the committee did not take action during the residency meeting.