Alice Lee was re-elected council chair and the Maui County Council voted to change its rules to prioritize evening, locally held public hearings and give authors of council-initiated legislation the first opportunity to have that legislation heard in the committee they chair.

The council unanimously adopted Resolution 25-1 to re-elect Alice Lee as chair. Council members then approved a package of rule changes, filed as County Communication (CC) 25-1 and CC 25-2, and adopted Resolution 25-4 (the rules of the council) as amended. The amendments include language granting a council member who authors a bill a right of “first offer” to have the bill referred to the committee they chair, and a requirement that public hearings required by law be held at 4:30 p.m. or later in the community-plan area most affected by the bill — unless a majority of the council votes to waive that requirement for a specified reason.

The rules package was the subject of extended public comment before the vote. Several testifiers urged evening hearings and locally held hearings after work, saying daytime hearings pose barriers for working residents and those rebuilding after the August 2023 fires. Jen Mather told the council she supported the changes “to ensure legislative intent is preserved” and urged the council to remove an exemption she said could be used to circumvent the requirement. Carlos Lamas testified: “No cutting down public testimony. I repeat, no cutting down public testimony.”

Council debate included procedural questions about how the new rule language would be applied in practice. The council also debated whether to adopt Rosenberg Rules of Order instead of retaining Robert’s Rules as the council’s default parliamentary guide; the motion to retain Robert’s Rules failed (3-6), meaning the council discussed bringing Rosenberg forward later but ultimately the body voted on the bundled rules as amended during the meeting and adopted them.

Votes at a glance related to the rules and leadership:
- Resolution 25-1 (electing the council chair): Alice Lee nominated and adopted unanimously (9-0).
- Resolution 25-2 (electing the vice chair): Yuki LeSugimura Sugimura was elected vice chair (6-3 after roll call votes recorded).
- Resolution 25-4 (adopting the rules of the council, as amended to include CC 25-1 and CC 25-2 provisions): adopted (vote reflected unanimous consent after amendment votes and roll call; main motion as amended carried).
- A motion to retain Robert’s Rules as the default parliamentary manual failed (3 ayes, 6 noes); discussion on adopting Rosenberg rules continued in committee later.
- An amendment to require supermajority protections on amendment-at-final-reading provisions (rule 19-style language) passed (7-2).

Alice Lee thanked members after the vote, telling colleagues: “I value each one of you,” and urged cooperative work in the new term. The council left the new rules in place for the current term; staff and council members said they expect additional housekeeping changes to follow as committees begin substantive work.

The rule changes took effect for council procedure; application to specific bills and committee calendars will depend on staff scheduling, availability of meeting venues, and any waivers approved by majority vote.