WAILUKU, Hawaiʻi (KHON2) – This morning, Nov. 3 at 9 a.m., the Maui Council held a special meeting to discuss the next steps for filling the Kahului residency seat after the recent passing of Councilmember Tasha Kama.
According to Council Chair Alice L. Lee, the meeting was originally planned for Nov. 12 but moved up to help the council meet its Nov. 25 deadline to fill the vacancy under Section 3-4 of the Maui County Charter.
“The council faces time constraints set by the charter and must focus on filling the vacancy,” said Lee, who holds the seat for the Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū residency area. “With major policy proposals pending before the council, the county is best served by having a full legislative body of nine councilmembers.”
During the meeting, the council talked about Resolution 25-202, explaining how members can nominate and appoint someone to the open Kahului seat. Council Chair Lee said that a second meeting may be held later this month to make the final decision.
Maui County Clerk Kathy Kaohu said, “We won’t know how many people are submitting nominations, so initially it’s noon next Monday when we would have to have all names submitted.”
In the end, the council voted that both council members and individuals interested in the seat can submit names to the County Clerk by noon on Nov. 10.
- Those interested must have lived in the Kahului area for at least one year and still live there.
Another meeting will take place on Nov. 20, where the council will interview candidates and hear public testimony. The council is expected to vote and finalize its decision on Nov. 25. If they cannot come to an agreement, the mayor will make the appointment for the seat.
For more information, residents can call the Office of Council Services at (808) 270-7661.