Introduction to Maui County Council Meeting
The Maui County Council is set to consider several important resolutions and bills in their upcoming meeting on July 8. One of the key items on the agenda is a resolution to accept a donation of two parcels of land in Lānaʻi City from First Hawaiian Bank.
Land Donation from First Hawaiian Bank
The two parcels, located at 644 Lāna‘i Ave. and Seventh Street, Lāna‘i City, have a total area of 24,889 square feet. The former First Hawaiian Bank building, which is situated on one of the parcels, is a 2,009-square-foot, single-story building that has been in disrepair. However, the location and size of the lots offer significant opportunities to meet the community’s needs. Possible uses for the property include office and meeting space for the Maui County Emergency Management Agency’s Lāna‘i staff or other County agencies, short-term lodging for visiting service providers, and a shared commercial kitchen or other community support functions.
Other Resolutions and Bills
In addition to the land donation resolution, the Council will also consider several other resolutions and bills. These include a resolution to require places of public accommodation with at least 50 parking spaces to have at least two parking spaces specifically designated for electric vehicles, and a resolution to support the County’s planned conveyance of land for Hale Makua Health Services and Alaka‘i Development to create approximately 100 workforce rental housing project for healthcare and education workers and people displaced by the Maui wildfires.
Bills Set for First Reading
The Council will also consider several bills that are set for first reading. These include Bill 75, which would establish agricultural tourism as an accessory use in the agricultural district, and Bill 47, which would authorize the mayor to enter into an intergovernmental agreement with the Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and Hawai‘i counties for the Hawaiʻi Creative Economy Collaborative.
Bills Set for Second-and-Final Reading
Several bills are also set for second-and-final reading. These include Bill 104, which would permit kitchenettes and restrict wet bars in residential/rural zones on Maui and Lānaʻi, and Bill 76, which would allow mobile food trucks or trailers of 1,000 square feet or less as permitted accessory uses on farms in Maui County’s agricultural district.
How to Participate
The Council meeting will be televised live on Akakū Maui Community Media, cable Channel 53, and can also be viewed online via Teams. Members of the public can provide testimony by calling in, testifying in person, or submitting written testimony via email or fax.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the upcoming Maui County Council meeting will consider several important resolutions and bills that aim to address the community’s needs and promote sustainable development. The land donation from First Hawaiian Bank and the various resolutions and bills on the agenda demonstrate the Council’s commitment to supporting the local community and promoting economic growth. By participating in the meeting and providing testimony, members of the public can contribute to the decision-making process and help shape the future of Maui County.
