In the resolution it mentions, "BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the County of Maui:
That it approves the nominees listed in Exhibit “B”; 1.
That it disapproves the nominees listed in Exhibit “C”; 2.
That it urges the Mayor to consider the applicants listed in Exhibit “D” as replacement nominees for any disapproved nominees;"
Why are exhibits B and C blank? Are they all approved?
Aloha e Committee Chair Uʻu-Hodgins, Vice Chair Paltin, and Honorable Committee Members,
My name is Jen Mather and I would like to offer support, opposition, and comments on the list of potential appointments presented in Resolution 24-109 regarding APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS.
I am in full support of Mr. Keʻeaumoku Kapu and Mrs. Carol Lee Kamekona being appointed to the Cultural Resources Commission. Their unwavering support and mālama for the biocultural landscape and the cultural and historical resources within it is testament to their ability to represent the best interests of Maui.
I would like to see individuals with first responder, emergency management, or disaster response/recovery backgrounds in our Fire & Public Safety Commission. I do not foresee possible conflicts of interest in having knowledgeable experts in the field taking part and advocating for the safety of our community. I do not see individuals with expertise in the field on the list and would recommend a full reset on appointees to find those individuals. Perhaps Mr. Laʻakea Poepoe, as MFD, would be willing to take on the commission if asked.
I oppose the appointment of yet another short term vacation rental business owner being placed on the Planning Commission and therefore recommend disapproval of Mr. Gary Passon of Aloha Aku Inns & Suites. I do not know Mr. Passon personally, but I recognize the inherent conflict of interest that may present itself, especially with the current TVR phase out on the commission agenda.
I also oppose the council's replacement nominee, Mr. Danny Blackburn, a construction executive who may have the same conflict of interest based on an interview he gave to Susan Halas from Mauinow.com in March 12, 2019:
"What’s making life difficult for his [Blackburn's] company is the slow pace of the permitting process. “We have about $20 million in work that we could start if only the permits were approved.” Of that $14 million is on the Big Island and the rest is on Maui.
“For example,” he continued, “We’ve been waiting for the permits for 20 months on the Maui Waena 8-classroom building.”
Blackburn doesn’t know what’s causing the delay. He said, like much of the work the company does, it’s a government contract. “Maui Waena is a state job. We bid and the state gets the permits. But until the permits are in place the job doesn’t start.”"
I do not know Mr. Blackburn personally. Again, the potential for personal financial gain by pushing things through the commission may weigh heavily on this appointment.
My comment on Mr. Christopher Imbach's appointment to the Board of Water Supply is that I believe Ms. Robin Knox would be a better choice. I do not know Mr. Imbach, but it seems he is new to the Pae ʻĀina and may not have enough historical and institutional knowledge about the water issues on our island and throughout our island chain to make informed decisions with generational repercussions. A business background does not equate to being able to steward one of our most precious public trust resources. I recommend appointing your replacement, Ms. Robin Knox, to the BWS and if that is not acceptable to the body, then return to the Mayor for another applicant.
I believe Mr. Chivo Ching-Johnson would bring years of community engagement and awareness into the Board of Ethics. If anyone is sensitive to past and present events and the ethics involved in our county, it is Mr. Ching-Johnson. I recommend him to the Board without considering the Mayor's selection and no opposition to Mr. Leach other than he is not Chivo.
I believe Mrs. Francine M.K. Aarona should be placed on the Pāʻia-Haʻikū Advisory board because of her ongoing community advocacy of the area, generational ties, and her knowledge of the challenges and issues faced within that community.
And lastly, Clint Hansen on the South Maui Advisory is like having Dylan Pane on the West Maui one. Realtors, investors, and developers, oh my.
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit written testimony on this item and for your continued commitment to finding the best fit for our boards and commissions.
In the resolution it mentions, "BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the County of Maui:
That it approves the nominees listed in Exhibit “B”; 1.
That it disapproves the nominees listed in Exhibit “C”; 2.
That it urges the Mayor to consider the applicants listed in Exhibit “D” as replacement nominees for any disapproved nominees;"
Why are exhibits B and C blank? Are they all approved?
Aloha e Committee Chair Uʻu-Hodgins, Vice Chair Paltin, and Honorable Committee Members,
My name is Jen Mather and I would like to offer support, opposition, and comments on the list of potential appointments presented in Resolution 24-109 regarding APPOINTMENTS TO BOARDS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMISSIONS.
I am in full support of Mr. Keʻeaumoku Kapu and Mrs. Carol Lee Kamekona being appointed to the Cultural Resources Commission. Their unwavering support and mālama for the biocultural landscape and the cultural and historical resources within it is testament to their ability to represent the best interests of Maui.
I would like to see individuals with first responder, emergency management, or disaster response/recovery backgrounds in our Fire & Public Safety Commission. I do not foresee possible conflicts of interest in having knowledgeable experts in the field taking part and advocating for the safety of our community. I do not see individuals with expertise in the field on the list and would recommend a full reset on appointees to find those individuals. Perhaps Mr. Laʻakea Poepoe, as MFD, would be willing to take on the commission if asked.
I oppose the appointment of yet another short term vacation rental business owner being placed on the Planning Commission and therefore recommend disapproval of Mr. Gary Passon of Aloha Aku Inns & Suites. I do not know Mr. Passon personally, but I recognize the inherent conflict of interest that may present itself, especially with the current TVR phase out on the commission agenda.
I also oppose the council's replacement nominee, Mr. Danny Blackburn, a construction executive who may have the same conflict of interest based on an interview he gave to Susan Halas from Mauinow.com in March 12, 2019:
"What’s making life difficult for his [Blackburn's] company is the slow pace of the permitting process. “We have about $20 million in work that we could start if only the permits were approved.” Of that $14 million is on the Big Island and the rest is on Maui.
“For example,” he continued, “We’ve been waiting for the permits for 20 months on the Maui Waena 8-classroom building.”
Blackburn doesn’t know what’s causing the delay. He said, like much of the work the company does, it’s a government contract. “Maui Waena is a state job. We bid and the state gets the permits. But until the permits are in place the job doesn’t start.”"
I do not know Mr. Blackburn personally. Again, the potential for personal financial gain by pushing things through the commission may weigh heavily on this appointment.
My comment on Mr. Christopher Imbach's appointment to the Board of Water Supply is that I believe Ms. Robin Knox would be a better choice. I do not know Mr. Imbach, but it seems he is new to the Pae ʻĀina and may not have enough historical and institutional knowledge about the water issues on our island and throughout our island chain to make informed decisions with generational repercussions. A business background does not equate to being able to steward one of our most precious public trust resources. I recommend appointing your replacement, Ms. Robin Knox, to the BWS and if that is not acceptable to the body, then return to the Mayor for another applicant.
I believe Mr. Chivo Ching-Johnson would bring years of community engagement and awareness into the Board of Ethics. If anyone is sensitive to past and present events and the ethics involved in our county, it is Mr. Ching-Johnson. I recommend him to the Board without considering the Mayor's selection and no opposition to Mr. Leach other than he is not Chivo.
I believe Mrs. Francine M.K. Aarona should be placed on the Pāʻia-Haʻikū Advisory board because of her ongoing community advocacy of the area, generational ties, and her knowledge of the challenges and issues faced within that community.
And lastly, Clint Hansen on the South Maui Advisory is like having Dylan Pane on the West Maui one. Realtors, investors, and developers, oh my.
Mahalo for the opportunity to submit written testimony on this item and for your continued commitment to finding the best fit for our boards and commissions.
E mālama,
Jen Mather