Subject: Written Testimony Submission Re: Ma'alaea Small Boat Harbor WWTP; Formal Objection to Closure of Public Testimony, BFED Committee, April 13, 2026
To the Chair and Members of the Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee, Council of the County of Maui:
The undersigned respectfully submits the attached written testimony for the official record of today's proceedings.
By way of context: the undersigned prepared and appeared today ready to offer two minutes of actionable, science-based verbal testimony directing the Committee's attention to ready solutions to matters of documented marine and public health concern, and to provide guidance that County elected leaders and community members may find of material value in directing recovered or discretionary funds toward verified disaster relief and marine health organizations during the current period of significant need across Maui County and the neighbor islands.
The closure of public verbal testimony at today's reconvened session, as set forth in the separate formal protest submitted contemporaneously herewith, rendered that opportunity unavailable. The undersigned hereby registers his disagreement with that closure and preserves all objections thereto.
The undersigned wishes to note, with respect and sincerity, that Chair Sugimura demonstrated considerable skill and grace in her management of a challenging testimony dynamic at a prior session. It is the undersigned's personal opinion that the closure of verbal testimony today (whatever its procedural basis) could be interpreted by citizens as an overreaction to that prior circumstance, and that it functionally reverses the narrative advantage Chair Sugimura had appropriately earned. It is further the undersigned's opinion that this closure leaves him no alternative but to employ written testimony to the fullest extent permitted by law and practice, with the intent of maximizing public financial benefit during a budget process that did not afford him the opportunity to speak today, with the goal of supplementing a budget process perceived to be impaired with potential citizen philanthropic action in the context of exercising consumer rights.
Accordingly, the attached written testimony is submitted in full. It addresses:
(1) documented, multi-decade noncompliance by the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation with Hawaii Administrative Rules governing the Ma'alaea Small Boat Harbor Wastewater Treatment Plant;
(2) the condition of the receiving marine environment as documented by the State's own Division of Aquatic Resources;
(3) consumer protection considerations that members of the public may independently choose to explore with their financial institutions; and
(4) a list of verified organizations (including active MolokaŹ»i flood recovery nonprofits and indigenous-majority board marine health organizations) to which any recovered or discretionary funds may be directed.
The undersigned submits this testimony not in antagonism toward any local businesses, state agencies, the Committee or its members, but in the exercise of the public participation rights the Sunshine Law was enacted to protect rights that, in his personal opinion, were not fully honored today, the best way the testifier sees fit.
Potential consumer rights described in the attached could help supplement community resources on the ground in a time of acute need, and a budget process that could be argued to be "compromised" by some citizens, due to not accepting verbal testimony today.
Respectfully submitted,
Travis Liggett, M.S.
travis.liggett@gmail.com
+1 (808) 291-9934
April 13, 2026
*Nothing in the attached testimony or this cover message constitutes legal advice. All factual claims are drawn from official government documents. Consumers and businesses are encouraged to consult qualified legal counsel before taking any action.*
Subject: Written Testimony Submission Re: Ma'alaea Small Boat Harbor WWTP; Formal Objection to Closure of Public Testimony, BFED Committee, April 13, 2026
To the Chair and Members of the Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Committee, Council of the County of Maui:
The undersigned respectfully submits the attached written testimony for the official record of today's proceedings.
By way of context: the undersigned prepared and appeared today ready to offer two minutes of actionable, science-based verbal testimony directing the Committee's attention to ready solutions to matters of documented marine and public health concern, and to provide guidance that County elected leaders and community members may find of material value in directing recovered or discretionary funds toward verified disaster relief and marine health organizations during the current period of significant need across Maui County and the neighbor islands.
The closure of public verbal testimony at today's reconvened session, as set forth in the separate formal protest submitted contemporaneously herewith, rendered that opportunity unavailable. The undersigned hereby registers his disagreement with that closure and preserves all objections thereto.
The undersigned wishes to note, with respect and sincerity, that Chair Sugimura demonstrated considerable skill and grace in her management of a challenging testimony dynamic at a prior session. It is the undersigned's personal opinion that the closure of verbal testimony today (whatever its procedural basis) could be interpreted by citizens as an overreaction to that prior circumstance, and that it functionally reverses the narrative advantage Chair Sugimura had appropriately earned. It is further the undersigned's opinion that this closure leaves him no alternative but to employ written testimony to the fullest extent permitted by law and practice, with the intent of maximizing public financial benefit during a budget process that did not afford him the opportunity to speak today, with the goal of supplementing a budget process perceived to be impaired with potential citizen philanthropic action in the context of exercising consumer rights.
Accordingly, the attached written testimony is submitted in full. It addresses:
(1) documented, multi-decade noncompliance by the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation with Hawaii Administrative Rules governing the Ma'alaea Small Boat Harbor Wastewater Treatment Plant;
(2) the condition of the receiving marine environment as documented by the State's own Division of Aquatic Resources;
(3) consumer protection considerations that members of the public may independently choose to explore with their financial institutions; and
(4) a list of verified organizations (including active MolokaŹ»i flood recovery nonprofits and indigenous-majority board marine health organizations) to which any recovered or discretionary funds may be directed.
The undersigned submits this testimony not in antagonism toward any local businesses, state agencies, the Committee or its members, but in the exercise of the public participation rights the Sunshine Law was enacted to protect rights that, in his personal opinion, were not fully honored today, the best way the testifier sees fit.
Potential consumer rights described in the attached could help supplement community resources on the ground in a time of acute need, and a budget process that could be argued to be "compromised" by some citizens, due to not accepting verbal testimony today.
Respectfully submitted,
Travis Liggett, M.S.
travis.liggett@gmail.com
+1 (808) 291-9934
April 13, 2026
*Nothing in the attached testimony or this cover message constitutes legal advice. All factual claims are drawn from official government documents. Consumers and businesses are encouraged to consult qualified legal counsel before taking any action.*