For Immediate Release:
Press Release by:
Alice L. Lee, Chair
Maui County Council
media@mauicounty.us
Batangan seated as councilmember; changes to committees adopted
WAILUKU, Hawaiʻi (Jan. 6, 2026)—Councilmember Kauanoe Batangan was seated on the Maui County Council at a swearing-in ceremony yesterday, which was followed by a special meeting where councilmembers agreed to committee-assignment changes, Chair Alice L. Lee announced today.
Batangan accepted the council seat for the Kahului residency area for the remainder of the 2025-27 term. He was appointed following the Oct. 26 passing of Councilmember Tasha Kama.
“Yesterday marked a meaningful occasion for the council,” said Lee, who holds the seat for the Wailuku-Waiheʻe-Waikapū residency area. “With Councilmember Batangan seated, the council immediately begins its work for the new year.”
By an 8-0 vote, the council adopted Resolution 26-1 to add Batangan as a voting member to all eight standing committees. The resolution also named Batangan as chair of the Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee, replacing Councilmember Nohelani Uʻu-Hodgins, who was named chair of the Housing and Land Use Committee.
More information on committee assignments and the duties of each committee is available on the council’s website. The 2026 council calendar is also available.
The council is scheduled to next meet tomorrow. Council meetings are livestreamed on Akakū Channel 53, at MauiCounty.us and on the council’s Facebook and YouTube pages.
For more information, call the Office of Council Services at (808) 270-7664
Batangan (right) was sworn into office by Judge Kirstin Hamman. PC: Office of Council Services
Batangan with family and colleagues. PC: Office of Council Services
