For Immediate Release:
Press Release by:
Alice L. Lee, Chair
Maui County Council
media@mauicounty.us
Special council meeting set for Monday on procedures for filling vacancy
WAILUKU, Hawaiʻi (Oct. 31, 2025)—A special council meeting will be held Monday at 9 a.m. to discuss the process for filling the vacancy for the Kahului residency area created by this week’s tragic passing of Councilmember Tasha Kama, Chair Alice L. Lee announced today.
Lee said a special council meeting that had been planned for Nov. 12 won’t occur as the council strives to meet the Nov. 25 deadline to fill its vacancy under Section 3-4 of the Charter of the County of Maui. If the council doesn’t adopt an appointment resolution in time, the mayor may appoint someone to the seat.
“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.”
According to Chair Lee’s proposal under Resolution 25-202, which will be discussed at Monday’s meeting, any councilmember may introduce a resolution to appoint a qualified nominee to the Kahului seat. A second meeting would be held later in November to discuss proposed nominees with the goal of selecting one, Lee said.
Regular council operations continue as Charter Section 3-5(4) allows the council to conduct business as long as five councilmembers are available, Lee said. The next regular council meetings are set for Nov. 7 and 21.
Monday’s council meeting will be livestreamed on Akakū Channel 53, at MauiCounty.us and on the council’s Facebook and YouTube pages and will have an in-person component in the Council Chamber. For more information, call the Office of Council Services at (808) 270-7664.
