What's Being Discussed

The Maui County Council's Government Relations, Ethics, and Transparency (GREAT) Committee will meet on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. to review three proposed legal settlements involving the County:

• Endangered seabird lawsuit (Resolution 26-128): Environmental groups sued Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric, and Maui County, claiming that streetlights operated on the County's behalf endanger three native Hawaiian seabird species protected under federal law. The County is considering settling this case.
• Kepaniwai Park vehicle incident (Resolution 26-81): A woman named Charlotte Martin sued the County after an incident involving a Maui Police Department officer's vehicle in the parking lot of Kepaniwai Park in Wailuku on February 5, 2023. The County is considering settling this negligence claim.
• Wailea Alanui Drive bicycle crash (Resolution 26-122): A person named Bao Ngoc Tran sued the County after being struck by a County vehicle while riding a bicycle on Wailea Alanui Drive on September 19, 2022. The County is considering settling this negligence claim.

Note: The Committee is expected to hold closed (executive) sessions for all three items to discuss confidential legal matters with County attorneys.

Decisions Expected

• The Committee may vote to recommend approval, revision, or filing of each of the three settlement resolutions.

Who Should Pay Attention

• Residents concerned about wildlife protection and streetlight policies
• People interested in County liability and how taxpayer funds are used in legal settlements
• Anyone involved in or affected by the specific incidents described above