"Wailuku is dead." That could have been the rallying call of those testifying in support of the Wailuku Civic Complex at the March 29 meeting of Maui County Council’s Economic Development and Budget Committee. The lead suspect in the death of this historic town? Well, that remains a mystery with multiple suspects. But proponents of the complex made it clear that the … [Read more...] about The Battle for Wailuku: In debating the Wailuku Civic Complex, stakeholders grapple over “revitalization”
Riki Hokama
Riki Hokama, Parliamentarian
A friend of mine calls Councilmember Riki Hokama (Lana‘i) by a Trumpian nickname: “Tricky Riki.” The name, this person would say, has been earned over the councilmember’s many years of service at the council, but one entanglement at last week’s director-confirmation hearing for acting Prosecuting Attorney J.D. Kim shows why the nickname stuck – and why the same person who … [Read more...] about Riki Hokama, Parliamentarian
Wailuku Civic Complex: ‘Winner’ or ‘Monstrosity’?
The Wailuku Parking Garage and Civic Complex project, with an estimated cost of $84.2 million, is the biggest number in the county’s FY2019 budget. The first phase of the project is set to begin mid-year. If fully funded, it will create a “super block” on the two-acre county municipal parking site which currently offers 214 spaces of free parking (see map, next page). As the … [Read more...] about Wailuku Civic Complex: ‘Winner’ or ‘Monstrosity’?
‘We’re not here to talk to the public’ says Councilmember Riki Hokama on first day of new term
By now it’s no news that things have changed on the top floors of the Kalana O Maui (County) Building. On Jan. 2, Mayor Mike Victorino was inaugurated along with members of the Maui County Council, followed by the first meeting of the new council, which elected Councilmember Kelly King to serve as chair, Keani Rawlins-Fernandez for vice chair, and Tasha Kama as presiding … [Read more...] about ‘We’re not here to talk to the public’ says Councilmember Riki Hokama on first day of new term
Concern grows over tentatively scheduled last-minute public hearing and special council meeting
With less than two weeks left in power and the clock ticking for the current Maui County Council, Council Chair Mike White is still angling for Hail Mary passes to take a number of controversial bills to the endzone. After last week’s marathon two-day council meeting which included a full day of public testimony, hotly contested bills dictating the momentum of the Wailuku Civic … [Read more...] about Concern grows over tentatively scheduled last-minute public hearing and special council meeting