Cultivating good governance

 

As incoming Council Chair in 2018, I revised the Council Committee structure from a format that mirrored the County Departments, which had not been updated for over 20 years. The focus was on the somewhat limited ability of the Council to provide oversight of County Departments  , with permission from the Mayor. However, the County Council is the Legislative Branch of County Government, somewhat similar to Congress in our national government. As elected representatives of their respective residency districts (mine is South Maui), as a group the entire Council addresses issues that affect all of Maui County which includes Maui, Lana'i and Moloka'i.

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The new structure goes beyond the former administrative arrangement and focuses the work of the Council on specific Legislation and initiatives that benefit all residents of Maui nui.

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 Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs are voted on by the Council as a group, based on their particular skills and interests. It allows Council Members the ability to make significant contributions in areas where they can be most effective. 

 

It has proven to be an and enjoyable, rewarding, and effective arrangement that will provide lasting benefit to residents and government for years to come.

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