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Council approves all but 3 directors

The Maui County Council approved all but three department directors during a final confirmation vote on Friday morning.

After listening to 75 testifiers a week ago, council members voted to approve eight of Mayor Michael Victorino’s nominees — Managing Director Sandy Baz, Corporation Counsel Patrick Wong, Water Supply Director Jeffrey Pearson, Finance Director Scott Teruya, Environmental Management Director Michael Miyamoto, Planning Director Michele McLean, Transportation Director Marc Takamori and Parks and Recreation Director Karla Peters.

The council voted 5-4 against Prosecuting Attorney John D. Kim, 6-3 against Public Works Director David Goode and 8-1 against Housing and Human Concerns Director William Spence.

The council’s decisions on Goode and Wong were a reversal from committee, when members voted in 5-3 in favor of Goode and 5-4 against Wong. In Goode’s case, Council Member Shane Sinenci changed his mind and voted against Goode. Council Member Riki Hokama, who was excused during the committee vote, also voted against Goode. In Wong’s case, Council Member Tasha Kama changed her “no” vote from committee, leading to a 5-4 approval for Wong. Both he and Goode were members of Mayor Alan Arakawa’s administration.

Baz, Teruya, Miyamoto, Takamori and Peters were the only directors who received unanimous approval.

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