Maui County Council adjourned Tuesday without filling the open seat representing Kahului.

With County Council members split 4-4 on making an appointment, the deadline to fill the seat passed and the responsibility now falls to Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen.

The open seat came after the death of council member Tasha Kama, who died Oct. 26 surrounded by loved ones after a long career of service in the community.

Before she passed, Kama had expressed her wish that County Council members appoint Kelson Kauanoe Batangan to fill the remainder of her term that expires in 2027.

However, with three nominees up for consideration during a special County Council meeting, none could get enough votes to step into the role.

Prior to the meeting, Virgilio “Leo” R. Agcolicol had nominated himself, while council member Shane Sinenci had nominated Carol Lee Kamekona and Batangan had been nominated by Council member Nohelani Uʻu-Hodgins.

Kamekona has already announced her intent to run for the seat in the 2026 election.

For Hodgins, Batangan represented a well-qualified candidate, and the weight of Kama’s wishes sat heavy with her.

Council Vice-Chair Yuki Lei Sugimura also spoke highly of Batangan’s experience working with the county during the 2023 Maui wildfires and of his education as a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and in college.

“He has a lot ingrained into him,” Sugimura said. “I also think he represents Tasha Kama well in terms of his strength with his family.”

Council member Tom Cook said he also wanted to honor Kama’s wishes and supported Batangan.

Cook added that his previous work with Batangan had left him confident Batangan would have no problem grasping the budgetary process and upcoming community planning for South Maui.

“It’s unique that we get a long-term, multigenerational, local resident who’s gone and come back of his caliber who’s willing to serve,” Cook said.

However, when the time came to vote on Batangan’s appointment, it failed 4-4 with Chair Alice Lee joining Cook, Uʻu-Hodgins and Sugimura, and council members Gabe Johnson, Tamara Paltin, Shane Sinenci and Keani Rawlins-Fernandez voting against.

Johnson said his decision was guided by policy, and he felt Batangan would be too “fiscally conservative” at a time when Maui County has too much need.

Citing Agcolicol’s life experience and answers to questions about housing policies, Paltin gave her support to him.

Rawlins-Fernandez said community outreach and understanding the community were extremely important to her in the decision, and Sinenci stuck by his nomination while praising Kamekona for her work.

Subsequent votes to appoint Kamekona and Agcolicol also failed 4-4.

Unable to make a decision, council members turned to the county clerk, who reiterated that, per the county charter, the responsibility is now in the mayor’s hands.

There is no deadline for the mayor to make the appointment.