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With the government's increased use of high-tech tools like facial-recognition software and automated license-plate readers, elected officials must scrutinize these methods to ensure privacy rights and civil liberties are protected.
The state Department of Law Enforcement announced their use of automated license plate recognition technology, which is used to provide investigative leads for public safety alerts and criminal activity. The department's website provides answers to questions on how the system functions.
Although surveillance tools are typically attributed to promoting safety, many residents have concerns regarding protection of the public's private information. Some concerns that arise include possible mismanagement of data, information being shared with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, proper auditing and accountability and the duration information is stored within the system.
On Sept. 2, the Maui County Council's Disaster Recovery, International Affairs and Planning Committee discussed relevant legislation -- including Bill 112 (2026), on the use of facial-recognition technology, and Bill 113 (2026), on the use of automated license plate reader data.
At that meeting in the Council Chamber, I raised some of the concerns that elected officials must balance: "Can I ask how you think about the right to privacy in a public place? Say this county building, a county park, a public road, for example. What kind of privacy is reasonable to expect in a public place, and what kind of tool is it reasonable for the county to deploy when it's trying to protect lives and property?"
The Council received several requests from county departments and concerned residents to be given the opportunity to either make further amendments to the legislation or to ask more questions. There is a consensus that more time should be allotted to learn more about these issues.
The bills discussed in committee include parameters that address some of the concerns of the public, such as enforcing Act 141. The statute was passed by the legislature in June to ensure law enforcement agencies do not disclose data for any federal immigration enforcement operation, except under very limited circumstances.
However, the Council must do more research and request additional information from the Maui Police Department, as they will be the main local facilitators of the high-tech surveillance tools.
The Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee sent a memo to MPD questioning the use of a $1,450,000 grant award received from the U.S. Department of Justice. In their response to the committee, the department said that $450,000 will be allotted to upgrade emergency responder communication equipment and the remaining $1 million will be used for a Real Time Crime Center in Kīhei.
The crime center was described as "centralized hubs that aggregate and analyze data from various technology sources to provide immediate, actionable intelligence to officers in the field." However, the Council will need more time to further scrutinize the crime center through one of its eight standing committees.
The county must be intentional and prudent in regulating high-tech surveillance tools that are deployed in our communities. Effective, alternative routes to investigate alleged law violations or breaches of data-sharing regulations include submitting complaints to the Maui Police Commission or consulting with an attorney.
I am committed to transparency in government affairs and remain grateful for the community's patience and understanding through changing times. Given the requests from the public to further refine the proposed legislation, I welcome community feedback to ensure the Council meaningfully balances public safety needs with robust protections for civil liberties.
Kauanoe Batangan holds the Maui County Council seat for the Kahului residency area and serves as the chair of the Government Relations, Ethics and Transparency Committee.