Local · Hawaii
Maui Council Advances Investigator for Lahaina Contractor Fraud
The 8-0 first-reading vote adds a seventh investigator to the prosecutor’s office; final approval is set for Nov. 13.
The Maui County Council voted 8-0 on first reading to add an investigator to the Prosecuting Attorney’s office to work full time on contractor fraud tied to the 2023 Lahaina wildfire, Maui Now reported. Final passage is expected at a second reading on Nov. 13.
Bill 147 was introduced by Council Chair Alice Lee at Mayor Richard Bissen’s request, Maui Now reported. The Investigator III position pays $61,284 to $87,336 a year, and Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Martin said the office will cover it through cost savings. Maui Now reported the budget director’s letter says no additional funds will be needed this fiscal year; Honolulu Civil Beat reported no immediate cost.
Civil Beat reported that the prosecutor’s office began referring contractor-fraud tips to Maui police in May 2025 and later opened its own investigation, and that a newly hired deputy prosecutor, a former assistant U.S. attorney, starts Nov. 6. “These investigations are incredibly time-consuming,” he told Maui Now.
Sources
- Maui Now, Oct. 27, 2026: Bill 147, 8-0 vote, salary, Nov. 13 second reading <https://mauinow.com/2026/10/27/council-gives-initial-approval-for-new-investigator-to-target-lahaina-contractor-fraud/>
- Honolulu Civil Beat, Oct. 30, 2026: budget letter, May 2025 referrals, staffing timeline, prosecutor’s comments <https://www.civilbeat.org/2026/10/maui-plans-to-hire-investigator-focused-on-post-wildfire-contractor-fraud/>
This article was drafted with automated tools from the sources listed, checked by a review pass, and published by Daniel Varrone. Corrections: editor@monochromechronicles.com