Sign Our New Petition Here:

The actions detailed in this petition reveal a pattern of decisions that undermine the Charter revision voters approved in 2024. The Ethics Board cannot fulfill its mandate while its leadership disregards the independence, transparency, and professional standards the Charter requires.

For these reasons, we believe it is reasonable and necessary to request leadership changes.

To restore public trust and ensure compliance with the Charter, we call for the resignation of Ethics Director Lauren Akitake, Board Chair Steven Sturdevant, and Vice‑Chair Michael Lilly.

This call is grounded in the following concerns:

Failure to implement the Charter‑mandated independence of the Ethics Board, including continued reliance on Corporation Counsel in matters where conflicts exist.

Failure to ensure proper process in handling ethics complaints, resulting in dismissals that appear unsupported by investigation or findings of fact.

Failure by the Ethics Director to meet professional obligations as a licensed attorney, including the duty to forward well‑documented evidence of potential attorney misconduct to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.

Adoption of unconstitutional rule changes that restrict public participation and transparency.

Acceptance of conflicted legal input, including advice from improperly authorized outside counsel in a matter central to ongoing ethics concerns.

Erosion of public trust at a time when independent, transparent oversight is essential.

These concerns reflect systemic failures of judgment and leadership, not isolated errors. The Charter revision was passed to break long‑standing patterns of conflict and internal influence by Corporation Counsel. Instead, the current leadership has reinforced them.

We therefore call for new leadership that will:

• Honor the Charter as written and intended by the voters.
• Protect the public interest over departmental influence.
• Uphold mandatory ethical and professional standards.
• Ensure that conflicts of interest are addressed promptly and transparently.
• Restore integrity and public trust in Maui County’s oversight systems.

Independence cannot be symbolic. It must be real, visible, and uncompromising. Leadership that refuses to implement the Charter’s requirements must step aside so the Board of Ethics can finally serve the public as the voters intended.

WHY THIS PETITION MATTERS
In 2024, Maui voters approved a Charter amendment to free the Board of Ethics from the influence of the Department of the Corporation Counsel.

The goal was simple:

• Independent investigations
• Independent legal advice
• Independent enforcement of ethical standards

But the system voters approved has not been implemented.
Instead, evidence now shows:

• Misinterpretation of the County Charter to Protect Corporation Counsel's continued improper influence
• Conflicted attorneys entering executive sessions
• Failure to investigate serious ethics complaints
• Conflicts surrounding the County Auditor and his legal representation
  Sunshine Law violations serious enough to have already triggered a State OIP investigation
• Dismissals of ethics complaints that contradict the Charter and the Board’s own rules
• New board rules with an unconstitutional gag order that blocks public participation

Public trust depends on ethical, transparent government.

Right now, Maui County's Board of Ethics and Corporation Counsel are intentionally falling short.

We demand change.

Sign Our New Petition Here: