​TO: The Mayor of Maui County, the Maui County Council, the Hawaii State Legislature, and the Hawaii Department of Health.

​The Objective

​We, the undersigned residents and concerned citizens of Maui, demand immediate legislative and regulatory action to ban the sale, distribution, and manufacturing of over-the-counter Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) and its highly concentrated, semi-synthetic derivative alkaloids—specifically 7-Hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and Mitragynine Pseudoindoxyl.

​We call upon our county and state leaders to enact emergency ordinances to remove these dangerous, unregulated substances from gas stations, convenience stores, and smoke shops across Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, and to outlaw predatory packaging that targets Hawaii's keiki (children).

​The Justification & Public Health Crisis on Maui

• ​Predatory Marketing Targeting Hawaii's Keiki: Manufacturers are actively using colorful, cartoon-like branding, bright graphics, and candy-style packaging. These products are intentionally placed at eye-level on convenience store shelves next to local snacks and juices, directly targeting youth.

• ​Zero Local Age Requirements and Total Accessibility: Because these substances lack strict federal and state scheduling, they are sold openly across Maui with zero mandatory age verification. Minors can easily walk into a local gas station or neighborhood corner store and purchase these highly addictive compounds.

• ​Extreme, Engineered Potency: While traditional leaf kratom contains only trace amounts of the alkaloid 7-OH, local shelves have been flooded with synthesized and highly concentrated isolates. Clinical research shows that 7-hydroxymitragynine acts as a powerful mu-opioid receptor agonist with a binding affinity up to 10 to 20 times more potent than morphine, presenting a massive risk of severe addiction and accidental overdose.

• ​Rapid Addiction and Medical Strain on Our Islands: Due to their extreme potency, synthetic derivatives like 7-OH carry a drastically accelerated rate of chemical dependence. On an island with isolated healthcare infrastructure, the rapid rise of severe chemical dependency and intense, prolonged withdrawal complications places an undue burden on Maui's emergency services, medical professionals, and local families.

​Our Demands for Local and State Action

• ​Pass a Maui County Ordinance: We urge the Maui County Council to introduce and pass an emergency ordinance explicitly banning the sale and possession of concentrated 7-OH, pseudoindoxyl, and unregulated kratom products within the County of Maui.

• ​State-Level Scheduling: We call on the Hawaii State Legislature and the Department of Health to add 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine pseudoindoxyl to the state’s Uniform Controlled Substances Act (Chapter 329, Hawaii Revised Statutes).

• ​Mandatory Seizure of Youth-Targeted Products: We demand that the Maui Police Department and county consumer protection officials execute immediate enforcement actions against retail locations selling these unapproved drugs, particularly those using deceptive, candy-like packaging.

• ​Enforce Immediate Restrictions: Until a total ban is finalized, we demand an immediate county-wide mandate enforcing a strict 21-plus age requirement and behind-the-counter storage for any remaining standard kratom products.

​By signing this petition, we stand together to protect our families, our unique island community, and our keiki from predatory marketing and lethal synthetic drugs.

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