STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1687

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 158

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.R. No. 158 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING THE COUNTY OF MAUI TO IMMEDIATELY AND SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE THE FINES ASSESSED AGAINST PREDATORY COSMETICS ESTABLISHMENTS FOR VIOLATING THE MAUI COUNTY HISTORIC DISTRICTS ORDINANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the County of Maui to immediately and substantially increase the fines assessed against predatory cosmetics establishments for violating the Maui County Historic Districts Ordinance.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the LahainaTown Action Committee and thirteen individuals.

Your Committee finds that numerous predatory cosmetics stores have continued to operate on Front Street in Lahaina, Maui, and continue to engage in marketing techniques that are considered to be disrespectful, inconsiderate, and aggressive in nature, thus creating an intimidating atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. To address these issues, the Maui County Charter was successfully amended in 2022 to remove the generally applicable $1,000 cap on civil fines, thereby allowing the County to substantially increase the amount of fines that may be levied against these cosmetics stores, for the purpose of imposing fines in amounts that represent a realistic financial deterrent to future violations. Your Committee believes that significant increases in the fine amounts imposed on violators would also provide the County of Maui with more funding to establish additional inspector positions to consistently enforce county ordinances. This measure will encourage the County of Maui to take stronger action against predatory businesses that violate state laws and county ordinances prohibiting harassment and soliciting business on a sidewalk located in a historic district.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 158 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs,

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GLENN WAKAI, Chair