By now, most everyone knows that the contentious Wailea 670 project passed “first reading” at the County Council. There has been speculation on when it might come up for “second reading”, i.e. final passage.
Council Chair Riki Hokama made it clear that the project would not be calendared for second reading until the developer has signed and recorded an agreement accepting the conditions the Council has placed on the project. That could take some time. There were so many motions, amendments, amendments to amendments, and parliamentary procedure hassles that Council staff could take some time just to sort out exactly what the council expects the developer to agree to. It would then have to pass muster by the Corporation Counsel (read “county attorney”) as to legal form. Then the developer would have to get it to attorneys for final understanding and approval. Anywhere along the way there could be hassles over what was actually agreed to.
Long story short, it could take quite some Maui time. People who intend to run for County Council in the November 4 election have to be making their decisions now. If Wailea 670 drags out, could it last into election season? That would probably make the project the most important election issue.
