Lāna‘i Planning Commission Needs Applicants
As of April 5, 2025, two seats on the Lāna‘i Planning Commission (LPC) are currently vacant. The LPC is one of the few boards with authority limited to this island. It meets once a month and advises both the Mayor and the Maui County Council on land use and development matters. It also holds final decision-making power on permits within the Special Management Area (SMA), a coastal zone designated for environmental and cultural protection.
The LPC is responsible for reviewing and recommending:
Permits in the Special Management Area (SMA)
Short-term rental home and bed-and-breakfast permits
Community plan amendments
Zoning changes
Proposed land use ordinances initiated by the Planning Director or County Council
Sally Kaye, former LPC commissioner, said it’s one of the few ways residents have formal say in development decisions. “It’s our only home rule opportunity,” she said. “There’s nothing better than sitting on a commission that actually gets to decide stuff.” She pointed to the commission’s role in regulating the SMA. “We’re it. If something is proposed in the SMA, they don’t go to the Land Use Commission or the County Council — they come to us. Nobody gets to overrule us. We make the decision, and that’s the end of it. It’s very powerful.”
Erin Atacador, a current LPC commissioner, said she applied because her mother, Chelsea Trevino, previously served on the commission and taught her the value of civic involvement. “She’s always been a really good example for me about just being engaged in the community … advocating for our community,” she said. “So, I guess through her example, I got interested in applying.”
What to Expect If You Join
The Lāna‘i Planning Commission meets once a month on the third Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. Serving on the LPC requires some preparation outside of meetings. Commissioners are expected to read through agendas and supporting materials ahead of time. Depending on the topics up for review, that may take anywhere from one to three hours a month.
Applicants should also be aware of the following:
Financial Disclosure: All commissioners must file a financial disclosure form with the Board of Ethics after appointment.
Council Confirmation: Most appointees do not have to appear before the Maui County Council, but if a councilmember raises questions, they may be asked to attend a public hearing for confirmation.
Conflicts of Interest: Commissioners who work for or have ties to applicants may need to recuse themselves from voting on certain matters.
How to Apply
In an email to Ana Lilis, deputy director of the Maui County Department of Planning, she shared the following steps for the application process:
Fill out the application: https://tinyurl.com/yeypeuhu
The application is reviewed by the Independent Nomination Board (INB)
Applicants may be invited to an interview with the INB panel
If recommended, the application goes to the Mayor’s Office
The Mayor may request an additional interview or review the file
If the Mayor advances the the name, it goes to the Maui County Council for approval
Kanoe Shimizu, Lāna‘i’s representative on the Independent Nomination Board (INB), is available to assist residents interested in applying for the Lāna‘i Planning Commission. She can answer questions about the process and what the board looks for in applicants. For more information, residents can contact either the INB at Board.INB@mauicounty.gov or (808) 270-7855, or the Maui County Planning Department at planning@mauicounty.gov or (808) 270-7735.
Additional details can be found at mauicounty.gov/184/Lanai-Planning-Commission.