The Budget, Finance & Economic Development Committee of the Maui County Council recommended passage on first reading of Bills 103 and 104 and adoption of Resolution 25-173 to authorize acquisition and initial renovations of 24 North Church Street (the Takatani building) in Wailuku and to appropriate up to $10,000,000 in bond funds for the purchase and initial work.

The appropriation as presented includes up to $9,500,000 for the purchase price and roughly $500,000 for closing costs and initial repairs such as replacing a chiller, the fresh air intake system and the main fire alarm panel. The committee recorded seven votes in favor with three members excused; the committee recommended the measures be incorporated with any nonsubstantive revisions before first reading.

The administration said the purchase would bring the Department of Prosecuting Attorney (DPA) together in a single facility for the first time in many years. Josiah Nishita, managing director, told the committee the agreed sale price is about 5–6% above a listed appraisal and framed the acquisition as a strategic investment given rising construction and lease costs.

Andrew Martin, Maui County Prosecuting Attorney, described the operational impacts of consolidating staff. “The overwhelming number one answer in all three surveys was a version of either the building, meaning the old courthouse, or ... that we could all be in the same building,” Martin said, explaining that co-location would improve day‑to‑day coordination among investigators, victim‑witness counselors and attorneys.

County staff and outside resources answered members’ questions about building condition, hazardous‑materials testing, transition logistics and timing. Dan Shupack, county CIP program coordinator, and Guy Hiranaka (finance) said a property condition assessment and hazmat evaluation will be completed and that the county provided the assessment as part of the committee materials. Shupack noted some recommended repairs fall on a 12‑year maintenance schedule; immediate priorities include life‑safety and HVAC items that are covered by the initial repair funds.

Tony Takitani, the listed owner through ATAK Investments LLC, addressed the committee and said he and his family were prepared to move forward with the sale and to coordinate needed work prior to closing. County finance staff explained an escrow arrangement can hold funds and release payment to vendors after inspected repairs are complete to avoid delaying closing while ensuring work is done.

Members pressed on tenant transitions and parking. The administration said it is negotiating with current tenants and commercial real‑estate brokers to identify relocation options and that some county leases could be timed to expire to ease the transition. The county also plans to evaluate whether nearby municipal parking could accommodate employee and public parking if lower‑level parking is converted to office space in the future; officials said that would require community dialogue and more planning.

Council members asked about the old Wailuku Courthouse, which the administration intends to reconfigure (contingent on acquisition) to house the Department of Personnel Services and to pursue remediation and renovations to improve interior conditions and morale there.

On procedural timing, staff said the targeted closing date in documents could be extended; the seller told the committee he would accept a later closing date if needed. Committee members agreed to a committee report for first‑reading action on the council calendar and to complete final steps in November before final council action.

The committee voted to recommend passage on first reading of Bills 103 and 104 and adoption of Resolution 25‑173; the motion passed with seven ayes and three excused members. The committee directed staff to provide any required documentation and non‑substantive revisions before first reading at the full council.

The county’s written responses and the property condition assessment are available in the committee packet; staff said more detailed lease and transition plans will follow as closing and renovation schedules are finalized.